The CDC recommended schools close if a student tested positive for the H1N1 flu aka Swine Flu.

Schools closed. Interestingly, I don't know of a single for profit daycare that closed. And I reallly don't think that every infected student had a SAHM.

Not a single US citizen had died from the flu, and it appeared to be a relatively mild strain. The media switched sides and started trumpeting the 36,000 people die from regular flu every year talking point.

The CDC then clarified that the schools and daycares should close for TWO WEEKS.

The schools delayed their re-opening dates until the end of May.

A Texan died from H1N1.

The CDC changed their minds, and decided that schools shouldn't close, after all.

Schools are reopening tomorrow.

Does anyone in Washington (or Atlanta) have their act together?

Labels: health, In The News, Natural Disasters

I've got a bloggy secret! Find out next week!

I really like my OB. At this week's appointment, he had some extra time (most patients cancelled due to flooding) and we got to talking. We had an hour long conversation about the causes of skyrocketing STD's in the teen population, air quality on airplanes, Christian witness in a professional setting, and more. It was so much nicer than when Mr X was born - that OB practice had 8 docs and 4 midwives, and it seemed I never saw the same person twice until I had complications and "my" doctor started seeing me consistently. But when X was born, the assisting midwife was someone I had never even met.

Some friends of mine sent me a virtual baby shower. Now I'm in the market for a sling. I have one with rings, but I've never really LOVED it. Are the mei tei/Asian style wraps really as good as they say? The Maya wrap? I want to not drop the baby, nurse, and not get a backache. The sling with rings went over one shoulder and the weight wasn't distributed evenly. I also felt like I needed to keep a hand on the baby because he just didn't feel secure. But front carriers/snuglis aren't really nursing friendly. Recommendations, please!

Speaking of baby slings, Consumer Reports recommends against them. 4 babies have been hurt in the last FIVE years from falling out of them. They recommend using a stroller or infant carrier. The Common Room has some good points about Consumer Reports bias - and some mothers do actually want to touch their babies! Besides, a stroller's not exactly nursing friendly.

Wonder when they are going to recommend against parents using their arms to carry infants? I'm sure babies have been dropped at least once per year.

I found a new site with great activities for littles! Preschool Post offers lessons, printables, and and activities based around a theme (current theme is Spiders). I don't think 3 and 4 year olds need to sit at the school table and do worksheets all day, but it's nice to have something "schoolish" for them to do when they want to join their siblings in the classroom. I'm planning to print out some of the sequencing cards, and the Spider theme has lacing cards for littles to make their own spider web.

More thoughts about the swine flu. I'm not as worried about the swine flu decimating our population; so far, it seems to be about equal or even milder than the common flu.

I'm more worried about how people will react to the sickness. The National Guard has been called out in Wisconsin, there's talk floatiing around about mass vaccinations (of a vaccine that hasn't even been created yet), and states are declaring emergencies (possibly to get funding.) I applaud the aggressive, proactive approach to preventing the spread of the illness (although why do we need the National Guard, but don't need to close the border?).

However, "proactive" can easily cross over into mass hysteria, and that's why I stocked up on children's ibuprofen and other things. If people go nuts, I'm not going to want to go to the store (if it's open). Mexico has shut down government offices, schools, restaurants, and public gathering places. The same happened during last year's hurricane. There was rationing at the grocery store! Are you prepared for that?


I've got a bloggy secret! Oops, I already told you that!

Labels: 7 Quick Takes, education, Freebies, In The News, preparedness

The first US death from the Swine Flu happened yesterday at a Houston hospital. A family traveled from Mexico through Brownsville to get medical care for their almost 2 year old son, but he didn't make it in time.

It's hard to know what to do about this. On the one hand are commentators and officials who say it's not an epidemic yet, people die from the flu all the time. Don't worry. On the other hand, Japan has fever sensors at the airport and Egypt is slaughtering all of their pigs in an attempt to prevent an outbreak.

