Charity Starts at Home

What happened in Haiti is horrible.  Absolutely horrible, I thank all the people who have donated, the doctors, the people who either have given money time.  For the incredible outpouring of donations to the Red Cross.  But I want to say something that will probably garner a lot of ill will - or controversy.

CHARITY STARTS AT HOME!

It has irked me for a while that there are tons and tons of rich Americans that are handing money hand over fist to other countries when there are people starving in the US.  The homeless is growing faster than we can count the unemployment rate is ridiculous.  Companies are sending their offices, call centers and factories overseas to cut employment cost and then wonder why people aren't buying their products.  Well, I'll tell you why.  The wonderful people who bought your products and services are out of jobs because you have given them to other countries.  There are people who can't get medical care - and it doesn't have to do with a National Health Care Program - if you don't have a job, you can't pay for the anything the government is going to offer or the fine that comes from not buying it.  We need help at home.  Period.  I have been unemployed since June 2, 2009.  Not because I wanted to I had to quit my job, because it cost more to have my kids in daycare over the summer than I made working.  That right there is a sad fact.

Since then looking for work has been an exercise in futility.  I've sent tons and tons of resumes out.  I've posted them on websites - I haven't gotten one call for an interview and I was employed by the same company for over 14 years.  I can't even get an call from Walmart & Target.  I have however been offered several opportunities to launder money.  All of which I have turned down - I'm not stupid, but something better happen soon.

Companies, bring jobs back to the US, it truly is the only way to lower unemployment.  China is poisoning us by cutting corners, call centers in other countries are just pissing off consumers because they can't understand who they are talking to.  Don't try to gouge a profit from the people who are still employed because the ones teetering on the edge will fall off that cliff trying to fill a gas tank to get the little job they can find.  BUY AMERICAN, EMPLOY AMERICAN.  I can't say this enough.

Fill our food banks, start a fund for people who need medical care - hell just donate to the Red Cross for what they do in America - not other countries.  Adopt kids in America who need homes - there is no need to go to another country to do it.  Do you know how many kids are in need of homes or are in the Foster system?  I just saw a TV report that said that people from Mexico (illegal or legal) that are in the US for jobs are having trouble finding them or keeping them and are returning in droves to Mexico.  What does that say about the US if people are returning to the poverty in Mexico.

Wake up and smell the coffee - we are failing the people of the US.  Stand up and fight for it.

10 things for 2010

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I DON'T DO RESOLUTIONS.  But I am going to take a page out of Nicole's book but put my own little twist on it.  She recently marked off 3 things on her big to-do list and I thought maybe I need to make a list - just for this year.  So here is my list:

1. Take a weekend, just for me.  I'm not sure what this will be, but it will entail ME.  It might be a spa weekend, or a by yourself hiking weekend or a weekend with a few friends, a weekend with my camera - or maybe a sexy romantic get-a-way with the husband. 
2. Add Yoga to my regular exercise routine, minimum once a week.  
3. Take the perfect photograph.  I'm trying SEE HERE.
4. Read To Kill A Mocking Bird - I can't believe a reader like me has never read this book.
5. Take a day every month just for my kids & do anything and everything they want.  They are in charge!  (This is probably the scariest.)
6. MEET my a few of my online friends.  Mindy & Jackie - this means you!
7. Step out of my comfort zone at least once.
8. Help a person in need.
9. Donate my time.
10. Re-landscape my yard.

While some look completely and totally exciting - some not so much. It gives me something to work for and well, maybe discover something about myself or someone else along the way.  This mushy stuff gives me the willies - over & out.

Post #502

I can't do anything normal - I should have screamed this is post #500 or something, but it got by me so here is post #502 on my blog.

Well, what has happened today...  I've had a panic attack, I've probably had a nervous breakdown as well.  My husband got angry at something neither one of us can control.  I cursed (luckily no one was around). I did clean out & file a paper size box of filing.  Woo Hoo!  On the other hand, I have accomplished nothing else.  I spent 1.5 hours trying to tame my hair, I only got it to Gilda Radner doing Rosanne Rosanna Danna.

I am going to the DFW January Blogger Get Together - if my husband approves.  I have a PTA board meeting tonight.  I have to give my inspirational quote.  I've picked "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" by Christopher Columbus. Although I would prefer this Walter Cronkite quote, "And that is the way it is.", because, well it fits today.  I'm not sure if anyone in the room would catch all that I mean by that so they are going to get Christopher Columbus instead.

I still haven't taken a picture for my photo blog yet....I guess I need to get moving.

Jeez, this year was suppose to be better.

Wow, who knew last night's NYE post was #500.  HMMM...

On a side note, this has been one hell of a past few hours.  The husband is on call - his phone won't receive or make calls.  Its 10 pm - no place is open.  Its New Years Day - no technical support.  January 1, 2010 - FAIL!!

Thank you-know-who there was still a glass of wine in the bottle.  I'm going to attempt sleep now.  Who wants to bet insomnia is going to win tonight?