What US government run healthcare looks like

A man attacked by a rottweiler was rolled into the ER and they called the orthopedic surgeon (a good friend and customer of mine) to work on him. The surgeon spent 6 hours on surgery- and saved this man's arm and leg which could have easily been amputated.

The surgeon submitted his claim to medicare, and it came back denied- because the surgery was too complex to bill. If the surgeon had amputated the man's arm and leg he would have gotten paid.



We don't need to look to other nations or come up with theory as to how government run health care would look like, (not that Gibbs nor the president can name a single payer system that they'd want to emulate) just look to medicare and Medicaid- that IS US government run health care.

I know some are going to put some wonderful stories about how medicare and Medicaid are perfect and delightful and the best thing that ever happened to you- well maybe not you but your cousin's best friend's dad...swell. But if we're already in a system where some people get great health care and others don't, why spend trillions of taxpayer dollars recreating another unfair and unsuccessful system with the same problems, except the problems are owned and created by the government, instead of the free market? A system that will restrict a greater majority of the population's choices and reduce the quality of healthcare for all?

The current system leaves some with out healthcare and carrying a debt of huge bills, the new system will incentivize physicians to amputate your arms and legs rather than save them? Why waste our money?

Does the word 'duh' mean anything to you?

In the state of California ALL new fathers (this is not a state employee program-it's availble to every single new dad) get six weeks off work, paid- courtesy the California taxpayers. The state of California gives new fathers up to $917 a week to 'bond' with their new child, or play golf- what ever they see fit.

My brother will be getting paid $5,400 to not work for 6 weeks. He thinks the program is a collosial waste of money, but he's not one to pass up free money from the state of California, especially since his tax return came back as an IOU.

Steve, You Should Have Fun with This

The Role Of Government Put Into Terms Anyone Can Understand: Zombies

Our 'unbiased' media

GM hires Community Organizer as CEO

So did Chrystler, AIG, and a number of financial institutions.

Sounds pretty idiotic but oh, America you did it. Good thing you wrote off Mitt Romney and his pesky business acumen- I mean, he CHANGED his opinion on abortion! Imagine the impact THAT would have had on the economy. Seriously, why would the president need to know how to run a business.....

Koryeducation

There needs to be some financial perks for successfully homeschooling your kids. Parents voluntarily taking strain off the public school system to educate their own children.

There should also be some perks for parents who pay for private schools. Again, the choice to put children in private education leaves more resources in public system.

Why not a tax credit equal to approximately 1/2 of what it costs to put the child in the public education system for parents that go another route?

"Homosexuality won't be taught in public schools"

One of the main arguments for Prop 8 was that with out it Homosexuality would be taught in schools to children, with out the parents having any say in their child's education. Those against Prop.8 said Judeo/Christians were paranoid. Looks like they weren't paranoid enough.

California doesn't need Gay Marriage to indoctrinate kindergartners with homosexuality

Flash Back Friday- Bob Bennett

Hey remember when Bob Bennett ran for office? No? I'll help you out.

When Bob Bennett was elected - Bill Clinton was still the Governor of Arkansas

When Bob Bennett was elected: this is what a cell phone looked like:



When Bob Bennett got his cushy Senate seat: It took an average of 25 minutes to load a page on that new fandangled Internet

When Bob Bennett was elected no one knew who these people were:



When Bob Bennett was given his job this is what the Land Rover looked like:



I don't remember when he was elected to office either- probably because I was 15! We don't have term limits, so as voters it's time to invoke them ourselves. I'm changing my party affiliation...again to throw my support to Mark Shurleff. I'd vote for Homer Simpson instead of Bob Bennett.

Time to fire congress.

We're all Californians

Want to know what the country is going to look like after the Obama administration is done with it?
Look to California.

They've valued unions, the environment, special interest groups, and illegal immigrants. And what do you know, they're bankrupt.

If you want to balance a budget you've got 2 options, Tax More or Spend Less. That's it people- it's like loosing weight, you can either eat less or exercize more. Californians don't want to do either- well, now that they have to pay the taxes themselves they don't want to raise them.

I know, big business is the devil, but when big business leaves, who's going to pay for special interests? Obama thinks everyone should sacrifice self interest to work for non-profits, but who will non-profits have to beg donations from when businesses go under? What happens when we open the boarder to illegal immigrants that use our services but can't pay for them? When we shut down farmers to save a fish? Who's going to pick up the check?

California taxed the hell out of those that produce, those that produced left, and there is no one left to pay the bill. California raised environmental regulations to the point where many companies found it hard to function, good thing we have NAFTA. California has millions of illegal immigrants that go to school and use their health care system with out shelling out a dime, someone has to pay for that.

California being a liberal isn't cheap. It's time to step up to the plate and pay for those ideas that you cling to.

Why are Californians running congress? We're letting a state that has run itself into the ground lead the way for this nation. You want to see what's going to happen to this country when special interests, unions, illegal immigrants and environmentalists take over? When the environment is given more value than humans? Want to see what the US is going to look like after the Californians in congress and Obama have their way? Look West.

My Type A Personality Has Taken Over

My favorite part of Halloween? Organizing the candy. Last easter I color cordinated the jelly beans that went in the plastic easter eggs. I've decided that I can't mix politics and motherhood, 2 of my readers could care less about my political rants the other 4 don't want to have to read about the mom stuff so it's official, drum roll please............

I have a MOM blog.

This Blog will now be dedicated strictly to my political venting.

Obama eliminates the MORMON question

CNN did a story about Obama tapping Governor Huntsman of Utah to be the Ambassador to China. They mentioned he learned Chinese when he served a mission.

Since this is Obama's pick, Huntsman just served a mission- had this been McCain's pick, Bush's pick, it would have been an LDS mission. I have read a few other stories that have mentioned the word LDS or Mormon mission, but that is the end of the discussion.

This goes back to the Harry Reid issue- if a player is part of the Democrat agenda- there is no Mormon issue- however, if it's part of the Republican agenda watch the media go full court press on religion.

Take note that religion will not even be remotely touched on in the vetting of Governor Huntsman. I'm glad, this was a very good call by President Obama. Wouldn't it have been nice if Romney had been given the same respect?

What's a Ponzi Scheme?

But what's the biggest Ponzi scheme ever hijacked on mankind? Social Security.

Universal Healthcare is going to be awesome.

The Solution to American Disinterst in Politics? Steroids and Boobs

I've figured out how to get American's more interested in politics- boob jobs for all US Senators and Congressmen, official attire, evening gowns- and you can't wear the same gown twice in a row. This works well for the women but the men, well, who wants to see Harry Reid in a speedo. But what if Harry Reid did steroids? Hmm..?

A well spoken black man in a suit says something, it gets ignored- a hot blond says it, and it's front page news- can't drop the story for a full two weeks, she gets vilified and requires a massive press conference.

The economy is in financial ruin, senators and congressmen that put us in this financial ruin- minimal interest- they get highlighted for a day or two but hey, everyone makes mistakes- why call an investigation? No need to hold these ugly men accountable, they just cost your children 60 cents of every dollar they'll earn but Dude, steroids in baseball? Call out the national guard we've got a major crisis on our hands!

So the solution in drawing attention to the real issues at hand, boobs and steroids. All male us senators have to do roids, and all female ones have to get the boobs- and maybe the American people will start paying attention to them.

What's your take?

I have a very strong opinion in the following situation, but I am most definitely biased so I'm throwing this out to the six of you: What do you think?

This guy, we'll refer to him as "The Catch" is a really good, fun, smart guy that is at the point in his life where he'd like to get married. He's been dating a number of girls over the past three months but one stands out that he likes a bit more than the rest- he doesn't want to spend Friday and Saturday night with her, and really doesn't care if she dates other guys- but she's pretty, smart and fun. We'll refer to her as young girl.

Young girl really likes the catch, and she's not so thrilled that he's dating other girls. It hurts her feelings that he's dating her AND other women so young girl tells The Catch that he has to be exclusive in dating her or not date her at all. "Be my boyfriend or you can't date me"

The Catch likes this girl a lot, and wants to continue dating her, and is willing to stop seeing other women in order to keep young girl around, but he recently met another girl (who'll we'll refer to as the total package) that he hit it off with, and a big part of him would like to continue dating her as well, and is nervous that if things don't go anywhere with young girl he may lose his opportunity with the total package. Still he feels he owes it to himself to see if it can go anywhere with young girl, even though he innately doesn't like her enough to want to spend time exclusively with her.

What do you think?

Flash Back Friday- Scrubs

Hey remember when Scrubs was funny? There are few shows that have nailed hilariousness and then taken a total nose dive Scrubs- I accidentally stumbled upon the last 3 minutes of the show's finale last week- the show should have been put out of it's misery 2 years ago.