Janet Napolitano claims that there is no reason to close the borders, but really, there is no WAY to close the border with Mexico, even if we wanted to. Obama is warning that schools may have to close.

The government has set up a website, www.pandemicflu.gov, which has planning and prep tips. The usuals are there - wash your hands, use waterless sanitzer, and so on. And then they throw in this apocalyptic stunner: Lay in a 2 week supply of food and water.

A friend has told me that Corpus Christi drugstores are already cleaned out of medicines, and the shelves are bare.

If an epidemic occurs, it will devastate the economy. Schools will close, as will daycares. Parents will have to stay home with their children - and stay away from work. In Mexico, restaurants aren't allowed to serve customers, and can sell take-out only.

What do I think? I'm not predicting the end of the world, however, prudence is a virtue. It is better to be overprepared than to be caught short, especially if you have children.

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it Proverbs 22:3

But don't go nuts and lose your mind over it.

A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. Proverbs 14:15

Some precautions:
Wash your hands often with soap.

Use waterless hand sanitzer, and keep it handy in your purse. (My dollar store stocks all kinds of scents and varieties.)

Stay home if you feel sick, and keep the kids home if they are sick.

Consider using masks (remember the SARS scare?)

Store 2 weeks of food and water. (At least 1 gal. per person per day; factor in water needed for cooking and extra washing for sick people). (More on this later.)

My tips on planning a 30 day food supply (non-perishables only)

Don't forget several week's worth of TP! If you get diarrhea, you'll need extra. And paper towels are your friend when keeping germs at bay (especially if you are trying to conserve water!) If there is no water available, you will not be able to do laundry. You might want a backup of disposables if you cloth diaper (and remember that diarrhea symptom? Yeah, disposables!)

If an outbreak hits, the grocery stores, transportation industry, and even food manufacturers will probably be short handed or may even have to close. What I missed most during Ike: eggs. They're called for in a lot of recipes and baked goods!

Have a supply of prescription drugs and over the counter flu relief. Don't forget soap and Pedialyte! Vomiting has been reported with this flu, so get the clear pedialyte. Flavor it with lemonade powder if your kids hate the clear stuff. Orange pedialyte is really hard to get out of carpets - ask me how I know!

In the past, Emetrol has been a godsend. Walmart sells a generic for around $2.

If an outbreak happens in your town, these are your new best friends. Stock up accordingly.


Bleach. Buy plain (not the special scented kinds) so you can purify water if needed.

Lysol


Waterless (alcohol based) hand sanitizer

You may want to rethink the disinfecting wipes. Studies have shown they spread more germs than they kill.

Labels: health, In The News, Natural Disasters, preparedness

This is a beautiful monument given to New Jersey by Russia, to commemorate the victims of 9/11.



Read more here.

Why haven't I seen this before? Where's was the news coverage? I wish MSM would cover things like this- instead of pithy articles about surviving the new economy by making your own coffee.

H/T Rural Revolution

Labels: In The News

Prayers are requested.

Full story here - I guess even the clergy aren't safe in Mexico.

**** UPDATE **** Fr. Euresti's body was found on the border. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace, amen.

Labels: Catholic, In The News

Ya know what's working for me this Wednesday? The Army. And the Navy, and the Air Force and the Marines and the Coast Guard (and I hope I didn't leave anyone out!)

America is an amazing place. Not only are our armed forces an entirely voluntary corp, enlisting is a fantastic opportunity for so many people who otherwise would have no career prospects, no self discipline, and no hope of going to college.

Yo! Soldier, sailors, and pilots! Thanks for everything you do for my family.

(A side note - totally NOT working for me this Wednesday: Obama plans to take away VA benefits from our soldiers!)

That's right, Obama has a grand scheme to raise half a billion dollars by billing soldier's private health insurance companies for care for service related injuries and disabilities. Benefits that the VA should provide.

