ITA! It's an important fight. As much as I think union power can become bullying and abuse, collective bargaining is an important right.Originally Posted by Cosmosmom
ITA! It's an important fight. As much as I think union power can become bullying and abuse, collective bargaining is an important right.
I hope the unions are able to fight, but they have some powerful and rich people on the other side who have the ability to fight far longer than politicans. Scary Koch brothers are behind a lot of tea-party and right wing movements.
"Any idiot can face a crisis; it is this day-to-day living that wears you out." -Anton Chekhov
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That's what Rich & I were saying....so, for now at least I'll apply for jobs in warmer states and see if anything turns up. Whatever will be will be...
Mama to Bobbie 20 ~ Jesi 18 ~ Syd 14 ~ Conner 6
I'm gonna be a Gramama!
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I'm not sure how I feel about unions on a whole. I understand what's going on in WI is atrocious and that governor is simply awful. I'd be scared to death of what he'd tried to pull next if he did get rid of their right to collective bargaining.
My issues with unions is that the big ones in NY seem to ignore how awful our economy is. They're not willing to make amends on any level. Hate it or not, we've all paid more toward our retirement and health insurance, and most of us have done so without a raise. It's hard for me to feel sympathy in that area. My take-home is less than it was a month ago, and Rich has lost nearly 10,000/year in OT. Everyone is doing with less and I feel the teachers should at least hold their salary where it is, not expect more. Not now. I know that the case in WI is different though...those teachers and their unions have already made concessions.
And personally, I paid 40-some bi-weekly for 4.5 years when I was a civil servant, just to end up laid off and training an non-union employee to do my job. Kinda made me feel like I deserved a refund!
Last edited by missychrissy; 02-22-2011 at 10:03 AM.
Mama to Bobbie 20 ~ Jesi 18 ~ Syd 14 ~ Conner 6
Yeah I admit that I'm biased...my dad was a union man and I have very strong left leanings and would vote socialist if that was a viable party here.
I get that everyone has paid more (we lost some benefits at work too...and my DH at one point had his hours cut and his pay reduced 5%)....and the union in this case is agreeing to that. But weasal won't even talk to them...it's all or nothing and he wants the workers to have zero rights. Ugg I dislike him so much and it goes back to when he was county exec for Milwaukee and the horrible job he did there. (I spent most of my adult life living in Milwaukee and all DH's family is still there pretty much). We all hate him.
It's a shame that we can't trust companies to treat employees fairly....used to be back in the "good ole days" as so much of the right wants to "take back to"....a CEO made more, maybe 30 times more than average employees. Today they make more like 300 times more...and even in this economy some businesses are making record profits but not passing any of that down.
So when I see people being attacked (because we all know that teachers have such easy gravy jobs....and really i have heard supports on the right saying that!)....that are middle class and make 30-40K a year......and the super rich getting tax breaks...DISGUSTING.
Jennifer, 34, DH 36
Also, if you have any favorite snorkeling areas, I would love to hear. Last time we went to a tiny place called Punto Solomon (I think - near Akumal - was the beach used for all those Corona ads) and it was all dead and scary and completely freaked me out to be swimming inches above a bunch of dead coral. Still kind of gives me the willies, but I don't know why.
"Any idiot can face a crisis; it is this day-to-day living that wears you out." -Anton Chekhov
Is that Mexico? How great to be going someplace warm! I'm too scared to go to Mexico myself but would love a tropical vacation. Snorkling sounds like so much fun. Sadly my DH isn't really much of a swimmer at all and that is not his idea of a vacation. We don't vacation every year, more like every couple of years and we already did Disney in FL and Vegas. So I asked where he wanted to start thinking about going for our next one...his reply was Washington DC. I like museums but he's so into history (always watching history channel or military channel) that I know he's going to want to try to see everything and read every placard next to every display.
Jennifer, 34, DH 36
I dream of going to Mexico by myself!
