Feburary 21st, 8pm HBO! I can't wait!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Happy Valentines Day?
Because nothing says "I love you" like a $25 bottle of Cobra & Grass Snake Whiskey.Who thinks up these things?
Monday, January 26, 2009
PCSing made easy!
I decided it was finally time to write a blog about WhiteFence. This site was recommended to me by my old old apt complex back in Costa Mesa CA. I have absolutely NO idea why more people in the military DON'T know about this site!
I've used this site every time we've moved. You can do everything from set up your utilities, to order the local newspaper, search for the cheapest phone/cable services (and set them up as well), and even change your address with the post office FOR FREE! This is like your one stop PCS shop... And more importantly, It's FREE! I mean seriously this cuts down SOOOO much on the added stress of PCSing by puting everything in one place. They even provide you with a moving "Check List"! I don't understant why people WOULDN'T use WhiteFence!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Breeding Republicans.
I almost peed my pants!
I was searching for kids books on Amazon this morning and came across this!
I don't know why but I think this is absolutely hilarious! I looked and the author wrote two other books too...
Oh man, I sooo want to buy these!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Way to go NFL!
This is just plane sad, So I read this blog on the The Thunder Run:
That's just wrong right? So then I go and read this little blog from USO Girls:
Since 9/11/01 it has become quite the event to have
military color guards present the colors and be present during the singing of
the National Anthem at sporting events of all kinds, and at Super Bowl XLIII
this will also take place. So to say I was surprised when I received this email
from a distraught Marine Mom would be an understatement:
My youngest Marine called me this morning.
In the course of the conversation he made mention of being part of the Color
Guard for the ceremonies at the Super Bowl. He has been part of other Color
Guards at other games and has been able to enjoy the entire game after
presenting the Colors. HOWEVER, this will not be the case this time. The 12
man/women color guard will be presenting the Colors and then will be escorted
out of the stadium and therefore not allowed to see the game. Steven and the 11
others are quite upset about this and have asked that I see if I could contact
someone and have that changed.
What? The Super Bowl won’t let the military color
guard stay and watch the big game? Yes you read that right. Was I skeptical? At
first, but after I contacted the Tampa Bay host Committee through their official website and spoke to
Katie Wagner, I was assured that yes in fact her email inbox is full of emails
from upset Marine Mom’s all asking for an explanation. To Ms. Wagner’s credit,
who by the way was extremely gracious during my questions the Host Committee has
no control over game day decisions; that authority rests solely with the NFL.
What has become a common yet gracious act of
allowing a military color guard to stay and watch the game from the side lines,
in honor of their service to our country, this time has them being treated as if
they are the unwelcome guests, common servants to be whisked away as soon as
their task is completed.
That's just wrong right? So then I go and read this little blog from USO Girls:
I just called the NFL at 212-450-2000 and spoke to a “Jared”. He stated that protocol is for anyone not working “during the game” to do their thing and then be escorted out. I asked if this will includeI really hope that word of this gets out and the NFL rethinks their decision. This is just wrong. Many people don't realize "Color Guard" is a volunteer position... Something done on top of a Marine's "Regular Job". The men who volunteer to do this, work full time Monday through Friday, but after everyone else goes home, these men and woman spend the added time at rehearsals and preforming in ceremonies. They don't get paid any more then my husband, they don't get any added composition other then a mere invitation to stay and watch the game or whatever event they are preforming at.
Bruce Springsteen and he said that he did not know what that arrangement was.
My personal opinion is the Color Guard is probably not at all up in arms about this but it just pulls at my heartstrings. I can't imagine, no matter how respectfully they might be treated while they are there,
that they would make them leave. It just doesn't seem right to me, and then on top of that Bruce Springsteen gets to stay?? You know "Jared" knows full well that Bruce is staying for the game, come on! I do respect what the NFL has done with the USO but seriously, you can't find some extra space for them to stand?
Obama's approval rating dropping
There's a shocker right?
Now that Obama’s in office, his approval rating is dropping... Although the media likes to call it "normalizing" I guess because that sounds better then to say that his approval rating's dropped 15% in his first 3 days in office! Mr. Obama had a whooping 83% rating on inauguration day, and by Friday, it had dropped to 68%.
Now that Obama’s in office, his approval rating is dropping... Although the media likes to call it "normalizing" I guess because that sounds better then to say that his approval rating's dropped 15% in his first 3 days in office! Mr. Obama had a whooping 83% rating on inauguration day, and by Friday, it had dropped to 68%.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Food for thought.
"You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich."
"You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong."
"You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift."
"You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down."
"You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred."
"You cannot build character and courage, by taking away men's initiative and independence."
"You cannot help men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should, do for themselves."
Any idea who made all those quotes? It was none other then a great REPUBLICAN, Abraham Lincoln... Maybe Mr. Obama needs to read over a few of those quotes. For someone who wishes to follow so closley in Abraham Lincoln's footsteps, he sure has VERY different points of view... But hey, that's just my two cents.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Peanut Butter Recall
Make sure you're checking your cubords and kids food... With more then 470 people in 43 states falling ill, the recall list just keeps growing! Here's a current list of all the recalled foods.
Keebler
Austin Quality Foods Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Mega Stuffed Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods PB & J Cracker Sandwiches - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Super Snack Pack Sandwich Crackers
Austin Quality Foods Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Austin Quality Foods Reduced Fat Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Austin Quality Foods Cookie/Cracker Pack
Austin Quality Foods Variety Pack
Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Keebler Toast & PB'n J Flavored Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Keebler Toast & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies (2- and 3-ounce)
Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies (2.5-ounce)
PetSmart, Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products
Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900
Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601
Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605
Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755
Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638
Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779
Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766
NutriSystem
Peanut Butter Granola Bar 1.41 ounces or 40 grams packaged in flexible film
Weis Markets
Weis Quality (WQ) Cheese Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, 11-ounce
Weis Quality Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers 11-ounce
Blanton's Candies of Sweetwater, TN
Blanton's Peanut Butter Sticks packaged in 8 ounce cellophane bags
Perry’s Ice Cream
Perry's Premium Peanut Butter Cup Craze Ice Cream 1/2 Pint
Perry's Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.5 QT, 1.75 QT AND 3 GL
Perry's Peanut Butter Chip Frozen Yogurt 1.5 QT, 1.75 QT and 3 GL
Perry's Peanut Butter Sundae Crunch Ice Cream Bar Bulk 24 pack
Perry's Premium Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream 1.5 QT and 1.75 QT
Perry's Perfectly Churned Light Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.5 QT and 1.75 QT
Perry's Light Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.75 QT
Shurfine Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.75 QT
Wegmans Chocolate Nutty Cone Ice Cream 1.75 QT
Wegmans Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream 1.75 QT and Pint
Wegmans Peanut Butter Swirl Ice Cream 1.75 QT
Wegmans Peanut Butter Sundae Ice Cream 1.75 QT
Wegmans Peanut Butter Pretzel Ice Cream 1.75 QT
Wegmans Peanut Butter Crunch Ice Cream Bar 6 pack
Wegmans Peanut Butter Candy Sundae Cup Ice Cream 4 pack
Wegmans Peanut Butter Sundae Cup Ice Cream 4 pack
Hy-Vee Inc.
Peanut Butter Cookies, Monster Cookies, Peanut Butter Reese's Pieces Cookies, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Lunchbox Reese's Pieces Cookies, Lunchbox Peanut Butter Cookies, People Chow Party Mix and Assorted Truffle Fudge.
