Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Oh, rats! There is a winter advisory out for before dawn tomorrow morning until ?? noon?? or later.. Freezing rain, sleet and snow, accumulation of up to 2 inches.. and then rain..driving will be hazardous at best..
I'm asking for prayer here.. I dont' like winter driving in the first place, but to get all my worst nightmares in one morning drive is a bit much.. can't call off.. I'm it in the office tomorrow- there are 8 patients depending on me... and the staff too.
Just pray for traveling mercy on my behalf if you would.

It's getting colder.. 30 degrees.. it won't go a lot lower, but it's enough to cause havoc in the morning.

In just a couple of hours I'll be at 50 days to retirement. It's so exciting to watch the numbers go down every day.. and now I'm watching them go down in 10's.. in 2 days I'll be in the 40s !
So wonderful.. it can't happen soon enough. I just have to hang on for a few more days..
It's one of the hardest things I've done in many years.. hanging on for a specific date. I can do this!

I know I do a lot of whining.. but I got the results of my MRI tonite and there is pretty solid reason for all of the whining I do. The left shoulder has a sac of fluid on it.. and tendonitis.. but the right shoulder is my problem.. it's got a rotator cuff tear. Not one that can be fixed with physical therapy, but one that requires surgery. I had the MRIs done this month just in case I'd need that surgical intervention. I don't want it in January.. I hope to limp along until I'm retired and then hopefully as soon as I can get on a schedule after that. I'll be making an appointment to see the orthopedic surgeon soon.
Needless to say, I'm so very sore in both shoulders. My doctor employer tells me that the left one can be injected and then ice, Aspercream and a little PT would help it along. No matter what, I'm not going to be doing any lifting for a while I'm sure.
Now I'm going to have to discuss being off Plavix with my neurologist. He isn't going to like this any more than I am.
It's been a long night at work.. I'm tired and need my comfy bed.. more later

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

COUNTING DAYS


The Psalmist says 'teach us to count our days and set our hearts in the way of wisdom.'
I tend to do a lot of 'day counting' these days. Today is December 11 which means that it is exactly 14 days till Christmas. It always seems that the end of the year goes fast just after Halloween, doesn't it? Thanksgiving comes on it's tail and then~ BANG~ we have Christmas.
As if that isn't staggering enough, in just a mere 21 days, we will welcome in the year 2008 !
130 days seems like it would be a long time to await my next birthday, but it'll come so fast my head will be spinning. And in that few months span we will celebrate family birthdays for Annabelle, Daniel, Amy, Charlie, Paul3, Elijah, and Paul2! Wow! Lots of days to mark on my calendar to remember.
Oh... lest I forget to mention... 52 days today till I am fully retired from the hospital.. a day of true celebration.

2008 is a Leap year.. 29 days. How fun for those born on that day. They only gain one year every 4 years! HAH!
Keep counting your days!

Monday, December 10, 2007


I could use a bubble bath about now. Ah.. relaxing in a tub of glorious bubbles and warm water!
How soothing can it get? I had my MRIs this morning.. 40 minutes of ear pounding, heart pounding.. squished to one side and then the other.. Trying to breathe in the tunnel...
Not my favorite thing in the world let me assure you. As it was, both shoulders are aching today and I normally can't lay on either side when that happens.. so I was flat on my back and when I got up my back was screaming and I was really dizzy.. Oh.. wonderful test.. hope I don't have to repeat it any time soon.

I left for my 12:30 arrival appointment at the MRI station at 11:15am figuring I'd stop at KMart for water and one other item.. I got in the check out line at 12pm with 2 people in front of me. 20 minutes later I got to the cash register to pay for my couple of small items and then headed for the MRI- 5 minutes away. Except that I didn't factor in the Christmas traffic.. and so it took me 15 minutes to get there. They took me right away. I didn't have any wait at all. So I'm done for now. I'll check results tomorrow in the office.

Not a bad day today.. no precipitation and just cold generally. Tonite Wendell and P2 will keep the grandkids while Amy, Joyce and I go to the Pioneer Girls party. It's a chocolate party! Woohoo! I am really looking forward to this one.
Gotta get going..

