The Outspoken Mom Blog

Stop making excuses.

Good Morning Everyone!

I don't have a lot of time this morning, ha!, when do I ever have a lot of time?!  Anyway, I do need to start waking up children pretty soon.

I think today I am going to talk about something I have been hearing a lot on the radio talk shows and I think it needs to be addressed.
Why do we feel like we need to apologize as a country to so many people?  What changed in our country that we have decided no one is to blame for crimes they commit, no one is to blame when they bomb our country, we must have done something to make them upset, and when an Army Major shoots his fellow Army men and women it isn't his fault and we should understand because those people were getting ready to go and fight against Islam.

Really, I just heard a snip of an interview from the BBC of an American that actually BLAMED the shot and dead soldiers because they were getting ready to fight Islam and it was their fault they got shot.  Hold on here bucko!!!  What?!!!!

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/199501.php

Then yesterday when I was listening to another show I heard that after 9/11 we actually had a committee that investigated, not who did this to us but, why they did it to us and what we did wrong to them to make them want to hurt us.  Plain and simple people...they HATE our freedom, they hate our religions, they hate us!  However, they hate us yet, many of them leave their oppressive countries to come to America, a country they supposedly 'hate' and raise their children here, attend our schools for terrific educations, take advantage of our great health care system(Oh sorry people, really looking around the world, we have a GREAT health care system) and they work great American jobs for great American wages.  I can see why they hate America so much.

Ok now, calm down!!  I don't think ALL Muslims or people of Islam hate us, I believe most actually like us and our troops.  It is the extremists.  But my question is why do they come here then and why do they raise their children in America but, raise their children to hate America?  And WHY as Americans are we allowing this to happen and we are for some reason taking the blame?
It almost sounds to me we are one of two things as a country, we are either bleeding hearts and believe we can create a Utopia in our world and everyone can live in peace and harmony.  Hey...if we can't get it to work in our own country, what makes us arrogantly believe we can do it around the world?!!!!  My second deal is we sound like we are an abuse victim making excuses for our abuser.  It is the ole, "Oh, you don't know what they are like when we are alone, they really are nice to me..." act!!!

So, are we the Utopia country or the abuse victim country?  Either way, we need therapy and counseling immediately!

It is never ok to shoot our people at our Army bases, it is never ok to fly planes into buildings, it is never ok to gun down innocent people anywhere!  People that do that have issues, don't make excuses for them!  I remember when the Oklahoma City bombings happened, we were angry as a nation, we were upset, we cried together and we didn't make excuses for those losers!  We put them in jail and we threw the book at them!  Was it because they were 'one of us' and that made it worse?  Are we now to a point where if you are white and American you are going to get the book thrown at you for Terrorism (which yes, I believe the Ft. Hood tragedy is) but, if you are an immigrant or you aren't 'white' or you aren't a Christian you can get away with terrorism on our soil?  It feels like it to me.

It seems like we have become so overly politically correct that we are now becoming a joke of a society where hate to say it but, it is the cause of us starting to lose our freedom, lose our sense of safety and we are becoming the butt of jokes around the world.  We are causing this to ourselves. 

I wish life could be fair, I really do!  I wish everyone could all have the same opportunities...hey WAIT, we live in America we all do have the same opportunities!  We all have free public education, we have the freedom to go anywhere in the country we please and you can get any type of job you like, here is the kicker...as long as you are willing to work hard to get it!  OH>....now it makes sense to me, we have created a politically correct country that doesn't feel people should have to 'work' for their opportunities anymore.

I have been the red-headed step/child my whole life(literally) and now, I feel like I am again only because I am a Christian woman, married to a Christian man, we are both ugh, gasp Caucasian, we are both college educated, my husband is a business owner and we are upper middle class.  We are the people that suck in this country all of a sudden because we have worked hard, our parents worked hard, our grandparents worked hard and now...we are being punished by our own government for that.  We need to stop giving to the people in our country that aren't willing to work hard including the people that HATE our country. 

I have a love for my country that brings me to tears every time I sing the National Anthem at a ball game, I stand with my hand on my heart, I sing the song by heart, and I tear up thinking of all the sacrifices our founding fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and children made for MY freedom. 

Now, I feel like that freedom they all shed blood for is slowly going away and as a mother, it scares me.  What sort of country am I leaving for my children?

Stop making excuses for people, stop making excuses for criminals, stop making excuses for terrorists, stop making excuses.....period!

It is Veteran's Day today, take the time to thank, really thank a veteran and take the time to think about what your life would be if you didn't have your freedom that they so gallantly fought for!!! 

If you don't like America good news, you can always leave America...if America sucks so bad...there are plenty of other countries in the world that you might find a lot more enjoyable, more like the Utopia you so crave.  Hey....if you have a wife, or a daughter, why don't you head over to Afghanistan or Iraq...I have heard women are treated very fairly over there.

I am sorry this is so negative today but, come on people!  It needs to be said, that is why I call this blog the "Outspoken Mom Blog" not the "I bury my head in the sand blog".

Blessings to all of you ESPECIALLY our troops both here and elsewhere!  Blessings to all of you veterans!

-Liza

Health Care reform and H1N1.

Good Morning,

I am a bit frustrated and ornery so, watch out!  OK, that is my disclaimer for the day.  So much going on with the family lately.  First of all, we have H1N1 in the house.  It sucks.  It seems to be getting worse as it moves through the family leaving me very worried for our baby who has yet to get it.

My 5 year old daughter just woke up crying with a temp of over 104.  She tested negative yesterday morning for the pig flu (yes, that is what WE call it) and by the time dinner rolled around, her temp was spiking up to 103.  So, please be careful with your children and yourself.

Many doctors both friends and the doctors we have seen have said, if you see a temp before November, it is H1N1.  We were told yesterday at the doctor if she gets a temp, she has the virus.  So, if anyone in your family gets a temp, get in there and get tested and then, STAY THE F HOME!!!!  I am so sick of hearing of all these people who are too busy to stay at home when they are sick or running a fever.  My father just left on a business trip, which includes him flying on a plane to at least 2 different cities all while he is sick.  But, in this 'economy' he feels like he needs to continue doing business.  So, he is traveling.  Yep, and we wonder how this stuff gets around so fast.