Why is this a problem? The American Legion explains:

The proposed requirement for these companies to reimburse the VA would not only be unfair, says the Legion, but would have an adverse impact on service-connected disabled veterans and their families. The Legion argues that, depending on the severity of the medical conditions involved, maximum insurance coverage limits could be reached through treatment of the veteran's condition alone. That would leave the rest of the family without health care benefits. The Legion also points out that many health insurance companies require deductibles to be paid before any benefits are covered. Additionally, the Legion is concerned that private insurance premiums would be elevated to cover service-connected disabled veterans and their families, especially if the veterans are self-employed or employed in small businesses unable to negotiate more favorable across-the-board insurance policy pricing. The American Legion also believes that some employers, especially small businesses, would be reluctant to hire veterans with service-connected disabilities due to the negative impact their employment might have on obtaining and financing company health care benefits.

Imagine that someone is in a wheelchair or has a prosthesis. Can they afford the copays, the deductibles, and the ongoing care? What if one has PTSD from battle? Most insurance companies are skimpy on the mental health benefits.

We owe our soldiers our lives and our liberty. They deserve better.

Labels: In The News, Rants and Raves, Works For Me Wednesday

Actually, the stock market falls whenever the government starts meddling, starting with TARP back in October.

I couldn't find a graphic of Obama's actions and what the stock market did, so I made my own.


(Click to enlarge - it's down 37%)

I think it speaks for itself.

Now he wants to discriminate against the successful Americans. Under his plan, they can't write off their mortgage interest. Is creating a disincentive to invest in large, expensive properties when the housing market is suffering really a good idea? How many people are put to work when a wealthy individual decides to build a million dollar mansion?

They won't be able to write off their charitable donations, either, even as charitable institutions a straining under the burden of providing services for even more people who have lost everything - job, house, retirement plans... Oh, yeah. Government will take care of them. They've done such a stellar job of taking care of education, securing our borders, and eliminating illegal drugs, after all. Surely we can trust them to make sure our babies don't go hungry, right?

I wish he'd stop appointing tax dodgers and pick a few people who actually had a clue!

Labels: In The News, politics

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. References to individual, person, or human being - Legislative
intent. For purposes of interpretation of the constitution and laws of North Dakota, it is the intent of the legislative assembly that an individual, a person, when the context indicates that a reference to an individual is intended, or a human being includes any organism with the genome of homo sapiens.

That's right, the North Dakota house just passed HB 1572, which states that any organism of Homo Sapiens is a person, no matter what stage of development. And, of course, a person is protected from murder or exploitation under the law.

Rep. Dan Ruby, R-Minot, sponsored the bill. "I think North Dakota will be on the map to be the first state in recent years to mount a legitimate challenge to Roe v. Wade," he said. "This is the exact language that's required by Roe vs. Wade. It stipulated that before a challenge can be made, we have to identify when life begins, and that's what this does."

The legislation now heads to the state Senate, where it hasn't been assigned to committee and is not on the calendar. The ND Senate has a Republican majority, but the party hasn't commented on this bill. However, the Senate did just pass a bill that would require abortion clinics to post a notice to women that they cannot be forced to have an abortion.

Of course, there wasn't a peep from the MSM, except a few blurbs in the local press.

Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota has posted a local press release, but as of yet there is no national call to action.

“HB 1572 is dangerous, far reaching and allows the government, not women and families, to make critical decisions about health care,” said Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota (PPMNS).

“Women and families, not politicians, should decide what’s best for their unique circumstances. Whether the issue is abortion, birth control, or in vitro fertilization, women, in consultation with doctors should make these personal medical decisions,” said Stoesz.

How ironic. Stoesz claims women and families should decide what's best. Isn't a child a part of the family? If it is important for them, and not pro-choice politicians, to decide whether it's best that they live or die, shouldn't they be allowed to have a vote (of course, they'd have to reach an age of majority, or at least accountability, before voicing their opinion.)