Sunday, December 09, 2007

I wanted to share this latest note from my friend Nancy from Idaho. Her daughter in law is Barb, and Barb had a posterior brain stem infarct this summer. She just came home from the hospital. God's hand has been on her and the family throughout this ordeal, and He still is providing.


Hi All
Well the announcement were very moving as pastor Steve, who is God led and a sensitive person welcomed Barb , the church body prayed for her continued healing.. people were praying from all corners of the church...

Duane gave an update in SS .. thanked everyone.. she cried through most of the service.. they were towards the back.. I could watch and observe her if they needed dad, Dan or me. Duane explained that the crying is one of two emotions shown by stroke survivors.. crying or laughing.. he told them she's happy..

Pray Duane can find a bed ,that is more compatible they went tonight to look at one.. Don went w/ them to help them move her from the car to wheelchr.. wow.. the one he ordered from a company has bars in the wrong place and it's too short.. even tho it took the X long twin sheets. you can barely make up the bed as the side rails are too close to the bed., nor does the bed go low enough for lifting her from wheelchr to bed. Duane uses the slide board, but he's doing a lot of lifting and his back aches.

A plumber and tile gal Eric and Diane from church are here this Pm to continue work on the shower assisting our son Dan, from Nampa Id. They have to work around Barb's schedule, for when she needs to be back in bed...

She wanted to go out for lunch, so we went to chopstiks... Jill came back and got the processor.. and Duane ground up orange chicken for her! Charlene another RN from church fed her...

Charlene will be over after her hospital work tomorrow Pm to help.. She and Jill take turns helping w/ her meds., etc., tho Duane can give them.
Jill came before 7; this morn to get her ready for church.. a big help. Pray for these gals, also Ellen who comes to help.
Duane will start interviewing soon for help /pray it will be someone who loves Barb.
PT, OT and speech therapists will start coming in this wk.

Time for me to start supper.. today is Ethan's 14th birthday. Nicole baked a cake and Ethan decorated it with his name! Pray for the kids a real big change in their lives, as they have to give up their whims and joyfully help in Mom's care. A real realty check for them. Pray they continue to do well in school.

Covet all of your prayers.
Love ,Nancy for the Kellys in Santa Maria, Ca.

54 and 23

There is a time and a season for all things.. so says scripture. I am aware of the days passing by so quickly. And indeed, I'm wanting this desperately at this point. It's December and January is hot on it's trail. Like the theater ad says "COMING SOON"!
It's a mere 54 days before retirement and when I checked the calendar a few minutes ago, I realized that I have about 23 working days left in my hospital career. One of the doctors made a comment that 'you're going to miss it'.. but I don't think so.
I have a hard time believing that I could miss a schedule that prevents me from joining family occasions, time with my children and grandchildren, birthdays and holidays. No, I won't miss the hospital schedules. Nor will I miss winter driving because I have to keep that schedule.
All the people who I worked with over the years with whom I'd become really friends are all now retired and I haven't seen most of them since. Sigh... I'll join those ranks soon.
So, I wonder if he meant I'd miss the doctors? I don't think so. There are several I enjoy very much, but most are not anyone I'd miss in the long run of things. Besides, I'll still be working in a doctor's office. Not like I won't see doctors any more either.. As one grows older, the calendar tends to fill up with doctor appointments. So, no, I won't miss the doctors either.
So do you suppose he meant I'd miss the work? Yeah.. getting 'slammed' every evening with an overload of admissions.. 5 people standing in front of me asking why I didn't do their request 30 minutes ago, doctors wanting charts and taking them right out from under my pen ~ literally.
3 out of 4 phone lines ringing all at the same time and though there are 8 people standing around listening, I am the only one 'required' to answer any of the lines.. so they opt out... Miss this?
Chart rack filled to overflowing with orders left over from an earlier shift.. and then the all too frequent calls from ancillary departments demanding to know why Mrs. X was not in their department when scheduled... well.. I dunno..and then being the messenger to someone who can actually move the patients but is irritated with me for asking... I don't really think I'll miss this either..
I'm glad I was healthy enough over the years to be gainfully employed to help our family along with a house, cars, and schooling. Without the hospital, these things would not have been on our budget yet. I'm thankful for several of my superiors.. very good people in management.. they did their jobs well. But these things have come to an end. I'm thankful for that too... my health is an issue here and as I age.. as the seasons change.. so do I.
So as I see things.. there was a time for employment, but now a time for some fun.
A less hurried schedule, though just as full. I will be able to go more regularly to church..
I'm gonna love this thing called 'retirement'.