I am not sure if I am for health care reform or not either.  Man, I am even more frustrated with that crap!  Our family has terrific coverage, and a low cost because we are on our state run insurance and as we are trying to find new health care for our family, I am growing more and more frustrated that there are NO policies out there that don't have deductibles that aren't obscene.  The lowest I could find is $3000 but, that is paying about $700 a month and then still having to pay out of pocket the first $3000!!  Holy cow.  I am very willing to pay more a month if they just cover everything from the start.  I don't want my worrying about money get behind whether I take my children or myself to the doctor or not.

I have many friends that do everything but take their children or themselves to the doctor.  I don't want to be like that, if my children are sick, I want to take them to the doctor.  I have 4 children and the faster I get them to the doctor, most times the faster we are all better and the less people in our family get sick if it is something like pig flu or strep or whatever.

I need to go, my over bearing husband who doesn't think I am capable of taking care of my sick children just got home.

Oh one more thing that makes me anti health care reform...last night found out Merck quit making the MMR vaccine in separate doses due to pressure from Congress.  Stop legislating MY life and my children's life.  If I choose to still vaccinate but, I would like the shots done one at a time instead of in mega doses, that should be MY choice no my governments. 

So, there you see, I am VERY torn on the health care reform.

The baby is awake now.  Please keep you and your children home if they are sick and anyone with any answers about health care reform, please let me know.

Oh...and I am fine with my husband...just a bit grumpy today.

Blessings to you all,

Liza

Stimulus? Confusion!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

So, I read a blurb online today and then heard more about it on the radio and it just didn't seem to make sense.  So, I guess the state of Minnesota is set to receive about $4.6 BILLION in stimulus money and the good news(this is the part I heard on the radio) much of it is being used to keep or create jobs here in Minnesota.  Ok, sounds good, in fact sounds really good as I love my state of Minnesota.  Then, I hear how many jobs it has saved and/or created...just under 12,000.  Ok, now 12,000 jobs saved and/or created is a great number!  However, I am wondering, really?  $4.6 BILLION to save 12,000 jobs?  Now, I know not all of the money is being used for jobs however, both the internet and the radio said either 'most' or 'a lot' of the money is being used to keep and create jobs here in Minnesota. 

Now I am really thinking, first of all, 12,000 jobs for the entire state of Minnesota is really not that much and yet $4.6 BILLION in stimulus money, that seems like an obscene amount to be getting for stimulus money to begin with but, after making my husband do the math, he figured (if I am wrong with figures...HE did it not me) that is around $500,000 per job spent.  Huh.  So, considering the average American only makes around $24,000 a year and the average Minnesotan is around $28,000 a year....hmmmm.  Does that math make sense?  Am I missing something here?

Wouldn't we have just been better off sending each Minnesotan a $1000 check in the mail?  Or even a $100 check?  Or how about cutting property taxes that have gone up double digets every year in many cities for the past few years(mine included).  Or could we use some of the money to cut our sales tax for a couple years or to lower heating costs for a few years here in Minnesota?  My list could go on and on.  Or, why do we really need stimulus money to begin with?  Really?

I am still floored by the 'Let's spend our way out of the recession' too.  Really?  Because I wonder what the government would say about my husband and I spending our way out of debt.  Would they praise us?  Would they be so pleased with how we spent our way out of debt?  Can you really spend your way out of debt?  If you have no money and you spend more money, don't you just have even less money than before?
Then you add interest and penalties and such and aren't you worse off than ever before?  Doesn't the government tell us we need to save for retirement?  Haven't they been telling us to go back to having savings accounts to create a stronger banking system?  Well, what about our government?  Are they saving for 'retirement'?  Are they saving for a 'rainy day'?  Has the government opened up a savings account to 'save banks'? 

Am I crazy or does it seem like the government is doing very similar things with their (MINE/YOURS) money that they criticized big businesses for doing?  Didn't the government tell banks how irresponsible they were for lending out loads of money and doing sub-prime lending yet, if you think about it, isn't the government doing many of the same things?

I am confused, I am in disbelief, and I am frustrated.

If this makes more sense to you than me, please comment and let me know so I can understand.

Blessings to you all!

-Liza

Tell me the truth and only the truth.

Good Monday Morning Everyone!

I love Mondays this year!  My 3 older children are all in school and by the time I get home from driving my 3rd to Kindergarten and run an errand or two, my baby is ready for her nap.  I love it.  I still haven't figured out how to squeeze in a workout yet due to the baby still being on 2 naps a day but, I figure eventually I will be able to begin my workouts again.

So, I feel like being political again, maybe it is because I was listening to Glenn Beck on the radio on the way home but, it feels like a political day to me.  As many of you know, I am a pretty conservative person in my faith and more and more it seems in my politics.  Wow, if you would have told me in high school when I was a bleeding heart liberal that I would grow up to vote Republican in many of my elections, whoa!

I also need to set the record straight, I don't just vote down the party lines.  I tend to vote Republican more and more but, I did vote for a Democrat in our local elections.  See, I am one of those rare people that actually read what people are running about, I try to watch as many debates as I can and I do all the comparisons with the candidates to see who is MOST like me and who is going to MOSTLY vote the way I would.  There is no perfect candidate out there, there never will be.  So, that is my background, oh, and I can say, I have voted for Independents at least 3 times too! 

But, as I become a mother and I see what kind of a world and country I want for my children, more and more I believe, the Republicans seem to have better answers, at least for me and my family.  What I find especially concerning right now is how much our current President tends to contradict himself, how much he seems to like himself and how much he tends to be on TV and really not giving us answers.  I finally figured out what I think is happening and we are all buying it.

I am not sure if any of you watch the TV show, "Better Off Ted" or not.  I have actually only seen 1 episode in which the rumor got out that a new product had been developed when in fact no product actually existed.  So, his boss had already sold the product to the board and she did spin control and her and Ted did a HUGE presentation with great pictures and lights and excitement but, never once mentioned the product or what it was.  Everyone walked out of there super excited and many people walked out with question marks on their faces.  In one scene a guy turns to the other guy and says, 'Did you understand that?'  The other guy instantly says, 'You didn't?!' and the first guy says, 'No, no, I understood it, I was just making sure you did to!'