Ralcorp Frozen Bakery Products, Inc.
Lofthouse Peanut Butter Cookies, Chuck's Chunky Peanut Butter Cookies And Pastries Plus Gourmet Cookies
Food Lion Bake Shop Peanut Butter Cookies
Wal-Mart Bakery Brand Peanut Butter Cookies
South Bend Chocolate Company
"Assorted chocolates" in 5 ounce, 8 ounce, 12 ounce and 26 ounce boxes
Hoosiers in 5 ounce
Hoosiers in 3.5 ounce
Valentine Heart, 14 ounces
McKee Foods Corporation
Little Debbie® Peanut Butter Toasty sandwich crackers — all sizes.
Little Debbie® Peanut Butter Cheese sandwich crackers — all sizes
Clif Bar & Company
Clif Bar Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch
Clif Bar Crunchy Peanut Butter
Clif Bar Peanut Toffee Buzz
ZBaR Peanut Butter
Clif Builders Peanut Butter
Luna Nutz over Chocolate
Luna Peanut Butter Cookie
All Clif Mojo Bars
Evening Rise Bread Co.
Peanut Butter Cookies and Peanut Butter Bars
The Kroger Co.
Peanut Butter Passion Ice Cream
Abbott Nutrition
ZonePerfect® Chocolate Peanut Butter bars
ZonePerfect® Peanut Toffee bars
NutriPals™ Peanut Butter Chocolate bars
Meijer
Meijer Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56235
Meijer Toasty Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, UPC #0-41250-56239
Meijer Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96635-3
Meijer Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream, UPC #00000007-19283-96843-2
Dinners Ready of Meridian, ID
Asian Marinated Flank Steak with Sesame Vegetable Stir Fry, Indonesian Chicken with Coconut Rice, and Chicken Satay & Bangkok Peanut Sauce with Jasmine Rice meals
Boca Grande Foods Inc.
ALL peanut butter and peanut butter and jelly combination products
Premier Nutrition
TWISTED Nutrition Bar, Vanilla
TWISTED Nutrition Bar, Chocolate
TWISTED Nutrition Bar, Peanut Butter
TWISTED Nutrition Bar, Variety Packs 15 and 24 count
TITAN Nutrition Bar, Chocolate Peanut Crunch (80g size)
TITAN Nutrition Bar, Chocolate Peanut Crunch (25g size)
Ready Pac Foods
Ready Pac Cool Cuts Celery with Peanut Butter 12/6.75 oz
Trader Joe's Celery with Peanut Butter 12/6.75 oz
Trader Joe's Celery with Peanut Butter 30/6.75 oz
Eating Right Apples with Peanut Butter 12/6.75 oz
Eating Right Celery with Peanut Butter 12/6.75 oz
Country Maid
Classic Breaks Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
Nature's Path Organic Foods
Optimum Energy Bars Peanut Butter flavor
It's [was] the inaguration ya'll!!!
There ya go folks. Actions speak oh, so much louder than words! In just one of the other "firsts" for Mr. Obama, our new "Prezizzle", became the first president in the history of the "Salute to Hero's ball" to NOT attend! Mr. Obama had absolutely no problem attending the ABC televised "Neighborhood Ball Ya'll" and Youth Inaugural Ball with Kanye West and Kid Rock! But he REFUSED to make time 48 MOH recipients who showed up to this event! This REALLY shows where this guys priorities are!
Barack Obama may have stumbled over his words briefly during his inauguration, but he made an even bigger blunder later Tuesday evening. The newly sworn-in President opted not to appear at what should have been one of the most important Balls on his agenda that evening - The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball.
The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball was begun in 1953 for President Dwight Eisenhower's inauguration. The event recognized recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award. There were 48 Medal of Honor recipients in attendance, who were undoubtedly disappointed by the Commander-in-Chief's failure to show. Over the past 56 years and 14 inaugurations, no President has skipped this event - until now.
The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball is sponsored by the American Legion, and co-sponsored by 13 other veteran's service organizations, including those such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Instead of attending this ball honoring our nation's heroes, Obama was busy making stops at 10 other official balls. Obama and his wife's first stop was at the Neighborhood Ball. From there they went to the Home State Ball for Illinois and Hawaii, the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Youth Inaugural Ball, and the Home State Ball for Delaware and Pennsylvania. They finished off the night with brief appearances at the Mid-Atlantic, Western, Midwest, Eastern, and Southern regional Balls.
Celebrities were a plenty at the balls, with Stevie Wonder, Shakira, Mary. J. Blige, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine, will.i.am, Sting, Mariah Carey, and Leonardo DiCaprio in attendance at the Neighborhood Ball. In addition, the other nine balls also featured a star-studded lineup including Kanye West and Kid Rock at the Youth Ball, Marc Anthony at the Western Ball, and Cheryl Crow at the Western Ball.
It was the party without all of the celebrities that Obama skipped. The very people who he sought to have support him during his candidacy and campaign, who have fought to protect this country, were snubbed in favor of publicity and the opportunity to rub shoulders - yet again - with the out-of-touch Hollywood elite.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Our New First Lady's Message to Military Families
Military.com By Michelle Obama January 17, 2009
On Tuesday, as people from all walks of life come together in common purpose to begin the work of renewing America's promise, my daughters and I will stand beside my husband as he takes the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States.
People have asked me how I'll feel at that moment. As a wife, I'll be thinking about how proud I am of my husband and how I believe so deeply that he will be an extraordinary president. As a mother, I'll be bursting with pride at the thought of my girls now being able to envision endless choices for themselves and the joy it will be to watch them grow up in the White House. And as a daughter, I'll be profoundly grateful to my parents, knowing that I am here only because of their lifetime of faith and hard work.
They're my proof that the American promise endures. It's that promise we all share — that our children might grow up with unlimited possibility, that our families might know the dreams of opportunity and prosperity, that people in every nation might look at the proud banner of this country and know the boundless meaning of hope.
As I take on my newest role — First Lady — I'll be thinking about what that promise means to all those whom I've had the humbling privilege to meet these past two years on the campaign trail: Americans across the country who opened their doors and hearts to share their stories with me — stories I carry to this day.
I particularly cherished my visits with military families all across the country. I met so many strong and inspiring military spouses eager to share their stories, their dreams for the future and the unique challenges they face because of their families' selfless service to our country.
And if there's one thing I learned, it's that when our servicemen and women go to war, their families go with them. I saw how they take care of each other, heard how they fill in whenever the system fails and discovered that the trials they faced always were matched by the hope they shared that better days are still ahead.
The simple 35-word oath my husband will take and the peaceful transfer of power it completes makes it easy to forget that the great fortune of our citizenship isn't free at all. It's a responsibility inherited only because generations of Americans have fought and bled and died for it.
So as I watch Barack take that oath, I'll be thinking especially about those members of our American family who stand guard across the world and the loved ones who await their safe return. Because even as we mark this moment in American history, there still will be empty seats at the dinner table; there still will be spouses struggling to juggle roles and responsibilities; there still will be children who mark the passing of a birthday without Mommy and toddlers who know their father only by a grainy video stream from a far-flung corner of the globe.
