An Open Letter to a Dumb Ass

Dear Dumb Ass,

If you think for a moment that your comments have done anything to hurt my feelings or cause any kind of anguish, you are wrong. You are nothing more than a 2 second "click-delete" in the blogosphere.

Do you really believe you are a waste of *my* time? Fuck no. If you weren't such a waste of a human being, I might actually feel sorry for you. Yeah, you...a person who is such a loser they spend half their life writing meaningless comments on someone's website every day. Talk about a person with a "broken brain." It sure sucks to be you.

And for those who come to my site and see your comments prior to deletion, well, the only one that looks like a fool is you.

Buh-bye, Troll Boy

I told you I control this blog, not you.

I also have control on this one too, stupid.

What's hilarious is that you're such a fucking loser, you actually paid someone good money so that you could hide your tracks to make juvenile insults.

Now THAT's pathetic.

Oh, you can comment on one day's posts at a time, if comments are open. But we all know that won't feed your masturbatory desires.

You never managed to get me upset in any way, but you did succeed in boring the hell out of me.

Oh, and you spelled "hemmorhoid" wrong. And learn how to capitalize, idiot.

Here everyone, is a short timeline of a no-life loser:

10th February 2006 11:29:04 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
10th February 2006 11:30:47 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
10th February 2006 11:32:55 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!

10th February 2006 11:46:02 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
10th February 2006 11:47:09 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
10th February 2006 11:47:31 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156694
ot Your Business!
10th February 2006 11:48:24 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156694
ot Your Business!

11th February 2006 00:06:07 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
11th February 2006 00:08:51 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
11th February 2006 00:10:44 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
11th February 2006 00:10:50 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
11th February 2006 00:11:08 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
11th February 2006 00:12:27 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
11th February 2006 00:12:34 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!

11th February 2006 00:36:57 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!

11th February 2006 01:05:47 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!
11th February 2006 01:08:10 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!

11th February 2006 01:41:21 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!

11th February 2006 11:11:15 blog.mu.nu/cgi/splorp.cgi?entry_id=156641
ot Your Business!

Welcome to the New Merri Musings!

Look around, get comfy and enjoy the view! I'm so happy you found your way here!

Thanks to Sadie over at Apothegm Designs, I'm settling into my new mu.nu digs...don't you think they look just awesome? Please share your comments about the site so Sadie can get the proper kudos she deserves!

More to come....just getting my feet wet! Thanks for coming over this way...good to see you in da house!

Beth's Right Meme Conspiracy

I've got to say, when I first saw that Beth had tagged me for a meme, I was a bit concerned, especially when the topic was to speak about five weird things about yourself.  Then I read Beth's post and knew I couldn't possibly be as weird as her.  Heh.  HAHAHAH!

Anyway, so I'm supposed to come up with five weird things.  I asked my hubby one weird thing I do, and he just couldn't come up with anything.  Yeah, right.  He just REFUSED to go there.  Eh, I guess I can't blame him.  We do live in the same house and all, huh?!?!

So I'm left to my own devices....here goes!

1)  I don't really like ketchup as a rule, but will eat it on certain things.  I do not like ketchup on french fries at all.  I *do* like it on hot dogs and hamburgers, but it grosses me out if there's too much of it - like when it squishes out between the buns and oozes everywhere...how disgusting!  I can only handle a thin (very thin) line across a hot dog and if it is on a burger, it can only be as much as what would moisten the bun enough to stick to the burger.  The worst thing?  A hamburger patty sliding around inside an overly "condimented" burger....ACK!  I guess I'm just not a condiment over-doer.

2)  I can't eat nuts in things.  Cookies, cakes, ice cream, fudge....don't ruin it by putting nuts in it!  Those things have just the right consistency without nuts.  Do I like nuts?  Absolutely....but by themselves, or in peanut M 'n' Ms.  As an example, ice cream is supposed to melt in your mouth with nothing left.  If you have nuts in the ice cream, well, you have to chew it.  Or all you have left is a mouth full of nuts and no ice cream. 

3)  I can't seem to finish a bottle of pop.  Just today, I thew away 3 partially full bottles at work.  You see, pop has to be cold.  Ice cold.  If it doesn't stay ice cold, I can't drink it.  and I can't pour warm pop over a cup full of ice.  The ice melts too fast and waters down the pop and makes it less fizzy.  I like ice cold pop - so cold that ice particles are starting to form in the bottle or can.  Now THAT's what I'm talking about.  This applies to beer as well, which is why I don't drink beer often.  I've been known to put ice in my beer to keep it cold, which I'm told is an absolute NO NO (whoops - starting to sound like Beth with all the "food issues" going on...better change the subject!)!

