Party Affiliation

So...I've never really had a party affiliation per se.  I think its pretty irrational those that vote a straight party ticket because, IMHO, you should vote for the person and what they stand for.  Not just because they are Elephant or Donkey.  One of the classes I'm taking this semester is US Gov and the lab for this week was to research both the GOP and Dem and their stance on issues (deficit spending, reproductive rights, gay rights, education, environment and health care) and also a third party.  For the third party you were to state if they were more closely related to one or the other and why they were a seperate party or were they more of an offshoot.  I went for the Libertarian as for the most part, I have liked the candidates they've put forth so far in local and state elections.

The first site I went to was for the GOP.  I have to admit, I like the way their site is set up.  They do a great job of plainly stating their party platform and they still have their 2008 edition (I'm assuming they only publish one for the presidential elections) list on their site so that is where I went.  I saw a few things that surprised me, particularly in education as they don't really publicize these opinions (at least not that I've heard a lot of).  In 2008, they were very big into choice and education being the responsibility of the parents and local legislation (both at the district and state level).  They advocated parents being able to send children where they wanted, even stating that they were for vouchers so that they could go to private school.  Which I agree with myself, as if your child is going to private you still are paying your school taxes.  They also feel that student led prayer should be allowed and student led groups should be able to use facilities.  Which I also agree with.  I wish they had made it clear that ALL student led religions could be accounted for but as they only talked about Judeo-Christian based religions it wasn't really clear.  Our Founding Father's specifically seperated church and state so that we could all have the freedom to practice (or not practice) what we want.  What I found to be completely hilarious is that while talking about fiscal and health (except for reproductive) issues, the GOP stands that the government should only do what the Constitution allowed it to and stay out of people's lives.  However, for every other issue they were all about telling people what to do.  Who they can marry, who can have children and what they can do with their bodies.  Just thought it was interesting.  I don't agree, but still interesting.

Next up was the Dems.  Their site was irritating.  Mostly built on platitudes and not everything was plainly stated.  It was also interesting to see that of the platitudes given, they both have basically the same stance on education and what the Dems state on their site is very similiar in nature to what the GOP states on fiscal matters.  Which basically tells me they are all full of it. =D  I agree with a lot of what they say but I haven't been super impressed with what they've been doing in the last few years so I'm very disillusioned with them.  With politics in general.  Which brings me to....

The Libertarians!  How I wish we could govern with their beliefs!  Government should be there to keep us from harming others and their property.  Government should not tell us who should be in our beds, what we can do with our bodies or our money.  I didn't have to answer as much about them in my paper so I'm still in the process of the deeper dive but I think I may have found my affiliation.  Feel free to go check them out, www.lp.org

LGFN!

Happy Anniversary!

Wow!  I can't believe that tomorrow will have been exactly one year for this blog.  Granted, it hasn't been the busiest year ever for blogs but hey!  It's been 364 days! 

One thing I've noticed as we've moved further and further into the Information Age is how many more explanation points there are!  I think that because we have less and less actual conversations where people can see or hear if you are excited that we over using this lovely punctuation mark.  Seriously!  And how funny is it that when you are so super excited or something is very serious or important, that it must NOW be followed by not ! not !! but !!!...!!!  Yes three exclamations seems to be the standard (for those of you who were wondering).  I've been trying to break the habit myself but it is a hard one to break.

Speaking of habits though, I am so proud of myself for my work on breaking the OMG habit.  It is now fully in my speaking lexicon to say Oh. My. Word.  And you have just got to hear me say it in person.  Because there is just this inflection on the phrase that I picked up from my SIL that is slightly entertaining.  Those of you who get to hear my voice on regular occasions know of what inflection I speak.  My next phrase that I'm adding to my repertoire (my my what $5 words I have today!) is Oh My Adidas.  I just like the way Run DMC said it in the song and it works.  One of my softball girls would say "Oh My Jesus" to which dear Lee would say "Um he's not just yours he's everybody's".  I said it for awhile but then realized (why it took me so long IDK but it did) that it was the same as OMG.  So I had to come up with something that was similar.  And then the lyrics popped in my brain.  And Oh My Adidas was born.  I wonder if I could put that on a t-shirt?  Or would they sue me for copyright infringement or something similar?  Hmm...something to think about

Another thing that I was thinking about the other day was why skinny girls dress badly.  Because, um, the fashion world caters to your little skinny butts. And you can look super cute on the super cheap.  I mean, yes occassionally you can walk out in a slouchy t-shirt and your Nike shorts (which I think just might become my goal to get into.  Its weird the things that I miss wearing.  Umbros were the shorts when I was young, now everyone wears the cute bi-color running shorts.  Anyways).  But why are you wearing jeans that don't fit properly?!  You have no excuse missy!  There are a ton of fits out there.  Go try some on.  If you can schlepp around with a Starbucks cup in your hand, you can schlepp into a resale shop and find you some dang jeans that fit right.  I'm not saying just because you're a size 2-10 that you need to be a fashionista.  But make sure you're clothes fit!  However, notice how I left off the sizes less than 2.  Those of you who are grown (and some of you teenagers) if you are smaller than a size 2, then hell yes you need to be a damn fashionista.  God gave you a manequins body now dress it in the latest styles.  And if you are over 5' 6''....well you're just asking for some dirty whispers.  Now all women can dress well.  Plus size has shops and there are interent sites abound with clothes.  And yes, I am totally the kettle calling the pot black.  But you forget that you wandered into Jessica World and here, my kettles are purple.  So I can totally call the dang pot black.  But anyway.  My point was...um...I did have one.  Oh yeah.  We should all strive to make sure that our clothes fit us as best as we can.  Especially you skinny girls.

