whatever

France in Black and White- Looking back, looking forward

Pictures by Heidi-

France

I think I'm ready for our next adventure.....

Nut Season will do it to me every time.....

Today- Stove repair, chimney sweep, road repair- Cabin (under the pines)

Looking forward to-

Favorite Things Party- something like the one my Daughter did....she is awesome.

General Conference-  Oct 5-6

 

Just becauseI think this is a beautiful song.

 

Well...this was kind of a random post.  (smile)

Have a great day.

Sunshine & Rainbows

We are suppose to get 9 more days of rain....but the sun is shinning now.....love when it is streaming through the windows.

Yesterday's rainbow- Dan pulled over so I could capture the moment.....at one point as we were driving the end of the rainbow sat right on the hood of our truck....throwing colors around inside the cab.

Happy Day 

 

Signs of Fall-

We had our first "real" storm of the season yesterday...so I guess fall is here.

Even though everything is still green...the leaves are falling and it's cooler. 

I truly love fall...even with it's "messes" {leaves everywhere}

I know fall is right around the corner when this Washington Hawthorn has red berries on it- 

With this storm the brown grass will soon turn to green.....I heard on the news last night that the rainfall we received yesterday was a 41 year record breaker for this time of year. We got over 2 inches in CV.

With the signs of fall Bree and I decided to try our hand at a couple of "fall" recipes. Apple chicken and pear spiced muffins- the chicken was great the muffins not so much... the muffin recipe called for adding a piece of dark bitter chocolate to the top of these baked muffins.....not a good choice, hated the chocolate, and ended up throwing them out. {should of gone with tried and true good old sweet chocolate.} the muffin itself was great. So we are going to try again with the good stuff. =) I'll share the recipe when we make them again.

Another sign of fall- a Relief Society fall gathering.

{Norma put this display together}

On the agenda-

 Making Shot cotton scarves

 Dinner

One class-

More on everything later.

What are some signs of fall around your area?

A Trojan Horse-

{Today's article by Maren- please welcome my guest writer}

We Americans are coming face to face with THE issue of our day...legislation that if not stopped will forever change our country...an issue that impacts our ability to act as freedom loving individuals.  President Obama, Harry Reid, and Nancy Pelosi cryptically call it "the public option."  I call it the biggest takeover of individual liberty our government has ever attempted.  The House of Representatives and the Senate are furiously working on the government takeover of our health care.  Radical changes may be about to take place that you need to know about regardless on what your political leanings are.  What is presented here is not meant to be a comprehensive discussion of current problems with our health care which is far from perfect. 

If you were to hear President Obama speak on this issue, you would never know that he plans to make ALL of us dependent on the government.  My husband and I have worked hard our entire adult lives in order to avoid that.  We prefer taking care of our family's needs.  We don't want the government to have any control over our lives, or at least more than it already does.  That is about to change unless we raise our voices loud, strong, and now.  For years we have been hearing about "the health care crisis."  Call something a crisis and government gives itself unlimited power to "fix" it, no matter the cost. Yet  studies show that most Americans are quite happy with their own health insurance plans, not to imply that private health care is without problems. President Obama has said that a health care bill must be passed before the August recess for Congress.  We must be on the brink of disaster within a matter of days for this mad rush to be occurring.  Or...maybe...the less time the public has to be made aware of this monstrosity of a bill, the less time we have to make noise and shut it down.   President Obama is afraid to send his legislators home to hear the dissenting voices regarding this matter.  This bill is over 1000 pages long and, trust me, no lawmaker in Washington knows what is in it, much less has read it.  

Here are a few facts for you to consider:

1.  President Obama says that this plan will help curb out-of-control medical costs.  Since when has our government been a model of frugality?  If our government knew how to have a smart budget Medicare and Medicaid would be a streamlined model of how to set up a nationalized plan.  Both of these programs are deep in red ink.  The ONLY way government will save money on our health care is to limit choices and make you wait.  We have to look at other countries that have a government system.  Take Canada, for instance.  There are more MRI machines in Philadelphia than all of Canada.  Think of what that means for waiting times when your doctor (when you finally get an appointment) orders such a diagnostic test.  Meanwhile, whatever is ailing you isn't getting better and may actually worsen.  Why do you think the English are notorious for bad teeth?  The government dentists have quotas, and when they meet those qoutas, English citizens don't get an appointment.  They wait and wait, and their teeth rot.  And, true story, in England if you have macular degeneration, which leads to blindness, you will only be treated after both eyes are affected.  We Americans have been spoiled with the rapidity at which we are used to receiving treatment.  Yeah, we've got a real health care crisis (sarcasm intended).  We don't know the meaning of the words.