Of course, Stoesz fails to mention that Planned Parenthood only cares about women and families that are able to purchase services right now. PP could care less about the female children who will never get a chance to grow into strong, independent women able to make critical health care decisions.

Planned Parenthood and the Bismarck Tribune also point out that the law could affect access to contraception and Plan B, but don't clarify that only birth control methods that involve harming an already fertilized egg would be affected. Barrier methods, such as condoms and diaphragms, will not be banned or eliminated. Is PP now admitting that the Pill actually does prevent the implantation of a new life?

Others have a problem with section 2 of the bill, which states that the legislature will appoint someone to defend the resolution. Rep. Kari Conrad, a Democrat, opposes the measure not for moral reasons but for fiscal ones. "People who presented this bill, were very clear that they intended to challenge Roe versus Wade. So they intend to put the state of North Dakota into court defending Roe vs. Wade," she said.

Labels: In The News, politics, Prolife

I'm glad that Pelosi met with Pope Benedict XVI. His job is to shepherd the flock, and she is obviously ignorant of Church teaching. What a wonderful opportunity to enlighten her about what an "ardent Catholic" (her words) believes! I can only hope that the Holy Spirit did find the meeting irresistible, as a few Catholic bloggers have speculated.

I'm a bad mommy. Guess what I forgot to buy this week? (That's a pineapple upside down cake, with cherries on half since Mr R can't eat them. I do love upside down cakes. I don't have to make frosting for them!)


Truth be told, it's not that I forgot to buy birthday candles, it's that I forgot to check and make sure the 1 yo hadn't eaten them before it was time for cake.

And the newly minted 5 year old has declared she has outgrown all of her 4T clothes and will only wear things with a 5 on the label. Poor, deluded, nekkid girl!

I still have not bought a new pair of shoes. And I'm a bad hillbilly wannabe, too. I could not find a roll of duct tape to save my life, and my neighbor didn't have one either (despite the fact that I bought two rolls prior to Ike, they are not in my hurricane box!). Related: electrical tape does not stick well to rubber soles, but will do in a pinch. And did I mention how much I hate shoe shopping?

I am so very irritated with our electric company's ridiculous billing policies. It's all green energy (mostly from wind, some hydro) but I have about had it and am calling around to switch. Bills are printed on the 5th of the month, and due on the 20th. But they are mailed out bulk mail and are not available online until the due date. My latest bill had a billing date of Feb. 5, but the envelope was postmarked Feb. 13th.

In Houston in the summer, the electric bill can be several hundred dollars and it can be hard to budget precisely.

They do email it but my spam almost always eats it. Why can they email the bill but not show it to me online? Enquiring Minds Want to Know! Paying online costs a fee, but there isn't enough time to mail it in. And if it's a day late, they assess another fee ($7.99)

Also, our rate went up 2¢ per kilowatt hour, so the other companies are cheaper now, too.

This graphic is way better than the stupid one the Houston Chronicle published over the weekend.

Where is the Stimulus Going?

My friend posted about Governmentium, the heaviest element ever discovered. Go read for a laugh!

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second to take from 4 days to 4 years to complete.

Is this not the cutest little house you have every seen? Can you believe it is only 382 sq. ft, and she has a toddler? It was on the sidebar of Eyes of Wonder blog.

See more Quick Takes over at Jen's blog!

Labels: 7 Quick Takes, Friday Fun, Frugal, In The News, politics, V

Wednesday, husband dear took the boys to a new chess club. I guess they had a good time, because they didn't make it home until 10:30! 6 yo Mr S. is just learning the rules. This morning he had a heated argument with Mr P over how the "Popes" move. Mr P insisted they were called bishops, not popes. Mr S, who recently mastered checkers, announce that the bishops had made it to the other side of the board and got "kinged" - making them popes.

Is first grade too young to start lessons on the heirarchy of the church?

I don't see how this could be legal, and I hope the parents sue for a violation of their rights.

