Photography Class Portrait

You know, being the family photographer, I rarely get images of myself. Thanks to my recent photography class where we took pictures of each other, I've got one to share. Maybe I should put it on my business card.

Don't Drink the Duffey Water!!

If you want to stay well do not come to our house and drink our water. Who knows what you might be diagnosed with. You all know how brave my husband is and you read about his journey of "the juice" to treat his Hep C. Unfortunately as you know, "the juice" did not work but he is trying some natural things we are excited about and we will keep you posted.
Well today I received the news that I have rhumatoid arthritis. I have been battling horrific joint pain over the last year and I went back to the Dr. the other day because of our sleepless Monday night filled with knee pain that kept me from walking. After more test I was told this afternoon of our great news. Many of you might say but you are too young for that. Well that is what I think too. But that is not what my cards dealt to me believe. I mean Satan leave the Duffeys alone!!! God is only making us stronger to fight you.
I try to make light of the situation, our water is not contaminated, but we are going to get a new filter for the BRITA just in case. Never the less, we would still love and appreciate your prayers.

My Stimulus Package

Sorry for the stiff political post today, but I have been disturbed by what is going on in our government these days.

Let me set the stage with a quick economics primer... In our economy, a very consumer driven economy, when a dollar is injected it has a multiplier effect. It is spent time and time again and beause we have very skilled workers and servicers that dollar's value is multiplied time and time again.

Well, that is the premesis for the government's stimulus plan. If they inject capital into our marketplace then it will have a return greater than the base amount. Hmm... Confused yet? Well, I agree with the theory, but don't forget that this is yours and my money that they are playing with here.

However, think of this... If the decision makers in Washington are so confident in the multiplier effect of capital into the market place, why aren't they interested in cutting taxes for everyone in the first place?

Answer... Control.

If taxes are cut, then you and I have control of how the money is spent (and multiplied). But, if our government get its hands on our taxed money, then they get to choose its destination to be spent. Hence, the ultimate big government control scheme, and the repbulicans and democrats are all guilty.

Now, to clear up my position about the stimulus... There is a portion of the stimulus bill that offers tax breaks and cuts. For this I am pleased that our government decision makers are not completely oblivious to the power of the peoples abilit to stimulate our economy.

I 'Tuck Mommy

Ok friends and family of the blogworld, I must share with you an experience that occurred this morning around 4 AM. Yes, we shouldl all be asleep but not in our house. You read the post that was written a few entries ago about the "big girl bed". Well O did super the first 2 weeks but now she is waking up many times a night. I really feel like I did when she was 8 weeks old, it is that bad. Well Stud the husband and I have been trying to brainstorm on how we can nip this in the bud. We started our process a few nights ago and I think it might be helping. Well last night was just a funny adventure. At 4 AM I hear this "pappy ( which is the paci) ere r u" several times so I go check out the situation. I walk into O's room and she is nowhere to be found. I say O where are you then I look down with sleepy eyes and I see half a person hanging out from under the big girl bed and this sweet little voice say "I 'tuck mommy". The poor thing was looking for her paci under her bed and yes she got stuck. She did not cry, but she was becoming a bit agitated as I tried to save her from her great location on the hardwood with toddler bed on the head. She was quite stuck because I could not pull her out, instead I had to lift the bed up and we had to work a little to get her out but we managed and she went back to sleep with no problem. I just had to share this story because not many things make you smile that early in the morning but hearing those sweet soft words "I 'tuck mommy" were just too comical for me not to share with you.

Shaving Update III: Recession Shaving

If you've followed the blog for a while, you understand my passion for a great shave. I first started blogging about it in January 2007 (HERE), and then again in February 2007 (HERE), and again in April 2007 (HERE). I absolutely love nice high quality shaving creams and soaps as well as using a double-edge safty razor.

Well... Our ecomomy is not quite in the best position that its been in for a while so, in that spirit, I've introduced recession shaving.

The safety razor stays, but instead of the small batch creams, I've switched to good old fashioned Noxema shave cream. $2.45 a bottle at CVS. A far cry from $10 Proraso and further from $20 Art of Shaving brand.

So what's the result?

Well, the shave isn't quite as close and definately not a comfortable, but "hey!" it gets the job done and a nice tingly feeling to boot.

You May Never Know Who or When

See more funny videos and Funny Videos at Today's Big Thing.

New Baby O Portraits

Click the image below for the rest.