My husband and I are deeply grateful for the sacrifices that these families make to protect all American families. And we join them — today and every day — in praying for their loved ones and their safety. They don't ask a lot in return, just a Washington that understands the challenges they face as part of their extraordinary commitment to our country.
My husband understands that commitment, and he will ensure America lives up to its end. As military families join us on Tuesday, in person and in spirit, I want each and every one of them to know that for as long as I have the tremendous honor of being your First Lady, your voices will be heard, you will have an advocate in the White House, and the American promise you preserve always will extend to you, too.
All of us can learn a fundamental lesson from our military families: You don't need to wear a uniform to serve your country. We all have something to contribute to the life of this nation.
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And to honor the legacy of a man who believed that everybody could be great because anybody can serve, my family and I will spend the day performing activities in service to others. And we'll ask all Americans to join us in making an ongoing commitment to serve their community and their country, because in this new season of hope, that's the only way we'll begin renewing America's promise for all who reach for it and all who defend it — as one nation and one people.
On Tuesday night, my husband and I will tuck in our daughters like we always do. Their bedrooms will be different, their home unfamiliar. But they will drift off to sleep protected by that same sacrifice that has kept all of our families safe and safeguarded our freedom for generations — the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and their families.
For that, we could not be more grateful — or more proud.
On Tuesday, as people from all walks of life come together in common purpose to begin the work of renewing America's promise, my daughters and I will stand beside my husband as he takes the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States.
People have asked me how I'll feel at that moment. As a wife, I'll be thinking about how proud I am of my husband and how I believe so deeply that he will be an extraordinary president. As a mother, I'll be bursting with pride at the thought of my girls now being able to envision endless choices for themselves and the joy it will be to watch them grow up in the White House. And as a daughter, I'll be profoundly grateful to my parents, knowing that I am here only because of their lifetime of faith and hard work.
They're my proof that the American promise endures. It's that promise we all share — that our children might grow up with unlimited possibility, that our families might know the dreams of opportunity and prosperity, that people in every nation might look at the proud banner of this country and know the boundless meaning of hope.
As I take on my newest role — First Lady — I'll be thinking about what that promise means to all those whom I've had the humbling privilege to meet these past two years on the campaign trail: Americans across the country who opened their doors and hearts to share their stories with me — stories I carry to this day.
I particularly cherished my visits with military families all across the country. I met so many strong and inspiring military spouses eager to share their stories, their dreams for the future and the unique challenges they face because of their families' selfless service to our country.
And if there's one thing I learned, it's that when our servicemen and women go to war, their families go with them. I saw how they take care of each other, heard how they fill in whenever the system fails and discovered that the trials they faced always were matched by the hope they shared that better days are still ahead.
The simple 35-word oath my husband will take and the peaceful transfer of power it completes makes it easy to forget that the great fortune of our citizenship isn't free at all. It's a responsibility inherited only because generations of Americans have fought and bled and died for it.
So as I watch Barack take that oath, I'll be thinking especially about those members of our American family who stand guard across the world and the loved ones who await their safe return. Because even as we mark this moment in American history, there still will be empty seats at the dinner table; there still will be spouses struggling to juggle roles and responsibilities; there still will be children who mark the passing of a birthday without Mommy and toddlers who know their father only by a grainy video stream from a far-flung corner of the globe.
My husband and I are deeply grateful for the sacrifices that these families make to protect all American families. And we join them — today and every day — in praying for their loved ones and their safety. They don't ask a lot in return, just a Washington that understands the challenges they face as part of their extraordinary commitment to our country.
My husband understands that commitment, and he will ensure America lives up to its end. As military families join us on Tuesday, in person and in spirit, I want each and every one of them to know that for as long as I have the tremendous honor of being your First Lady, your voices will be heard, you will have an advocate in the White House, and the American promise you preserve always will extend to you, too.
All of us can learn a fundamental lesson from our military families: You don't need to wear a uniform to serve your country. We all have something to contribute to the life of this nation.
Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And to honor the legacy of a man who believed that everybody could be great because anybody can serve, my family and I will spend the day performing activities in service to others. And we'll ask all Americans to join us in making an ongoing commitment to serve their community and their country, because in this new season of hope, that's the only way we'll begin renewing America's promise for all who reach for it and all who defend it — as one nation and one people.
On Tuesday night, my husband and I will tuck in our daughters like we always do. Their bedrooms will be different, their home unfamiliar. But they will drift off to sleep protected by that same sacrifice that has kept all of our families safe and safeguarded our freedom for generations — the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and their families.
For that, we could not be more grateful — or more proud.
The Inauguration
I was sick and tired of the pre-election hoopla and liberal bias of the media. Now I'm sick and tired of hearing about the inauguration. One would think this is the first president ever elected in the United States!
I haven't bought any commemorative coins, plates or coffee cups. I don't have a picture of Barack hanging next to Martin in the living room either. He's just a man. In fact, he's just a man who is inexperienced and has very questionable associations. Between him, his cabinet and our 'new' Congress/Senate I am concerned for ALL of us. It will start with the welfare checks (tax relief) to the millions that don't even pay one dollar in taxes and who knows where it will end.
I know I shouldn't be watching this Inauguration on TV right now... It does nothing but irk me! But it's like a train wreck waiting to happen! I just can't look away! I'm honest to God just waiting for someone to get shot... Or a riot to break out!
I haven't bought any commemorative coins, plates or coffee cups. I don't have a picture of Barack hanging next to Martin in the living room either. He's just a man. In fact, he's just a man who is inexperienced and has very questionable associations. Between him, his cabinet and our 'new' Congress/Senate I am concerned for ALL of us. It will start with the welfare checks (tax relief) to the millions that don't even pay one dollar in taxes and who knows where it will end.
I know I shouldn't be watching this Inauguration on TV right now... It does nothing but irk me! But it's like a train wreck waiting to happen! I just can't look away! I'm honest to God just waiting for someone to get shot... Or a riot to break out!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Raising military family's healthcare costs!
This just irritates me that they would even consider raising any kinda of out of pocket costs for the military! I mean having a democrat in office I already wasn't expecting as good of a pay raise as we've been used to these past 8 years under Bush... But I never expected this!Health-care costs could rise under Obama plan
By Tom Philpott Daily Press
A new report from the Congressional Budget Office shows why some military retirees and veterans could face higher out-of-pocket costs if the incoming Obama administration and Congress take bold moves to reform the U.S. health system and make federal health programs more efficient.
Among 115 "options" presented — though not endorsed — in the CBO report, several focus on raising TRICARE out-of-pocket costs for retirees and one for families. Others would tighten access to Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics — or raise VA health fees — for veterans with no service-connected conditions.
Working-age military retirees will find in the report some of those familiar cost-saving ideas endorsed by the Bush administration to raise TRICARE fees, co-payments and deductibles for retirees younger than 62 and their spouses
But other options are new and, if enacted into law, would raise health costs for Medicare-eligible military retirees and for active-duty families. One option suggests having the VA health system disenroll millions of current users who have no service- related injuries or ailments
Every two years, the agency presents daring options for Congress and the executive branch to weigh while trying to control federal spending. The new report, "Budget Options, Volume 1: Health Care," is unusual in that it focuses entirely on health care, a Barack Obama policy priority, and its arrival is unscheduled
It's also significant that the agency director who led this work was Peter R. Orszag, the president-elect's nominee as director of the Office of Management and Budget. OMB is responsible for assembling the president's annual budget request to Congress. How bold will his economic team be?
