100 Things That Make Me Happy: Part 17

I'm compiling a list of things that make me happy. To catch up on more of these posts, click here. And in no particular order, I continue!

#81. Board games like Aggravation, Scrabble, Monopoly (even though I usually always lose), and others.

#82. The feeling of being "twitterpated".  (not that it has happened recently, mind you lol)

#83. Eating a Rice Krispie Treat. It's a rare day when I eat them. It's even rarer that I will buy them (although some days seeing a large box in Target makes me go all week in the knees). But ooohhh, I do love one.

#84. S'mores. Graham crackery-warm marshmallowy-chocolaty deliciousness. 'Nuf said.

#85.  Skipping. You cannot skip without smiling. I don't know what it is, but it's just fun.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Four hodgepodges til Christmas in case you were wondering.

1. With that being said I think I need to dive right in to some Christmas related questions, don't you? Which do you prefer-pretty gift wrap with a bow or a pretty gift bag with/without a bow?  What percentage of your holiday gifts are currently (as in right this very minute) wrapped in some form or fashion? 

Well, for starters, I wasn't wondering how many hodgepodges until Christmas, but thanks for reminding me how quickly Christmas showed up. lol

I like presents, period. Wrapped neatly with a bow, in a bag, or wrapped like a car ran over it.

I have zero gifts purchased, meaning I have zero presents wrapped. Give me a couple weeks. lol

2. What is one item on your Christmas list this year?

A Buster Posey jersey. My boy done made MVP!  :D

3. What makes a home?

 Making it cozy the best way you can. Bits and pieces of you. Pictures of family and friends. And in my case, a cat trying to trip me when she hasn't seen me in 10 or more hours.

4. Motown founder Berry Gordy celebrates his birthday on Hodgepodge Day-November 28th. Are you a fan of the Motown sound?  If so, who's your favorite Motown artist and/or song? Here's a list in case you're stuck. 

The only names I can remember are the Supremes and the Temptations. I'm not a huge fan, but once in awhile.

5. Red or green-which one is more prevalent in your closet?

Um. Neither.

6. True or false-bacon makes it better? If you answered true, what's your favorite dish made with bacon? 

Hold on a second here. Bacon is awesome by itself, with breakfast, in a salad, on a pizza, a hamburger or on a sandwich. I'm not sure what idiot at Denny's decided it was would be good on a sundae or whatever else they put bacon, but it nearly made me never want to eat there again. Ever. Same with Jack In The Box's bacon milkshake. I mean, ICK.

7.  Share a favorite holiday memory.

 It seemed tradition that Granddad would always try to sneak opening his presents before it was his turn. In my family, we take turns opening one present at a time so that everyone gets an "it's all about me" moment. Plus it makes the fun last longer. Every year, I would try to set Granddad's presents just far enough that he would have to have them handed to him, but somehow he always wound up with them practically in his lap. And while everyone else took their turn, he was slowly opening his next present. So that by the time it was his turn, his present was half open already! We miss him dearly.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

 My mom and I decided to go to the dollar movies on Monday. I had the day off work and she wanted to go into town for groceries and whatnot. So I looked up some movies and times and we decided to go see the House at the End of the Street with Jennifer Lawrence (from Hunger Games) and Elizabeth Shue (currently on CSI). Unfortunately we didn't have time to eat lunch before the movie. And this is what happens when we go to the movies hungry. The dollar movies suddenly aren't so cheap. We shared everything in the picture. (oh and FYI, the movie made us jump a few times! lol)

100 Things That Make Me Happy: Part 16

I'm compiling a list of things that make me happy. To catch up on previous posts in this series, please click here. And in no particular order, I continue!

#76. Running into people you know in a store. Since I've been back I've run into a few people I know while shopping yet haven't seen in years. It's not the ideal place to play catch-up, but it does put a smile on your face.

