The Beginning of the End

It is inauguration day, though I would like to refer to it as the beginning of the end of the Bullshit Era created by the Obama Administration. I was confident, based on the lack of activity in his first term, that as a lame duck President, he could not make anything worse. Little did I know that he would play politics with the tax cuts that have now disrupted every American with a job. My husband and I have lost almost $1200 in discretionary spending a month and will be tightening our belts as will others we know. This will affect the entertainment industry, dining, and other areas that have seen growth as the economy begins to recover. Small businesses will refrain from hiring and entrepreneurs will have to think twice about expansion. Transporting jobs overseas will become even more responsible as the United States government continues to be irresponsible with the hard earned dollars of the tax-payers. This was the intent of 52% of voters? This is the Hope they were looking for when they signed on for multiple terms? If that is the case, then American's are less intelligent than even the Chinese give us credit for. The beginning of the end - happily, only 1460 days and counting!

The Generation Gap is a grand canyon

My mother had the audacity to tell me that I will not be able to get a job in the future if I continue to use social media as a platform for my opinions of Barack Obama. That future employers will not tolerate my disrespect of the office. This is funny for two reasons, 1). I am 40 years old, have a Master's degree, and am very capable in my field of work, and 2). She is almost 62 and has never had a career. On top of this, I am very patriotic when it comes to the Office of the President, but I have no resect for the sitting President. Case in point, Mr. Obama addressed the media two days ago and said that it was time for the wealthy to "pay their fair share". I find this so incredulous on a couple of levels. One, they pay taxes and even if it is only 10-15%, that is a hell of a lot of money, on top of which they contribute to charitable causes - which is what brings their taxable income down to a level that allows them to pay a smaller percentage and keep organizations such as the Red Cross, the Komen Foundation, and the American Cancer Society up and running. It was the wealthy that bridged the gap for those who lost everything in Louisiana and responded before the Federal government did when Hurricane Sandy devastated the east coast. So under the vain of fair share, how much of the "share" did undocumented residents pay, or poor individuals that now receive welfare, that could work two jobs to make ends meet, but do not, and do not get me started on the amount of fraud and abuse the Medicaid system takes under the pressure of those who make the decision not to work. And I am not just offended on behalf of my own tax dollars, but one behalf of the person who really needs the aid and cannot get it because Mr. Obama believes $500 million dollars is necessary to take assault rifles out of the hands of people who would procure them legally. Here is what is fair, the United States ceases to recognize the needs of anyone who is not in this country legally, children cannot go to public school unless their parent's pay taxes, or an annual "tuition" that includes the additional expenses to the school district for having to pay unbudgeted and high salaries to teachers specializing in ESL, poor adults without children should get a second job to make ends meet the same way most f have had to in our lifetimes, and those who are on unemployment for more than 6 months should be required to enter into a vocational education that makes them employable. Parents of the same children should not be able to receive Medicaid in two different states as a double payment and Medicaid should have a term limit. All aid should come with the caveat that the recipients give back to the community in some way, whether it is picking up trash or helping in the schools, etc. Healthcare reform should be a true reform and not an attack on health care given that so many industries contribute to the high cost including the education, legal system, medical supplies, technology, and so forth and quite frankly, the government should stay out it given that they are only creating more expense, have no idea what they are trying to regulate, and have yet to deploy and sustain a successful program.

So rather than to deter me from airing my dissatisfaction with my appointed representation, my mother has done quite the opposite because I am a tax paying citizen that respectfully disagrees with the direction this country is headed and will not sit down and be polite about it. I am free to address my public officials in any means necessary and not just with the problems, but I have solutions.

In 3 days, I will mourn the illogical decision that was made to remain damned by status quo and then I will tackle the 1460 days of Obama's Obstinacy.

I'm Alive!!!!

This year has had its share of ups and downs, but I am well. One of my employees was terminated due to long-term disability, never left the hospital due to the infection she contracted from the facility, and died in March. My heart was broken as I spent the year she was in the hospital reading to her, visiting with her, and providing strength and love to her adult children. I left DH in April for a promotion and career path with KP and needed to get away from the dysfunction of the Executive staff. My Mimi died in April, making me incredibly thankful that Little and I went to visit her last year. I graduated with a Masters' degree in May, G and I celebrated 9 years of marriage in July, and Little is at Girl Scout camp. My running sucks, my job is great, and my family is everything to me. I am traveling quite a bit, but that should slow down after November. Yes, I am alive and I am living!

Welcome baby New Year

I am not sorry to see 2011 retire itself. What an incredibly difficult year we had with the death of our beloved Gunther dog, my surgery, a case of Shingles for me, the death of my beloved father in law, and dis-satisfaction with our current jobs. In 2012, I will graduate with my MBA, Little will turn 8, both our boys will be in their 20's, G turns 50, and I turn 40, while we celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary and the 14th year as partners. There is so much to look forward to, including my continued physical transformation. I am sure I have gone into each new year with a certain level of optimism, but I hope that I represent a new level than ever before. I feel so alive and engaged in this year to come and hope that there are additional reasons to celebrate in 2012.

Welcome to my vacation from school

Today was the first Sunday in months that I have not had to work on a school assignment and wasn't real sure what to do with myself. So I baked 24 dozen cookies, watched football, and did laundry. I have a break from school until January and then I only have two classes before I graduate. I cannot believe I am going to walk across a stage on May 5th to accept my graduate diploma. I AM SO EXCITED. I am hoping that it opens new doors for me as it is time for me to take the next step in my career and I do not think socialized medicine is the right path for me. There has been some office politics drama and that has curbed my enthusiasm for the environment I am in right now.

My weight is coming down and I have been able to clean out a major portion of my closet. Because Little is out of school, I can get up a bit later in the morning and still work out and because I am out of school, I can exercise in the afternoons as well. The dance school is out until after the New Year, which will help me have more time to make meals at night. I hope the combination will assist in losing a few more pounds

They Say It's Your Birthday

Yes, today I am 39. Holy Crap- my last 30-something birthday. I guess getting older is a good thing given that the alternative is death. The best part of the weekend was that I ran a tiny bit and that got me inspired to do a little more of that. My beautiful friend reminded me how powerful running is as a competition with yourself through her blog and I yearn to feel that again. I have a lot to do in this next year and it's time to board the train.

Back in the saddle again

So I have been super busy, we have a new addition to our family: Kerstone's Baron Maximillian Von Atticus, the cutesy German Shepherd pup. My 2nd fill has taken hold and I am back to losing weight again. With the new puppy, I am getting more walking in. Little has started dancing, which gives me time to swim too. This is a marathon and not a sprint.