Here is the link to the episode...you need to watch, it really is sick how similar it is to our government right now....it is from hulu.com

http://www.hulu.com/watch/89210/better-off-ted-jabberwocky-presentation

It was a telling thing to me and finally it all clicked together for me, I truly believe that is what this current administration is doing to us right now.  No one really knows their plans, truly...if you do, please explain it to me because I can't find anything on the Internet, in news stories or in the paper about it.  I have even asked loyal followers of our Administration and truly, I have heard a lot of great 'selling' but, it doesn't seem like anyone really knows what they are 'selling'.

I can't find answers on the health care bill, I don't know if I want to support it or not because I can't seem to find the answers I am looking for on it!  I have even downloaded actual pages of the bill and still, it seems like a lot of mumbo jumbo and no plain English on what is really going to happen plus, it is in upwards over well over 1000 pages, how on Earth is anyone supposed to read that?!

I don't understand how we can be coming out of our recession when we are continually printing more and more money and we have nothing behind that money anymore, in fact other countries have even stopped buying our debt.  In everything I know and have read/heard, printing more money doesn't mean you have more, it means you are creating more debt and causing inflation.  Yes, the 80's are back and not just in fashion people!  Let me put the printing more money without anything to back it with in plain and simple English...that is like you and I continuing to write out checks even though we don't have money in the account(which is against the law by the way) and saying, "But, I still have checks left, I can't be out of money."

Now to be fair, the spending started years ago and in the time of war, we have always had huge amounts of debt.  But, I am wondering, why are we not doing rations and creating more and more jobs in the US for our families back home while the 'men' go off to fight the war?  We did that in WWII, why are we not supporting our troops, buckling down back here at home and working our butts off to save this great country of ours?

I am not foolish enough to believe that any one President has created our plight our country is in right now, I believe us as a whole nation has contributed to our nations downfall lately.  I think we have become lazy people who don't value education and believe we are entitled to things even if we aren't willing to work for those things.  I frankly DO NOT believe health insurance is a right.  Yep, you heard me, even us who are on MN Care, I don't believe health insurance is a right.  Let me put this in simple terms again....Forcing everyone to have health insurance and forcing companies to have insurance and forcing the upper class to pay for that insurance is like going to a doctor at gun point and forcing him to operate on you for free.  That isn't right.  I agree there are a lot of issues with our health care system and our insurance industry and I feel it is a shame there are so many children that are un-insured but, I don't believe government insurance is the way to do it.

I don't believe it is right our government is taking over former private companies and running them, I don't believe it is right they are firing CEO's, I don't believe it is right they are trying to cap bonuses and salaries.   That IS NOT democracy and that is NOT freedom!  That really is heading down a slippery slope to the government possibly having a say in everything we do. 

I think when you look at history during other tough times financially, you see great stories of people coming together, helping each other out, and truly bonding in tough times.  When government gets involved, it takes away the opportunity for others to help others.  If I am told where I HAVE to help, instead of where I get to help, I frankly do it begrudgingly and won't probably continue to help out after all is better.

I don't want to be told where I can give, where I can help and I WANT a say where my taxes go, and who they go to.  I don't want to help people that have been on welfare for years, I don't want to help people who choose to make bad choices.  I don't want to help those who are choosing to be lazy and not get out there and contribute to society.  Giving people things for free doesn't help them to appreciate the things they have.  It teaches people to quit, to be lazy, and to expect handouts.

Life is tough, life is hard and if you work hard and put your best effort forward, you MIGHT succeed.  It isn't guaranteed nor, should it be.

So, with all that is going on, I want answers, I want true answers.  I don't want the fluff, I don't want the big white smile, I don't want great stories, I want the truth, I want answers and I want straight talk.  I haven't found anyone or anyplace I have been able to get that yet.  By the way....I think I am not getting straight talk from BOTH sides on this messed up puzzle we call America right now.

So there I am, I am looking for answers.  Anyone have any?  I would love cold, hard facts people. 

Blessings to you all!

-LIza

Igniting the firestorm of Healthcare

Good Morning Everyone!

I have a lot to say and not much time so, I am digging right in.  I am frustrated and frankly confused about all the talk of health care reform and what it really will mean for our country but, really, what it will mean for me and my family.

I don't get why we need it, our state of Minnesota has a terrific health care system and we also offer our own state run insurance for lower income families and people.  In fact, really, you don't even have to be low income as with our sized family, we can make upwards of $67,xxx + a year and still qualify for our state health care.  Which my family and I have been on now for almost 4 years.  It saved us when Steve didn't have a job and when we couldn't get our own health care.  We still pay premiums based on our family size and our income.  Premiums can range anywhere from $4 (per person) up to over $200 (a family). 

We have no co-pays for the children or pregnant women and adults are $3.  That is for doctors visits, prescriptions, and eye appts and dental.  It will also cover things like mental health, drug/alcohol treatment, and cancer treatments.  We are free to visit our regular doctors and dentists and we have a very large number of doctors and others to choose from.  We can even see specialists when needed.

I like MN Care, I like it alot, and I am bummed that we will no longer qualify after November 1st of this year and we will need to find our own insurance.  I don't get the whole deal with not being able to find good quality insurance.  I have always had insurance, yes, it is expensive sometimes but, at least here in Minnesota, I think we have such a high quality and quantity of doctors to choose from, it is worth it.  Can you really put a price on your health?  Plus, how much worse would it be if you didn't have any health insurance?

I understand that most of peoples bills are from medical and it is the number one reason people claim bankruptcy.  However, I don't believe that is because of doctors or lack of health care and I don't believe a nationalized health care system will fix that.  Yes, it might lower the cost some but, really, we will pay for it in other ways such as higher taxes, lower standards, and fewer choices.

I used to work for a medical insurance company and I can tell you a few things that make our costs for insurance and doctor visits so expensive....US!  We are a sue happy nation and we like to blame others for everything.  We tend to not take responsibility and we want others to take care of us and we don't want to have to think for ourselves.

The claims that used to come across my desk were sick and unbelievable!  People suing their doctors for malpractice because their baby died at birth yet, they had NEVER had ONE prenatal visit or check up and the baby had issues that could have been solved or taken care of prior to the birth but, by the birth it was too late...believe it or not, many of those cases the women won and won a lot of money.  I even saw a woman who had 2 different babies die at two different births and BOTH she was a drug user and never saw a doctor for any prenatal visits and she won both times.  Sick.

