tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43719080563619655642024-03-05T12:35:23.782-08:00Shnazzy Mamashnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-33621659148688348632012-02-22T16:30:00.000-08:002012-02-22T17:02:58.535-08:0022 days since I last Poo (ed)<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">Okay so this has gone on for a little longer then 14 days.. but whatever. The face wash, worked okay for little while</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;"> but I think I have had this issue with my nose for so long, it's going to take a lot more then 14 days to reve</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">rse. That being said I have noticed a difference. I also tried several different ways of doing things. I used straight castor oil for one, and that seemed to work the best for me. I WOULD</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;"> NOT </span>re</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">commend<span style="font-size: 100%;"> this if you have dry skin. I only washed my face with this in the "T" zone where my face gets really oily. I also have deep pores and I felt this was the only way to clean them. Unfortunately this only works for a few days, then my face started breaking out a</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">round the edges... why?? No idea... maybe someone else can give me some insight. I jus</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">t </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">started with JoJoba oil, I bought a 4oz bottle and added about 10 drops of tea tree oil to</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%;"> it. It cleared my face up almost </span>immediately... nice! <span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span>Deodorant<span style="font-size: 100%;"> still works pretty </span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">well.. at least no one has told me I smell yet...</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">THE HAIR:</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Well it's been 22 days sinc</span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">e I last poo(ed)?? I have tried every way, a little baking soda, a lot of baking soda, a little Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), a lot of ACV... I still don't have this down pat.. but I am </span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">not g</span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%;">ivi</span></span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">ng up yet. </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">These were day 3-4. Notice how dark my purple streak was in my hair</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyJbtKhJ7WJT4YXEePz9YhWPsvolAlfLTQFKBiHF9Dl5q3GhQkNRZb-PXQqVIrkGhBxGWkHAOujeEK3dGdE5vZbY69dUPURFYW9P7jzON8WbgrZC_o4pWwAYSfp4FWafb1eArKZSfS4Wo/s320/IMG_3400.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712129879293902834" style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEHGV9dShpOPg3D9MeV5Uivfx2IRtseeVlLDtCdxLYAWLatbs_GnI_tcoqSebMWAaCOp0bso9T4j64NIBQNkAh3QOo-KKp8SdopV6a0aoX7XH5XVUjSR0UxsN0eHgomgvTsfCc38PuVM5/s320/IMG_3412.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712130033890015922" style="font-size: 100%; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="font-size: 100%;">Check this out these were taken today ( day 22) the dye was a </span>permanent<span style="font-size: 100%;"> color, goes to show if you don't live a color you can use ACV to take it out in a matter of weeks:</span></span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2r06WOboeMSuf8-WQqHy7kmRQG8ptFboLEUcXLnC-zYXZhPTi0ge_yylShEyYya-jwUwS4HO0hWp1MzvK1SkuSZ_C7zhILT82BMoVqMYf_S6kY_eAMQW1ofmEhkFZ2WjSt54S9BJuHpQ/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2r06WOboeMSuf8-WQqHy7kmRQG8ptFboLEUcXLnC-zYXZhPTi0ge_yylShEyYya-jwUwS4HO0hWp1MzvK1SkuSZ_C7zhILT82BMoVqMYf_S6kY_eAMQW1ofmEhkFZ2WjSt54S9BJuHpQ/s320/IMG_3553.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712126604244919826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBaZ1PHkaavnkcXwsl2h2UGSm76fErtvn7V-XvwNkk_g2uYAuzS-LTl64elOiI2alhNcGHQksKQiZelSqJqazg6jjeYy-wThOoajQTEEYy5c9AoId7RY6QpH7FN9KLMMmTukPJ3FQczaG/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBaZ1PHkaavnkcXwsl2h2UGSm76fErtvn7V-XvwNkk_g2uYAuzS-LTl64elOiI2alhNcGHQksKQiZelSqJqazg6jjeYy-wThOoajQTEEYy5c9AoId7RY6QpH7FN9KLMMmTukPJ3FQczaG/s320/IMG_3556.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712126699682766402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">It's not unbearably greasy anymore, but I still have not been able to give up washing it (with the BS/ ACV) everyday, which is my ultimate goal. I would like to just wash my hair every 2-3 days... we'll see..</div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-25830226368878122262012-02-01T13:48:00.000-08:002012-02-01T16:33:27.591-08:00Day 1 & 2 of 14 day expirement<span style="text-align: justify; ">So on Monday Jan 30th I started <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(67, 80, 56); "><a href="http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/"><span>The Oil Cleansing Method</span></a><span>, </span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>the <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/01/get-rid-of-armpit-stains-for-good-make.html#more">Natural Deodorant</a>, and the "no poo" shampoo, the </span></span></span><span style="text-align: justify; "><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>first day I tried i</span></span></span><span style="text-align: justify; font-size: medium; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; ">t </span><a href="http://www.loving-it-raw.com/homemade-shampoo.html" style="text-align: justify; font-size: medium; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; ">this way</a><span style="text-align: justify; font-size: medium; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; "> and last night I tried it </span><a href="http://www.naturemoms.com/no-shampoo-alternative.html" style="text-align: justify; font-size: medium; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; ">this way</a><span style="text-align: justify; font-size: medium; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; ">. Neither one of them seem to really get the oil out of my hair, so for now I am just grateful that I work in an office with almost all men and none of them care if my hair looks greasy or not. Note: I tried this specifically in a time frame when I know I don't re</span><span style="text-align: justify; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: arial; font-size: medium; ">ally have to be seen in public much... no birthday parties or weddings or anything like that to go to.</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: justify; "><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: justify; "><span>Okay, oil face wash. This is gross to share, but blackhead</span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>s on my nose have always been my #1 nemesis. I have tried every "scrub" under the sun and I alwa</span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>ys end up feeling like I took sand paper to my face, just for them all to be back the</span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span> next day... Before I go on I have to tell you I have an EXTREMELY oily face an</span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>d pretty decent s</span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>ize pours so I was really hesitant to try this. I bit my tongue and I did it, after the very first wash I noticed a difference. My face felt moisturized but not oily. Howev</span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>er I wasn't convinced because, like I said #1 nemesis not fixed. To be fair this was only the first day so I gave it another shot</span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span> last night. </span></span></span><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span> To my surprise I noticed a difference. Now before you judge this is only after two uses. Sorry I didn't take a before picture, you didn't want to see it anyway, take my word for it, it was bad. I will keep posting pics of the progress.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMh9hVl1CCUL35tTEfMglN6LI4oi7uuMT0igjaA9j3j2A6ZuH3RNQgaREr8E-pymF03SvqneSIeWDhR90T6BLB-vF5gwc3OQ4mnpRUKYTAtSiALZga0L4_Q6iZsDhH4Zp3CjyilSkdfFr/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMh9hVl1CCUL35tTEfMglN6LI4oi7uuMT0igjaA9j3j2A6ZuH3RNQgaREr8E-pymF03SvqneSIeWDhR90T6BLB-vF5gwc3OQ4mnpRUKYTAtSiALZga0L4_Q6iZsDhH4Zp3CjyilSkdfFr/s320/IMG_3354.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704297101352066754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is the recipe I am using:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, san-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><li><b>Oily Skin:</b> Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Olive Oil (you can also use Sunflower Seed Oil) <b>MINE</b></li><li><b>Balanced Skin:</b> Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed/ Olive Oil.</li><li><b>Dry Skin:</b> Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Sunflower Seed/ Olive Oil.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, san-serif; font-size: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><li>You'll need a soft washcloth, your oil blend, and hot, running water.</li><li>Pour a generous puddle of oil into the palm of your hand. Roughly, the size of a quarter, but more is acceptable. Rub your hands together to warm the oil and smooth over your face.</li><li>Begin massaging the oil into your face. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities, so there is no need to use a makeup remover or wash your face prior to the massage. I've found that this removes even my stubborn waterproof mascara and concealor.</li><li>Using slow, firm motions across the skin, massage the oil deeply into your pores. Take your time and focus on your problem areas. You want the oil to work into your pores so that blackheads and the like can be dissolved and steamed away.</li><li>Once you're satisfied that your pores are saturated. Pick up your washcloth and soak it in clean, steamy water. We want the water to be warm enough to open your pores and remove the oil. Cool water will not open your pores, nor will it remove the oil efficiently. We're not scalding our skin, we're steaming to coax our pores to release the oil carrying the impurities. We're essentially steaming our skin as an esthetician would, but without the luxury of a steam machine.</li><li>Hold the washcloth to cover your face. Allow it to stay until it cools. You will feel your pores releasing the impurities. Wipe the oil gently away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. Hold the washcloth to your face again, allowing it to cool. Wipe gently, rinse well, and repeat two or three more times. Avoid any temptation to scrub, as you'll find it's completely unnecessary and your skin will be soft, smooth, and free of flakes without the additional manual exfoliation and irritation that will result. Impurities, dead skin cells, and bacteria will be gently swept away.</li><li>Have no fear of the oil, as the steamy washcloth will remove it. The Castor Oil, though it is an oil, will help with the removal of the other oils, as well. It is our main cleansing oil and is easily removed with warm water.</li><li>If your skin feels tight, take a tiny drop of your oil blend, rub it between your clean, damp palms and pat it onto your damp skin. Gently massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil left sitting on the surface. Your skin should now glow!