Favorite Clip:


Favorite Musical Guest:


The last funny episode:


Scubs may you rest in peace, you'll live on forever on comedy central.

Riddle Me This....

You go to work each day, and a portion of your day's wages is given to your competitor. You actually work x amount of days a year so that the competition can stay in business.

Or better yet- your competitor is out of business because he managed it poorly, but you are told that you must work x days a year to pay for your competitor's employees health care,long after your competitor has closed their doors on business. You wake up in the morning, put on your shoes and give 8 hours of hard labor x days a year to pay for your ex-competition's ex-employees benefits.

Fair? Unfair? Just? Unjust?

What do you do?

The Media Hates American Cars

The Ford Fusion Hybrid has proven it can get up to 81 miles to the gallon (and not just by hypermilers that are driving in Nebraska at 20 mph)

Read about it Here

A domestic automobile company has produced a car that has guts, is comfortable and dare I say- ecofriendly and fuel efficient, but where is the story? Why isn't this front page news?

Americans want to like American cars- we want to believe in American goods, we just need a reason to have faith in Detroit.



Ford has produced a pretty darn good reason for faith in their product and the American way- it shouldn't be too suprising that the powers that be would like to ignore it.

A Distrubing Trend Sweeping America

I blame Anne Geddes.

DOUBLE your vote against senate incumbents-

Hate the incumbent for your state seats in congress? Would you like to DOUBLE your vote against that individual? Change political parties.

You hate the Republican that holds your state seat? Become a republican. You hate the democrat in the senate- become a democrat.

The goal in 2010: get rid of all incumbents in congress, a congress has had a lower approval rating than Bush.

By changing parties you can vote against ypur incumbent twice- in the primaries AND in the general election. You get two chances to fire that imbecile that feels immune to the voter’s wrath.

What many fail to recognize is that conressional primaries are more important than the general election.

Most voters will walk into the general election looking at the D or the R, by changing parties you make sure that that D or R is not the same one that has been siiting there for 20+ years.

Are you going to trust that party you dislike so much to fire the individual that is allegedly representing your vote in congress? That person isn’t the opposing party’s candidate, that's your vote, your lawmaker, your employee. Use your voice, use your vote, take control and fire that candidate yourself in the primaries.

We’re all going to have to be bigger than the labels we’ve become proud of.

You stick to your guns and your party- you take pride in that D or the R that you've become accustomed to, you're valuing the label more than your political beliefs.

Example: Utah
In 2008 Chaffetz beat out incumbent Chris Cannon in the primaries. Utah is going to vote R either way in the general election- so those that voted in the primaries made sure they didn’t get the same fat cat R that they’d had for 12 years prior. If they’re going to have to have a Republican representing them, the last thing they wanted was the same one.

California Republicans- want to fire Barbara Boxer? Become a democrat.
Connecticut Conservatives- hate Chris Dodd? Become a democrat.

Just can't bring yourself to do it? Well then don't bitch and moan when the incumbent is there for another 6 years. You have a fair shot to get rid of them, all it costs you is a bit of pride.

3 Years down, time & all eternity to go

Like all people who have been married for a very short amount of time, I’m full of unsolicited advice about dating and marriage. Exactly 3 years ago I ended a long, fun run of singlehood- since one of my 6 readers happens to be single, here’s my unsolicited advice:

You choose who you fall in love with
Contrary to every romantic comedy around- you decide who you fall in love with. You decide what is attractive. Now, many people fall in love with less than desirables- my question is: why are you dating a less than desirable in the first place? You want to marry someone that is out of debt and has a steady job- you only date people that are out of debt and have steady jobs. You want to marry someone nice, only date nice people. This “I can’t help it, I love them” is a load of crap.

You can’t teach nice
You also can’t teach work ethic. Most girls want to date someone who is spontaneous, will make them laugh until they cry & loves to travel. Not many men are afraid of traveling, or hate laughing. So what if he isn’t the funniest guy in the world. Those things can be learned, but look for inherent traits that can’t be learned- like kindness, work ethic, loyalty….

There is a difference between attractive and hot
An attractive 25 year old will be an attractive 45 year old. A hot 25 year old, you’ve got no such guarantee.

Do what you’ve always done you’ll get what you’ve always got

Don’t look for apples on an orange tree
My grandfather use to say, “If you want to find apples, go to an apple tree” A friend of mine wants to marry a good church going girl- but he kept picking up girls at bars- um, newsflash, if you want to marry a church going girl…go to church.

You knew what it was when you picked it up
It kills me how many men marry a princess and then are genuinely surprised when she acts like a princess.

I'm opening this up to the rest of you- what piece of advice would you give a person that is on the hunt for a mate?

Just (gonna) Do It!

I'm registered for the Walt Disney World marathon. Anyone else feeling masochistic today?

All runners are on the perpetual hunt for new running music- so as a public service here is my extensive list- please please please- if you've got some tuneage you love that's not listed- share.

80's Throwbacks

Love and Affection- Nelson

Poison- Alice Cooper

The Globe, Rush- Big Audio Dynamite

Rock this Party- Bob Sinclare

Brand New Lover- Dead or Alive

Pour Some Sugar on Me- Def Lepord

Remixed

Charles in Charge- Reliant K

Mexican Radio- Authority Zero

Jessie's Girl- Frickin' A

O'Lamor- Big Mamma

What is love- Haddaway

Listen to your heart- DHT

Something about you- Hatrias

What a feeling- DJ Bobo

Don't stop believin'- The Hitmaker

Why- DJ Sammy

Under Pressure- The Used/My Chemical Romance

Faith- Limp Bizkit

Rubberneckin'(Paul Oakenfold remix)

Call on Me- Eric Prydz

Beat it- Fall Out Boy

Take on me- Reel Big Fish

Other

Good, Extra Ordinary, Desperately Wanting- Better Than Ezera

Middle of nowhere- Hot hot heat

Sinner- Big B

Come baby come- K7

Machine Head- Bush

Show me the money-Petey Pablo

1-2-3-4 coolio

Weapon of Choice- Fat Boy Slim

The Terribly Obvious
All things Britney
Fergie

The Ramones
Angels and Airwaves

Blink 182

Offspring

Beastie Boys

All-American Rejects

Good Charlotte

Kanye West

Avril

Rihanna

Rage Against The Machine

Katy Perry

Anything with 'jump' in the title

And my current favorite: The Veronica's Untouched

Brainwashing

There is a brainwashing more threatening than subtle marketing campaigns, more devilish than value depraved entertainment, more cunning than the propaganda laced history books lurking in our children's classrooms- brainwashing that has affected millions of lives in America- the silent member of the axis of evil, yes my friends, I'm talking about the evil empire of La Leche Leauge.

Every baby book designed to make a new mommy feel guilty, selfish, worthless if she does not give suck to her child. But WOAH HO! They don't mention that some babies like formula better! That going to a straight formula diet will help the baby's digestive system so you don't have to give the poor child an enema every 3 days! They don't tell you that formula will give your dear child regular naps, and get rid of the afternoon fussy time! Formula is liberating! Formula is GOOD! Formula is WONDERFUL! DEATH TO LA LECHE!!!!!

Obomanomics at its finest

Scripture Study Gets Scary

Caution: The following post is extremely Mormon

Mosiah 7:20
...it is because of our iniquities and abominations that he had brought us into bondage

21: And ye are all witnesses this day that Obama & Congress, who were made kings over this people, they being over-zealous to fix the economy and gain poitical favor, therefore being deceived by the cunning and craftiness of China who having entered into an agreement with China , and having yielded up into their hands the possessions of a part of the land, or even mortgaging the entire country to pay for secret combinations and pet projects

22: And all this China did for the sole purpose of bringing the American people into bondage. And behold, at this time we do pay tribute to China, to the amount of one half of our daily labors... and even one half of all we have or possess China does exact of us.

23: And now is this not grievous to be borne? And is not this, our affliction, great? Now behold, howe great reason we have to mourn.

25: For if this people had not fallen into transgression the Lord would not have suffered that this great evil should come upon them. But behold, they would not hearken unto his words...

29: For behold, the Lord hath said: I will not succor my people in the day of their transgression; but I will hedge up their ways that they prosper not: and their doings shall be as a stumbling block before them.

30: And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shallreap the chaff thereof in the whirlwind...

31: And again he saith: If my people shall sow filthiness they shall reap the east wind, which bringeth immediate destruction

32:: And now behold the promise of the Lord is fulfilled, and ye are smitten and afflicted

Guilty!

