Sometimes I picture American politicians secretly snickering behind our backs, wondering just how much subterfuge we will endure before there is pandemonium of titanic proportion among the people. It's bad enough that there is so much inherent corruption, that the corporations and their lobbyists are the real "voice" (and that companies like Halliburton determine the kind of world we live in), but the money spent on these campaigns is unconscionable.
The most recent senate races are said to have cost at least 2 BILLION dollars! Something is wrong with people when they choose to put their money into a bid that is going to further their own agenda and ignores the needs of the suffering. Could 2 BILLION dollars not have been better spent?
I have never been so repulsed as I was with the latest senate campaign in Missouri. All of the candidates auspiciously promised that they are what this country needs; offering up some sort of distant panacea as if their words had an ounce of probity to them. More often than not they were maliciously dogging their opponents, as if "we the people" aren't smart enough to see through the CRAP.
The Bush campaign proved in 2004 that [some of] our votes don't really count (contrary to what they would have you believe), that elections can be bought and votes can be manipulated (and even thrown out if the governor of the state happens to be your BROTHER and he chooses to do so, at random). Oh, forgive me, that is all just coincidence, right?
The war in Iraq (and subsequent war on terrorism) is, of course, the biggest issue concerning most of us, or it should be. The Christian right (Bush's greatest fans) push their so-called "moral" agenda, as if the rest of us are incapable of determining what is actually moral, that God is only real to "them" and for all of the love that Jesus was about, they would have us believe that spreading hate and discontent and killing innocents is Ok somehow. Every human is precious in the eyes of God and Christians should be trying to stop this mess, not funding it! I couldn't say it any better than Robin Meyers, a minister and peace activist: "When you claim that our God is bigger than their God and that our killing is righteous while theirs is evil, we have begun to resemble the enemy we claim to be fighting, and that is immoral. We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us."
Most of you middle classers, like me, are sitting at home in your peaceful abodes, eating more food than you should, driving gas-guzzling cars that are dependent on oil that fueled (no pun intended) this war in the first place, buying too much plastic (try researching what goes into that stuff) from a store that imports it from a country who won't help us and who pays children 7 cents a day to make the stuff we're buying that will be in a landfill for millions of years to come. Washington pays no heed to the environmental changes the earth is undergoing due to our pitiful, noxious lifestyles. We are enjoying a prosperity unlike any other culture and are excessively wasteful while the corporations we support with our dollars enjoy record profits. HELLOOOO! There is a WAR going on! Innocent women and children are being killed, starved and tortured but we are fat and happy. How do we stand ourselves?
Sorry I don't have a bandaid to fix our problems. Like most of us, my comfort level is fine, I don't have any family members in politics and I don't have any money so I'll just sit back and watch the nonsense unfold and pray that God has a sense of humor.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Early Retirement
Last April, dh stopped going to work. He simply could not do it anymore. You see, he has a nasty form of arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and has had it since he was about 16.
He has had chronic pain ever since I've known him (we were high school sweethearts). His dad had the same disease and was disabled because of it. AS causes loss of disc space in the spine with resulting kyphosis (hunched over appearance) and loss of height. The spinal vertebrae actually fuse together so there is subsequent loss of mobility. AS not only affects the spine, it also affects all of the major joints and causes systemic problems, such as organ damage. There are varying degrees of the severity of the symptoms and dh has had a very difficult time over the years.
After a terrible exacerbation last spring, he was unable to get more than a few hours of sleep at night. He was up during the night off and on, taking hot baths and/or showers, using the heating pad, taking antinflammatory drugs and on more than one occasion I had to get up to assist him up the stairs. He started walking with a cane and was really having a lot of side effects from his medication (he will only take ibuprofen or aspirin, nothing stronger). He started experiencing a lot of stomach cramping, skin rashes, dizziness, weight loss and many other symptoms. He has missed a lot of work over the years due to his disease.
