It's Time We Took Care Of Our Own

Share We've raised over $50 million dollars for Haiti, and yet, the United States still has 49 million Americans who face hunger on a daily basis. It amazes me to find that just $1 will pay for 7 meals for hungry Americans. There are 304 million Americans in the US. If each of us donated just a dollar a month, it would provide 25 billion meals a year to feed our own citizens. Most of us do not take the time to donate that buck, but we sure jump through hoops when a disaster hits another country.

So, before you pick up that morning cup of coffee at the local convenience station, how about we consider donating that buck to FeedingAmerica.org? It might just be the best thing you've ever done for another person, and it just might feed your neighbor down the road for a week or so. You never know who is having a tough time making ends meet, because they don't usually broadcast it to friends, family, neighbors or co-workers. In the end, you might be the reason a child goes to bed tonight happily.

North Carolina Education - Year Round vs. Traditional

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I gotta ask myself though, if people think before they jump. This will turn into several posts regarding our educational systems & government, because I've just about had it up to my ears with the sheer stupidity and refusal to consider other options.

I understand that over crowding in our schools is a serious issue. I know that things need to be done in order to handle the situation and provide a quality education for our children.

However, it baffles me that my children were sent home with a survey from their school that contained only 15 questions, and did not begin to even sort of address the concerns parents have with a year round vs. traditional school calendar. And the statement that this survey will be used to help our school board to make decisions regarding this situation is ridiculous.

My biggest concern, and that of other parents I have had the opportunity to speak with is consistency. Half of my children are on a year round calendar, and half are on a traditional calendar. Planning for this is insanely difficult, as their vacations do not coincide. It makes a family vacation almost impossible. It makes child care plans a mess to juggle when parents have to keep track of 2 or more different schedules. It makes moving from one school to another a pain in the royal ass, especially if you are moving from a traditional school midway through the year to a year round school, because your children will be behind in everything that their classmates are currently doing. And the fact that this happens when moving within the same county is unacceptable.

I've also heard that taxes will be raised if traditional calendars are chosen by parents. This is crazy. I forget, please remind me. When did parents stop paying school taxes? When did administrators stop answering to the parents who make it possible for them to collect a paycheck?

Pick a route boys and girls. Follow through. Stop doing things half-assed in hopes of making every parent happy. You are not going to please everyone, every time. Figure out what is in the best interests of the children, and make it happen. If you need our help as parents, please ask. But do not send us a 15 question survey that does not address parents concerns, or give us a chance to give you our ideas. You might just find that parents are smarter than the average bear, and can actually help you solve the freaking problem without causing more of a mess. Lord knows, we can't do much worse than you have already done!

Phone Numbers And HTTP

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Wonder how that telemarketer got your phone number this time? Or how the long lost friend that you wished had stayed lost got it?

Because web sites ask for your personal information, and they do not protect it. The average person may not know the difference between http and https. HTTPS uses a secure connection to transfer information between the browser you use, and the server the web site uses. This gives you a bit of protection for your personal information. HTTP allows easy access for search engines and hackers to pick up on your personal information and allow it to be indexed. Those of you with unlisted numbers will find that pages such as yellowpages.com will get your phone number in their index because you entered it at some time on an insecure connection.

In the last few days, I've been searching for eye doctors and dentists online. Many of these offices allow you to make an appointment right online. Do you know how many of them used an http connection to collect personal information including email and phone number? Almost all of them!

The moral of this story is this. Before you enter any information online, look up at your browsers address bar. Does the web site address start with http? If it does, use the phone to call and request whatever it is that you need. Otherwise, you will end up with unwanted phone calls and enough spam to feed your entire family for a year! And last but not least, remember to only give your personal information to credible companies. Many sites request this information when you sign up for a newsletter or weekly update. They will then sell the information to the highest bidder. Do not let your email and voice mail get filled with crap that you could care less about!

S.N.A.F.U. Today - We've Added A Facebook Fan Box!

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S.N.A.F.U. Today is fairly new to the blogging scene. I started the blog almost a year ago, because I love to debate the daily happenings in our lives. I like to share my thoughts, I love to hear about others thoughts, and friendly discussions about each side are a highlight. There are times when I will change my opinion, because someone can show me the topic in a different light. And there are times when I remain steadfast in my beliefs. Either way, it makes for some creative conversation.

I've just added a Facebook Fan box and would love to have anyone who stops by become our fan. Suggest us to your friends & family, share it with your co-workers, and join me in debating life, karma and whatever else comes along that day!

Haiti Earthquake, Pat Robertson & Fate

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While most of us sit helplessly, wondering how to help those who are affected by the earthquake in Haiti, Reverend Pat Robertson sits and makes an ass out of himself. It boggles the mind that he would blame this disaster on his belief that Haitians swore a pact to the devil many years ago. Maybe they did...but the fact is that bad things happen, period.

There is no ulterior motive, no higher power that is punishing a country of people for something that their ancestors may have done. God is supposedly the all forgiving, higher being, correct? If this is the case, God would not throw an entire country to the mercy of a freaking natural disaster. The man should put his preaching skill to good use by asking his followers to help this country and their people.

