I Am Legend

Craig and I went to see this movie last night. Wow! It was really something. There are not too many movies that make me jump in my seat but with this movie I kept jumping. It was a little scary and sad and good all at the same time. If you would like to read more about the movie, click on the title.

Health Care

One of the major issues the candidates have been raising is health care. Health care is a real issue for this country. I know many of you have health care so you don't see how hard it can be without it. If you have any sort of health problem, the premiums for health care are ridiculously high. So high, many people just can't pay them. That is if you are not denied outright.

In IL, the insurance companies can not just deny you anymore but they can increase the regular rate by 67% if you have health issues. I personally have had insurance issues and know how hard it can be.

Sen. Obama has a quote on his website I liked. If only a politician would follow through: "It's time to bring together businesses, the medical community, and members of both parties around a comprehensive solution to this crisis, and it's time to let the drug and insurance industries know that while they'll get a seat at the table, they don't get to buy every chair." -Barack Obama, Speech in Iowa City, IA, 5/27/07."

The Election

As some of you might know, I lean more on the Democratic side of politics. I am in favor of some social programs and some governmental regulation. I realize that is not a popular belief with some people.

I always, always vote. I feel like it is our patriotic duty to vote. Men and women have died for that right and I do not take it lightly. The world is very troubled right now and I feel like this election is very important to our country's well being. As I say that though, I am really unsure about who I am going to vote for this election cycle.

I liked many of the things Bill Clinton achieved in his presidency (obviously not all) but I wonder how his wife will be. Is she even electable? I like some of the things Obama has said but I wonder if he has enough experience in these troubled times. I like some of the things John Edwards has said too but I also wonder if he has a chance against the other two. I really want the best candidate to be in office this time around.

We live close enough to Iowa that we get the local channels from there. The caucus and the visits from the candidates is all that is on the news these days. John Edwards site has a countdown on the home page even. If you have any opinions, I would love to hear them.

Christmas Was Great!

My Christmas was very nice. We were able to spend a lot of time with friends and family. We all got great presents. Mine included a new stove and a new camera along with some other things. The kids seemed to love all the stuff they got. Andi said, "I just love Santa!". It was cute. I hope you all had a great one too.

Happy Holidays!

We want to wish you all a very merry holiday! For those of you who are not celebrating this week, I wish you a very merry week.

P.S. I got my Christmas cards from an internet site called Shutterfly. If you are interested in seeing what it is all about click on the title.

Been A While

I have been slacking in the blog department. I have been trying to get all of my holiday stuff done. I always have it done before now. This year has really been an exception. It has been a crazy week!

Craig has been crazy busy too with work. He has hardly gotten home before midnight all this week.

The girls are officially on winter break. Let the fighting begin! They get bored and decide to start fighting with each other to pass the time. Lucky me :(

Cookies

I have been cookie making crazy. I made 3 batches each of 10 different kinds in 12 hours. I feel like it is best to get the mess done with in one day. I delivered 10 boxes of cookies today to my friends and family. If you want the recipe for the delicious cookie in the picture, click on the title and it will take you there.

Mercury Question

I was a reading an article today that said that Minnesota has put a ban on mercury in cosmetics. The article said that mercury is often added to things like eye liner, mascara and skin-lightening creams as a preservative. Does that sound crazy to anyone else? Since mercury accumulates in the body, why would you put in a product that goes on your eye or skin? If you want to read the article click on the title.

Quote

A friend of mine had this quote on his blog and I really like it:
"Whenever I dwell for any length of time on my own shortcomings, they gradually begin to seem mild, harmless, rather engaging little things, not at all like the staring defects in other people's characters. - margaret halsey"

Free At Last

I am finally free of my crutches and that uncomfortable boot! Hopefully, I will never have to see or use either of them again. I got my screws out four weeks ago. I thought it was going to be a 2 week thing but it turned out to be 4 weeks on crutches instead. That cartoon was too funny to pass up!

WGU

I am taking online classes at Western Governors University. The college headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, UT. The online programs they have created are great and have received national acclaim. If you are interested in seeing what it is all about, click on the title.

Anyway, I have been slaving away trying to get it all done before the semester is up at the end of Dec. I am so tired of taking these classes but yet I am so close to being done. Wish me luck, I am going to need it!

Oven Shopping

We went out oven shopping over the weekend. It is crazy how much they cost!! The one I want is way, way out of my budget. Our current oven is in bad shape. We bought it new when we moved in. That would make it about 14 years old. We decided to go with a gas range this time instead of electric. Hopefully next week we can go pick up the new one.

View Out My Window

I was working on my homework. (For those of you who don't know, I am trying to finish up my degree through online classes.) The sun was setting and I glanced out my window at what I thought was a beautiful sunset. I snapped a picture before it could fade away. I have learned it is important to find joy in everyday and really appreciate your surroundings.

Friday

It is finally Friday. This has seemed like a long week. The kids get out of school at noon today. Our bank is changing hands today. We have been using Associated Bank but Morton Community bought out all of the local branches. Hopefully they will be better.

Andi had her Christmas Program last night. Of course it was really cute. Some of those kids are characters. Andi takes her job very seriously though.

Sam made the school volleyball team so she was happy about that. Her volleyball games and Andi's basketball games all start that first week in Jan. We will be way too busy but isn't everyone these days.

Wii

We were fortunate to get a Wii this past Easter. I don't know about your area but they have been hard to get around here. After calling around and getting a delivery date of a few, my dear husband waited in a long line before Toys R Us opened to try and get one. Of course, they gave the last one to the lady in front of him but the guy told him that Walmart was supposed to get a few so he speedily drove over there and got the last one. So much drama but we love it!!!!! I can't say that enough. It is a great way to get some exercise and have fun all at the same time. Of course there are some games which are no better than your traditional video games but there are many which you really have to get up and use your body. I would recommend it for anyone.

Anyway, I read an interesting article yesterday which was talking about physical therapists using the Wii for therapy. If you want to read more, click on the title.

Santa's Ride

I was reading a ridiculous article today which states the following about Santa's yearly voyage: "He has 34 microseconds at each stop" to slide down the chimney, drop off the presents, nibble on his cookies and milk and hop back on his sleigh, Larsson said. Santa's reindeer must travel at a speed of 5,800 kilometers (3,604 miles) per second to make the trip on time." Is figuring this out really the best way to spend our time??? If you want to read the rest of the article, click on the title.

Scary Budget

I was reading a scary article today. The article started off this way: "Like a ticking time bomb, the national debt is an explosion waiting to happen. It's expanding by about $1.4 billion a day — or nearly $1 million a minute." I personally find that scary. How can we be spending $1 million a minute! The article went on to further say that, "the interest on the national debt totaled $430 billion last year." Just the interest for one year is costing our country $430 Billion. That is just crazy!!!!! Click on the title to read the whole story.

Dreary Day

Today has been a very dreary, grey, dark day and my mood has suited it as well. The only bright point is Craig is finally putting my pot filler in. It has been about four years since we bought it and now it is finally getting put in. Merry Christmas to me! It is a luxury but one I have been looking forward to for four years now! See the pictures below to see what I am talking about.

Ice Storm

We are in the middle of a major ice storm this weekend. Yuck! Most of the town we live by is out of power but thankfully we are not. Hope you are having better weather where you live!