Conversations in my brain: (James Joyce Style except with punctuation)

Oh man, the baby is farting like a 15 year old boy at scout camp. Maybe it's because she's getting a breast milk/formula combo, or it's because I have to take a stool softener. The diet coke could be why she's not getting much sleep, right, like giving up diet coke is an option- she's so unhappy when she toots, that can't be good- maybe I should go to just formula. Ooo, no more pumping in random parking lots before I go into a meeting when I'm traveling for work. Going to straight formula would be easier on her system, then we wouldn't have to give her an enema to go poop. Do I want her to go to formula just to make my life easier or hers? Hold up, every time I pump calories leave my body. I need calories to leave my body, but it may be better for her system to only have one kind of milk, and I could actually take pain meds and I'd get time back- oh sweet precious time. I'm selfish. Selfish vain mommy. Pump because it helps me loose weight but gives her painful gas, quit pumping to gain time and freedom, but baby gets no breast milk benefits. Plenty of really smart, neat people were raised on formula- do I really think that my child will be better with breast milk? But shouldn't I do everything i can for my baby's health? Does it matter? Am I really putting my kid in front of the tv at 3 months so I can exercise? Bad mommy. Then again, it's not like I'm going to sit there and wave colors at the kid while singing. It's just 15 minutes- but 15 minutes today, 30 minutes tomorrow, next thing I'll be using PBS to babysit my kid. A healthy mommy is a happy mommy, but what comes first: the happy mommy or the happy baby? Then again, she's happy when she's drinking formula, and laughs and giggles at baby einstein. With this much guilt I really should be Catholic.

Unwarranted Arrogance

When I was single I often met boys who were not that attractive, didn't have an impressive career, weren't terribly dynamic, definitely didn't have any money, and were moderately intelligent at best- but completely arrogant.

I can understand a bit of arrogance when you're Brad Pitt, but nothing annoyed me more than unwarranted arrogance.

This past week one of Obama's comments has gotten a lot of press- that America is arrogant. If America is indeed arrogant when it comes to our European counterparts it may have something to do with our forefathers dying to liberate Europe, our tax dollars continually flowing into Europe and the rest of the world for aid, leading the world in charitable contributions and when ever there is some major dispute in the world, all eyes are to the U.S. of A. to do something about it.

It's funny that no one complains about the US arrogance when they're asking for our help.

Maybe someone who's forefathers didn't die in World Wars would think their sacrifice trite, maybe someone who doesn't sacrifice to give to charities that assist foreign nations would think the contributions minimal. It's those that have never lived by the Mexican border that would apologize for the American bodies getting in the way of Mexican drug cartel bullets. It's this unwarranted arrogance with which I take issue.

Good job B.O.- apologize for America in France- the HQ of unwarranted arrogance. Explain why he can apologize for our country when he has taken no part in the sacrifices this country has made.

I ask what has the president done that warrants his arrogance?

I have a minor crush on the president of the EU

I rarely laugh while listening to NPR- but this weekend I burst out loud:

"Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek called Obamanomics a 'Road to Hell'"

Gotta give it to those Czechs for calling it like it is.

FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE

Brent and I have decided that if Obama and Congress take away our guns (and don't think it isn't being done- there's a ton of back door methods trying to make their way through congress to take away the right to bear arms) we're moving to Texas- because Texas will leave the union before they let this sham of a government take away their right to bear arms.

However, in an effort to manifest to the government just how many people want this right protected, the NRA is offering FREE memberships!

Click Here To Protect Your Right To Bear Arms (and to save Brent and me from moving to Texas)

Blessings making me cranky

By 6 pm yesterday I was wiped out. That morning I got the best run in I've had in months, and between feedings I was on conference calls, typing with one hand while bouncing a baby on my knee, picked up my sister in law at the airport, catching up on all that I've missed in work over the past 3 months, dealing with spit up all over the floor, ran to the post office just before it closed to send a package off to my sister in Paraguay, and did about 3 loads of laundry.

Then around 8 pm I was cranky. I was worn out, tired and knew that this was my new life.

This morning I realized I was the most ungrateful creature on the planet. I was cranky because I was able to have a great job and take care of my healthy beautiful baby at the same time. I had a sister in law that helped me immensely in the afternoon yesterday and a sister who is out serving other people. I was exhausted because I was able to run. I was cranky because I was blessed.

If there is one thing I know, is that if we complain about our blessings God will surely take them away from us. I better watch out!

You like me! You really like me!

Ok so maybe you don't like me, but my cousins that I've always looked up to and admired like me- and I consider that quite the accomplishment. I rarely care what others think of me but these classy ladies are the exception to that rule. (I retract that statement, I care when people like me, I don't care if they don't like me- I figure it's their loss)

They flattered me by interviewing me on their blog- read the bossy post here .

Hookin' a Brother Up

I don't posses many talents, specifically, I have two: First- I can pick out the perfect pair of glasses for any face within the first 3 minutes of walking into a store.

The first talent has something to do with looking like this as a child:





It's become second nature to know which set of glasses is going to look best on any one's face. I know you're jealous, some of us were just blessed. I'm sorry, it's something that can't be taught, it's an inherent skill that took years to inquire. I just know. I'm probably going to be held accountable at the last days because I've been hiding this talent under a bushel.

Since I can't teach the first talent, I'll share some information on how to acquire the second- setting people up.

I've yet to meet anyone who can match my skills, I'll practically break my own arm patting myself on the back for this one. 2 Marriages, many fabulous realtionships and one couple that drove 1/2 way to Vegas to my name. (They really should have gotten married, I've never met a couple that was more Saturday's Warrior, but they had a Hubble situation on their hands. Kind of tragic really- anyhow I digress..) I've yet to have someone tell me that the date they set them up on was a mistake or that they couldn't see it going somewhere. Seriously, I'm good- so this is how it's done:

1st- Single people are not single because they can't get married, they're single because they've chosen not to get married yet. When contemplating setting up a single friend don't think "who do I know that's single?" think "who do I know that this person would get along splendidly with?"

2nd- Don't build up the blind date. Do let the two you are setting up know why you think they would like the other person- but don't say that they are 'so perfect for each other'. Keep the information about the other person as minimal as possible.

3rd- If you can avoid it, don't set up people on a blind date. The sneaky set up works best. Have a get together inviting a number of people who are single- but don't go pairing anyone off. Don't tell the people you'd like to meet that you're setting them up. Just create a casual and fun environment where the two can meet.

I enticed my neighbor to come to a dinner party by telling him I was going to set him up with one person, when in reality I wanted him to meet someone completely different. That way at the party he didn't feel any pressure when he met person #2. In addition, his roommate was a total flirt that I knew would monopolise person #2, so I didn't invite him. They now have 2 kids.

You'll find that most single people want to be set up if it's with someone that they will genuinely like, not if it's just someone else that is single- that's offensive. It's telling them that they should just settle for anyone.

Single friends: Am I missing anything here? Please share your insight-
And speaking of 'sight' (oh, sooo punny!)if you need some glasses give me a call, I'll hook ya up.

As a courtesy for all news reporters...

After watching Obama, his terrible excuse for a press secretary (seriously, Robert Gibbs must have some serious blackmail on Obama that landed him that position), and congress over the past 50 days I've figured out the answer to all critisms directed at the whitehouse. No need to ask any tough questions, I've got your canned answers below:

You didn't hear any complaints about it when George Bush was president.

I inherited this problem from George Bush.

The Bush administration did the same thing.

And in regards to earmarks and reckless spending they sound like the coach of my highschool football team: Next year we'll get them!

Fabulous Item of the Week- a Milker

Our home is cluttered with stuff we thought the baby might like. Swings, toys, chairs, there are few items I've decided I could live with out. But the one item that has made our lives so much easier- is the medela breast pump.




Sure, being milked isn't terribly glamorous, it's the same price as a car payment, but it's been worth every dime. It takes 10 minutes to pump versus 1 hour to feed. Love it, love it love it!

What is the one baby item that made your life easier?

I owe Mike Huckabee an apology

You know, apparently I was overly critical during the nomination process, as our current president has shown that basic logic and math skills are indeed NOT required to be president.

According to Obama doom and gloom speeches over the past month, we're in store for another depression - which was they key argument for bulling the nation into buying in on his 1,000,000,000,000 spending package, however according to the white house budget, over the next 5 years we'll see unprecedented GDP growth rivaling China, which will cut our deficit in half! We will be in both a depression and have unparalleled prosperity!

Mike Huckabee- you have my apology, at least you were upfront about your shady math skills.

Overheard in Sunday School

While reading in Mosiah 11 about wicked King Noah and how he burdened his people:

And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth part of their bziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also a fifth part of all their grain.

"One fifth? wouldn't that be nice"

The Consequences of Socialism

Brent and I were talking about Obama's proposed taxes, and what will actually come to fruition. The result of which: I'll quit my job.

I did the math and I would rather spend 100% of my time at home than work 50% of the year for the government to support their reckless spending habits.

