Don't Mess With Texas

Evidently at midnight, "sequester" happens whatever the heck THAT is...  It's not that I'm an uninformed voter, it's just that they've cried "Wolf" one too many times, so I haven't even been trying to learn what it is. It doesn't matter anyway.  I don't believe the politicians, especially the Democrats. They are a bunch of liars and deceivers. They pass different rules for themselves than for their constituents. They are, in essence, above the law and are making sure they stay that way. That's when it transfers from a democracy or republic to a dictatorship or kingdom. Yes, we have voted these people in office but the system is so messed up, that most of the people that will run and put up with all of this have very poor character and nine times out of ten, are in in for the very wrong reasons.
So here in Texas, I say secede. You think that's crazy? Why? The majority of Texans vote conservatively and our leaders in power are making good decisions. Yes, there are the Sheila Jackson Lee's in Houston, but they don't speak for most of us. This country was built on a group of states that united for common money exchange and protection, but 'states rights' ruled and kept each area governed by the type of people in that area. Texans are VERY different from those in New Hampshire and Washington state. Yet, with the way our elective process is structured, those few people in New Hampshire influence our presidency in a huge way. So, just as the European Union is getting shaky, maybe the United States should too if the federal government keeps trying to take our rights. They aren't a kingdom, they are temporary people voted in. They are SUPPOSED to be our representatives. In Texas, they are and they DO represent us. We believe in the second amendment. Let me rephrase that - we believe in ALL of the amendments. We have strong, tough men here who want to defend their families. We have oil we want to drill for. We want healthcare and everything else to be independent. We believe in freedom of the individual and not socialism.
The ridiculousness of Washington keeps getting worse and worse... probably past the point of no return. I say let's go back to state's rights, or even regional state's rights and go back to our roots.
Anybody have a better suggestion??

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear..."

Today was grueling... It was the day I had an appointment for my annual mammogram... Let me preface this by telling my story as briefly as I can. In the late spring of 2006, I had a regular mammogram and I got a registered letter saying that something was wrong. When I went in, they explained that there were "shadows" and that I needed a biopsy to rule out cancer. They assured me that it was probably fine, and just a precaution. My sister had a breast removed a few years back, but I really didn't think they would find anything.
I went in for the biopsy, thinking that it would be quick and painless. Wrong... It's not that it was painful, but I would compare it to getting a root canal. They take away the pain but they don't... It was much scarier than I thought it would be. You have to lay face down on this narrow board of a table with a whole in it where your breast hangs through the hole due to gravity. You can't move for an hour, and so you get really sore from being so stiff. Then they do that again and it takes all morning. They don't give you any valium, which is probably needed, but then you would probably move. They are looking through a screen at your breast and trying to "shoot" what looks like a small BB into the breast in the "troubled" area. This took hours, and although I'm not a crier, it makes you want to sob (and most women do.) Then you go home and they don't give you the results until the next day (unless it's a Friday like it usually is for me.) And mine came back as breast cancer in the beginning stages, still encapsulated.
After you get over the shock of being told you have "the C word," then you start asking friends which doctors you should talk to. These were all the best of the best in San Antonio. The first doctor said (very cocky and confidently) that he would remove both breasts and do a hysterectomy. Ummm, I decided to get a second opinion. The next surgeon said he would remove that breast and give me the  drugs that sound scary. (This is the option my sister chose.) Then, I found a woman doctor who only works on breast cancer cases. She's a tough woman and previous army doctor. She said that she would do a lumpectomy and see how aggressive it was. This is the option I chose.
The day surgery was set up in San Antonio's best hospital, and all went pretty well. My entire family came, and I felt good enough to leave after the day surgery and get Mexican food. I waited with baited breath for the results the next day but wasn't prepared for what happened. The doctor called to say that this had never happened before, but she missed the BB. She took out the wrong lump. She apologized and said I had to get the surgery again. And still had to pay the same (huge) amount for the second operation. Wow... Ordinarily I would have told her to get lost and find another surgeon, but I decided to do what she said. So, I had the same surgery two weeks later. This time they made sure the BB was in the mass while I was under to make sure. And this time I got really sick from the anesthesia, and had a much worse recovery.
When the doctor called the next day, she said the cancer was gone. She was baffled. I said God healed me, as I was on every prayer chain in America plus my pastor and church were praying constantly. She paused and said, well, maybe. She added that sometimes an initial operation could make your immune system really kick in. I had never heard of that and besides, I knew that God had healed me since I had made lots of foxhole promises that I intended on keeping, and have. She offered radiation for good measure and the strong drugs, but why? The cancer was gone. She said it herself. She said okay, then we will just watch it very closely. I went every 6 months for two years, and now it's annually.
But it's always grueling. Today, I went armed with my Bible. It's the biggest woman's imaging center in South Texas, and it's all they do. All the women in my waiting room are in my same boat. Previous breast cancer, and doing the annual exam only much more detailed. Last year it went fast, and only took about 20 minutes. Today she did those tests, and then you wait while the radiologist reads it. Later they came back for longer, more painful and more detailed tests and then more waiting.
Then, much later they came back for a long sonogram on each breast. And then, the words I had longed to hear, "You're good to go." Yahoooooooooo!! Happy Dance!! I had decided in the car when I was praying, that when I got my good report, I would go back to the other women waiting in prison to find out their fate, that I was praying for them (and I was) and I did. Then I texted my family that I had asked to pray. Then I turned on worship songs of praise.  And I treated myself to some of my favorite foods for lunch. And then I proceeded to cry most of the way home. Such a huge relief. Such a nerve-wracking morning.
At least there are 364 more days of bliss until I have to do it again...