I would like to go to a lot of places by myself though since not many people I know IRL like things that I like, or they are not the type of people that I would want to vacation with. DH is alright but he has a tendency to go over the top mad, upset, attitudnal (if that is a word) whenever something doesn't go his way or he has a disagreement with anyone. Plus he likes to drink more than I like to drink and usually when we go on vacation I get stuck at least one day nursing him back from a hangover.
I am actually planning a mini vacation to SC of all places to do some genealogical research, which I'm sure no one will want to do with me, besides my aunt who lives here, but she has been a major focus of my irk-dom lately and I don't know if I want to deal with her on what I want to be an enjoyable trip.
I have been reading some things about your fight in WI lately and your governor does seem like a piece of work. I enjoy a good "stand for what you believe in" protest and am excited about the passions of people. I feel that a large part of our society are too content and uninvolved in the political process (including myself recently) and it is always inspiring to see people stand for what they believe in. I hope your governor actually learns how to govern for all the people and not just his own party. These types of situations are the main reason why I don't participate exclusively with any party. It seems like a lot of time, they are too unwilling to compromise even for the greater good just because of ideological differences or bull headedness.
Erin
Just wanted to say that the bolded area is me!!!This is the main reason why people don't like to vacation with me because I will want to go to every historical area and read every historical placard. I am looking into going to Santo Domingo in the DR next summer. We went to DR last summer but to a resort area and I would rather go to Santo Domingo because of the historical sites. DH wants to go too and he speaks some Spanish so it would probably be better to take him but I haven't decided yet. Though I may just make it a family vacation and make everyone endure my historical dorkdom.
Erin
I agree very much with this. I love seeing people stand together for what they believe in. My brother has been going to the protests in the evenings and sending me pictures and it's pretty cool.
That said, I do see both sides of the union issue. I think this governer is going about trying to make changes in totally the wrong way. Things like this need to be gradual or everyone gets scared. And I don't blame them for being scared.
There is this free publication in my county called Inspire that features women in our area. The editor emailed me yesterday to see if she could interview me for there feature on holistic/organic living. She heard about my daycare and wants to talk to me about the benefits of this lifestyle.
She's coming over thursday and OMG I'm so nervous. I mean, who knows. She may just use one quote from me but I want to say the right thing. I hope I'm able to be eloquent.
Bridget that is soooo cool!!!!!!
Jennifer, 34, DH 36
Bridget you'll be great.
Why would anyone be afraid to travel alone? It's glorious. I traveled around the world mostly by myself in my 20s, and have traveled extensively in the u.s. alone. As long as you're not stupid, it's fine.
Oh how I long to travel alone now that I have my constant little companions...
I'm sitting in the docs office waiting to have an iud installed. The end of an era. Sigh.
There is this free publication in my county called Inspire that features women in our area. The editor emailed me yesterday to see if she could interview me for there feature on holistic/organic living. She heard about my daycare and wants to talk to me about the benefits of this lifestyle.
She's coming over thursday and OMG I'm so nervous. I mean, who knows. She may just use one quote from me but I want to say the right thing. I hope I'm able to be eloquent.
That is sooooo exciting!!! Good luck with the interview! It'll be great press for you for when you want new clients or maybe expand into a full center.
Erin
I wouldn't travel to certain places even with others! And I wouldn't travel in the US alone....course I have been with DH since I was 19....so trips before him were with my family and after were with him (and sometimes my family...often my sister comes with us and the Disneyworld trip my MIL and her husband came with too).
I am not one who likes to be alone much....and I don't see the point of travel without someone to share the experience with. And of course to stop me from getting lost! LOL It was driving from WI to FL with my DH and sister that they decided I could not be the map reader anymore after I caused about a 45 minute detour. LOL
Jennifer, 34, DH 36
I don't have a lot of common sense or a good sense of direction, so I'd never travel alone!
Good luck, Bridget; sounds like it should be a good interview.
A Battle Star Gallactica question for y'all; I'm now on episode 4, I think. Am I supposed to know which of the Boomers is a cyclon (the one on the planet or on the ship?) and what's with the doctor's hallucinations of the blonde lady?
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Jennifer, you should look at a vacation to Arizona some time. That entire state has something to offer, and talk about history! omg, do they ever have it! Plus, it's warm there.