4)  Why am I full of useless information?  I can recite full portions of movies, I can sing you most 80s songs, even down to the grunts and moans in a few Prince songs.  But I can't remember the conversation we had an hour ago without taking notes.  ...and the 80s were like, 20 years ago.  Why is this?

5)  I have a tendency to drive people nuts at work due to my almost anal retentive organization skills.  I have certain ways I name files so they can be easier to find alphabetically.  I have a label maker to note exactly what is contained in each section of my employees' personnel folders.  But if you walked into my house, you would never know about my "secret" life as an organizational freak at work.  I'm lucky to find the most important papers I need at home (i.e. social security cards, birth certificates, etc.)  And let's not even talk about finding tape - unless it is all over my daughter's room or some other strange place.  And it's amazing how many pens I find on top of the fridge - but I guess that comes from having a 4-year-old artist in the house.

What I find frightening about this meme is that I could go on and on.  But thank God I am able to stop at 5!

I originally decided that I wasn't going to tag anyone, but thought it would be fun to tag my hubby just to see what he would say (if, indeed, he does it).  So tag, Honey, you're it!

I Ain't Got Nothin'!

Just a fly-by post to say I'm still alive!

We had a wonderful Christmas - the kids got so many toys I don't think the garbage collectors are going to like us much (boxes, boxes, boxes!).  On the other hand, the battery people love us.  We should own stock.  Hell, we probably do and just don't know it!

I'm writing to you on my nice new shiny beautiful, fast and most amazing laptop my dear hubby got me for Christmas.  Now I just need to get a new desk to go with it!  Yes, I accessorize *around* my favorite things!

We had family over and I cooked a 10-pound Christmas prime rib, potatoes gratin, green beans, rolls, pumpkin pie and pecan pie cake.  It was a nice spread and we have some rather tasty left overs.  I'll be glad when the pie is gone though...unfortunately it's all going to my waistline (GAWD...I LOVE pumpkin pie!)!  It was good to be with family - the kids enjoyed seeing all the grandparents...shoot, so did I!  To be honest, though, the best part of the day was collapsing on the couch.  I'm looking forward to just a bit of relaxation, even though I have to go back to work tomorrow (whahhhhhh!).  Now comes the fun part - putting away the tree.  I'm usually ready for it the day after Christmas.  This year's no different, so we'll see how long it lasts!  I give it 3-4 days tops.

Blogging will commence again, now that I have some free time.  Frequency depends upon what I walk into at work.  It is year-end review time, end of quarter time, first quarter preparation, I have a new boss, and there seems to be no end of the fun!  I was planning to take this week off, but that darned flu got in the way.  The good thing is, this is the slowest work week of the year otherwise, so I might just get some stuff done!!

Anyway, before I put you to sleep, just wanted to toss a few thoughts into the air to see where the landed.  Now it's off to real life once again!  Take care!

Happy Blogiversary To Me!

Happy Blogiversary to me!
Happy Blogiversary to me!
Happy Blogiversary to Merri Musings...
Happy Blogiversary to me!

I can hardly believe it was a year ago today that I picked up the proverbial "blogging pen" and started this thing!  I started over at blogsnot (the old Rachael Ray Redux site!), with the whole idea of blogging recipes and Rachael Ray stuff while trying to figure out what this "beast" was that consumed the majority of my hubby's time. 

Recipes and Rachael Ray weren't enough for me, so I decided to go ahead and move over to Typepad (aka "the big time" HAHAHAHAHAHAH) and blog about whatever was on my mind, in ADDITION to the recipe and Rachael Ray thing.  It was a good outlet, especially when I would get so pissed off about child molesters, abusers, the ACLU and other such things. 

At the same time, as I look back, it was an outlet to release pain (the passing of my mom in January), joy (anything relating to my kids), and any other emotion I can possibly think of.  And to join groups, and leave groups, and be selected for really cool groups, and to talk about Trash on Wednesdays, and all kinds of other fun things.