You can't win 'em all...

We lost in the playoffs tonight - at least we're Area Champs!!

Snarky Oscars 2013 Red Carpet Review with Alex

 Me: Okay, let's go - just saw Jessica Chastain - looks killer good - perfect color for her
Alex: She is stunning
Me: Old Hollywood glamour
Me: Why does Kelly O still have purple hair?
Alex: Idk. I'm over it.
Me: Ha yes
Me: Both E gals in black? I thought we said a "black-free zone..."
Alex: I know. Blah.
Alex: Jessica looks so elegant.
Me: She's SOOO cute
Alex: So sweet
Me: Ryan Seacrest never changes - he's like Dick Clark
Alex: Love Ryan. So reliable and classy.
Me: Yes, he is a class act
Me: Amy Adams looked nice in that quick shot
Alex: Yes, but I really want some WOW moments this year, not just "that's nice"
Me: sooooo true
Me: I don't know the emcee this year - Seth somebody
Alex: He's the creator of Family Guy :/
Me: Amy needs a necklace
Me: Oooooh I DO love Amy's dress now that I see all of it
Alex: Amy needs more color but I like the dress and the look
Me: Its' southern belle. I agree on color - more for a dark brunette

 Me: Samantha Barks -- that looks trashy... and cheap and gross - and black - argggg
Alex: I bet Amy's dress is beautiful in person
Me: Yeah, me too
Me: Channing Tatum's wife is so pretty - she's from Texas
Me: Zoe Saldana looks good in white
Me: Kerry Washington always looks classy
Me: Reese's hair looks great
Alex: E shows their own people too much
Me: I know!!
Me: Channing Tatum is not my type
Alex: Not mine either
Alex: Reese looks very old Hollywood bombshell
Me: Reese looks pretty but I don't like that color on her... but her hair makes it though
Alex: True!
Me: I like her in pastels
Me: Octavia rocks! Always perf for her
Alex: Octavia looks amazing. Love the tulle!
Me: Me too! She's so southern
Alex: Kerri looks great in coral
Me: Yes perf!
Alex: It had some really pretty details
Me: and sparkle
Alex: Zoe Saldana's dress is awesome - very cool
Me: Yes & unique
Me: Reese is darling
Alex: Reese's dress is a smidge boring but the whole look is a success
Me: Yes, very smart - Polished
Alex: Exactly
Me: They all look very skinny
Me: They're all probably very hungry
Me: I can't decide if I like Amanda Seyfried's dress...
Me: Almost all of them have their hair up
Me: And Jennifer Lawrence's look is kind of boring
Alex: I love lavender but I hate turtlenecks
Me: Yes, turtlenecks should never be worn to award shows - unless you just had neck surgery...
Me: Sally Field's dress looks like an old nightgown - although she looks super young for her age
Alex: JL is the Givenchy spokesperson and her dresses have been so one note
Me: That is very disappointing - and her hair is boring - she is so pretty but what an average look
Alex: But JL is hilarious
Me: Oh yeah, I love her personality
Alex: Not a pageant pony
Me: Just saw the bottom of JL's dress finally - it's really cool though
Alex: SO bland. An all white column dress is for weddings.
Me: I totally agree
Alex: Zoe Saldana is the only risk taker so far.
Alex: Catherine Zeta Jones looks gorgeous - very va va voom
Me: I'm not sure that I like it - it's a little too garish for me
Me: But she is a gorgeous lady
Alex: It's not drab. I'm over drab! Bring on the fabulous!
Me: Right on!
Alex: I'm on the fence about Melissa McCarthy
Me: Kinda drab gray
Me: Nothing fabulous yet
Me: I don't like Jennifer Hudson's dress at all - not the right dress for the Oscars
Alex: Too much going on
Me: Weirrrddd
Alex: But the color is nice on her
Me: Yep
Me: Ryan is so short
Me: Catherine Zeta Jones' dress is too gold for me - she looks like an Oscar statue
Alex: I think it's awesome
Me: Is she your best dressed so far?
Me: I guess Jessica Chastain is best dressed so far
Alex: Me too
Me: Helen Hunt reminds me of my sister a little bit
Alex: Totally
Me: If I were a star and I were there, I would want to be in something very unique - I think I would take a chance
Me: Jane Fonda looks really good for her age but she's had a lot of work done
Alex: Jane looks so good
Me: I love Ann Hathaway's dress for her - it's very 70's retro and I like it
Alex: Hate it
Me: Hmmmm, I love it
Alex: HATE it
Me: (laughing)