I haven't traveled more than 5-6 hours by myself because I've had kids since I was 17. But I've taken them on vacations by myself. From upstate NY to SC and then to Arizona. I'm not afraid to travel alone and I probably will after the kids are gone because I always have far more vacation time than Rich, and I'm not sitting around the house just because he doesn't have the time to go.
that's freaking exciting!!!There is this free publication in my county called Inspire that features women in our area. The editor emailed me yesterday to see if she could interview me for there feature on holistic/organic living. She heard about my daycare and wants to talk to me about the benefits of this lifestyle.
She's coming over thursday and OMG I'm so nervous. I mean, who knows. She may just use one quote from me but I want to say the right thing. I hope I'm able to be eloquent.
Mama to Bobbie 20 ~ Jesi 18 ~ Syd 14 ~ Conner 6
I think that if we tell you anything, it would spoil it..... ;)
Jennifer, 34, DH 36
Well right now we are not happy with some of the laws trying to be passed or have passed in AZ so we wouldn't take our money there (sorry Mandy!). We are also boycotting Italy (those are the two that come to mind)...because of their crazy insane justice system.Jennifer, you should look at a vacation to Arizona some time. That entire state has something to offer, and talk about history! omg, do they ever have it! Plus, it's warm there.
I haven't traveled more than 5-6 hours by myself because I've had kids since I was 17. But I've taken them on vacations by myself. From upstate NY to SC and then to Arizona. I'm not afraid to travel alone and I probably will after the kids are gone because I always have far more vacation time than Rich, and I'm not sitting around the house just because he doesn't have the time to go.
Course it will be a while before we will have the money or vacation time for a vacation....the little time we have now we use to visit with family. And really we have to use up almost a week each just to take the adoption classes.....and of course that is where all the money is going.
but yeah DC and NYC are at the top of his lists....I wouldn't mind going someplace like Vermont or Montreal. And we plan on doing Disney again but not until our kid is old enough to remember the trip and actually tall enough for the majority of the rides. I think that will be one where we rent a house again, like a 5-6 bedroom with a pool and take my MIL, my parents, my sister and if she has anyone at that point.
Wow, I can't imagine going on a vacation without DH. He's pretty sensitive and his feelings would be so hurt if I was off on vacation without him. We are just not used to not being together....when dating it was basically us together unless we were in class or at work. Same thing now...usually together unless at work...and sometimes I go shopping and leave him at home. I think that we are probably almost too dependent on each other.
Jennifer, 34, DH 36
Ah, ok. I kept wondering if I had missed something!
And i'd forgotten that I have travelled alone before. Once to Michigan and back to Arkansas by bus for a family wedding and the first time I flew to England was on my own.
Double post
Last edited by AmeriBrit; 02-22-2011 at 03:35 PM.
Katycat, I don't have a sweet tooth, but I have a problem with cheese--what I do is buy the really reduced fat (75%) and eat that. It's weird at first but I got used to it. Maybe you can find a sugar free gum or some kind of hard candy to suck on? I know desserts are ridiculously high in calories. I tend to sabotage myself too. I'm good for a couple days and then I binge on something really bad.
You guys were busy while I was gone! We had a busy day-first to the children's museum, then out for lunch, then to a showing of Despicable Me at our library. Then I took him to his music class-he was better this week and the teacher was fine with him being there. She said it wasn't disruptive and that I could take him out of the room for a couple minute intervals if needed.
Then we went to the grocery store where I found out the bank put a hold on my card for suspicious activity, turned out to be nothing. I didn't want to go back to the grocery store so I picked up what I could at Target, which was a challenge because they are renovating. They are going to have fresh produce soon. Should be interesting.
Last edited by daylilies; 02-22-2011 at 04:56 PM.
I think you should all visit AZ! Well, except Jennifer as she's boycotting us. ;) But there's really nowhere else in the country quite like it. I love it here most of the time. And Tucson is quite liberal. It's the rest of the state that is super conservative.Jennifer, you should look at a vacation to Arizona some time. That entire state has something to offer, and talk about history! omg, do they ever have it! Plus, it's warm there.