#77. Mom and I decided while shopping recently to build a gingerbread house. Mom says every year, "I've never built one of those and always want to." So we bought the easy way out - a box full of pre-baked gingerbread pieces and candy. We are going to build it on one of my days off after Thanksgiving. Hopefully it won't be a disaster. Even if it is, I'm sure we'll have fun.

#78. Scrapbooking. I don't do it as often as I'd like, and I'm definitely still a beginner but I do enjoy it.

#79. Jeff Dunham. I've seen him twice in person and had the best time ever. The funniest things are when he cracks himself up. And the last time I saw him, he brought out Bubba, and he hadn't done a skit with him in so long, he had to use note cards, only the audience knew the skit better than he did. His face was so red.

#80. Getting to visit with my great-uncle Glen and my great-aunt Marilyn. In my life, I don't think I've ever just sat and visited with them. A couple weeks ago, I got to do just that, two evenings in a row. They are wonderful people and it's a shame I hadn't truly visited with them before. It was so much fun listening to Granny and her little brother go on about their childhoods. I learned what a tomboy my Granny was as a kid and that she fought off Glen's bullies. Aren't they just too cute?!?!

Granny & Her Little Brother.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

I'm teaming up with Joyce and the gang for another round of Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. Turkey-love it or leave it?  White meat or dark?  What's your favorite thing to make using leftover turkey?

I like turkey. I prefer dark meat, it's more moist. And since I don't cook much, I don't make anything out of the leftovers. My mother does. I think she makes soup usually.

2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do-run a 10K or climb a mountain?

Um, is neither an option?! lol I might be able to walk a 10K, but I don't think my flat foot and bad knee would like me to run a 10K. Especially considering walking sometimes can be a painful challenge. However, most years, I have to work the day after. Not retail (Thank God!!).

3. Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse?  Explain.

Both. I love that it allows me to keep up with family and friends that I don't get to see much of. However, sometimes people overshare. And sometimes its the basis of an argument and the means of an "I'm not talking to you anymore" issue. As with most things in life, social networking is a catch .22.

4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in your life? 

Hard things - like the fact that I'm broke and if it weren't for my family I could possibly be living out of my car? lol It's a lesson in life and a lesson in character building. A lesson that sometimes one can only learn the hard way. I'm fairly thick-headed so, sometimes I have to hit the brick wall before I see the damned thing. lol

5. In the US, the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed 'Black Friday'.  Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person, or is it done more through the magic of the Internet? How do you feel about stores opening at midnight Thanksgiving night? Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday? 

I shop in person. It's rare that I order Christmas presents online. Mom and I have a thing - she helps me Christmas shop - it's a day that she and I can hang out for some Mother-Daughter time. That way, I usually get 95% of my shopping done in one day. I'm glad I never worked at a store that opens at midnight for Black Friday. I just don't get it. What? 5am not good enough for you anymore? I hear Target will be open most, if not all day, on Thanksgiving, and then it will still do Black Friday deals starting at midnight. I mean, seriously?! Obviously I will not be joining the throngs of crazy people out to get the best deals. I don't like crowds of pushy crazy people. I will be sleeping at midnight and working at my vet clinic on Black Friday.

6. Speaking of the color black-which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favorite?

MY SF GIANTS SWEATSHIRT!!!  :D  'Cause my boys rocked that World Series!!

7. What do you appreciate about your life today?

I appreciate the fact that my parents are willing to house me (in their 5th wheel in the corral) while I get on my feet and get enough money under my belt that I can afford a place of my own. I'm enjoying being able to spend time with them again. (But I still want my own place lol)

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

My apologies to my cousin and my mom - both of whom I think cried over my previous post about Tank. It did not seem to make them feel better that I also cried. Next time I have such a story, I will remember to put a disclaimer on it. Only, I hope there will not be another story like that. I'm not sure I could take it.

The Story of Tank

A couple weeks ago, a gentleman called our clinic saying that his dog had been attacked by a pit bull and asked if we had an available veterinarian to tend to him. Of course we did, and I told him to come straight away. I warned our doctor, Dr. H, that we had a bite wound coming in.

