An Amazing Freebie!

Over the past several years I have sent out a photo card at Christmas. It started off as a picture of all three of us, but has now evolved into just a picture of Jackson. I was thinking about what we would do this year when I spotted a great tip; Heather over at Freebies 4 Mom has posted an amazing freebie. She's sharing a code for 50 free photo cards to be printed (with free shipping) making this an amazing actual freebie! The site is run through Fuji, and you actually get to design your card from start to finish. The code is supposed to be good through November 30th.

I tried making my card yesterday, but the site was bogged down with everyone trying to order. It's up and running again today and I just placed my order. 50 cards for free; you can't beat that! Heather does have some tips in case you have some trouble. The only problem I had was that the site didn't recognize the promo code when I entered it, but I just tried again and it worked. Wanna see the pictures I chose? Sure you do!

Jackson as Peter Pan!

Such a silly monkey!

Our little stinker!

Isn't he such a cutie! Have a great day and get ready to take advantage of this amazing offer!

Stepping On My Soapbox

*Wade's World Disclaimer* If you are a Democrat or a Liberal, you might want to just move on and not read this post. You will not like it. Consider yourself warned. Comments that I deem rude or argumentative will be deleted without hesitation or apologies. I've had enough of all that left wing garbage being crammed down my throat. I'm not like Fox News. I never claimed to be fair and balanced.

*And now I'm stepping on my soapbox.

All this mess about health care reform is making me sick. Did I miss something in the Bill of Rights or the Constitution that deemed that health insurance was a God given right? Last time I checked, our rights were that of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." I don't see health care mentioned anywhere. I watched in horror this weekend as our House of Representatives passed Nancy Pelosi's Health care bill after passing the Stupak Amendment. Now I was supporting the Stupak amendment because it would ban the use of federal tax dollars to pay for abortion, and it's passage was a major victory for the pro-lifers out there like me, but I knew that if the amendment passed that several of the "on the fence" democrats would in fact vote for the health care bill to pass. In that way, the amendment was a double-edged sword; vote against abortion, vote for government takeover of a private industry. And I heard that Pelosi had already worked a deal that if the Stupak amendment passed through the House, that the amendment would disappear in the Senate version, which basically means that lots of well intentioned Representatives voted for this bill in good faith, only to be snookered once again by Pelosi.

Now I have several friends that think I'm somewhat obsessed with politics. I listen to conservative talk radio for about 6 hours a day (in the background while I'm at work), and I admit that I check Drudge Report almost constantly. These politicians are making life and death decisions for us, and we should be ashamed of ourselves if we don't hold them accountable for their choices. We should know exactly how they are voting and what the issues are. People have given their lives in order for us to have freedom to speak out, and I'll be darned if I'm not going to use my voice.

Here's some issues that you need to be aware of as this vote comes before the Senate:

1. According to Pelosi, this 1,990 page document will cost an estimated $829 billion. The actual costs will be closer to $1.055 trillion. That's a trillion dollars that belongs to our children and grandchildren. We are robbing them blind, and they don't even pay taxes yet.

2. Expanding Medicaid, and gutting private Medicare. Pelosi's plan includes using $426 billion from future Medicare spending to fund universal coverage. What does this mean for senior citizens? In addition to not getting a social security check increases, their Medicare coverage will be cut in order to basically put all Americans on Medicaid.

3. Tax the wealthy; The Bill includes $572 billion in new taxes that will apply to anyone earning over $1 million for joint filers, or $500,000 for singles. Their new tax rate will rise to 45% of their income in 2011. This won't directly affect my checkbook at first because Heaven knows, I don't make a million dollars, but this cost will trickle down because it punishes those who are successful. Since when should someone who has made an honest living be punished for their success? They shouldn't. That's straight up socialism, and last time I checked, we lived in a democracy. But get this: even if the government took 100% of earnings for those making $500,000 or more, it's still not enough money. That's where the middle class comes in. Yeah! You will now be considered rich and they will raise your taxes because we still have to pay for the "have nots" in our society. Like a hungry dragon, it's never going to be enough. The government will never be satisfied as long as it's taking from those who still have.

4. Despite the strain on small businesses, and our floundering economy, businesses would be required to pay 8% of their payroll to the government if they don't offer insurance or pay at least 72.5% of their workers' premiums. Mark my words: this will directly affect salaries because if a company is forced to pay for health insurance, they still have to make a profit. In an economy with 10.2% unemployment, I predict that these rates will go even higher when businesses have to make the choice of paying for insurance or letting workers go.

5. You will be mandated by law to buy government approved health insurance. If you choose not to purchase insurance, you will be taxed up to 2.5% of your gross income. If you choose not to pay the tax, you will be penalized with a fine up to $250,000 and could serve up to 5 years in prison. So now the government will force you to purchase something that you may feel you don't even need. What's next? The government taxing cokes because they need to stop us from getting fat? Oh, wait. That's already in the works. The government needs to focus on bigger issues than what I'm drinking.

6. The government will control health care costs and will deem if a doctor prescribed health care regime is essential and cost effective. This in turn will lead to reduced medical care. Basically, a government committee will get to decide if you are worth saving.

Final thoughts: This plan still does NOTHING to cover tort reform. Our health care costs are soaring because of frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits and this bill will do nothing to touch that.