Granted those are extreme cases but, I also saw people who sued the doctor because they claimed things like, they didn't know they could be allergic to the latex in their breast implants(even though they knew they were allergic to latex and neglected to mention it to the plastic surgeon), or someone who sued because they didn't tell their doctor about the 2 other doctors they were seeing and the 3 other prescriptions they were taking and had a huge reaction to the new presciption and almost died.  Those are all cases where the patient was clearly in the wrong yet, they sued...and won.

It is getting harder and harder to find doctors who specialize in just birthing babies because the cost of malpractice insurance is so high, it isn't worth it to them to practice.  I knew a doctor who refused to take patients that were over the age of 35 and having their first child because of the known complications and he just didn't want to take on the risk of liability.

Then, you add in the insurance companies.  Wow, they are in the business of making money and they will sell, sell, sell their clients(doctors and clinics) on why they should only prescribe their meds for patients.  There are many clinics that won't even offer generics or cheaper meds. 

Or what about people that refuse to go to the doctor until they are on their deathbed and they could have been saved had they just gone in earlier?  These are all cases that drive up our costs of insurance and of health care.  The government has so many other issues they need to fix before you can try and fix this!  It is like this...a car gets into an accident and instead of repairing the engine damage and the flat tires and broken windshield, they first paint the the car to make it look better and prettier because that is what is most appealing to the eye.  It still doesn't work and won't work until you fix all the broken parts but, it sure is pretty!

I hear everyone talking about insuring the uninsured...well, has anyone taken into account the people that choose not to have insurance?  Yes, there are people out there that just don't feel like they need health or dental insurance!  I knew many single people that were in their 20's that saw no use for having insurance and didn't want to waste their money on it...not because they felt it was too expensive but, frankly, they wanted the extra money for going out on the weekends or vacations or clothes.  In fact, looking back, I had health insurance my entire life and in my 20's, I think I can count on 1 hand how many times I went to the doctor (until I got pregnant) and I could have saved myself or my parents a heck of a lot of money by NOT having insurance.  Yes, it is important to have health insurance like you have car or home owners insurance just in case of an emergency but, then get emergency only insurance or something..way cheaper!

Now, in an effort to do some research for this blog, I did try to find some information about the Nationalized health care plan on the web...frankly, it was very hard to find any specifics on the plan(which is a bit un-nerving to me, personally) but, what information I did find says they are hoping to 'Improve Preventable Care'.  Ok, so does that finally mean our government will recognize alternative care and homeopathic?  Does that mean that I will finally be able to visit my chiropractor more than 12 times a year?  Does that mean the my son who is on the Autism Spectrum and takes hundreds of dollars of supplements and vitamins a year that those will finally be covered?  So that means vitamins will finally be covered right?  If what I read is right and they are hoping to stop people from getting sick with nutrition information and education and exercise and teaching America to be healthy again then one could assume that means us taking vitamins will be able to add those to our medical spending accounts or deduct them on our taxes as a health care cost correct?

Or what about those of us who not only choose but, those of us who also don't choose to eat healthier.  Do people who eat organic, whole foods, workout and in general take care of themselves inside and out do we get the opportunity to have cheaper health care?  Do we get discounts on our foods and stuff?

Or what about families with children with food allergies and sensitivities, will our nationalized health care help us offset the cost of buying wheat-free/gluten-free or dairy-free/casein-free foods so our children can be healthy and not be in the doctors offices as much?

Will we stop medicating children in the classrooms and teach parents, educators and others about the benefits of nutrition and how certain foods can affect certain children?  Is that part of the nutrition package in this health care reform?

Now here are my questions and concerns and please, I welcome all feedback and answers as I really don't know much about the nationalized health care plan.

-Will they tell me which doctors to see?
-Will my children be 'tagged' throughout their lives by the system because of their health care issues
-Are you going to force me and my family to have health care?
-What if we choose to not have national care?
-Can doctors opt to not take patients on national care? (they can on MN Care, and I believe it should be a choice for doctors/clinics)
-If there is a malpractice suit..who are we suing, ourselves?
-If we are unhappy with our national insurance (company) can we complain to them and then again, are we complaining against ourselves?

I know how inefficient the government is with spending, can I really trust you to spend wisely with my health care dollars?  How can you assure me that there won't be any 'gifting' or under the table deals with certain doctors/clinics like there is now with certain politicians and governments?

Social Security is a joke, the IRS is a bigger joke, how are you going to make sure this is a strong and well run system?  Why can't the states decide what is best for their people and be allowed to create their own health care systems based on the needs of people in their state instead of the 'general population'?

Is Minnesota the only state that has health care?  How many states have their own state run health care option?

Frankly, one more thing...sorry but, as we in Minnesota await the President to visit here and talk about national health care, one Minnesotan has a lot of questions and wants a lot more answers first.  Why is no one else in Minnesota standing up and talking about our own health care and how wonderful our system is here in Minnesota?  If it isn't broke...don't fix it!

Oh...and I am sorry, but, I understand the frustration of that S.C. Republican who shouted out last night.  Yes, it was very wrong that he did that and that he called our President a liar but, I do understand the frustration...here is why.

The President was speaking about health care and illegal immigrants at the time, by the way, as many of you probably don't know...I believe we will give the illegal immigrants access to free health care as we already do in Minnesota.  Yep, EVERY immigrant whether legal or illegal gets FREE health care in Minnesota.  Why?  Because they are afraid they won't get immunized so, they just give them all free health care so they will go to the doctors and such.  Don't believe me?  Heard it straight from a good source....one of our local hospitals that has an ER filled with immigrants daily/nightly because they use it as a doctors office instead of an emergency room.  We were told(after asking) flat out that the State of Minnesota with NO Questions asked, hands out immigrants free MN Care to assure they get immunized and go to doctors. 

So, there is your answer as to why that Republican blurted out last night.  Frustrating yes, I don't agree with him but, do understand.  Now, please help me understand the health care bill/reform so I can make an informed, educated decision about it for myself and my family.

Blessings to you all and DO YOUR RESEARCH!

-Liza

UPDATE:  I just read a slideshow about the reform and I think it is very similar to what I have said, it will cost us more, it will drive out jobs in the private insurance sector(of which Minnesota has a LOT of jobs) and we will be at the mercy of a government run agency that really, in my mind, isn't very good at running companies!

Plus, everything I have read says it will FORCE people to carry health insurance, why?  If they don't want it, that is their issue please don't make it mine.  I will say I agree with the President on one part of the reform....NO pre-existing conditions. 