Tank, a 1.5 year old English Bull Dog, had not fared well against the pit bull that attacked him. The entire backside of his neck (along his topline) had several (and I mean, several) puncture wounds from the attack dog. In case you're wondering what an English Bull Dog looks like:

This breed is not exactly my cup of tea. They are sweet dogs, but I'm not a fan of the smooshed-face dogs. However, in Tank's case, he grew on me.

Because of his injuries, Tank was very sensitive and not overly cooperative. However, Dr. H and the tech were able to clean up the wounds. Dr. H told Tank's owner that she wanted to at least keep him over-night. The owner understood and left Tank in our care.

A couple days later, I came back in after a day off, and at some point in the morning Dr. H was working on Tank. His wounds on the back of his neck was now all dead tissue and was needing to be cut away. The end result was ugly. It was down to the last layer of skin that covered muscles.

Tank's neck later that night.

Taking Tank for a walk proved to be interesting. I put a leash around his neck very carefully, and just kept calling to him for him to follow me.

Tank's owners came to visit him daily. The first time the wife and her kids came in and I took them back. I had to warn them how ugly the wound was. I mean. Ugly. You can see for yourself. I also had to warn them about the smell. The poor dog was stinking up our treatment area pretty badly. I nearly cried with them when I took them back. The wife got teary, and her kids started crying. It took all I had to not lose it with them. I spoke to the wife about the dog attack and she said she got pictures of the dog that had done the attacking, including blood all down it's front. I told her that she needed to file a complaint with the police department - Animal Control wouldn't come get the dog unless they managed to trap it on their property. Evidently the owner of the pit bull has a total of 5 pit bulls (in CA you have to have a kennel license if you have 6 or more dogs), and they all keep breaking through the property fence no matter how many times Tank's owners patched it up. And all 5 dogs run wild and are aggressive. Tank's owners worry about their own children. I told her she really ought to file a complaint with the police and to take the pictures to them as evidence. I don't know if they have or not to date. But I sincerely hope they have.

As I said, they visited him daily. I told them that pets know when their people come to visit. Tank was kind of out of it, and not overly responsive the first few days. But they do know and they do like seeing their people while in the hospital. Just like people like having their family visit them.

After roughly two weeks of a hospital stay, the owners had to make some tough decisions. Tank had a very long road ahead of him in the healing process. And the owners only had so much money. In fact, they were out of money. Their bill was sitting around $1200. Tank's bill could easily run up to $5000 or more before long and the healing road would be long and hard. Tank still needs a lot of pain medicine and antibiotics and would require them for quite some time. We had been giving him IV fluids as he didn't always drink or eat enough.

Part of my sucky Saturday last weekend was that Dr. H called me at 9am (I went in at 10), to tell me that Tank was probably going to be euthanized because the owners were simply out of money and didn't want Tank to suffer anymore than he already had. She said that they'd discontinued the meds because of the euthanization.

The wife called the clinic a couple times saying that she couldn't get a hold of her husband and didn't want to do it with him there. The doctor on call that weekend told me to tell them that when they could come in, to call our answering service and he would meet them at the clinic.

I was asked to do treatments that evening, but was told that there was nothing to do for Tank. So I took care of the two parvo puppies and then when I was done I went to see Tank.

And I cried.

It was the worst thing I've ever seen. I could see the pain in his eyes. I have never in my entire life seen any living thing in that much pain. I petted him along his back and back legs. I felt it was important that he get some love. His owner wouldn't show up to put him out of his misery without her husband. They insisted on being there. I told him over and over that I was so sorry. I was so mad that I couldn't do anything. That the doctor wouldn't "give" away some pain meds so Tank wouldn't suffer so badly. I could only imagine the pain this poor dog was in, and even then, I still don't think my imagination came close.

My heart broke for Tank.