Ok...one more thought.  Which one is just dying to leap out of my brain, down to my fingers and out onto the keyboard??? Hmm....well.  Let me see.  Well.  Gee.  Hunh.  I really can't think of anything.  And I know that I could just stop and save this blog.  Come back later and spew something out.  But isn't more interesting to see how my brain works?  How my inner thoughts interconnect?  I think so.  Well, of course I think so, they're my thoughts.  I just assume that because you came over here that you did too.  Maybe I'll just randomize for a bit. 

I was so happy to see my grass growing back in the backyard.  The summer sun and drought was brutal on it this year.  Brutal on my budget too as we had more than a few months of $120+ water bills. 

I tried a new K-Cup, Chocolate Raspberry Truffle.  It was no bueno.  Speaking of, I need to send it across the street to my awesome neighbors.  They have a Keurig too and might enjoy the taste of raspberry in their coffee.  Which I do not.

My house is a disaster right now.  Even more so than it usually is.  We are in the middle of trying to redo Ms A's room and a bunch of her stuff is in my office.  Including her bed.  Which makes it a tad difficult to get around.  Plus all the painting stuff is in the front hallway by the garage.  Hoping that we can finish the painting (at least the major painting part) tonight so we can start moving her stuff back in there.  Minus a few things because being the only child of an only child...she's a tad bit well loved.  And has accumlinated a butt load of treasures.  I try not to call it crap because its not crap to her.  Just trying to be nice ;)

Ok...enough randomizing.  Plus my break is over and work is calling me back. 

LGFN!!!

Awkward

Feeling very Rev Run typing this blog on my phone...although this also means that its a pretty good bet this will be a short blog. This sucker feels heavy holding it sideways like this but I feel pretty slick typing this fast with my thumbs.

I've become slightly addicted to the new MTV show Awkward.
It's well written, well acted and just well, good. Reminds me a little of My So Called Life but more funniness. Maybe in 20 years A and I can watch it together. You know, when she's old enough to be able to know that boys exist? That's after 30 right?

And as predicted in the beginning, its a short one!

LGFN ;~)

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Hmmmm....

She's alive....she's aliiiiive.....I thought I'd drop by and unload a little bit from the cranium.  Just cause its getting to be a little full with the whole "Jessica goes to college" thing I've got going.  College is really cool...if you're 19.  If you are above 19, sometimes it just seems like college is just one more damn thing on my list of things to do.  And sadly, sometimes it is waaaay down on the list.  Now don't get me wrong, I know that it is serving a very good purpose and I am enjoying myself.  But there are definitely moments (like the teacher who got her history facts wrong which just drove me nuts) that I just sit back and think "Do I really need this?  Is it worth it?"  So far I've always answered Yes to those question so I'm still plugging away.  I keep trying to talk MLP into moving to Lubbock so I can really have a college experience but, well, it's not going too well.  Something about his job and am I crazy and Aleisa and being a Mom/grownup keeps coming up.  Whatevs...totes unreas.  See?  I can already talk like them, so why can't I go party, I mean matriculate with them?

I thought I was going to write a really long great blog to welcome you all back to Jessica World but its 11:30....and I'm a grown up.  A really boring one.  And I'm already yawning as I type.  So maybe I'll save the rest of my cranium download for another day.  Which I promise won't be months into the future...maybe.

LGFN!

Warning....Political thoughts ahead!

Did you hear that?  That long lonely lull across Jessica World?  The sparkly purple dust devils as the bounce merrily along the desert landscape that is my blog?  Life (aka Softball) has been our focus since March and frankly, I've done good to get my house clean on a regular basis with everything going on.  But there is no more softball (at least until July 23rd) and as I sat reading the paper this evening two articles just...well to put it frankly...they pissed me off.  Those of you under the age of 15 who may read my blog, I apologize.  And I'll try to keep it to a minimum through out the rest of it.  But there is no other word that can strongly evoke the feeling that these two articles gave me.  I'm pretty sure the next few words are all I have to say to let you know that this blog will probably be a hotbed of feelings for others.  But, you chose to come to Jessica World and the rainbows, they are more smelly than pretty today.  Those words are: Toll Road and Abortion.