2.  Government health care gives the government more control over our lives.  This is a good moment to reflect on discussions you've had with a physician regarding your personal health, or the health of your child or a parent.  Can you imagine not being able to make private, personal medical decisions affecting you or a family member with the help of your physician?  How would you like a bureaucrat deciding what your treatment (or no treatment) will be?  If you currently have an HMO, you have an idea of what this means, but your frustrations are a fraction of what they will be under a behemoth government bureaucracy.   Let me tell you about an actual cancer stricken woman in Oregon.  Oregon has a state run health care system.  When her only option was a drug not on the state formulary (an approved list of drugs) she was sent an unsigned letter stating that her treatment was denied, but that physician-assisted suicide would be offered to her.  Fortunately, the compassionate drug company that manufactured the needed drug donated the medicine to her.  This is real, and this is what we are facing unless we shake ourselves out of the delusion that can't happen to us.  Some other possibilities?  You go to the ER with crushing chest pain and you are diagnosed with a heart attack.  One problem...you smoke.  Sorry, no treatment.  You have a painful, arthritic hip and need a hip replacement?  Sorry...according to the government charts you are overweight.  Denied.  One more scenario, your 90 year-old active, vibrant mother needs a pacemaker?  Too old.  These are actual standards in countries that have socialized medicine (Oops!  I mean the "public option").  Foods that may be considered unhealthy (think red meat, sugar, and butter) and activities that may be considered high risk for injury  (mountain climbing or soccer) may come under increased scrutiny from our government.  The government will be increasingly interested in what you eat and do.  

3.  President Obama says that you can keep your private health insurance.  That is disingenuous.  On page 16 of this bill, it clearly states that NO new policies can be issued by private insurance companies.  If you change jobs and, therefore, need to change medical insurance, you will automatically be kicked into the government system.  The intent is crystal clear.  Eventually, all private medical insurance companies will be forced out.  If you'd like to change insurance companies because a competing company offers lower rates or a preferable set of benefits, forget about it.  That means that private insurance companies can't compete for your business because they can't even write you a policy if they wanted to.  If the free market system has it's hands tied by the government it will collapse.  This is exactly what our current administration wants.  Eventually, we all end up under an oppressive system.  At least, now, if you are not happy with your insurance, change it.  Not happy with your doctor? Find a new one.  Didn't like the last hospital where you had surgery?  Choose another.  All of these entities now compete for your business because of the free market.  Those choices will be taken from you.  Oh, and don't expect our lawmakers to come under this new system.  They will keep their own first-class health insurance, courtesy of the tax payer...aka YOU.  

It all comes down to this question.  Why does the government want to be in charge of my health care?  It's not because they care about you.  Come on.  They want control over you.  We will all need them.   Your liberty is being threatened.  Read everything you can get your hands on.  Inform yourself.  This can be stopped.  Contact your senators and congressmen.  Encourage your friends and family members to do the same.  Call. E-mail. Now.


Download House-Democrats-Health-Plan-

Thanks Maren-

 I agree we do need to inform ourselves and do everything we can to maintain our liberties.

Other articles by Maren-

Horses and Tunnels

All Smiles and Purple fingers.

Your tax dollars at work.

Horses and Tunnels-

Today Dear Readers you are in for a treat- Please Welcome my friend and guest today- Maren -  Please take the time to read, plus it would be nice if you left her a comment. =)

This photo depicts one of the most inspiring sculptures I have seen.  It is located at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library on the campus of Texas A&M in College Station, Texas.  President Bush was in office at the time that the Berlin Wall came down, the culmination of years of effort by President Reagan, and to some extent, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II.  As you can see, a replica of the crumbling wall is covered with graffiti.  It is a symbol of the freedom expressed by those in West Berlin.  I don't like seeing graffiti on walls in my hometown, but it means freedom when displayed on this wall.  The east side of the Berlin Wall was pristine white, with it's citizens forbidden to have such open expression.  The East German citizens lived under the dark shadow of the Soviet Empire.

Now look at those horses coming over the wall.  Aren't they beautiful?  Take notice of how they are jumping over the wall, not in uniformity, but with hooves and heads pointed in different directions, each desiring to go his own way.  I love that.  What is more beautiful to watch than a horse running free, so strong, so graceful, and so powerful, and so independent?

  After the Berlin Wall was erected in 1960, there were many who defied an oppressive government, risked their lives, and took a chance at freedom.   One man named "Tunnel Fuchs" was responsible for helping several hundreds to freedom.  His efforts began when he needed to get his East German wife across the border.  She was visiting her family on the day the border was sealed.  He was easily able to rescue her when the wall was still barbed wire and not a concrete wall.  "Tunnel Fuchs" spent the next 13 years of his life in full time rescue efforts.  He made false identity cards, mapped the sewer system, and finally built escape tunnels when the other methods were no longer successful.  "Tunnel" described that he was never happier than when he was underground digging a tunnel.  Often those who worked to dig the tunnels were working to bring their own friends or family members to freedom.  The danger didn't end once the tunnel was finished.  Then came the careful process on secretly getting people through the tunnels.  Years later Tunnel said, "I must say the most beautiful feeling was for me to see when the people came crawling out of the tunnel, on their knees from East Berlin like mice.   I can never forget.  The marks of their knee prints on the tunnel floor looked like the ripples on a beach left behind by the receding tide...I will never forget that.  That is beautiful and that is happiness."