So, after much prayer and discussion, we decided that he would be better off at home where he could manage his disease better (when he's inactive he gets stiffer, so he exercises which results in more pain, a very vicious cycle). Thankfully, he worked for the City of Springfield and they were very accomodating when he gave his notice. He was able to draw all of his remaining ill time which gave him a paycheck for 3 full months, then he was able to apply for partial retirement based on his disability. We have worked for many years toward living without debt so we were in a position that he COULD stay home.
I am happy to say that the LAGERS union approved his disability after reviewing his medical records and Dr's recommendations and he is now officially retired.
DH is now doing better. Not having to get up at 5 am allows him to get more sleep. He no longer has to drive around in a vehicle all day which caused him significant pain and stiffness. He is able to exercise in short stints throughout the day which helps him maintain mobility in his neck, hips, and lower back. He is able to focus on eating wholesome foods and that seems to help keep inflammation at bay. Remarkably, he looks fantastic and has a six pack on his abs that is to die for!
He has had chronic pain ever since I've known him (we were high school sweethearts). His dad had the same disease and was disabled because of it. AS causes loss of disc space in the spine with resulting kyphosis (hunched over appearance) and loss of height. The spinal vertebrae actually fuse together so there is subsequent loss of mobility. AS not only affects the spine, it also affects all of the major joints and causes systemic problems, such as organ damage. There are varying degrees of the severity of the symptoms and dh has had a very difficult time over the years.
After a terrible exacerbation last spring, he was unable to get more than a few hours of sleep at night. He was up during the night off and on, taking hot baths and/or showers, using the heating pad, taking antinflammatory drugs and on more than one occasion I had to get up to assist him up the stairs. He started walking with a cane and was really having a lot of side effects from his medication (he will only take ibuprofen or aspirin, nothing stronger). He started experiencing a lot of stomach cramping, skin rashes, dizziness, weight loss and many other symptoms. He has missed a lot of work over the years due to his disease.
So, after much prayer and discussion, we decided that he would be better off at home where he could manage his disease better (when he's inactive he gets stiffer, so he exercises which results in more pain, a very vicious cycle). Thankfully, he worked for the City of Springfield and they were very accomodating when he gave his notice. He was able to draw all of his remaining ill time which gave him a paycheck for 3 full months, then he was able to apply for partial retirement based on his disability. We have worked for many years toward living without debt so we were in a position that he COULD stay home.
I am happy to say that the LAGERS union approved his disability after reviewing his medical records and Dr's recommendations and he is now officially retired.
DH is now doing better. Not having to get up at 5 am allows him to get more sleep. He no longer has to drive around in a vehicle all day which caused him significant pain and stiffness. He is able to exercise in short stints throughout the day which helps him maintain mobility in his neck, hips, and lower back. He is able to focus on eating wholesome foods and that seems to help keep inflammation at bay. Remarkably, he looks fantastic and has a six pack on his abs that is to die for!
Running--er, JOGGING for charity
The St. John's annual Sunshine Run was October 14th. Part of the proceeds from the 5K went to THE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION OF THE OZARKS--a charity I am particularly fond of and if you have money to give away, well, they are the real deal. Anyway, I decided to run in the 5K race.
I had not run a race since I ran cross country in high school (just a FEW years ago). Running is something I do to stay in shape, to get the proper amount of aerobic exercise, and you could say I'm addicted to the endorphins. That is enough motivation for me, although I admit I do have a running shoe ad taped on my fridge that reads: I COULD SPEND MORE TIME REDECORATING MY PLACE. It would give me a feeling of accomplishment. And I wouldn't feel guilty if I skipped a few days of redecorating. But picking out paint colors wouldn't make my butt look better in jeans. Keep running....
The 5K race was at 7:30 in the morning-ugh! I never run in the morning; studies have shown that your body does best running in the early afternoon. That should have been my first clue that it might be a little difficult. I don't run for speed, I run for endurance and currently am running for an hour 3 times a week. The distance is between 6-7 miles. And, did I mention that I run on hills? rocky hills? uphill both ways? That may be a little stretch but I figured a short little 3.1 mile race on the flat pavement would be a piece of cake! Boy, was I ever humbled!