We all tend to cast stones, speak out of turn and say crazy things. Perhaps we should remember that Karma is a bitch. What comes around, goes around boys and girls. Robertson should remember the bible and do unto others as he would have done unto him.

Freebies Which Never Arrive...

Piss me off! I receive at least 10 emails a day from different sites which list freebies, samples and coupons. When I go through them, it turns out that they might have 1 or 2 real freebies listed. The rest are either from companies which require participation, or are just farming your email address.

How do you know if they require participation or are farming emails or commissions? Well, the answer to the first is very easy. Read the fine print or the terms & conditions. They will tell you before you ever enter any of your information if you need to do something other than request the free thing they are offering.

The second answer is not so easy. There is no way to tell that I've found. Part of the answer is to follow the rule that if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. My best advice is to use an email that isn't used for friends, family or important stuff. The current trend is to offer a product for free. You request it by giving them your name, address, email and phone number. Once you submit, it will open a new page offering samples. This will be for a company called Eversave.

Eversave pays companies to get sign ups. The company offering the freebie is hoping you will sign up for Eversave, thereby granting them an affiliate commission. You will never see the free soap, free knife or free anything from the original place that you gave your information too. And in the end, you will most likely end up with more spam mail than you thought possible.

The most current offer I've found like this is from Hi-Tech Kitchenware. They are offering a free knife. I've requested the item, been sent to the Eversave page, which I promptly closed. We'll see if the knife ever comes. If it does, I'll be sure to post my apologies. But I won't hold my hand on my ass waiting, because that knife ain't ever comin' guys and gals!

S.N.A.F.U. - School Lunches

I've come to the conclusion that schools in the South are out to make our kids obese while they make parents angry and poor. When I went to school, we had a regular lunch. Sodas, ice creams, cookies, puddings and other junk food were not anywhere on the menu.

These days, drop into any school down here and you will find all of these choices. However, here's the kicker. They aren't part of the "regular" lunch your child is entitled too for the price stated. Our schools are charging $1.75 or more for an order of fries. They are charging a $1.00 a piece for an ice cream. And these are all things I can buy multiple items of at the local dollar store for, yep you guessed it, a buck!

Now, try to tell a 5 year old that they can't buy that dollar ice cream every day. It's an argument that gets them upset, you upset and it all happens at 7 am before they get on the bus. By 7:15 this morning, I had a migraine and was ready to go throw out every ounce of junk food in every school within a 100 mile radius of me, just to save another parent from this annoyance.

I say to the educational system, you cannot have it both ways. You are sending home papers crying about kids who are 5 pounds overweight and telling us they are risking obesity. At the same time, you are allowing them to shove junk food down their throats at the speed of light. Cut me a break!

On Topic & Annoyed - State Medicaid Systems

As everyone well knows, or should know, there are higher income limitations set for your child to get health care provided by the state. While you may not be eligible for food stamps or welfare, you might just qualify for Medicaid or some other type of state funded insurance for your kids. The names might differ between your state and mine, but the plans are the same. Your kids can get insurance in most cases if you fall within a certain range of income. It is vital that those who do not have insurance through their employers or who cannot afford the insurance policy through their employers check with their Department of Human Services to see if they are eligible for state funded medical insurance.

What you might not know though, is how long it takes for everything. You also might not realize how many companies will not touch a patient with Medicaid. I spent the day today, helping a friend try to find an eye doctor within a 100 mile radius who could see her child within the next week or so, and who would accept Medicaid. You see, her child broke his glasses and they have been holding them together with Mighty Putty (great stuff I might add, but it looks horrendous on a pair of glasses.) The child is basically blind without them, having to put a paper just inches in front of his face if he wants to sort of see what it says when he isn't wearing glasses. Now, for the naysayers, I know she should have a back up pair. However, insurance policies will not pay for more than one pair a year, and food is more important than a back up pair of glasses.

My experience told me today that eye doctors in general do not care if your kid can see or not see. They'll get to you when they get to you, which is weeks from now. And are you ready for this? Medicaid recipients will have to wait up to 2 months to receive their new pair of glasses. 2 months? This is unacceptable in so many ways. If I had Blue Cross, or wanted to pay for the exam and the glasses (which can amount to a few hundred dollars), he'd have them in a week. Period.

Also unacceptable? Lenscrafters, Walmart and similar franchises do NOT accept Medicaid. Huh? State funded insurance, you make your living off of the people of this state and you won't take the insurance? I understand the paperwork is a bitch, but did you not take some oath as a doctor to help people? Or was that an oath not to harm? Perhaps they don't have to take an oath. I am too furious to go and find out. If you do, you are not doing your ethical best to hold to that oath, because this kid can't see and there isn't a damn thing the mother can do about it, other than starve the family while she buys a pair of glasses.

I'm definitely tired of President Obama and his addresses to our students and our country stating that kids should do their best and be responsible for their own education. They can't do it without the necessary tools. And when our country makes it hard to have those tools, whether it be a bowl of cereal for breakfast or a pair of glasses to allow them to see, our kids are screwed before they ever step out the front door of their house, apartment, trailer or shack.

