Updates!

I am so excited. My wonderful sister helped me out of a blogging pickle. I love the new layout of my site, but I couldn't figure out how to customize my banner! My vintage 1930's Mr Sunshine was waaaay too big, and I wanted my title on my header...and Christie came to my rescue. So now it looks clean and neat and professional...thanks sissy!

I added a new site to my favorite websites app too....yes, time for some shameless self promotion...I have my own online AVON store. I got turned on to Avon by a friend of mine, and I love it. The prices and the quality are so incredibly good. I used to work at a upscale retail cosmetic store, so I know what a $50 face cream and a $25 lipstick are made of. Honestly, the Avon equivalent are just as good if not better than anything expensive I've ever tried. I already have people ordering from me and I've only been at this for less than a month!

So I am a happy girl tonight. I love my nice n neat new blog. :-)

Reflections on little boys

It was such a glorious week having my family with me. Christie, Heath, and now almost four year old Graham, who descended on Peppy's house with all the energy of a completely uninhibited little boy. Growing up with a sister, you really don't have any concept of the energy little boys possess. At random, they will beat their chests and roar, laugh like maniacs, and do "Mr. Crazy" dances with their eyes crossed till they fall over. I LOVED IT! He is growing up so fast, and I am treasuring these times with him. Christie said something really profound about little boys, that I completely understood. She said that there is something tender and bittersweet about little boys at this age. I felt it too. Little girls grow up pretending they are princesses, and in some ways never stop being princesses, at least if they find the right man someday to protect and cherish them in that special way...the way God intended it to be. But boys become men. Yes, they still like watching cartoons, and Nathaniel still starts drooling when he sees Toys R Us, but boys become the protectors of the world; the soldiers fighting wars, the bread winners, the last ones on the lifeboat. Its such a small window of time when we can actually protect our little boys. Its a time to be cherished.

My friend Laila suggested that I write down all of Graham's "isms". She is the oldest in her family and has three younger brothers, and wishes she had written down all the cute things her little brothers said and did. I'm taking her advice, and now the trick is going to be remembering them all, because there are so many! I do know that everything was about poop this time. Poopy this and poopy that....Oh, as things come to me, I'll write them down. He still pronounces his Ls as Ys...the day he gets that right will be a sad one for me.

Signing off for now, but as Graham would say...

I really yike my family!

Its a................................................................................

BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another nephew to love. God is so good.

Politics and Polar Bears

It's been a whirlwind week. I feel like that is how I start out a lot of my posts, but it keeps getting "whirlwindier"...if that is not a word, I just made it one. WELL...I took part in something amazingly historic this week. I was a co-organizer of a tax payer tea party in Beaverton, OR. It's been all over the news, but if you haven't heard, there were protests all over the nation on tax day. We were standing up against the wasteful government spending in the new stimulus bill which will inevitably lead to higher taxes and will leave future generations in crushing debt. The tea party parallel was of course, paying homage to our forefathers that dumped tea into Boston Harbor protesting the King's high taxes.

I've never taken part in a protest, much less organized one. I always thought that you crossed the line into being one of the "nut jobs" if you were a protester...honestly! But when you look back in time, early American's were just "nut jobs" from the British perspective, taking on an almost unwinnable fight, standing up for the rights of man. It was truly one of the most exhilirating experiences of my life. We had a crowd estimated at 800+ show up for this event, and we didn't really even get heckled by the opposing side, save of course for the tyrannical security guard who threatened to tow all of our cars if we didn't move them from the shopping center parking lot where we started. Our protest group was polite, not at all unruly, and surprisingly happy! Spirits were high. I expected a lot of anger but I was proud of the group. They handled themselves with so much class AND got the message across. It is possible to remain dignified while expressing a radical opinion, and I'm glad we were able to accomplish that.