</li></ul><div><span><span style="font-size: 12px;">This is all on <a href="http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/">THIS WEBSITE</a>. Not taking credit for this I am just trying to narrow down the steps for anyone interested</span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Natural Deodorant, works fine for me. This is probably the only thing I will write about it. I am not a very sweaty or odorous person, so I can get away with just about anything. During winter months ( ha that's a laugh in So Cal ) I could probably get away with not wearing any deodorant at all. I will give you an update on a hot day. I will say this much it smells yummy ( coconut oil) :)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't worry I won't show you any pictures of my armpit...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Recipe for this one:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: 'PT Sans Caption'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="color: rgb(106, 168, 79); font-size: large; "><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><b style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-size: large; ">Natural Deodorant</span></b><br style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">2-3 Tbsp </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B3OOPA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=swedeabyjil-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B003B3OOPA" style="text-decoration: none; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline-block; "><span>Coconut Oil</span></a><br style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">1/8 Cup Baking Soda</span><br style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">1/8 Cup Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch ( I used Cornstarch</span></span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "> )</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">I doubled it all and it made enough to fill an old deodorant container with a little left over.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span>Another Recipe not trying to take credit for I got it off <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/01/get-rid-of-armpit-stains-for-good-make.html#more">THIS WEBSITE</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">The No Poo. This one is tricky, because on EVERY website </span></span><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">I read about this, everyone said there is a transition period. That my hair will be oily, and Oh Boy are they right...ewww! The first night I mixed 1TBS of Baking Soda to 1 cup of water and it was really hard to wash my hair with that because it was basically like trying to wash your hair with just water, it felt like I wasn't washing enough.. I dont know. Last night I tried the second method which was adding just enough water to the baking soda to make it into a paste. This made it easier to tell what parts of my hair were actually "washed". At this point I will tell you I was able to get away with this because, like m</span></span><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">y face, my hair is EXTREMELY oily. I can not go more then 24 hours without washing ( with shampoo) my hair,</span></span><span style="line-height: 17px; "> as a matter of fact at about 18 hours after I wash my hair it already looks like I haven't washed it in a week... gross I know. Silver lining... I don't really have any split ends :) Baking Soda is very drying, so I was told. Since my hair is as oily as it is I didn't mind trying the paste method. If your hair is dry to begin with I wouldn't try this. I want to try this one next: </span><a href="http://www.loving-it-raw.com/homemade-shampoo.html" style="line-height: 17px; ">Lemon and cucumber shampoothie</a><span style="line-height: 17px; "> but this looks like a little more work... not sure if I willing to go there, just yet.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">After I washed my hair I rinsed out all the baking soda mixture, and then I did the Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) rinse also. Now there is mixed things about this some people say to use it as a conditioner but only once a week... isn't a conditioner supposed to be used after every shampoo?I'll have to play with this a little bit more. Per another <a href="http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/11/11/how-to-wash-your-hair-without-shampoo/">site</a>, I rinsed my hair with cold water after the ACV</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">Recipe: ( and you can find this on any "no poo" site)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Shampoo ( no poo)</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">1tbs baking soda - 1 cup </span></span><span style="line-height: 17px; ">of water, but you really have to play with this to see what works for you</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">Conditioner ( ?)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">1tbs apple cider vinegar - 1 cup of water</span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;">Picture after Day 1 & Day 2:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYmmc8X1tAKKCeYGetQyxwwnuYL5DituKXPkjj2CN7msAy8zTa5hBP8ufQbc4k1WwnyMi4Tfoqkk5nwKCqkSEg8jTZuRXQRXl2rgYCgr1oyWY6oHvKZqmLWtBtMTLg9EDcUI9yAn-ffcT/s1600/IMG_3344.JPG" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYmmc8X1tAKKCeYGetQyxwwnuYL5DituKXPkjj2CN7msAy8zTa5hBP8ufQbc4k1WwnyMi4Tfoqkk5nwKCqkSEg8jTZuRXQRXl2rgYCgr1oyWY6oHvKZqmLWtBtMTLg9EDcUI9yAn-ffcT/s320/IMG_3344.