First...the dang Toll Road.  The Dallas Morning News placed it on the front page but first tried to lull me into a haze of happiness and satisfaction by placing a big lovely picture of Dirk at his hometown being greeted by the throng of German fans.  But....right below that...was THE article.  NTTA tolls to rise 6 PERCENT Friday.  Did anyone ask you?  I know I wasn't asked.  Nor did I get the chance to shrug off my civic duty and not vote.  OH NO.  They don't have to ask.  Let me repeat that.  THEY DON'T HAVE TO ASK.  They can raise rates as they please.  And in 2009 they elected to do it EVERY TWO YEARS.  FOREVER.  Or until they decide not to.  Which why would they?  They're reasoning is that they have to do this because they can't depend on traffic increasing to sustain their finances.  Um...do you know why?  Because it costs too damn much to drive on your stupid toll roads!  I know I know.  If I don't want to pay it, I don't have to ride on it.  And I don't.  But lets see how much business sense this makes:  You have less and less customers, so raise the price so you still make the same amount.  Which means you have less customers.  So you raise it again.  And you'll go on and on.  Their reason behind is because it costs too much to keep building the roads.  Um...so stop?  Why not, when you're building the dang thing (see, I caught myself that time) build with the future in mind?  You can't tell me that all of the brilliant mathematicians out there don't have some handy formula or algorithm that can project the population 50 years from now and what type of infrastructure would be needed to support that population.  The 121 toll road is a key thing.  You would have thought that COMMON FRIGGIN SENSE would have told the engineers "Hmm...maybe, just MAYBE, people might want to enter and exit from the Dallas North Tollway so we should add that to it while we're building".  Nooooooo.  Let's just make it more difficult, for even longer. 

But, we should all take heart.  Because the increase is only going to be 15.3 cents a mile and will only be $40 more a year for toll-paying commuters who drive 10 miles each day back and forth.  Did you know that you were only charged by the mile?  Because last I checked, I paid that damn $1.24 whether I drove all the way to I-35 or if I exited at 544 because I just wanted to skip the traffic at the lights at Josey in the morning.  And I promise you, that is not an 8 mile drive.  Maybe if they actually charged us by the mile, they'd have more people using it.  Because I'd pay 15.3 cents per mile, that's not that bad. 

Oh.. and did I mention that just below this article was the article stating the toll roads were rising was an article stating that they were cutting NINE BILLION dollars from our state education system?  Has anyone heard if they are cutting funds from our prison system?  Because that's who needs all the money, our felons.

Well...I think that's a great segway

So...here's some food for thought.  I understand pro-life philosophy and thoughts.  What I don't understand is why you would take funding away from women who need it!  Not just women who are choosing abortion.  But women who go out and bust their ass working a job that doesn't pay crap, much less offer any kind of health plan.  Those women who serve you your food when you go out to eat.  Or clean the toilet in the building where you work.  Or even clean the toilet in the home where you live.  How many of those women take advantage of free and reduced price health care at places like Parkland, Planned Parenthood and your local county medical offices?  And we choose to take it away.  Why not just make the way the money goes out more clear so that we can see where the tax payer money goes and that its not going to abortions?  Because abortions aren't going to stop.  Its not just some new thing that happened because of Roe Vs Wade.  That bit of law just helped the back alley clinics and women shoving a hanger into their cervix or pumping themselves full of lye in the hopes of terminating their pregnancy.   If, as a society, we were truly pro-life, there would be no children outside of a loving home.  No children that have to float through the system just praying that someone will take the chance to love them.  No children with medical issues that are just out there.  These are the children who are left behind.

Readers in Random Countries

I like to go back and check out the stats from my posts.  They are extremely modest when compared to other blogs but still kinda cool when you look at all the info behind whose reading (without actually knowing who's reading).  And there are some random countries that people read my blog in.  And I have no idea how they found my blog.  Although, I am hoping that its my cousing (Holla DJ!  You should get the wifey to read so I can be read in the Phillipines, lol ;~D) but if not, it will be left to my imagination....

Imagine thats its JK Rowling!  She saw on my FB page that she's one of my heroes and that HP has been read so many times in my house by the two of us that one of our books is falling apart and we have to replace it because the pages are falling out.  She saw one of my links and decided "Hey, I'm bored today.  What is one of my fans thinking?"  and found her way to my slice of unicorn butterfly pooping sparkley raindow universe.  And found that she liked it here!  And made the ulitmate decision to marry Albus Severus off to a beautiful American born witch named Jessica.  And they went on to have children, one of which was actually a Dark wizard, lured over to the Dark Arts by tales of what happens in the Department of Mysteries...and whose cousins have to hunt him down and convince him to repent!  Their story is told in a three book arc that sells millions and millions of books.  And a percentage is given to me (small, small but still) as the inspiration!!!

OR...well I have to go to class and frankly I can't imagine anything more awesome than that.  So I'm going to leave it at that.  And maybe jump in again tomorrow.  Cause I remembered that I like writing down whats in my head. ;~)

LFGN

Learning....and then learning some more

 BeI don't know why, but I am always amazed at the different ways I can learn and the events that teach me.  I have learned when I was expected to, in a classroom setting or when trying something new.  Those are some of my favorite places and types of learning.  I know when I walk in that my brain will gain a new wrinkle and possible more useless facts to pull out of thin air to amaze others with what I know.  Sometimes I act like the kid from Jerry Maguire "Did you know a baby bunny is a kit?  That Six Flags is named that because its about the six countries that have been over Texas (that's a good one to pull out with someone who isn't from here)? That the guy from Dirty Dancing played Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast? (Something I did not know until today!)"

And now you get to laugh at me.  Its been so long since I blogged that I figured I'd come by and do a brain dump.  Which is when I found this lovely beginning to a blog.  Except I have no idea where I was going with it.  And I totally tried to pull it off and finish it so none of you would be the wiser.  But I didn't.  Cause I couldn't.  Which makes me a little sad because it read like a really good one!  Oh well.