Only an hour later, I was on a flight to San Francisco to testify in favor of off-shore drilling in California. Americans for Prosperity sent myself, my friend and co-organizer Marc, Richard (whom I've mentioned before) and his fiance Natasha down to represent the organization. I didn't know what to expect. I'd never testified before ( a week of firsts for me!) and it turned out I wasn't going to. The even was part of a movement to be more "transparent" about politics and open up these issues to public comment. It was organized by the Department of the Interior and several elected officials, Senator Barbara Boxer and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, were there among others. This public forum became nothing more than a sounding board for elected officials. I don't even know how many of the public actually got to speak. Plus, from the look of the crowd, there were not many people who supported our point of view. All around the hearing room, there were people dressed up like jelly fish and anemones, protesting the effect that drilling COULD have on the environment (though there is not much data to support this). On our way out of the building, I was feeling a little tired and a lot frustrated. I couldn't even speak my mind in there and give an opposing viewpoint. But my chance was coming, though to a different crowd that I had anticipated. To our left was a young woman in a polar bear suit. The had the head off, so I guess you could say she was polar bear from the neck down. Richard walks by and quips "kinda hot in there isn't it?" To which she replys..."Oh yeah, and so is my habitat! Its shrinking and melting and I can't find food, please help me!!!!" It doesn't help the fact that her voice is so incredibly annoying and whiny. I am getting grumpier and grumpier. We sit on a wall waiting for the rest our our group from National AFP to show up, and I see the polar bear rejoin her group, which consists of one girl guarding a jellyfish suit, a surfer dude, said polar bear, and another guy dressed up as a sea otter. OK. I cant' take it anymore. I have to say something.

Me to Polar Bear: Excuse me, may I ask you a question?
PB: Yeah.
Me: I'm from Oregon, and we had the coldest winter I can ever remember. 16 inches of snow. How does that fit in with global warming?

PB: Oh yeah, I heard that you guys had a cold one up there. Well, extremes in temperature, hot or cold, can mean global warming.

Me: Do you know that for a fact or are you just speculating?
Surfer Dude: Well its all just a theory.

Me: Let me ask you, does it bother you that the leaders of your movement, like Al Gore and others, are often the worst offenders, driving gas guzzling SUV's and living in ginormous houses?

SD: Yes, actually it does.

Me: So, in your opinion, who lives a life that is the perfect example of being environmentally responsible?

SD: Honestly, subsistence farmers.

Me: Ok, you do know that all of us can't live like that, don't you?

SD: Yes, I do know that.

Me: So what are we supposed to do?

SD: Well, I think that overpopulation is actually one of the main reasons we are in the mess, and over consumption of resources.

Me: So what on earth are we supposed to do about overpopulation?

SD: We can all consume less and I honestly think that high energy prices are a good thing so that we are forced to look at other options ( of course he would, because he lives in San Francisco, and I couldn't afford a shoebox there, I think...but I bite my tongue)

Me: I don't think so. Because that will cripple our economy and starve out low income families. I don't think its right to watch poor people suffer because of the principle of the thing. Besides, why can't we take contol of the natural resources we have in this country, which could stabilize prices WHILE CONTINUING to look for alternative sources of energy? Just because we use oil, it doesn't mean we cant' be looking elsewhere at the same time. What is wasteful to you?

SD: Well, for instance, if you take a job that is 40 miles away from your house, that to me is wasting fuel and energy.

Me: Ok, in my state, we are experiencing double digit unemployment. I know from experience that you have to apply for at least three jobs a week, or you can lose your unemployment money. If you refuse a job you are offered, you can also lose your unemployment. Now, I will tell you, if I have a family to feed, and I am offered a job that is 40 miles away, you better believe I am taking the job, and worrying about gas consumption won't change my decision for the good of my family.

At this point, the argument started to taper off. But I was left in amazement. It was a suprisingly civil conversation. I never lost my temper with these people, or called them idiots, tree huggers, or socialists. I approached them with curiosity. They had no idea what side I was on in the beginning. Is it possible that they are so sheltered in their world view that they never considered the cost of utopia to the common man? I am so tired of pie in the sky philosophies that don't make anyone's life better, on either side of the political aisle. I hope I made them think a little deeper about what they believe and why. If they still feel the same way, then good for them. It means that they have conviction. But in order to have true conviction in your beliefs you have to know WHY you believe them. Not just because they are chic, trendy, and of the moment. Not even because they make you feel better, but because that is what you actually believe with all your heart.

Anyway, I guess that is what you get when you discuss politics with polar bears.