Will I do this thing forever?  I suspect this will eventually come to an end as it has with so many others.  While it is a good thing, Real Life to me is much more important.  Should thing blog thing ever get in the way of that, what a stupid human being I've become.  Talking on a blog will never take the place of real life memories that one can hold in their hearts forever.    ...and when this blog thing becomes a chore versus a pleasure, I'll be done.  BUT, I'll be around for a little while, I'm sure.  :-)

I've met many amazing people along the way - holding company with people who have served our country, kicked around some bad ass governments from their livingrooms, saw a hostage situation end without bloodshed, and pushed "famous" asshats away from the microphone in order to get the truth out has been by far the most incredible experiences I've had online.  And I love the Rachael Ray fans that frequently visit as well.  Especially those fans who think I *am* Rachael Ray.

Over the upcoming days and weeks, I'll definitely be paying tribute to those of you who have walked this walk with me.  In the meantime, I'm planning to enjoy this Christmas weekend with my family.  I can't hardly wait to see the kids unwrapping the presents, peeking their heads out of their rooms to see if Santa has paid a visit, cooking a great holiday spread and spending valuable time with our extended family. 

Thanks for coming by my little corner on the web.  I hope to see more of you in the upcoming months - I wouldn't even write if it wasn't for you!

Merri Pukings

Merri has been frightfully sick over the last 24 hours.

Not only is she behind on her Christmas plans, she's going to be buried when she goes back to work tomorrow.

I'll help in the real world, she could use some help in the virtual.

Raven, and her other guest posters, feel free to post.

If anyone else would like to fill in, email me at vinceautmorire@gmail.com and I'll check out your blog and set you up.

Asshats, bleatasticfucktards, and child molestors need not apply.

Adoration of Rachael Ray, while not required, is a plus on your resume.

Hehehe.

2005 Weblog Award Finalists!

...and the finalists have been announced!

Merri Musings is in the running for an award for Best New Blog! Polls are open tomorrow (and you can vote every 24 hours if you'd like)...if you enjoy my site, please be sure to stop by and slip a vote in the ballot box for me!

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention a few of my favorites!  Please be sure to drop them a vote, too!

Best New Blog (but only if you don't wanna vote for me...wink, wink, nudge, nudge):

Common Sense Runs Wild and Soldiers' Angel Holly Aho

Best Group Blog

The Cotillion (who individually received a number of nominations....excellent job, ladies!)

Best Humor / Comics Blog

Six Meat Buffet (didn't you know there were six meats?)

Best Conservative Blog

The Jawa Report (a MUST read!)

Best Culture / Gossip Blog

Knowledge is Power (SondraK - bringing a bit of culture to the Cotillion ladies!)

Best of the Top 250 Blogs

My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (go Beth!)

Best of the Top 501-1000 Blogs

Vince Aut Morire (there are many I could mention here, but by and far my hubby stands out for me for many reasons, so I'm pitching his site!) 

Best of the Top 2501-3500 Blogs

The Wide Awake Cafe

Congrats to everyone that was nominated!  I think it's an honor just to be nominated, let alone be a finalist!  It affirms for me why I like keeping up this little corner of the web.

Good luck to all and happy voting!

Weblog Awards are Coming!

Check it out!

Stop The Madness

Are you fed up with the political games being played in Washington, D.C.? Do you want critics of the Iraq war to stop the relentless attacks on the President and our troops? Then sign this petition. We are at war…still most Democrats in Congress attack the President and our troops without conscience. Sign here to ask them to STOP THE MADNESS! This petition will be hand-delivered to every member of Congress and party leaders. Our message is clear: We the undersigned believe it is time to unite this country. These baseless political attacks must stop. We are at war! 160,000 US Armed Forces are in Iraq fighting and winning. They deserve better. We call on Democratic leaders to stop the attacks on the President and our troops. And we call on Republicans in Congress to do a better job of stopping these attacks and stand with the President and our troops as well! We will deliver this petition the day of the Presidents next State of the Union address in 2006. Please sign your name and include your city as well. If you'd like a response from Congressional members in your state, include your mailing address as well. These attacks must stop. If they do not, we will lose the war in Iraq and the terrorists will win! Please take action and let your voice be heard today!

Project Hero

For those of you that don't know, I mentioned a few days back that I was surprised to learn 208 Silver Stars had been awarded in Iraq. Apparently heroism isn't newsworthy enough for most of the MSM. So in an effort to change that, I've embarked on a bit of a personal crusade called "Project Hero", where I will highlight the heroism of some of our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Today we honor a young Marine officer who won the nation's second highest honor for valor in action: the Navy Cross.

Thanks and Thankfulness

Me and the hubby hop on a plane for sin city tomorrow - we're celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary with the honeymoon we never had.  I've never been to Vegas, so I'm pretty pumped about the trip!