I left there to have dinner with my BFF. I got hugs. I got home, and I told my parents. My parents have never seen me cry over any animal that has come into a clinic I've worked for. I usually can hide it fairly well. But I couldn't hide my anger and broken heart over Tank. I got Mom hugs.

When I came in on Monday I asked the tech who had been on-call on Sunday if the owners came in over the weekend. She said no, there had been no need - Tank was dead when she walked in Sunday morning. He had died alone and in the worst kind of pain.

Rest in peace, little man. Rest in peace.

ox, me.

A Sucky Saturday To Follow A Sucky Friday

Recently I wrote a post about a very hectic Friday. I had ended it with "wait until you hear about Saturday." This is that post.

On Saturdays, my clinic has some odd hours. One office is open from 8-10 by appointment only. The other office, is open from 10-2.

When I came in, we had the day fully scheduled. Unfortunately, we also accept walk-ins. Do you see where this is going? Let me enlighten you.

The first column (far left) was all scheduled appointments. The other two columns were all walk-ins.

That many people in a normal business day wouldn't be quite so terrifying. However, we were only open 4 hours. With one doctor, one tech, and one receptionist (me). The first thing I see when I pull up in my car is that a doctor is working on a large Saint Bernard puppy in the back of a van. The front door is, of course, already unlocked and people flock into the lobby behind me. One member of this pack rudely tells me that our answering service tells callers that we open at 9am, when in fact we open at 10am. She was obviously pissed, however, what the hell can I do about it? Nothing. Except tell my boss a dozen times and hope that he remembers to pass the buck. I politely tell her that someone may have accidentally told our answering service that time, or originally we were and then it wasn't changed, or those were our hours at the other office but not here . . . profusely apologizing for not being open at 9am when it was most convenient for her.

The poor weekend doctor spent the entire day in exam rooms, with hardly a break. Once I turned the phones on at 10am, they didn't stop ringing. The people didn't stop coming in. Most people were patient about the wait times. Except for one guy. He walked in and said he had an appointment at 11 with Dr. H. I told him that the current wait time was about 15 minutes for an exam room and that Dr. H wasn't on this weekend. He got all pissy saying that he had specifically made the appointment with Dr. H. I, again, apologized and told him that perhaps the person scheduling his appointment thought Dr. H was on call this weekend, not knowing it was Dr. R instead; that more than likely they didn't have a copy of the doctor's schedule near them, but that Dr. R would be happy to do the exam. He huffed and reluctantly agreed.

 

At 2pm, I went to go lock the front door, but had some trouble getting the lock to engage. Apparently there is a button under the bar, and that button seemed to be jammed. I asked two girls to try, and they couldn't. So, Dr. R was called in. He took one of the girl's keys and tried. Next thing I know, I over hear Dr. R on his cell phone saying he had called a locksmith because he had broken the key off in the door. I teased him about it and he said, "Not like the lock was working anyway."

I had brought a small lunch with me to snack on, but never got the chance to touch it. I didn't stop moving until 3pm. I had had tentative plans with my BFF for a late lunch and maybe go to the dollar movies. From about 2pm on, the poor girl kept getting angry texts from me because the tech needed me to cover her doing treatments that evening, and then the deposit was off (again) and the tech decided she needed to count the damn drawer two dozen times. Not kidding. I was ready to blow a gasket. I finally left about 3pm, met my BFF down the road and we grabbed a quick and cheap bite at Jack in the Box. She was totally understanding and was definitely the highlight of my day. We spent about an hour chatting, and by the end of that hour, I felt less stressed and headachy.

I went back to do the treatments - we had two puppies that had tested positive for parvo. One of them greeted me with a lot of tail wagging. The other one was lethargic, but at least she didn't leave a huge poopy mess like she had earlier in the day. This was my first time doing treatments for this clinic so I had no idea where things were. But I did the treatments, and was nearly done when my BFF texted me and said she was in the parking lot. I let her in and told her I just needed to enter stuff into the computer. While I was doing that, Dr. L came in to check on the parvo dogs. I went to help him and while I was gone, my BFF decided to use my smart phone to check her email . . . among other things.