Me: Naomi Watts has a lot of sparkly but I don't know if I like it - it's almost futuristic
Alex: Naomi took a risk. It's quite modern.
Me: At least it's not boring - again silver should be on a dark brunette
Me: I hate Charlize's hair
Me: I'm not digging the dress either
Alex: White. Boring.
Me: Yeah. Too simple of jewelry
Alex: The Oscars are always a disappointment. Everything is either one color and structured or a very blah color ball gown.
Me: I know, the stylists have taken over it all and the designers
Me: They dictate too much - it was a lot more exciting and unique when I was in high school
Me: Jennifer Aniston's in red?!?! Not white or black??!! It's crazy -- we should buy a lottery ticket
Alex: Lol!!
Me: Ha ha look at Bradley Cooper's mother in a boa
Alex: Rockin' the boa
Me: I guess the women of E were told to wear black?
Me: Blah blah blah
Alex: Most of the nominees have already rocked the carpet
Me: Hmmm, lets' switch to ABC because they are live now
Alex: Cool
Me: The Golden Globes are still my favorite - way more fun and it adds the TV people
Me: Bradley Cooper's mother has on silver tennis shoes with her boa
Me: I like Kristin Chenowith's dress better than most of the stars
Me: What do you think of Nicole Kidman's dress? Flattering on her - they make a cute couple
Alex: I think Bradley Cooper's mom is a hoot
Me: Yeah, his mother said she "just pulled her dress out of her closet"
Me: Charlize looks like a robot
Alex: If Charlize can't pull off a pixie cut, no one can
Me: It just looks too manly - even on her
Alex: Nicole's looks great. But she is so vanilla to talk to
Me: Yeah, she seems like she was mad
Alex: Lose the 'tude dude
Me: Haha!
Alex: Kristin Chenowith is very proud of how small she is
Me: Hugh Jackman's wife is in a black tux-looking outfit??
Me: Yeah, Kristin is Kathy P. - haha - I don't know if you remember me talking about that tiny girl in my sorority who always thought she was so cute and said, "I'm Kathy P and I wear child size clothes!"
Me: Halle Berry is AMAZING
Me: I didn't realize how big Adele is
Alex: (Halle) so fabulous
Alex: Stacy (Kiebler) wins
Me: I don't think I like Stacy's dress
Alex: What???!!??
Me: I mean it's okay but for some reason it's bothering me
Alex: Love it!!!!!
Me: But she gets points for being unusual
Me: Okay Sandra Bullock looks pretty - it's black but I do like the sparkle
Wrapping up on our favorite dresses
Alex:
1. Stacy Keibler
2. Halle Berry
3. Jessica Chastain
Me:
1. Amy Adams
2. Halle Berry
3. Jessica Chastain
4. Octavia
Alex: My #4 is Bradley Cooper's mom. What a hoot!
Me: Yes, she wins most personality!!!

Will post tomorrow

Only the Good Die Young...

As expected, the huge Catholic church was filled with standing room only for the friend who passed away earlier this week. Why is it always the guy who was a really great guy? This guy was married to his high school sweetheart. They met at 15, it was love at first sight, and they haven't been apart since. This was a couple that did everything together - I even saw them both at the grocery store often. They really were each other's "better half."
Why isn't it the guy who was a jerk who played around on his wife?? Why is it always the really good one, who the entire town loved? Here was a guy that was always asking what you needed and how he could help. The one with a great sense of humor that had no enemies. The one who really appreciated his family and was in awe of them. The one that volunteered for all of the dad stuff and the one you could always count on. His oldest son was in DD's class every year from kindergarten through 8th grade at this small town's Catholic school. Since there was only one class of about 20 kids, all the parents really got to know each other since there were tons of holiday parties and fundraisers. I can remember that even at parent-teacher conferences, when it's 95% mothers, this guy always came with his wife. They had a ski boat and an RV, and were always camping and doing family activities with friends. They really lived life to the fullest. And now? His wife in her early 40's is a widow. With 3 kids to raise.
I never seem to understand that life isn't fair...