Anywho...which is a website, did you know that?  You can go to anywho.com and find phone numbers or find out who a phone number belongs to.  Its fabulous.  But I took another left again.  Got to be careful with those lefts or otherwise we'd just end up in a square.  And square's can be boring and box like.  Not like triangles, which can make for a great base or fill up a corner.  Or diamonds, which hello, are a girls best friend.  And yes, I am totally distractable and there is a reason why Aleisa is very naturally like Dori from Finding Nemo...ooo a butterfly.

To finish up, I learned today that the President is a citizen.  WOW...so glad that was finally cleared up.  Now we can focus in on what kind of underwear he likes or maybe even....gasp...does he wear white socks?  Or black socks?  Or even...no socks?  Which means he has stinky feet!  Or maybe we could think about our budget.  Or education and how we are at the bottom of the totem poll in regards to the industrial world.  Countries I've never even heard of before are better educated than we are.  And I bet their kids know where the United States is on a map.  Granted, we're like, totally huge and easy to find.  But still.  Do you know which country in Europe is which?  And no, Italy and England don't count.  A big ol boot and an island are gimmes.  And yes, I realized I just called myself a tad bit unlearned.  Shocking I know.  But there it is.  Now I'll have to go find some really cool looking almanac and find those countries.  Or I could just challenge you to a game of Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy.  Either way....

LGFN! 

Randomness...Part Trey =)

For some reason, I just love that we call my BIL Trey.  It's not his given name, just what he's called because he's a III.  I keep trying to come up with a cool name should he have a IV, but words for four don't have any good rings to them.  Four, Quatro, Cetiri, Fire (I promise it's 4 in Danish), Nelja.  Although Quatre is 4 in French and that could be kind of cute.  But he'd probably have to become a boxer because he might get teased.  And just yesterday I came up with a name for my next daughter (should God bless me with one)....Marchelle.  I love MLPs real name, Marshal, but he dislikes it.  But I love it.  So with Marshal and Rachelle (my middle) she'd be named after both of us and have something different and unique.  PLUS I could again name a girl after favorite aunts in a way.  One of my favorite aunt's middle name is Marie and then one of my daughters' aunts is Michelle.  So it works.  If I had my way, I'd have a son and MLP would let me have a Jr and then I could call him MJ and he'd be named after both of us too.  But I did mention previously that he isn't all in love with his name.  But a girl can hope....for a son to name. =)

Another thing thats been going through my brain is people who don't turn right on a GREEN light.  I'm telling you, yesterday this lady sat there for a FULL MINUTE while the light was green before she turned right.  I was thiiiiiiiis close to honking my horn at her when she finally went.  And no, it wasn't because she wasn't paying attention because she kept looking to the left and right at the cars to see if she could go!!!  THE LIGHT IS GREEN LADY...GREEN MEANS GO!  In almost any language or culture... I know because my humanities teacher told me so. 

Speaking of Humanities, I am really hating that dang class.  Which is very upsetting to me.  Thats supposed to be a class that is right up my alley.  But all she is concerned about is some damn hero model complex friggin project.  I didn't even get to talk about how the author of the text book should have mentioned that without Marius or Sulla, we'd have never gotten a Caesar.  Marius and Sulla gave their soldiers a reason to be loyal to their general and not necessarily to the State.  But noooo.  She does have some interesting music videos that she's made.  And she's really knowledgable about it, which is more than I can say for that last class I hated.  I just hate this stupid hero project. 

Thats about all I gots.  Maybe later I'll drop more randomness...

LFGN!

My Next Thirty Years

I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

The lyrics from this song are so spot on.  As I sit here on the morning of my last day at 29 (I refuse to stay 29 forever), reflecting on life so far, I think I might be ok with it.  I've been known to say in the last year "You can't call me a baby anymore after this.  I've had my big girl panties on for quite some time and dang it, I'm not a baby!".  To which all those who consider me a baby/youngster/kid, fondly shake their heads and pat me on mine.  Not physically, but I can totally see it in their eyes that that is what they want to do. 

To give a quick recap, my first few years were eventful and gave me cause to be a little adult in very many ways (sometimes I thought I was waaaay too big for my britches.  Thank you for parents who reminded me very quickly I wasn't.  I've made better choices as a grown up because of it).  I'm an only child to parents who were young parents too.  I'm the second oldest grandkid on both sides and I am blessed to have had some of them grow very close to me, so I did get to experience bits and pieces of having little brothers and sisters.  (And yes, I am still very mad that you two made me get me clubhouse taken down just because I didn't want you to come play with me.  And sorry if I freaked you out because I told you there were dinosaurs under the bed ;D )  I was kind of boring as a kid because I liked to read...A LOT.  But I had my moments, no worries.  Fast forward to 17 and.....commence big girl panties.  Aleisa came along and changed everything.  My Mom was there for the first 6-10 weeks or so and then she went back to work with my Dad and it was just Lance and I.  Alone being parents.  Thank you sweet baby Jesus for letting Aleisa live through that!  Although....maybe that fall from the couch has something to do with....nevermind. ;~D

Lets fast forward again, through living in our first apartment, my first telemarketer job (I think almost everyone should try it at least once. You'll still give them crap when they call but it will be funny crap instead of mean), working at the daycare...I think I'll stop here for a minute.  This job probably did more to prepare me than any other.  I learned that sometimes, you're kid can be a brat.  And it's ok to admit that.  It has nothing to do with you as a parent and you shouldn't get defensive and try to say "Not my little Johnny".  Every child on the face of the planet has been a brat at least twenty times.  They're kids, it's what they do.  I learned a LOT of patience.  Sometimes talking softly gets you further with a conversation than yelliing (now is that something I practice a lot...um NO).  A wooden spoon can strike enough fear to qwell any rebellion (Thank you Melissa and Jane!).  Anything can be learned in a song (Go poopoo in the pooootty, go poopoo in the poooootty sung to the Blue's Clues song was the hardest to sing with a straight face and at the mall bathroom).  Check lists are a MUST.  Plan, plan, plan.  Start Monthly, Go Weekly and the days fall in place.  ALWAYS have a back-up plan.  A good game of kickball can do wonders.  And most importantly....shaving cream cleans anything ;~). 