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704322687780796610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuPCHoV94yDWfq9RCbFFa6xPGC-AGIJoCvSh3rqrf_4u3e7DAlgTzJb923b3HQ7gqWFNmh8nRWSAt3ue7n-j-uaETqBFc94rRpxb6qMB4SQmODDqnyOb9Y3N_a_oHTEwDkI8B7m8BO2k5/s1600/IMG_3358.JPG" style="text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuPCHoV94yDWfq9RCbFFa6xPGC-AGIJoCvSh3rqrf_4u3e7DAlgTzJb923b3HQ7gqWFNmh8nRWSAt3ue7n-j-uaETqBFc94rRpxb6qMB4SQmODDqnyOb9Y3N_a_oHTEwDkI8B7m8BO2k5/s320/IMG_3358.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704326247359344210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I put my hair right back up after I took this picture. I hope I can withstand another 1.5 months of this... From what I have read it takes your body 6 weeks to realize you are no longer trying to strip it of its natural oils, so it quits over producing oils.</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-65221845561473891792011-04-13T10:29:00.000-07:002011-04-13T10:50:28.539-07:00Why Does It Still Amaze Me?I think of things and just like that they come true but only when I think of things and envision myself talking to God. I am still fairly new to walking with the Lord, but lately I think of things and something inside me tells me what the outcome will be... even if it's not what I want it to be. <div><br /></div><div> I get prayer requests all the time, and I don't mean me personally, but via Facebook someone puts out a prayer request or I read a blog and there is a request for a prayer and I instantly pray... in my head. Just as fast as I pray I get an overwhelming feeling of the "answer". Sometimes it's good sometimes it's not so good. I prayed this morning for a friend's friend and instantly I got the feeling that this was one of those not so good outcomes... it made me want to cry. So now all I can pray for is peace and strength.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday on my way home from work I couldn't help but go into "pity me" mode. I thought of all the things I do for my family and how my husband gets to go to work, come home and not really worry about anything else. I started to cry... I think I was just overly tired... so I prayed just for peace... nothing else. I got home, and most of the laundry was done, my husband had made a spare key for the babysitter...etc. things were just 'taken care' of. So I shot up a big Thank you!! I don't know why it still amazes me, He comes through for me ALL the time. Sometimes it requires me humbling myself because my prayers are selfish, but mostly when I am really down in the dumps He picks me up :)</div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-42700936169451513492011-02-17T12:57:00.000-08:002011-02-17T13:30:04.568-08:00An Answered PrayerYesterday while attending a friend's church, a woman stood up and filled in the congregation about a baby they have been praying for... a baby that is not even born yet.<div><br /></div><div>At 13 weeks the baby was diagnosed with a condition, Gastroschisis (I think) where ALL his/her major organs were developing outside his/her body, even his/her heart. If this wasn't enough they also found fluid on the brain. The doctor's gave the baby 0%... let me repeat 0% chance of survival. The church prayed for the family.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometime later the mom went back for an ultrasound, and miraculously (meaning no medical explanation as to how this happened) the baby's heart was back inside his/her body, and the fluid on the brain was gone... again the church prayed.</div><div><br /></div><div>The woman, at my friend's church, received an e-mail from the baby's mom the day before yesterday; most of the babies organs are now INSIDE his/her body, the organs that remain on the outside are FULLY operable, and the baby should be able to lead a normal healthy life without any permanent birth defects...</div><div><br /></div><div>From 0% chance of survival to not even having any kind of permanent birth defect... If that's not the power of prayer then I don't know what is....</div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-35647469712339202742010-10-26T10:12:00.000-07:002010-10-26T10:24:46.717-07:00Halloween: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustyandemese/5118327246/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/dustyandemese/5118327246/</a>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-1585619806525085562010-02-17T10:49:00.000-08:002010-02-24T17:33:51.235-08:00SportsWe decided to be brave and take on two sports with one kid. We have done one sport each kid, but never two "demanding" sports at one time. Not quite sure how this is going to work out yet. Practices just started and I am already ready to pull my hair out. Jake is in spring baseball and he decided he also wanted to run track also, so he can be faster for football and baseball. Schedule for now:<div> Monday baseball 3:45 - 5:30, </div><div>Tuesday track 5-6, </div><div>Wednesday baseball 4-5:30, </div><div>Thursday track 5-6 </div><div>Friday baseball 4:30-5:30 AND track 5-6 ( he hasn't been to a track practice yet on Friday). </div><div>I may complain, but secretly I enjoy the chaos...shhh don't tell anyone. I am just worried it may be too much on Jake and that Kayti may be feeling left out.</div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-29953128351612117352009-10-02T10:08:00.000-07:002009-10-02T10:49:26.274-07:00The decision was madeAbout 10 years ago, we (Dusty and I) decided we wanted two kids, first a boy and then a girl. We have been EXTREMELY blessed, we have Jake now 8 and Kayti just turned 6. When Kayti was 2 we decided that Dusty would "get fixed", I had to endure pregnancy and labor, it was HIS turn. So June of 2007, it finally happened...Dusty "got fixed". After about a month, he was to go back and get checked...make sure there are no swimmers left in there. He never went back, we just assumed everything was 'fine'. Back in 1998 I had a ectopic pregnancy, and lost my left fallopian tube, so it took me some time to conceive both my kids. This all being said, I missed my favorite time of the month in September. I took a test 2 weeks ago and it came out negative... <div>I secretly wish that he still has swimmers in there and despite all odds, I would love to have another baby. Financially not quite sure how we would manage, but I would welcome him/her with open arms! When I told Dusty (2 weeks ago) that there is a minuscule chance that I might be pregnant, I think he couldn't help but feel the same way...lets just say the look on his face was not disappointment.