Once again I am astounded by the Speaker of the House. See for yourself as Nancy Pelosi talks about the National Healthcare Reform Bill
More on the story here:
Nancy's Speech
The comment is about 5-6 paragraphs from the bottom.
Cue music now..doodoo doodoo...How stupid does she think Americans are??
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Random Round Up
* I met Mitt Romney last night. The experience was ALMOST as magical as when I met Harrison Ford.
*Tim was ordained a deacon today. I asked him if he felt different and he said yes.
*I love Emily's laugh.
*As soon as Tim's ordination was done and he did the round of handshakes and hugs Ethan piped up, 'My turn!'
*I got to teach Sunday School on the week my family was visiting for my nephew's farewell. I liked it. It was fun. And I appreciated the insights they added.
*My nephew is going to speak Dutch!
*Mike is headed back to work tomorrow. He's had 3 days of work in the last 3 weeks. Ugh...for him. It will be a long day.
*I think Savanna looks cute in braids.
*Sierra asked me if she was a peacemaker. Yes, she is very much a peacemaker. :)
*I'm slacking on my daily picture taking. And I'm ok with that. Seasons...right?
*I hope I can find my green shirt in time for Wednesday. (in my profile) I just have a bad feeling that it might get lost in the laundry for one day. That would be my luck.
*Wait I SHOULD have good luck if I have a green shirt...right?
*Mitt has a good handshake. AND I got to eat hors devoures.
*How do you spell check hors devoures?
*Amy and Brenda I'm putting you on that.
*I also got a free book at the Mitt Romney thing and got to sit in the Gold section.
*It rocks to have friends that win things on the radio then invite you along.
*Today is pi day. (no that is not a misspelling.) 3.1415 That's all I can remember.
*Tim knows pi to the 29th digit.
*Everyone needs a 4 year old.
*Am I the only mean mom that does not give her kids band-aids unless she sees blood?
*Ethan is a hug-aholic.
*I'm also addicted to Ethan's hugs.
*Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60s. Did you hear me??? THE 60s!!!!!!
*How come I'm tired like I had MORE hours in the day tonight rather than less?
*I used Sierra's camera to take pictures of when I met Mitt.
*I don't know how to use Sierra's camera.
*I have no pictures of me meeting Mitt.
* I don't like sitting on the 3rd row in church. It feels just a little too personal for me. 7th row is much better.
*I finished both the Hunger Games and Catching Fire.
*I dreamed about both....they are very strange books...but addicting just the same.
*I don't really like confetti.
*I love popcorn.
*I hope I can talk Mike into making it this time rather than me.
*Good night.
*Tim was ordained a deacon today. I asked him if he felt different and he said yes.
*I love Emily's laugh.
*As soon as Tim's ordination was done and he did the round of handshakes and hugs Ethan piped up, 'My turn!'
*I got to teach Sunday School on the week my family was visiting for my nephew's farewell. I liked it. It was fun. And I appreciated the insights they added.
*My nephew is going to speak Dutch!
*Mike is headed back to work tomorrow. He's had 3 days of work in the last 3 weeks. Ugh...for him. It will be a long day.
*I think Savanna looks cute in braids.
*Sierra asked me if she was a peacemaker. Yes, she is very much a peacemaker. :)
*I'm slacking on my daily picture taking. And I'm ok with that. Seasons...right?
*I hope I can find my green shirt in time for Wednesday. (in my profile) I just have a bad feeling that it might get lost in the laundry for one day. That would be my luck.
*Wait I SHOULD have good luck if I have a green shirt...right?
*Mitt has a good handshake. AND I got to eat hors devoures.
*How do you spell check hors devoures?
*Amy and Brenda I'm putting you on that.
*I also got a free book at the Mitt Romney thing and got to sit in the Gold section.
*It rocks to have friends that win things on the radio then invite you along.
*Today is pi day. (no that is not a misspelling.) 3.1415 That's all I can remember.
*Tim knows pi to the 29th digit.
*Everyone needs a 4 year old.
*Am I the only mean mom that does not give her kids band-aids unless she sees blood?
*Ethan is a hug-aholic.
*I'm also addicted to Ethan's hugs.
*Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60s. Did you hear me??? THE 60s!!!!!!
*How come I'm tired like I had MORE hours in the day tonight rather than less?
*I used Sierra's camera to take pictures of when I met Mitt.
*I don't know how to use Sierra's camera.
*I have no pictures of me meeting Mitt.
* I don't like sitting on the 3rd row in church. It feels just a little too personal for me. 7th row is much better.
*I finished both the Hunger Games and Catching Fire.
*I dreamed about both....they are very strange books...but addicting just the same.
*I don't really like confetti.
*I love popcorn.
*I hope I can talk Mike into making it this time rather than me.
*Good night.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Two Thumbs up for my Represenative--Richard Greenwood
I sent a letter to my Utah House Representative today. And he responded...FAST. I just thought I'd share:
Dear Representative Greenwood,
You may remember me, I had the opportunity along with my husband to discuss many issues with you in our home before you first took office. Of those issues public education took the fore front. I really appreciated the time you spent with us and your thoughtful conversation. I am writing you today to urge you to do all you can to fund public charter schools in a fair and equitable way. You may remember our conversation about the frustrations I was having with my son and daughter in our local public school. Let me tell you what has happened since.
My son starting in 2nd grade was bumped up a grade for his math studies. He excelled and did great with the accelerated studies until 4th grade. At that time we had a new principal and she was unwilling to facilitate the timing between classes to allow this opportunity to continue for my son and several other kids. At the time, it was arranged that my son’s 4th grade teacher would teach him the 5th grade material. My son’s teacher refused to do that as agreed. After working with both the teacher and principal for many months to solve this problem, the principal finally told me. “It is not a good idea to push a kid in math because he will run out of classes to take”. I was astounded by this because had my child had a disability, they would have been required to teach him at his level. As it was, he was excelled in a subject but they had no interest in furthering his education and this was to his detriment. He began to be bored and his citizenship grades greatly declined as the year went on. To me, this meant the principal and teacher were just not willing to put forth the effort to make something useful work. At that point I started looking around for other educational opportunities and found Venture Academy. It is a charter school in it’s second year and teaches expeditionary learning. You have several constituents that go to this school. What this means is that the goal is to intertwine the core classes in in-depth examination of a subject. They also do multi-age grouping for learning and encourage kids to be taught at the level they are ready for and need. This was a great solution for my family.
But, the story does not end there. Because of the distance to the charter school, I decided to put my kindergartner in our local public school. And would you believe what I found. Class sizes across the board (with the exception of kindergarten) had decreased from when my older kids attended. This was most impressive in the 6th grade class where 3 years ago there were 31-34 kids in a class and this year the beginning of the year class list had 28. Just ask any teacher if a decrease of 6 kids in a 6th grade class would make a difference. This decrease I believe is directly related to the opening of 2 charter schools in our district boundaries. In addition, I also found out that the principal has once again instituted the opportunity for students that are more advanced in math to take classes at a higher level than their grade. To me this can ONLY be attributed to the competition that was felt from several families leaving the school due to similar frustrations I had.
Charter schools are not for everyone, they are a piece of the puzzle and along with traditional public schools can help parents and students find the right fit for their education. Please do all you can to ensure these choices are available for all the kids in your district whether they go to traditional public schools or public charter schools.
Thank you for your service,
Kat(I put in my full name and address...but you don't really care now do you.)
The cool thing...he wrote back...FAST (within a half hour) didn't expect that on the second to last day of the session but that gives him 2 thumbs up from me. :)
I do remember visiting you and your husband several years ago in your home. I have enjoyed reading your comments and support what you have said. I have had others write me similar stories. I will do what I can to see that money continues to be spent on our charter schools.
Please let me know if there are any other issues that you feel need to be brought to my attention.
Richard
So...go on if you have an issue write to your representative...who knows what will come of it! To find your legislators in Utah go here: Utah Legislators
Dear Representative Greenwood,
You may remember me, I had the opportunity along with my husband to discuss many issues with you in our home before you first took office. Of those issues public education took the fore front. I really appreciated the time you spent with us and your thoughtful conversation. I am writing you today to urge you to do all you can to fund public charter schools in a fair and equitable way. You may remember our conversation about the frustrations I was having with my son and daughter in our local public school. Let me tell you what has happened since.