Congress will still not be included as part of this plan. How dare they pass something that they deem "wonderful' and "life changing" and not be willing to join the plan like the rest of America. I'm furious about this bill, and you better believe that if my Senators vote for this bill that I will do everything in my power to see that they don't get re-elected. I'm fed up with this garbage coming down from D.C.

Pelosi is evil and and Obama is a socialist. Together they are a terrifying combination. 85% of Americans are satisfied with the health care they have. What sense does it make to throw an entire industry down the goverment drain to satisfy the needs of 15% of the people? The bottom line is that I'm a tax paying American who works hard for what I have. I'm not against helping people when they are down on their luck, but I am tired of paying for people who have never earned an honest dime in their life. I'm tired of the government just helping themselves to what I've worked hard for. I'm tired of the government interferring in my life. And I'm tired of the government telling me what's good for me.

And my blood pressure is going up....I guess I better get that treated before Obamacare goes into force and I'm forced to be led out to pasture.

*And I'm now off my soapbox. Tomorrow we will return to our regularly scheduled programming.*

I Need This Shirt!

Honesty in Marketing

Rick and Bubba shared this commercial this morning and it owned me. What a refreshing and honest take on trying to get business, and at the very least, it takes guts (or something else) to run a commerical like this.

So have a great day. Or don't. I don't care :)

P.S. I really do hope you have a great day and a great weekend!

Ask Amy Anything

Because it's Thursday and I've got nothing, I'm opening today up to another edition of Ask Amy Anything. Just leave me a comment and I'll answer soon! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Conservative...And Proud Of It!

In the words of the always wise Maxine...

Let me get this straight:

We're going to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, pssed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a President that also hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a Treasury Chief who didn't pay his taxes, all to be overseen by a Surgeon General who is obese,
and financed by a country that's nearly broke.

What could possibly go wrong?

And y'all, I sat up watching the election results last night coming in and I was so excited to see a GOP sweep in Virginia (for only the 2nd time in history), and that Chris Christie defeated Jon Corzine in New Jersey! I know the White House will spin this to say that these were only "local" elections, but I truly believe the tide is turning for conservatives!

Have a great day!

Does Anyone Else Hear That Ticking Noise?

I'm seriously under pressure to have another baby. Not "youneedtohaveababyrightnowwhatareyouwaitingfor" pressure, but more of "its time" pressure. The pressure is not so much by family (thank goodness), but mostly by well-meaning friends and coworkers.

And Jackson.

And I don't mind the pressure, but I'm so afraid to step off the ledge on this one because seriously, you know what you are about to get into again with a second baby.

And no kidding, but our three year old son is putting the pressure on more than anyone else. Jackson is obsessed with wanting a baby in the family, and if asked, he'll say that he wants a baby sister, but a baby brother would be okay too.

I'm glad we got that cleared up.

I guess much of his baby fever is due to the fact that his KK is pregnant, his Sunday School teacher Kara is pregnant, and our good friends, Miranda and Britney just had babies. Just yesterday he told me that if we have a baby that he'll make sure to change the baby's diapers (except the poopy ones) and will make the baby a bottle of milk when its hungry.

He's also promised to love the baby and take good care of it and to not drop the elbow bomb on the baby until it's big.

Another thing I'm glad we got cleared up...

And I'm sitting here thinking about a million things at once, as if I don't have enough on my plate already.

A little voice is telling me that it's time to start thinking about another baby since I've always wanted my children 4 years apart.

A little voice is telling me that, hello, I'm 29 years old and these things take time, which I'm short on since I wanted to be done having kids by the time I'm 30.

A little voice is wondering how Jackson would really handle a new addition to the family.

A little voice is wondering if I'm over analyzing things as usual.

A little voice is asking me how will we afford another baby.

A little voice is asking me if I'm ready to start over.

A little voice is reminding me of how much I struggled to get pregnant.

A little voice is reminding me of that ever present ticking sound.

The morals of the story: Jackson needs to quit pressuring his Mama, and I have too many voices in my head.

Tick...Tick...Tick...

Its Monday Already?

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Ours was wonderful. Busy, but great. Friday night we went to the downtown area and enjoyed the festival at First Baptist, and then Saturday night we went to the church where Jackson goes to school and had a wonderful time at their festival. Enjoy the pictures!

Spiderman ready to roll!

Spiderman, Nana and Tata

Riding the swings. He loved it, but he just didn't want his picture taken at all!

People thought he was scared, but no. He's just being difficult!

Loving the pony ride!

Such a stinker!

Hotdog dinner at his school

Jackson and Nana

He finally conquered his fear of inflatables!!!!

He loved the inflatable slide! He's always been terrified before, but we couldn't get him off this thing!

Playing games to get MORE candy!

Horse ride (not a pony this time!)

He loved the train ride!

And I just have to share this: Jackson, Nana and I decided to ride the hayride. We waited in line and when we got onto the hayride this adorable little girl runs up and sits right next to Jackson. He immediately got shy and hid his face. This sweet little girl says, "Hey Jackson!" and I realized that she was in his class. I asked her name and she said it was Amelia. I've heard all about Amelia, and know that she is Jackson's girlfriend. Well, Amelia saddled right up to Jackson and grabbed his hand so that they could hold hands during the ride! Isn't that so cute. Amelia's Daddy wasn't too pleased, and luckily for Amelia's Dad, Jackson wanted nothing to do with her because he was too shy! I think it's so sweet! And she was such a classy little gal, dressed up like Little Red Riding Hood.

If my three year old has to date, at least he's got good taste!

Have a great day!