</div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-10570421144224016572009-07-29T08:55:00.000-07:002009-07-29T09:31:32.305-07:00Kinda CreepySo I have been battling insomnia for a quite some time now. Not sure where its coming from, but one day I was able to sleep just fine, and the next day, not so much. I went to bed @ 10;30 last night and at 12 I was still tossing and turning. I have a real bad habit of not being able to fall asleep without the TV on, so of course I try to watch something interesting because heaven forbid I try to let the boredom lull me to sleep. Then I get into whatever I was watching, last night it was Hell's Kitchen, and even after its over I can't 'shut the brain down' I am exhausted, my eyes want to shut, but my mind keeps wondering. <div><br /></div><div>About 12am I hear people walk by our bedroom window, of course I have to take a peak...as I am extremely nosey. There were three teenage boys, with spray paint cans in hand, walking down to the creek behind our condo...great! The hubs is asleep...do I go out there and say something...do I let it go? We live in a relatively good neighborhood, not much happens, so the odds of it being someone 'dangerous' is pretty slim, but do I chance it? I have two sleeping kids in the house. I let it go and watched through my blinds as they sprayed a bit here a bit there and kept walking down the path. about 30 min later, I here the spray can again, and of course I get out of bed and peek through the blinds just as they are walking by. They shined a flash light right in my bedroom window...and took off running. Me not being able to keep my mouth shut, had to yell back..."yeah you better run" like I was really going to be able to do something?!? For the next half hour I was pacing around the house making sure all the windows and doors were locked, making sure all the blinds were closed, I even shut poor Lola's (our dog) doggy door..she is a toy poodle...the doggy door is not that big, why I shut it, I have no idea??? Then I went back to bed and all I could think: if they were gang members they could just walk by my bedroom window and shoot me while I am sleeping....all I wanted to do is go outside and find out what they sprayed? Was it gang symbols = call cops, or just a bunch or kids being stupid = go back to sleep and deal w/ it later. After about an hour of panic, I fell asleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>First thing this morning, I walk out there, because I am dying to know... and I see a bunch of dots...yes just dots = kids being stupid... Thank God!</div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-39885568658924275412009-06-19T07:54:00.000-07:002009-07-29T15:06:15.405-07:00Missing MaddieI have a need to read posts about a beautiful little girl EVERY DAY. I am mesmerized by her smile, and her spirit and I have never even met her. I cling to these posts and I am not sure why? Is it because she was just so freakin adorable, yeah that probably has something to do with it, but I think it just amazes me how much she means to the world, to strangers (like me). It amazes me how much she was loved and adored by strangers (like me). I knew her mom for a short period of time during school, but to Maddie I am a stranger. She passed away this past April at a mere 17 months. It was as if I lost a memeber of my family...but "I have never even met her". For some time now I didn't really want to admit how much this effected my day to day with my own kids, because I felt stupid... yeah stupid, for feeling so much for someone I had never met. I have had the questions time and time again from friends and family: "Why do you read these blogs, they are just so sad?" "Why put yourself in that kind of pain, for a little girl you didn't even know" "I just don't know" is all I can say. <div>I just read a great quote from(yet again) someone I don't know posted on <a href="http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/">Heather's blog</a> and it describes perfectly how I feel: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Myriad Pro';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I have never found a blog that has more ’soul’ than this one. Each time I visit, I leave with an amazing feeling. I can’t figure out how we, the readers, have been blessed to share in your joys and pains dealing with Maddie. I have found myself looking at your posts and selfishly wanting more. Then, I think about all that you and Mike have given us, and remind myself that this is not just a blog, but it is indeed your life." -</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><a href="http://mommynotguilty.blogspot.com/">Keonte</a></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I don't know who this is, but finally someone was able to describe how I feel.</span></span></span></span></div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-7870302480408106882009-05-21T15:24:00.000-07:002009-05-21T15:47:23.531-07:00Why California Is Broke:<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Re-Post of an e-mail I received from a friend - but I couldn't have said it better myself!