So we'll be gone for most of the week.  I sooo appreciate Raven stepping up to fill in for me (AGAIN!!)...please stop over at her site and trackback, leave comments, send her money.  Okay, at least stop over and say hi or give her some linky love.  She's posted more at my site recently than I have....silly real life getting in the way and all!

While you are at it, please click through and visit my friends who are on my blogrolls.  There isn't a blog on there you'd regret poking around at.  Since I've been remiss at keeping up, the least I can do is send you over their way.  I promise I'll be back to the normal groove soon!

Thanksgiving is coming up, and it has reminded me to think of those things I have to be thankful for and appreciate having as part of my life.

• We're so extraordinarily blessed to have two beautiful, smart and healthy children.  Having them in my life has certainly made life worth living and more!
• I have a great husband.  We've weathered quite a bit in the last 10+ years and I'm so thankful that fate brought us together.  I find it amazing, however, that it took the Internet when we lived in the same apartment complex with the same view from our windows.  It was meant to be!
• We've got a roof over our head, reliable transportation, jobs that keep these things intact and afford us the opportunities to take our vacations, feed our families, maintain a virtual zoo in our home (we've covered the reptile, mammal and feathered kind as of right now), have some level of financial stability as well as any electronic object we can get our hands on, along with watercraft.
• I'm thankful that our living family members are still with us this year and that my mom no longer suffers the pain I remember her having last Thanksgiving.
• I'm thankful that, even without Mom, Dad will be celebrating Christmas this year.  I was truly wondering what was going to happen.  Christmas was a holiday that Mom was fanatical about.  Now if I could just figure out what Dad will be doing with this new lady friend of his....hehehehe
• I'm thankful that I live in a country that I can have all of the aforementioned things and people in my life.  Oh, and that I can talk and write freely about them without wondering who will come and cut off my hands if I'm caught.
• I'm thankful for the brave men and women who are away from their families protecting this country from terrorism and those who want to strip our freedoms from us.  I pray that those who are voicing dissent will gain clarity and support our troops and the reasons they are actively protecting our country. 

Think about those things that you are thankful for.  I can tie virtually everything in my life back to one thing - the freedom we have here to enjoy life fully if we want it.  There are some countries where it is acceptable to abandon a child merely because of their gender.  There are countries in which I would have never held a job because I am a woman.  There are countries in which I would have never seen a computer, let alone share with the world my feelings, my opinions and sometimes crazy pictures and posts.  And there are some that would punish me severely if they knew I was speaking out against something.  I'm so thankful that my children will enjoy the freedoms and joy living here have provided to me.  I can only hope that those who seem to tear down every decision made to protect this country appreciate what they have.  For it is those very things they have that have allowed them to protest and call for a change of strategy as it relates to the war on terror. 

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and Viva Las Vegas!  See you on Friday! 

Veterans Day

History of Veterans Day 1921 - an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial services all took place on November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I at 11:00 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month), which became known as Armistice Day. 1926 - Armistice Day officially became a holiday in the United States, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans. 1968 - new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. Official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day center around the Tomb of the Unknowns. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil. At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath and the playing of "Taps."

Department of Defense Veterans Day Coverage Military History

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I *Am* Alive.....

Hi everyone!

I am alive, just being pulled away by the "real world" for a couple of days.  Hubby and I were in the purging mood (no, this is *not* about an eating disorder).  We rented one of those handy dumpsters and got rid of those rather large items that we no longer use and needed to get rid of (plus lots of little stuff...it is amazing how many times I said "oh, yeah....I can pitch that" as I walked through my house).

There's something very "freeing" about throwing away stuff that I'm bogged down with (Note:  the word "liberating" came to mind, but it was a bit too close to "liberal" hehehehehe).  When I was younger, it was soooo important to have "stuff" and as I get older I want nice things, but can do without a bunch of "stuff" cluttering up our home and life (and besides, the kids have enough legos, hot wheels and various "dolly" things to clutter us up for life!).

So....with exceptionally sore arms, a sore back, and a lump on the back of head (don't ask, but it hurt!), I can proudly walk around seeing a bit more garage, a bit more floor and know that we spent our time and money wisely.

I'm sure I'll be back to blogging more tomorrow, unless I'm covered with ice packs.  Heh! 

To the Idiots Who Support Sex Offenders and Other Such Idiots

To those of you - and you know who you are - who are submitting comments that are loaded with crap (defending pedophiles, sex offenders, ridiculous name calling, spewing out of the bible when you don't know what you are talking about), I am deleting them.  This is *my* blog and I won't publish your crap as it eats my bandwidth.