I met so many wonderful people working there and my life was changed in ways that I'll probably only realize as I'm reflecting again after my next thirty years are the beginning of the next twenty.  I am where I am because I met them.  Because of the J's, I'm a firm believer that, other than transporting, it IS easier with more kids.  Transporting....eh not so much.  A car plus 4 kids...someone pass me a bloody mary from the Casa (not that I ever had one, but I have it on good authority that they are the best!).   If not for the R's, there are some weeks of life that would have been so very difficult to manage.  Some very special non-birth children that I'll probably always peek in on: MN, EJ, SJ, JJ, JR, JR and TB; Miss Jessica will always have time to sit down and give you her full attention to whatever you have to say!

Skip to the loo a little bit and we're back to 29!  MLP and Miss A have made life an adventure.  Granted sometimes that adventure has taken me to Hades but we always make it back.  Miss A has shown me that it's ok to be outgoing and talk to strangers.  Because I promise you, I was NOT like that when I was her age.  The Me I am now is very different.  I took the saying "Fake it til you make it" to heart.  Plus I realized that so what if you don't like me.  I probably don't like you either.  If you're not in my realm of caring, then well...I don't care.  It can be harsh at times but its so much easier to be happy with yourself when you don't tether that to what others think. 

So...to do list for the next thirty:
1. Graduate, possibly to a Masters
2. Watch Aleisa graduate from college
3. Walk where Jesus did
4. Walk where Caesar did
5. See pyramids
6. Jump from something really high and try to get over my fear of falling
7. Finish one of my stories
8. Speak Italian
9. Create the perfect holiday dinner
10. Perfect a recipe that is all my own
11. Do the splits
12. Shake hands with a President
Thats enough for now =)

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Finish raising my family and being a wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
*Thank you to Phil Vasser for writing this great song and Tim McGraw for giving it the vocals needed for impact!

LGFN!

WW: 2/11-2/13

This weekend wrap-up isn't really a whole weekend wrap-up, more like a 2/3 kinda deal.  Friday sucked.  Really sucked.  And thats all you need to know. =)

Saturday started out not to much better.  My car has decided to throw a fit which put me behind even further on the three projects I have due for school.  That and I had to be ready for our VIP Movie Premier party and still had lots to do for that.  I totally remembered this weekend why we don't do big birthdays every year becase 1.) Its really frigging expensive  2.) Its takes way more time than you think  3.) Its mentally draining.  BUT...while it didn't go like I planned (neither of the cameras for the papapparazzi worked, time ran out and we were running late and not all of her besties came) it turned out really well.  The girls basically just chilled in the room before the Justin Bieber movie, eating munchies and listened to his music.  Then People Magazine came (aka Tiffany) and took lots of great pics on the "red carpet".  We also got some pics with the Biebs himself...well himself being the door poster that I bought but whatever.  I heard phrases of "best party ever" so that made me happy.  The movie was really sweet and I get why the girls are so lala over him.  He is PRECIOUS and very talented.  That kid plays four instruments, he can sing, he can dance (man can that kid dance), he's athletic...basically in 10 years, he could make me a cougar, rofl.  But according to Miss A, he'll be my son-in-law.  Which is cool because he'll make someone some beautiful grandbabies one day.  His story is pretty incredible and his Mom is awesome.  Tiffany and I both loved how often they prayed together and their faith showed through all the time.  While I didn't like paying $10 to go watch a True Hollywood Story, for a music documentary it wasn't half bad.  More like half great ;~)

Miss A just loved everything about her birthday this year.  From breakfast at IHop (probably her favorite joke every, spell it out loud a couple of times, you'll get it) on her actual birthday, to all the snow days around it, completely totally awesome invitations (THANK YOU STEPHANIE!!!) and a great time with her friends, she is one happy twelve year old.

Sunday was a good day.  MLP went off to do his thing on a pool (yay money! lol) and Miss A and I got to have some hang out time.  We also cleaned a bit...just a small bit, come on you all know me.  Once MLP got done, we went out to the Mack and had Sunday dinner with the in-laws, which was yummy (brisket, asperagus and Sal-ad).  That is a situation that I am always apprehensive about so I love when it goes well.   My MIL looked so much better and has gained some weight (Thank You Jesus!) so the treatment is working.  Again, thank you Jesus!!!  We made plans to go to Arsenic and Old Lace (oh crap, I just realized that I forgot to call her...better do that later) which I am looking forward too.  Oh and btw Miss T...you're going too!  How'd you like finding out this way? ;~) lol

All in all, while not the most exciting of weekends I was much happier Sunday than I thought I could be when I hit the sheets on Friday night.  Hope this Valentine's Day gives you the chance to tell those in your life that you care and love them.  Yes this day has been completely commercialized, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing to get their undivided attention and make sure they take in just how much you adore them!!