"We are going to go through our federal budget, as I promised during the campaign — page by page, line by line — eliminating those programs we don't need and insisting that those that we do need operate in a sensible, cost-effective way," Obama said in November as he announced Orszag's nomination to join his Cabinet.
"We're also going to focus on one of the biggest, long-run challenges that our budget faces, namely, the rising cost of health care in both the public and private sectors," Obama said. "This is not just a challenge but also an opportunity to improve the health care that Americans rely on and to bring down the costs that taxpayers, businesses and families have to pay. That is what (OMB) will do in my administration."
Obama said, "Peter doesn't need a map to tell him where the bodies are buried in the federal budget. He knows what works and what doesn't, what's worth our precious tax dollars and what is not."Indeed, in the CBO report's preface, Orszag gets "special thanks" for having "conceived" the report and being "instrumental in its development."Many of its options deal with adjustments to Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance rules and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan for federal civilians. Most ideas are aimed at cutting costs, but some would enhance benefits.
Here are some options that would touch military people and veterans:
• TRICARE for working-age retirees — Fees, co-payments and deductibles would be raised for retirees younger than 62 to restore the relative costs paid when TRICARE began in 1995. TRICARE Prime enrollment would be raised to $550 a year for individuals from $230. Retiree families would pay $1,100 versus $460 today. Co-pays for doctor visits would climb to $28 from $12, and users of TRICARE Standard and Extra would pay an annual deductible of $350 for an individual and $700 for families.
• Fees for active-duty families — Dependents of active-duty members enrolled in TRICARE Prime, the managed-care network, would pay new fees equal to 10 percent of the cost of health services obtained either at military treatment sites or through civilian network providers. Total out-of-pocket costs would be capped, however.
To help offset these costs, dependents would receive a $500 nontaxable allowance annually. Those who elect to use alternate health insurance, rather than TRICARE, could apply the $500 toward their health insurance premiums, co-payments or deductibles.
CBO estimates that these fees would save $7 billion over 10 years and encourage Prime enrollees to "use medical services prudently." It also would entice more spouses to enroll in employer-provided health plans, instead of TRICARE.
• TICARE For Life fees — The military's health insurance supplement to Medicare could see higher user costs. Under this option, beneficiaries would pay the first $525 of yearly medical costs, as well as one half of the next $4,725 of costs charged to Medicare. So the extra out-of-pocket cost for TFL users would be up to $2,887.50 a year. This amount would be indexed to rise with Medicare costs. The change would save $40 billion over 10 years.
• Tighten VA enrollment — The VA health care system would be directed to disenroll 2.3 million Priority Groups 7 and 8 — individuals who aren't poor and have no service-related medical needs. Estimated savings would be $53 billion over 10 years. But Medicare spending would rise $26 billion in the same period as elderly among these vets shifted to Medicare.
Obama Hosting Pricey Party in Hard Times
I am sooooo glad main stream news is FINALLY picking this up!
Obama Hosting Pricey Party in Hard Times
FoxNews.com - Sunday, January 18, 2009
WASHINGTON - Unemployment is up. The stock market is down. Let's party.
The price tag for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration gala is expected to break records, with some estimates reaching as high as $150 million. Despite the bleak economy, however, Democrats who called on President George W. Bush to be frugal four years ago are issuing no such demands now that an inaugural weekend of rock concerts and star-studded parties has begun.
Obama's inaugural committee has raised more than $41 million to cover events ranging from a Philadelphia-to-Washington train ride to a megastar concert with Beyonce, U2 and Bruce Springsteen to 10 official inaugural balls. Add to that the massive costs of security and transportation -- costs absorbed by U.S. taxpayers -- and the historic inauguration will produce an equally historic bill.
In 2005, Reps. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., and Jim McDermott, D-Wash., asked Bush to show a little less pomp and be a little more circumspect at his party.
"President Roosevelt held his 1945 inaugural at the White House, making a short speech and serving guests cold chicken salad and plain pound cake," the two lawmakers wrote in a letter. "During World War I, President Wilson did not have any parties at his 1917 inaugural, saying that such festivities would be undignified."
The thinking was that, with the nation at war, excessive celebration was inappropriate. Four years later, the nation is still at war. Unemployment has risen sharply. And Obama pressed Congress to release the second half of a $700 billion bailout package in hopes of rescuing a faltering banking industry.
Obama's inauguration committee says it is mindful of the times and is not worried people will see the four days of festivities as excessive.
"That is probably not the way the country is going to be looking at it," said committee spokeswoman Linda Douglass. "It is not a celebration of an election. It is a celebration of our common values."
Douglass said the campaign sought to keep costs down by having the same decorations at each of the 10 balls, eliminating floral arrangements and negotiating prices on food.
"Those at the Obama administration are trying to be reflective of the climate," McDermott's spokesman, Mike DeCeasar, said Saturday.
The festivities began Saturday with a speech at Philadelphia's historic 30th Street train as Obama's trip began.
Sunday's concert at the Lincoln Memorial includes performances by Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks and others. Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah will read historic passages. HBO paid $2.5 million for the exclusive rights to broadcast the concert.
Monday, the inaugural committee is hosting a national day of service, followed by three "bipartisan dinners" and a concert at the Verizon Center honoring military families. The Disney Channel will broadcast the concert, which includes performances by teen stars Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, as part of a $2 million deal that also gave ABC the exclusive rights to broadcast one inaugural ball.
The television deals allowed the committee to recoup about $5 million of the $15 million production costs for the televised events, Douglass said.
Security and transportation costs are being paid by taxpayers. And with millions of tourists expected to descend on Washington for Tuesday's inauguration ceremony, Bush declared a state of emergency, allowing the district to recover some costs for the event.
The inauguration committee is paying for 10 stadium-style screens to broadcast the inauguration ceremony on the National Mall. It is also hiring garbage and recycling services and renting thousands of portable toilets for what one supplier called "the largest temporary restroom event in the history of the United States."
Obama has pledged transparency in his inauguration fundraising. He has disclosed inaugural donors as the fundraising continued, though he is not required to do so until after the ceremony.
Many of the fundraisers are well-known moneymen and women in Democratic circles. Those leading the list raised at least $300,000. They include two of Obama's top campaign fundraisers: Louis Susman, who retired this month as vice chairman of banking giant and government bailout recipient Citigroup, and billionaire Hyatt hotel heiress Penny Pritzker.
Obama Hosting Pricey Party in Hard Times
FoxNews.com - Sunday, January 18, 2009
WASHINGTON - Unemployment is up. The stock market is down. Let's party.
The price tag for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration gala is expected to break records, with some estimates reaching as high as $150 million. Despite the bleak economy, however, Democrats who called on President George W. Bush to be frugal four years ago are issuing no such demands now that an inaugural weekend of rock concerts and star-studded parties has begun.
Obama's inaugural committee has raised more than $41 million to cover events ranging from a Philadelphia-to-Washington train ride to a megastar concert with Beyonce, U2 and Bruce Springsteen to 10 official inaugural balls. Add to that the massive costs of security and transportation -- costs absorbed by U.S. taxpayers -- and the historic inauguration will produce an equally historic bill.
In 2005, Reps. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., and Jim McDermott, D-Wash., asked Bush to show a little less pomp and be a little more circumspect at his party.