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><strong><em><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A GOOD REASON WHY CALIFORNIA IS BROKE</span></span></em></strong></div></div> <div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:16px;"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><div id="yiv468012033"><div id="AOLMsgPart_2_b965751b-1814-4d92-921a-3355ea3cc476"><div style="MARGIN: 10px" id="AOLMsgPart_4_acf7e079-8555-4ea7-89c8-6834b6b475cb"><div id="AOLMsgPart_7_acf7e079-8555-4ea7-89c8-6834b6b475cb"><div style=" ;font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt;"><div style=" ;font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt;"><div style=" ;font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt;"><div><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From a California school teacher - -<br />"As you listen to the news about the student protests over illegal immigration, there are some things that you should be</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> aware</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of:</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am in charge of the English-as-a-second-language department at a large southern California high school which is designated a Title 1 school, meaning that its students average lower socioeconomic and income levels.<br />Most of the schools you are hearing about, South Gate High, Bell Gardens, Huntington Park, etc., where these students are protesting, are also Title 1 schools.<br />Title 1 schools are on the </span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">free breakfast and free lunch program.</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> When I say free breakfast, I'm not talking a glass of milk and roll -- but a full breakfast and cereal bar with fruits and juices that would make a Marriott proud. The</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> waste</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of this food is</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> monumental</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, with trays and trays of it being</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> dumped in the trash uneaten</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. (</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">OUR TAX DOLLARS AT</span></span></span></span></u></span></span><span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> WORK</span></span></span></span></u></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I estimate that well over 50% of these students are obese or at least moderately overweight. About 75% or more</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> DO</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> have</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> cell phones</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. The school also provides</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> day care centers</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for the</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> unwed teenage pregnant girls</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (some as young as 13) so they can attend class without the inconvenience of having to arrange for babysitters or having family watch their kids</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK)</span></span></span></span></u></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was ordered to spend</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> $700,000</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> on my department or</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> risk losing funding</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for the upcoming year even though there was </span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">little need</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> anything;</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> my budget was already substantial. I ended up buying new computers for the computer learning center, half of which, </span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">one month</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> later, </span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">have been</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> carved with graffiti</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> by the</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> appreciative students</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> who obviously feel humbled and grateful to have a free education in America.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">)</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">I have had to intervene several times for young and substitute teachers whose classes consist of</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> many illegal immigrant students</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> here in the country less then 3 months who</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> raised</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> so much</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> hell with the female teachers</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;">, calling them "Putas"</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> whores</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"> and throwing things that the teachers were in tears.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-weight: normal; "><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: normal; font-family:'times new roman';font-size:48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman'; font-weight: normal; "><u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Free medical, free education, free food, day care etc., etc., etc.