Loren's Life

God Bless America!

2009-07-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

Palin Stepping Down This Month

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she will step down as Alaska's chief executive by the end of the month. She will not seek election to a second gubernatorial term in 2010.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announces she's stepping down this month.

"People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska," Palin said at an announcement from her home in Wasilla. "Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine."

Palin, a Republican, was elected governor in 2006. She was tapped as Arizona Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate last year.

Palin said she was transferring authority to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will be sworn in at the Governor's Picnic on July 26. A Republican source close to her political team told CNN's John King that it was a "calculation" she made that "it was time to move on." The governor's "book deal and other issues" were "causing a lot of friction" in her home state, the source said, adding that he believes she is "mapping out a path to 2012."

Following Palin's announcement, the Democratic Nationanl Committee blasted what it called her "bizarre behavior."

"Either Sarah Palin is leaving the people of Alaska high and dry to pursue her long shot national political ambitions or she simply can't handle the job now that her popularity has dimmed and oil revenues are down," DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse said.

"Either way, her decision to abandon her post and the people of Alaska who elected her continues a pattern of bizarre behavior that more than anything else may explain the decision she made today."

As the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, Palin has been considered one of the front-runners for the GOP nomination in 2012. Her decision not to seek another term as governor is sure to stoke speculation that Palin is seriously eyeing a run for the White House.

In an interview last month with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Palin said she was unsure about her re-election bid because she needed to focus on her state and her family.

"So, no decision yet on either 2010 or let alone 2012?" Blitzer asked.

"No decision that I'd want to announce today," Palin responded.

Palin catapulted on the national stage last August when McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, chose her as his running mate.

4th Of July Memories

2009-07-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

My fondest memories are watching the Battery Park fireworks in New Castle, Delaware as a kid and chasing lightning bugs.

My funniest memory is when my sister, two of our friends who are sisters and I were the only tweens at an adult party left alone with fireworks. After we set them all off we decided to start a bonfire with the rubbish and set the whole sidewalk on fire. $4,000.00 in damage. The condo association was not pleased.

My worst memory is when I was 17 and my friend and I went to the beach to watch fireworks. The traffic was so bad we parked and walked. We walked about 2 miles in the horrible humidity and crowds and over the Ft. Myers Beach bridge (which is no easy hike) only to be turned away because the pier was overcrowded and some drunk guy fell off and was missing. It made the whole evening suck.

My first memory is sitting on my dad's lap during a cookout on Sanibel, holding sparklers and counting booms.

Dylan

2009-07-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Another turtle.

I was listening to a radio interview with Thomas Dylan.He was wrongfully accused of murder 27 years ago and was just released from prison when the DNA came back to prove his innocence.

So I named the turtle after him.

Dylan now joins the other turtles in my pond. He was a friendly little guy.

My Blood Sugar Level Must Have Been 5000!

2009-06-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

I hosted my sister's bridal shower Saturday night and the theme was... Pajama Party!!!!!!!!!!

I had a full candy bar with over a dozen different candies, heart shaped PB&J sandwiches, some school girl punch, Jello shots and of course pizza delivery. Everything was pink and purple with lots of balloons, pillows and prizes.

Everyone came dressed in their pajamas and we played all the old fashioned pajama party games and ghost stories. Meg had a great time and was gifted many different things from Macy's and Victoria's Secret.

The next day I had a major sugar crash, so did Jeff. I was because we picked at the candy all day while setting up (he watched man movies in the bedroom during the party) and during the party. It was so bad that when I ran up to Macy's I kept shaking and even stumbled over myself. People must have thought I was drunk or something.

I made Jeff get rid of the remaining candy. It was like crack. I couldn't stop picking at it. We had enough to feed Africa.

I'm coming off the sugar high, I might get a full night's sleep tonight. Now I need to plan the bachelorette party (thinking a beach weekend) and then off to Vegas for the ceremony!

Milwaukee

2009-06-26T04:42:00.000-07:00

I must say, not a bad place to be. I was pleasantly surprised!

I had to go up to receive a major award (again, not a leg lamp). Jeff came with me so I would have some company.

All in all it was a good trip. I found out quickly that if you work for my company then the good people of Milwaukee treat you like Papa Georgio. Our seats were bumped to business class, my car was upgraded to a sweet SUV and the people at the hotel were so friendly it was almost to the point of scary. Evey one I had to deal with, once they saw what company I worked for under the reservations made snapped in to training video mode when it came to service and the were quick to say, "Oh, you work for ... How wonderful, we're so glad you are here. Please, take my first born."

