Physical Exam.

This weekend my mom attended a pro healthcare rally. She, along with myself and many other members of my family are for healthcare reform and healthcare for everyone. I find it strange we are the only industrialized nation without national healthcare.

Anyway, while at this rally my mom went and talked to the protesters. Some feel the government should not be involved in healthcare and that they don't like government involvement in their lives. I giggle because they are standing on a sidewalk and drove cars to the place of the rally. Government. They went to school. Government. They may have gone to college and used FAFSA or GI Bills. Government. They may have parents on Medicare. Government. So, I giggle. They only want government when it's convenient for them.

They asked my mom if she wasn't worried because she is disabled and she'll be on the death list. For one, there is not death list or death panel. That's the dumbest scare tactic I've ever heard and those who believe it are even dumber. I know some people keep comparing Obama to Hitler regarding this issue, but this is not pre-WWII Germany when the physically and mentally handicapped were put to death. Also, to compare a democratic leader of a free nation to Hitler completely diminishes the horror that man put the world through. It's irresponsible to make such comparisions. But no, my mom is not worried about being on a death list.

They also asked if she was completely horrified about increased taxes to pay for healthcare. She said no. She was okay if her taxes were raised if that meant healthcare for everyone. They were stunned into silence on that one.

At the rally was a mother who spoke about dealing with her sick child while not having health insurance. Her child eventually died and from the protesters the words "You should have been able to save her" were uttered. This is appaling and cruel. No parent who burried their child after fighting the good fight should have to endure an attack like that. To do so is simply evil.

Someone also brought up abortion. I can't even comment on this one. Makes me so angry that they want to make this issue messier and uglier by bringing up this issue. Abortion is going to happen. Period. End of story. Finite. So, just give it up for a while and focus on getting people health care.

Also, some of the protesters tried to sneak behind the fence and steal the rally-goer's sandwiches. I know they spouter this idea of "provider for yourself" but didn't realize stealing was part of that tennant.

Puppy Power

Here are out little ones, Norris and Oreo. Norris is a year and a half year old short-haired chihuahua. He is white with tan spots. He does have imperfect ears since they don't stand up but that just makes him more adorable. Norris is named after Chuck Norris because a six pound dog needs a tough name.

Oreo is a four year old long-haired Chihuahua. She loves nothing more than to sit on your lap and receive pets, in fact demand pets. She is black and white, and came with the name Oreo.

We enjoy these little guys quite a bit. We got Oreo as a friend for Norris and I think it's working out. They seem to play while we aren't home as Norris is exhausted at night. I think Norris does more playing than Oreo, literally running circles around Oreo. But that's Norris. Oreo doesn't like the camera. As soon as it's out, she turns her head up, sideways, down, etc. She will also not look you in the eyes, more autistic than aggressive. While Norris will have a staring contest. He wins when I play.

Summer Winter Winds

The gray sky, the more than whispering wind, and the few yellow, green leaves dropping from the trees makes this August seem more like fall. Strange how the weather turned from hot, steamy soup to cold, damp, dishwater. Alas, this summer has gone by us without much outdoor enjoyment.

However, I did experience some new things this summer. I saw a live catfish for the first time and was amazed at how ugly this species of fish is. The skin reminds me of a dolphin or shark, gray and smooth looking. It is the face that makes this fish so horrible. Plus, they also bleed red. To me, fish do not bleed, let alone red.

I drove my fiance's truck in the big city. I'd driven in the Cities before, but not in The Boy's truck. It was okay and I must admire GPS units for without it, I would have been very lost and not so confident.

But summer is coming to an end. School starts on Monday and the pools will be closing. Soon, the chill will cause the air to bite and the drive-in restaurants to close. I must say that I do not enjoy the thought of putting on my winter parka, with it's many layers and warm offerings. I do not wish to cover my hands in fuzzy mittens and watch my breathe float away into the cold. Nor does shoveling, snow plowing, and scraping windshields sounds pleasureable. Sigh.

However, today I am going to enjoy the sun. I am going to feel warm rays on my skin and live today.

Lost on Me

Summer has finally arrived. It is slow roasting hot. Alas, there are projects to be done outside, but too much time in the warm air would rid of of our juices. I am waiting until until the temperature is turned down and a fan is installed outside.

I have started to "exercise." I use this term loosely. I started on Sunday with .5 miles, then .6, then .7, then .8, and today I pedalled the recumbant bike with gusto to 1.0 miles. The next attempt is to ride 1.0 mile for the next 7 days. I have not changed my eating habits. Some may think this is silly, but I don't want too many ideas clouding up my goals, leaving me with a puffy mess.

Our puppies are finally platonic friends. Their relationship has been downgraded to running, jumping, and toy stealing buddies. This is a welcome reduction in friendliness after dealing with high hormones for two weeks. We still are unsure if more puppies are in our future.

Ah, life is interesting.

I have two un-fixed dogs at home, one male and one female. Unfortanately, the girl has gone into heat. Oreo has turned my little Norris into a horn dog, literally. I keep telling Oreo she's a Hussy because it makes me feel better, but I am tired of trying to stop dogs from humping. He got her one day outside while I was distracted by some guy who rode up to our house wanting to buy the utility trailer sitting next to the garage. Norris got in and was doing his thing. I had to pull him *out*. Disgusting. We may wind upwith puppies after all of our trying to keep them separated.

Eric's liver function tests are still high. Not sure what's going on, but he's been ordered to stop taking his anti-cancer drugs. This makes me nervous. I don't like it. Eric forgot to get his blood drawn yesterday so I reminded him to do it today.

The house is a complete disaster. It smells like dog pee because Oreo has a problem going potty on the pad. She just likes to pee everywhere. I don't get it. There's no rhyme or reason to it. We need to get the big upright carpet cleaner out and do the whole upstairs. The ceiling was leaking water onto the basement carpeting yesterday. It appears to have stopped, but am concerned as to why water was dripping onto the floor. Eric said he'd taken care of it.

This is because I am going to visit my parents this weekend. I need a break and Eric said he'd punch me in the face if I didn't go. That's what Eric says when I'm being obnoxious or annoying, "I'm going to punch you in the face, right in the nose." He, of course, does not do this. It's just his cue to me that I should knock it off, whatever I may be doing.

Oreo has become okay with the leash now. This is good. She cringed before and was completely upset by it. Now, she thinks it's okay.

We didn't have water last night in our little town. Not sure what was happening, but I wanted to do laundry for my little trip. Alas, I could not. I managed to find some clean clothes, but it was a feat.