A New Bed! Great Customer Service at Sleepys

We bought a "Kingstown" bed at a Sleepys store last week, and it was a great experience. We needed it because Tom has lower back problems, and they're getting worse.
The saleswoman that waited on us knew we were a couple and she was so accommodating and understanding. She put us through a computer test where we each lay on a bed and the computerized bed measured our posture, pain points, etc. to determine what bed would be best for us. It was fascinating stuff. They also tested the type of pillows we preferred. I preferred plush and flexible, while Tom preferred firm pillows. It's been comfy sleeping since we got the bed delievered this past Tuesday. All I can say is that buying a mattress is like buying a new car, complete with financing!

Okay, now I'm really done with them

This article was on CNN today, about how the Catholic and Mormon Churches poured tons of money and campaigning into removing the marriage rights of the gay people in California. Hatred is NOT what Christ taught. So, I'm officially saying in print that I am totally DONE with the Catholic Church. Hateful, hateful, hateful. There is NO excuse for this horrendous behavior. I'm furious at the Church that I grew up in and gave so much time, effort and money to support. They've let me down.
As for this quote: "Proposition 8 is not against any group in our society. (BULL@#&$!!!) Its sole focus is on preserving God's plan for people living upon this earth throughout time," Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles said. He's simply an ass. He, like the other hateful, bigoted, nasty, selfish people need to go. Can you tell that I'm really ticked over this?

CATHOLICS, MORMONS DEFEND BACKING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN
The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
insisted Thursday that their support for a proposition to ban same-sex
marriage in California did not target any group.
... FULL STORY: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/06/state.laws/index.html

SO... now, LEGAL ANALYST: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AGAIN IN LIMBO
California voters on Tuesday appear to have approved Proposition 8, a measure
banning same-sex marriage in the state.
... FULL STORY: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/06/hostin.qanda/index.html

Lunchtime when Working at Home: The Poo-Picking Challenge

I work at home a couple of days a week, thankfully, and it really saves commute time, money and mileage. A lot of people are also a lot less hesitant to bother you at home, so I get much more work done! - Anyway, here's what I did on my lunch hour today- yeah, it's not all fun:
1) Made a quick lunch of leftovers and ate in about 10 minutes
2) Took in the recycle bin (it was collected today)
3) Walked the dogs about a mile (took 25 minutes)
4) Put clothes in the dryer (I put them in the wash before I started this morning)
5) Give the dogs snacks /changed their water
AND...
6) Pooper Scooped the Backyard for about 20 minutes!
Let me just say, that I understand why some people pay for this. Regardless, I don't mind doing it, it's just that 1) With LOTS OF FALLEN LEAVES- there's a 90% chance you'll step in something before you see it to pick up (okay, I did. Twice in fact).
2) When you are Color-blind with Greens, Greys, Browns and Reds, like I am- it's very, very difficult to tell the difference between doggie poo, a leaf, dirt, or a pine cone. It's like being in a contest in the "Amazing Race"! :)

The Worldwide Celebration About the Election Gave me Chills

I was thrilled with the election of Barack Obama to the White House this week. For 8 years, I feel we've been living under the specter of fear, hatred, false religion, and a lot of deception. I've watched the U.S. become alienated from the rest of the world. On Wednesday, Nov. 5, when the world learned of Obama's election, there were celebrations everywhere. In all my 46 years, I have NEVER seen this kind of celebration for electing a U.S. President (Four years ago I recall that it was just the opposite with Europeans protesting).
For all the Republicans who voted for John McCain, I have faith that this much younger man (than McCain) really does want to bring people an parties together and cast aside the divisive politics of the GOP.
Here are snippets from an article about the worldwide celebrations. This really is historic. If historians out there can tell me when the world celebrated another U.S. President-Elect, I'd be interested to hear who the celebration was for.
Celebrations cross planet
Historic moment in United States prompts parties in countries around the globe
By Shelley Emling
Cox International Correspondent
Thursday, November 06, 2008
London —- People around the world celebrated the election of Barack Obama as if he were their own and held exceedingly high expectations for his presidency.
Obama’s election as America’s first black president and his promise to build collaborative international relations immediately boosted the U.S. image abroad. “The American dream has been restored in the eyes of the world,” said Adam Smith, an expert on foreign affairs at University College London.
Spontaneous celebrations erupted in Europe, Asia and Africa, including in Indonesia, where Obama lived as a child, and Kenya, home to Obama’s late father.
Jubilation swept the Caribbean, which viewed the election of a black president as historic.
In Latin America, Venezuela’s bombastic President Hugo Chavez was conciliatory in remarks before Obama’s victory. “I am willing to sit down and converse on an equal footing and with respect,” he said.
Obama’s victory also was greeted with cheers in Mexico. Former foreign minister Jorge Castaneda wrote in the Reforma newspaper that “Obama’s win … opens to Mexico an extraordinary opportunity to re-position itself in the world because it will be infinitely easier to be a neighbor, ally and friend of the United States with Obama.”
Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulated Obama and said in a statement that he looked forward to working with him to “continuously strengthen dialogue and exchanges between our two countries and enhance our mutual trust and cooperation.”
Americans living abroad, too, basked in the glow of a victory hoped for by most of the world.