The company I work for was founded in Milwaukee.

The awards ceremony was nice. My CEO was there and hosted the event and after the photos were taken Jeff and I spent some time with him talking about where to go and what to do.

We spent time in down town and conquered our quest to find the Bronze Fonz. We had some local brew and the best beer bread I ever tasted!

Milwaukee is like the evil stepchild of the Midwest. It was fun, the city was beautiful and there is so much to do. I wish we had more time than just an overnight. Milwaukee was nothing like my previous Midwest experiences.

Say Cheese!

2009-06-22T11:45:00.000-07:00

Off to Wisconsin for work. Any Wisconsin advice would be welcomed. :)

What A Week I'm Having!

2009-06-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

So very, very busy! Besides my normal everyday work drama I am also moving offices. I will miss my current location like crazy (especially my bad ass NJ co worker) but my new office will be just as nice and a little bit closer to home. I am also traveling to Wisconsin next week for a work thing. Ahhhh, glorious Wisconsin!

As for my bad ass NJ co worker, we will still have our French Fry Fridays!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, back to all my packing.

Happy Birthday Boris and Doris!

2009-06-10T05:25:00.000-07:00

To the best godson and daughter in the world! We love you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Biden Is A Rock Star!

2009-06-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

I was having a bad day at work a while back so I wrote VP Biden a letter to make myself feel better.

Yesterday I got a letter back from him!!!! He is so awesome! I was more excited over that then when Jeff got his birthday card from Bill Clinton in March. :)

Enough is Enough

2009-06-04T11:39:00.000-07:00

I am sick to death of all the crusaders who say they can cure autism and they have confirmed ways of preventing it.

People like Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carry just get me so worked up when they get on their soap box and say that they have pretty much have found a cure for autism by not giving her son sugar, dairy or gluten. Or when someone like Kelly Preston has said that Scientology doesn't acknowledge autism and they don't believe in anti seizure medication. Or when is see a freaking magnetic bow sticker on the back of a mini van in the bright colored puzzle pieces promoting autism awareness or holding back on vaccinations because it can cause autism. The biggest one is when I read people or watch the news and people are celebrating their child's triumph over autism to sign the national anthem or play in a basketball game.

My nephew has autism. He is sixteen and will never be what people consider a functioning person. He is severely disabled by his autism and will never have or be what is being falsely promoted.

It's heart breaking because people are saying that autism is easily treatable. That if you follow these steps and do these certain things that your child can also defeat autism and live a normal life. I'm sure if this was all good and true my sister would have done this years ago and not let her only son go through what he goes through every day.

He can't talk, he can't express himself. He can't dress himself or groom himself. He can't do any of the things that you can. He is trapped and will forever be dependent on others. He is a handsome sixteen year old who will never marry or have kids. My niece will never have the kind of relationship with a brother she should have. My sister and brother in law will never be able to do things with their son that you should be able to do.

I really don't think in his case holding back on sugar or gluten will cure him, make him talk or be able to rationalize. I don't think holding back his seizure medication would be a good idea since he chokes on his own tongue. I don't think that vaccination he got at six months old caused what he now has.

My sister and her husband are two of the strongest and most loving parents on the planet. The sacrifices they have made to give my nephew the best care, doctors, rehabilitation and future is unbelievable. It kills me to think of how they feel when they take my nephew out to his group sessions and people on the street look at him and wonder if they just laid off the bread he would do better.

I know there are various treatment and rehabilitation options and procedures out there. My nephew seems to be a part of every study and workshop out there. In the end we have all concluded that he will have to live in a group facility. My sister and brother in law will not be able to care for him forever. He is growing in to a man and is stronger everyday. Since he cannot control himself, the situations and episodes he has now and will have will always be more severe than the last. My family is very fortunate that they can provide him with the best care and options possible for him now and in the future.

I guess what I am trying to get at is the high level of hope families are getting from these stories and testimonials can be crushing. It's not like you can snap your fingers or change your lifestyle and automatically be cured of anything. It's not like if you avoid a certain vaccination you won't get autism or if you don't smoke you won't get lung cancer or if you balance everything you eat you won't get diabetes or if you wear a condom you wont get AIDS. If it's in your future, if it's your fate then you can't cheat it. You can't sugar coat the unavoidable.

I hate sounding so down about things but I was raised to expect the worst and hope for the okay. I was raised to believe that nothing is as easy as pie. I just don't believe in miracles, especially if it involves dairy.

Such A Happy Girl!

