I love, love, love that muppet song, it makes me laugh and has since I was a little kid. I hope Tanner likes it as much. Well the Christmas weather is sure here, it's a whopping -10 with the windchill in my little neck of the woods in Colorado and I am not in the mountains. As much as I miss the tranquility of living at 9500 feet elevation, like I have in past years, I don't miss having to deal with these frigid temps, especially with a small toddler, brrrrr.
My Christmas Thought of the day:
Lord, in the midst of this plenty and this activity let us stop and breathe. Breathe you in so that we may exhale your love and goodness to a broken world and to our own broken souls. May our focus be on the miracle of your loving us enough to come and give true hope. Amen.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
AHHH, I forgot one....
I almost forgot one of the biggest gripes I have with the US and our government...Health care...take a look at our neighbors, Europe/Canada/etc., while they may not have perfect health care systems, it sure beats the hell out of ours. I firmly believe the LESS you earn the more availability you should have to free health care, period. Let's face it if you are pulling in 500K a year, you probably get your teeth cleaned every 6 months and a pap smear. But if you are trying to exist off 15K a year, you probably don't even have to decide between getting your teeth cleaned or not, after all, if you don't have any food to eat, who cares about your teeth.
Okay, so that was my #11, I promise to put my soap box stoll away for, atleast the night ;)
Jen
Okay, so that was my #11, I promise to put my soap box stoll away for, atleast the night ;)
Jen
Electon Day
Okay first of all, I don't care who you vote for, I don't even care if you write Cookie Monsters name in, but go vote, it's a right people Die and kill for, seriously! And if you don't vote you have NO right to complain about basically anything. So stepping on my soapbox and borrowing some of these great points from a friend, mingling them with my own, here's my polical statement of the year:
Here's my ten. I'm kinda interesting, to say the least, because I'm very conservative economically but very liberal on certain social issues and animal rights. And like my mama' taught me, the president is only a puppet, it's who makes up the house/senate/etc., that matters. And warning, I don't really fit into any party's niche (and I think a lot of people don't!).
1. Legalize gay marriage already. For heaven's sake, marriage is a legal contract and if adults want to enter into it, let them. Homosexuality has existed since the beginning of time. It is not a product of some kind of corrupt phase our society is in or a trend that you can somehow reverse if only you keep them from actually marrying. There are so many other worthy "causes" then to worry about who's on top....k?
2. Taxes: I'd like to see sales taxes on non-necessities (i.e. not food or gasoline) and nothing else. You know, it makes perfect sense to me. If we did that, the money is made off of the successful people who are spending money. People who are living hand to mouth and can only afford their basics don't get taxed. Retired people who are trying to hang on to their home to live in don't get blasted with property taxes they can't pay. It'd be the end of taxation that punishes you for being single, for being childless, for not being a homeowner, etc. It'd be the end of people escaping taxes by working in the underground economy, because all taxes would be collected at the point of sale. No more audits - except of anybody selling something who might be trying to cheat the system. No more having to DO your taxes or hire someone because it's so freakin' confusing. You pay at the point of sale, flat percentage, end of problem. No drama, no loopholes, and it's completely fair. No, I don't think the rich should have to pay a greater percentage because they're rich. They will naturally pay more with this system because they spend more. That's fair.
3. After you lose the second child because of neglect or abuse, or after you are convicted of killing or hurting even one child or animal, you get sterilized. End of discussion. The world cannot continue to clean up after the addicted folks who pop out addicted children then abandon them if not physically emotionally. There are not enough homes for those children. Those children tend to lead horrible lives and are set up for failure from day one. Birth control is free - Planned Parenthood is everywhere. If you are too lazy to use it, I truly believe the government should have the right to step in at some point and make you stop.