 

When the cat's away, the mice will play. lol

After Dr. L left, I finished inputting stuff into the computer and went with my BFF to have dinner. Where we sat chatting until after 9pm. After a rough couple days, my BFF was there to let me vent and to give me hugs.

What also helps is after a rough day, my parents are at home and give me hugs, too. Because I haven't even told you guys the worst vet story I have witnessed. That's another post. A post about Tank.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 I'm linking up with Joyce and the gang for another round of Wednesday Hodgepodge!

1. What rule of life should never be broken?

"Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself". If the world truly operated in such a fashion, I don't think we'd have all of the problems that we have today. I'm not saying there still wouldn't be problems, but I don't think they'd be as rampant.

2. What's your favorite family recipe? 

Hmmm. That's a good question.

3. Is the media manipulative? 

Hell to the yes. I have a hard time watching the news much anymore because everything is far too dissected - everyone keeps telling me everything and makes it hard for me to think for myself.

4. Hubs and I saw Skyfall last weekend...are you a fan of the Bond films? If so, who's your favorite Bond?

I'm not sure I've ever sat through one entire Bond film. For some reason, I've never been a big Bond fan. Although, I like Daniel Craig as an actor and I'm pretty sure he makes a good James Bond. Not that I would know . . . I can name only 3 actors off the top of my head that have played the character and I think there have been at least a dozen.

5. What is one thing you hope people never say about you?

"Selfish and uncaring". I know I can't please everyone, and I don't consider myself any more selfish than the average person, but I try to do right. Sometimes I fail, but that only makes me human.

6. What's a nearby tourist attraction you'd like to see, but haven't gotten around to visiting? 

The waterfalls around Whiskeytown Lake. I will try to see them next summer, I think.

 Also, Yosemite National Park. I've lived within driving distance my entire life and have yet to visit.

 7. Where's your favorite tree?

Hmm, good question. Don't think I've ever thought too much about it. I will go with a Weeping Willow. I just want to sit under it and read a good book, my own little hide-away. Although, I could do without the probably ants, though.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My car needs an oil change. Should get that done on one of my days off this week. I'm usually right on top of it, but since funds have been a short recently, I've put it off  until I had a regular paycheck coming in. Which means I'm probably due for a tire rotation, too . . . sounds like an exciting errand day for me this week!

Sooo, Friday Kinda Sucked....

I have not written much about my new job yet. Let me correct this. Now.

So far, I enjoy working for the new vet's office. Everyone is very nice and helpful. Most of us are learning as we go, even the doctors. The clinic I work for has opened a new clinic, and in the essence of "go big or go home", they are going paperless. All of the physical charts are left at the old place, which is still open. We print a "check-in" sheet that we place in a holder outside the room so the doctor knows who is in there, and we print a receipt. Other options we print are cage cards and Rabies certificates. So, not much paper. In the end, all of us are learning together how to go paperless. It's a challenge. Also is the challenge of opening a new office and realizing what you don't have when you need it. And trying to figure out who put what where and how the only pair of scissors keeps finding their way to surgery (to cut surgery drapes).

My biggest challenge has been trying to forget what I learned in Sticksville and learning how they do stuff here. Their prices, their policies, their way. That is a huge challenge.

Today, however, was not an overly enjoyable day. By 10am I was wishing that Excedrin was back on the market. Costco size. We have owners drop their pets off for surgery between 7:30 and 8am. Surgeries are by appointment only - however some people are getting the idea they can just "walk in". Confusingly enough, we accept walk-in "appointments" for things such as basic exams and vaccines. I had two walk-in surgeries today and two no-shows on my scheduled ones. At least they balanced out. People started calling as soon as I turned the phones over at 8am. In my first hour I was off the phone for about 5 minutes.