Then it dawned on me- that's the consequence of socialism, it no longer becomes beneficial for producers to produce. Smart producers figure out that they're supporting consumers- so they stop producing.

Is this what a Monarchy looks like?

Where are the checks and balances? Where is due diligence? Has congress become nothing more than a bunch of yes-men for the president?

Nancy Pelosi's quads must be burning from that brutal work-out she gave them during the President's address to congress. You'd think that woman's seat was on fire. I was embarrassed for her.

We didn't elect a president we crowned a king, our congress is filled with noblemen, with no term limits that tax the people as they please, using our money to give favors to their friends, and retain power.

I'm not talking about democrats or republicans- I'm talking about a Senate full of useless, pompous, egotistical individuals that grow fat on the labor of the people. Government has become a great leech, and each day it grows, literally, each and every day.

A friend of mine compared Obama to Princess Di, with the fascination of the media- his face gleaning countless books and magazine covers- but there's a difference, he has more power than Princess Di, and none of the heart.

It's a do as I say and not as I do president. Obama is above it all- we may not have the right to keep our homes at 71 degrees, but he has the right to keep the white house at a sweltering heat. There are no sacrifices coming from the ruling class, no we the laborers are expected to sacrifice so Washington can maintain its lavish lifestyle.

It's angering to watch other people spend money I earn. The hypocrisy of Washington is palpable. Congress will spend months interrogating professional baseball players about drugs (like we care) but won't think twice about cutting checks for billions to unscrupulous companies.

I guess there is a silver lining- at least we elected our king and our noblemen- so the country will be in the financial bondage it deserves.

Pregnancy Weight

My mom and my sister had the same reaction when they saw my profile- see below:



Out right laughter. We had picked Kelsy up at the airport, took her immediately to the cheesecake factory and when she saw me get out of the car she couldn't stop laughing. This is why I didn't go to church during the last month of my pregnancy- I couldn't fit in a pew much less a dress.


I put on 65 lbs of pregnancy weight. Ridiculous, I know. I stopped exercising, I ate what ever I wanted and for one full week I lived off of peanut butter and celery.

In the hospital I had a grand total of 15 bags of IV fluid (so the bill tells me). I had so much water pumped into me that I left the hospital weighing the exact same weight as when I entered- despite having an 8 lb human removed from my uterus.

I've since gone on Nutrasystem and it's no surprise why people lose weight on this program- it takes like crud. You don't want to eat because your options are so unappealing. There is no way Marie Osmond actually eats this cardboard.

I have lost 30 lbs of my pregnancy weight (it would be a lot easier to get excited if I didn't have another 35 to go) but don't hold your breath thinking I'll post some 'after' pictures.

Stimulus Simply Explained

A blog I wish I had written: Stimulus Package Explained

What happens when we inform our lenders that we are borrowing money from them:Bella and Barack

The Valentine Backlash

I read this article on CNN- and I swear I wrote the exact same thing last year. I'm SO ahead of my time.






After perusing around the internet I have found that I am not the only one that thinks Valentines is a marketing ploy and a cheap excuse for romance. Slowly but surely the idea is gaining ground. Next thing you know, everyone will catch on to the idea that diamonds are also nothing more than an expensive con.

The silver lining in this recession, the devaluation of the dollar and the fall of conspicuous consumption- we will have to stop valuing things and start valuing people. Few relationships are strengthened through prosperity, more are strengthened through hardship. We may be forced to revert back to homemade gifts, hand picked flowers and true thoughtfulness, because we can't afford to be lazy.

Which brings us to Valentines day. Valentines day isn't inheritly evil, as long as when we decide to manifest love, it's a gift of self. There's nothing wrong with a holiday to break up the monotony of winter- just as long as we are valuing and celebrating love, and not objects.

(And if you NEED flowers, let your significant other buy them for you on Feb 15th- when they're 80% off)

Why looks are over-rated...

Because this:





turns into this:

Congress is a bunch of prepubescent girls

Impulse spending is typically reserved for candybars at the check out line, that $100jacket that you know is going to make you look $200 better or the additional item that happens to be on sale.

But now, we get to watch our congress spend 780 billion dollars on an impulse, on emotion. Congress has now proven they have as much self restraint as a 12 year old girl at the mall with her pocket full of babysitting money.

The average person, when looking to spend a great deal of money on a car or a home will spend months evaluating the options, shopping around trying to find the best value for the money. We would never consider buying a house with out considering the terms, having the home assessed, and simply going on faith that the seller was looking out for our best interest.

Apparently when you're spending the American people's money, you don't have to do such due diligence. If the seller (Obama) tells you to vote for it with out thinking, spend your money with out assessment you do it. And if you don't it's like the new cool kid in school is going to banish you to the front of the school bus. Obama's blatant peer pressure on those that oppose him, calling them names for wanting to assess where the American people's money will be going- is childish.

It takes more time to close on a home than it's going to take Congress to commit 780billion dollars. This money does not have to be spent now, but it's become apparent that more restraint is used by Congressmen in spending their own money, than it is in spending yours.

Post-Partum

I looked in the mirror and realized- I've become her.




I only wear mismatched sweats with strategically placed wet spots and spit up on them
My hair is always pulled back in a ponytail
I usually don't get around to showering until late-afternoon
It's a great event if I put on make-up.
The bags under my eyes say I need a good 48 hours of sleep.
I look like I'm still 6 months pregnant.

What I didn't realise is that she also:

Would rather watch her baby yawn than the inaguration of a new president.
Doesn't care if the dow dropped 200 points-the only number she cares about is the number of poopy diapers in a day.
Gets excited and congratulates her baby when she successfully spits up all over her.
Never tires of staring at her baby's face
Gets a peace of heaven each time her child falls asleep on her chest
Enjoys changing diapers and washing bottles
Has never been happier

You Were Right...

You're right. You're all right. Every one of you. I thought that there was a massive conspiracy to get women pregnant because misery loves company. I thought the 'it's different when it's your own kid' was a fallacy. I thought that newborns really didn't do much for me, and I wish that kids came out 2 years old.

I was wrong. So very very wrong.

Yesterday we welcomed a new baby into our lives, and it changed everything. I now believe in love at first sight. She is adorable, and such a good baby. Wow. It's completely undescribable, wow.

However, as to all the horror stories about labor- I was prepared for the worst and I was worried about nothing. The easiest part of my entire pregnancy was labor-thanks to the skilled hands at St.Mark's hospital. Seriously, no pain- none, such a fabulous staff and this means a lot coming from a total wuss.

Here's the picture of the beautiful little girl. This blog will not turn into a 'mom blog' (not that there's anything wrong with that)- but mostly I won't be posting any details about this adorable child because there are too many weirdos out there.

Due date +1

We're now at the due date +1. So how am I?

Besides the fact that my feet are swollen to the point I can only wear my husband's flip flops, I'm hanging in there. That's if I overlook dreading going to bed- because after finally getting into bed, like a pancake continuously flip from side to side to avoid getting bed sores and to allow blood to flow back into which ever arm I happen to be currently trying to sleep on. It takes about 3 minutes to reposition. Once I've finally found a position that is remotely close to comfortable, I have to use the bathroom for the umpteenth time, waddling like a duck every step of the way.

I have two appetites: I can't eat anything because nothing sounds good, even when I'm hungry, or I eat everything in sight times two! Either way, I am bound to down another package of tums to avoid serious heartburn (another reason I get no sleep). I can't tell the difference between a contraction and having to go to the bathroom, and the highlight of my day is a good bowel movement.

I'm currently on maternity leave, which is in the best interest of all involved due to my tendency to cry at the slightest bit of stress.At the same time it's incredibly frustrating to want to accomplish so much but barely have the strength to get myself up off the lovesac. I've learned from watching day time tv commercials that I'm wasting my life and I really should be entering a technical college, my regular job is a total crock because I could be making millions from home, and I'm an idiot for not buying silver coins (because the price of silver WILL go up!) and the snuggie is the best thing since crocs.

My heart rate increases just by walking to the mailbox, and my breathing is so heavy that after climbing a simple flight of stairs I need to sit down and take a break. I can't figure out why doctors keep asking for urine samples when I can't even see down there. One more week of this and I'll be ready to do ANYTHING to get this kid out, including reaching for the first leatherman to cut it out myself BUT excluding sex!

My favorite is when people tell me I'll 'miss' being pregnant. I'll no more miss being pregnant than I miss acne and the 7th grade. I can't blame her for not wanting to come out, all I do is watch an hour of the news and think "no wonder she wants to stay in there!"

Baby Bribe

My first OB measured the fetus in the early months and moved my due date from Jan 14 to Jan 7th. That meant we could induce on December 30th to get the tax break from Uncle Sam. However, I didn't like that OB- so I switched and though the new OB is wonderful, he goes strictly by the calendar- keeping my due date Jan 14th, hence the earliest I can induce is Jan. 7th.