I haven't traveled more than 5-6 hours by myself because I've had kids since I was 17. But I've taken them on vacations by myself. From upstate NY to SC and then to Arizona. I'm not afraid to travel alone and I probably will after the kids are gone because I always have far more vacation time than Rich, and I'm not sitting around the house just because he doesn't have the time to go.
that's freaking exciting!!!
I've been on a couple of vacations without DH since we've been together. Once to France with my family and once just driving around the West - Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, etc. on this trip my aunt and uncle dreamed up. We had a blast and I wasn't going to miss out because DH couldn't or wouldn't take off work. But since we got married, either we were about to buy/had just bought a house, or we were totally broke from his job situation. So not a lot of vacations. We're hoping to go somewhere nice together after he gets home, but we'll see. Depends on whether we are planning to move and how much we need to spend getting the house in shape to rent out.
That sounds fabulous. Mexico is gorgeous. So jealous.
Glad it worked out with the music class. And my Target is under construction, too! I wonder if it's for the same reason?
Me (38) DH (45) & furbabies * m/c 7/08 4/12 11/12
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I'm definitely going to AZ again. Although when, I don't know. Maybe we'll get to take a nice week long vaca next year. I have no hope for it this year...hoping we'll be buying a house ourselves.
Kate, I'm glad to hear you've had such a great day with Josh! It's hit or miss with Conner too. Today was Jesi's first appointment and when it was over I went to pick Conner up. I thought he'd be happy and excited...getting out of g'mas early and seeing Mommy and all that. Instead he was a stinker and demanded I buy him a dinosaur. Well, I don't ever give in to demands so he had a mini-meltdown in the car. I finally told him if he kept it up he wouldn't be on the computer at all tonight, so he stopped.
Sorry to make it all about me and Conner...I just think he's so much like Josh and maybe it'll help knowing you're not alone. I don't post about the downsides much because it no longer gets to me like it did when the girls were little.
Mama to Bobbie 20 ~ Jesi 18 ~ Syd 14 ~ Conner 6
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I love AZ so much, I fully intend on retiring and buying a class a motor home to live in. We'll spend 6 months of the year there, and the other half of the year here in Upstate NY.
Mama to Bobbie 20 ~ Jesi 18 ~ Syd 14 ~ Conner 6
Good, and this time you need to head down south. Well, that is, as long as I haven't moved to Georgia.
Me (38) DH (45) & furbabies * m/c 7/08 4/12 11/12
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Good, and this time you need to head down south. Well, that is, as long as I haven't moved to Georgia.
When we went, we crossed the state. We started in Phoenix and drove to Tombstone. We stopped on our way at a cave outside to Tuscon (maybe a couple hours? I can't remember). Then we headed back to Phoenix for 1 night and continued on to the Grand Canyon the next day. We stayed on Route 66 in Williams, AZ and Shannon took us through Sedona and Jerome. omg---talk about breathtaking! Any one of those places I could stay a week in. I loved Flagstaff and really think we could live there.
I really can't say enough about AZ. Easily my favorite place to visit.
Mama to Bobbie 20 ~ Jesi 18 ~ Syd 14 ~ Conner 6
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GA is a warm state...and it's closer than AZ. Just sayin.
Mama to Bobbie 20 ~ Jesi 18 ~ Syd 14 ~ Conner 6
My brother and I used to fly by ourselves as very small children. Like I can't believe that we were so young. Divorce. I remember when I was 7 and I flew to visit my Dad and after landing I waited and waited in the gate area until an employee finally noticed I had been sitting there for at least an hour and took me to an office area, gave me a coke and called my dad. I hope she made him feel terrible. He had forgotten I was coming that day or some nonsense. I can't imagine not paying attention to that kind of thing. He used to forget me all the time and I would have to sit and wait until it was past dinner time and he would finally notice that I wasn't there.
"Any idiot can face a crisis; it is this day-to-day living that wears you out." -Anton Chekhov
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