Around 9am, Dr. G comes and tells me he wants all the front lobby windows washed. Inside and out. Okay. If the phones would stop ringing that would be super helpful. Dr. H tells me I'm the one up front, therefore the only one who can do it. Um. Sure. I mention that I will need help answering the phones and she says okay. That didn't happen. It took me two hours to wash the inside of the windows. I never made it to the outside because people kept coming in and the phone kept ringing. At one point I had three lines going and a line of people up front about four deep. Did anyone help me? Nope.

We got a bunch of "retail" type items in earlier this week - toys, treats, leashes, food, etc. I found out the hard way that though the items may be entered in the computer system, there were no prices to be found. I called my Front Office Manager (FOM) at home to ask her what I needed to so and she told me. Can I just say I hate adding machines? With the phones still ringing off the hook, and the line getting longer, I finally just said (not aloud), "Fuck it" and sold it for a random price that was over what we paid so we still made a few bucks, just not as much as we should.

I had people be all kinds of rude to me. My only comfort was that no one cussed me out, however they still weren't very nice in some cases. Rude retorts of "well that just doesn't make sense to me" and "well that seems awful pricey", among others were what I received. People not able to make a decision about when they'd like to bring their vomiting puppy in for an exam because of the exam fee (turned out to be positive for parvo and this clinic requires a $500 deposit). I still had nice people to deal with, patient people that waited while I figured stuff out, they just seemed to be in the minority.

One of the techs I don't much care for. I think it's just a personality difference. However, I just don't much care for her. For starters, from the get-go this morning she's telling me that she has four treatments in back and that she'll need help cleaning the 8,000 square foot clinic. I tell her I will be able to take care of the front half (lobby, reception, exam rooms and front bathrooms). For some reason, she keeps telling me every time she comes up front. I'm not sure why. She kept telling me that I would have to do the front half of the clinic . . . yes, I'm pretty sure we've covered that. All day this happened. She kept telling me how much she had to get done today, while I'm up front alone fielding all the phone calls and the live people, checking people in and out, putting people in exam rooms and cleaning said exam rooms. I've got this shit covered.

This tech, at noon, comes up front and says she's taking her lunch. We take working lunches as we stay open during "lunch". So she sits at the counter behind me and eats her lunch. While I still continue working. Before I can ask if she'd watch the front while I fixed my sandwich, she's done with her lunch and eating her big ass bag of Doritos on her way back to the treatment area. I went and found a fork, made a half sandwich instead of a whole because I figured it would go stale while I worked. Fortunately for me, I was smart to have nabbed two of my mother's wonderful homemade chicken strips as well. I devoured my half sandwich, never really tasting it and then nibbled on the two chicken strips for the next three hours. And she still continues her little schpeel about the cleaning. Pretty sure I got it.

In the afternoon, my tech (Tech 1) gets relief in the way of a tech from our other office. (Btw she's had help all morning, we have a surgery tech Monday through Friday who leaves at 2). So she always had help, but she got help again. The other tech (tech 2) came over to see what treatments we had for tomorrow so she could come in for a couple hours on Saturday because  Tech 1 will be over her 40 hours if she comes in early to do the many treatments she's been complaining about all day long. I still get no help up front. Heaven forbid.

Around 3pm I started with trashes from reception, bathrooms, and exam rooms. It took me an hour because apparently people still kept calling and coming in. Somewhere around 4ish I was able to start dust mopping. And somewhere around 5ish I started mopping. I was finally able to sit down and do the money at 5:25. I was off at 5:30 and I hadn't done it by myself at this clinic (their way) before. It's fairly involved.

Everything was off. I was about ready to take my head to the counter top, when Tech 1 came in. I asked her to double check me. Same thing. We called our FOM and she came in to help us (she happened to be nearby, thank God). After a half hour of OT, we finally figured most of it out. The credit cards were off, because apparently a credit slip had fallen off the counter and behind something and I hadn't been aware of it. The checks and the cash were off because evidently a check went through as cash. We were still over on cash, but better over than under, so our FOM said, "let's not wrack out brains over it." She was glad this happened so she could show us how to fix these sort of things. Good learning experience. Because Tech 1 and I both learned. We printed all our reports, filled out our deposit and called it a night.