Yesterday we promised the baby a pony if she comes out before 2009. I figured if I put it on the blog with the 6 of you as witnesses- she'll know we're serious. She's got approximately 12 hours to claim her pony- then all deals are off.

Favorite Christmas Card of '08

Travis is a stellar guy. Intelligent, good-looking, driven, and single.

When he asked for addresses to send Christmas Cards out, I wondered 'why would a single guy send out Christmas cards?' Then I opened this:



I've never had a card make me laugh so hard.

The Honest Christmas Letter

Dear Friends, Family and people I feel obligated to send a Christmas card to because you sent me one last year,

It’s been a roller coaster year for the Boohers!
Mostly due to Kory’s hormonal imbalance.

Brent started a new job and is very excited about the new opportunity and challenge!
The great challenge will be keeping a job as he is a banker that works for Ford, probably the worst industry you could possibly be in at the moment. So if you could be encouraging of the government extending a loan to the automakers we’d appreciate it. If it doesn't happen, he’s going to become Mr. Mom, and we’ll have to switch to one ply toilet paper.

This past year we got a new dog, Max who Brent absolutely loves and who Kory begrudgingly tolerates. Max is a fabulous hunting dog keep tiny children and animals away from him. Brent has spent a great deal of time pheasant hunting with Max and loves it. Anyone want a dog?

Kory still loves her job. At least that’s what she chants to herself each morning while coming to grips that she’ll be responsible for bringing home the bacon if the government won’t allocate some of those billions they’ve been handing out like lollypops to banks to the auto makers. She is happy that she got to cut down on the travel in these last few months. But no so happy about being too large to fit into an airplane.

We’re expecting our first child any day now, we know you wondered if that would ever happen- and look forward to being parents.
'Look forward' is kind of strong, more like paralyzed with anxious anticipation and total fear.

It’s our second year in our home and we love the neighborhood.
We still have issues with Utah, suffering from seasonal depression, listening to inane local news, and Kory tends to violently shake and dribble a bit in the summer months with out a beach.

If you're in Utah and can come to visit, we'd love to have you! We're going to need babysitters, and if you do stay with us can you make sure you clean up after yourselves? And at least offer to buy some of the food you consume? We won't take you up on the offer- but the offer does need to be extended.

Wishing the best to you and yours. Unless you got into a mortgage you couldn't afford and bought a ton of things on credit, then I'm hoping the government takes your home, your new BMW, forcing you to live in a van down by the river.

Merry Christmas!!

- The Boohers



Note: The enclosed photo is 3 years old because damn! we looked good then. We're not nearly this attractive anymore

To Gift, or Not to Gift...

Hypothetically speaking...



You're an exceptionally good gift giver, you don't have many talents, 6 to be exact, but giving good presents happens to be one of them. You're so good that sometimes those who receive your gifts don't realize the genius of the gift until years later.

One Christmas you give a gift to person A- an extremely thoughtful and cleaver gift. Though A attempts to act grateful, you can tell A doesn't quite get the brilliance of the gift. Your feelings aren't hurt because it's obvious that A has lost their sense of humor and self and it is so obvious that this gift is awesome. You tell person A that if they don't like the gift they can sell it on eBay because it is in high demand and worth a lot of money.

A few weeks later person A then mentions that the gift you gave A was the hit a party A recently attended. Everyone loved it. (See even complete strangers recognize your fabulous taste, even if person A doesn't) You ask why A'd take such a gift to a party- from which you defer, not only did person A re-gift your gift, A re-gifted it as a white elephant gift. (The fact that this individual would give away something they could have easily sold for a minimum $45 on eBay as a white elephant gift doesn't quite surprise you, you've already decided A has lost all taste, what amazes you is that A actually thought they were paying you a compliment in how many people liked the gift)

That same person A had mentioned to you that a friend gave A something for free because A had extended a helping hand. Two weeks later you get the exact same item that A was telling you A got for free as a Christmas present.

Person A has also made it a habit to never write a thank you note, nor even a phone call extending thanks for gifts (very, very thoughtful gifts) that were previously given for a variety of holidays and occasions.

So here’s the question: Do you continue to give gifts that go unappreciated? Granted you don’t give a gift for appreciation, but if the receiver is going to donate the gift to the Salvation Army, what’s the point?

I've previously blogged about how to receive more presents but as gift giver is there a point in time come where you say- "dude, from now on out you just get cards"?

Bitter

I'm bitter, resentful & annoyed- then I feel guilty about being bitter, then I feel justified, and go back to being annoyed. I'm blaming the hormones- but women really did get a raw deal.

The man goes off to hunt I'm home in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant? No, literally, Brent is out hunting with some buddies and I'm at home with out even socks on making fudge to console myself.

I've become resentful that I have to be home and tired and fat while my husband gets to go do things he loves.

I know, I could go spend money- but there is nothing I want! Curses! The blessings of fasting extend beyond hormonal outrage and plus- who wants to buy anything when they've just put on 50 lbs? FIFTY! The baby weighs 5- so that's 45 lbs I get to work off post baby. Brent doesn't have to lose 45 lbs- where is the justice!?!??!

Women have been going through this pain, suffering and annoyance since the beginning of time and have been considered second class citizens? They should be worshiped! How dare men for years take women for granted! It's the women who suffered! I can't believe that pioneer women even had sex!

But THEN, I think- 'it could be SO much worse. I could have cancer, I'm lucky to have a really wonderful husband. I want Brent to be happy and do things he likes. Anything I wanted to do he'd support'- here's where the guilt comes in full force. How dare I be resentful when I am so blessed? I'm ungrateful.

But in turn- why doesn't Brent ever have to be pregnant? If I want 2 more kids after this why am I the one who gets to suffer 18 more months of pregnancy?!? Brent needs a turn! Why am I the one who has to go through the pain? This is the shaft!- and we quickly slip back to bitter....

Help? Anyone? Please?

Proposition D8

Caution: If you're not A- Mormon nor B- Have been in a singles ward- you won't get it.

Celebrating Christmas Year Round

It really is tragic that people only feel the Christmas spirit one month a year. In our house we try to be better than that, and invite the spirit of Christmas every day into our home. Which is why this-





has a permanent spot in our living room. Nothing says Christmas like a leg lamp, and who are we to hide the leg lamp under bushel? We let that light shine 12 months a year.

Birthing Question

In birthing class last week (which has been surprisingly helpful) they focused on breathing techniques- and the teacher said, "You really want to control your breathing so you don't black out"

Kory raises her hand: "So, what's so bad about passing out? Why would you not want to pass out while in labor?"

Teacher with a look of shock on her face: "If you pass out you could miss the whole birthing experience"

Kory: "Ok, um, let me ask this again. Why would you NOT want to pass out?"

Teacher looks at Kory and Brent with a blank stare-

Underestimating my wussdom

I had to have a mole removed off of my back by the dermatologist. They had to take out a substantial chunk of flesh to make sure it didn't turn cancerous.

I was ok for the procedure- I was laying flat down on my stomach and was completely numbed up. I did get some stitches and was told to come back to the doctor in a week to have the stitches removed.

I was some what concerned about feeling the tugging of the removal of the stitches. In the doctors office I sat on the edge of the exam bed and told the nurse that I get queasy very easily. She dismissed the statement because hey, it was only stitches, and while she removed them I didn't feel a thing. But then she said, "oh, it looks like your allergic to adhesive, you have a few little pimples where the band aid was"

Suddenly I started to feel light headed- I started thinking to myself:
"Kory, it's just a pimple. Why are you feeling light headed about a pimple? Are you seriously feeling dizzy over a pimple? Kory, get over it- uh, oh, I can't hear anything any more, I lost my hearing? this can't be..." Shabam! Next thing I know I'm waking up on the floor of the exam room. I passed out and did a head dive off of the exam table onto the carpet. I actually had a rug burn- on my FACE.

I blacked out over a pimple. This my friends, is another reason why passing out completely may be the only way this child ever comes out.

I'm a Wuss

I've never been good with blood or needles- I close my eyes when watching House, if you start to tell me a story that involves blood, wounds or any sort of physical pain I'll plug my ears. I am a wuss. I know I'm a wuss. I've accepted total wussdom.

A year or so ago I had a colonoscopy. The procedure itself isn't nearly as terrible as having to drink the 5 gallons of nasty nasty clear solution that makes you poop water.

Typically they just drug you to relax for the colonoscopy, you're completely awake during it. In the hospital the nurse was preparing me for the iv and I warned her, "Look, I tend to get a bit queasy so you're going to have to do this quickly"

She said 'no problem' and then after poking me said, 'Uh oh, your blood isn't threading- we're going to have to poke you again. Don't worry- I'll get someone else to do it.' My breathing gets a bit more rapid, the heart starts to pound a bit more.

