I don't have a lot to talk about today. It's at least 20 degrees cooler than it has been, which is good, and it's raining, which is a blessing.
Hannah has her first cheerleading practice tonight, which she is excited about. This is her last year to cheer for the Augusta Little League. Next year, she will have to try out for the Middle School squad, which she isn't really interested in doing. The thought of trying out for anything terrifies her, and I don't blame her. I'll have lots of cheerleading photos and video to post as the season progresses, so be sure to watch for those. Since Hannah has decided she no longer likes to have her picture taken, I take all I can at the games because she can't run and hide, and she has to smile. I love it! :)
While I was surfing over on BlogHer, I came across a blog post about Paris Hilton's response to John McCain's Celeb ad. If you haven't watched the video, you can see it here:
http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/08/paris-hilton-sn.html
It is hilarious! I was shocked that she was able to string together that many big words, and come across sounding intelligent. I'm sure it was written for her, and someone was holding big cue cards off to the side, but it was funny all the same. :)
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
To chew or not to chew. I would prefer not, but he doesn't listen...
As most of you know, we adopted a chocolate lab pointer mixed puppy back in May. Jake is now 9 months old, and as big as a small horse. We love him dearly, but we have a major chewing problem on our hands.My nightly routine includes walking around the house, and making sure that anything and everything that could be miss-identified as a chew toy is put up as far as I can reach. Well, last night I must have been half asleep, because when we awoke this morning, right there in the middle of the living room floor, laid one of Dave's most prized possessions... his Nebraska Husker's hat. It was chewed into a thousand little pieces, completely beyond repair. As I'm typing this, Dave, although vaguely aware of the destruction, is still asleep, so the realization has yet to set in.
This dog chews everything. He has chewed several of the lattice boards on our deck, chewed a hole in Dawson's carpet, chewed countless shoes, sometimes when we were still in them, chewed up a dining room chair, tried to chew our brand new braided rug we purchased at the auction over the weekend, chewed Dawson's Thomas the Train sheets, chewed Dawson's huge Cars pillow his grandma made for him, clothes, plastic bowls, toys, etc. etc. 
I am at my wits end with this dog. Rocket chewed a lot when he was a small puppy, but he outgrew it at 6 months old. Jake doesn't seem to have any non-chewing ambition. We can't even leave him out of his kennel when we leave for a few minutes, because he will chew up everything he can get his mouth on while we are gone.
We have tried to redirect his attention, scolding, even hot pepper sauce. NOTHING WORKS!!! If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears. It's just funny. We can teach him commands like sit, lay down, play dead, and shake, and he learns them in 5 minutes, but we can't teach him to not chew.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Mexican executed after appeal denied in Texas
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/08/05/scotus.execution/index.html
This is a pretty lengthy story on CNN, so I decided not to re post it here. I just found it interesting on many levels, and I guess I'm just not understanding the judicial system in this country.
First of all, the article mentions that Medellin was denied the right to confer with counsel from his home country. That can only mean that he was using counsel from the United States, most likely a team of public defenders. Who paid for this? My guess is that American tax paying citizens paid for his defense, and flurry of last minute appeals that were filed on his behalf. If he had counsel in Mexico, paid for by Mexican money, ready and willing to aid him in his defense, why was that not allowed?
Unless my math is wrong, Medellin has been a part of the American judicial system for 15 years, since he committed the heinous act in 1993. He has been sitting in an American prison, eating food made here in America, staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter with utilities paid for with American dollars, and as mentioned above, having the advantage of a team of American lawyers, paid for by American tax payers. Why? He was a national of another country, not an American citizen, so why was he afforded the same rights that American citizens have. The same rights that countless men and women have laid down their lives to protect, and in fact are still dying for as we speak?
I completely understand the families need for closure, and that his execution probably gave that to them. I am in no way trying to diminish the pain and anguish they are inevitably still feeling to this day. I just do not understand why we are throwing away millions of dollars every single year to house criminals who are are not supposed to be here in the first place. That is money we can put to good use in our school systems, hospitals, police departments, and the ever increasing budget deficit.
"The Mexican government filed an appeal with the international court against the United States in January 2003, alleging violations of international law. Medellin filed his own federal and state appeals based on similar complaints, as well as a claim of ineffective counsel. Medellin has the support of the European Union and several international human rights groups."
Again, I have to ask why? Do the European Union and the various international rights groups have nothing better to do than lobby for the "rights" of a man who gang raped and murdered a 14 and 16 year old girl? There are people starving, being tortured, or abused all over the world, so I wouldn't think it would be too difficult to find a better cause. I also do not understand why he was afforded the right to appeal to our state and federal governments on his behalf. I'm sure there was some sort of ridiculous piece of legislation that was signed into law allowing all of this, but it makes absolutely no sense.
"The world court again last month ordered the United States to do everything within its authority to stop Medellin's execution until his case could be further reviewed." Was more review really necessary? He raped and murdered 2 teenage girls, and was tried and convicted. Review over.