</span></span></span></span></span></u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Is it any wonder they feel entitled to not only be in this country but to</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> demand rights, privileges and entitlements?</span></span></span></span></u></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><blockquote><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To those who want to point out how much these illegal immigrants contribute to our society because they LIKE their gardener and housekeeper and they like to pay less for tomatoes: spend some time in the real world of illegal immigration and see the</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> TRUE costs.</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Higher insurance, medical facilities closing, higher medical costs, more crime, lower standards of education</span></span></span></span></span></u><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> in our schools,</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> overcrowding, new diseases etc., etc, etc</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. For me, I'll pay more for tomatoes.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We need to wake up.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> The</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> guest worker program</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> will be a</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> disaster because we won't have the guts to enforce it</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> .. Does anyone in their right mind really think they will voluntarily leave and return?<br />It does, however, have everything to do with culture: A third-world</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> culture</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> that</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> does not value education</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, that</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> accepts children getting pregnant</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> dropping out of school by 15</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and that</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> refuses</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> to</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> assimilate</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> , and an</span></span></span></span></span><span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> American culture</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> that has become</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> so</span></span></span></span></span><span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> weak</span></span></span></span></u></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and worried about "</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> political Correctness</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">" that we don't have the will to do</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> anything about it.</span></span></span></span></u></span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span><span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">CHEAP LABOR? Isn't that what the whole immigration issue is about?</span></span></span></span></u></span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span><span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Business doesn't want to pay a decent wage.</span></span></span></span></u></span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Consumers don't want expensive produce<br />Government will tell you Americans don't want the jobs.<br />But the bottom line is cheap labor. The phrase "cheap labor" is a</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> myth</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, a</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> farce, and a lie. There is no such thing as "cheap labor."</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Take, for example, an</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> illegal</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> alien with a wife and five children. He takes a job for $5.00 or 6.00/hour. At that wage, with six dependents,</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> he pays no income tax, yet at the end of the year, if he</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> files an Income Tax Return, he gets an "</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">earned income credit" of up to $3,200 free.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He qualifies for</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Section 8 housing</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> subsidized rent</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.<br />He qualifies for</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> food stamps.</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He qualifies for</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> free (no deductible, no co-pay) health care.</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">His</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> children get free breakfasts and lunches</span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> at school.<br />He</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> requires bilingual teachers and books.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> qualifies for relief from high energy bills.</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> they are, or become, aged, blind or disabled</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, they</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> qualify for SSI.