First of all, I wasn't sure how to prepare myself. I drink a lot of water every day and so I started by getting up at 4 am to eat breakfast and proceeded to drink three liters of water! Not smart for a 40 year old woman who has had 4 kids, if you know what I mean. I nearly missed the start of the race because I had to pee!
As if bladder control wasn't a big enough problem, I locked my keys in my car. Well, not all of my keys. I had nightmares for days before the race, thinking I was going to lock my keys in my car because, well, that's just me. Sure enough, I took the key off of my keychain, put it in my secret zipper pocket in my running pants, ran to the bathroom with my jacket on because it was so cold, and when I went back to my car to put my jacket inside, the key I had removed was actually the ignition key and it wouldn't open the doors!
So, here I am 2 blocks from the starting line and the race is starting in 2 minutes. I still have my [heavy] jacket on, which I cannot possibly run in so after sprinting to where I'm supposed to be, I see a kindly looking woman and asked her to hold my jacket. She said "sure" and I asked her where I could find her after the race. She said she'd drop it off at the lost and found booth and I told her just to take it to the BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION (BCFO) booth.
It's 35 degrees, I'm struggling for air after sprinting and stressed because I have to be at work as soon as the race is over and I can't get in my car. There are 1500 people crowded onto Walnut street, packed together like sardines and I have to PEE. What was I thinking?
The emcee counts down from 10 and we are off! This is a RACE and I am wedged in between all of these people and start moving my feet but for some reason, I'm not going anywhere. Finally, the crowd starts to thin a little as the "good" runners pull away from the crowd. I am starting to get into a rhythm and look down at the ground and see a wallet, thinking "who would have their wallet in their pants during a race?". Then I looked up just in time to collide with the moron who dropped his wallet and had turned around in the swarm of forward moving bodies to run back for it. AAAAGGHH! We hit so hard that I nearly fell down and I shouted "DAMMIT!" without thinking, amid a group of schoolchildren.
Suddenly, my body started feeling very strange. I don't know if it was the cold, the sudden impact or just the adrenaline rush but I started hurting all over. It felt as if my legs would not hold me up and my chest felt like it was being crushed (and I had to Pee). I slowed my pace and just kept going, running through the discomfort (that's putting it lightly). Little kids and women pushing baby strollers were passing me! This was NOT my idea of fun!
The last half mile of the race I finally regained my strength and kicked it into high gear, but it was too late. I finished 3.1 miles in a little over 27 minutes.
I went to the BCFO booth and the nice lady had, indeed left my jacket there. I then used a friend's cell phone to call POP-A-LOCK. The lady was very helpful but then she said she had to have a credit card number to make sure I was good for the money. I sort of lost it then and took out my frustration on this poor woman who was only trying to do her job. It's not her fault that there are so many LOSERS who don't pay for services rendered. I told her that if I had my purse with me, I would also have my keys and THEN I WOULDN'T NEED THEIR HELP!! SHEESH!
After my little melt-down, she said I could just pay with a check; the man came within 15 minutes, had the car open within 20 seconds and I was on my way. It was an experience I will not soon forget and now that it's over , I can say that I will probably do it again next year!
I had not run a race since I ran cross country in high school (just a FEW years ago). Running is something I do to stay in shape, to get the proper amount of aerobic exercise, and you could say I'm addicted to the endorphins. That is enough motivation for me, although I admit I do have a running shoe ad taped on my fridge that reads: I COULD SPEND MORE TIME REDECORATING MY PLACE. It would give me a feeling of accomplishment. And I wouldn't feel guilty if I skipped a few days of redecorating. But picking out paint colors wouldn't make my butt look better in jeans. Keep running....