If you want to spew your nonsense, keep it on your own blog.  I won't entertain it.

Oh, and to the idiot who is trying to prove some nonsensical point, I don't care if someone draws a picture of children having sex together (even stick figures) - there is no such thing as "fake" kiddie porn.  Drawing it is as bad as photographing it you sick bastard.  I hope to God you don't have children because if you did, I'd have a notion to report your IP address information to the authorities.

Thatisall.

I'm a Copy Cat!

I'm a copy cat!  In other words, I am not creative today.  I feel like crap, and generally don't want to do anything.  So.....what would be better than to copy cat Beth?

You are a Social Conservative (28% permissive) and an... Economic Conservative (80% permissive) You are best described as a: Strong Republican Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid

I encourage you to copy Beth today!  You'll be glad you did!

Hostage Roy Hallums is Free!

Excellent news over at Rusty's site...Roy Hallums was rescued today! 

I cannot possibly articulate the relief and joy the Hallums are feeling, but Rusty sums it up nicely:

UPDATE from Rusty:Today is one of the happiest days of my life.  I'm literally crying.

And a brief statement from Roy:

I want to thank all of those who were involved in my rescue -- to those who continuously tracked my captors and location, and to those who physically brought me freedom today.

To all of you, I will be forever grateful. Both of us are in good health and look forward to returning to our respective families. Thank you to all who kept me and my family in their thoughts and prayers.

Roy, you and your family are still in my thoughts and prayers.  Thank God you are coming home!

Some Redecorating

Hi all!

Merri Musings is getting a bit of a facelift, so you may see some changes here and there.  Just be careful and don't trip on that paint can! 

Sunday Night Linkfest (AKA Lazy Blogging)

Due to a company picnic, fighting a cold, cooking, cleaning and generally being lazy, I haven't blogged anything since Thursday!  That's a long time for me!  I guess I just haven't felt creative and/or had the time to write the one post that I have dancing around in my head.  Soooooo...I think I'll send you off to read some posts much more interesting than anything I can come up with at the moment!

Please keep those in the South (i.e. Louisiana, Alabama) in your thoughts and prayers.  The bitch of a hurricane Katrina looms off the coast, and it doesn't look good.  Beth has got the right idea and is driving away from the coast.  Be safe, Beth!  You are in our prayers!

Well, due to the weather and other circumstances, the Cotillion isn't having their weekly gala.  However, to see what one crazy day in the life of the Cotillion is like (behind the scenes), look no further than Cassandra's round up.  Yeah, we're all slightly crazy!

Speaking of the Cotillion...it appears there is a new little bundle of joy in the Cotillion "family."  Go over to Right Thinking Girl and congratulate the family on their new arrival, baby girl Parker Grace!

Darleen over at Darleen's Place has a great post up about Cindy Sheehan, that b....oh, Darleen says it best and she has a great photo of the new Cindy Sheehan doll as well.  This is a a MUST view photo!

Lastly, it's been awhile since I talked about my favorite Food Network guru, Rachael Ray.  She launched yet another new show, "Tasty Travels."  The first episode was Friday night, and was shot in New York City.  Her sweetie John Cusimano was also in the show, for those of you who find their way here.  I like the concept of this show more than "$40 A Day."  It's not just about restaurants.  In this particular show, Rachael took you to the store she buys her funky dishes from, and also takes you to the market she buys her groceries from.  Next stop....Los Angeles!  Hmmmm....wonder if she'll ever be in Omaha?  Heh!

Well, that's it for now...off to finish some laundry and other such boring types of stuff.  Work again tomorrow, darn it!  But we're coming up on a 3-day weekend...that will help me get through the week!

A Few Quick Thoughts

Due to a major headache that doesn't want to go away, even rubbing two brain cells together wouldn't create enough of a spark to inspire me to write anything of any significance.  However, there's plenty of action around today, so never fear!

I've been quoted on a side bar!  An American Housewife has a quote from one of my posts on her sidebar - go check it out.  Certainly send any requests for my autograph to my publicist as I am now famous!  Here's the quote, and I'm certain you know which group I am referring to:

"It never fails to amaze me that this pedophile-worshipping, teen-abortion-exhaulting, "poor criminal" advocating group tends to align with the individual(s) who set out to cause harm. Screw the victim's rights, screw the safety of our troops, screw the facts."