Just remember everyone, once this is voted in and put into place, it is there forever.  There is no going back so, make sure you know what you are getting into, don't just listen to the speeches, read the papers, or blogs.  Do research, know what your Senator is voting for and know what the President is pushing.  I don't know if it is right or wrong for our country, I really don't know but, I want to make sure I know as much as possible before it is all too late...either way.

I am back with controversy.

Good Morning Everyone!

Oh it feels so good to be back!  I have been so busy this week trying to get back to 'normal' although, if you saw my house, it is anything but.  I still can't unpack my suitcase because I am still trying to get all of the children's rooms situated.  It has been a long process and if those children of mine ever complain about their rooms again, they can move their beds, dressers, desks, and all of their clothes by themselves!

Phew!  Momma is worked up!  There is a lot of pent up writing and conversations in me so, the next week or so might be a bit interesting to say the least.  But, I do have a lot of really good ideas for blogs so, hopefully my family and schedule will cooperate and I will be able to get them into a blog.

I am starting today with controversy.   Oh you know you all missed my controversial blogs!  So, I am logging on to my computer today and get the normal headlines from Yahoo.  I see one that stands out to me and instantly ignites something inside of me.  I am torn however, I am angry too. 

Abortion, yep, here it comes again.  So I read that our new Government run health care system will pay for abortions.  Neat.  So pretty much you are telling me that I am paying for abortions.  You are telling me that the pro-lifers have NO choice and are now going to be paying for women to have abortions.  Wow.  Now, as many of you know, I am not pro-life...nor am I really pro-choice.  I believe abortions should be legal only for the sake of women are going to have them anyway and they should be safe.  However, I don't really buy the pro-life deal either because frankly, I think many of them are unrealistic and sheltered...there I said it.

I believe there should be another group...a pro-choice/but praying for life and walking along the women no matter what group.  That is where I am.  I believe until we walk with these women, truly help them through then entire journey of being pregnant, having the baby and either keeping the baby or adopting the baby, we can truly have no say in what they do.

However, I can have a say in what I pay for and frankly, I don't want to pay for women to have abortions, by choice.  Right now the law stands that anyone on government insurance can only have an abortion paid for by insurance if they were raped, in cases of incest, or the mothers life is in danger.  I believe it should stay the same for the new government plan.

Our government right now is the most anti-life government we have ever had and frankly, it scares me.  By the way, I still am not buying our President is a Christian.  Yep, said it and I stand by it.

By the way, on that note, of the 'anti-life' government...I was listening to a talk radio show 2 weeks ago that was talking and had pages and pages of quotes from some guy...I never heard the name (I turned it on in the middle) but, is very close friends with our President and has written a book and gives speeches saying things like, 'women in the United States, should be forced to be sterilized after having 2 children.'

Ok, no...I would never agree to that.  Also, that in some parts of the country, where birth rates are extremely high and poverty is high, we should put drugs in the drinking water to cause sterility to keep birth rates in check.  WHAT?!  Just hearing things like that makes me think we are living in Communist Russia or that The Nazi's are trying to make a comeback.

Yes, my thoughts on this might be a bit extreme but, last time I checked..although, I haven't checked lately so, it might have changed, we still live in a FREE nation.  We are free to make choices and to not be ruled by our government.  Our government was created to 'govern' over us but, to not rule us.

I will not pay higher taxes to pay for women to have abortions.  I will not pay higher taxes to cover people for insurance that choose not to work or choose to not take care of themselves.

I do not want to pay higher taxes for someone to take the ambulance 300 times in one year to the emergency room....yes, there is someone who did that in 2008.

My family and I are currently on MinnesotaCare..it is our state run medical and dental insurance.  I think the state of Minnesota does a pretty good job of taking care of ITS people and doesn't need the federal government to step in and ruin it all.  Now, come this November our family will be going back to our own private insurance carrier and we are more than ok with paying our premiums and paying our co-pays that WE choose for an insurance company and coverage that WE choose.

By the way, we still do pay premiums and co-pays on our MNCare and yes our taxes go to that program however, it is a program you still have to pay for you just don't pay as much.  If Minnesota can figure it out, why can't the rest of the states?

Why does our health care have to be federal?  Why can't it be on a state by state basis?  Don't our states know more than our federal government ever could about what their people really need and desire?

Please stand up for us local and statewide government officials!  I know we are a Democratic state but, when did being a Democrat become more about a Socialist nation than a free nation?

I have to end there and I am so bummed out..baby just woke up and my other children are wanting lunch.

Blessings to you all and I warned you, I am a bit wound up from being away from the computer for so long!

-Liza

PS:  We are on MNCare because my husband was unemployed for 3 1/2 years....now that he has employment(self-employed) we will be purchasing our own insurance...it will be expensive but, worth every penny for our freedom of choice.

Follow your dreams

Good Morning Everyone!

I am sitting up here at my desk listening to my baby cry just praying she will actually take a nap this morning so I can finish cleaning our carpets and pack for the cabin.

I am not sure either of those things will get done or at least done well this morning if she does not nap.

So, my husband is currently looking for new office space because his company is growing...yes, even in this economy and they have hired a couple new employees, yes, even in this economy and he was telling me about one office space they found.  It sounds neat and I told him that it might make all of my dreams come true...even more than he already has!

My husband laughed at first but, when he realized I was serious, he thought it might be a good fit too.  Of course, they are in the infancy stages of looking for new office space and they are looking all over but, oh man, this one is in some sort of a company that does a lot of broadcasting stuff and advertising and stuff like that. 

Once he mentioned what the company did and what their offices are like, all I could hear from him is, 'blah, blah, blah, blah, blah'...sort of like when I am talking to him with a swimsuit or tight shirt on and all he hears is, 'look at my boobs, look at my boobs, look at my boobs.'

So my thoughts were racing, I was planning my big debut!  Yes!  I would go live with my blog!  I could do a local cable access show based on some of my blog subjects and really take it to the masses!...or at least who ever is watching local cable at that time.  OR, even better!  Radio!   Not really sure I want to be on TV anymore, all the wrinkles, blemishes, wrinkles, and someday gray hairs would be very apparent.  I don't want people watching me age on TV.  No, radio, that would be better!  I could just banter and not worry about looking into the camera, I could have guests, it would be great!