4. I have always been completely in favor of vouchers and any other program that helps parents send their kids to a private or alternative school. Seriously if you don't know it yourself, how can you teach it? We need the best, not the mediocre - and we DO need to pay the best in a way that makes it worthwhile for them to continue teaching. If their classes are testing off the charts, give 'em a big bonus already! Teachers are underpaid and overworked and shaping OUR future generations, doesn't it make sense to INVEST in the future of our country?!?
5. If we are going to help the poor, we have to stop cutting them a check for them to do with as they please. While some people are responsibly using welfare funds, many more are taking that money and buying cigarettes and beer if not worse. Enough! We need distribution centers where that person can go and pick up food, clothing, diapers, household supplies, and put gas in their car. They will get off the system a lot faster when they have zero cash to buy what they want to buy and all the system is doing is allowing them to survive. Boredom motivates.
6. Gun control. Gun control makes me laugh. We set all of these laws and do you know what laws regulate? Law abiding people. A criminal, the person you are worried about, doesn't obey the law to begin with. Why would he or she obey gun control laws? The truth is, allowing the law abiding citizens to have firearms discourages crime. Most criminals are cowards, looking for the weakest link to victimize. Nobody wants to mug the girl who might be packing.
7. Drunk Driving. First offense, the ignition interlock goes in your car and stays there the rest of your life. I am so sick of hearing about innocent people getting killed by drunks on the roads. If you are caught driving without the device, you can go sit in jail for awhile and think about your bad decision. Better yet, you can go help scrub out the morgue and look at bodies for awhile. There's a good community service project for you, and maybe it will make you choose to sleep on the couch at your buddy's house the next time.
8. The Budget. I really don't know why the government has so much trouble balancing a budget. You know what, we have X amount of dollars. We get to spend X amount of dollars. If there isn't enough money for everything, we need to make cuts. Cuts should be made to non-necessities. I am pretty sure any American picked off the street could tell you what is a necessity and what isn't but thanks to special interests with well-financed PAC's, our representatives seem to be in a constant state of confusion. The government is not your sugar daddy for your arts program or your scientific study about the mating habits of foxes or your program to provide perks to inmates that make prison sound better than the way the average college student is living. On a related note, it's not the government's problem if you can't balance YOUR budget, whether you're a private individual or a company. I'm not a fan of bail-outs in general with the exception that I'm glad the government federally insures deposits, because clearly our banks are being run by packs of monkeys these days. I read the stories and just think, well, what kind of a moron EVER thought that the dude who made $32K a year and had four kids was going to be able to pay for a $450K house? Those people need chaperons, problem is I am not sure that most of our elected officials or people in a position of authority have any more common sense than the home buyer I mentioned, kinda scary, huh?
9. It probably goes without saying that I'd like to see much stricter penalties for animal abuse and neglect. I'll add in that I'd like to see much stricter penalties for child abuse and neglect. Parenthood and animal ownership are choices. They are completely voluntary. Don't take on the care of another if you suspect that you don't have the patience, know that you have an addiction or other problem that makes it unlikely you can be consistently kind, loving and provide good care. Notice I said kind and loving, not rich, money can't make up for any lack of love, compassion or care.
10. The borders. *sigh* What a mess. Look, the fact is that Americans are really super addicted to cheap Mexican labor - and good luck stopping that. Go rent a movie called "A Day Without A Mexican," if you can find it. It's satirical and overdone, but it makes a good point. So far, every illegal I've met in this country was working their ass off. In many cases they were more productive than a lot of the native born Americans I've met, and yes, they DO often do jobs American won't do. (Personally I'd like to keep some of them and ship some of the shiftless Americans I've met who think they are too special to clean stalls or scrub floors to Mexico but I don't think I can get Mexico to go for that) If we went to my tax system, these people wouldn't be avoiding taxes anymore. For the most part, my feeling is that if you have an employer and you're willing to work, America should welcome you. If you come here and you make trouble or you try to live off the system, out you go. And if you are a useless American, stealing from the "system", slapping your wife and poping out kids with any toothless Chica out there, ship your irresponsible azz out of here too...I don't care what color your skin is, there is nothing worse than white trash, nothing.
Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, you can go back to your regular routine now, that is if you've VOTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jen
Here's my ten. I'm kinda interesting, to say the least, because I'm very conservative economically but very liberal on certain social issues and animal rights. And like my mama' taught me, the president is only a puppet, it's who makes up the house/senate/etc., that matters. And warning, I don't really fit into any party's niche (and I think a lot of people don't!).
1. Legalize gay marriage already. For heaven's sake, marriage is a legal contract and if adults want to enter into it, let them. Homosexuality has existed since the beginning of time. It is not a product of some kind of corrupt phase our society is in or a trend that you can somehow reverse if only you keep them from actually marrying. There are so many other worthy "causes" then to worry about who's on top....k?
2. Taxes: I'd like to see sales taxes on non-necessities (i.e. not food or gasoline) and nothing else. You know, it makes perfect sense to me. If we did that, the money is made off of the successful people who are spending money. People who are living hand to mouth and can only afford their basics don't get taxed. Retired people who are trying to hang on to their home to live in don't get blasted with property taxes they can't pay. It'd be the end of taxation that punishes you for being single, for being childless, for not being a homeowner, etc. It'd be the end of people escaping taxes by working in the underground economy, because all taxes would be collected at the point of sale. No more audits - except of anybody selling something who might be trying to cheat the system. No more having to DO your taxes or hire someone because it's so freakin' confusing. You pay at the point of sale, flat percentage, end of problem. No drama, no loopholes, and it's completely fair. No, I don't think the rich should have to pay a greater percentage because they're rich. They will naturally pay more with this system because they spend more. That's fair.
3. After you lose the second child because of neglect or abuse, or after you are convicted of killing or hurting even one child or animal, you get sterilized. End of discussion. The world cannot continue to clean up after the addicted folks who pop out addicted children then abandon them if not physically emotionally. There are not enough homes for those children. Those children tend to lead horrible lives and are set up for failure from day one. Birth control is free - Planned Parenthood is everywhere. If you are too lazy to use it, I truly believe the government should have the right to step in at some point and make you stop.
4. I have always been completely in favor of vouchers and any other program that helps parents send their kids to a private or alternative school. Seriously if you don't know it yourself, how can you teach it? We need the best, not the mediocre - and we DO need to pay the best in a way that makes it worthwhile for them to continue teaching. If their classes are testing off the charts, give 'em a big bonus already! Teachers are underpaid and overworked and shaping OUR future generations, doesn't it make sense to INVEST in the future of our country?!?
5. If we are going to help the poor, we have to stop cutting them a check for them to do with as they please. While some people are responsibly using welfare funds, many more are taking that money and buying cigarettes and beer if not worse. Enough! We need distribution centers where that person can go and pick up food, clothing, diapers, household supplies, and put gas in their car. They will get off the system a lot faster when they have zero cash to buy what they want to buy and all the system is doing is allowing them to survive. Boredom motivates.
6. Gun control. Gun control makes me laugh. We set all of these laws and do you know what laws regulate? Law abiding people. A criminal, the person you are worried about, doesn't obey the law to begin with. Why would he or she obey gun control laws? The truth is, allowing the law abiding citizens to have firearms discourages crime. Most criminals are cowards, looking for the weakest link to victimize. Nobody wants to mug the girl who might be packing.
7. Drunk Driving. First offense, the ignition interlock goes in your car and stays there the rest of your life. I am so sick of hearing about innocent people getting killed by drunks on the roads. If you are caught driving without the device, you can go sit in jail for awhile and think about your bad decision. Better yet, you can go help scrub out the morgue and look at bodies for awhile. There's a good community service project for you, and maybe it will make you choose to sleep on the couch at your buddy's house the next time.