LGFN =~)

WW- Weekend Wrap up

Well this weekend was a mixture of laziness and accomplishments.  Friday Miss A had a school fun night at our local Main Event so I headed over to one of my most favorite places in the whole wide world....Barnes & Nobles!  I spent a blissfull hour and a half browsing and doing some research for my hero project for Humanities.  During class I looked at a table mate and said "A or B?"  They looked at me a little like my head was on sideways before they said A.  They didn't know that A was Alexander the Great and B was Boadicea (a leader of the Iceni tribe that was in modern day Norfolk/Suffolk region of England).  Both of those are interesting to me (he left such an impression upon the world that it influenced leaders for centuries to come; she was a strong female leader that overcame adversity) but I couldn't decide which.  But anyways.  Miss A ended up getting to go have a sleepover and didn't make it home til around 5ish on Saturday.  I spent Saturday doing a mix of housework and watching the telly/reading books.  Took Miss A to our local kid hang out and got to spend some time with MLP watching the movie Knight and Day.  Which is a good movie IMHO. 

Sunday was a good day.  We went to Mass as whole family and then went out for breakfast.  I had a craving for pancakes but when we got to IHOP it was waaaaay to busy.  So we decided to hit Golden Corral.  This place is a little bit of a waste for me to go to (I've been trying to just split something with L or A anytime we go out to eat) but it was nice to be able to have a little bit of anything I could want.  Ironically, I did NOT have any pancakes.  But their cheesey hashbrown casserole was sooo yummy, it is definitely going on the menu for one day in February.  After breakfast we headed home to do some much needed cleaning.  Thursday is the Chinese New Year and for good luck all year long, you should sweep out all the dust and disappoitments by midnight on February 2.  If you lift even a Swiffer, you'll sweep all the good stuff away.  Also buy something new and make sure its red.  So remember that, go shopping and NO CLEANING ON THURSDAY.  Or you'll not have any good luck.  Thats my story and I'm sticking to it ;~)

My big thing for this weekend was to start having Sunday dinner.  Now yes, we always eat dinners on Sundays but now I want to start making them seem like the Sunday dinners that I remember.  We didn't have anyone coming over to eat with us (which will happen on other Sundays) but I did have some yummo ideas for what we were eating: Turkeyburger steak (ground turkey, diced onions, brown gravy mix, breadcrumbs and an egg), Asperagus au gratin (asperagus with provolone and parm) and cubed potatoes (basically a peeled potatoe cubed and baked with olive oil and sea salt).  Unfortunately, when I told MLP what time I wanted us to eat (around 4 pm) he balked a little bit and said I should just start cooking around 4.  Which doesn't give us the time that I want us to have for Sunday dinner because A has to be at Youth by 5:30.  So by the time I finished getting everything ready we had about 20 minutes to eat.  Which is NOT a Sunday dinner in my mind, thats a normal everyday dinner (rushing to eat to get somewhere).  But we enjoyed having something different, I got a head start on making a new recipe and my house is CLEAN!!!

Next Sunday won't count because its....Super Bowl!  But we are going to open our house up, so feel free to stop by for football, food and fun!  Pending nasty weather, we'll have some fun outside stuff to do, the game going on our screen (digital TV with digital cable) and the Wii available in the back room to send the kids away as needed.  My menu will also depend on the weather, because I am NOT going to stand outside by the grill unless it is over 40 degrees outside.  This girl doesn't mind the cold but does mind being IN the cold!

What are your Super Bowl plans?  Any ideas to share?

LGFN!

Love and Sundays

For me, February is a month of love.  Not just because of Valentine's Day either.  My sweet baby girl has a birthday, my Mom has a birthday and several others that I love and care for are also celebrating in this month as well.  Plus, many years ago I met someone who put me on the path to where I am today.  While that person isn't Lance, without them I wouldn't have met Lance.  So that makes me smile too when I think of February. 

So, I think I'm going to celebrate February by showing my love.  For my very lucky husband and daughter, I'm going to try a new recipe every day in February.  Because its something I love to do.  I found an awesome deal at B&N last night, an Italian Family cookbook for $2.  Plus my Taste of Home magazine came in yesterday and in it was an article about Sunday dinners.  I remember doing that when I was a kid.  Especially with my Granny and Papaw or at my Mamaw's house.  Or at this one buffett place thats down the road from out church back home.

We haven't ever done that with Aleisa and I want her to have that experience.  Sunday dinner with the family is so different than other days.  Everything is slower, I guess.  You have more time to prepare so the dishes are not something you might get during the week.  There's no rush to finish, so conversations can go on and on.  Anyone who would like to join us, feel free to let me know by at least noon, any Sunday!  Earlier is always better but as long as I can adjust food amount all is well.

I'm also going to try to get on here more.  And maybe actually meet my goal from last year to finish my book.  This year is a lot about finishing things for me.  2011 will be a year of completion!

Oh and Misty?  Send me your address for your coffee!  Thanks for always commenting =)

LGFN!