</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Once qualified for SSI they can qualify for</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Medicare</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> . All of this is at</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> (our) taxpayer's expense</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> .<br />He doesn't worry about car insurance, life insurance, or homeowners insurance.<br />Taxpayers provide</span></span></span></span></span><span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Spanish</span></span></span></span></u></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> language signs, bulletins and printed material.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He and his family receive the equivalent of $20.00 to $30.00/hour in</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> benefits.</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Working Americans are lucky to have $5.00 or $6.00/hour left after paying their bills and his.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The American taxpayers also pay for</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> increased crime, graffiti and trash clean-up.</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Cheap labor? YEAH RIGHT!</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Wake up people!</span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ADDRESSING TO</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> EITHER PARTY.</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 'AND WHEN THEY LIE TO US AND DON'T DO AS THEY SAY,</span></span></span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> WE SHOULD REPLACE THEM AT ONCE!'</span></span></span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></span></span></div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-14345413288718652542009-05-15T16:35:00.000-07:002009-05-18T00:38:53.243-07:00Growing up<span class="Apple-style-span" style="COLOR: rgb(0,0,238); TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjaaeyKVmJvcNUwLNzosLy75H1nyPrM_bhdiGPufZAvXxP7zBEqqyCDUuBVx5XMuYhNP6We2u0w5LcWsbVZtxglek7_pxZCg7KaxwHd-Bl4vulEJ4BVhXC79o4nwKLGBZTd5OeX5F2uRl/s1600-h/JAKE.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336200556549901490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjaaeyKVmJvcNUwLNzosLy75H1nyPrM_bhdiGPufZAvXxP7zBEqqyCDUuBVx5XMuYhNP6We2u0w5LcWsbVZtxglek7_pxZCg7KaxwHd-Bl4vulEJ4BVhXC79o4nwKLGBZTd5OeX5F2uRl/s320/JAKE.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />If you know Jake at all he is the least serious child you will ever meet - a big Goofball! A big Goofball that LOVES baseball. <div><br /><div>Jake will practices during the week, have an hour practice on Sunday before a two hour game, and on the way home he will still BEG his dad to play catch with him when we get home. I LOVE watching him play. I love watching his passion for the game, when he is on that pitchers mound that Goofball turns into a little man...a man...but he is not a man he is just a little boy. The little baby boy that didn't get to come home from the hospital for 31 days because he weighed a mere 3lbs 9oz at birth, because he couldn't mantaine his body temperature, because he couldn't eat on his own, and he couldn't go a full night without sleep apnea. This was the same little man/boy on that mound. I choke up everytime he is up there, part of is because I know he wants that shut out so bad, I can feel it in my bones, but a bigger part is because he is here, a healthy 8 year old little man/boy. <div> </div><div>Couldn't wait for his first word, then his first step, play his first sport...I couldn't wait...now I just want it to slow down I want to savor every moment. I know this is something a lot of parents go through, but recently I got a wake up call. "You have stop wishing the time away" it could be gone in the blink of an eye. Enjoy, Love and Savor every moment of every day.</div></div></div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371908056361965564.post-43550372615038680962009-05-03T00:18:00.001-07:002009-05-03T00:18:50.815-07:00Just Me<div class="entry-body"> <p>Name is Emese (EH-meh-sheh), you can guess from the name, I am not American...nope 100% Hungarian by blood. I've been Americanized by i<span>nsemination </span>aka Dusty (the husband).</p><p>Real quick background: I was born in Pecs,HU, moved to Germany when I was 6 and to Rhode Island when I was 8 then I blinked, and we moved again to Mountain View ( near San Francisco). Lived there for a couple years, then moved to Agoura Hills lived there for another two years and moved all around Ventura County. There is my childhood life in a nut shell...at least the where I come from part, the rest is much more interesting I PROMISE!</p><p>I am going to answer the 2 questions everyone always asks, to save you the trouble. Yes I speak Hungarian and No I don't speak German anymore. Third most popular question: No I have not been back to visit.</p><p>Today - still live in Ventura County, married to a (most of the time) great man, we have two great kids. Jacob aka Jake he is 8, and for the most part acts like a typical 8 year old boy, gets in trouble, gets dirty and picks on his little sister Kaitlyn aka Kayti. She is 5, going on 30, no joke sometimes I think she is better at this mom thing then me. Oh and the dog, Lola, a 1 year old toy poodle.</p><p>I am very open about my life ...I usually get the "write a book" from most people I share it with. Unfortunatly I am a great talker not a great writer, but I'll do my best not to sound like a total idiot.<br /></p> </div>shnazzymamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05171069975042252327noreply@blogger.com0