See, I have always had the dream of being 'famous'...not Madonna famous, or Michael Jackson famous or even George Clooney famous, just famous enough where people would actually want to hear me speak.  I dream of some day having my own radio show and even someday running for some sort of office.  Yes, I aspire to be like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh or similar.  However, I would like to stay more on the local or regional level.  I don't care about Hollywood or NYC, I really have NO interest in Washington DC.  I care about my local area, I care about my city, my county, my state. 

It would be fun to be on the radio, talking about local issues, some world issues, and home, children, marriage and God too.  It would be great to have a radio show that I could speak my mind and it would be ok.  I am sick of everyone being so stinking politically correct even when truly they are so politically incorrect!

When I hear a story about how one of Obama's closest friends has written a book and speaks about sterilization of women and how we should put drugs into our country's water system to cause sterilization...or about health care and the myth that people can't get affordable or good health care, have any of you checked out Minnesota's health care system?!  We have one of the best and our state medical system and health care is fantastic!  We don't need the federal government taking that away or changing it.

Or, I could talk about car seat safety and booster seats, I could talk about the books I am reading, I could talk about the feminizing of men, I could talk about education, anything I wanted and that could all be just in the first show!  lol.

I don't know how to get on radio, I don't know anything really about it.  I do know that I am a strong conservative and I am a mother of 4 children, I live in a very liberal state however, I love where I live.  I am college educated and I believe Jesus is my Savior.

It would be fantastic to start guest spots on someone's show locally and hopefully someday move on to my own show.  Will it ever happen, I do not know.  Will I ever run or be in office, I certainly hope so someday.  Only time will tell.

So, as I dream a little bit more today about my 'big break', I ask all of you, what dreams do you have that you have pushed aside?  What are your dreams and what are you doing to make those dreams come true?  I am living one of my dreams right now, I am blogging my thoughts, my dreams, my words and people are reading and responding and I love it.  It isn't the Broadway stage that I always thought it would be or on the cover of a magazine or on the runway like I was sure it would be in jr. high and high school.  But, I am living my dream of public 'speaking'. 

My next step will hopefully be to begin speaking to a broader mass of people and my other dream of 'changing the world'  will be when I run for some sort of office and do what I can to change my world in my local government and city. 

Blessings to you all and although your dreams may change, never stop dreaming and never stop following your dreams!

-Liza

Life is hard / Real Life

Good Morning Everyone!

Well, the clouds have rolled in once again to Minnesota so, those few warm and sunny days we had last week are gone again.  I am not sure we are truly going to have a summer this year.

So, today I am writing about the hard things in life, the unjust things, the bad things, just the things that happen in life.

This morning I sent my older three off to camp again today for the day.  It is the 2nd day of camp, they love it and I do too.  While we were waiting for the bus to leave a mom who was putting her 4 year old on the bus for his 2nd day of camp was worried.   For some reason, the bus left the YMCA 30 minutes late so, this poor little guy had to sit on the bus for 30 minutes.  Just enough time for him to realize he is going to be away from his mommy again all day.  He started crying, wanting his mommy and his mom was trying so hard not to cry too.

The kids that run these buses need to understand, for the little people, you need to get everyone on the bus and just leave!  I remember the same thing happening to our son when he was 4.  Same bus, same camp, same thing, the bus waited over 30 minutes for some kids that never showed up and my son lost it.  He was so upset he actually walked off the bus and I had to convince him camp was fun again and I ended up driving him down to camp.  He did great once he was there but, man alive, he wouldn't get on that bus again to save his life so, I had to drive him to camp every morning that week.

It is hard sending your children off to camp for the first time, even if it is only day camp!  It is still hard.  My people are totally ok with it but, I can bet the first time I send our baby there, OH, the tears!  And it probably won't be from her!

So, my children are off, I have just the baby today, it is supposed to rain so, I am going to try and clean and clear out part of my house today.  The clutter has just piled up in our house and I am not a good thrower.   See, I come from a house where my mother threw EVERYTHING.  Seriously, my entire childhood is in a small 16 QT. Rubbermaid container.  All the photos, keepsakes, everything.  I have very few photos of me growing up, I have even fewer of me from high school, none from jr. high and all of my toys, clothes, everything, is gone.  My mom is a thrower.  So, hence, I am not.

I am probably more on the hoarder side of things.  I never had a lot growing up, I always struggled for what I had and things have an emotional meaning to me.  I can still tell you who gave me what and when I got almost everything in my closet and my house. 

Well, I live in a teeny house, it is time to let go of the hoarding and begin another cycle of purging.  I can always tell when it is time because I get super cranky, nothing fits, nothing makes me happy and everything bothers me.  I snap at everyone and everything.

It isn't good.  I am not sure if I am bugged because of the mess or I am bugged because I know I need to throw things.  I think it might be a combination of things.  All I know is I am miserable, my husband is worse, and my children are all walking on eggshells.

I am hitting the 'master suite' which for those of you who have seen my house, you know that 'master suite' is 10x11 with a closet the size of a doorway.   So, it is easy for it to get out of control but, it is insane now.  So, I am filtering, I am purging, I am throwing, I am dumping. 

Then, if time allows, doing the same thing with my hall closet, which by the way is actually smaller than the size of a door but, I keep towels, toilet paper, toiletries, and stuff in there for 6 people.  That too, one thing  out of place and forget it, it is a huge mess and there is no room for anything else.

Life sucks sometimes and yes, it is very, very hard.

Then you add to that whole emotional piece a story I read on the Drudge Report this morning and wow, am I sour.

I can't write about it even now, I am too charged up about it but, I will post a link to the story.  Can't miss it though.  I would really like to know what has happened to impartial media?  When did media become so liberal and since when is it ok to only report the news from one side?  It is a shame what the media is doing and what we are allowing them to do.  www.drudgereport.com  It is the headline right front and center about ABC.

We are saying it is ok by watching these horribly biased news hours, watching reality TV while the families fall apart, buying trashy gossip magazines, reading about stars, and reality stars on the Internet.

It is time to go back to real news.  Breaking news is NOT about celebrities or celebrity wannabes.  Breaking news is something like 9/11 or the LA Earthquake, or The Oklahoma bombing.

Breaking news, is NOT whether Jon is cheating on Kate or not, what the Octomom is doing, if Heidi or Spencer are real or fake, or if Brad and Angelina are breaking up.  None of that is even news!