"President Roosevelt held his 1945 inaugural at the White House, making a short speech and serving guests cold chicken salad and plain pound cake," the two lawmakers wrote in a letter. "During World War I, President Wilson did not have any parties at his 1917 inaugural, saying that such festivities would be undignified."
The thinking was that, with the nation at war, excessive celebration was inappropriate. Four years later, the nation is still at war. Unemployment has risen sharply. And Obama pressed Congress to release the second half of a $700 billion bailout package in hopes of rescuing a faltering banking industry.
Obama's inauguration committee says it is mindful of the times and is not worried people will see the four days of festivities as excessive.
"That is probably not the way the country is going to be looking at it," said committee spokeswoman Linda Douglass. "It is not a celebration of an election. It is a celebration of our common values."
Douglass said the campaign sought to keep costs down by having the same decorations at each of the 10 balls, eliminating floral arrangements and negotiating prices on food.
"Those at the Obama administration are trying to be reflective of the climate," McDermott's spokesman, Mike DeCeasar, said Saturday.
The festivities began Saturday with a speech at Philadelphia's historic 30th Street train as Obama's trip began.
Sunday's concert at the Lincoln Memorial includes performances by Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder, Garth Brooks and others. Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah will read historic passages. HBO paid $2.5 million for the exclusive rights to broadcast the concert.
Monday, the inaugural committee is hosting a national day of service, followed by three "bipartisan dinners" and a concert at the Verizon Center honoring military families. The Disney Channel will broadcast the concert, which includes performances by teen stars Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, as part of a $2 million deal that also gave ABC the exclusive rights to broadcast one inaugural ball.
The television deals allowed the committee to recoup about $5 million of the $15 million production costs for the televised events, Douglass said.
Security and transportation costs are being paid by taxpayers. And with millions of tourists expected to descend on Washington for Tuesday's inauguration ceremony, Bush declared a state of emergency, allowing the district to recover some costs for the event.
The inauguration committee is paying for 10 stadium-style screens to broadcast the inauguration ceremony on the National Mall. It is also hiring garbage and recycling services and renting thousands of portable toilets for what one supplier called "the largest temporary restroom event in the history of the United States."
Obama has pledged transparency in his inauguration fundraising. He has disclosed inaugural donors as the fundraising continued, though he is not required to do so until after the ceremony.
Many of the fundraisers are well-known moneymen and women in Democratic circles. Those leading the list raised at least $300,000. They include two of Obama's top campaign fundraisers: Louis Susman, who retired this month as vice chairman of banking giant and government bailout recipient Citigroup, and billionaire Hyatt hotel heiress Penny Pritzker.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Not just our next president, but now a product.
Last night my husband and I went to a cute little diner on the other side of town, and got into this discussion about how Obama isn't just our "president-elect" and our next commander-in-chief... But he's now a product and brand.
Anywayz, I stole a menu from the restaurant since they had a special Inauguration Menu... I thought it was kinda interesting... Looks like every one's trying to profit off this thing one way or another.
Anywayz, I stole a menu from the restaurant since they had a special Inauguration Menu... I thought it was kinda interesting... Looks like every one's trying to profit off this thing one way or another.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Well Mr Obama, you shocked me again...
Wow, I was just astonished when I learned that the cost of Mr. Obama little inauguration party had soared to over $160 million! Crazy right? $160 million!!! Now just as a comparison, how much do you think President Bush spent on his last inauguration ball? Any guesses? $40 million. Yeah, that's right $120 million LESS then Mr Obama!Now that we're in the midst of an economic downturn, yeah, go out there and get all dressed up, spend it up, bad economic times, this is when we need to indulge ourselves with the mostexpensive in US history. Is this the change Change we can believe in?
In fact, in back on January 13th, 2005 the Associated Press, wrote an article stating: "President Bush's second inauguration will cost tens of millions of dollars, $40 million alone in private donations for the balls, parade and other invitation-only parties. With that kind of money, what could you buy? Two hundred armored Humvees with the best armor for troops in Iraq; vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children in regions devastated by the tsunami; a down payment on the nation's deficit, which hit a record-breaking $412 billion last year."
And the thing that is just driving me NUTS is the damn media... They just sit there and bash Bush a million times over... But not one story so far about how many people in Darfur could we feed with this $160 million? How many Africans could be vaccinated against AIDS for some of this $160 million? How many homes we could you buy for the Katrina victims that the media's s still complaining about with this $160 million? What about all the children without health care? What about all of the middle-class people without jobs? How many people could be aided with a portion of Obama's inauguration budget? Bush's was $40 million and they were asking how it could be better spent, that it's unnecessary. We weren't in a recession either, by the way, we weren't in an economic downturn. So now, by all means, go on and live it up, because guess what Mr. Obama, like everything else, you're exempt.
Sleepless Nights
My eyes are red, they're dry... My head is pounding, every bone in my body aches!
I thought I could get some decent sleep by going to bed at 11pm... Nope, my husband wants to pick and annoy me till, I kid you not, 1:30am... and then of course the 2-1/2 year old wakes up... Who has to get up with her? No not my husband, he works tomorrow... ME! So I go in her room at 1:30... I have to lay in her bed for a hour, but there's really not enough room for the both of us so we never could fall asleep... She kicks me out of the bed around 2:30... I thought she had fallen aseep. I laid on the floor in pain, trying to fall asleep. All of a sudden she sits up and tells me she pooped (she wears pull ups to bed). UGH. So I go downstairs, but a new pull-up and wipes and look at the clock... It was 3:30!!! Ugh! So I change her and get her back in her bed, and I lay on the floor and pass out... Only to be woken up at 6:30 because my husbands mad at me and wants to stomp around... Congrats he succeeded to wake up our daughter, which then woke me up... So yeah, 3 hours is defiantly not enough sleep to run off of. Period. No matter how much coffee you have.
I needed to walk down the the grocery store to pick up a bunch of stuff today... But I don't see that happening. I just feel like total crap.
I thought I could get some decent sleep by going to bed at 11pm... Nope, my husband wants to pick and annoy me till, I kid you not, 1:30am... and then of course the 2-1/2 year old wakes up... Who has to get up with her? No not my husband, he works tomorrow... ME! So I go in her room at 1:30... I have to lay in her bed for a hour, but there's really not enough room for the both of us so we never could fall asleep... She kicks me out of the bed around 2:30... I thought she had fallen aseep. I laid on the floor in pain, trying to fall asleep. All of a sudden she sits up and tells me she pooped (she wears pull ups to bed). UGH. So I go downstairs, but a new pull-up and wipes and look at the clock... It was 3:30!!! Ugh! So I change her and get her back in her bed, and I lay on the floor and pass out... Only to be woken up at 6:30 because my husbands mad at me and wants to stomp around... Congrats he succeeded to wake up our daughter, which then woke me up... So yeah, 3 hours is defiantly not enough sleep to run off of. Period. No matter how much coffee you have.
I needed to walk down the the grocery store to pick up a bunch of stuff today... But I don't see that happening. I just feel like total crap.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Worst Foods in America!
This was quite shocking... I found this jucy bit of info on Yahoo last night and was SHOCKED, because I used to eat Blimpie's Veggie Sub ALLLLL the time... Eww. And even worse, I just had Baskin Robbins 2,600 calorie shake like 2 weeks ago!