My parents called in a pizza and I picked it up and took it home.

Now, wait until you hear about Saturday . . . 

The Election Is Over!

“Government is not reason, it is not eloquence—it is a force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." ~ George Washington

 

The US 2012 Presidential election is over with. Thank God. I'm not sure I could have taken much more. America is so divided it's insane - a nation of polar opposites. I did not vote to re-elect President Obama; I voted for Gov. Mitt Romney. I admit I have joked with friends (those who oppose Obama) about packing up and moving to a different country. But we all know, in our hearts, that we truly love America and wouldn't leave her.

I did not vote for Obama because I have not been impressed by his first term. Rising costs, rising gas prices, rising unemployment, his "Obamacare", and a huge increase in our national debt. I'm not saying Obama is a bad person. In fact, I believe he is a good person and wants to do good and right by America - in his own way. I just don't necessarily agree with his way. I admit that he faces challenges that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, and there is no "easy out" or "easy fix" for any of those challenges.

 "You won't be able to afford college when you're older - hell yeah!"

In all honesty, if Romney had won the election, I'm not sure how much he could actually fix in four years. Think about it. The President can't just decide to do something and do it. He has to have Congressional approval. He has to draft a bill, it has to go through the House and the Senate and get voted on. That was the system designed by our Founding Fathers so that one man couldn't become a tyrant or dictator to the people. And several people have mentioned to me that a vote for Romney was a vote to end abortion rights to women - that women's rights would be revoked. Bull. Shit. Do you honestly think Romney has the power by himself to take way those rights? He may be against abortion because many religions/faiths/denominations are against it. I, myself, do no condone abortion. However it is not my place to tell another woman what to do with her body.

Either way, the President has a lot on his plate. 

Romney - "You're a schmuck."

Obama - "Don't call me a schmuck, schmuck."

I do not normally discuss politics on my blog, for various reasons. Mainly because people are so divided and in some cases, if you don't see it their way, you are wallowing in wrongness. I consider myself "middle of the road" on so many things. I can understand both sides of the argument and believe that if politicians would start listening instead of talking over one another, shit might actually get done. I also believe many politicians forget that they are, in fact, public servants. They are voted in office to do a job for the people, not to continually screw us over.

I watched some of the debates and was continually reminded that no politician ever answers a question. It's always vague. It's circutitious. It's beating around the mulberry bush instead of just hitting the damn bush and getting it over with. I think Americans want some answers - direct answers. Hell I think we deserve direct answers to our direct questions. And I'm sorry, but when I ask a question, I want an answer. Am I alone in this?

"Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it." ~ John Adams, 1776

I did not post much in the way of politics on my personal Facebook page, either. I had one post when I heard that Obama had been re-elected, "Damn it." That was it. However many people took it much greater (and angrier) lengths and people were suddenly telling others that they would defriend those people if they didn't shut their pie hole. Good grief, people. Say "damn it" and move on.

Another thing I did not do, on my blog or Facebook, was shout to the world that they had to vote. Yes, I agree that we should all vote. It's our right. Men and women have died to give us that right. However, I don't like to be hounded by people - from family to coworkers. Yes, I'm going to vote, otherwise I have no right to complain.

I am ecstatic that the election is over, however, because now I don't have to deal with political ads anymore. At least not for a couple years. I'm so tired of their mud-slinging ads, their debates, their speeches, their empty promises, their incapacity to answer a single question, and their slogans. I am fully aware that political mud-slinging is nothing new to American politics. I think we think its getting worse because it's shoved in our faces for longer periods of time and more often because technology keeps progressing. It's been going on since we started this business, well, since after George Washington was elected. After his two terms, it got ugly. Fast.