A school attorney grills them on Catholic theology, saying he must determine if they are sincere Catholics. But he doesn't quiz them on the Catechism, but rather on the theological roots of beliefs!


450,000 have signed the petition at nostimulus.com. I usually don't sign online petitions, but added my name to this one. The petition is set to be presented to the Senate at 2 pm EST today.

The text of the bill is finally online, 24 hours before the House is set to vote.

Text of SB22, which passed.

Does anyone know anything about the Texas Ratio? Economists say it is an indicator of your bank's health, and likelihood of failure. A ratio of over 100 is a danger sign; the lower the ratio, the better your bank's financial health is. Any thoughts? Chart here. (Sept. 08 figures)

Miss C is so funny. She got an Aquadoodle for Christmas, and she calls it her "Aqua Doodle Doo", because that's what the animals say when we play farm. Someone mistakenly used water colors, not plain water on it last week. Anyone know how to clean it?


We do Montessori style play at home, even though I don't own many classic works. Baby X's speech therapist is having a problem with this - his coping skills, problem solving, and life skills are too good! She wants us to start annoying using playful obstruction so that he will vocalize more (i.e., protest). I've compromised and we'll play tug of war and Hot Potato, instead. Sorry, but the last thing I want or need is a toddler who is being provoked on purpose! (Besides, it's not like he never throws a fit or gets provoked. He's just remarkably easy going and transitions very well.)

Part of Baby X's practical life skills apparently involve camera use. He's only 1 year old, but he loves to get ahold of the camera. I'm seeing a whole new perspective on my house, and some places are really dirty. I just never noticed because they are, you know, 20 inches off the floor.

I now have 300 pictures of the underside of my table, because that's where he runs to hide when he has something he knows he shouldn't have!

Labels: 7 Quick Takes, C, education, In The News, S, speech, X

While all of the new legislation has been floating around (FOCA, CPSIA, Stimulus package) I've been overwhelmed in a depressed kind of way. What can I do? What can any of us do? It's hopeless...

Well, no, it's not. And I'm finally seeing an opportunity.

My Congressman, John Culberson, is on Twitter. He's posted several times today:

johnculberson RT: Call/email Sp Nancy Pelosi & yr Cong NOW to demand that StimulusBill be posted online atleast 72hrs bf floor vote so we can all read it

That's right, Pelosi won't even make the text of the final bill available to the public before the vote. Ask her to make the revised bill public for at least 72 hours before the floor vote so the American public can read it!

Remember SHE works for US.

Pelosi's contact info:

Contact Rep. Nancy Pelosi at sf.nancy@mail.house.gov

Website: www.house.gov/pelosi

Washington, D.C. Office: 235 Cannon House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-0508
Phone: (202) 225-4965
Fax: (202) 225-8259

San Francisco Office: (more district offices) Burton Federal Building 450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102
Phone: (415) 556-4862
Fax: (415) 861-1670

Find your Senator!

Find your Congressman! Just type in your ZIP code!

Yeah, I'm one of those cranky ladies who's always calling my Congressman's office. YOU SHOULD BE TOO!

Mommylife has info.

Glenn Beck promises a grassroots movement.

I have heard that a fax is best - it has the urgency of a phone call but the weight of a letter. But at least shoot an email and a phone call!

BTW - I'm on Twitter now! Milehimama. Are you on? Tell me who you are so I can follow!

Labels: In The News, politics

Three SSPX seminarians were killed by an avalanche.

From a message board:

Our SSPX District Secretary Fr. Dreher confirmed that Menzingen informed us of the tragic death of our three seminarians: Jean-Baptiste Despres, Raymond Guerin, and Mickael Sabak from Paris. They were in 3rd year of their training with the Society of Saint Pius X in Econe. Another seminarian is in serious injury. They "were caught in an avalanche.." Please keep them in your prayers.

Eternal rest grant them, O Lord, and my perpetual light shine upon them. And may they rest in peace.

Why do Catholics pray even after somone died? I wrote about it here.

