I'm Just Sayin...

Obama:

Occidental College - Two years.
Columbia University - B.A. political science with a specialization in international relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Biden:

University of Delaware - B.A. in history and B.A. in political science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

McCain:

United States Naval Academy - Class rank 894 of 899

Palin:

Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in journalism

As a lay person...

I have found this site that is maintained by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. The premise is outstanding work in research, dissemination and focus on political, societal and media related information. In addition they host lectures and conferences and convene with expert panels on important issues that affect us.


FactCheck is their affiliation and while typically I rely on CNN, I am growing tired of their spins and anecdotal commentary.

I mean YES, this does appear to be the end of the world, but REALLY it's not ~ and I just need the facts so I know what to do next.

Check them out, why I attempt to finish removing the sand from my ears!

Really I had the best weekend until I received news that it may rain today here in Chicago! I suspect Hurricane Kyle remnants, but I did not check for sure.

"Didn't we ALMOST have it all..."

~ Whitney Houston song 1987
Michael Masser
Will Jennings, songwriters

LET the sun shine in!

Well, I must say that with the facts and suggestions that Tamera shared with us and the beautiful weather, I have just been SO happy!!!

I mean, who wouldn't want to be happy if you were on a beach, reading, watching the kids and the dogs play in balmy weather?




If we can just cling to the simple and wondrous things in our world, and find a bit of joy and happiness on this planet, things will be just fine!

I was becoming a bit worked up about Sarah Palin, I must admit. I mean how dare a woman not trust another women to make her own choices about her reproductive organs! But I just breathe! OPEN up my ribcage and bring it ALL in and then PUSH it ALL OUT!

So in thinking about ways to keep us at our highest performing levels ~ I must remind us all to eat a healthy diet during bouts of stress, keep hydrated with water and optimum drinks and hold our heads up when taking our deep breaths.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Sanctuary Saturdays ~ Sitting in with Pentad!

With the trials and tribulations we are currently facing here in America, and consequently around the globe, I asked our friend, mentor, and life coach Tamera Daun from Pentad ~ Simplifying Life and Love to sit and chat with us on some of the coping skills we can begin to implement for ourselves and for our families.

Struggling through this alone just will not do! We must maintain a "Healthier, Happier, You!!!!" at all cost and Tamera is always there to show us how! Thanks, Tamera!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are many forms of relaxation for the spirit and the mind.

From our earlier chats, we know that you are a Reiki healer and Life Coach. In this particular time in our journey, what would you recommend the average American be attempting to focus on as we worry about the weather, our finances, our jobs, our food, and our future President.

In the spirit realm, these challenges are probably less catastrophic than they feel, how can we pull back, assess, and maintain without elevating ourselves into sheer panic?

Times such as these test the feelings of self-security that we all carry around with us. They test our ability to stand firm, simplify life, and adapt and flow with the ups and downs of life. They test us even more, because they are often circumstances that are not "self-chosen". They are circumstances that are in the control and hands of other authorities, and even Mother Nature (in the case of a natural catastrophe). This also leads us to want to control the consequences, and in this way, tests our personality issues of control. When we feel vulnerable, the need to organize and control sometimes floats in over us. Understand me correctly. I do not connect a negative meaning to the word "control" as some would tend to do. I feel it is a natural human thing to do when people feel afraid or uncertain of what the future will bring. It is a part of our survival mechanism.

We are experiencing difficult economic times, and they can actually lead us back to that which is really vital and important. We have so many frills, and when finances become stretched, we cannot maintain them any longer. In simplifying life, we can think a little about what it is that we really need, and what are we buying to substitute for those feelings. We can decide that which we would like to keep and maintain, and then implement contemplation into practice. In other words, begin the process of thinking through our priorities a little more carefully.

All in all, life will happen. We cannot protect ourselves from life, and from life happening to us. Not everything will be an issue of self-choices. I feel that it is important to remain centered, strong, and balanced. From that center we "feel" safe, and can more easily flow with that which comes, however, we often tend to want to "fight it". The best practice to working on maintaining a centered stance is physical exercise, whether it be walking or something else enjoyable. It has a funny way of creating the sense of physical security, and this absolutely influences our thought processes, and our emotional experience of security. This balances those bouts of fear and panic.