Worst "Healthy" Sandwich
Blimpie Veggie Supreme (12")
1,106 calories56 g fat (33 g saturated fat)
2,831 mg sodium
96 g carbohydrates
Sure, a Veggie Supreme sandwich sounds healthy, but this foot-long comes with three different kinds of cheese, and it’s drenched in oil. After Blimpie gets done with this vegetarian nightmare, you’d be better off consuming two Big Macs than sitting down with this sandwich.Don't be fooled by "healthy" foods—replace these 14 imposters with delicious alternatives that satisfy without expanding your waistline.
Worst Kids' Meal
Chili’s Pepper Pals Country-Fried Chicken Crispers with Ranch Dressing and Homestyle Fries
1,110 calories
82 g fat (15 g saturated)
1,980 mg sodium
56 g carbohydrates
Most kids, if given the choice, would live on chicken fingers for the duration of their adolescent lives. If those chicken fingers happened to come from Chili’s, it might be a shorter one. A moderately active 8-year-old boy should eat around 1,600 calories a day. This single meal plows through 75 percent of that allotment. So unless he plans to eat carrots and celery sticks for the rest of the day (and we know he doesn’t), find a healthier chicken alternative.See our rankings of kids' restaurants so you can help your children pick the best options every time.
Worst Dessert
Romano’s Macaroni Grill Dessert Ravioli
1,630 calories
74 g fat
33 g saturated fat
1,150 mg sodium
223 g carbohydrates
Would you eat a Quarter Pounder for dessert? How about four? That’s how many it takes to match the calorie-load of this decadent dish. It’s the quickest way to ruin what may have been a sensible dinner. (Then again, if dinner was at Macaroni Grill, chances are it was anything but sensible.)Worst BurgerChili’s Smokehouse Bacon Triple-The-Cheese Big Mouth Burger with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing2,040 calories150 g fat (53 g saturated)110 g protein4,900 mg sodium You know this burger's in trouble when it takes more than 20 syllables just to identify it. If you think the name’s a mouthful, just wait until the burger hits the table. You’ll be face-to-face with two-and-a-half days' worth of fat—a full third of which is saturated. To do that much damage with roasted sirloin, you’d have to eat about eight 6-ounce steaks. (It’s nearly three days’ worth of saturated fat.)Not all burgers are created equal. See if your favorite is a healthy indulgence or a grease slab on a bun.
Worst Starter
Uno Chicago Grill Pizza Skins (full order)
2,400 calories
155 g fat (50 g saturated)
3,600 mg sodium
This appetizer is like eating a Large Domino’s Hand-Tossed Sausage Pizza! Would you ever think of saying to a waiter: “Why don’t you start me off with a large meat pizza?” If you’re ordering for a party of more than five, it might be OK, but for smaller groups, it's tilting toward gluttony gone wild. Order the Thai Vegetable Pot Stickers instead—the only item carrying fewer than 800 calories.If you want to eat a little something before your meal, be sure to avoid the worst appetizers in America.
The Worst Food of 2009
Baskin Robbins Large Chocolate Oreo Shake
2,600 calories
135 g fat (59 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fats)
263 g sugars
1,700 mg sodium
We didn’t think anything could be worse than Baskin Robbins' 2008 bombshell, the Heath Bar Shake. After all, it had more sugar (266 grams) than 20 bowls of Froot Loops, more calories (2,310) than 11 actual Heath Bars, and more ingredients (73) than you’ll find in most chemist labs. Rather than coming to their senses and removing it from the menu, they did themselves one worse and introduced this caloric catastrophe. It’s soiled with more than a day’s worth of calories and three days worth of saturated fat, and, worst of all, usually takes less than 10 minutes to sip through a straw.
Worst "Healthy" Sandwich
Blimpie Veggie Supreme (12")
1,106 calories56 g fat (33 g saturated fat)
2,831 mg sodium
96 g carbohydrates
Sure, a Veggie Supreme sandwich sounds healthy, but this foot-long comes with three different kinds of cheese, and it’s drenched in oil. After Blimpie gets done with this vegetarian nightmare, you’d be better off consuming two Big Macs than sitting down with this sandwich.Don't be fooled by "healthy" foods—replace these 14 imposters with delicious alternatives that satisfy without expanding your waistline.
Worst Kids' Meal
Chili’s Pepper Pals Country-Fried Chicken Crispers with Ranch Dressing and Homestyle Fries
1,110 calories
82 g fat (15 g saturated)
1,980 mg sodium
56 g carbohydrates
Most kids, if given the choice, would live on chicken fingers for the duration of their adolescent lives. If those chicken fingers happened to come from Chili’s, it might be a shorter one. A moderately active 8-year-old boy should eat around 1,600 calories a day. This single meal plows through 75 percent of that allotment. So unless he plans to eat carrots and celery sticks for the rest of the day (and we know he doesn’t), find a healthier chicken alternative.See our rankings of kids' restaurants so you can help your children pick the best options every time.
Worst Dessert
Romano’s Macaroni Grill Dessert Ravioli
1,630 calories
74 g fat
33 g saturated fat
1,150 mg sodium
223 g carbohydrates
Would you eat a Quarter Pounder for dessert? How about four? That’s how many it takes to match the calorie-load of this decadent dish. It’s the quickest way to ruin what may have been a sensible dinner. (Then again, if dinner was at Macaroni Grill, chances are it was anything but sensible.)Worst BurgerChili’s Smokehouse Bacon Triple-The-Cheese Big Mouth Burger with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing2,040 calories150 g fat (53 g saturated)110 g protein4,900 mg sodium You know this burger's in trouble when it takes more than 20 syllables just to identify it. If you think the name’s a mouthful, just wait until the burger hits the table. You’ll be face-to-face with two-and-a-half days' worth of fat—a full third of which is saturated. To do that much damage with roasted sirloin, you’d have to eat about eight 6-ounce steaks. (It’s nearly three days’ worth of saturated fat.)Not all burgers are created equal. See if your favorite is a healthy indulgence or a grease slab on a bun.
Worst Starter
Uno Chicago Grill Pizza Skins (full order)
2,400 calories
155 g fat (50 g saturated)
3,600 mg sodium
This appetizer is like eating a Large Domino’s Hand-Tossed Sausage Pizza! Would you ever think of saying to a waiter: “Why don’t you start me off with a large meat pizza?” If you’re ordering for a party of more than five, it might be OK, but for smaller groups, it's tilting toward gluttony gone wild. Order the Thai Vegetable Pot Stickers instead—the only item carrying fewer than 800 calories.If you want to eat a little something before your meal, be sure to avoid the worst appetizers in America.
The Worst Food of 2009
Baskin Robbins Large Chocolate Oreo Shake
2,600 calories
135 g fat (59 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fats)
263 g sugars
1,700 mg sodium
We didn’t think anything could be worse than Baskin Robbins' 2008 bombshell, the Heath Bar Shake. After all, it had more sugar (266 grams) than 20 bowls of Froot Loops, more calories (2,310) than 11 actual Heath Bars, and more ingredients (73) than you’ll find in most chemist labs. Rather than coming to their senses and removing it from the menu, they did themselves one worse and introduced this caloric catastrophe. It’s soiled with more than a day’s worth of calories and three days worth of saturated fat, and, worst of all, usually takes less than 10 minutes to sip through a straw.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Email of the week: Drama
Dear WifeMomBlogger,
I'm a fairly new to the military, my husband and I have been married just over a year. We were stationed at Camp Pendleton for 8 months and recently moved to Cherry Point. The problem I seem to have encountered here is GOSSIP! This is something I did not have to deal with at Camp Pendleton. I've talked to a few of my friends back in CA and they said they had the same problem when they were stationed out here. Two questions. First, WHY? I mean we're all adults, why do people find a need to gossip and create drama? And second, how do I deal with it? Especially since I'm having problems with my neighbors, I mean it's not like I can completely avoid them.