Nurse #2 comes over and pokes me in my other hand, and then proceeds to say, "it's still not threading, we're going to have to poke you again"- Surely this nurse isn't so stupid as to get this wrong again and then proceed to announce it to the patient with her head between her knees and trying not to freak out. They go to get another nurse, they poke me this time in my arm- the nurse says a third time, "It's still not threading!"

At that point I'm handed a paper bag to breathe into, put on a bed and rolled in to see the doctor. I'm at the brink of passing out. Entering the procedure room- the doctor looks at me and says "I hear you're not very good with needles" it took me all of half a second to reply, "Yeah, and neither are your nurses!"

That is the last I remember, instead of just relaxing me for the procedure they put me under completely. I'm thinking passing out may end up being my only line of defense in labor.

The Push Present

It's no secret that I say things that annoy most women- why would this post be any different?

I learned of the Push Present two years ago, and thought it strange. A man gives a woman some sort of bauble because she gave birth to his child. The baby isn't gift enough, the woman needs some tangible piece of appreciation from the man. I thought maybe it was the man's way of saying "Sorry you suffered so much for this child, because I can't suffer I'm going to go out and buy you something" which doesn't make much sense either- because any good pregnant woman makes her husband suffer just as much as she has- for the full nine months. (Ask Brent how much sleep he's gotten recently)

The push present is a pat on the head, "Good job woman, you gave birth to my child, here is your reward" and since being pregnant myself I've decided it's demeaning and trivial. That little blue box from Tiffany's immediately devalues the precious new life put in your arms. A baby isn't enough, the woman now expects the man to reward her for her efforts with jewelry.

Talk about a giant step backwards for feminism! A feminist doesn't have a child because she will be rewarded by the man, she doesn't expect gifts for doing things she wants to do. She is in a partnership with her husband, and when she suffers through birth she expects and knows that her husband has or will equally suffer for the family in other ways- and no trudging into the local mall and having something gift wrapped isn't suffering- it's something I very well can do myself.

Way to go women! Tell men that there is a financial equivalent to carrying and giving birth to a child. Men you're in luck- take an hour to do something that is no sacrifice, takes no genuine thought, doesn't alter your life in the slightest to thank a woman who spent months in misery. Ladies, best of all you can brag about it to your friends!

Which brings the surface another social ill- the competition between women in all things trivial and worthless. Like the comparing the size of wedding rings isn't enough (My husband makes WAY more money than yours, see my ring is bigger!) Now women get to compare push presents. Another avenue where they get to tell other women that they are only as valuable as the gifts their husbands give them. Awesome.

A true push present is to honor the woman that gave birth, to wake up in the middle of the night with the baby, to change diapers, clean the house, do the laundry, take the baby in for shots- and tell the woman she's beautiful each day after birth that she's carrying that pregnancy weight. The true push present is a husband who is loving, supportive, and protective of his wife and child. Not some worthless trinket.

Now, if a husband sees his wife in pain, tired, and frazzled and would like to do something spontaneous to make her happy- it's a different story. It's the "I give you present for being good woman and bearing my seed in your loins" which is offensive. Call it a push present and you might as well be a concubine trying to produce an heir for the king so you can be rewarded.

The world is becoming more and more superficial- despite harsh economic times- and women desiring push presents when a sweet baby is given to them is pathetic. Like so many things that undermine respect for women and motherhood- it's not men but women that have chosen to minimalize themselves.

Pregnancy Q & A

Yes, this was an email forward- but it's timely, so it's geting a post.

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q : My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q : Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q : Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly

Q : Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Fabulous Item of the Week- QVC???

I typically think QVC shoppers sit in their Christmas Sweaters, with a month old Mrs. Field's cookie in one hand and an almost maxed out credit card in the other. Today I join those ranks. I was going to purchase Mrs. Prindables Chocolate Covered Apples for co-workers for Christmas, but a quick google search led me to QVC, selling the exact same product for 1/2 the price. It appears QVC does sell something other than a singing Elvis head or mineral make up! Now I'm hooked.

I do need to give a big shout out to another fabulous item of the week - the Boppy body pillow. I've reached the stage of pregnancy which is 24-7 total discomfort accompanied with the inability to get any sleep so in a desperate attempt to preserve his own sleep (and make his wife happy)the husband purchased this pillow- its changed my life, now I only wake up 3 times a night instead of 9.

BYU Can't Lose

It's time for the annual Wasatch bloodbath this Saturday and I'm proudly informing every Ute that though the U may win the game this Saturday- BYU still didn't lose.

You see Ute fans, you naively cheered as BYU lost to TCU- TCU got the glory of beating the Y and since then Y fans have come to grips that a BCS game is not in their future (though my dad likes to disagree with me on this, he thinks with the right combination of loses BYU could still have a shot- but it all hinges on Boise choking- which isn't going to happen)

Y fans walk into this game Saturday with nothing to lose, no BCS game, they don't even want to go to the Sega Bowl, but even more so, if they lose on Saturday the BYU football program gets 1.3 million dollars. If they win they get well- pride.

If the U wins, the U then goes to a BCS bowl- which will then give the Mountain West Conference in the neighborhood of 20 million dollars to be shared among MWC schools-with the U getting 2 parts. Do the math and that means, if BYU loses on Saturday they get around 1.3 million dollars.

If the U loses on Saturday- they get nothing, aside from their dreams crushed by their arch rival in their own stadium, but no cash to console them or their football program.

Again, in the simplest of terms BYU loses- they get 1.3 million, the U loses they get squat, nothing, zip.

Now if BYU had beat TCU, both teams would be in the win/win situation, either the U would be going to a BCS bowl and garnishing 2.6 for their program or walking away with the 1.3 mil consolation prize. But silly Ute fans, you cheered when that opportunity was taken away from you and now BYU goes into this game with the upper hand- the only incentive to win is to see those arrogant U fans dressed in black leaving the stadium with their heads hung low and tears in their eyes - take away the pride factor and it's really in BYU's best interest not to win.

What's good for the MWC is good for BYU- and though we may not be the team to go to the BCS bowl this year, it's better the U than Boise. We need the MWC to gain the national recognition its teams deserve, and it won't get that if we continue to beat out PAC 10 teams but then eliminate each other for BCS bowl candidacy.

So should the U of U beat us this Saturday, Y fans, hold your head high, and make sure you thank every Ute you meet for the cool million.

Top 10 things NOT to say to a Woman who is 7 Months Pregnant

(These are all true stories)

1. You look like you're going to explode any day now.

2. You sure you're not having twins?

3. (From the guy checking my ID at the airport) Wow, this is a great picture of you! It must have been taken a really long time ago.

4. A friend of mine lost her baby in the 7th month of pregnancy- it crushed her.

5. You're pregnant? I thought you were just getting pudgy!

6. Oh my, I was NEVER that big with any of my pregnancies.

7. The baby's due in December? You're never going to make it that long.

8. What are you having? Oh no, let me guess- your having a girl. Girls always make you gain a lot of weight in the hips and thighs.

9. Wide load coming through.

10. You ATE Kory!

For the LOVE Of PETE!

Here I was hoping to spend my Friday singing Kumbaya with my fellow man, drink hot chocolate and maybe do some work but shabam! Local new talks about how the No on 8 campaign is violently protesting the LDS church- not just in California but IN UTAH?

Seriously? No- really? Are you kidding me? In Utah? Well hell, with that rational I think I'm going to protest the presidential election- IN MEXICO!

Protesting a church headquartered in Utah- because 54% of the state of CALIFORNIA passed prop8? What on earth is this going to accomplish? Do they think the Church has that kind of influence? I'm sure they'll see the protesters out front and pick up their bat line to Governator and let him know the church has changed their mind, so if the state of California could please deduct the Mormon 2% from the overall vote they'd really appreciate it.

2% TWO PERCENT- that's the amount of the LDS population in California. One, Two. However, the LDS church is apparently the mastermind behind prop8 passing. (I had no idea we had so much power)

Not making much more logic, the homosexual community in California thinks the best way to get their point across is to spew venom at a temple belonging to 2% of the vote.

Who really is to blame for Prop8 passing? Barack Obama. Indeed it's all Barack's fault. 70% of African American voters voted YES on 8. And due to Barack Obama being on the ticket African American voters came out in unprecedented numbers. Click here for the Slate article.

Pop quiz: What are there more of in California, Mormons or African Americans?

In reality, if the homosexual community wanted to direct their anger and frustration towards the REAL source of prop8 passing they'd target president elect Barack Obama

If they wanted to start yelling at the group that put prop8 over the top, they'd be labeling all African Americans as bigots- but dude, you can't do that! So let's go after the MORMONS.

