Inauguration Parties

I heard last night on the news that the total cost of the Inauguration was $95 million, half of which was raised by private funds but the other half will be paid by the taxpayers, mainly for security.  I don’t mind paying to keep our President safe, especially with all the psychos out there.  What I do mind is given the state of our current economy, why are we having all of these parties?

I know, it’s a historic occasion which is definitely cause for celebration.  All I’m asking is to maybe cancel one party or to not provide food and beverages.  I would like to see the cost lowered somehow.  With all the intellectuals in Washington, I’m sure someone can come up with some ideas that will keep all the pomp and circumstance but cut costs.  Surely there is something we can do.  Given how many people are losing their jobs daily and the uncertain future, I’m sure they aren’t in the mood to watch all of these celebrity filled parties on TV.

If President Obama is change, then let’s begin at the beginning.  Lose some of the extravagence during these desperate times.

Why doesn’t the Government give me $50,000?

Forget all this talk about $1 trillion dollar government stimulus plan.  I have a better plan.  If you really want the economy stimulated, then why don’t you send us all $50,000?  Now, I haven’t really done the math, but I think 50,000 multiplied by 310 million (approximate population of the United States) is less than $1 trillion dollars.  You may be able to send us even more if that is the case.

If every person in the United States was given $50,000, I’m pretty sure that a good portion of that would be spent.  Further, that is more than the average income of a worker here in the United States, so we could live off of that for a year if we wanted to, giving us adequate enough time to find a job if we are unemployed or use the money if we have a job.

I really think that throwing money in various directions in an effort to create 4 million jobs is not going to work, Mr. President-Elect.  Since you are giving everyone else money (banks, car companies, Fanny and Freddy, etc), how about giving it to the folk whom you want it to trickle down to who I believe will be able to use the money most effectively.

Huge institutions are not beholden to average Americans nor do they care about us.  Let us go purchase those cars, instead of financing them for 8 years.  Let us go purchase a home, instead of worrying about qualifying for a mortgage.  If you want to create more wealth, then just give us more money.

You could at least try and see what happens.  What else do you got to lose?  We’ve already lost $350 billion.  How much more should be flushed down the toilet?

Message to Tom Cruise

You need to quit going on these talk shows where all they do is personally attack you and ambush you.  These people are out to get you because they are jealous of your success, your family, your happiness, and your adherence to a belief system.  They probably don’t even have their own belief in a God or higher power.  They feel the need to drag you down to their level.  They ask you uncomfortable questions (which has nothing to do with why you are on these shows) in order to get a reaction out of you and to drive up ratings.  They don’t have your best interest at heart nor do they care how you feel.

You are successful enough not to have to do all of these interviews and not be the nice guy and grant all of these interviews.  I think it’s time you start being a little selfish and say no.

I hope you at least take part of my advice and I only wish you well in your life.

Free Giveaways for Christmas

A related blog for moms is doing a free giveaway every day until Christmas.  In exchange for your subscription to their newsletter, 24/7 MOMS is giving away items from socks to letters to Santa to beauty products for women.  You will be entered in the drawing for that day’s product once you subscribe with your email address.  The owner of the site, a mom named Trisha Novotny, also has links to other sites with giveaways for Christmas.

If you are interested, you can check it out at 24/7 Moms Especially in these challenging times, anytime you can glean a free giveaway is a welcome sight.  Happy Holidays and good luck!

Websites are frustrating!

I am tired of trying to find someone to fix my site.  I am tired of having to rely on someone else to do something to my website when I need it done now.  I am tired of not knowing how to do my own stuff.  It all comes down to doing stuff yourself versus paying someone.

When I first created my site, I figured I’d find someone to do it for me because I didn’t want to have to learn it all.  I’d find a local guy who I could just call up and PRESTO, my site would be fixed.  That was all well and dandy until I realized things don’t get done on my schedule, they got done on his.  Furthermore, he just stopped communicating with me after a while so I was left high and dry with a website I didn’t know anything about.

So, I figured I’d find someone else who knows programming to help me.  So, I found someone, he helped me and next thing I knew, he disappeared as well!  It was all extremely frustrating.