In order to remain open and flowing; meditation, good breathing technique and being your own best friend are constructive practices. What I mean by being a good friend to oneself, is the ways in which we choose to self-talk to ourselves. If we enter difficult times with an attitude of, "I may learn something new, and I can do this a little at a time", it can help us get through anything in a positive way. It is emotional energy conservation, which allows us to use that energy on that which has to be done or adapted to, in practice. When we enter difficult times feeling negatively, it drains our energy.

Attempting to do both of these things at the same time is a process of learning. It takes time to balance if there is something that is not going too well. However, the more we practice, the easier it is to move back to that "place" within us.

You once stated in one of our earlier chats that "when we decide for something to happen, it will begin to happen". You were referring to relationship mending and awareness. Can we apply some of those concepts to our relationship with our current world?

Yes, this is applicable to anything and everything. If we would like for anything to improve, the first rule of thumb is to intend for it to happen. We make a decision, and from there the path begins. There may be a few detours along the way, but this usually means that we need to develop some part of our character in order to fully implement that which we have intended. The thing that often frightens us the most is that we are uncertain of what will come along in the process. Again, we are met with our personal issues of trust and faith. This means "trust" that things WILL work out for the best. They will balance on the other side of our decision toward something new. Our development does not go any quicker than we can accept at any given time. I can guarantee people that things will work out for the best. The end result may not have the same detail as we may have pictured mentally beforehand, but then, our thinking is usually not as expanded as it should be. We cannot envision any more than our thinking allows us to. So, the end result may even end up better than we can imagine.

Most importantly, as parents, what can we be saying through our fears of the unknown to our children who are unfortunately picking up on the chaos that is unfolding around us?

That which we end up saying is exactly all of the symptoms of our own fear. We signalize all of it, and they do pick it up.

Are there simple techniques we can be teaching them to calm themselves? How much of the current situations of the world should we be sharing with our children who are old enough and are aware?

I do feel that this is the responsibility of adults and not children. It is not positive to signalize fear, which children begin to internalize, and then teach them how to calm the consequences of our own fear and insecurities. We have to solve them inside of ourselves, and then let children "see and hear" that, "Hey! Anything in life can be dealt with. Every problem or situation has a solution, or perhaps even several to choose from". They then learn to hit life "head-on" without fear of life.

If children are old enough to understand certain problems, then I think it can be do-able to speak with them naturally in everyday life about the small solutions we choose. It can also be important for them to realize that things don't always go perfectly, and some days can be a "downer", and that although we take those feelings seriously, it doesn't stop us from looking for solutions from a general positive outlook. Sharing this with older children gets their creative juices flowing, and they also begin to look for creative solutions to problems, and difficult times. I would also encourage them to remember that we are all in this world together, and that it can be of great emotional help to support and help each other in our communities.

How much of this should we be encouraging them to shoulder and assist in formulating changes? What is the best advice you can give for capturing daily "bliss" moments?

My best advice is to work on these internal environments that I have mentioned, because it is what we show the world about ourselves. Stay grounded and centered, flow with change, trust that things will work out, and above all; always remember to appreciate those small joys in everyday life, and appreciate others.



Ahhh, don't we feel better??? Now get out there and have a great DAY!!

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

OOH! I just received my very first Brillant Weblog Award from our friend and life coach Tamera over at Pentad ~ Simplifying Life & Love.




So funny how these things work ~ you worry about someones alligators and the next thing you know, they're giving YOU something...go figure!! I LOVE Tamera for being witty, compassionate and so giving! SO THANKS!

So in receiving this, I must pass it on...choosing a few of my favorite sites, which is too hard because I love you all!

I only read a few blogs frequently...probably not seven, and the ones that I am not honoring have been previously honored in some fashion by Tamera, so here we go:

My first awarding will be to PUNDITMOM.
She has inspired me and fired me up throughout this crazy election. Her dedication to the blogosphere is much appreciated and I will also add that she has been featured on CNN and CSPAN to my knowledge alone. Be sure to check her out.

My next award goes to LOSANGELISTA of Los Angelista's Guide To The Pursuit Of Happiness. We here at "Healthier, Happier, You" have cited her because she is just so good. I read her everyday that I'm reading blogs.