One last thing- even if you opposed Prop8, and you relish the idea that the courts will over turn the decision made by our trusted system of democracy- we should be afraid that the voice of the people will be muted- not on this issue but any issue, because democracy is now ignored and we will now be ruled by appointed judges.

Ok, my rant is done- I feel a little bit better now.

Kumbaya Anyone?

Day 2 after the election and I was hoping that people would let politics die, for at least a week- or how about until January 20th- but no, it's an addiction that isn't easily broken.

I was actually wishing American Idol was on television, I don't even watch American Idol! But maybe, if American Idol was on people would have something else to talk about.

I'd like a political time out. How about we take the hate, anger and criticism that has been so palpable in the atmosphere over the past month and make it disappear. Since this election has been going on for two years, I probably have unrealistic expectations expecting America to go cold turkey- but I'd like to yell from the roof tops 'IT'S OVER!'


Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Unless you want to talk about why the utter uselessness of the electoral college- that's one political discussion I'm open to.

Looks Like Being in Utah isn't Half Bad~

When people ask how I like living in Utah- I usually say it's great except for all of the dang mormons. However, living in a strong LDS community has its bonuses according to of all magazines- the Economist!

The Mormon Work Ethic

Why Follow A False Prophet?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believes in a latter-day prophet. We believe that this prophet is here on earth to give us guidance as to how to live our lives to not only maximize our happiness here on this earth, but to prepare us for the next. God has a history of sending prophets to teach his people. Rarely have these prophets been welcomed, loved or popular.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has never sought to be popular- some of its teachings seem strange- others are extremely basic, such as a huge charity effort and welfare around the world. While some members of its church would like to be more universally accepted, the church its self has never actively sought main stream acceptance.

In 1995 the First Presidency of the Church Released- The Family: A Proclamation to the World. It's pretty cut and dry as to what the church believes the family consists of- with out apology- and stated so 13 years ago.

The Church has come out in ardent support of proposition 8, which many of its members have criticized. I can understand individuals not supporting prop 8. I have a friend who I was curious how she would react to prop. 8 as she is active in church and extremely liberal. However, I don't understand why people would come out against prop.8 violently, and remain members of the church.

Either members that oppose prop.8 are wrong, or the man they deem the Prophet of God is wrong. And if the man that they support as The Prophet of God is wrong- why belong to a false church? Why follow a fallen leader?

There are many things about my faith I don't understand- but that's where faith comes into play and I 'lean not unto my own understanding'. Because I believe in a latter-day prophet I accept that he knows things that I do not know, I believe he is a seer, and has a bit more knowledge about the future than I have. I believe that this man knows more about the impact of Prop.8 than I will. It's one of the basic principles of the LDS church- faith. But it's obvious that thousands of Mormons think they know more than their leaders- and if they do- why remain part of a church that is wrong?

If it was me, and I thought the leadership of the church I belonged to was wrong- that the man I sustain as a mouthpiece of the Lord was false- I'd take my 10% and go.

Trick or Treat Trains Kids To Be Democrats

Happy Halloween! ;)

A Rose By Any Other Name....

I'm completely over this conversation and I'm sure the 6 of you are too- it may be wise if I stop commenting in the comment section because the conversation there is much more interesting with out me- however- Emily asked me some questions, and I will answer them, since my response is far too long- I turned it into a post- sadly it's like the longest post ever- hopefully my last on this topic- then I can get back to things that really don't matter, and don't stress me out either.

Emily's comment is in italics- my response is not.
For those of you who like to skim, I put the main arguments in bold.

I just can't accept the heterosexual lifestyle of strip clubs and Las Vegas shows and magazines that degrade women and parents (either male or female) who won't pay their child support These things seem immoral to me. I am a hard-working, taxpaying, Christian-thinking lesbian who wants to make the world a better and safer place for my family. There are so many children unloved and unwanted in the world, this seems like the ultimate in immorality, and who is responsible for that? "We" (lesbians and gays) don't generally have kids we don't want, though accidents can happen to anybody.

Does this line of reasoning sound outrageous or offensive to you? That somebody would pick out the most shocking or 'undesirable' qualities of a group you happen to be part of in some way, and just lump you all together without knowing anything about you or your life or your family?

No, I don’t think this train of thought is outrageous...at all. I'm all in support of removing those heterosexual ills from society. I’d love it if the Las Vegas strip was wiped off the map. But, I understand the point you are trying to make here- I hate it when people try to define “Mormons” by the stereotypes they are familiar with. Though certain Mormon stereotypes certainly exist within the LDS church, it frustrates me when people think of all Mormons in these terms.

If someone questions heterosexuality or the ills that come with it, I don't take it personally- I don't define myself by my sexuality. I don't define anyone by their sexuality. I have many friends that done/ do things I consider immoral- but I don't tell them that they have to accept my morality- and they don't tell me that I have to accept theirs.

The reason gays and lesbians want acceptance and equality is that the fact of being gay or lesbian has nothing to do with morality any more than being hetero is a moral quality. Whatever scale of morality one uses, there are still going to be moral gay people, immoral gay people, moral straight people, and immoral straight people.

This is where you and I differ in opinion, and why we will never agree on this subject. I believe homosexuality is immoral, in many faiths homosexuality is immoral. I also believe that pre-marital sex in heterosexual couples is immoral, abortion (depending on the case) is immoral, prostitution and pornography are immoral. If the government tries to condone any act I consider immoral and give it legitimacy I’ll try to stop it- that's what members of communities do.
What is and isn’t accepted as moral is defined by the society in which you live. Should you live South America, it is considered completely moral to cheat on your wife, should you live in the middle east- you’re immoral if you show your elbows. Society dictates what is accepted as moral or not. 8 Years ago California decided it wasn’t going to condone homosexuality as a moral act- now it’s up for decision again.

Wouldn't it be great if we could all just be people, could all be treated the same by our government, and could all make the best possible choices for ourselves and our families?

I completely agree. If prop 8 passes, homosexual Californians will be treated the same by their government as heterosexual couples. Heterosexuals and homosexuals have the exact same rights, but for the homosexual community, this isn't enough- they want heterosexual acceptance of their lifestyle.

I would like to be able to make the best choices for myself- but if I work for the government I won’t have any choice- ask the firefighters that were forced to walk in the gay pride parade. Or the parents who’s kid’s got the surprise GAY day, there are no repercussions for educators for indoctrinating children with their morality… unless that form of morality mirrors Judeo-Christian ethics

The choice to teach our kids about sexuality in the time and place appropriate is gone.
The choice to not believe in homosexuality is gone.

And surely this point has already been made, whether you believe it or not--Prop 8 eliminates the right that same-sex couples in California currently have to be married.

Emily, you have the same right to be married as I do. What neither of us will have is the right to be married to a member of the same sex. What is entailed in that definition of ‘right to be married to a member of the same sex’? Does it take away the right to visit a loved one in a hospital? Does it take away the insurance benefits? Does it take away for you to have a ceremony of commitment? How does your everyday life change with the removal of the word marriage from your commitment to your partner?

Why do we care? Why do you care?

I care because I’d like to put my kids in the public school system with out worrying if their teacher will teach them about homosexuality in what they deem to see the proper light. I’d like to live in a world where if a public educator decides to indoctrinate my children with her morality- I can sue the school district. I care because I don’t want “Gay Pride Day” considered as much of a holiday as the 4th of July. To me, and my belief system it’s the same has having “Promiscuous Sex Celebration Day” in schools. I care because it is ‘a slippery slope’- California Law was already changed by one judge in 8 years and the more universally accepted homosexuality gets, the more likely those that don’t believe in it will be sued for vocalizing it.

I care because any one that works for the government is forced to accept homosexuality- the four fire fighters ordered to walk in a gay pride parade at the threat of losing their jobs, or the off-duty policeman (who is also a pastor of his church) who preached against homosexuality and was demoted by his department for “hate speech.”

Would civil union be good enough for you and your husband? Good enough for your family? No, you say? (Forgive me for speaking out of turn there.)

To be completely honest- a civil union would be fine. But, due to my faith- I got married where I got married- but if I believed homosexuality wasn’t a sin, I wouldn’t be a member of my faith, and I really would have been ok with a civil union (actually, we'd probably just be living together- but that gets into a completely different conversation).

Why is the homosexual community caught up in semantics? The rights of the couples are exactly the same. As Juliet said (referring to Romeo’s forbidden last name) “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet” Why is the wording so critical if not to provide the legal loophole to universal acceptance?

But you feel like it's alright for you to tell a whole group of people you don't know that they aren't worthy of the same treatment you are? I find that quite remarkable. I'm sorry, I'm sure you have excellent judgment in many matters, but I don't think you are in a position to decide whether or not I can be married to the person I love.