So, finally I decided I’d learn it myself and then just do it all myself so I can at least have a nice site.  So, my goal for next year is to do just that:  do it all myself and re-do my entire site once I can get the resources together to purchase the product and get my baby to sleep through the night so I’ll have the time to do it.

Some things are best done yourself and I discovered the hard way this is one of them.

Attention: Angelina Jolie

If Angelina Jolie is reading this, then this is for you:

I just watched your Today Show Interview with Matt Lauer and you seem to have such a happy and terrific life.  However, what kept coming to my mind throughout the interview was how you need to reconcile with your Dad.  I know I have no idea what your relationship is like with him; however, for the sake of your kids (who desperately need to know their grandparents), you should make an attempt.  Don’t let selfish motives stand in the way, especially since your mother has now passed.  It is time to forgive and heal.

In the future, when your babies are older, they will wonder about your side of the family.  Take it from someone who grew up not knowing either set of grandparents.  I now regret that we were not a close family and watching my little kids with their grandparents gives me great joy in life.  Watching them be spoiled in ways not allowed by me (such as watching whatever movie they want whenever they want, getting whatever candy they want in the grocery store, etc) makes my heart sing.  It is a joy I get from no where else and a joy that I cannot give them.  It is a role that is vital to their growth and development.

Since you are a celebrity, it may be nice to let Grandma and Grandpa take the kids and let them experience life without the papparazzi every where.

In summary, you should take heed of the relationships around you and your children.  Right now, the kids may not be missing out.  However, as the kids gain cognizance and more worldly views, they may wonder about your side of the family and may even start asking for a relationship.  Wouldn’t it be better to heal now rather than later?

You will be in my thoughts and prayers, especially since God has put you on my mind.

Calling All Money-Saving Moms!

Wal-Mart has partnered with moms to bring you the best and brightest tips to save money and stretch your dollar in this hard-pressed economy.  I think this is a brilliant idea!  Who best knows how to get the most out of a dollar than moms?

This Thursday, October 9th, Wal-Mart is hosting a live-chat forum to offer tips and brainstorm ideas for saving money in the forthcoming holiday season.  Led by moms, I think it will be informative and well-worth  your time.

To participate, visit http://instoresnow.walmart.com/Money-Savings-Moms.aspx from 12-2pm Central Time.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Frustration and the Impending Results

Recently, I was frustrated with people and their expectations of me. I was so frustrated that I became burnt out at the end of the day and all I could do was sit and pray. It turns out the person I was frustrated with didn’t understand all of the facts so she was acting out of misinformation.

However, the results were the same. I still had a bad day and I began questioning my role in this project. The next day, I felt better and realized (after time and prayer) that was just one person in the grand scope of things and I can still help many others who are willing.

That Sunday, church was on how frustration leads to action and results. In my situation, it strengthened my resolve to keep going and I learned more from it. I learned how to do it better, how to approach the situation, and how not to let others get to me as much and take it all in stride.

Things happen for a reason and people and obstacles sometimes stand in your way in order to strengthen your resolve to do it better and to innovate. As long as you learn from the situation, you can only be a better person.

What’s Wrong with Being Successful?

In today’s political arena, once again the topic of should we tax the rich to give more to the poor arises. Why shouldn’t the rich pay more taxes than the poor? They won’t miss that money. It won’t affect their standard of living. Why shouldn’t those with money help those without?

I will tell you why this is inherently wrong. Since we live in a capitalist and democratic society, then those who are successful are rewarded. Likewise, anyone can become rich. You can be born poor and be among the wealthiest in this society (a lot of the rich are amongst these people). This is what makes America great. We reward those who work hard and succeed in their fields. Who decides which people succeed? We do.

We need to reward those who succeed financially or what motivation and incentive do people have to succeed? Tell me, why do you work? One reason is to provide for your family and provide a nice, comfortable lifestyle for them. So, some end up with more money. Take Oprah for example. I choose her because we all know who she is. She is wildly successful and wealthy because we (the poor) have made her so. We watch her show, buy her magazine, watch the movies she makes, etc. We are the ones who have given her wealth.

Why should we punish those who are innovative and successful in this country by taking their money through taxes? Shouldn’t we entrust them to give their money to the causes they want to support instead of to the government where who knows where it will go?