Labels: Catholic, In The News

A friend of mine sometimes sends me pictures of a little boy she knows. He's a thanatophoric dwarf, and doctors said he would not survive birth.

He's three now. Sometimes she sends me pics and he is just always full of joy!

Catholic News Agency ran a feature on him - check out the slide show! My favorite picture is when he's sitting in his Bumpo seat.

Life is always worth living. Life is always better than being killed.

Labels: children, In The News, Prolife, Special Needs

Today is the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling Roe v. Wade.

Abortion became legal. Over 50 million children have died since then.

Over 7,000,000 children have been killed since the start of the Iraq war.

These should have been my friends. My coworkers. The parent's of my kids' friends. My children are missing cousins. Good friends are missing brothers and sisters.

Their hope and promise and life are lost, forever. What poverty! We have all been deprived of their gifts. Abortion affects us all.

And it continues.

A sad day.


If you have been affected by abortion, please check out Rachel's Vineyard.

Rachel's Vineyard is a safe place to renew, rebuild and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal and healing.

First picture: "Yea Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I Will Fear No Evil" by Frank Pape.

Second picture: "Le Jour des Morts 1859" by William Bouguereau

Labels: In The News, politics, Prolife

I'm recording the inauguration to watch later. A friend told me that 10:30-12:30 Central is the time to watch.

Hey, I actually have to teach civics, per Texas law!

I just realized that if Obama is elected to two terms, then this will be last major inauguration blowout before Mr R can vote! How did that happen?

For fun, take this Civics Quiz! (I saw this on someone's blog but now I don't remember who! If it was yours, leave me a comment I'll give you a link!)

I got a 97%! How the heck did that happen? I hated history in school. And I got all of the economic ones right... must be a fluke!


I don't like Obama. I don't like his policies, the company he keeps, and I think he is a man of low character.

But he is our president and today is an important day for our country.

May God keep all the crazies home today, and may all of our public servants be safe.

Labels: In The News, politics

Another batch of peanut butter is tainted with salmonella. It didn't hit the big news, because the manufacturer only supplied industrial sized cans to schools, nursing homes, and factories.

Including the Kellogg's factory.

And now the recall affects you.

• Austin® Quality Foods Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Mega Stuffed Cheese Crackers with Peanut Butter, all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods PB & J Cracker Sandwiches - all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Super Snack Pack Sandwich Crackers
• Austin® Quality Foods Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter - all sizes
• Austin® Quality Foods Reduced Fat Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
• Austin® Quality Foods Reduced Fat Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter
• Sandwich Crackers
• Austin® Quality Foods Cookie/Cracker Pack
• Austin® Quality Foods Variety Pack

• Keebler® Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes
• Keebler® Toast & PB'n J Flavored Sandwich Crackers - all sizes

• Keebler® Toast & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers - all sizes

• Famous Amos® Peanut Butter Cookies (2- and 3-ounce)

• Keebler® Soft Batch Homestyle Peanut Butter Cookies (2.5-ounce)

Hundreds of people have been sickended and 6 have died in 43 states - so throw out those crackers!

Photos from Amazon, which promises to ship those items as soon as they become available safely again.

Labels: In The News, Recalls

Today's post? #4, about Lobster Mac?

Totally not making it up.

See for yourself.

Please note that the recipe also calls for 8 oz. of Gruyere, and 12 oz. of freshly grated parmesan.

The blog post has some tips the paper article lacked, like 3 1/2 lbs. of fresh lobster should be enough, and it should be served with haricots verts. No, plebian green beans won't do!

Yo, Chronicle, if you need someone to write actual budget friendly recipes, drop me a line!

Labels: In The News

Much has been made of the housing bubble, how it broke, and what's going to happen next.

In a nutshell:

Banks have assets and liabilities. On their balance sheet, mortgages are assets (they bring money in through interest payments, fees, etc.) and deposits by customers are liabilities (they have to give the money back).