Sunshine

It's been absolutely beautiful here for the past three days. Yesterday, we hit 80 degrees! It's been such a welcome change, because honestly its been a pretty dreary winter. I know in the middle of August, I'll be praying for some cool drizzle but right now I am really enjoying it.

I am missing people today. I miss Nathaniel because he had to go back to work up in Washington. I miss my sister and nephew too. I want the people I love around me today! I'm tired of my own company!LOL More later....

April Fools!

April 1, 1700

April Fools tradition popularized

Courtesy of historychannel.com

On this day in 1700, English pranksters begin popularizing the annual tradition of April Fools' Day by playing practical jokes on each other.

Although the day, also called All Fools' Day, has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, its exact origins remain a mystery. Some historians speculate that April Fools' Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. These included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as "poisson d'avril" (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person.

Historians have also linked April Fools' Day to ancient festivals such as Hilaria, which was celebrated in Rome at the end of March and involved people dressing up in disguises. There's also speculation that April Fools' Day was tied to the vernal equinox, or first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when Mother Nature fooled people with changing, unpredictable weather.

April Fools' Day spread throughout Britain during the 18th century. In Scotland, the tradition became a two-day event, starting with "hunting the gowk," in which people were sent on phony errands (gowk is a word for cuckoo bird, a symbol for fool) and followed by Tailie Day, which involved pranks played on people's derrieres, such as pinning fake tails or "kick me" signs on them.

In modern times, people have gone to great lengths to create elaborate April Fools' Day hoaxes. Newspapers, radio and TV stations and Web sites have participated in the April 1 tradition of reporting outrageous fictional claims that have fooled their audiences. In 1957, the BBC reported that Swiss farmers were experiencing a record spaghetti crop and showed footage of people harvesting noodles from trees; numerous viewers were fooled. In 1985, Sports Illustrated tricked many of its readers when it ran a made-up article about a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a fastball over 168 miles per hour. In 1996, Taco Bell, the fast-food restaurant chain, duped people when it announced it had agreed to purchase Philadelphia's Liberty Bell and intended to rename it the Taco Liberty Bell. In 1998, after Burger King advertised a "Left-Handed Whopper," scores of clueless customers requested the fake sandwich.

2009---Yep, I was right

I knew that 2009 was going to be a different year for me. A better year. I had no idea how true that was going to be. Of course, we're only getting started, and who knows what the road will bring. But I am blessed beyond belief. Here are just some of the things that God has blessed me with.

I am working at a local radio station as a morning show co-host and I love it. I co-host a conservative talk radio show in the morning with Jeff Kropf, a former State Representative here in Oregon, that I met several years ago while making my pageant appearances across the state. By a rare stroke of luck ( or Providence, you be the judge) my friend Richard happened to be working for Jeff and we all reconnected at the right time. He was looking for a co-host...I was unemployed...so there you have it!!!! It's been a life long dream of mine to be on the radio, and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity.

My journey with the ARMY has also taken a positive turn. I found out earlier this year that I received a disability rating of 40%. I know that doesn't sound like good news, but believe me, it is. I will finally have health benefits and the ability to go to grad school and have it paid for, while recieving a monthly stipend for living expenses. It will more than likely make law school a definite for me, and I wont have to work while I am going...something I did not think was possible for me.

My sister is having a baby...this speaks for itself, right? I am so incredibly in love with the feisty, intelligent, playful, animated little Graham...that I can't wait for another addition to our family.

AND...the man in the picture above! Nathaniel....the male version of me. I can't believe that I have lived this long without knowing him. He's everything I could have wanted and more. He is my best friend, and my support. I can be completely myself around him. And I thought going on match.com was a dumb idea! Thank you Mom! I bow to your superior wisdom. He was worth all the searching. I love him dearly.

How is that for a start to 2009???? Sorry for not posting for so long...I've been too busy...living, as they say!

God never forgets us. In good times or bad. And every painful episode teaches us a lesson and makes us stronger...I had to have 2007 and 2008 to really appreciate 2009. I've been thinking of my Grandma Dee a lot lately.It was two years ago yesterday that she passed away, and I miss her. I wish she were here to see where I am going and to take part in all of this. I know that she knows, and she is happy because she is with the LORD and there is no more pain or suffering and she is young again.

Whew....A LOT to catch up on. Back to blogging for me!!!

Love
Heidi