I believe that if you commit a crime in this country, and are not a citizen of this country, then you should be sent back to your country to face whatever punishment might be waiting for you there. I know that in most cases there wouldn't be a punishment, but think of the resources that would be made available for other things when the money wasn't being spent to house, try, defend, and execute illegal immigrants. It was reported by Lou Dobbs that 33% of the United States jail population was comprised of illegal immigrants. Imagine what we could do with a 33% national revenue increase.
Living conditions in other countries may be so bad that leaving to pursue a better life here in America is necessary. I have no problem with that, as long as you have every intention of becoming a citizen, and making a better life for yourself. I just don't think we should be spending our tax money on legal fees for non-citizens.
This is a pretty lengthy story on CNN, so I decided not to re post it here. I just found it interesting on many levels, and I guess I'm just not understanding the judicial system in this country.
First of all, the article mentions that Medellin was denied the right to confer with counsel from his home country. That can only mean that he was using counsel from the United States, most likely a team of public defenders. Who paid for this? My guess is that American tax paying citizens paid for his defense, and flurry of last minute appeals that were filed on his behalf. If he had counsel in Mexico, paid for by Mexican money, ready and willing to aid him in his defense, why was that not allowed?
Unless my math is wrong, Medellin has been a part of the American judicial system for 15 years, since he committed the heinous act in 1993. He has been sitting in an American prison, eating food made here in America, staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter with utilities paid for with American dollars, and as mentioned above, having the advantage of a team of American lawyers, paid for by American tax payers. Why? He was a national of another country, not an American citizen, so why was he afforded the same rights that American citizens have. The same rights that countless men and women have laid down their lives to protect, and in fact are still dying for as we speak?
I completely understand the families need for closure, and that his execution probably gave that to them. I am in no way trying to diminish the pain and anguish they are inevitably still feeling to this day. I just do not understand why we are throwing away millions of dollars every single year to house criminals who are are not supposed to be here in the first place. That is money we can put to good use in our school systems, hospitals, police departments, and the ever increasing budget deficit.
"The Mexican government filed an appeal with the international court against the United States in January 2003, alleging violations of international law. Medellin filed his own federal and state appeals based on similar complaints, as well as a claim of ineffective counsel. Medellin has the support of the European Union and several international human rights groups."
Again, I have to ask why? Do the European Union and the various international rights groups have nothing better to do than lobby for the "rights" of a man who gang raped and murdered a 14 and 16 year old girl? There are people starving, being tortured, or abused all over the world, so I wouldn't think it would be too difficult to find a better cause. I also do not understand why he was afforded the right to appeal to our state and federal governments on his behalf. I'm sure there was some sort of ridiculous piece of legislation that was signed into law allowing all of this, but it makes absolutely no sense.
"The world court again last month ordered the United States to do everything within its authority to stop Medellin's execution until his case could be further reviewed." Was more review really necessary? He raped and murdered 2 teenage girls, and was tried and convicted. Review over.
I believe that if you commit a crime in this country, and are not a citizen of this country, then you should be sent back to your country to face whatever punishment might be waiting for you there. I know that in most cases there wouldn't be a punishment, but think of the resources that would be made available for other things when the money wasn't being spent to house, try, defend, and execute illegal immigrants. It was reported by Lou Dobbs that 33% of the United States jail population was comprised of illegal immigrants. Imagine what we could do with a 33% national revenue increase.
Living conditions in other countries may be so bad that leaving to pursue a better life here in America is necessary. I have no problem with that, as long as you have every intention of becoming a citizen, and making a better life for yourself. I just don't think we should be spending our tax money on legal fees for non-citizens.
A Movie Review - The Dark Night
For our anniversary on July 26th, Dave and I took in our first movie since Walk the Line was in theatres. We enjoyed the first installment of the series, Batman Begins, so we decided to see the latest installment, The Dark Night. The only word that comes to mind is, brilliant. As we all know, this movie marks the last completed role for actor, Heath Ledger. This movie, while brilliant, is also incredibly sobering, as it brings to light just how much we lost with Heath Ledger's passing. Heath's Oscar-worthy portrayal of the maniacal Joker was awe inspiring, and showcased his true potential. With each role, an actor gains screen credibility; desperately searching for that one role that will break the mold, that one memorable role that will catapult them into infamy. This role was all that and more for Heath Ledger.
If you are familiar with Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the joker, you will be more than a little surprised with Heath's version. He took the character into the darkest of shadows, so dark that even the slightest hint of a joke was light years from humorous. From his sinister carved smile, and smudged clown makeup, to his deep gravelly voice and yellow teeth, he made this character uniquely his, yet remarkably different at the same time. Combine his stellar performance with the dark somber backgrounds and seemingly endless violence, and you have a Batman movie unlike any other.
Although Heath's performance was incredible, I can not forget to mention Christian Bale as well. I have been a longtime fan of Batman movies, and Christian's portrayal of "the Bat Man" is by far my favorite. I have enjoyed Christian Bale as an actor for some time now (Batman Begins, American Psycho, Little Women, Empire of the Sun), and let's face it, he fits into the Bat suit quite nicely.