8. The Budget. I really don't know why the government has so much trouble balancing a budget. You know what, we have X amount of dollars. We get to spend X amount of dollars. If there isn't enough money for everything, we need to make cuts. Cuts should be made to non-necessities. I am pretty sure any American picked off the street could tell you what is a necessity and what isn't but thanks to special interests with well-financed PAC's, our representatives seem to be in a constant state of confusion. The government is not your sugar daddy for your arts program or your scientific study about the mating habits of foxes or your program to provide perks to inmates that make prison sound better than the way the average college student is living. On a related note, it's not the government's problem if you can't balance YOUR budget, whether you're a private individual or a company. I'm not a fan of bail-outs in general with the exception that I'm glad the government federally insures deposits, because clearly our banks are being run by packs of monkeys these days. I read the stories and just think, well, what kind of a moron EVER thought that the dude who made $32K a year and had four kids was going to be able to pay for a $450K house? Those people need chaperons, problem is I am not sure that most of our elected officials or people in a position of authority have any more common sense than the home buyer I mentioned, kinda scary, huh?
9. It probably goes without saying that I'd like to see much stricter penalties for animal abuse and neglect. I'll add in that I'd like to see much stricter penalties for child abuse and neglect. Parenthood and animal ownership are choices. They are completely voluntary. Don't take on the care of another if you suspect that you don't have the patience, know that you have an addiction or other problem that makes it unlikely you can be consistently kind, loving and provide good care. Notice I said kind and loving, not rich, money can't make up for any lack of love, compassion or care.
10. The borders. *sigh* What a mess. Look, the fact is that Americans are really super addicted to cheap Mexican labor - and good luck stopping that. Go rent a movie called "A Day Without A Mexican," if you can find it. It's satirical and overdone, but it makes a good point. So far, every illegal I've met in this country was working their ass off. In many cases they were more productive than a lot of the native born Americans I've met, and yes, they DO often do jobs American won't do. (Personally I'd like to keep some of them and ship some of the shiftless Americans I've met who think they are too special to clean stalls or scrub floors to Mexico but I don't think I can get Mexico to go for that) If we went to my tax system, these people wouldn't be avoiding taxes anymore. For the most part, my feeling is that if you have an employer and you're willing to work, America should welcome you. If you come here and you make trouble or you try to live off the system, out you go. And if you are a useless American, stealing from the "system", slapping your wife and poping out kids with any toothless Chica out there, ship your irresponsible azz out of here too...I don't care what color your skin is, there is nothing worse than white trash, nothing.
Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen, you can go back to your regular routine now, that is if you've VOTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jen
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Getting to know me, getting to know all about me...da da da
Okay, I've promised Elle I'd do this for weeks, so girly, here it is, just for you :)
Jen
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?Not that I know of....I was supposed to be a boy, so my name was Jeffery the entire time my mom was pregnant.
WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?Monday, when I found out my friend Jen has Cancer
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? uh, well nada, don't like lunch meat at all.
KIDS?One sweet boy
DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?Yes ... my "blog" at http://jenandtanner.blogspot.com/
DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?Peppermint
SHOE SIZE?8
RED OR PINK?Red
WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?My Grandfather
LAST THING YOU ATE? A sugar cookie
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Jack Johnson
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? White
FAVORITE SMELL? Lavender
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mom
EYE COLOR?Blue
DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, the idea of sticking my finger in my eye is icky, lol
FAVORITE FOOD?Pasta
SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Neither, Drama or suspense
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIE THEATRE? The panda move, can't remember the name of it.
SUMMER OR WINTER? Neither, fall.
HUGS OR KISSES?Kisses
FAVORITE DESSERT? Creme Brulee
WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Favorite TV shows: Not a big TV person, but I do love House, MD. I can soooo identify with him.
FAVORITE Music? Social Distortion, Jack Johnson, Gary Allen, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Brooks and Dun, Brian Setzer, too many to chose just one.
THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?Euorope
WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Verbatim Memory
FAVORITE SINGER RIGHT NOW? No one specifically
FAVORITE SONG RIGHT NOW? see above
RIGHTY OR LEFTY? Both, yep, both....