2009-05-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

I'm giddy because I have Friday the 13th The Series on DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED that show as a kid, never missing a single episode. It was my present from Jeff for the whole Land of the Lost marathon last weekend.

I even started a John D. Lemay fan club when I was eleven.

Before you pass judgement, we do more than sit on the couch every weekend and watch DVD's. I promise.

Grizzled Bitches

2009-05-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

I heard Jeff use that term once and it stuck with me. Here is my list of some well know grizzled bitches.

1. Ann Coulter
2. Sarah Palin
3. Heidi Montag Pratt
4. Gwyneth Paltrow
5. Madonna
6. Liz Cheney
7. Kate Gosselin
8. Paris Hilton
9. Denise Richards
10. Casey Anthony

Michael Vick Leaves Prison For Home Confinement

2009-05-20T06:05:00.000-07:00

I am very disappointed that he is being released to home confinement, I don't think he has fully paid his dues, has no remorse or has learned a thing from this experience. The NFL should not take him back. I am writing a letter to them and I think everyone should do the same.

(CNN) -- Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick left a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, early Wednesday, according to his publicist and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

He will serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement in Virginia, his publicist Judy Smith said. He is a native of Newport News, Virginia.

Vick, 28, pleaded guilty in August 2007 to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia.

He plans to work with the Humane Society of the United States on anti-dogfighting campaigns following his release, Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle told CNN on Tuesday.
Vick will work on programs aimed at preventing youths from getting involved in dogfighting, and also on programs to assist young people who have already been involved in the blood sport.
Pacelle said the Humane Society was approached by Vick's representatives. He said he has traveled to Kansas twice to meet with the former quarterback, and during the second visit, the two discussed how Vick could use his sway over youths to discourage them from involvement in dogfighting, as well as help those who were apprehended in connection with it.Details have not yet been hammered out, Pacelle said, but will be in the next couple of days.

Last month, a federal bankruptcy judge denied a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan presented by Vick urging him to offer the court another plan to emerge from bankruptcy. The plan called for Vick to come up with $750,000 to $1 million in cash to be paid to creditors, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Santoro said, but added he saw no evidence Vick could come up with that much. Santoro suggested Vick's next plan not call for him to keep two houses and three cars, as did the rejected proposal.

In testimony, Vick acknowledged committing a "heinous" act and said he should have acted more maturely. He said he has been earning 12 cents an hour as an overnight janitor in prison. His Falcons salary, he said, was between $10 million and $12 million. He acknowledged failing to handle his money well.

Vick's attorneys have said he will work at a Newport News construction firm following his release. But the sports agent who negotiated Vick's 10-year, $140 million contract with the Falcons testified that Vick will return to the game as soon as September if reinstated by the NFL.

Meanwhile, he has also agreed to participate in a documentary for $600,000 and
more attention has been paid to dogfighting as a result of Vick's case, Pacelle said. The Humane Society, which offers rewards for tips involving dogfighting, has recently paid out $40,000 in five different cases, he said.

I Won't Be Able To Kick Anyone Around This Week

2009-05-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

Thursday I went to my dermatologist for my checkup. Good visit, only two moles taken off and a huge growth (between my third and fourth toe) which I call my sixth toe.

It's not as nasty as you would think. Well, maybe it is. It started out as a little mole when I was six and morphed in to this giant thing the size of my baby toe. It was between the third and fourth toe but also concealed by them so you never could see it from the top of my foot. It was like my dirty little foot secret.

I showed it to my doctor and I had the option of scheduling an out patient procedure or just taking it right then and there. I decided since there is so much going on the rest of the year there really wouldn't be a good time to do it so I decided it would go on the chopping block.

It took about fifteen minutes and was very interesting to watch. The aftermath left a huge crater the size of a jelly bean between my toes. After the numbing shot wore off I was starting to regret my decision. Especially Friday at work when I had to give in and admit I couldn't walk anymore and made my co workers refill my water bottle and get stuff off the printer while I propped my foot up on a toner cartridge box under my desk. When I got home that night and unwrapped my toes, my pain was more than justified due to the icky found.

So the nubbin is off to pathology and I spent the weekend on the couch watching Weeds with my foot resting and Jeff took great care of me. I'm back at work today with my foot wrapped all nice and neat, in my comfy shoes and my trusty toner cartridge box by my side.

Back Home In The Amazon

2009-05-14T04:59:00.000-07:00

After a few days in the mountains where the weather is in the 50's and beautiful, Jeff and I came home to 100% humidity, heavy rain but still not a cloud in the sky and the sunshine on high. Ahhh Florida summers, they're back.