Thanks for your help,
XXX
Yeah, unfortunatly we all experience this. The military is soooo much like high school. I mean there's A LOT of 18/19 year old wives running around base that literally JUST graduated... So I don't know if it's that it what. Hell, i've got so many theories on this subject... I wish I could give you some kinda definitive answer as to why the girls act like that... But I can't. I think it's one of many things... Mainly bordom. I've noticed the drama is WAY worse on small bases! So from what I gather... Since there's nothing better to do... Some girls just find it a good idea to just stur up drama. Sad I know. A lot of it also has to do with maturity. You need to realize that the average Marine wife is YOUNG... Only 20 years old! I mean that's a baby to me! HaHa. So like I said before, there's just so many 18/19 year olds running around that JUST graduated... So they're still in that whole "high school mode" still... But I know it can't be JUST that cuz you'll see 30 year old wives running around doing the same... But whatever. There's really no excuse. You were right, we're all adults. But unfortunately some of us just don't like like it.
Anywayz, your 2nd question, how to deal with it. Avoid it at all costs. Yeah that may cost you some friends. But guess what, so will participating in the drama/gossip. PLUS, something I've always said "Those who gossip with you will gossip about you"... So really, do you wanna hang out with the woman who are sitting there talking crap on others? Especially knowing the minute you walk away they're talking about you? And I understand base housing is SMALL, and you are bound to see these "gossip girls" around, but look, you can be friendly and smile and say high... But honestly if it was me, I would keep it to that... Stop sharing personal info with them that could fuel their gossip fire... Stop talking negatively about others... Refuse to participate in their wife bashing. So my advice to you, it to just rise above.
I'm a fairly new to the military, my husband and I have been married just over a year. We were stationed at Camp Pendleton for 8 months and recently moved to Cherry Point. The problem I seem to have encountered here is GOSSIP! This is something I did not have to deal with at Camp Pendleton. I've talked to a few of my friends back in CA and they said they had the same problem when they were stationed out here. Two questions. First, WHY? I mean we're all adults, why do people find a need to gossip and create drama? And second, how do I deal with it? Especially since I'm having problems with my neighbors, I mean it's not like I can completely avoid them.
Thanks for your help,
XXX
Yeah, unfortunatly we all experience this. The military is soooo much like high school. I mean there's A LOT of 18/19 year old wives running around base that literally JUST graduated... So I don't know if it's that it what. Hell, i've got so many theories on this subject... I wish I could give you some kinda definitive answer as to why the girls act like that... But I can't. I think it's one of many things... Mainly bordom. I've noticed the drama is WAY worse on small bases! So from what I gather... Since there's nothing better to do... Some girls just find it a good idea to just stur up drama. Sad I know. A lot of it also has to do with maturity. You need to realize that the average Marine wife is YOUNG... Only 20 years old! I mean that's a baby to me! HaHa. So like I said before, there's just so many 18/19 year olds running around that JUST graduated... So they're still in that whole "high school mode" still... But I know it can't be JUST that cuz you'll see 30 year old wives running around doing the same... But whatever. There's really no excuse. You were right, we're all adults. But unfortunately some of us just don't like like it.
Anywayz, your 2nd question, how to deal with it. Avoid it at all costs. Yeah that may cost you some friends. But guess what, so will participating in the drama/gossip. PLUS, something I've always said "Those who gossip with you will gossip about you"... So really, do you wanna hang out with the woman who are sitting there talking crap on others? Especially knowing the minute you walk away they're talking about you? And I understand base housing is SMALL, and you are bound to see these "gossip girls" around, but look, you can be friendly and smile and say high... But honestly if it was me, I would keep it to that... Stop sharing personal info with them that could fuel their gossip fire... Stop talking negatively about others... Refuse to participate in their wife bashing. So my advice to you, it to just rise above.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
4 years ago today...
4 Years ago today my husband and I got married in the Yuma County Court House... I swear, these have been the longest 4 years of my life... HaHa.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Missing a small town
Well, it's things like this that make you miss a small town... If you remember, I was in a car accident back in mid-November... And of course our car's still not fixed. Well we got into it with the insurance company last month when we told them we had already planned a vacation up north and were planning on taking the rental car. Well they threw a fit, claiming that we wern't allowed to take the rental and that we would have to return it before we left for the trip... I'm pretty sure that they couldn't force us to... But whatever... It was 5pm on Christmas-Eve and I didn't have the time or the patients to screw around with them anymore... So we went and returned the rental car... Went on vacation and was told that the car would be fixed the Monday after Christmas... Well here we are, 2 weeks later and it's STILL not fixed... So 3 days ago when we got back from vacation we started calling the insurance company to see when we could. Of course they NEVER answered... Or even return our calls... Finally today at 5pm my husband got a call from some random insurance agent (who he had never talked to before) who said "Ok, i've called in and reserved a car for you, you can now go pick it up from the Hurtz in Virginia Beach". Now mind you my husband was just leaving work on the far side of Norfolk, an hour away from the Hertz AND would still have to pick me up so I could drive the rental home. UGH. So he rushed home and thought maybe if we sped down there we could make it in time... Uhh yeah, that'd be great if 2 tractor trailers hadn't COMPLETELY shut down the freeway!
So as we're just stopped in traffic, we call the insurance company to see if they can transfer the reservation to a Hertz closer to our house (there's 4-5 Hertz that I know of between our house and where they were sending us). Of course they said "Nope". So after sitting in traffic for a few more minutes we decided to call the Hertz to see if they can stay open till we get there. The guy was like "Why would the insurance company send you here when there's 2 within 5 miles from your house?" Well at least this kid had enough common sense to just transfer the reservation like we had asked the first agent.
So we made a U-turn and tried to make it to the nearest Hurtz, which sadly was only 3 blocks away, now mind you it's only 5:30 at this point, but because the freeway was so backed up, every surface street was at a compleat stand-still... It took us literally 40 minutes to just get 3 flippin blocks! Thank god we had the SUV... And there was no cops around because we ended up driving in the bike lane, half of the sidewalk for half of a block... And finally got to the rental place at 6:10pm... Just as everyone was leaving work and locking up... And thank GOD someone finally took pitty on our situation and one girl stayed a little longer to do our paperwork and finally give us a flippin rental.
Well we finally get out of there at 6:40ish... And then we drive home at a total snails pace... By the time we finally got home it was 7:30pm!!! Which is really pathetic considering we only drove about a mile and a half! 2-1/2 hours to go a mile and a half!?! I mean seriously, is this what would happen if we had some kinda hurricane evacuation? I mean seriously it was flippin chaos, blocking intersections, refusing to let people change lanes, refusing to let people into or our of driveways. Just driving on everyone's ass and then just honking, honking and honking... I mean HELLO, where are they supposed to go? UGH! I swear, especially after being out of this hell hole for 2 weeks, I just cone back and get hit with retard drivers... And I just needed to vent... HaHa... Now I'm off my rant. Thanks for listening. HaHa.