WHAT MAKES YOU MAD? People who are chronically late for appointments and people who abuse children or animals. Oh and people who litter.
ONE THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Go to Katmandu and hike to the Everest Base Camp (no not climb it, just to base camp)
BEST QUALITY: Overly optimistic
WORST QUALITY: Perfectionist
FAVORITE QUOTE: Happiness isn't having what you want, it's wanting what you have.
Jen
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?Not that I know of....I was supposed to be a boy, so my name was Jeffery the entire time my mom was pregnant.
WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?Monday, when I found out my friend Jen has Cancer
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? uh, well nada, don't like lunch meat at all.
KIDS?One sweet boy
DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?Yes ... my "blog" at http://jenandtanner.blogspot.com/
DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?Peppermint
SHOE SIZE?8
RED OR PINK?Red
WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?My Grandfather
LAST THING YOU ATE? A sugar cookie
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Jack Johnson
IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? White
FAVORITE SMELL? Lavender
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My mom
EYE COLOR?Blue
DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, the idea of sticking my finger in my eye is icky, lol
FAVORITE FOOD?Pasta
SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Neither, Drama or suspense
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIE THEATRE? The panda move, can't remember the name of it.
SUMMER OR WINTER? Neither, fall.
HUGS OR KISSES?Kisses
FAVORITE DESSERT? Creme Brulee
WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Favorite TV shows: Not a big TV person, but I do love House, MD. I can soooo identify with him.
FAVORITE Music? Social Distortion, Jack Johnson, Gary Allen, Foo Fighters, Green Day, Brooks and Dun, Brian Setzer, too many to chose just one.
THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?Euorope
WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Verbatim Memory
FAVORITE SINGER RIGHT NOW? No one specifically
FAVORITE SONG RIGHT NOW? see above
RIGHTY OR LEFTY? Both, yep, both....
WHAT MAKES YOU MAD? People who are chronically late for appointments and people who abuse children or animals. Oh and people who litter.
ONE THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE? Go to Katmandu and hike to the Everest Base Camp (no not climb it, just to base camp)
BEST QUALITY: Overly optimistic
WORST QUALITY: Perfectionist
FAVORITE QUOTE: Happiness isn't having what you want, it's wanting what you have.
The Carefree life.....
So I was going through photos the other day. Okay, well to be honest I was actually up at 2am, with insomnia and no BPO's to do, lol. A rare thing..anyway, back to my nostalgic trip....and I found a bunch of photos from when I used to snowboard 4 days a week back in California. It made me laugh, I used to live about an hour and twenty minutes from the nearest resort, had a full time job, still trained horses and yet, somehow still managed to snowboard 3-4 days a week. Now I live in the heart of "snowboard-land" and do you know that I've yet to buy a single lift ticket. Now I have gone snowboarding maybe a handleful of time, but all out of bounds, hiking. I mean I live within 2 hours of some of the best ski resorts in the country, but I have not gone. Okay, so before all of you let me off easy by using Tanner as an out.....he's only a year and a half old...I've lived here 4 years....had quite a few winters to go pre-kiddo and still didn't do it. So that got me thinking...here we are (we as in, most Americans) working our tails off in this slow and declining economy (oh my that sounds like belongs on one of my bpo's, lol) for what....retirement accounts are great, savings are necessary, bills must be paid. But let's face it most of us work our azz's off and do we actually enjoy much of the money we make? hmmmm, not sure I can wholeheartedly say yes. Buying things for others makes me happy, but that said I am not a shopper and think going to the mall is torture (just ask my mom, lol). But I tried to stop and think about the last "fun" thing I did with any earnings for myself. I honestly can't come up with one single thing.....and I am not talking about expensive, but just something I did for pure enjoyment, even if I set the monetary investment idea aside...hmmmm, nothing. I suppose on one hand that makes me unselfish, but on the other hand, that makes me seem very dull, way too much work/goal/finances oriented. So ladies and gents, here is my November goal (okay, so it's not yet November, but I gotta start somewhere), I am determined to do something that brings a smile to my face atleast once a month and be selfish with that....now that doesn't mean it must be expensive or a solo activity, but something that is pure FUN. Yes, that three letter word, FUN! So I challenge all of you to do the same. This is one of my favorite quotes:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body... but rather to skid into the grave sideways, chocolate in one hand, margarita in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Hugs, Jen and Tanner
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body... but rather to skid into the grave sideways, chocolate in one hand, margarita in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Hugs, Jen and Tanner
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Falling away
Okay, so I have not been nearly as good at posting on there as I thought I would. For someone who spends a good 8 hours in front of her PC a day, you'd like I could squeeze in a few blogs, huh? Bad, Jen, bad, bad, Jen, lol.