I share this story because America's own tunnel to freedom was built for us by our Founding Fathers.  Our freedom has been paid for with the blood and toil of our ancestors. "Tunnel's" story reminds me of how beautiful it is to be free.  We need to be vigilant against letting our freedoms erode a degree at a time.  Resist the urge to want the government to take over what should be the individual's responsibilities, like health care, mortgage payments, and college tuition.  This diminishes our freedom and limits our choices despite the assurances of the Washington elite.  Don't give in.  Take inspiration from the wild horses running to their freedom and from angels like "Tunnel Fuchs."

 

To read more from Maren go here.

"Your Tax dollars at Work"

by Maren-

“Your Tax Dollars At Work,” says the CalTrans sign as we drive past on torn up roads.  Yes, road maintenance is one of the few things I need my government to do for me.  I can’t protect my country from invasion, so I need my government to provide a strong, capable military.  I need local police protection to keep my community safe.  But I’m watching my government spend our hard-earned tax dollars to the incomprehensible amount of over $4 trillion per year…that’s 4,000 BBBBbillion dollars.

What do you do if money is short in your own household budget?   You spend less and/or work more.  What does the government do when it needs more money (and let’s face it, it ALWAYS does)?  They can’t possibly reduce a penny from any program anywhere and oh, how they’ve tried. Government budgets only grow, courtesy the American taxpayer.  There are built-in budget increases every year for every department.  For instance, If there is a projected 4% increase and a program gets a 2% increase instead, that's called a budget cut.  Is that how it works at your house?  That's how Washington works.  You see, all money is the government’s.  We should consider ourselves fortunate that we get to keep what we do.  And as our Vice-President Elect Joe Biden has reminded us, paying taxes is the patriotic thing to do.  Like I have a choice.

I ask you to do one thing.  Take a good look at your next pay stub.  Look at your GROSS income, not just what you bring home.  That is YOUR money.  Think of what you could do with it.  Government invented payroll taxes so they get your money before you even get your hands on it. There’s a word for that---confiscation.  They were hoping you wouldn’t notice.

 

To read more articles by Maren go here.

"All smiles and purple fingers"

by- Maren

“All smiles and purple fingers” was how embedded reported Michael Yon 
described Iraqi voters in 2005.  Millions risked their lives, and 
some died, in order to cast a vote.  I distinctly remember those 
images of Iraqi citizens thrilled at the opportunity to finally have 
a say in their own futures.

We Americans have a say in our own futures on November 4.  There are 
no grey areas in this election of all elections.  The presidential 
candidates are vastly different and have opposing ideas on how we 
should be governed.  It has been a long and exhausting election 
season, but we have had the time to really know these candidates and 
where they stand.  Understand that your vote, your one vote, has 
consequences.

The United States is the beacon of freedom and the hope of the world, 
despite what some of our own politicians tell us.  I read once that a 
billion people would come to this country if they could.  The world 
needs the United States of America, so we have a responsibility to 
cast an informed vote.  Let us be all smiles and “I VOTED” stickers   
on November 4.

 

About the Author-

Maren is a Dear friend of many years, she lives in the Bay Area.  Is the Mother of four wonderful boys all of which  have served a mission that are old enough.  She is an Operating Room Nurse- {the best one there}  She also teaches early morning seminary.  Maren is a very talented woman, and has the best handwriting I've ever seen.  She's the type of woman that can cook up a  fabulous meal, in the home she perfectly decorated, passionately  talk politics {and she knows what she is talking about}, all the while stitching you up if need be, and do all that with out missing a beat.

Maren will be joining us here off and on with some political views- lets give her a warm welcome.

Gather & Celebrate

 

 Just to spice things up a bit, I thought I would add some new items to my blog-

Coming next month-

Fabulous Guest writer on Nov. 3

Oh, you will be thrilled!

Prize give away Nov. 10

A Black Tray, White Box Party- Nov.17

Watch the “City Bungalow” get ready for Christmas-

Handouts and Gift ideas

 A Get- together

Fall Bag Meal

Take home treats

Grandchildren

More of everyday living.

Hello My name is.....

For more information go to www.protectmarriage.com - that's how I ended most of my conversations yesterday.  After spending over six hours on the phone I think I have the dialogue down pat.{ I probably have about 10 more hours to finish.}  That's not all I did yesterday. 

  We spent a lovely evening with the Rowans, great food, good conversation, and was introduced to a new game. {I think it will become a new family favorite, it would be totally fun to see Denver play this game.} 

In Ticket to Ride your goal is to collect sets of colored train cards in order to claim the routes between American cities. Ultimately, you must link together various cities described on your destination tickets before the game ends.  The game combines hard decisions, and strategic play, so fun.

The game can be additive....so be careful.  And of course because I have such great skills in "strategy"  I was the conqueror of all...NOT.   Ellen was the mastermind in that department- totally fun.