Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Halloween Fun...without the mess!!
The only downside to this is, you don't get the opportunity to roast the pumpkin seeds!!
Carve A Pumpkin
I can do this for hours..but then again, I am easily amused..
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Friday, October 20, 2006
Seems like good old common sense to me
I ran across this article on the web a couple of days ago..and I thought I would share it.
What if they win? Congress under the Democrats
If Democrats gain a majority in Congress, it won't bring major changes to Washington policy. But here are some areas where a Democratic Congress would hold some sway.
Don't think for a minute that a Democratic Congress would bring major change in Washington policy.
Democrats have no real interest in a wide-scale rollback of tax cuts, in forcing an immediate withdrawal from Iraq or in impeaching the president. Even if they did, they wouldn't have the power.
In both the House and the Senate, there's likely to be an almost even balance of power, whichever party the voters put in formal control. Each will have the ability to block the other's dearest wishes.
Still, if Democrats win the House, as the odds now favor, they will set the agenda, foiling many of President Bush's plans. And they'll exercise much closer oversight over the administration's foreign and domestic policies.
If Democrats also were to manage to take the Senate -- a less likely but growing possibility -- their power would double. With the two parties maneuvering for an edge leading up to the 2008 presidential election, the administration would have no choice but to compromise to get anything done.
Here are some areas where a Democratic Congress would hold some sway:
Taxes. Democrats would block Bush's efforts to make all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent and to fully repeal the estate tax. However, they might agree to extend some of Bush's middle-class tax cuts, such as the higher child care credit. Making college tuition tax deductible would be a fair bet under a Democratic Congress, and if Republicans lose control, oil companies may lose some tax breaks.
Minimum wage. Democrats would likely push through a hike.
Immigration. Ironically, Bush will have a greater chance of getting the guest-worker program he wants with Democrats in control of the House.
Stem cell research. A Congress controlled by Democrats would probably allow federal funding for stem cell research. But another Bush veto would be difficult to override.
Court appointments. The slender margin of power in Congress would force Bush to shun polarizing candidates for the Supreme Court and other federal positions, whether or not Democrats actually controlled the Senate. Nominees deemed too far from center wouldn't be able to win confirmation.
Formal investigations of the administration. Some official probes into charges of mismanagement and corruption are certain. The best bets: investigations of cost overruns and possible fraud in Iraq reconstruction, rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina and no-bid homeland security contracts.
Social Security. It's hard to see progress on real reform with both parties so far apart on the basics, though both talk a good game. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), who is in line to chair the House Ways and Means Committee, insists that Bush must first abandon the centerpiece of his plan -- individual retirement accounts. That's not going to happen.
In addition, if the Democrats take Congress, count on them to use their newfound authority to schedule hearings and control committee resources to push some of their favorite initiatives, including universal health care, more-generous Medicare benefits and steps to combat global warming. They'll also be more outspoken in pressing for changes in the approach to the war in Iraq. But that'll be tempered by the need to sound tough on national and homeland security.
- By Richard Sammon, Kiplinger.com
Call me a liberal but I see nothing here that isn't a win win for America...unless you're an oil company!!
What if they win? Congress under the Democrats
If Democrats gain a majority in Congress, it won't bring major changes to Washington policy. But here are some areas where a Democratic Congress would hold some sway.
Don't think for a minute that a Democratic Congress would bring major change in Washington policy.
Democrats have no real interest in a wide-scale rollback of tax cuts, in forcing an immediate withdrawal from Iraq or in impeaching the president. Even if they did, they wouldn't have the power.
In both the House and the Senate, there's likely to be an almost even balance of power, whichever party the voters put in formal control. Each will have the ability to block the other's dearest wishes.
Still, if Democrats win the House, as the odds now favor, they will set the agenda, foiling many of President Bush's plans. And they'll exercise much closer oversight over the administration's foreign and domestic policies.
If Democrats also were to manage to take the Senate -- a less likely but growing possibility -- their power would double. With the two parties maneuvering for an edge leading up to the 2008 presidential election, the administration would have no choice but to compromise to get anything done.
Here are some areas where a Democratic Congress would hold some sway:
Taxes. Democrats would block Bush's efforts to make all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts permanent and to fully repeal the estate tax. However, they might agree to extend some of Bush's middle-class tax cuts, such as the higher child care credit. Making college tuition tax deductible would be a fair bet under a Democratic Congress, and if Republicans lose control, oil companies may lose some tax breaks.