Okay, what's new....the economy sucks. I don't think I've ever talked to so many people, all in the same financial woes or getting close to them before. I am sure this is a first in my lifetime. UGH, what next? I realize some people live beyond their means or would just rather put their heads in the sand and ignore the signs of how bad things are, but for myself and my friends we've been watching this for months. And there is only so much scrimping, we can do. None of us live "high on the hog" or excessively, so what do you do when there is nothing left to cut back on? I've been doing alot of online research on energy costs and my trial this month is that I am unplugging all items except my fridge, TV, computer and two lamps, when not in use...so for example, I've unplugged my microwave, cell phone charger, standing fans, lamps in all rooms except my bedroom and living room, radio's, etc. This is supposed to have the ability to really slash your killowatt useage. Especially if the items include alot of things that have digital displays (like a clock on a microwave). So we'll see, can't hurt, right? I also signed up for the level pay plan with the eletctric company. I highly suggest everyone do this, utility prices, atleast here in Colorado will only go up this winter, this plan allows you to pay the same amount each month, and in 10 months they look at the account and will adjust it if needed, up or down, based on your useage. I am very happy to be able to budget in a set amount for the cold winter months.
Now on a good note gas has gone "down", but why are people so excited, it's still inflated.....so we are thrilled it's under $3 a gallon...in reality it should be well under $2 a gallon, if you calculate the actual costs incurred. OH well, I am not complaining, just find it funny that 30 cents a gallon seems to make people think they won the lotto. Oh, that's on my list....no not the lotto, I've never bought a ticket...but to get my tires checked, properly inflated tires are one of the biggest energy drains on your car and can really effect your gas mileage. Most places, will check them for free, especially if you routinely have them service your car.
Tanner Banner is doing great. My pedi suggested he see a speech therapist, but I think he's fine...I have researched delayed speech in toddlers for a week now and he has none of the signs, slow to speak multiple words and sentences maybe, but no other signs...like confusion, frustration, lack of manual skills (pointing, etc.).
Okay, back to work I go, I promise to blog more :)
Okay, what's new....the economy sucks. I don't think I've ever talked to so many people, all in the same financial woes or getting close to them before. I am sure this is a first in my lifetime. UGH, what next? I realize some people live beyond their means or would just rather put their heads in the sand and ignore the signs of how bad things are, but for myself and my friends we've been watching this for months. And there is only so much scrimping, we can do. None of us live "high on the hog" or excessively, so what do you do when there is nothing left to cut back on? I've been doing alot of online research on energy costs and my trial this month is that I am unplugging all items except my fridge, TV, computer and two lamps, when not in use...so for example, I've unplugged my microwave, cell phone charger, standing fans, lamps in all rooms except my bedroom and living room, radio's, etc. This is supposed to have the ability to really slash your killowatt useage. Especially if the items include alot of things that have digital displays (like a clock on a microwave). So we'll see, can't hurt, right? I also signed up for the level pay plan with the eletctric company. I highly suggest everyone do this, utility prices, atleast here in Colorado will only go up this winter, this plan allows you to pay the same amount each month, and in 10 months they look at the account and will adjust it if needed, up or down, based on your useage. I am very happy to be able to budget in a set amount for the cold winter months.
