Handel, performed by monks who have taken a vow of silence....
http://scdfa.org/les-freres-de-st-francis-de-la-sissies-hallelujah
A quick family update....we're doing swell! Just working daily to maintain the status quo...
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Make 'em laugh!
I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!!!! They don't make them like this anymore!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW02c5UNGl0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW02c5UNGl0
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A proposal
I don't know who wrote this up, but after reading it I am prompted to ask the question, "Why isn't this person serving as an elected official?" It is not usual for me to put something of this nature on my blog--still here it is. I am interested in your comments, and am wondering if Iam the only one who feels this way?
The Proposal:
When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seem to happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers need to find ways to continue to do a good job or risk that their job would be eliminated as well. Wall street, and the media normallycongratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and his board of directors gives him a big bonus. Our government should not be immune from similar risks.
Therefore: Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members and Senate members from 100 to 50 (one per State). Also reduce remaining staff by 25%. Accomplish this over the next 8 years. (two steps / two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting. Some yearly monetary gains include: $44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members x $165,200 pay / member / yr.) $97,175,000 for elimination of the above people's staff. (estimate $1.3 Mil in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Mil in staff per each member of the Senate every year) $240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%. $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel ear-marks each year. (those members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion / yr) The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and would need to improve efficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country? We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well. It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing. Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established (telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few.) Note: Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we have 3 senators that have not been doing their jobs for the past 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all have been accepting full pay. These facts alone support a reduction in senators & congress. Summary of opportunity:
$44,108,400 reduction of congress members, $282,100,000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff, $150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff., $59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members, $37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members, $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of congress members, $8,073,383,400 per year, estimated total savings! Big business does these types of cuts all the time. If Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits there is no telling how much we would save. Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term.
The Proposal:
When a company falls on difficult times, one of the things that seem to happen is they reduce their staff and workers. The remaining workers need to find ways to continue to do a good job or risk that their job would be eliminated as well. Wall street, and the media normallycongratulate the CEO for making this type of "tough decision", and his board of directors gives him a big bonus. Our government should not be immune from similar risks.
Therefore: Reduce the House of Representatives from the current 435 members to 218 members and Senate members from 100 to 50 (one per State). Also reduce remaining staff by 25%. Accomplish this over the next 8 years. (two steps / two elections) and of course this would require some redistricting. Some yearly monetary gains include: $44,108,400 for elimination of base pay for congress. (267 members x $165,200 pay / member / yr.) $97,175,000 for elimination of the above people's staff. (estimate $1.3 Mil in staff per each member of the House, and $3 Mil in staff per each member of the Senate every year) $240,294 for the reduction in remaining staff by 25%. $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork barrel ear-marks each year. (those members whose jobs are gone. Current estimates for total government pork earmarks are at $15 Billion / yr) The remaining representatives would need to work smarter and would need to improve efficiencies. It might even be in their best interests to work together for the good of our country? We may also expect that smaller committees might lead to a more efficient resolution of issues as well. It might even be easier to keep track of what your representative is doing. Congress has more tools available to do their jobs than it had back in 1911 when the current number of representatives was established (telephone, computers, cell phones to name a few.) Note: Congress did not hesitate to head home when it was a holiday, when the nation needed a real fix to the economic problems. Also, we have 3 senators that have not been doing their jobs for the past 18+ months (on the campaign trail) and still they all have been accepting full pay. These facts alone support a reduction in senators & congress. Summary of opportunity:
$44,108,400 reduction of congress members, $282,100,000 for elimination of the reduced house member staff, $150,000,000 for elimination of reduced senate member staff., $59,675,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining house members, $37,500,000 for 25% reduction of staff for remaining senate members, $7,500,000,000 reduction in pork added to bills by the reduction of congress members, $8,073,383,400 per year, estimated total savings! Big business does these types of cuts all the time. If Congresspersons were required to serve 20, 25 or 30 years (like everyone else) in order to collect retirement benefits there is no telling how much we would save. Now they get full retirement after serving only ONE term.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The kids in black and white....
This is quite the bunch.... there are days when I can't believe they belong to me. There are days when I KNOW they belong to Jim. Anyway--thanks Shari for lots of fun shooting these pics.
Friday, January 23, 2009
an overheard conversation...
Ryan: I need to go poop.
Ian: Well, what's wrong with that?
Ryan: I don't like to go poop. It's so stinky in there [the bathroom] when I go poop.
(several moments of relative silence then....)
Ryan: MOM!!!!!!!
Me: What, Ry?
Ryan: Will you come and wipe my bum?
Ahhhhh, the blessings of motherhood.....sigh.
Ian: Well, what's wrong with that?
Ryan: I don't like to go poop. It's so stinky in there [the bathroom] when I go poop.
(several moments of relative silence then....)
Ryan: MOM!!!!!!!
Me: What, Ry?
Ryan: Will you come and wipe my bum?
Ahhhhh, the blessings of motherhood.....sigh.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Just a random report....
Loved this picture collage from our photo session with Shari....thanks! Check out more of her stuff on the link below...
I have been pondering what to put in the blog....it has been awhile since I updated anything. I considered writing about the dog--she has been leaving mouthfuls of dry dogfood in places all over the house. I have wondered why she was doing this. It makes me laugh and be frustrated all at once. I went to my closet a few days back, with the intention of putting on my bathrobe. I had placed it exactly where it belongs in there--on the floor. I picked it up and put it on and down the side of the robe was no less than one dozen pieces of dogfood, all stuck onto the fabric. Katy had "burried" them there. Why? For a late-night snack perhaps? Maybe she thought I'd be hungry at some point?
I could blog about Jim...he gave me permission to talk about his hernia surgery online. However, I don't really know what to say about it. It was--uneventful? The procedure went off without any problems, and so far he is being a very compliant patient. We rotate the frozen pea packages every little while so as to maintain the optimal temperature on the afflicted area. Needless to say that makes for some chilly coconuts!
I could blog about the kids, but I couldn't think of anything particularly funny to say. Nothing of real interest to report. They are still our kids. We still like them most of the time. They keep growing and eating.
I still like new socks, very sharp pencil points and people who use their turn signals on a regular basis.
I got my haircut, and I am still serving as the Young Women's president despite Jim's new calling as a counselor in the bishopric.
I am no longer working at the Blind Onion. I am teaching piano lessons (again) instead. Give me a call if you are interested in lessons!
I suppose that's it. The end....for today. OH wait...I wanted to try something. Would you please comment and make suggestions as to what you'd like to hear about on future blog posts?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
What New Year's Resolutions?
Just a quick post....thanks Kori for the link. This is for all of you who have yet again made the resolution this year to improve yourselves by embracing a more healthy lifestyle...and, sorry Troy...
The place to go next time you are in Chandler, Arizona.
Click on the word "here" below to view!
A meal to die for!Click HERE and then be patient (pun)
while waiting for the 30 second commercial to pass.
The place to go next time you are in Chandler, Arizona.
Click on the word "here" below to view!
A meal to die for!Click HERE and then be patient (pun)
while waiting for the 30 second commercial to pass.
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