Those who want re-distribution of wealth, class warfare, and socialism should move to Russia, China, or Cuba. The Russians tried it in the form of the Soviet Union and we all know what happened to them. Bread lines, poverty, kidnappings, repression, etc. Is that really what Americans want? I somehow don’t see us standing in a line for hours for a loaf of bread and maybe some honey.

Moreover, why does everyone want to tear down those who are successful? I believe there is something inherent in humans that make us jealous, fearful, and envious of those in power and successful. We want to be that person or have their life. We rejoice when the powerful fall and secretly jump with glee. “It serves them right for being so greedy,” we say. Yet, don’t we want at least some of what they have?

This leads to my next question: Why do Europe and the world hate us? I believe because we are successful. We rebuilt Europe after WWII and they resent us for that. In fact, there is not one country we haven’t helped over the last few centuries and all we get in return is resentment, bitterness, and even hatred.

Why do women want to tear down other women as evinced when Governor Palin emerged on the national scene? Women from all walks of life and all levels of society emerged just to tear her down. What does that say about women and how we treat each other?

We all should rejoice in our fellow man or woman’s success. It is great when people have the ambition and drive to improve their lot in life. What is wrong with that?

Choosing a Church

Since we recently moved, I am searching for a church. Our last church seemed such a no-brainer. Our family instantly clicked with the pastor, his teachings, and the beliefs of the church. Moreover, we knew the community and many of the people who attended this church.

However, in a brand new town where we don’t know any one, you are starting from scratch. So, the first place I started was the internet. Our old church (the Vineyard) has a branch here so that’s where I started. I also looked up other non-denominational churches on-line and in the phone book so when we arrived, I had it narrowed down to two: the local Vineyard and another big Church here called Fellowship.

I set out alone the first weekend to visit the Vineyard and couldn’t find it. Nevertheless, I just happened to run into Fellowship Church instead. So I went in and met a great gal who explained to me all about the kids’ ministry. She also was kind enough to direct me to the Vineyard when I mentioned I was looking for it.

As a constant skeptic, I went into this search with the attitude of “I expect to be Wowed and not just accept whatever is preached at me.” Furthermore, I expected to be impressed and to believe this church had my best interest at heart. It needed to earn my loyalty. Well, I was pleasantly shocked by the sermon (about choosing your inner circle wisely) and the overall presentation and engagement level.

The following weekend, I decided to visit both churches to quicken the pace of deciding which church so I could once again take my kids. I started at Fellowship on Saturday night and was again blown away by the passion of the lead pastor. On Sunday morning, I finally made it to the Vineyard. I met the staff who deal with the little kids and then sat in the service. The message was the same as at Fellowship the night before (about moving to the next level in Christ), just a completely different presentation style.

Well, still being undecided, I decided to list the pros and cons. Fellowship had a full kids program; whereas, Vineyard kept the kids during worship and then dismissed them to classes. Vineyard has great small groups; Fellowship has a smaller number of groups. Neither has a women’s ministry. Both are big and have most of what I am seeking in a church.

I decided to refrain from choosing until I went to the Mom’s groups of each. Fellowship has a Mom’s Bible Study group; Vineyard has MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). I had never tried MOPS before and since I’m new, I decided to give it a shot. Well, I didn’t connect at all with the women and the group was too big (there were 119 kids there!). Moreover, my daughter (the one who never cries) cried; I thought it another sign from the Lord which church I should belong to. At Fellowship, I met some great ladies and instantly connected. It is a Bible study, which is more of what I am seeking. This is closer to my former church. From the MOPS website, it seems they have a Bible study as well, but it meets the same time as Fellowship’s. Otherwise, I may be interested in that one. It may be more along of what I am seeking.

The final ‘word’ from God was when I received a thank you letter and book from Fellowship Church for attending as a guest and inviting me back again. I filled out both guest cards at the churches and this was the only response I received. It completely made my day, and this particular day was challenging in terms of parenting.

I now know where I am going next week for church and where my children shall go.  I guess I needed multiple signs from God in order to choose.  Like most of you, I don’t want to choose poorly since this is the place where I will entrust my children.  I never take lightly the hands I place them into and I just want to be sure and not make a mistake.