Water: Will help keep the holiday pounds off...

According to Men's Health Magazine - the best secret weight-loss tip of all: Drink more water, and make sure you fill the glass with ice. Ice water is scientifically proven to burn more calories than room-temperature water alone. The science behind this phenomena? The body burns calories when it has to raise the temperature of ice water to your body temperature. If you drink the recommended eight, 8-ounce glasses of water, you should burn an extra 70 calories a day. Not only does ice water burn more calories, but it makes you feel more full. Many times when you think you’re hungry, you’re just thirsty.

Another Stupid Defeat for Equal Rights in Calif.

Well, Election day did bring stupidity in California. Seems like the SLIM majority of people just don't want everyone to be equal, as the gay marriage law was shot down. What that does to all the legally married gay couples, I don't know- but I'd be pretty pissed.
Have you noticed that the straight people can't wait to get divorced, and the gay people can't wait to get married?
If a slim majority of hateful, bigoted people don't want gay people to have marriage, we'll have to settle for civil unions for now. I'm tired of all the crap and hatred from the right-wing idiots that think they deserve everything and "no one else deserves God's grace." I think that if we're patient, over time once all the hateful people die off (basically, looking at the vote it's people in the 40s and older that voted it down) the Supreme court will take it up in a couple of years -and all that crap will change. It will happen and people will have to deal with it, just like they did when inter-racial marriages finally became legal. It'll happen. P
After all, gay marriage been legal in Massachusetts, and straight marriages haven't seen a higher divorce rate and the state hasn't gone to hell.
Everyone deserves equal rights. The selfish people that don't believe that need to go find a dictatorship to live in. "God created all men (and women) equal."
FROM TODAY'S NEWS: LOS ANGELES – In an election otherwise full of liberal triumphs, the gay rights movement suffered a stunning defeat as California voters approved a ban on same-sex marriages that overrides a recent court decision legalizing them.
The constitutional amendment — widely seen as the most momentous of the nation's 153 ballot measures — will limit marriage to heterosexual couples, the first time such a vote has taken place in a state where gay unions are legal.
Gay-rights activists had a rough election elsewhere as well. Ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida, and Arkansas voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Supporters made clear that gays and lesbians were their main target.

DogBedworks.com Comes Through With Great Customer Service

After buying an expensive Crypton fabric dog bed, - with a design on the heavy canvas-like material (it was a William Wegman design with weimaraners, which is why we wanted it), the dogs weren't comfortable on it. I contacted Dogbedworks.com, and was told that the cover was non-returnable. However, the customer service representative went above and beyond and allowed us to exchange it for a cover the dogs would actually sit/sleep on. We're grateful for the fine example of customer service at www.dogbedworks.com. My letter to them is below.
Nov. 4, 2008
TO: Dogbedworks.com
Hi Heather - I just wanted to write and confirm that I did receive the other dog bed cover in Suede Marsh Fabric, yesterday, Nov. 3rd. The dogs do like the fabric, and have been laying on the bed without issue. I greatly appreciate your exchanging the cover, and providing one that is usable, and very asthetically pleasing as well.
I will recommend Dogbedworks to friends, and tell them to get the Suede Marsh Fabric. I am grateful for the great customer service you provided.
Thank you again, Sincerely, Rob Gutro