For those of you who *don't* know which group I'm referring to may want to tune in tomorrow....

Speaking of my publicist...  My dear hubby has further thoughts on the mother of war hero Casey Sheehan that I wrote about on Sunday, with a little Mo thrown in.  Please put your seat in the upright position and buckle in - you will be in for a wild ride!

"Poor Sex Offender"  Sex offenders in Cedar Rapids, IA are worried that a court decision may require that they move from their current homes if they are too close to a school.  In my rather non-lady-like opinion, FUCK'EM.  I don't care how they feel.  What they do to their victims has changed their lives forever - who gives a shit about their "inconvenience" in having to move?  Some people believe what goes around comes around.  I'd only call it that if his cell buddy "Bubba" did to him what he did to his victim.

White Trash Wednesday.  Because I suck, I didn't get a post in this week for White Trash Wednesday.  Be sure to check out the other participants by clicking on their links in the list on the left!  Tell 'em Ray Dawn sent you!

Project VALOUR IT

A call for help....from Kathleen at The Middle Ground, a very worthy project:

Hello friends, family and fellow bloggers, I'm emailing you to let you know about a new project for wounded soldiers through that fantastic organization Soliders' Angels and ask for your assistance. The new project is called Project VALOUR IT (Voice Activated Laptops for OUR Injured Troops). This project is to help get laptops with voice activated software to our wounded troops recuperating at military hospitals. From Soldiers' Angels: "Project Valour IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, provides voice-controlled software and laptop computers to wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand and arm injuries or amputations at major military medical centers. Operating laptops by speaking into a microphone, our wounded heroes are able to send and receive messages from friends and loved ones, surf the 'Net, and communicate with buddies still in the field without having to press a key or move a mouse. The experience of CPT Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, a partner in the project who suffered hand wounds while serving in Iraq, illustrates how important this voice-controlled software can be to a wounded servicemember's recovery."

To find out how you can help, please go visit Kathleen for more details. I work with patients who use the voice activated laptop systems...it's amazing what can be done and it's another way to say THANK YOU to the troops. Cross Posted @ Flightpundit, Cat House Chat, Vince Aut Morire & @ And Rightly So

A Meme - Because Beth Told Me I Had To!

Beth normally doesn't like memes, but when I saw she did this one, and she asked me to participate threatened me to within an inch of my life, I agreed. 

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Overview: This post is a community experiment with two broad purposes. The first is to create publicly accessible data about bloggers’ personalities, which may have sociological value in addition to being just plain fun. The second is to track the propagation of this meme through blogspace. Full details and explanation can be found on the original posting: http://pixnaps.blogspot.com/2005/06/meme-worth-spreading.html

Instructions (to join in the experiment):

1) Take the IPIP-NEO personality test and the Political Compass quiz, if you have not done so already.

2) Copy to the clipboard that section of this post that is between the double lines, and paste it into your blog editor. (Blogger users may wish to use ‘compose’ mode to preserve formatting and hyperlinks. Otherwise, be sure to add hyperlinks as necessary.)

3) Replace the answers in the “survey� section below with your own.

4) Add your blog information to the “track list�, in the format: “Linked title - URL - optional GUID“.

5) Any additional comments should go outside of the double lines, including the (optional) nomination of bloggers you wish to pass this experimental meme on to.

6) Post it to your blog!

Survey:

Age: 36 (younger than Beth!  :::ducking:::)
Gender: Female
Location: Nebraska, USA
Religion: Catholic
Occupation: A Manager of Supervisors with a comfy chair in a cubicle
Began blogging (dd/mm/yy): 23/12/04

Political Compass results

Left/Right: 5.38
Libertarian/Authoritarian: 3.18

IPIP-NEO results

EXTRAVERSION: 93
Friendliness 77
Gregariousness 89
Assertiveness 90
Activity Level 82
Excitement-Seeking 61
Cheerfulness 88

AGREEABLENESS: 37
Trust 76
Morality 45
Altruism 52
Co-operation 64
Modesty 40
Sympathy 0 (like Beth says �suck it up�)

CONSCIENTIOUSNESS: 63
Self-Efficacy 89
Orderliness 22
Dutifulness 72
Achievement-Striving 81
Self-Discipline 43
Cautiousness 67

NEUROTICISM: 15
Anxiety 14
Anger 7
Depression 19
Self-Consciousness 29
Immoderation 72
Vulnerability 16

OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE: 14
Imagination 53
Artistic Interests 0 (doesn't listening to Metallica count?)
Emotionality 44
Adventurousness 61
Intellect 47
Liberalism 0