Randomness Part Deux

Hmmm....the thing I love most about laptops is that you can take them anywhere.  You, DR, never know where I was when I wrote my blog.  You can imagine that I was sitting in some quaint little coffee shop, pulled up to a table with some yummy coffee drink and a pastry.  Or sitting in a chair on the beach, sipping my favorite fruity drink with a little umbrella on top.  For those with a little more imagination, I could be laying on the Dr bed, waiting for that all important check up.  We all know how long that wait can be(well, at least half of us do).  Toes curled up, trying to stay warm because you forgot your fuzzy socks.  Oooo, even better I could be stuck in the loo forever.  For those with weak stomachs and/or very imaginative minds, I apologize if reading that made you vomit a bit in your mouth.  And again apologize because reading about the vomit probably made you do it again.  I could keep apologizing for saying loo/vomit/green poo/blue throwup to match that birthday cake you had yesterday but I won't.  Just fair warning that in Jessica Space, sometimes the Unicorns do a little more than fart lol ;~)

Now...onto my random thoughts for the day.  They are many and varied, because I am supposed to be off work and I've had a lot of time to think over the past few days.

1.  MLP and I took a trip this weekend to get away.  We decided to drive down to Galveston.  Normally when we hit the beach, we make the trip to SPI.  But thats anywhere from a 9-12 hour drive.  I just didn't want to go that far for only a day or two.  I hadn't been to Galveston in many years, so was curious to see how it had changed and if any progress had been made from the Hurricane a few years ago.  For those wondering, yes some has been made.  And I'd like to send out a plea to my fellow beach lovers.  Lets take some of our vacay dollars back to GI.  Personally, I loved how much more accessible it was than SPI.  One side of the road are buildings.  The other side is water.  No hotels blocking the way.  No tens of yards of hot ass sand you have to treck your 50 lbs of crap across.  Plus they have Murdochs, which I loved and remembered from visits in the past.  They also have several examples of Victorian architecture (The Bishops palace is sooo on my agenda when we go back) and free rides on the ferry.  Sadly, there was only one pier in operation, because all the others had been blown away and that one pier charges you $2 just to walk out onto it.  The Flagship is in a state of being repaired.  Anyways, long story short, give it a shot.  Of course, I could change my mind once I'm actually able to get into the water and if that happens a repost will be done. =D

2. I am so freaking tired of chicken.  Everytime I eat it, it makes me sick.  It has to be cooked just write or else its too dry.  When its dry, I don't care how slow I eat it or how many dang times I chew it, it gets stuck.  Which means I have to well...I think I've grossed y'all out enough today.  So we'll skip over it.  Anyways, since APP decided to go her version of veggie, we've been eating a lot more chicken (because chickens and turkeys and other birds don't have feelings.  Neither does seafood).  So I am thinking she's about to go meatless and just eat her veggies and pasta two or three nights a week again.  Because beef and pork are much easier on my system.  And I don't give a crap if the cow looks up at me with doe eyes and leaks crocodile tears.  Cows are mighty tastey.  Crocodiles and does too

3.Well number three was going to be something about our country being a super power.  But I think thats probably an entire blog all by itself

4. I keep seeing this commercial about Wal-Mart cashing checks for $3 each and how that is such a good thing.  I'm wondering why those that use Wal-Mart to cash checks and then paying for money orders to pay their bills dont just...I don't know...get a checking account?  Where that stuff is....free? Just a thought

5. Now I know people read my thoughts, cause I see the counter go up.  But I only have two followers and no comments.  I want to know what y'all think or what y'all like to see me think about.  So...going to give away a cup of coffee.  To win this cup of coffee, you can do one of two things.  Follow me or leave a comment.  Random drawing of new comment/followers will happen Tuesday, January 25th.

LGFN!

An Open Letter to Bashers

An open letter to parents (First Lady Michelle Obama)

By First Lady Michelle Obama - 01/14/11 09:18 AM ET

 

Dear parents,

Like so many Americans all across the country, Barack and I were shocked and heartbroken by the horrific act of violence committed in Arizona this past weekend.  Yesterday, we had the chance to attend a memorial service and meet with some of the families of those who lost their lives, and both of us were deeply moved by their strength and resilience in the face of such unspeakable tragedy.

As parents, an event like this hits home especially hard.  It makes our hearts ache for those who lost loved ones.  It makes us want to hug our own families a little tighter.  And it makes us think about what an event like this says about the world we live in – and the world in which our children will grow up.

In the days and weeks ahead, as we struggle with these issues ourselves, many of us will find that our children are struggling with them as well.  The questions my daughters have asked are the same ones that many of your children will have – and they don’t lend themselves to easy answers.  But they will provide an opportunity for us as parents to teach some valuable lessons – about the character of our country, about the values we hold dear, and about finding hope at a time when it seems far away.

We can teach our children that here in America, we embrace each other, and support each other, in times of crisis.  And we can help them do that in their own small way – whether it’s by sending a letter, or saying a prayer, or just keeping the victims and their families in their thoughts.

We can teach them the value of tolerance – the practice of assuming the best, rather than the worst, about those around us.  We can teach them to give others the benefit of the doubt, particularly those with whom they disagree. 

We can also teach our children about the tremendous sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our country and by their families.  We can explain to them that although we might not always agree with those who represent us, anyone who enters public life does so because they love their country and want to serve it. 

Christina Green felt that call.  She was just nine years old when she lost her life.  But she was at that store that day because she was passionate about serving others.  She had just been elected to her school’s student council, and she wanted to meet her Congresswoman and learn more about politics and public life.