I would like to add Tommy Buettner Blogging Baseball cuz I LOVE baseball dammitt!

AND finally for me, I cite KDAWG from THE ASPIRING HORSE RACER. WHY? Because he is just too cool!

As directed I must reprint the rules, which are:

1. When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back
2. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or even more) that you find brilliant in their content or design (Could not do, sorry).
3. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing they were prized with ‘Brilliant Weblog’
4. Show a picture of those who awarded you and those you give the prize(optional).
5. And pass it on!

OKAY Ladies!!

I purchased our friend Dr. Susan L. Reid's book "Discovering Your Inner Samurai:The Entrepreneurial Woman's Journey to Business Success", after months of dragging my feet! BUT, the time is now!

I ordered it today and it should be arriving very shortly! It would be great if you would read it with me ~ BUT if not, I will bring forth the good news.

In addition, she has agreed to be our "Friends On Friday" interview coming soon...again...once I get it together, smile wink!

This should be fun. In the meantime, enjoy the presentation she has so graciously shared with us and feel free to visit her blogs ALKAMAE or SusanReid.typepad.com!

ENJOY THE DAY!

DONATE ONE WEEK OF COFFEE!

The pot is EMPTY but the need goes on!

At this writing, the Red Cross and most of the major efforts that aid people are in need and are facing empty pots.

There have been far too many wars, and catastrophes for them to keep up. They have taken out loans to provide the last 2.8 million hot meals and clothing the some 200,000 that are still displaced from Gustav, Hanna and Ike have received. There are also missions ongoing over seas.

I know we are all facing empty accounts ourselves and this is not a good time to ask ~ but give up one week of coffee, tea or beer and do your part today!

Some one is in need and we never know when that someone will be us!!!

à votre santé au mieux!

George Whiting Flagg, Artist


I finished "The Lost German Slave Girl" by John Bailey.

It is the story of a German immigrant and her trial to prove that she was not a slave but a free white woman during the 1800's in New Orleans.

It was a very interesting tale and was also the first time I had ever heard of Caucasian races being enslaved. I had heard of their being indentured servants, but outright slavery was news to me. It was typically accidental, but occurred in very rare instances. The irony was unnerving I suppose, the detail was painstaking.

The novel was based on notes and historical documents from Louisiana archives, and was so fascinating.

With the weather being so glorious here in Chicago, I would sit out at some cafe and pretend I was somewhere in the Vieux Carre, or in Jackson Square watching one of my ancestors be sold off, or down by the Mississippi waving as the ships sailed pass.

That was good reading for me, for it was almost as if I had lived it ~ Oh, I had lived quite a bit of it through my ancestors...I am a result!

Now I am reading a book with my son..."Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick! Feel free to join us and let us know what you think!!!

Happy First Day Of Fall!

What I really wanted to speak about today was the Chicago WEATHER!!!

These past few days have been bliss!! Many years ago, before the term global warming was wide-spread and we were all basically uninformed, someone told me that once the effects of the glaciers melting are irreversible the Caribbean and the tropics will disappear under water and places like Chicago will be the new Miami.

Well, I certainly pray that assessment is inaccurate, but the selfish side of me is truly enjoying Miami...uhmm I mean Chicago in September at 80 degrees.

So to all my brothers and sisters to the south, I really do hope we reverse this global catastrophe but I just LOVE Miam...I mean Chicago in September at 80 degrees!

I was sitting in Millennium Park with my shoes off enjoying the beats of the street musicians. People were everywhere sipping lemonade, eating salads and soaking in the sun!




I closed my eyes and it was heaven on earth. The Lake was deep blue and there was not a cloud in the sky. You could hear everyone's laughter and my soul settled and it just feels so good!!!

I swear there is nothing better after experiencing the remnants of an oceanic cyclone than kicking off your shoes and taking in downtown Chicago, The Bean and the beats of the sounds of the street...nope...nothin better!

WAIT, What??!!!

I have to say, I KNOW I SAID I WAS STAYING OUT OF THIS ELECTION CRAP!!!! BUT...