The 5K race was at 7:30 in the morning-ugh! I never run in the morning; studies have shown that your body does best running in the early afternoon. That should have been my first clue that it might be a little difficult. I don't run for speed, I run for endurance and currently am running for an hour 3 times a week. The distance is between 6-7 miles. And, did I mention that I run on hills? rocky hills? uphill both ways? That may be a little stretch but I figured a short little 3.1 mile race on the flat pavement would be a piece of cake! Boy, was I ever humbled!
First of all, I wasn't sure how to prepare myself. I drink a lot of water every day and so I started by getting up at 4 am to eat breakfast and proceeded to drink three liters of water! Not smart for a 40 year old woman who has had 4 kids, if you know what I mean. I nearly missed the start of the race because I had to pee!
As if bladder control wasn't a big enough problem, I locked my keys in my car. Well, not all of my keys. I had nightmares for days before the race, thinking I was going to lock my keys in my car because, well, that's just me. Sure enough, I took the key off of my keychain, put it in my secret zipper pocket in my running pants, ran to the bathroom with my jacket on because it was so cold, and when I went back to my car to put my jacket inside, the key I had removed was actually the ignition key and it wouldn't open the doors!
So, here I am 2 blocks from the starting line and the race is starting in 2 minutes. I still have my [heavy] jacket on, which I cannot possibly run in so after sprinting to where I'm supposed to be, I see a kindly looking woman and asked her to hold my jacket. She said "sure" and I asked her where I could find her after the race. She said she'd drop it off at the lost and found booth and I told her just to take it to the BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION (BCFO) booth.
It's 35 degrees, I'm struggling for air after sprinting and stressed because I have to be at work as soon as the race is over and I can't get in my car. There are 1500 people crowded onto Walnut street, packed together like sardines and I have to PEE. What was I thinking?
The emcee counts down from 10 and we are off! This is a RACE and I am wedged in between all of these people and start moving my feet but for some reason, I'm not going anywhere. Finally, the crowd starts to thin a little as the "good" runners pull away from the crowd. I am starting to get into a rhythm and look down at the ground and see a wallet, thinking "who would have their wallet in their pants during a race?". Then I looked up just in time to collide with the moron who dropped his wallet and had turned around in the swarm of forward moving bodies to run back for it. AAAAGGHH! We hit so hard that I nearly fell down and I shouted "DAMMIT!" without thinking, amid a group of schoolchildren.
Suddenly, my body started feeling very strange. I don't know if it was the cold, the sudden impact or just the adrenaline rush but I started hurting all over. It felt as if my legs would not hold me up and my chest felt like it was being crushed (and I had to Pee). I slowed my pace and just kept going, running through the discomfort (that's putting it lightly). Little kids and women pushing baby strollers were passing me! This was NOT my idea of fun!
The last half mile of the race I finally regained my strength and kicked it into high gear, but it was too late. I finished 3.1 miles in a little over 27 minutes.
I went to the BCFO booth and the nice lady had, indeed left my jacket there. I then used a friend's cell phone to call POP-A-LOCK. The lady was very helpful but then she said she had to have a credit card number to make sure I was good for the money. I sort of lost it then and took out my frustration on this poor woman who was only trying to do her job. It's not her fault that there are so many LOSERS who don't pay for services rendered. I told her that if I had my purse with me, I would also have my keys and THEN I WOULDN'T NEED THEIR HELP!! SHEESH!
After my little melt-down, she said I could just pay with a check; the man came within 15 minutes, had the car open within 20 seconds and I was on my way. It was an experience I will not soon forget and now that it's over , I can say that I will probably do it again next year!
I'm SORRY!!
Once again, I've not blogged for weeks, and I broke my promise. To those of you who live to read my entries, God help you. I just haven't been inspired lately--too distracted, too much going on, dh despises when I'm on the computer, etc., etc.
Enough excuses; dh isn't here right now so I better write while I have the chance.....
Enough excuses; dh isn't here right now so I better write while I have the chance.....
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