We had a great time with Bud and Sharon. Jeff got his Granny's chicken fix, took long drives through the mountains and played lots of Sequence.

Now back to work. :(

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-07T14:21:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I fly out Saturday to North Carolina for our annual Mother's Day visit with his parents and our fix of Granny's Fried Chicken!

I hope all the mom's have a great Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bedtime at the Stanford's

2009-05-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

All of us go to bed together. It takes about 30 minutes for everyone to get settled. Bedtime is when every one's true personalities come out.

George- Pacing on the bed to get under the covers.
Me- Lifting the covers so George can go underneath.
George- Spin, spin, spin, spin, spin between my feet to get comfy.
Doris- Stomp, stomp, stomp up her little steps to get in bed with her chewy secure in her mouth. Now she just stepped on George. George is up, crawling out from under the covers to re position himself.
Jeff- Coming in with DVD's and the mission to get Doris' chewy from her mouth (we have a no chewy in bed policy).
Doris- Chew, chew, chew.
George- Pace, pace, pace. Under the covers again.
Jeff- Grabbing the chewy.
Doris- Now she has the look of a sad shelter dog, buries her head in my lap and whimpers.
Me- Comforting Doris.
Jeff- Apologizing to Doris.
Larry- Now on the bed- screaming for Jeff to get his glass of water.
George- Up again from all the commotion. Now pacing to get back under the covers.
Me- Roll Doris aside, help George under the covers. Spin, spin, spin.
Jeff- Turning on bedtime movie and refilling Larry's water glass.
Larry- Still howling.
Doris- Still crying.
Jeff- Lights out, in bed. Larry gets his drink of water and hops on the bed.
Doris- Moves to the pillow between us, farts and finally stops crying.
Larry- Now chewing on Jeff's hands.
Me- Laughing at Jeff and his bloody hands.
George- Up again, angry because everyone is being too loud. Spins around on top of the covers for a spot.
Jeff- Gives me my kiss goodnight.
Larry- Moves to the end of the bed, gets cozy between Jeff's feet.
Doris- Farts again, rolls over to lay on her back so daddy can rub her tummy.
George- Jealous Doris is getting a tummy rub, moves up to daddy to get one too.
Larry- Mad at all the movement, leaves to sleep on the chest.
George- Comes to mommy for a tummy rub, falls back asleep.
Doris- Asleep and snoring like an old man.
Larry- Asleep and wheezing.
Me- Almost asleep.
Jeff- Giving me another goodnight kiss and probably thinking of the his single days when he had room on the bed. He finally gets to watch his movie.

Top Ten Favorite Memories in My Life (So Far)

2009-05-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

10. Visiting the Alps.
9. Watching my Mum Mum fall in the water in Captiva when I was seven and we had to hang her money on the clothes line to dry. She never laughed at herself so hard.
8. My sixth birthday party at the roller rink. My dad couple skated with me.
7. Drinking beer with some Bravarians at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich.
6. When Jeff proposed while we were in London.
5. When Paul and Karen asked me and Jeff to be Boris' godparents.
4. Sharing an ice cream sundae with my Pop Pop.
3. Nights at the Celt in Dublin.
2. Bringing my babies home.
1. My wedding day.

So What Did You See On Your Way To Work This Morning?

2009-04-27T05:09:00.000-07:00

I saw a person draped in bedsheets, waiving to traffic and masturbating.

Ready For Some Cheer

2009-04-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a sad time over at our place. We've had several deaths to deal with, a lot of work struggles and just the constant feeling of being pulled in a million different directions.

Today Jeff and I attended a memorial service of one of our friends who passed away from Pancreatic cancer. We saw him just two months ago at another friends funeral and when we asked how he was, he smiled the biggest smile and told us he was doing quite well.

We all know that Pancreatic cancer is pretty much the worst, that your fate is pretty much sealed. My mom would talk about different cancers all the time and Pancreatic was and still is and will always be a certain fate.

He was just putting on a brave face because he didn't look well but like the gentleman he always was, he never stole the spotlight. He never diverted the attention. That day was about our other friend who died of cancer, not about his.

I remember when he first met our Doris. He bent down, rubbed her ears and told her she was a beauty queen. Now if you have ever met Doris you will know that a beauty queen is a stretch with her serious under bite, snarled teeth, bad manners and her minor weight problem. But like everything in this word, our friend was always able to see past the imperfections with anything and find the beauty in it instead.