I bet most of you reading this blog know who all those people are!  I bet you know more about what celebrities are wearing, who is hot and who is not.  I bet you know more about what athlete is dating what star or what athlete is playing on what team more than you know about what is going on in our country.  Do you even know what is going on in your state, your city?

Who is our Vice President?  Who is your Governor?  Who is your city council rep?  Who is your Senator?

Do you know what is going on in Iran and its elections?  Do you know what is going on with our health care, our welfare, our companies?  Do you know about the kidnappings and murders happening all over our country and in Mexico?  Do you know that parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas are in an almost all out war?

Do you know what is going on with your own family, your own neighborhood, your own job, finances, etc....I believe some of you may know more about Paris Hilton and her romances than you do about your own children and theirs.

Stop.  Get back to what is true, what is right, and what is real.  Reality TV is not real.  Celebrities and what you see about them, is not real.  The life you are living in Minneapolis, Memphis, Des Moines, Austin, Denver, LA, or wherever you live, that is real.

Off to my real life.  I need to be real and start cleaning out my trash.  What trash do you need to dump out of your life?

Blessings to you all!

-Liza

Support Your Local Small Businesses

Good Morning Everyone!

Only 3 more days left of school for my people and I couldn't be more thrilled!  Frankly just because I am so sick of getting up so early and fighting my 6 year old to get out of bed at 630am.  It will be so nice to have my people sleeping in and to let them watch those morning cartoons again(we don't do TV during the school week) and to let them Wii it up all day.

Plus, the bike rides, the pool, the dog walks, the friends over, the play dates mine have away!, and our summer nanny, all things I am very excited to have going on.

So this morning as I was reading our local paper online and reading about some stupid kid who held a gun (a BB gun) up to the head of some kid in his school parking lot after school on Monday and is still being held...what an idiot!  I heard our milkman pull in front of the house.  Oh yes, we have a milkman!

I love my milkman, we have had the same one for over 4 years now and he is great.  Always on time, never misses a week and if he is on vacation, his little brother does his routes for him.  He is also great with the children and allows my son to jump onto his milk truck and 'help' him and has allowed that since day one.  He brings treats for our dog once in a while and just is a good guy.  He is a young guy, works hard and is always very pleasant and professional.

I started having a milkman because even though our grocery store is one house away from us, the heaviest items and the ones we run out of the most are milk, eggs, and juice.  When we first started my people were little and I was pushing a grocery cart home trying to hold onto 2 little hands sometimes 3 or, I was pushing the double stroller, holding on to a hand and trying to carry groceries.  I decided to find a milkman.

For us over the years our orders have become very limited because of our food allergies however, he does carry soy milk so, it works for us still.  It is great knowing every Wednesday morning around 730am I will have milk, eggs, butter, popsicles(in summer), and juice delivered to my front door and when the children were younger, he would often bring the stuff in and put it all away for me too!

He carries a bunch of different items and most of his prices are comparable to the grocery store, he just doesn't take coupons.  But, he carries dish soap, garbage bags, a few different cereals, breakfast sausage, eggs, juice, etc for those times when you open your fridge to feed your children breakfast and realize you are out of everything!  Oh, I know that has happened to more people than just me.

Even when gas was really high and everyone else started putting sur-charges on things or delivery charges, he still kept his free delivery and his prices didn't rise.  That is good service to me and that is why I continue to support him and continue to keep his service.

With everything that is happening around the US with the government seizing and taking over large businesses and our banks failing and homes foreclosing, we now more than ever need to support our local small businesses.  My husband and I have always tried to support and shop at our local small businesses instead of big box retailer.  We believe that is what made America what it is and we believe it helps our community when we shop locally and yes, you might pay higher prices but, you can't beat the customer service, the community feel and the fact that most local businesses also are local people that give back to the community in more ways than a big box could ever do.

I have quit shopping and using many of the big retailers because customer service doesn't exist anymore and that was something I prided myself in when I was in the working world.  The customers were 'always right' even when they were wrong, they were important and deserved to be treated well.  Now, I find only that philosophy in small businesses.

I avoided Target like the plague for almost 3 years because their customer service had gotten so bad.  Now, they are doing much better with it again so, I am shopping at our local Target again.  However, I avoid Macy's at all cost and I only shop there if I have a gift card.  I can't believe how empty the store feels and how completely rude the employees are now.  Plus, since they don't sell children's shoes, forget it, that was the main reason I ever went to a department store anyway.

I will say Best Buy is very good with customer service too however, I believe a lot of that is our local store is one of the last of the small Best Buys and they are located only a couple miles from headquarters.  But, they hold the door for you, greet you with a smile and will walk around the store with you helping you find what you are looking for.  THAT is good customer service!

However, for fixing our computers, we do tend to go to the local computer shop that I don't even know if it has a name but, they do a great job and their prices are right there with Best Buy's.  We try to stay away from chain restaurants, we tend to go to our local car wash instead of the big nationwide one down the road. 

That is how we as just average citizens can help pull our country out of this mess we are in right now.  Shop locally, shop the mom and pop stores and eat at the local restaurants.  Get to know your local business owners and work with them and get them involved in your community.  They will do it because it is like free advertising for them and it will benefit the community too.

I will say...my little side-note about what is going on right now in politics.  I will not be buying anymore GM cars.  I will buy used ones 2008 or older but, that is it no more new.  I will either go import again or I will go Ford.  I love America but, I don't love Socialism and government run companies.  That isn't Democracy and that isn't having freedom.  Democracy is letting companies fail.  Here is my little analogy on why we should let companies fail:  Mount St. Helens, it was dramatic and devastating.  The mountain never looked the same again and the towns around it were hurt too in the early 80's when it erupted.  However, if you visit the area now, it is lush and green again.  The valleys are filled with new growth, new trees, new wildlife and the cities and towns are back to normal and thriving again.  You need catastrophe, you need things to fail, you need things to die in order to get new things, new ideas, new products, new businesses.  By not letting these companies fail, we are not allowing 'new growth'.

Blessings to you all!

-Liza

Politics, Parenting, and Vaccinations

Good Morning Everyone!

So, today, I will give you all a quick Schwab Challenge update.  We are heading into week #4.  I am holding steady.  I am not gaining, I am not losing.  Same thing as I was doing before the Challenge so, my spirits are high!

Steve after 4 weeks of losing weight put on 3 pounds over the weekend so, he is a bit bummed but, thinks it is because he is building up muscle.  I would like to think that is why I am not losing any weight either..hahahahahahahaha.