My son starting in 2nd grade was bumped up a grade for his math studies. He excelled and did great with the accelerated studies until 4th grade. At that time we had a new principal and she was unwilling to facilitate the timing between classes to allow this opportunity to continue for my son and several other kids. At the time, it was arranged that my son’s 4th grade teacher would teach him the 5th grade material. My son’s teacher refused to do that as agreed. After working with both the teacher and principal for many months to solve this problem, the principal finally told me. “It is not a good idea to push a kid in math because he will run out of classes to take”. I was astounded by this because had my child had a disability, they would have been required to teach him at his level. As it was, he was excelled in a subject but they had no interest in furthering his education and this was to his detriment. He began to be bored and his citizenship grades greatly declined as the year went on. To me, this meant the principal and teacher were just not willing to put forth the effort to make something useful work. At that point I started looking around for other educational opportunities and found Venture Academy. It is a charter school in it’s second year and teaches expeditionary learning. You have several constituents that go to this school. What this means is that the goal is to intertwine the core classes in in-depth examination of a subject. They also do multi-age grouping for learning and encourage kids to be taught at the level they are ready for and need. This was a great solution for my family.
But, the story does not end there. Because of the distance to the charter school, I decided to put my kindergartner in our local public school. And would you believe what I found. Class sizes across the board (with the exception of kindergarten) had decreased from when my older kids attended. This was most impressive in the 6th grade class where 3 years ago there were 31-34 kids in a class and this year the beginning of the year class list had 28. Just ask any teacher if a decrease of 6 kids in a 6th grade class would make a difference. This decrease I believe is directly related to the opening of 2 charter schools in our district boundaries. In addition, I also found out that the principal has once again instituted the opportunity for students that are more advanced in math to take classes at a higher level than their grade. To me this can ONLY be attributed to the competition that was felt from several families leaving the school due to similar frustrations I had.
Charter schools are not for everyone, they are a piece of the puzzle and along with traditional public schools can help parents and students find the right fit for their education. Please do all you can to ensure these choices are available for all the kids in your district whether they go to traditional public schools or public charter schools.
Thank you for your service,
Kat(I put in my full name and address...but you don't really care now do you.)
The cool thing...he wrote back...FAST (within a half hour) didn't expect that on the second to last day of the session but that gives him 2 thumbs up from me. :)
I do remember visiting you and your husband several years ago in your home. I have enjoyed reading your comments and support what you have said. I have had others write me similar stories. I will do what I can to see that money continues to be spent on our charter schools.
Please let me know if there are any other issues that you feel need to be brought to my attention.
Richard
So...go on if you have an issue write to your representative...who knows what will come of it! To find your legislators in Utah go here: Utah Legislators
Sunday, March 7, 2010
FanFREAKINGtastic
FanFREAKINGtastic
That was the one word Tim's friend Ben used when he asked how to describe the evening.
I couldn't help it...I smiled.
I had the complete pleasure of accompanying Tim and 2 friends (Ben and Logan) to their first ever Utah State Basketball game. By the way how cool is it to have have a special cheer for when you are up by 22!? Too funny. You gotta feel 'a little' bad for the opposing team though when the crowd does the winning team, losing team chant. It is a masterpiece and can only endear opponents to Logan that much more
I'd say it was a hit. Ben a self proclaimed Weber Wildcat but not much of a basketball fan and Logan (who had been to Logan at least once before but still thought it cool to see his name in various places) were soon singing along with the scotsman and the englishman.
We had all the elements to a good night for 12 year old boys . Pizza at Grandma and Grandpa' s house, basketball and LaBeau's shakes and fries at the end. I even made some 'points' when I was able to sing along with their renditions of Weird Al songs.
I was pleasantly surprised by the conversation turns including, waiting until you are 16 to date, not watching R rated movies. and why it is ok to NOT swear...it shows you are legitimately strong to stick to your values. Yeah I was impressed. So glad Tim has good friends.
I told Tim I had a great time and said I hope he didn't mind hanging out with his Mom. He was legitimately baffled as to why that would not be cool.