Interesting Graph on States Switching Parties Over Time

Craig B. sent me this fascinating look at how states voted in Presidential elections over time.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7693060.stm Look at how the states changed from Dem to Rep and back and forth over the years. And NOTE how many electoral votes the candidates got over the years, Kind of interesting. Slide the little lever under the map.
BTW- See Craig's Great Photos of inner-city Baltimore at his blog:
http://craig365photo.blogspot.com/2008/11/baltimore-city.html

Voting Lines Today in Maryland and Virginia

It's Election Day, 2008! I heard from two friends this morning about voting lines today! Jeff F. in Alexandria, Virginia called me at 5:15am EST (yes, we're up then and well before) and said there were about 100 people ahead of him, waiting for the polls to open. It took him about 1 hr 15 mins. to vote. Meanwhile, Craig B. in Pasadena, Maryland sent this photo of the voting line at 7:00 a.m. in his town. No matter what the wait, Bring a BOOK and vote. :)
HISTORY: Election Day in the United States is the day set by law for the selection of public officials by popular ballot. For federal offices, it occurs on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November (so the earliest possible date is November 2 and the latest November 8). Presidential elections are held every four years. Elections to the House of Representatives and the Senate are held every two years. Many state and local government offices are also elected on Election Day as a matter of convenience and cost saving. However, a handful of states hold elections for state offices during odd numbered, off years; this varies according to state and local laws.

Why It's Important to Microchip your Dog- a 1,000 Mile Rescue!

(A Maltese dog)
Dog found 1,000 miles from home is back in Fla.
Associated Press 8:43 AM CST, November 2, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. - A Maltese dog named Max is back home in Florida after he was found in Chicago -- 1,000 miles from where he disappeared.
Max is to be reunited with his owner Richard Gonzalez on Sunday. On Saturday, Joanne Couture, who runs Li'l Lap Dog Rescue, picked up Max from Delta's cargo office at Orlando International Airport. She took him home for the night.
Max disappeared from the west Florida city of Brandon almost six months ago. An animal-control shelter in Chicago had picked up Max, and the microchip implanted in the pooch's body linked him to Gonzalez.

Get Ready to Vote Tomorrow!

A friend and co-worker sent this to me today- I thought it was funny.

Churches need to Stay Out of Politics - Conn. Catholic Church

Okay - the fun of Halloween is over- and I saw an article today in the Boston Globe that got my ire up...
Last month I emailed the IRS to ask them if a church keeps openly promoting one candidate if that would disqualify them from their tax status as a non-profit (there are a lot of churches doing this). The IRS never responded. Apparently, they're overwhelmed by the large number promoting one candidate of the other.
Churches REALLY need to stay out of politics. I'm FURIOUS with the Catholic Church. After having supported the church for 45 years, I'm so angry and disgusted with the church for promoting hate, division, inequality, and platforming for conservative candidates.
In the Boston Globe today, Nov. 3, an article explains that Connecticut Catholic bishops are dead-set against gay-marriage and trying to get the newly appointed rights taken away. Who in the Hell are they to take people's rights away? If gay people want to marry and commit themselves, what's wrong with that? It seems that men and women have a HUGE divorce rate, and increasing annually. So, if a gay couple wants to commit and stay committed I think they're a much better example of family.
Love between two consenting adults is love. Period.
The Catholic Church has totally infuriated me beyond belief. I will NEVER return. I really want the IRS to remove their tax-exempt status. I'm sick and tired of churches putting their faces in politics. It was churches that created the whole political mess we've been in for the last 8 years.
Call or Write the Archdiocese of Connecticut and tell them to lay off!
Email: info@archdioceseofhartford.org
Telephone: 860-541-6491

ARTICLE: Conn. ballot masks a battle
Convention vote could lead to ban on gay marriage

HARTFORD - The jubilation that gay couples felt just three weeks ago when Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage has been replaced by Election Day jitters.
Their worries are focused on a ballot question asking voters if they want to authorize Connecticut's first convention in more than 40 years to revise the state constitution.
Opponents of same-sex marriage, including the state's Catholic bishops, are pushing hard for a convention because they believe it could lead to a direct ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage in Connecticut.
A new poll by the University of Connecticut and the Hartford Courant found that 50 percent of voters surveyed supported the convention and 39 percent opposed it. But the same poll indicated 55 percent opposed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
Full Story:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2008/11/03/conn_ballot_masks_a_battle/