Track List:

1. Philosophy, et cetera - pixnaps.blogspot.com - pixnaps97a2
2. Majikthise - 6ea37d10-e9b9-11d9-8cd6-0800200c9a66
3. Ezra Klein - http://ezraklein.typepad.com
4. Rox Populi - http://roxanne.typepad.com
5. Verbatim - http://verbatim.blogs.com
6. Black Currant Jam - http://blackcurrantjam.blogspot.com/ - black7currant7jam5
7. TypeBlogs - http://typeblogs.com (offshoot of marlaswoffer.com)
8. Ramble Strip - http://www.ramblestrip.com/blog/ - kal97ramblestrip
9. basil’s blog - http://www.basilsblog.net/ - basilandhisblog
10. My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy - http://bamapachyderm.com/ - ctide12x1
11. Merri Musings - http://www.merrimusings.typepad.com - merrimusings

===============================

Oh, what poor victims to pick on?  Well, since Beth already picked on my hubby, I need to find someone else...soooooo....

Raven

Jo

Seth

tee bee

Certainly there's no pressure to participate - I just thought it was fun!  Wheeeee....I actually liked this one!

Friday Night Linky Love Fest

I've done a bit of reading tonight, but I've not come up with anything to write about!  A bit of linky love is way overdue, so what better time to do it when I have writer's block, huh!

Jane Asks For Our Assistance...

Jane at Armies of Liberation tells us about a 14-year-old boy held in a prison in Yemen.  This young man, Ibrahim al Saiani, has an urgent need for medical attention.  Please see Jane's post here and take the time to sign the petition here.  The petition asks for the boy to get medical attention and, if innocent, his release from prison. 

Beth Has the 411 on PETA Hippie Freaks...

That Beth at MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is at it again, keeping us informed.  She shares a warm tale of PETA yarn spinners and their comparisons of the plights of animals to slavery.  What a bunchacrap.  They'll never get that lunacy doesn't win over people.  Well, except the looney Hollyweird crowd.  Excuse me while I go flip my medium rare, cooked to perfection porterhouse steak, please.  Did I tell you I hate PETA even more than the ACLU?

Visit Basil, You Must!

With all the linky love Basil has sent to me, I can never seem to send enough his way.  So please, I beg you, go visit his site.  He has awesome articles, including this one, and this one.  Oh, and Blogroll him, because you will want to go back.

Plan to be Outraged...

Stop over at Hyscience and read "The MSM War On Christians 'And America' - They've Gone 'Off The Charts' In Bias." Oh, and plan to be outraged.  Here's a sneak peak:

My Husband Vinnie....

Oh, look!  My hubby has BlogAds on his site.  Take a look, and be sure to sign up - he has a great deal going on right now! [this plug brought to you by da wifey poo]

Hanoi Jihad Jane...

Michael, I couldn't have said it better.  She's gotta go. 

No, We Don't Want Her in Office...

Raven reminds us that we've got some work to do...unless we want Hillary in office.  Oh my.  I think I need a Tums.

...and As Always....

Please come back here for more.  Hehehehehe

Heh

He said "poop."

Welcome Riehl World View Readers!

Dan - thanks so much for the welcome back and a big welcome to those of you who are regulars to Dan's blog.  My hubby and I just came back from an awesome vacation and I am now ready to get back into the groove again (maybe with blogging - work, that's another story!).

Just a quick tour of my four walls will let you know that I detest sex offenders and murderers (especially those that harm children). I also am strongly against most of the the priciples the ACLU represents - in particular those things that tend to go against my moral fibers (i.e. abortion for teens without parental consent, representing criminals better than victims, supporting NAMbLA and their twisted ideas, just to name a few).  I have strong beliefs in family, patriotism, the efforts of our troops in Afganistan & Iraq, and the hard work that President Bush has put in during his presidency.  Lastly, and probably least importantly to some (other than me...hehehe), I'm a big fan of Rachael Ray - I got the knife, I use EVOO and I also use a garbage bowl.  Lastly, I'm a member of the Cotillion, which is a great group of female bloggers who have joined efforts - you will find amazing reads over there.  Our most recent event was a July 4th gala, honoring a number of Milbloggers and our troops.  We have our weekly Cotillion Ball tomorrow - I encourage you to take a peek!

In a nut shell, I'm a mom and a wife that can't stop talking and so versus bending my hubby's ear all day and night, I chat here.