That was the one word Tim's friend Ben used when he asked how to describe the evening.
I couldn't help it...I smiled.
I had the complete pleasure of accompanying Tim and 2 friends (Ben and Logan) to their first ever Utah State Basketball game. By the way how cool is it to have have a special cheer for when you are up by 22!? Too funny. You gotta feel 'a little' bad for the opposing team though when the crowd does the winning team, losing team chant. It is a masterpiece and can only endear opponents to Logan that much more
I'd say it was a hit. Ben a self proclaimed Weber Wildcat but not much of a basketball fan and Logan (who had been to Logan at least once before but still thought it cool to see his name in various places) were soon singing along with the scotsman and the englishman.
We had all the elements to a good night for 12 year old boys . Pizza at Grandma and Grandpa' s house, basketball and LaBeau's shakes and fries at the end. I even made some 'points' when I was able to sing along with their renditions of Weird Al songs.
I was pleasantly surprised by the conversation turns including, waiting until you are 16 to date, not watching R rated movies. and why it is ok to NOT swear...it shows you are legitimately strong to stick to your values. Yeah I was impressed. So glad Tim has good friends.
I told Tim I had a great time and said I hope he didn't mind hanging out with his Mom. He was legitimately baffled as to why that would not be cool.
I love that Kid.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Confidential to Mike's Doctor...
Saying things like...he's not oozing so much anymore so he didn't have to have a transfusion...are um NOT helpful!
Mike had sinus surgery today. The actual procedure has about 3000 letters in it, but it is affectionately called the Sinus 'Rotor-Rooter' by all medical personnel involved. He started off about 1/2 hour late to the operating room and they had told him it would be about an hour surgery. I slipped out to get some lunch and returned to the waiting room at that 'golden' hour time slot. Another hour and a half later I was still waiting. Meanwhile various surgeons had entered the waiting room to give loved ones updates. Things like.
*Well, It's NOT a tumor {At all!}
and
*That was QUITE the Aneurysm. He'd had it a LONG time...and his aorta was most definitely dissected even though the 3 CAT scans indicated it had NOT been.
So I thought it quite strange when it came my turn the surgeon didn't visit me in the waiting room, rather they moved me to a consult room...and said the surgeon was just finishing up and would be there shortly to tell me 'how it had gone'. 30 minutes later...still waiting. I admit I was a BIT nervous considering things like Major aneurysms and tumors had been discussed openly in the waiting room AND the surgeon was late...very very late. Then when he finally slips in and tells me Mike DIDN'T (after all) need a transfusion {I didn't know that it was a likelihood). Then stops mid sentence and asks...does he have a cpap machine. Which I didn't even know what it was--google tells me its for sleep apnea. And finishes with, the nurses were wondering and wanted to know if he was staying the night. It was SUPPOSED to be outpatient. I guess he thought I would feel better when he told them he hadn't planned on it. Needless to say I was a bit confused with the whole exchange. But alas, despite looking really peaky when I finally got to see him in recovery, he is coming a long Ok. Sore throat due to ramming the the air tube down him notwithstanding.
So, kindly, I offer this suggestion to our surgeon. If you DON"T need to do a transfusion...don't tell me about it.
Mike had sinus surgery today. The actual procedure has about 3000 letters in it, but it is affectionately called the Sinus 'Rotor-Rooter' by all medical personnel involved. He started off about 1/2 hour late to the operating room and they had told him it would be about an hour surgery. I slipped out to get some lunch and returned to the waiting room at that 'golden' hour time slot. Another hour and a half later I was still waiting. Meanwhile various surgeons had entered the waiting room to give loved ones updates. Things like.
*Well, It's NOT a tumor {At all!}
and
*That was QUITE the Aneurysm. He'd had it a LONG time...and his aorta was most definitely dissected even though the 3 CAT scans indicated it had NOT been.