Minimum wage. Democrats would likely push through a hike.
Immigration. Ironically, Bush will have a greater chance of getting the guest-worker program he wants with Democrats in control of the House.
Stem cell research. A Congress controlled by Democrats would probably allow federal funding for stem cell research. But another Bush veto would be difficult to override.
Court appointments. The slender margin of power in Congress would force Bush to shun polarizing candidates for the Supreme Court and other federal positions, whether or not Democrats actually controlled the Senate. Nominees deemed too far from center wouldn't be able to win confirmation.
Formal investigations of the administration. Some official probes into charges of mismanagement and corruption are certain. The best bets: investigations of cost overruns and possible fraud in Iraq reconstruction, rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina and no-bid homeland security contracts.
Social Security. It's hard to see progress on real reform with both parties so far apart on the basics, though both talk a good game. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), who is in line to chair the House Ways and Means Committee, insists that Bush must first abandon the centerpiece of his plan -- individual retirement accounts. That's not going to happen.
In addition, if the Democrats take Congress, count on them to use their newfound authority to schedule hearings and control committee resources to push some of their favorite initiatives, including universal health care, more-generous Medicare benefits and steps to combat global warming. They'll also be more outspoken in pressing for changes in the approach to the war in Iraq. But that'll be tempered by the need to sound tough on national and homeland security.
- By Richard Sammon, Kiplinger.com
Call me a liberal but I see nothing here that isn't a win win for America...unless you're an oil company!!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Weekend Visit
Hubs and I took a 3 hour drive north to visit our daughter over the weekend. The visit was great and we were both struck by how mature our girl is in just 4 weeks of living on her own..there is a serenity and purpose in her we had never seen before. So proud of her..
Oh and she has some really nice new friends that we had the good fortune to meet. Here she is with one of them:
Oh and she has some really nice new friends that we had the good fortune to meet. Here she is with one of them:
I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
This is another one of those lyrics, that when I hear it...my heart just swells....heard it on my walk today....it's wonderful.
I took this picture last night from my front door...amazing colors.
I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
This is another one of those lyrics, that when I hear it...my heart just swells....heard it on my walk today....it's wonderful.
I took this picture last night from my front door...amazing colors.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
You have one new voice message
" Hi Mom, it's me...again....sorry...I don't know....I just wanted to tell you I love you and I miss alot you even though I just talked to you, but...alright so I'll talk to you tonight...sorry, that's really gay but..I don't know...I do....love ya"
I'm a bad blogger...
but what is a bad blogger anyway...shouldn't this be a place to come and go as I please...MUST I have an agenda???????? Of course not...and I am finding myself more and more agenda-less these days. I am officially an empty nester and yes there are moments when I miss the little squirt...but I am enjoying my freedom.
Finally the weather is slightly cooler and I took a nice walk this morning for the first time in a while...I turned on my new birthday ipod and off I went. I long for low humidity days but there is definitely a change in the air, however slight. It felt good to wander around the neighborhood and see what folks have been up to. They've been busy!!
I've had the luxury lately of really listening to my thoughts..I actually have time now to do that. I've been thinking about relationships I have and have had..I'm learning to let go of some and work on others. Being a Libra..I long for balance and when the balance is off I'm uncomfortable and forced to look at what's off kilter.
The good thing is my husband is also a Libra, so we balance each other out very well. But some friendships seem to have run their course..I guess thats just natural..people have busy lives and careers...I just happen to find myself with more time to do as I please. So...I'm learning to let go...
Those are just some of my thoughts and meanderings today..
Finally the weather is slightly cooler and I took a nice walk this morning for the first time in a while...I turned on my new birthday ipod and off I went. I long for low humidity days but there is definitely a change in the air, however slight. It felt good to wander around the neighborhood and see what folks have been up to. They've been busy!!
I've had the luxury lately of really listening to my thoughts..I actually have time now to do that. I've been thinking about relationships I have and have had..I'm learning to let go of some and work on others. Being a Libra..I long for balance and when the balance is off I'm uncomfortable and forced to look at what's off kilter.
The good thing is my husband is also a Libra, so we balance each other out very well. But some friendships seem to have run their course..I guess thats just natural..people have busy lives and careers...I just happen to find myself with more time to do as I please. So...I'm learning to let go...
Those are just some of my thoughts and meanderings today..
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
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