After spending my weekend working for Senator Obama, campaigning and making phone calls, let me tell you ~ HE IS NOT, I repeat NOT part of the so-called "Chicago Machine" as the latest McCain ad attempts to parley. In fact, if you have been reading here for a while, it was one of the things I did not like about Senator Obama at first! Now he is being penalized for it anyway! He had NO backing starting in Chicago. AT ALL. He has literally been one of the first to work his way up, alone. I have been at events years ago, where they would not even let him speak...he was too unknown, but he would stand there and press on nonetheless. Shaking hands, smiling and making his rounds. A quiet, and now we see, persistent, omnipresent force ~ one to be reckoned with, obviously, because Chicago politics is no joke. But do not be fooled...even with all of the hullabaloo ~ This is a city that works. And methinks it works quite well for a city of 3 million plus. It works, while still maintaining that small town, homey appeal.

We do have quite a bit of work to do, and I will say, Senator Obama could have given us more, but he will give all of that to all of you! It is there. The passion and desire for reform and change. Don't worry about the Chi ~ we are capable. We have an entire city of folk with the same goals.

McCain's campaign can take all of that garbage and just put it where the sun don't shine!

Anyway, I was hoping to share good news, and I think I still can. GOOD news is that the headquarters at the newest Obama site was BOOMING!

It was SO exciting. Usually I work from home, but I went to the opening and it was just a sight! Young, old, decrepit, wheelchair-bound, college, elitist, homeless, White, Black, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, I mean folks had travelled! We were laughing, we were energized, we were committed and we want to share it with the planet! SO, if you don't know how to get involved, contact me, email me OR dial 866-675-2008 for more information in your area.

You may also email - Illinois at BarackObama.com

Like my girl Hill said, "No McCain, no way, no how."

Sorry to all of my conservative readers, I LOVE you but I also LOVE my choice, choice for my body, choice for those who want to be with whomever they want as a family and and it scares me to hear wars are "Missions from God". Why in the world would any one's GOD want a war?

Furthermore, after talking to so many farmers in the Midwest who are in dire straits because of this economy and this administration, I LOVE my food supply and would like to go back to the days when I was not worried about what they put in my food, who was regulating it, and where in the world it came from! 40 days folks!

What say you!

(I am at work right now ~ so I will post what I really intended to when I get home, I just had to share that with you guys after hearing about that ad! Shame on them)

The proof is in the sucra...

"They" are trying to retract the demonization of high fructose corn syrup. DON'T BUY IT! Literally and figuratively!

According to TIME Health & Science the process renders the stuff to be scientifically identical to glucose. Okay fine, but does it have to be in everything we eat? No one really argued it was a corrosive agent but ultimately it has been placed in things that REALLY could use a splash of pear juice, beet, or citrus. AND I still can not figure out why it is in bread????

What the heck were we eating in our bread before they came up with this stuff??

I am just so crazed by eating anything processed at this point, especially since no one is regulating who is doing the processing and what they are processing it with!

The less ingredients gives me some assurance there is less that can be screwed up!

YIKES! My Granma kept telling me to cook my own stuff, now I am forced...good thing I have her cook books on my shelf. Now I just have to blow all that dust off of them...ah, and then use the allergen vac ;0)

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!!!!

AP
During the coverage of Hurricane Ike, I saw a clip where some poor, despairing business owner put a huge hand-painted sign on the side of his Galveston building and it read "Go HOME Ike, Tina's not here!"

Well, this storm is a hard headed one, Tina or no Tina, it is leaving a wake of destruction and ruin. I felt an outpouring of sympathy and stayed glued to the coverage, mainly on The Weather Channel, hoping everyone stayed safe and out of harms way...

NOW I am praying for myself ~ here in the sopping Midwest! These storms have their own purpose I am sure, but yesterday morning, at about 5am, Chicagoland became a wetland at Ike's mercy!

National Hurricane Center


It started with typical rain and has steadily intensified. Now, as we go along today, Ike remains relentless, still punching at our lowlands which are flooding fast.

Drips have turned to pouring which have turned to puddles that have formed in eveyones' homes that I have spoken with today. It is seeping in whatever way it can!

I am considering turning my basement into a wading pool Thanks Ike!