So many people have defaulted on their mortgages, that the amount of bank owned property has skyrocketed. The banks made loans on inflated property values. Properties that the bank has on their books as a $250,000 loan (a $250k asset) is now actually worth maybe $175k, what someone will pay for it. However, the banks cannot sell these properties at such a loss. So they keep them on the books as a "real property" asset, for $250k even though the asset is not worth that amount of money. Someone called it "Enron style accounting".

If the banks were to adjust their books to reflect the actual value of their assets, they would be bankrupt. Their liabilities would far outweigh the assets.

Some analysts are predicting a second wave of mortgage defaults in the next year as a few other special types of loans, such as the Option-A, come due and go into default.

How does this affect me?

We do not have a mortgage. We rent.

I am still worried, though. Our landlords are not professional property developers. Rather, it is a family that outgrew this house, and moved into a larger one. Later, the husband got transferred out of state. Instead of selling the two homes here in Texas, they kept them as rental properties.

If they default on their mortgage, I will be the last to know. I have a friend who went through this scenario in August. Her landlord was foreclosed on, and she didn't find out until the sheriff arrived to serve an eviction notice - three days after she had paid that month's rent. She had 10 days to pack up, find a new home, and move.

My landlords are very nice, upstanding citizens, and are a military family. I do not think they would try to rip us off. Then again, I don't know what their credit rating is. I don't know the terms of their loan. I can't control whether there will be a layoff or illness affecting their income.

However, I still think it would be prudent to plan for a "just in case". Set money aside for a new deposit, should we need one. Money to move quickly. Cash for a motel. (Although we ran into a motel problem when we first moved here - occupancy restrictions. I couldn't even get a quote for a family with more than four children!)

Beefing up the savings is all part of the new economy, especially if your shelter is at the mercy of someone else's payment.

Labels: Frugal, In The News, Journey to Simplicity

Bush signed a conscience clause into law!

Any facility that receives federal funding cannot require health workers to recommend abortion, perform them, or dispense abortifacient drugs if they have a religious or moral objection.

Yay!

Labels: In The News, Prolife

The American Baby Code

Article 1. The purpose of the American Baby Code shall be to provide for a better distribution of babies. To assist couples who wish to prevent overproduction of offspring and thus to reduce the burden of charity and taxation for public relief and to protect society against the propagation and increase of the unfit.

Article 2. Birth control clinics shall be permitted to function as services of government health departments or under the support of charity, or as non-profit, self-sustaining agencies subject to inspection and control by public authorities.

Article 3. A marriage license shall in itself give husband and wife only the right to a common household and not the right to parenthood.

Article 4. No woman shall have the legal right to bear a child, no man shall have the right to become a father, without a permit for parenthood.

Article 5. Permits for parenthood shall be issued by government authorities to married couples upon application, providing the parents are financially able to support the expected child, have the qualifications needed for proper rearing of the child, have no transmissible diseases, and on the woman’s part no indication that maternity is likely to result in death or permanent injury to health.

Article 6. No permit for parenthood shall be valid for more than one birth.

Article 7. Every county shall be assisted administratively by the states in the effort to maintain a direct ratio between county birth rate and its index of child welfare. When the county records show an unfavorable variation from this ratio the county shall be taxed by the State…. The revenues thus obtained shall be expended by the State within the given county in giving financial support to birth control…..

Article 8. Feeble-minded persons, habitual congenital criminals, those afflicted with inheritable diseases, and others found biologically unfit should be sterilized or in cases of doubt should be isolated as to prevent the perpetuation of their afflictions by breeding.

Is it The Onion? A quirky Simpsons episode?

Nah. It's from the founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger.

You might notice I have a button labeled "Fight FOCA". I haven't blogged about it because so many others have done such a better job. I did write a little about it pre-election.

Go. Read. Pray.


Art: Waiting to be Weighed, Timoleon Marie courtesy AllPosters.com

Labels: Catholic, In The News, Mama Says, politics, Prolife