The dance that good and evil share in this movie is gripping. The joker's sole purpose in life is to strip mankind of every last shred of humanity and decency that may be left. "I choose chaos", says the joker, and he pulls out all the stops to convince "the Bat Man" that he should choose chaos as well.
The Dark Night is definitely one movie that should be viewed in the theatre. If you are looking for an action packed movie, that will be well worth your money, this is the one for you. Don't miss it!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Auctions
Today, Dave, Dawson, and I spent the day at an auction in the small town of Douglass, Kansas. This was my first auction, and let me tell you, I'm hooked!
This particular auction was a moving sale for a widow who could no longer take care of her home on her own. Her home was beautiful, and it was set back off the road on a secluded 3+ acres of land. She is downsizing to a much smaller space in Wichita, so she had to part with the majority of her possessions. I was able to talk to her for a few minutes after the sale was over, and it broke my heart to hear what she was going through. But she was very happy that the items we had purchased would be put to good use. They all thought my little boy was adorable, and were happy that he would get to enjoy the items.
We spent much more than we had anticipated spending, but it was a fraction of the cost we would have paid for all of it in a store. Dave paid around $20.00 for all of the wood trim and boards he will need to finish our house remodel. We are in the process of fixing up our home to sell it, so anytime we can save a little money is a blessing!
I purchased just about every Christmas and Halloween decoration the woman had, and it was a very extensive collection. I picked up bags of miscellaneous items for $1.00, and there were some great finds! She said that she had been collecting odds and ends of holiday decorations for over 20 years, but doesn't have a reason to decorate anymore. There were cookie jars, unopened packages of Halloween lights, a large box full of Christmas bows, tags, ribbon, etc., 9' of lighted garland (free), and tons more. Let's just say that when the auctioneer has your number memorized, and looks right at you anticipating your bid, it's time to stop!
We also picked up a dining room table with 6 matching chairs for next to nothing. We are table poor as it is now, but we needed the chairs, so it was worth it.
They are having another auction on the 23rd, and we are planning on attending it as well. We were out there in the 100 degree heat for 6 hours today (I lost 3 more pounds. YEA!), and I hope it's a little cooler by then. I'm sure it won't be, but it doesn't hurt to dream. :)
This particular auction was a moving sale for a widow who could no longer take care of her home on her own. Her home was beautiful, and it was set back off the road on a secluded 3+ acres of land. She is downsizing to a much smaller space in Wichita, so she had to part with the majority of her possessions. I was able to talk to her for a few minutes after the sale was over, and it broke my heart to hear what she was going through. But she was very happy that the items we had purchased would be put to good use. They all thought my little boy was adorable, and were happy that he would get to enjoy the items.
We spent much more than we had anticipated spending, but it was a fraction of the cost we would have paid for all of it in a store. Dave paid around $20.00 for all of the wood trim and boards he will need to finish our house remodel. We are in the process of fixing up our home to sell it, so anytime we can save a little money is a blessing!
I purchased just about every Christmas and Halloween decoration the woman had, and it was a very extensive collection. I picked up bags of miscellaneous items for $1.00, and there were some great finds! She said that she had been collecting odds and ends of holiday decorations for over 20 years, but doesn't have a reason to decorate anymore. There were cookie jars, unopened packages of Halloween lights, a large box full of Christmas bows, tags, ribbon, etc., 9' of lighted garland (free), and tons more. Let's just say that when the auctioneer has your number memorized, and looks right at you anticipating your bid, it's time to stop!
We also picked up a dining room table with 6 matching chairs for next to nothing. We are table poor as it is now, but we needed the chairs, so it was worth it.
They are having another auction on the 23rd, and we are planning on attending it as well. We were out there in the 100 degree heat for 6 hours today (I lost 3 more pounds. YEA!), and I hope it's a little cooler by then. I'm sure it won't be, but it doesn't hurt to dream. :)
Recipe Blog
If you are looking for new recipes to try, or want to know if a recipe is worth trying, check out my Recipes blog:
http://www.recipesreviewsrantsandraves.blogspot.com/
I also have a list of our favorite recipes on the left side of the page. This is just a list of the recipes we have tried and liked enough to make again. :)
http://www.recipesreviewsrantsandraves.blogspot.com/
I also have a list of our favorite recipes on the left side of the page. This is just a list of the recipes we have tried and liked enough to make again. :)
Friday, August 1, 2008
Happy Birthday Dave!
Happy 31st Birthday Dave!! As he mentioned to me early this morning, he is no longer just 30, he is now in his thirties. I think he's a little depressed about it, but he doesn't look a year over 30 if you ask me! :)Anyway, I just wanted to take a moment to publicly wish him the happiest of birthdays. He has to work overtime tonight, so we won't celebrate officially until tomorrow, but that's ok. Dave is always thinking about the family, and never just about himself. He is the best husband and father anyone could ask for, and I am truly blessed to have him. My birthday wish for him is that we have many, many, many more birthdays to celebrate together.
Dave's favorite cake is red velvet with cream cheese icing, so Dawson and I baked one for him. Dawson added the lest set of letters to the cake, and did the best job he could. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