Saturday, December 08, 2007


Yesterday was a bit frightful with all the snow.. I brushed off about 4+ inches off my car before I could drive. It wasn't heavy, but the arm movements to accomplish the deed was frustrating.
I got the job done.. warmed up my car and went to work. Our road was very slippery, the next road was not pleasant, but not as slippery.. by the time I got to Rt 8, it was slushy.. another miserable driving condition.
Time to take note of thankfulness... thankful for a reliable car to drive and that I have a job to go to.. an income.. and most of all that I only have 55 days to go!
It's 34 today.. not bad.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Oh.. the snow!! It's been coming down all morning and I'm wondering how the roads will be for driving to Butler today. Hmmmmm... John isn't home yet. I'll see what he says. Looks like about 3 new inches.

The forecast is "snow" "100% chance".. well.. that doesn't leave me any room for encouragement now, does it?
Guess I better get myself ready for work...
Stay warm

Thursday, December 06, 2007

BRRRRRR....IT'S COLD!!!



Whew! It's cold. Yeah..here I go again growling about winter.. you might as well get used to it.
Single digits this morning.. 5 degrees I think. Didn't matter.. even when it warmed up to 21 it wasn't really warm even in the sun. I'm thankful for the operating heater in my car.

I have the little heater on in the bedroom. It says it's 55 degrees in here.. I'm certain that is correct and I'm snuggled in my warm fleece robe to keep the icicles from forming on my nose.
What to have for supper... hmmmm... maybe take out if I can get Wendell to go out in the frosty night. It's hard on him by times, so I don't ask often..Thursdays are hard on my back, though today it's not too bad, so I don't usually have supper made ahead of time. Gotta raid the cupboards or freezer to find maybe....soup?

We had a great day at the office today.. one pt had a problem, but with skill and swift action we averted a major problem and all went well after.

A weekend of gainful employment at the hospital is coming up.. 57 days today, and today is nearly ended. Hooray!!
Monday I have an MRI scheduled at lunchtime. My shoulders need examined soon. I've been holding off till there is enough time to see an orthopedic doc if I have to. I want to wait till I retire if I need surgery. I don't think I will, but gotta be prepared.

Have a super evening.. I'm going to do the same.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Driving to work today was somewhat a challenge. The snow came down in huge big flakes...but tonite driving home, it is 18 degrees and crisp.. a very clear sky broke through the dense fog I drove through a few miles from home. I looked up and gasped at the beauty of the night sky. It makes the words of the Psalmist so understandable.. "The spacious heavens declare the glory of our God"... and they do. It was the most breathtaking sight. Stars are not just visible, but clear and bright. There was a cleanliness to the sky. I'm glad I worked tonite, elsewise I would have missed this scene.

CHRISTMAS



According to theologians who are much more educated than I, Jesus was not actually born on December 25 or even thereabout. This was originally a pagan festival now adopted by Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Even so, I do enjoy this festive occasion and we do participate as a family traditionally.
Words that surround the holiday do bother me a bit, but not enough to destroy the family gatherings and giving of small gifts. The children enjoy learning that it's better to give than receive.. but then.. it's fun to receive too ~one of my grandchildren reminded me last year.

Does it bother anyone else that Christmas gets referred to as XMas? I take offense at that term, and refuse to use it, though on occasion for the sake of writing it over and over, I may use CMas in an email.

As far as I'm concerned, you can call the Christmas tree what you want, but in our tradition, a decorated pine tree in the living room around December 25th, will always be a Christmas tree.

You can wish your neighbor a happy holiday.. that's okay, but for me, I prefer the more traditional Merry Christmas.. it gives me a lift to bestow good tidings to the world.

Had you heard of the todo over 'I'm dreaming of a WHITE Christmas'?
Apparently some would try to compare snow to race or national origin?
These folks have too much time on their hands. I may be naive, but the song didn't refer to anything but S N O W- and the last time I looked, it was WHITE..