We sure as shit make sure that the murders, rapists, child abusers, robbers and other jackasses sitting in prison have appropriate medical care. But we do not take care of our own children appropriately. And for that, every one of us is guilty, from this kid's parents to our highest power. It is time for a change!

Governor Perdue & Colonel Glover - NC Governor's Blog Post 1/7/10

It continues to amaze me. Why, oh why, do we want "perfect people" to hold any political office in our country? There is no such thing, as we all know. Every person in this country, and in this world, has made a mistake at one time in their lives. If you haven't, then you've lived in a freaking bubble since the day of your birth or shortly there after.

As a normal, every day kind of person, I've made mistakes. We aren't talking about HUGE, unacceptable mistakes such as rape, murder or child abuse. We're talking about mistakes that are made every day by good people who chose to follow the wrong path for a period of time in their lives.

It astounds me that a Governor, who should be concerned with the issues her state is experiencing, like homelessness, unemployment, rising costs, budgets and more, has to take the time to approve/write a statement on her blog regarding the fact that the current NCSHP Colonel had an affair some 20 years ago. Who gives a shit? He made a mistake that did not affect the welfare of the majority people of the state, and it will never affect them. It was a private moment in the lives of 2 people that should not have to be broadcast to some 9 million people when it may have affected the life of 3 or 4 in total. At this time, it is less noticeable than a needle in a freaking haystack, and as such, not even a glimmer on the radar screen. It should not be used to judge the man's ability to run the Highway Patrol. A character flaw...sure. But one that he made amends for years ago. Let it go!

It also astounds me that Bev Perdue would even begin to state in the same post that unethical behavior will not be tolerated. I agree, it shouldn't be. But did I miss the ceremony where God came down from the heavens and made her judge, jury and executioner for a man who had an affair? It begs me to remind her and every other person in the great state of NC that the bible states in Matthew 7:1 - "Judge not, that ye be not judged." It did not belong anywhere in the post she made to defend the Colonel.

Let me also state, because I know it will be necessary. I do not know Colonel Glover. I do not hold any personal ties to the man. But I do think that it is absolutely freaking ridiculous that this is even an issue. If there was a "perfect human being" on this planet, they could not even begin to understand your issues and represent our state or country intelligently. I for one, would much rather have someone who has lived life and made mistakes, represent me in our higher than thou positions.

Nothing burns my ass more than having a President/Governor/Senator/Colonel etc., who doesn't know how much a gallon of milk is or what remorse and regret actually feels like. To those of you who cast the first stone, please remember, that may be you one day who has to watch as 9 million people hang on the very personal details of your life.

Our Military Deserves Our Support

And now we can show it once again, by visiting CallTroops. You can send a free message to any member of the military who is currently deployed. Our men and women need our support on a daily basis, and this will take only a few minutes of your time. There is no cost to you.

The service is provided by a company called Quicktate. They are a voice transcription service, and have started this service to help show our military that we do support them. Your message will be transcribed and sent via e-mail to someone you know who is deployed or to a random service member.

God bless those who have fought for our country, and those who continue to fight for us on a daily basis.

Facebook & Susan G. Komen

Well, ladies...it appears we made a lot of people stand up and take notice. GMAC reported on our status reports listing just the color of our bra a few minutes ago. The Susan G. Komen page saw a 2000% increase in fans over the past few days.

It is important to make sure that we follow through now. Get your mammograms, do your self checks. Breast cancer is not a laughing matter, and awareness starts at home. If you do not take care of yourself, your daughters will not take care of themselves. Teach them to do self exams from an early age. It just might save your child's life one day!

Click below to watch the video from GMA!

Facebook Bra Phenomenon

Monday Mornings - Sad or Happy

Monday mornings make me sad & happy all at the same time. They are always a rush, busy with dressing kids, brushing hair, making sure that backpacks are ready and everything that got sent home from school on Friday was signed. Mind you, I checked on Friday afternoon to make sure nothing needed to be signed, but my compulsive side makes me check again. Take a few sips of coffee, make sure I'm not wearing sweat pants with holes in them and run for the bus stop.

They make me sad, because the weekend is gone. The precious time that I get to spend cuddling with my little ones, the time I get to spend talking to my teenagers...it went so fast. The weekend seems to be a 5 second flash of lightning, doesn't it?

But happiness also sets in quickly. The house is almost quiet, the one that I have left who doesn't go to school is happily playing with every toy in the house (because after all, she doesn't have to share!), laundry is running and dinner is already planned.

I realize that I do have an enjoyable life. I might live paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes wonder if we will have enough money to make sure we keep milk in the house for the month, but I get the best of all worlds. I write a bit, take a few surveys, do a few web site reviews or product reviews, spend an hour for "rest time" with my 4 year old and then get to pick my babies up from the bus stop to get the best kisses and hugs I've ever gotten.

There is something magical about Monday morning. We just have to look hard enough to find it!

Theraflu Deal - Walgreens

Here's a great deal for the cold & flu season. Theraflu is on sale this week at Walgreen's for $3.99. Print a coupon here for $2.00 off and grab your Theraflu for just $1.99! Click on the coupon link on the left side of the page to get yours. Sale ends 1/9/10.