So as we're just stopped in traffic, we call the insurance company to see if they can transfer the reservation to a Hertz closer to our house (there's 4-5 Hertz that I know of between our house and where they were sending us). Of course they said "Nope". So after sitting in traffic for a few more minutes we decided to call the Hertz to see if they can stay open till we get there. The guy was like "Why would the insurance company send you here when there's 2 within 5 miles from your house?" Well at least this kid had enough common sense to just transfer the reservation like we had asked the first agent.
So we made a U-turn and tried to make it to the nearest Hurtz, which sadly was only 3 blocks away, now mind you it's only 5:30 at this point, but because the freeway was so backed up, every surface street was at a compleat stand-still... It took us literally 40 minutes to just get 3 flippin blocks! Thank god we had the SUV... And there was no cops around because we ended up driving in the bike lane, half of the sidewalk for half of a block... And finally got to the rental place at 6:10pm... Just as everyone was leaving work and locking up... And thank GOD someone finally took pitty on our situation and one girl stayed a little longer to do our paperwork and finally give us a flippin rental.
Well we finally get out of there at 6:40ish... And then we drive home at a total snails pace... By the time we finally got home it was 7:30pm!!! Which is really pathetic considering we only drove about a mile and a half! 2-1/2 hours to go a mile and a half!?! I mean seriously, is this what would happen if we had some kinda hurricane evacuation? I mean seriously it was flippin chaos, blocking intersections, refusing to let people change lanes, refusing to let people into or our of driveways. Just driving on everyone's ass and then just honking, honking and honking... I mean HELLO, where are they supposed to go? UGH! I swear, especially after being out of this hell hole for 2 weeks, I just cone back and get hit with retard drivers... And I just needed to vent... HaHa... Now I'm off my rant. Thanks for listening. HaHa.
Car Accudent (Party 3)
Man am I irritated. So I was in a car accident Mid-November... And it was like pulling teeth to get the damn money from the insurance company to get it fixed! None the less we got the money and got it into the shop on December 12th... Ok so here was the problem... We had planned a Christmas trip up to Cleveland and WAS supposed to take the car. So when we took it into the shop two weeks before Christmas we were told to expect it probably on Christmas eve, or the day before... Did we get it on Christmas eve? No! So here's where we encountered the problem.
We didn't know what would happen if we were to take the rental car up to Cleveland and half way through the trip our car got finished. Would the insurance company stop payment of the rental or what? Yeaaah... We called to ask them a simple question thinking they may be a bit sympathetic of our situation... Especially considering it was their fault it took us so long to get the car into the shop. Yeah, they couldn't have cared less. After spending 3 days trying to get a hold of them, leaving message after message, we finally got a call back and were RUDLY told we COULD NOT take the car to Cleveland regardless of when our car would be fixed.
So the last time we had talked to the dealership was on Christmas eve and we were told that the car had been taken into the paint shop the previous day. UGH, well whatever, we were told that the car would for sure be fixed in the week and a half we were on vacation after Christmas. So I wasn't as irritated at the time... So we don't hear a thing from anyone until December 30th when we get a random phone call from some adjuster from the insurance company wanting to know if we have the car because he needs to look at it. Uhh, no. We tell him it's STILL in the shop, and the insurance company has that information and they should be the ones giving it to him. We hear NOTHING from anyone. Well we get back home yesterday and need a car... Call the dealership to see what's up with the car... Yeeeeah... We're told "The side panel should be put on the car tomorrow and we'll be getting it into the paint shot". WHAT?!?
Was that not supposed to be done on December 23rd? And now here it is January 5th and the car's just NOW being taken into the paint shop?!? What the heck was going on the past 13 days?
Anywayz, so this is where the irritating part starts. We need a damn rental car AGAIN! We had a hard enough time getting the stupid insurance company to pay for one in the first place... So after we talked to the dealership and were told that we wouldn't have the car till at least Friday... We immediately called the insurance company to get a car... Of course there was no answer. There's NEVER an answer! We left message, after message... No call back last night... After the 4th message TODAY ALONE, we finally got a call back... But go figure my husband left the phone upstairs and we didn't get to the phone in time. UGH! So here we are back at square one, trying to get a hold of these people... We've called them back twice with no avail. This is just ridiculous that we can't freakin get a hold of these damn people... And ya know the thing that pisses me off the most is that the last time we bitched them out on the phone, the ass from the insurance company just kinda chuckles at us and says "You had the option the settle with your own insurance company". Oh that's nice... So if we don't want to have our insurance rates raised and have to pay a $500 detectable... We have to deal with whatever shit you wanna dish out at us? That's a real nice policy.
We didn't know what would happen if we were to take the rental car up to Cleveland and half way through the trip our car got finished. Would the insurance company stop payment of the rental or what? Yeaaah... We called to ask them a simple question thinking they may be a bit sympathetic of our situation... Especially considering it was their fault it took us so long to get the car into the shop. Yeah, they couldn't have cared less. After spending 3 days trying to get a hold of them, leaving message after message, we finally got a call back and were RUDLY told we COULD NOT take the car to Cleveland regardless of when our car would be fixed.
So the last time we had talked to the dealership was on Christmas eve and we were told that the car had been taken into the paint shop the previous day. UGH, well whatever, we were told that the car would for sure be fixed in the week and a half we were on vacation after Christmas. So I wasn't as irritated at the time... So we don't hear a thing from anyone until December 30th when we get a random phone call from some adjuster from the insurance company wanting to know if we have the car because he needs to look at it. Uhh, no. We tell him it's STILL in the shop, and the insurance company has that information and they should be the ones giving it to him. We hear NOTHING from anyone. Well we get back home yesterday and need a car... Call the dealership to see what's up with the car... Yeeeeah... We're told "The side panel should be put on the car tomorrow and we'll be getting it into the paint shot". WHAT?!?
Was that not supposed to be done on December 23rd? And now here it is January 5th and the car's just NOW being taken into the paint shop?!? What the heck was going on the past 13 days?
Anywayz, so this is where the irritating part starts. We need a damn rental car AGAIN! We had a hard enough time getting the stupid insurance company to pay for one in the first place... So after we talked to the dealership and were told that we wouldn't have the car till at least Friday... We immediately called the insurance company to get a car... Of course there was no answer. There's NEVER an answer! We left message, after message... No call back last night... After the 4th message TODAY ALONE, we finally got a call back... But go figure my husband left the phone upstairs and we didn't get to the phone in time. UGH! So here we are back at square one, trying to get a hold of these people... We've called them back twice with no avail. This is just ridiculous that we can't freakin get a hold of these damn people... And ya know the thing that pisses me off the most is that the last time we bitched them out on the phone, the ass from the insurance company just kinda chuckles at us and says "You had the option the settle with your own insurance company". Oh that's nice... So if we don't want to have our insurance rates raised and have to pay a $500 detectable... We have to deal with whatever shit you wanna dish out at us? That's a real nice policy.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
I'm BaaAAaack!
Ok, it's impossible to do voice fluctuation on here...
Anywayz, I'm back from vacation... It was long... And cold... And an even longer drive there and back... But we're home... And I'm ready to blog...
Hope everyone's been having a good New Year so far. I know I have!
P.S. Since I haven't said it yet...
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