Wendell reminds me that when his dad and aunt were growing up, they didn't celebrate Christmas but New Years. They exchanged gifts then.

The Christmas celebration is much too commercialized. Too much money changing hands makes for big time bills in January. My idea is buy for the children early and keep the gifts to a minimum. I really don't care whether Wal-Mart or Target don't advertise using the Christmas word.

Where Santa Claus fits in, I don't know. I know as a child I watched for Santa till I fell asleep.. and discovered gifts under our tree when I awoke the next day. I connected Santa with Christmas like every other child. Wendell and I preferred not to discuss Santa, but the children learned it in school and from friends.. sigh.

I find the Christmas season to be one that brings joy and happiness to so many. I think Jesus' statement to Love one Another is the best advice.

Suggestions for the Christmas holiday:
1. write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. Wendell verifies that as he spent one Christmas in Viet Nam.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Pray for the president and leaders of our nation.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don'tknow who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "MerryChristmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in Christ's presence. Let people know by your actions that you belong to Jesus.
AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Monday, December 03, 2007

BBRRRRRRRR!!!!!

Roads were getting nasty as I came home from Paul and Amy's tonite.. they have more snow than we do.. but roads were getting icy too and I watched other's slip and slide around on it.
Uh.....have I mentioned lately that I really don't like winter driving?
It's 27 degrees right now and going down to 24 tonite with 2-5 inches of that nasty white stuff that causes traffic accidents.
My little heater is on and keeps me nice and cozy.. but I'll be snuggling down into my bed shortly and that will be sooooo nice!
I pray roads will not be bad tomorrow when I go to work. It's my worst nightmare.
I don't like winter... am I being repetitious? Sorry... it's just on my mind...

The good news is that I called about my insurance for when I retire, and find that for a small price I can have my dental and eye coverage continued as it is now. Wow!!! Great news!
Nothing will change.. I have all the full coverage we will need for the two of us. My dentist was trying to get my last major work done before I retire, but this will now be able to be spread out some with the full coverage I now have. Yippee!!!!!

Oooooooo....I just looked outside....there is at least an inch on the ground now... hope it stops soon.
Headin' for my cozy bed.. good night all...


Monday.. It's a blustery day.. windy, 33 degrees (almost the predicted high of 35), and there is light snow falling here in WPA. At least it's not ice, and the accumulation is negligible. I can deal with this.
Lots on my plate today.. shower, dressed, and then the ton of phone calls I need to make... as well as getting my office schedule settled around for Thursday. I can hardly believe 6 days have gone by and I've filled them all to the hilt. Tomorrow I return to reality with gainful employment. UGH. 60 days today... till , well, you all know. (( smile))
I'm also headed to see the grandkids today after lunch. We are going to give Mom a 'day off '.. I'm looking forward to this. I hope Amy is too. She'll have the chance to go shopping at her leisure or just take a nap if that's her choice~ or both. The plan includes bringing supper tonite for them also.. Fun! Time is limited for this in December, but after January, we should be able to do it lots more frequently with at least one day a week scheduled for this.

So.... I better shut this computer down and go get my shower while I have the time yet.
Have a super day bloggers.. catch ya later!

Sunday, December 02, 2007

KEEP PRAYING

I had this update on Barb Kelly today.. please remember to keep her in prayer- thanks.


Discharge date is still set for Dec 5th.
Please pray there will be an intervention on the insurance part to keep her longer.
Barb passed her swallow test this weekend.
Thanks
Love, Nancy and Don

CHRISTMAS HOUSES

We were looking for something crafty we could all do together today. We decided it was time to make Christmas houses. John, Mandy and I each made a house that actually reflects our personalities to a 'T'. I noticed that as I finished mine.
We each started with cardboard. I found a box and cut it, taped it, and shaped it the way I thought it should look.

Mandy and John used the glue gun a lot.. I used it at the end of mine, but prefer royal frosting to stick things together myself. The stuff oozes out and looks more like snow.
Mandy's house is a very reserved cottage. Simple and correct.. pastel and rich looking.
Her personality is just like that. John made a cabin and that's his personality. He wanted to put a sign outside that said "gone fishing".. that's John.

