August marked four years since we moved to Texas from Virginia. We moved here to take advantage of the housing market, and Joe was able to transfer with his law firm to their Dallas office. We love our house, and the weather is nice and sunny most of the time. Spring and Fall last a long time, summer is wicked hot, and winter is mild and short. Southern hospitality is another perk. Boys and men hold doors open for me, and when I say thank you, they answer, "Yes ma'am." Wow that's something you don't hear too often on the east coast. Beyond those nice things, however, I have found a few reasons to mess with Texas:
1. Gov. Rick Perry and his assertion that we should secede from the USA. No thanks. That's crazy talk!
2. Joe Barton's apology to BP when they are the people who should be apologizing to the American people for ruining the Gulf. He certainly doesn't speak for me, and it's embarassing.
3. TX leads the nation in teen pregnancies. Enough said.
4. TX is last in the nation for organ donation. Now that's sad. I know somebody has to come in last place, but with as large a land mass and population we have, you would think more people would be aware of the need for viable organs and be selfless enough to register.
Be a Hero, register at: http://www.taylorsgift.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#!/TaylorsGift
5. There are no state standards for supervision of students in schools. Instead it's left up to each principal of each school. At my daughter's elementary school, they save money by letting parent volunteers watch classes instead of hiring substitutes when they have staff meetings on site. I guess they think being a parent qualifies you to be a teacher. At my son's preschool, they believe that 4 year olds are old enough to walk the hallways by themselves to prepare them for kindergarten where the same leniency is permitted. Please. They are 4 years old! They aren't old enough to supervise themselves!
6. Christian hypocrites. Christianity is in fashion here. Even the teenagers think it's cool. Too bad they aren't walking the walk the way they talk the talk. They backstab their neighbors and are intolerant of diversity. They wear purity rings and then turn around and lose their virginity in high school, hence the teen pregnancy problem. Get real!
7. The state legislature recently approved a measure to rewrite the history books to reflect the conservative agenda. How is that ok? History is history and should be taught accurately.
8. No homework in the elementary school because homework is not good for kids. WHAT??
9. George Bush as President 2000-2004
10. George Bush as President 2004-2008. It's insanity to try the same things over and over and expect a different result.
11. Texas leads the nation in alcohol related deaths.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40868244/ns/local_news-dallasfort_worth_tx/
12. Texas leads the nation in emissions of greenhouse gases.
13. Texas is also the only state in the union that refuses to have greenhouse gas emissions regulated by the EPA. In fact, Gov. Rick Perry is suing the EPA over its finding that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas. Please.
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/30/132469407/texas-epa-escalate-battle-over-pollution-rules?sc=17&f=
14. Texas lawmakers propose Christian language in funerals for non-Christian soldiers?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/26/1010854/-Texas-lawmakers-fighting-to-insert-Christian-language-in-funerals-for-non-Christian-soldiers?via=blog_1
15. Texas is ranked #44 out of 50 states in per pupil spending in public schools.
http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/jan/31/wendy-davis/state-sen-wendy-davis-says-texas-ranks-44th-educat/
16. Texas is ranked #50 out of #50, that's right LAST or HIGHEST in the nation depending on which way you look at it, on the number of elderly and children who go without health insurance....and 50th in the nation for per capita spending for mental health.
17. No cap on teacher/student ratio for middle and high schools. The ratio for elementary schools is 22 students for every 1 teacher.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Justin Bieber?
Really? Best Artist of the Year?
It's bad enough to be one of his female co-nominees, powerhouses like Lady Gaga, but I feel especially bad for Eminem. He was representing the rest of the males in the category. To lose to Justin Bieber....well, I'm not a male, so I'm just speculating, but let's just say that I think Eminem needs a big hug right about now. He's got my vote!
“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” ~Tom Bodett
How true is this statement? School prepares us for life. It teaches us how to learn. Life teaches us whether we like it or not. We learn lessons, ready or not. What lessons is life teaching you?
I'm learning to juggle work and home, wondering if there is a middle ground between lonely, bored housewife and overwhelmed working mom. Since I started working full time in August until this week, my new job has completely consumed my life. Having this week off for Thanksgiving gave me some time to come up for air. It took a few days to get the house clean. I'm still going through unopened mail and balancing my bank account. I'm making phone calls, fitting in doctors' appointments, and running errands. I'm catching up on my favorite tivo shows, playing guitar, cooking, and reading. I'm enjoying the company of my kids and the changing of the seasons. It's hard to believe the holidays are upon us again, but it's true. In just a few short weeks, we will be in Reno celebrating Christmas with Joe's family.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
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