And that’s something else we can do for our children – we can tell them about Christina and about how much she wanted to give back.  We can tell them about John Roll, a judge with a reputation for fairness; about Dorothy Morris, a devoted wife to her husband, her high school sweetheart, to whom she’d been married for 55 years; about Phyllis Schneck, a great-grandmother who sewed aprons for church fundraisers; about Dorwan Stoddard, a retired construction worker who helped neighbors down on their luck; and about Gabe Zimmerman, who did community outreach for Congresswoman Giffords, working tirelessly to help folks who were struggling, and was engaged to be married next year.  We can tell them about the brave men and women who risked their lives that day to save others.  And we can work together to honor their legacy by following their example – by embracing our fellow citizens; by standing up for what we believe is right; and by doing our part, however we can, to serve our communities and our country. 

Sincerely,

Michelle Obama

This letter was originally posted on the White House blog.

I just got through listening to a Fox News commentary regarding the above letter.  Basically, they couldn't believe that First Lady Michelle Obama would link civility to the tragedy and that she missed the "lesson to be learned".

First of all...did they even read the whole thing?  This is a letter to PARENTS regarding their children.  This letter was saying "You know what, in this day and age, kids are going to hear a lot about the tragedy.  Take this opportunity to talk to them.  Answer their questions".  At least thats my take away from this letter.  That and a $1.50 will buy you a bottle of coke.

And what is she saying are some things she hopes we talk to them about?  Supporting in times of crisis: whether it’s by sending a letter, or saying a prayer, or just keeping the victims and their families in their thoughts.  Teaching tolerance. Respecting those that serve our country and enter public life.  And for me, most important of all, she focuses on the victims. 

One thing that I just can't ever understand is our media focus on those that do something wrong and not mentioning those that the wrong was done too.  Christina Green, the little girl who lost her life, is a great example of a child on a path of public service.  How many children do you know who take the step of being elected to their schools policitical system (student council) and going to learn more about our country's?  At nine years old?  This little girl is who most of the news reports focus on when they talk about the victims.  So I am very appreciative that the First Lady also mentions ALL of the victims, their names and things that they did.  She finishes off her letter with this: And we can work together to honor their legacy by following their example – by embracing our fellow citizens; by standing up for what we believe is right; and by doing our part, however we can, to serve our communities and our country. 

But if you were to listen to Fox News, she's totally missing the point, that the Left needs to be the ones focusing on civilty in political conversations, etc.  She doesn't say ONE WORD about political conversations.  The only part of this letter that even approaches this is :

We can teach them the value of tolerance – the practice of assuming the best, rather than the worst, about those around us.  We can teach them to give others the benefit of the doubt, particularly those with whom they disagree.  and then later in the letter this: We can explain to them that although we might not always agree with those who represent us, anyone who enters public life does so because they love their country and want to serve it. 

I just don't get why those in the media have to bash in this way.  Why can't they just take something for what it is at face value?  One person commenting on the Fox Nation website said that MO needs to stop being all over the map and pick something to support and stick with it.  I think she has and what she's chosen to support are our children. 

Now, a reminder.  You have entered my, Jessica Poer's, slice of cyber space.  This is where unicorns fart rainbows and cookies promote six-packed ab-ness.  So fair warning, I'm about to say something POSITIVE about Michelle Obama.  Feel free to stop reading and move on to something else.  You won't hurt my feelings.

The things I see the most that Michelle Obama supports is being healthy.  She's done some wonderful PSAs on the Disney channel, discussing being active and making good food choices.  And horror of all horrors, she said you shouldn't eat dessert....everyday.  Which I agree with.  In the last three generations, children have gone from being sent out to play when the sun comes up and coming back home when the sun goes down to almost 3-5 hours on average of being in front of an electronic device.  So if there is not the physical activity to burn up the fuel, it turns to fat.  And, speaking from personal experience, fat is hard to get rid of.  Why parents want to subject their children to a lifetime of difficulties is beyond me.  I'm a firm believer

•  That children can only eat what you let them. 
• Picky eaters are made and not born.  Good food choices are all about presentation and if I can get Banana (not little Trock, a Banana I knew before) to eat a chicken and broccolli dish, any child can be made to eat a dish with vegetables. 

I digress.  I was supposed to be praising MO.  And I am.  She's made the health of our children a focus and thats a good thing. 

Sorry about the length of this blog but Fox News actually really pissed me off.  It was a classic case of taking something, giving it an entirely unintended context and using it as a chance to bash.  I'm hoping that by reading my blog, those who might not actually go out and read the letter from the First Lady and just bash that she did it,  instead, will read it and re-think their bashing.  Or at least find something that has merit to bash about.

LGFN!

Not accomplished

For some reason over the last few days my thoughts have focused on things NOT accomplished in last 365 days that we call a year.  Some of them are definitely things I want to continue to have on my radar and others....eeeeeh not so much. 

There....I blogged.  Happy?


ROFL...I'll blog more later.  Most likely as soon as I get all my thoughts in some kind of coherent form worth sending out into cyperspace for consumption.  Because I tried to make this longer.  But what was coming from the fingers stunk like butt scratch.  And that made me laugh all the harder and the only person who would get why I'm laughing doesn't even read my blog.  Cause its electrical format and not pen and paper.  But thats probably a good thing cause that leaves me free to talk about them.  =D

LGFN!