It's a start.. details would be supplied later as the houses took shape. Mine was more colorful than the others.. flambouyant and it seemed to be in motion.. That's my personality coming out!
I have to say, at the end, Wendell was giving me some pointers how to finish it- the eaves needed something.. and he was right there telling me how to correct my errors...Even Wendell's personality is reflected.
My house had all of our children in windows.. and grandchildren too..
Mandy's had a window with she and John looking out..

MIDWAY

John's cabin was made of pretzel logs. His chimney is peanut brittle with a marshmallow Santa at the top. The roof is club crackers. John was very careful about how he put his house together. He did a really great job. It was his first try. You can see he made a campfire at the rear of the cabin with pretzel logs in the fire.


Mandy chose chewing gum in various flavors to make shaker shingles on her house. The roof is frosted Mini Wheats. Really a great job I think.
My house was a candyland house. Starlight mints and my roof is Triscuits. I used jelly beans and sour lemon drops to make lights, and trummed my house with red Twizzlers.

FINAL...


Mandy's house of gum


Another view of Mandy's gum house


John's final for the moment cabin.. gone fishin'


Marilyn's Candyland house


Another view of the candyland house
Today we spent all afternoon and evening with theVulhops. They treated us to an afternoon of visiting the museum at Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Pittsburgh, to supper, and then to a concert in the evening. We really enjoyed the Raleigh Ringers. Thanks Keith and JJ !!

Tonite, there is freezing rain.. it came down pretty hard here on our way home. We had no difficulty, but the salt trucks are out keeping the highways safe for travelers. I am so glad they were- our car was coated with a layer of ice. When we got to the front porch, we have about 1/2" of ice on it.. we had to be super careful getting in the house.
I don't know if enough of it will be gone in the morning for us to go to church.. All we need is for one of us to slip on the porch, walkway..etc.. Hopefully it'll be melted off.
I'm heading for bed.. it's late and I've had quite the day!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

HEADS UP !

There is a winter weather advisory out for 1am Sunday till 10 am.. Accckkk !! It says snow turning to sleet and then to freezing rain! It should be over by the time we are ready for church, but the part that concerns me is the note that there may be a coating of ice afterward.
I suppose everyone knows by now how I feel about winter, snow and particulary icy roads. I would hope the salt and cinder crews would be out.
62 days can't come fast enough for me.

Today is a special day.. The Vulhops are treating Wendell and I to an early Christmas gift.. more later on that.. I have my camera and will be taking pictures throughout the day.

Gotta get ready to go..

Friday, November 30, 2007

I have just a few minutes before I go to bed.. I wanted to blog a bit.
Wendell saw the cardiac surgeon today.. he says all is well, no changes on his echocardiogram.
That's good. His next appointment is in 12 months.
I saw my dentist today and she filled a tooth that seemed to have developed a cavity.. it was painless- what a dentist! Today is actually Friday and I'm going back today to have the preliminary work done for a crown on a tooth that I've been wanting to do this to for a long time. It's so discolored and chipped inside. I have to baby it all the time so I don't lose it.
By the time I retire (63 days, incidently).. I'll have my mouth in pretty good shape.

It's cold.. so what else is new? 28 degrees at the moment.. but no snow, so I'm not going to go into a tirade about the weather.

Gotta get to bed.. good night all...
and.............MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

'TIS THE SEASON

Good morning bloggers! It's nearly afternoon... it's my day off and I slept in till 10am! Wow!
I don't get that privilege too often. Today starts a 6 day stretch of non gainful employment. Kathy is covering the office this week, and I don't have to return to the hospital till next Tuesday. There is much to do here.
Today I'm going to attack my bedroom- again. It's such a difficult room to clean, but I'm in a pitching mood, and so it should be profitable. And , after several low days, I'm feeling much better physically and mentally. I have pictures to sort through and scan the ones I want to keep, as well as a closet of old clothes that are bogging me down. I've been very blessed in every way.
So I'll set the timer for 15 minutes and go about my chores methodically. But first I need to get dressed and have my 2nd cup of coffee and finish my emails..
I wish for all of you a very beautiful day. God is good and has blessed us so richly.