There was a difference though. For starters, I'm talking about the turn of the century. I'm talking around 1800. There were no computers - no Facebook, no Twitter, no internet of any kind. There was no radio and definitely no television. You had pamphlets and news papers. The best part? Social convention back then did not allow Presidential candidates (indeed, I believe candidates for any office) to campaign on behalf of themselves. This meant that in the beginning, they did not run around from town to town campaigning how they will be the best leader of the country. They, instead, relied on others to make their platform for them - this particular societal convention did not apply to supporters. And there was lots of mud-slinging. But the men running for President never uttered a public word about themselves. Wouldn't that be nice?? (at least part of the time?) Of course, this did not last all that long, and before we knew it, Presidential candidates started campaigning on behalf of themselves.

I also pay no attention as to which celebrities endorse which candidate. I don't care. However, since the 1920's, candidates have been getting huge publicity boosts by getting celebrities to back them. Sorry folks, I don't like to give the celebs that much power. I mean, hello, I don't care who Paris Hilton, Tom Cruise, or Lindsay Lohan vote for.

In a world of mud-slinging, lies, empty promises and half-truths, it can be difficult to become an "educated voter". It's also easy to become disillusioned about all of it. I admit I have a hard time stomaching politicians of any kind because I'm 99% positive they are lying through their teeth so I will vote for them.

“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be… if we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed." ~ Thomas Jefferson

In my little perfect dream world, politicians would cut their own pay. They would make laws that actually make some freaking sense. They would realize they have their hand glued inside the cookie jar and Americans are fucking tired of baking. I work my butt off to pay my taxes so that some politician can spend it on promoting new taxes.

I believe America will overcome this hurdle - this mountain we're having to climb. It's going to take some time, but I think we can do it. With all it's flaws, to me, it's still the best place on earth - it's home. We just need to work hard and smart. But most of all, we need to work together.

"We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it." ~ George Washington, letter to James Madison, November 30, 1785

100 Things That Make Me Happy: Part 15

I'm compiling a list of things that make me happy. To catch up on previous posts, please click here. And in no particular order, I continue!

#71. Discovering home-made soaps that a neighbor makes. I just learned a couple weeks ago that she's been making natural, home-made soaps. She sells them locally at farmers markets and a store in downtown Redding that sells only locally made items. She even has her own website - click on the link above or the picture to go check her stuff out! They (the soaps) smell wonderful.

#72. Having my parents home. They are not home yet from their Hawaiian cruise (I'm soooo totally jealous), and that's the problem. Okay, well it's not a problem really. But I'm having to do what they normally do and it's exhausting. I've always been happy to help out where I can, but my mother quite frankly rocks. And my dad is no slouch either. My Granny is easy to please - as long as she has coffee and food, she's a happy camper! lol However, you don't always really know everything someone does until you fill in for them, and that's what's happened while they're in Hawaii. I'm pooped by like 6pm when I get home from work and there's still animals to take care of and dinner to get on the table. My mom is a rock star.

#73. Having been able to feed my Granny edible food while my parents on vacay. I'm not much of a cook and it's not something I really enjoy. I can, I just don't like to. Granny has gotten pretty  much my whole array of cooking skills - pizza (homemade), BLT, grilled cheese, tacos, chili, and Pasta Roni. lol And she hasn't really run for the hills, and she's been eating it so it must be okay! lol

#74. Rainy days. Some winters are dry so we don't really get rainy days to chill around the house. But in NorCal, we've had some rainy days recently and it's kind of nice. Not when I have to walk Libby or walk up the driveway to get the paper obviously. Wednesday was my day off and I just chilled in the 5th wheel with Miss Harriet under some blankets and watched a movie.

#75. I just read an article in a local magazine called Enjoy, that happened to feature a high school classmate. It was so awesome reading about his business and his success in the area. I nearly screamed when I saw the name because I did know him back then when we were all little punk-ass kids. lol