It's just been a sad day. An end to a sad month. I'm ready for things to settle down but when that will happen, I have no idea. What I can take from today is not to try and live every minute I can but live in the moment as much as I can. Live for my babies, live for my family and live for my Jeff. It's not about how much you have or how awesome you have it because people will never remember you for your things. They will remember you for how you made them smile and how much you loved them.

The Piedmont Wekiwa Snapping Turtle

2009-04-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

On the way home last night I was driving down the road in front of my neighborhood when I spotted a turtle across on the other side.

I did the ultimate stunt driver U turn in the middle lane and drove up to block her in, flicked on the hazards and ran out of the car to rescue her.

As I picked her up I noticed her shell had ridges on the back. I noticed her tail was kind of dragon like and longer than usual. I felt her claws dig in to my hands. I noticed her head and long neck pop out and started to hiss and bite at me. Holy shit, this sucker is a snapping turtle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't want to leave her but I didn't want to loose a finger. As I ran to my car to look for something to put her in I started to panic. Normally the turtle goes on the floor of the passenger front seat but not this one. A million thoughts ran through my head as cars buzzed by me at warp speed. Do I have a box? No box. Do I have a bag? No bag. Trunk? No space. Back Seat? She'll crawl up and eat my feet. Mean while she's snapping away at my hands, trying to eat me alive.

I made the decision that this one will not be going back with me. I ran up the sidewalk, up the grass thinking I could toss her over the 8 foot fence and hope she'll live and not land on her back or eaten by a dog. Instead I put her as close to the fence as possible and as far away from the road as I could and instructed him in my best snapping turtle language to stay on the grass and work your way up to the pond about 200 yards up.

I got home feeling guilty that she would make her way back on the road and be killed. Jeff told me that it would be better for me to keep all my fingers for all the other turtles who will need a rescue rather than take turtle rescue disability by cause of a severe snapping incident.

This morning I was afraid I would see turtle remains on the road but guess what? She heard me and made her way to safety.

I named her Natasha after the Bridget Jones' Diary movie because she was always snapping her fingers and was mean.

Top Ten Phrases or Slangs That Piss Me Off

2009-04-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

10. I Forgot It At Home
Popular with students when I was in school when asked where their homework was.

9. Who Do You Belong To?
I think I brought this up before but it still bugs me. Do I need an ID# tattooed on my arm? Am I wearing shackles?

8. No I Ain't
I've been hearing this a lot at one of the offices I'm traveling to.

7. Good Deal
This alone makes me cringe.

6. Me Likey
Me hatey.

5. This Is A Grave Situation
No It's not, Pearl Harbor was.

4. Oh Behave
Especially when the person uses the Austin Powers voice while saying that. Prepare for me to go bezerker all over you.

3. Y'all
Huh? Reminds me of My Cousin Vinny. "Sir, what is a yout?"

2. This To Shall Pass
You can't pass everything, some things are forever.

1. We're A Couple Of Maverick's
Tina Fey poked at it best. Being a true Democrat, how could I resist? Are they referring to Top Gun? Will they play topless volleyball next?

Busy Girl!

2009-04-15T05:04:00.000-07:00

I have been working out of another office across town the last week and a half. I'm back at my desk for two days then I'm off again.

A lot of changes are happening for the company (good changes) and I've been involved with making all the transitions as smooth as possible regarding staffing and operations.

One of the perks of being at another office was that I was talking to a customer and she was selling her brand new $900 elliptical for $50! I called Bud to come with his truck and within 24 hours the elliptical was at his new home, safe and cozy next to my treadmill and weights.

So, back to the grind for me. I have a load of things to catch up on and three new hire interviews this afternoon.

I Hear All The Kids Are Doing The 'Twitter'

2009-04-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Yes America, Bud is interested in Twitter. Get ready.

Top Ten TV Shows I Grew Up Watching

2009-04-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

10. St. Elswhere
When you mom was a nurse, a hospital drama was a must.

9. Dallas
More for me, I really had it bad for JR. Still do!

8. Fantasy Island
The whole family would watch.

7. Thursday Night TV on NBC
All the good shows like Cosby and Night Court.

6. The Facts of Life
It was all about Edna.

5. Friday The 13th: The Series
Just call me Mrs. John D Lemay!

4. A Team
I would watch this with my dad. I though Murdock was funny and Mr. T was awesome.

3. Punky Brewster
My sister hated it so I would argue my way in to forcing her to watch it. I hated it too.

2. The Carol Burnett Show
Do I need to explain?

1. Saturday Night Live
It was a family ritual to watch this. From Larry the Lobster, Folgers, The Whiners, it was just a Faust thing.