Merry Christmas.. it's on it's way, ya know? We have most of our shopping done now..just a few small things to get yet. We are being so careful about our shopping this year especially. We don't have a huge income, so we have to be frugal along the way.
I'm scheduled to work both Christmas eve and day... I don't care for that decision but I'll go along with it one more time. 65 days to go!
One of the other girls at work was figuring out how many days she had left to work.. 140,440 or some such depressing figure. We laughed. I told her she could put her sign on her desk like I do on mine.. I'm counting them down every day I go in.
I'm off NY day and eve.. I'd sooner be off one day of each of the holidays like we used to do. It always worked well. At least you got a day with your family. This schedule is really nasty- it's very busy, but then, as I said, this is the last time I'll have to be scheduled to work a holiday.
Not that we have any big bash for either holiday.. but we do like a good reason to get together as a family and share a meal..

It was quiet the last half of work tonite.. I came home a little early . I was just so tired and had trouble staying awake. There were 2 secretaries tonite, so no problem.
My bed seems to be calling my name.. guess I'll answer.."I'm on my way...!!"
I'm going to sleep in tomorrow.. and Kathy has the office duties this week- both days- so I have 6 glorious days off before going back. WOOHOO!!
Off to bed with me..

Monday, November 26, 2007


**
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*;
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!*

CONSERVATIVE TRUTH

CONSERVATIVE TRUTH 11/26/07
What is a Conservative?
By Tom Barrett
Publisher@ConservativeTruth.org

I was talking with a friend this week about one of the Republican candidates. He said, “He’s a conservative, but he’s not my kind of conservative.” That got me thinking, “Just what IS a conservative?” And, “Who is conservative enough to get conservatives excited about supporting him in this election?”
In my opinion, Ronald Reagan was the ultimate conservative. If there was a candidate, whether Republican or from a third party, who was half the conservative President Reagan was, he would have my vote. Unfortunately, there is no declared candidate today who could fill even one of The Gipper’s shoes.
So, what is a conservative to do? I have decided who I feel would be the best choice for the Office of the President. But I won’t be discussing that today. Rather, I would like to lay a philosophical foundation for a discussion among conservatives about what it means to be a conservative.
If Ronald Reagan walked among us today, this article would not be necessary. He was conservative in all ways that are important. But it seems today that conservatives have become like doctors. There are few general practitioners. Everyone is a specialist.
A true conservative is conservative in three areas. Not just in his talk, but in his actions. These areas are fiscal, social, and defense.

Fiscal conservatives believe that government is far too involved in every area of our lives, and that the best way to limit government intrusion is to close the purse. Fiscal conservatives want to lower taxes. Reagan never met a tax cut he didn’t like. He saved America from the largest confiscatory abuse by the IRS in history. He forced Congress to lower the highest income tax bracket by over 60%! He was a hero.
Liberals, on the other hand, never met a tax cut they wouldn’t get in bed with. Liberals believe that government should control every aspect of our lives. And they know the best way to do that is to steal our money (liberals call it “fair” taxation) and then give part of it back to us in ways that Big Brother knows will force citizens to behave in ways liberals feel are appropriate. They use money to enslave what used to be a free citizenry.

Social conservatives believe in supporting the great ideas and ideals on which this country was founded. The most important of these are support of the traditional family and respect for life. They support state and federal laws that define marriage as a union between two people, one man and one woman. And they believe in the sanctity of life, including unborn citizens and the elderly.
Liberals want, as a start, full marriage benefits for homosexuals and lesbians. This means that we will all pay higher taxes and insurance rates to support lifestyles that most Americans believe are perverted. But it won’t stop there. Once they get rid of the “man and woman” part of the definition, they will go after the “one” part. They will say, “Who says marriage is only between two people? Why can’t three or four of us marry?” So we will see the government and corporations forced to pay health benefits for three “partners” of one working homosexual. And all of us will pay higher insurance rates and taxes.
And of course, liberals love death. They have preached for decades that the earth is overpopulated. What better way to fix that than to kill babies and old people who are no longer “productive”? Have you ever heard a Democrat or liberal protest China’s “One Child” policy? They love it. A couple has to have a government license to have a child. If they have a second child, it is killed. Liberals are more efficient here. They kill the babies before they are born – hundreds of thousands of them each year. And of course it was liberals who supported “Doctor” Jack Kevorkian, the famous purveyor of “euthanasia” (another practice popular in totalitarian regimes). Their idea is that if they’re too old or sick to be productive, kill ‘em. Right now, the person to be “euthanized” (that sounds so much nicer than “murdered”, doesn’t it?) has to agree. But mark my words. If the liberals get the laws they want, “euthanasia” will be expanded to include people who don’t want to be dead.