I can't leave without thanking Dan for the amazing work he has done and continues to do covering Natalee's disappearance - I'm sure you all feel the same way! 

Thanks for stopping by - feel free to look around and leave a comment or two!

Blogs that whisper...

Meme Tag - Music!

LindaSoG over at Something...and Half of Something tagged me for a meme that's all about music:

Total volume of music files on my computer:

511 MB (okay, so I still listen to lots of CD's - but I'm getting my iPod loaded slowly but surely!

The last CD I bought was:

Soundtrack to "Madagascar."  The kids love the "We Got to Move It" track (and yes, there are Kids Bop CDs in my truck!  ACK!)

Last aquired:

A whole bunch of 80s songs (Blondie, songs from "The Wedding Singer" and much, much more!)

Five songs I listen to a lot, or that mean a lot to me (eclectic, I know):

"Out Here on My Own" - Irene Cara (from the movie Fame)

"Nothing Else Matters" - Metallica

"Break Stuff" - Limp Bizkit (a great song for the drive home from work!)

"Island of Life" - Kitaro with Jon Anderson

"Eyes Wide Open" - Creed

I have to add that I love 80s music (born and raised child of the 80s).  I have tons of 80s music!

Four people to whom I'm passing the baton (if they so desire to take it):

Beth at MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

The 'wife at An American Housewife

Tammy at A Mom and Her Blog

Raven at And Rightly So!

These are merely some shameless linking to some of my favorite sites (and ladies, you don't have to do anything if you don't want to).  Wheeeeeeeee!

Bonfire of the Vanities

So - I couldn't help but nominate myself for an entry in the Bonfire of the Vanities....Dirty Minute Meals is making history!  Check it out here and here and here!  Oh, and here, too!

Weeeeeeee!  Let the fun begin!

Around the Blogosphere in 8 Minutes

I do have to say that it's been a pretty busy day for me today.  I'm just now sitting down at my computer (other than the "blog fly-by" - you all know what I'm talking about!).  Work was crazy, our daughter had a fever, I went and got dinner, got the kids to bed and went to the grocery store.  Why the hell does that real life stuff always want to get in the way of blogging?  Heheheh...glad I bought some cheeze to go with my whine...

Anyway, since I don't have a chance to spend enough time writing some posts tonight, I thought I'd lean on my blogging friends (plus we all love linky love, don't we?)

Sex Offenders, Child Murderers and Assholes, Oh My!

My dear hubby, Eric, brings you yet another reason to hug your children extra tight (but yet another reason for me to RANT about getting child murderers out of prison and placed 6 feet under)...MiniVan Mom lets us know to be on the lookout for a pedophile/sex offender who is on the loose...and, well, this guy is just an asshole, but Buckley F. Williams gives us the down low on his upcoming "tell all" book!

Ahhh...Nooseweek. 

Those irresponsible MSM whizzes at Newsweek who apologize (in their shallow, "have to" kind of way), but won't hold themselves responsible.  I would have loved to write about this, but why, when we have such amazing stories already out there here, here, here and here.

Fun Stuff!

Wuzzadem and the Clippy chronicles.  You've GOT to go look.  OMG!  Lastly, stop over at Beth's new place and Sadie's new digs.  They've changed the wallpaper and the paint and they are ready for some visitors.  Check them out!

I hope I'll be back in action tomorrow - this work thingy has just *got* to slow down!  Indeed.

Beth's Blogiversary

Beth of My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is celebrating a full year of blogging today!  Beth's blog was one of the first ones I ever read, other than, of course, the one owned by my most significant other.  Beth has become a close friend of ours and we appreciate all that she does to make the blogworld a better place!  Oh, and we really like that she swears...all the fuckin' time!

Of course, Beth has no opinions, and she never will tell you what to do.  Most importantly she enjoys all asshats, moonbats and liberals...

...only so she can kick their asses to the curb!

Please stop over at Beth's house and wish her the best Blogiversary ever! 

You Know You Are a Blogger When...

Mr. Cranky puts you in his Quick Guide to Good Blogs. 

Thanks for the priviledge, Mr. Neocon.  I feel as though I've grown up now!

The Fire's a Burnin'

Beth is making me eat vegan food for a week due to my post on a woman with a tiger-suckling mission.  So, are Twinkies considered vegan?  How about Diet Dr. Pepper?  heheheh

Happy Anniversary, Mr. NeoCon.....

...Happy Anniversary, to you!

Congratulations, Gordon, on a GREAT milestone!