Now on a good note gas has gone "down", but why are people so excited, it's still inflated.....so we are thrilled it's under $3 a gallon...in reality it should be well under $2 a gallon, if you calculate the actual costs incurred. OH well, I am not complaining, just find it funny that 30 cents a gallon seems to make people think they won the lotto. Oh, that's on my list....no not the lotto, I've never bought a ticket...but to get my tires checked, properly inflated tires are one of the biggest energy drains on your car and can really effect your gas mileage. Most places, will check them for free, especially if you routinely have them service your car.
Tanner Banner is doing great. My pedi suggested he see a speech therapist, but I think he's fine...I have researched delayed speech in toddlers for a week now and he has none of the signs, slow to speak multiple words and sentences maybe, but no other signs...like confusion, frustration, lack of manual skills (pointing, etc.).
Okay, back to work I go, I promise to blog more :)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Cool, Crisp and Apple Pie
Fall is in the air, it's crisp out and the leaves are changing. This is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. I remember growing up in California, I always liked fall, but nothing changes color in California, it's like a canvas that's spray painted, always green, always palm trees swaying in the wind, leaves on the ground, heaven forbid, lol. Today is a light work day, so I have errands planned.....pick up the dogs perscription dog food, one of my Basset Hounds' has pancreatitis and eats special dog food to the tune of $2 a pound, I can buy meat cheaper than that, but to avoid an expensive vet bill, it's a must. I plan on going to see the horses today and riding some. It's a lovely day, I am thinking Tanner will enjoy a trail ride on Cisco. Although the other day, when I talked Gramma into coming down to take pics of him riding, he decided it was more fun to show off for Gramma with the ball, so much for that idea, little stinker. And last on my list is an apple pie. I am not a pie baker, my mother is a pie baker, although I don't ever remember her making apple specifcially. I've always wanted to try an apple pie from scratch, but do you know what's stopped me? The same thing, that's stopped many a budding cooks, I bet, peeling all those darned apples. But today, this is my mission, worse case, I'll grab a bowl and my apples and let tanner play in the yard while I peel them. I can't take "that" long, can it?
My thought for the day: "Why do we stop playing in the leaves, when we grow up? When did it suddenly become not fun or did it?"
Jen
My thought for the day: "Why do we stop playing in the leaves, when we grow up? When did it suddenly become not fun or did it?"
Jen
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
I have arrived...........
Well since I enjoy reading random blogs in my "spare time" I figured I start one of my own. So this shall be my rambling introduction.
The basics: 35 yr old single mom, self employed (real estate and homeopathic equine medicine)
My Joys: My son, he is the apple of my eye as they say and a wonderful, loving, joyful 20 month old. My animals, horses and dogs.
My frustrations: Staying afloat financially
My worries: The future of our country, our land, our food...too many imports form China, too much pollution, too few people even care.
My hobbies: Training and showing reining horses, 3 Day eventing, cooking, snowboarding and travel.
My vices: Diet pepsi, lol.
My strengths: Optimistic attitude about life in general.
My weakness: I can over-analyze anything.
My quote of the day: "Happiness isn't having what you want, it's wanting what you have".
The basics: 35 yr old single mom, self employed (real estate and homeopathic equine medicine)
My Joys: My son, he is the apple of my eye as they say and a wonderful, loving, joyful 20 month old. My animals, horses and dogs.
My frustrations: Staying afloat financially
My worries: The future of our country, our land, our food...too many imports form China, too much pollution, too few people even care.
My hobbies: Training and showing reining horses, 3 Day eventing, cooking, snowboarding and travel.
My vices: Diet pepsi, lol.
My strengths: Optimistic attitude about life in general.
My weakness: I can over-analyze anything.
My quote of the day: "Happiness isn't having what you want, it's wanting what you have".
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