Finally, there are defense conservatives. These are the people who have for decades fought the Democrats’ attempts to weaken our national defense and cut the defense budget. They understand that as the world’s sole remaining Super Power, we are the target of the hatred of terrorists from abroad and liberals from within. (Yes, the liberals hate America. Don’t listen to their words – watch their actions.) Defense conservatives understand that without a strong military this country will quickly become a place that none of us would want to live in (if we are even allowed to live). They also understand that we must have strong immigration and homeland security laws or we will be destroyed from within.
Liberals believe in one-world government. “We are the world, we are the children.” If we are all one people, why do we need all those noisy guns and airplanes? They are actually stupid enough to believe that if we lay down our weapons, all the maniacs in the world will do the same. They can’t grasp the concept that there are hundreds of thousands of people in the world that would do anything in their power (including blowing themselves up) to ensure that every American dies. I heard America’s Number One Liberal, Rosie O’Donnell, say, “Christian fundamentalists are just as dangerous as Muslim fundamentalists.” (Hillary used to hold this title, but she moved to America’s Number Two Liberal with this idiotic statement by Rosie.) I would like to think that this is the way just one total lunatic thinks, but unfortunately she speaks for thousands of liberals.

So, we have fiscal, social, and defense conservatives. Unfortunately, we have one candidate who is conservative fiscally, but is just as liberal as Obama socially. We have another who is socially conservative, but wants to tax and spend like Hillary.
What’s a real conservative to do?
I am praying that another candidate, a true conservative in all the areas that matter, will emerge. There is still plenty of time before the election. There must be a Reagan out there somewhere.If we are forced to choose from the existing field, we must decide which areas are most important to us. I don’t see anyone who is conservative in all three areas. Hopefully we can find a candidate that is conservative in at least two areas.
I’ll tell you what the deal-breaker is for me. I will vote for a third-party candidate who is socially conservative before I will vote for Rudy. He is pretty conservative in two areas, but the fact that he supports homosexual marriage and baby murder means that he cannot be my candidate.
The most pressing issue in this nation is its moral decline. Yes, defense and taxes are important. But if we have a moral president, he can be convinced to defend the nation and save us from the taxes that are destroying our nation economically and causing the once-strong dollar to decline against world currencies. If we have a president without morals (as we did with Bill Clinton), we can look forward to four years of America losing itself even further.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

HOME AGAIN

HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN, ... JIGGEDY JIG..

Yeah.. we had a rather uneventful trip home today.. Lots of talking time for Wendell and me.
We agreed our week was wonderful and relaxing..
Thanks to the Valentines for having us all week long.. and to Cory's folks who invited us to Thanksgiving dinner too.. Wonderful food.. even more wonderful the hospitality!
It was all too fast. We did a lot in our days together.. and the kids were wonderful.
Back to earth now and tomorrow back to work.. gainful employment awaits for the next 3 days.

Creeping ever so close to my final days.. 69 today and today is nearly over! woo hoo!! I hear the train coming!
Off to bed with me! I've been up since 5:30am and I'm a very tired cookie..

At the park..


Kids rode their bikes.. even Gaylie rode her trike..
then they played on the swings, etc..
Wendy and I walked twice around the park..She pushed
Wendell in the wheel chair and I pushed Eli in the stroller



Wendy and Eli

Being the one who normally takes all the pictures.. I dont'
usually have MINE taken.. but here I am..



Who is giving my Essie Bunny ears? Papa and Isaac both
have that guilty look written all over their faces!



Isaac's new telescope.. We took a look at the
full moon last night

Isaac joined the Cub Scouts.. He got his uniform shirt this week


Cory took Isaac out hunting for the first time

Some of Isaac's artwork

We were at the park one afternoon and afterward went
for ice cream- Papa's treat


Isaac the alien.. more face art..