Random thoughts on Iraq

I have two boys, so it's understandable I'm worried for them when they turn 18 and are figuring out what to do with their lives. Right now neither one of them shows an interest in joining our military. But.... ya know how it goes. Kids tend to do things that shock and surprise their parents.
I used to think that by the time my oldest turns 18, the war in Iraq will be done. Right now it does not look that way. It looks far from over, no matter what everyone says "we will end the war if I am elected" yadda yadda.

I was reading Sunday's paper. One of the articles hit it on the spot and looks like either we'll be there for a while longer till the people get their shit together or we'll just get the hell out of Dodge and leave them in their own little civil war and kill each other.

here's a snippet from one of the writers:

***It has been nearly six years since we began to re-establish democracy. Six years and the citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq have voted for the first time in a true democratic election; six years and Saddam is dead and his regime in shambles; six years and Osama has nestled comfortably into the hole in the ground where he belongs.
America has installed democracy before, in Japan, after WWII. It took decades, and now look at Japan's role in the world. It took decades to reunite the German country with democracy. It took nearly a century for America to develop the democracy that now keeps us free, and yet six years is too much to give for the part of the world that now needs it most.
***

full text of the articles are at: http://www.tbo.com/news/opinion/communitycolumnists/MGBUL3DPM6F.html

now, is democracy in a foreign oil-producing country halfway across the world really worth the lives of Americans? Why aren't we involved in Darfur? ummmm....... Are we, like, the mom who comes in between two feuding siblings? Except the mom don't get shot at.

Adventures in Insuranceland II

Maybe this should be called "Adventures in Mortgageland". Apparentely, a google search turned up the Federal Trade Commission website, which stated that this is a common scam. Should I report my mortgage company?? You'd think a big company like them.... what's the world coming to?

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/homes/eqscams.shtm go there for the story. Now we're looking into seeing if we can get the escrow removed and pay taxes and insurance seperately, but I'm not holding my breath, is there some sort of FL law that says we HAVE to have escrow?

A five year home equity loan looks good, the payments will be $110 more/month than our total mortgage now but only for five years as opposed to 17 more years......

I need a financial whiz.

I rode my bike today. On a bridge. yay me.

Adventures in Insuranceland!

okay, so two months ago we get a letter from our mortgage company saying they need proof of insurance. whatever. Send them a letter via snail mail with copy of policy page.

Yesterday! We get ANOTHER letter from mortgage company saying since we never provided proof of insurance, they have initated a policy for us to cover their investment. whaaa..... at a nice cool $6,000 a year!! So... called them up. They said the insurance policy was cancelled by the insurer. again, WTF?!?!?! They also said they assumed we knew about it. No, we din't!!

So, this morning, we call the insurer. They're like "oh. oops. Let's fix that." Man, people! What happened? They had no explanation. They said they'd call the mortgage company and reinstate the policy so the $6K policy will be terminated. We were with NO HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE FOR THREE MONTHS and didn't freakin' know it!! They should give us a refund for that prorated time!

eh. well, good news. My friend in the previous post is doing GREAT and should be discharged today!!

AND... my sister is having a baby on THURSDAY!!!

Tough

A friend of mine was admitted to the hospital and they found her breast cancer has spread. She's so young, barely 30, newly engaged, with her whole life ahead of her. She just did a friggin' triathlon the week before her relapse was diagnosed, for petes' sake. It's so sad. Two weeks ago I entered a really cool picture of her on her bike in a photo contest at work. I hope it wins. She's in ICU right now. I'm a total wuss when it comes to stuff like this, absolutely no good to anyone. I tend to get very detached at times like these. So, people will probably think I'm just a cold, unfeeling bitch, but those who know me know I don't usually wear my emotions on my sleeve. Like, right now as I type this, I'm crying. Nobody's here. See??

Fuck cancer.

new toys!!

I got a new toy today. It's a suunto t1. Heart rate monitor, watch, timer, yadda yadda. Now I gotta figure out what button does what. It's a tad big, but I'll get used to it.

Went to Subway and idiots overcharged us, didn't realize it till after we left. Why don't they give us a detailed receipt??

School starts soon....... yay!! yippee!!

Spiders and Yogurt

There was this HUGE Wolf Spider in my car yesterday which totally freaked me out!! We ended up sucking him up with the shop vac and leaving him in there for my husband to come take care of!! That thing was ENORMOUS!!

And... what's up with those two girls in Bridesmaid Dresses for the Yogurt Commercials? The reception is obviously all done. They're kicking back, having a yogurt and talking about how good it is. I mean, come on, who does that?? At this time, normal people would be kicking back, drinking up the last of the available alcohol. Who comes up with these things??

Here's a great one: http://www.joeyheadset.com/archives/theyoplaitgirls1.html heh.

Don't people listen?

A bridge fell into the Mighty Mississippi today. It was reported that they found cracks in it, yet they let it stay in service. hmmmm... Don't people ever listen? Why does something consequential always have to happen before people listen? Like getting the hell out of Dodge when there's a hurricane coming (after stockpiling of course)? Like a teenager who won't follow the rules and gets grounded, misses the big party? Or the poor kid who licks a frozen flagpole? See the point?

And... how can people be so stupid to leave their car running in the garage?? I mean, you pull in, turn the ignition off, remove the keys, close the door, take the baby out, right? How simple and sensible is that? This week, in our area alone, two boys (and the dog) died because their mom allegedly forgot to turn off the vehicle in the garage. Another family was saved when their baby awoke crying like a banshee and the parents felt "woozy". I mean, people? Turn off the car!! Or at least install a carbon monoxide detector in your garage/home.

ummm... people can be stoopid sometimes.