Freaky Friday

Has the world turned on it's axis?? Everything just seems soooo off lately...
I have a brain full of mush this week and all kinds of thoughts. Tuesday morning after the holiday I didn't get but DD did, a friend dropped dead of a heart attack getting his kids ready for school. Keith was one of the nicest guys in town, was 49, a fabulous husband and dad, and no apparent signs that he had heart trouble. Evidently he threw up the night before, so they just thought he was sick. Not overweight and didn't smoke. The funeral is this afternoon and the entire town will be there...
That, of course, has cast a pall over the entire week but the week has been weird anyway. My son and ex started their new jobs, and although thankful to have been hired, both have jobs that, well, are jobs with a revolving door that no one wants to do, so as soon as they find something else, they are out of there. Both are exhausting situations, so my heart goes out to them. It's like, which is worse? Staying home worrying about not working and keeping up with the Texas Workforce Commission in getting your unemployment or leaving at 6:30 am and returning home at 6:30 pm for very little money and an exhausting job. It's slavery and I don't care what anyone says. The middle class are slaves. The upper class have benefits and the lower class have "benefits" and those of us sandwiched in between are screwed. Gas has gone up sharply, and for those of us who count every penny, it is less spent somewhere else. I still liken it to musical chairs, and every time the music stops, another chair is pulled out and we're all trying to find a seat. (I guess today's generation doesn't even know what musical chairs IS since all they play is video games or sit in front of a computer.)
Sigh.
I woke up to hearing on Fox that Rush says, for the first time in his life, he is ashamed of this country. I agree!! If I even put up something political on Facebook, someone drops me because everyone is just sticking their head in the sand about what is happening in America, and quickly. We are losing freedoms every time this prez signs another executive order. We are having to fight for every single thing we always took for granted. We are fighting for the basics now - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - things we have had since the inception of this great country. You know what struck me as I reflect on my first trip to New York City last month? All of the flags, and all of the patriotism. It's lost most other places because these damn schools are removing the pledge of allegiance and God and any patriotism whatsoever. They are celebrating Muslim holidays now but removing Christian ones. They can't call it Christmas anymore, it's "winter holiday." And it's all BS!!!! Everything became so politically correct, that no one can say anything any more. Even Tim Tebow is caving on speaking at a Dallas Baptist Church because the preacher calls sin, sin. And gun control? Wow. The Sandy Hook incident has become the fighting flag for the liberals to take away the second amendment right to defend ourselves (not hunt like the libs will tell you.) The front page of my weekly paper says that ammo is scarce here and everywhere, and there are waiting lists to get guns. Here is a quote I saw this week: "This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future!" - Adolph Hitler, 1935, on the Weapons Act of Nazi Germany.
Just about says it all, doesn't it??...

It's lonely at the top...

Just read that Johnny Manziel, recent Heisman trophy winner, is going to take all of his spring classes online since he has become too high-profile to attend class. He said it's mayhem when he tries to go to a class.
I don't know.... I just find this sad. I mean, at what price do we want to be famous?? When you can't even attend class and he has 3 1/2 years left in college?!? Johnny, who graduated from high school in the small Texas town I work in, was just a regular kid here. Yeah, most kids seemed to think he was cocky, but that often goes along with being a really excellent quarterback and others get jealous. Johnny also had a stealing incident at Wal-Mart  and a bar incident in College Station, so I'm not sure how "strong his constitution is" in regard to decisions. But the article said that he only has a once a month activity on the A&M campus, so I would think that would be extremely lonely. Our society idolizes people like this which, if you think about it, is so dumb. Is it because they have (or will have) a lot of money and those people want a part of that? Is it because they get a lot of "face time" and people want a part of that? What kind of society allows paparrazi to chase actors and musicians around, violating their personal lives? Why do we care WHAT they do?? They are just actors. It's their profession. Are we wanting to see that they fail just like we do? Is it jealousy?
Sigh. I just think Americans (and the West in general) are idolizing people; it's wrong and those "stars" are suffering for it.
So are the rest of us...

Life is Good

Whew.... I haven't posted for days because DD put off her (high school) AP World History project that she has known about for a MONTH that was due TODAY until this weekend... It took her (us) all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday (well technically today since it was 2:00 am when she finished) to get it done. Well, okay, I didn't actually DO the report, but I had to drive her to get the stuff in San Antonio (and spend $100 on all that junk) and drive her to the library in a neighboring town TWICE because our library is always closed and has very little in it and mean crotchety old people who act like the Gestapo. I helped her with the ideas, sort of, although she is very creative. And since she is now sick from burning the candle at both ends, I've given her Ibuprofen and EmergenCe to prop her up to get it finished.
And in case you're wondering, here are the 3 "artifacts," in addition to the long, tedious, detailed report, she made: a Grecian theater mask, the Holy Grail, and an elephant tusk from warring elephants in India.
Oh, and she has to cheer tonight at a basketball playoff game in a neighboring town. But I'm not complaining.
Life is good.

Lu