Emily, you and I do receive the exact same treatment.

There is no discrimination in this- you and I have the same rights.

No one, not me not anyone has the ‘right’ to marry the person they love. What you, I, and every one else has is the right to marry a consenting adult of the opposite sex. Just because you do not choose that to be an acceptable option, does not mean your rights have been stripped.

If everyone has the right to marry who you love, why wouldn’t three men who love each other be allowed to marry? What about polygamous marriage? What about incestuous relationships? Shouldn’t consenting adults in these types of relationships have the right to marry?

If same sex marriage is permissible because an individual has the right to marry whomever he or she loves, the only reason for prohibiting these types of extreme alternative marriages is that they are not socially acceptable. But once you accept that society has a right to limit some marriage relationships , you recognize society’s right to also define marriage in a way that benefits society as a whole.

If the definition of marriage changes, are you- or society at large- prepared to accept the consequences? Once men can marry men, and women can marry women, who is to stop a man from marrying MULTIPLE women? The same argument can be made “we love each other and we shouldn’t be denied the chance to be together. Don’t impose your morality on us.” …But soon little girls are raised to think that polygamy is okay. Teachers could teach kindergartners about the King and Queen and Queen and Queen or have polygamist week at school. Many kids from polygamist families will go on to form their own polygamist unions. Polygamy will rise throughout the US—not just in the NV, UT, and AZ border towns.

I’m not telling a whole group of people they can’t spend their life with someone they love- I’m not telling a whole group of people they can’t wear a dress or a suit or whatever they like in a ceremony committing themselves to whatever they like. I’m not telling you that your partner shouldn’t have ALL the same legal rights.

It’s ok for me to think that abortion is immoral (with the obvious exceptions) and especially late term abortions and to try to stop that from being universally accepted- it’s ok for me to think that credit card companies preying on college students is immoral- and to petition schools and governments to not permit credit card companies on college campuses. It’s ok for me to think having a half a million dollar party for top performers after getting a bail out from tax payers is immoral- and expect the government to put into play actions to stop it from happening again.

An act that society has deemed immoral (by a 53% vote in 2000) and that society decided that they don’t want to be considered one of the fundamental building blocks in society, a judge has decided that he in 2008 knows more than the voters did in 2000.

I respect your right to think that homosexuality is completely moral- I expect others to respect my right to believe it is not.

(I know my opinion is not popular- if you disagree and feel compelled to make a comment- please check the 70+ comments on the past 3 posts to make sure you're bringing something new to the conversation. If you're going to be redundant I'm going to delete your comment- this pregnant lady is tired.)

It's not about equality...

...it's about acceptance.

With the passing of Prop. 8 homosexuals couples in California will not be denied any rights that they currently have- homosexual couples will have the same rights as heterosexual couples.

So why do homosexual couples care whether or not they are in a civil union or in a 'marriage' if their rights do not change either way?

Because it's not about equality- it's about moral approval.

Don't believe me- this come straight from the horse's mouth:

Why Moral Approval Matters- 365GAY.COM

One Question-

Why is it ok to teach 1st graders about homosexuality, but mention creationism in a High School classroom and you'll have a riot?

I don't want to post about this....

I've been avoiding Proposition 8.

I don't want to talk about it.

I want California to go back to the place it was when I grew up.

I want to go to Disneyland and not have to check if it's Gay Pride day first.

Supporting proposition 8 is hugely unpopular.

I would love it if the homosexual community would act as they would like to be treated.

Why is it that those that want to be looked at like everyone else think the best way to do so is to wear some neon wings and a thong in a parade?

Why is it that if I believe one thing, and I respect your right to believe something contrary that's not good enough?

Why do I have to believe what you believe?

I'm coming to grips that I may be spending the rest of my life in Texas or the South-

Proposition 8 will have a greater impact on my family and society than either of the presidential candidates will.

I've been asked to blog about proposition 8.

Thinking about it stresses me out- I'm having a hard time finding the words to explain how I and many others feel-

This is the first of a series of posts about Prop 8 that will make others angry.

I'll deal with it.

Silly Utes...

U of U fans I have one question for you-

Did you cheer when BYU lost to TCU?

If so, you are a typical U of U fan, because your hatred towards BYU out weighs your love for the U of U. Also, you're showing that you probably need to re-take your Math 100 credits.

There are only 2 ranked teams left on your schedule this year- TCU and BYU.
Playing BYU was the only chance the U of U had to beat a top 10 team this year, and at the end of the season at that.

If BYU had won, and the U of U was going to cream them like all of their fans like to believe- the U of U would have ended a really great season not by just beating BYU but by beating #7- Utes- you could have been the ones to CRUSH BYU's BCS dreams! A #14 beating a #7 is better than a #14 beating a #18. You could have taken BYU's perfect schedule from them and in doing so thrust yourselves into a very legitimate BCS bid.

You lost your chance for people to stand up and take notice of the Utes this year, instead everyone is talking about TCU for a BCS bid- not you.

You had a chance to beat a top ten team, you had the chance to crush the spirit of BYU- and when you lost that chance, you cheered.

Silly Utes, now BYU has the opportunity to crush your dreams, and not the other way around.

Election Year Brings Out the Stupid

Yesterday in the airport while standing in line to board an airplane, CNN was playing over head- the girl next to me- probably 23 says to her boyfriend:

Girl: Dude what's with McCain's face?
Dude: I know- it's like paralyzed and stuff- what a freak!
Kory: That's what cancer will do you.
Girl: Yeah, and being old.
Kory: Yeah, and having your jaw broken by the Vietcong in a concentration camp.
Girl: Like that qualifies someone to be president.
Kory: No, but it qualifies someone to have a messed up face.
Girl- under her breath: I'd still like to punch him in the face.

That's when I realized that the person next to me wasn't just uninformed- she was an idiot.

Here's the question:
Do people get more stupid during an election year or does the election just magnify stupidity? I look at how supporters on both sides of the camp are acting and I have to wonder- do these stupid people really walk among us? And not only that- how much of this stupidity are we willing to put up with in our fellow man?

Are we willing when someone makes a degrading comment about Sarah Palin to stand up to them? Or will we sit by and let them sound off because we don't like Palin? When someone speaks of Obama and are way off base will inform the individual of the truth even though we disagree with Obama's policy? And if we let people say ignorant and stupid things while remaining silent- are we just as bad?

Flashback Friday- Biff

Proof that Hollywood Thinks We're Stupid

Don't watch the full 5 minutes, I could barely stand the first 30 seconds.



Seriously? It's like all of the 'cool kids' got together and decided to peer pressure American into voting. This ad treats the viewer like they are an idiot.

This wreaks of Hollywood condescension- Jennifer Aniston can afford to care about the Polar Bears, but at the moment, I'm just trying to figure out if I'm going to have a job a year from now.

Hollywood may have a valid reason to think we're a bunch of mindless nitwits- afterall Beverly Hills Chihuahua is #1 in the box office.

Best 1/2 Hour of TV of 2008

There are probably only 5 people in the US that missed last night's SNL Thursday edition of weekend update. As one of them was my husband, I figured there's a good chance that one the blog's 8 readers may have missed it as well.

It could be that I was home by myself, or that I had watched a very disappointing episode of Kath & Kim- but I have never laughed in front of the tv the way I laughed through out the entire 1/2 hour. From the opening debate spoof which you can see at nbc.com- to the very end- I think this was the first time EVER that an entire episode of SNL kept me laughing- granted it was only 30 minutes.

At the end of the following segment I burst out in spontaneous applause. Too bad SNL is only awesome every 4 years.

A Woman in the Men's Room

If there is a line for the ladies restroom, and no one is in the men's room- I'll use it. This is easier done if it's a one stall/one room bathroom but when it's multi-stalled sometimes I get trapped and have to wait for all the men to leave before I'll exit. Either way I get relief far earlier than if I had waited in line with the women.

That's not really what I want to talk about, it just works with the title of this post. I'm currently dealing with a different kind of men's room. I work in a male dominated industry, and I like it. I've figured out how to connect with men of all ages, and connect with the women that I need to- but I have to be very particular about how it is done. I take pride in being the only female rep for my company in 3 states.

Being 6 months pregnant has changed the game. I use to wear glasses because they made me look more intelligent to men and less threatening to women. I figured pregnancy would cover the less threatening aspect- but little did I realize that pregnancy would also bring down my credibility.

Granted with people that already know me, the pregnancy has been a huge bonus- but if walking into the men's world as a woman was tough, doing it as a pregnant woman is nearly impossible. The pregnancy almost puts me immediately behind the 8 ball. I feel like to compensate for the pregnancy I have to kill my personality and become all business- which is quite the challenge.

What is it about a pregnant woman that makes her less creditable? Am I the only one who has experienced this?