Steve thinks he is solidly a size 38 now, which for everyone else that wears their clothes normal instead of big, he is really probably a 36.  He is really starting to look good as I have never seen my hubby in shape or without a belly, looking good Schwab!

I still have my belly, still look like I am 6 months pregnant, surprised people don't think I am as this is usually when I would be again.  NOT PREGNANT.....JUST FAT :-)  Actually, I feel great.  I love working out, always have and I do feel a lot better physically.  I don't feel I look better and my clothes don't fit better but, I feel better so, that is something.

I am not giving up.  I can't, need to get my hubby off the smokes.  Need to get that guy convinced that his family is worth living for.  Need to also convince him that I will severely maim him if any of my children end up smoking later in life and I will solely blame him :-)  That vasectomy he won't get now?  I will personally give him one later if any of my people take up that death habit.

Anyway, focus Liza, focus.

So I have a few things that were news stories over the weekend that I am trying to remain calm about.  I could go the political way however, ugh, I am too frustrated with all levels of government right now.  Actually, I AM going to talk quick politics.  Local politics.

Ok, so as many of you know our lovely state of Minnesota sucks at trying to elect a Senator and they are fighting each other and the state for that matter in court.  Of course, we have a winner now declared by the court who, by the way was the same winner in votes on election day.  However our lovely Republican candidate (and yes, many of you know, I usually follow the Republican party...however, I do vote with who I agree with the most each year...) anyway, he is not quitting, he will not secede.  He will not quit, he believes the law is on his side, he believes that he will win.  No matter what the cost, no matter how long it takes, no matter what, he is going to drag this great state through the mud and he doesn't care.

Now, yes, I don't think Norm Coleman is that upstanding of a guy anyway, I believe he is a politician through and through.   Sorry people but, he lost my vote when I would see him at local bars in the summer, never with his wife but, always a fine selection of scantily dressed young girls and one was ALWAYS on his lap and he was always in the 'bag'.  I have seen him like that at a bar in public enough times to know, this guy is a loser.....at least personally.  Professionally, maybe he is a good senator but, like I said, I try to vote for people that I tend to agree with including their lifestyle and I don't agree with his.

Now, I don't agree with Franken either so, all is even here for me.  I just want this race to be over!  Stop spending millions of dollars on a fight that really now, has no winner.  I understand why Franken is still fighting because I wouldn't want to give up a fight that I have won twice already. 

However, I know the Republican party is behind this whole deal, they won't let Coleman quit.  They just had a HUGE fundraiser for him last week to keep the lawsuit going.  Why?!  Well, I know why but, stop already!  Can't you see what you are doing to our state?  To our people?  Give up the fight now, focus on 3 1/2 years from now and be like Denny Green and just take the knee.

We are hurting financially as a state, we are losing jobs, homes, etc at a rapid pace.  Stop this wasteful spending in government, stop wasting the courts time with this frivolous court case so they can focus on a real issue. 

Take the knee Coleman, take the knee!  If you do so now, you might be able to keep a shred of decency.  And to the Republican party, give up now, start saving that money you are spending so you can find a GREAT candidate in 3 or less years and spend your money on them.  Focus on the future not the past.  We had horrible Republican candidates all over the map this past election, that is why we lost a lot of the elections, time to band together and figure it out people.

Phew, sorry, see, that is why I don't like writing about politics, I get too riled up!

So, quickly onto the real story I wanted to write about.  Our children.

I read an article in our local paper this weekend about a 30 year old woman who has Rubella (German Measles).  She was an unvaccinated woman who contracted it.  Big article saying, please vaccinate your children.

What really got me going was the arguments in the comments sections.  Wow, ok, here is my frustration with us parents.  We research cars, we research homes, neighborhoods, jobs, insurance plans, schools, strollers, cribs.  However, how many of us sit down and research what our doctors and nurses put into our children?!

I want MORE information.  Why was this 30 year old woman not vaccinated?  Is she an immigrant?  Is she a conscientious objector?  Because I am 36 and I had my vaccination against it.  We do not get enough information from the CDC with these 'outbreaks' as they so like to call it.  What are the consequences of Rubella (German Measles) if we do get it?  Is it deadly?  Does it maim us in some way?   Is it worse for children or adults?  Does it harm men and women the same?  (By the way, it can be very harmful to pregnant women and their unborn child)

Now, what are the consequences of the shot?  How many people are year are harmed by the shot?  How many people are year get/don't get the shot?  Has anyone died from the shot?  Has anyone been maimed from the shot?

Does anyone know?

I believe so often we just blindly go into the doctors office and believe the pill, the liquid, the shot, the whatever is just the 'miracle cure' for everything.  We often don't ask, "What are the side effects" we often don't tell them about the vitamins we are taking, what other meds we are taking and we just accept it when they say, "They need it."

Stop being a lemming.  Yea, you heard me, stop jumping off that cliff and doing things just because everyone else is.  Start asking questions.  These are your children, you brought them into this world, you need to know what is happening to them, you need to protect them, and you need to give them all the advantages you possibly can in life.

Educate yourselves.  I am not saying vaccinations are right or wrong, this isn't even about that.  This is about the lack of knowledge by many parents.  Ask questions.  Do you even know why children get shots?  Do you know what the shots are for?  Do you know what are the side effects and symptoms of the diseases themselves?  Do you know the side effects of the shots? 

I believe we should make educated decisions about our children as much as possible.  However, I also believe there is too much education.  Does this make sense?  You don't have to be an expert but, I think you should know something of what is being put into your children's bodies with these shots, I believe you should know what diseases you are protecting your children from and I believe you should know what the side effects are from both.

I am floored at how many times parents are just plain old Lemmings.  They just follow the pack never thinking of the consequences until something happens and many times, just follow the pack forever. 

God gave us all brains.  He wants us to use them, to educate them, and he gave us all hearts, he wants us to use them, to love our children.  Many times however, we don't combine the two.

Use what the Good Lord gave you, protect those children of yours, know what you are putting into their bodies, know the potential consequences of both vaccinating and not vaccinating your children.  Know that there is no 'miracle' pill and know that really all we should be feeding our children is things God made...not people. 

Blessings to you all, enjoy this spring weather.  Oh yes, it may be cloudy and cool but, at least it isn't snowing!

-Liza