...You REALLY suck.

Just thought I'd share that with you ~ Happy Mopping Everyone!

(GOBEARS)

Why and Whatnot

Since we have been discussing scare mails and forwarded materials, I decided to share with you that I finally finished "The Golden Compass" and the other three that accompany it, "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman. I LOVED IT! And I am now experiencing "empty arm" syndrome as the hefty compilation was my baby ALL summer long.

Everyone at my son's soccer games, and any other function where there may have been a lag in the festivities, would share how much they loved it and then jeer me for being a bit too dedicated by dragging it everywhere I went! But it became my little fantasy world after a while. Lyra and Will, Pan and the gang! I MISS them!

Initially I ordered it as a challenge to my inner rebel. The book was banned from my son's school (HELLO? We just had a discussion on the Blog Catalog about "censorship")and it was forbidden that they go see the movie. To add to all of that, I began receiving a barrage of emails last year during the movie's release urging a boycott. I had to judge for myself and boy am I glad that I did!

The urging was because allegedly the book is about killing GOD...FALSE!

I won't be a spoiler, but it is a fantasy first and foremost ~ and any age can determine that. Secondly, you can see that the author, Philip Pullman, was deeply influenced by many of the questions of our existence and funnelled them into a wild and fantastical vision of adventure and illusion and loyalty.

SO, the moral of this story is always decide for yourself. I would have missed out on a great piece of literature if I had fallen into the foray.

BUT now that I am having this awful withdrawal...WHAT in the world will I read next???

"The Lost German Slave Girl", by John Bailey! A story about my beloved New Orleans. Thanks for the referral K.R.!!! (wink, wink)

I welcome any other suggestions as well ~ looks like we are in for a long, wet, rainy season!!

PEACE

TWIN MACBOOKS...

tangle tumultuous weather and tackling storms! That's my cousin Mario, freelance camera man and his ace Amani Channel of MyUrbanReport.

CLICK HERE for their latest: MYURBANREPORT.COM AND SUPESHOOTER

They have done the unthinkable to bring us news with integrity and a fresh new perspective!

As my heart wept with the threat of Gustav, I was receiving up to the second information from Cousin Mario and Amani. Thank Marie Laveau and every voodoo spell I could muster, NOLA escaped devastation ~ THIS TIME.

As Amani and Mario head off to cover the next big story...I am keeping them in my prayers and asking you guys to do the same.

Great job guys!!!

Guilty As Charged!

Who is this woman??? I have no idea, however, her body is circulating the web with Governor Sarah Palin's head on it and I fell for it!!!

This election year has everyone exhausted and pimp slapped at every turn!

In this day and age, how is the average person supposed to decipher what is true and what is fantasy?

After months of me threatening to give it all up, I AM OFFICIALLY DONE!

This smear came in the form of a forwarded email from someone I hold to respect and being formidable. This person never forewords, which I typically do not as well, so I fell for the fear factor. THEN I forwarded it!

This all leads me to the discussion of where do forwards originate? How can you determine their validity, and what should you even question? EVERYTHING?

I have visited Snopes.com and Truth Or Fiction.com on MANY occasions, but for things that were just blatant ~ like those thousands of emails about people sneaking in your cars when you go to gas up, or the long lost teen who is missing, please send donations, or the cat that is really a tiger...but after days of seeing Governor Palin on television with her rifle, talking about guns and her entire stance, it was completely believable...so I stand ashamed.

While I, in no way agree or even partially agree with anything she has said, hold firm that she is a human being and deserves respect and dignity as she proceeds through this historic campaign.

Sticking to the issues in this election will be so very hard, especially as folks circulate lies and smear campaigns. I was fortunate enough to have been left off the trails of Senator Obama smears.

I am now sticking to my old values of being leery of forwarded material. I love getting notes from friends, readers and anyone who wants to be interviewed here on the House, but rumours, gossip mills and smears will end up in the recycle bin.

My apologies to anyone I offended in sending the smear and, for goodness sakes, let us all find me some substantive issues to chomp on ~ there are PLENTY there!

From civil rights to human rights ~ that McCain/Palin ticket leaves us with so, so very much to be scared about without having to email pranks...lets get to our due diligence.