So I thought it quite strange when it came my turn the surgeon didn't visit me in the waiting room, rather they moved me to a consult room...and said the surgeon was just finishing up and would be there shortly to tell me 'how it had gone'. 30 minutes later...still waiting. I admit I was a BIT nervous considering things like Major aneurysms and tumors had been discussed openly in the waiting room AND the surgeon was late...very very late. Then when he finally slips in and tells me Mike DIDN'T (after all) need a transfusion {I didn't know that it was a likelihood). Then stops mid sentence and asks...does he have a cpap machine. Which I didn't even know what it was--google tells me its for sleep apnea. And finishes with, the nurses were wondering and wanted to know if he was staying the night. It was SUPPOSED to be outpatient. I guess he thought I would feel better when he told them he hadn't planned on it. Needless to say I was a bit confused with the whole exchange. But alas, despite looking really peaky when I finally got to see him in recovery, he is coming a long Ok. Sore throat due to ramming the the air tube down him notwithstanding.
So, kindly, I offer this suggestion to our surgeon. If you DON"T need to do a transfusion...don't tell me about it.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Details
Details...It's why I haven't blogged about Disneyland. Details are overwhelming. I want details. I want lots of good, gooey, meaty details. Disney is really good at details. Fresh flowers on the lamp posts. Fast Passes. Themed Gift Shops. They have 20,000 employees in the park itself (I just looked it up) to make sure I'm happy. INSANE...yet wonderful. The ride workers have theme costume uniforms. Those that clean the bathrooms are dressed all in white...to not stand out I am assuming. The street sweepers blend in with the crowd to make it a mess free stay. Really is it bad that I spent a considerable time just marveling at how they managed to make it all work so seamlessly together. They really have it down. Me...not so much there is some definite Disney let down going on over here. Real life...sometimes just sucks. Disney...rocks!To sum up our trip...it was like the commercials. Skipping down mainstreet to Zippidee Do Dah and all that. A bit sickening huh?
Ok so I 'might' have forgotten, the little 'standing too close to the guy in front of you episode' in the line for Woody's 3-D interactive ride. Or few elbows in my space comments on the trip to and from. Or maybe the 300 are we there yet questions. But really...how much better can a relaxing vacation get then wearing your feet out nearly to the bone in the pursuit of thrills and smiles. It was good.
Some favorite moments:
*Ethan with his hands up for the camera going down splash mountain.
*Getting to ride through splash mountain 3 times in a row with out having to get out of the log!
*Savanna's response to Mike's question after the California Screamin' roller coaster. How was it? SCARY, I hated it....Let's go AGAIN! And she did.
*Emily's conquering of her wild ride fears.
*Tim's pure enjoyment of making funny faces for every ride camera.
*Sierra's pure...Just try to tell me I don't want to go on that ride because you'd be wrong attitude.
*The motion sickness pills that my friend Paula gave that REALLY work.
*Dragging Savanna's Kindergarten class Bear around the park so we could journal about his adventures over the weekend...then sending him back UPS for the next kid.
*Not having to ride the teacups!
*Having awesome friends that made the trip THAT much more fun.
*The lady at the entrance gate bundled up in a coat during the mid-60 weather asking us if we had checked the weather forecast and are we not cold as we walked in with shorts and t-shirts.
*Actually getting Beach silhouettes!
* The happiness we had being together as a family.
*Getting to ride through splash mountain 3 times in a row with out having to get out of the log!
*Savanna's response to Mike's question after the California Screamin' roller coaster. How was it? SCARY, I hated it....Let's go AGAIN! And she did.
*Emily's conquering of her wild ride fears.
*Tim's pure enjoyment of making funny faces for every ride camera.
*Sierra's pure...Just try to tell me I don't want to go on that ride because you'd be wrong attitude.
*The motion sickness pills that my friend Paula gave that REALLY work.
*Dragging Savanna's Kindergarten class Bear around the park so we could journal about his adventures over the weekend...then sending him back UPS for the next kid.
*Not having to ride the teacups!
*Having awesome friends that made the trip THAT much more fun.
*The lady at the entrance gate bundled up in a coat during the mid-60 weather asking us if we had checked the weather forecast and are we not cold as we walked in with shorts and t-shirts.
*Actually getting Beach silhouettes!
* The happiness we had being together as a family.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Twelve
Twelve Traits of Tim1. Energetic
2. Smart
3. Funny
4. Giving
5. Kind
6. Ambitious
7. True
8. Honest
9. Thoughtful
10. Artistic
11. Musical
12. Creative
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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