Daylight Savings, Spring Forward

Tonight is the night to set our clocks ahead 1 hour (unless you are up at 2am tomorrow morning and want to do it then).
I never have quite figured out what daylight savings is all about as I think they do it backwards (i'd rather have daylight later in the day in the winter when the sun sets at 4:30/5 pm than in the summer when we have daylight until 10pm).
If this is a sign that spring is coming maybe someone should tell mother nature as I woke up to 5-6 inches of snow this morning. Luckily it is warm and melting off fast, but they say another storm is headed this way on monday.
So tomorrow morning the sun will rise an hour later, but also set an hour later...interesting how humans can even control the rise and set of the sun LOL!

Dog parks, keeping our friends safe

on my board we have been discussing dog parks and my concern about a bunch of dogs running off leash together and the possibility of fights. i found this site that has a lot of good information and suggestions (rules) for owners that are going to use a dog park.
i still worry that it only takes one owner that has the attitude of " my pet wouldn't do anything wrong" (as some people with kids) that could cause a horrid situation.
luckily i live in the country and my dogs can run my acreage with each other and when i go places i'm a firm beleiver in leashes even for the best trained dog so i don't have to go to dog parks.
yes, i'm an over protective "mom"

Dog parks, keeping our friends safe

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Where Recovery & Reinvestment money is being used

this is interesting. president obama has put up a website that people can go in and see exactly how money is being spent and checked on in the future.
great idea if it works; as i already see people "picking out" portions of how the way the money is planned to be divided and who will spend it how.
i like the idea that president obama is going to this effort in trying to keep the american public informed, as it always seems that the people are the last to know just what is being done with taxpayer dollars.
it's a new idea...it may not be perfect, but at least it's a start to inform the american people and hopefully stop the speculation of the unknown.

i know i'll be interested in keeping track of how the money is being spent that is given out, and the monotoring of how it is being used.
the link is;

http//www.recovery.gov/

so far a very interesting site that breaks down exactly how much will go to infastructure, schools, energy, healthcare and so forth.

(and maybe it will cut down the uninformed scare tactic emails that seem to be going aroung if we can all just go check it out ourselves :-} )

Dog Ramp Comparison

the information given is my opinion only.
i looked into dog ramps as my back is getting too bad to lift my big dogs into the van in the event something happens that they aren't able to jump in themselves and also due to the fact i don't like my big dogs jumping in and out as i have had them slip at times and i just don't feel that it is good for their joints, especially as they are getting older.
1. at first i thought that i would like a "telescoping ramp" but as i looked into it more i didn't like the look of the aluminum which could dent and get sharp edges. in the reviews on them there were complaints that "the sandpaper like walkway" would get holes poked thru it from the dogs toenails and wasn't very rugged. at the price of around $140.00 i decided that it wasn't built to the quality that i expected at that price.
as i may be in places with rain or snow, i wanted a rugged all terrain ramp.
the telescoping ramp only weighs about 13 pounds which is great, but the features and what i had read in the reviews made me worry that it wouldn't last with my big dogs, me tossing it in and out of the van that could cause small dings that i was afraid then it wouldn't telescope right or if i left it set up when at dog shows or camping and it getting weather. review complaints of the legs falling off and the problem that many stated about the "sandpaper like finish" (it looked like rubber matting in the picture, but i guess not). trying this out made me decide that even though this was lighter that it wouldn't be the right one for me
this is rated to hold up to 400 pounds. telescoping ramp;
http//www.discountramps.com/petImages/deluxe-telescoping-ramp-4.jpg
2. so my next choice was just an all plastic one which was $40.00 less thru costco. (most other places that sells ramps carried this ramp also) it weighs around 18 pounds which carries easy with the built in handles on each side. the reviews said that people pinch their fingers closing it and i can't figure out how they do that unless they are picking it straight up in the middle where it hinges. i have had no problem with pinched fingers, if folds down as small as any others i looked at, is easy to handle, set up and take down. i love that it is molded solid so the rampway is firm and steady under the dogs feet. the footing is good and doesn't slip around when in use. it is solid even when up on my side door van step. i love that this is weatherproof and if left outside no harm will come to it from rain or snow (it can even be used in swimming pools and has optional legs for that application).
i'm sold on this one and it's the keeper! this is rated to hold up to 500 pounds; http://www.discountramps.com/petImages/petstep.jpg
3. there is one that looks much like the one i got and is priced around $70.00---but it's not of the same quality. many complaints about it tipping, the surface and enough bad reviews that i didn't even try this one out even though it was cheaper. it weighs 10 pounds and is rated to hold 200 pounds. http//www.discountramps.com/petImages/solvit-folding-dog-ramp-2.jpg
of course this is all my personal opinion on these ramps and it's each individual choice to see what they like best.

Wishing Everyone a....

Massage and Roses for your Valentine

Christy and Jerr are always looking for new innovative and fun ways to celebrate holidays. I thought this was a great idea of offering flowers with a gift certificate for a massage.

http://bpmassage.biz/

Cop eats Brownies; Calls 911 (a DUH moment)

Taxes

With tax time drawing near i thought this was rather fitting to post;

Tax Poem
At first I thought this was funny...then I realized the awful truth of it.
Be sure to read all the way to the end!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think..

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his a__.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore..

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax, Building Permit Tax, CDL license Tax, Cigarette Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Dog License Tax, Excise Taxes, Federal Income Tax, Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA), Fishing License Tax, Food License Tax, Fuel Permit Tax, Gasoline At x (44.75 cents per gallon), Gross Receipts Tax, Hunting License Tax, Inheritance Tax, Inventory Tax, IRS Interest Charges, IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax), Liquor Tax, Luxury Taxes, Marriage License Tax, Medicare Tax, Personal Property Tax, Property Tax, Real Estate Tax, Service Charge Tax, Social Security Tax, Road Usage Tax, Sales Tax, Recreational Vehicle Tax, School Tax, State Income Tax, State Unemployment Tax (SUTA), Telephone Federal Excise Tax, Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax, Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes, Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax, Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax, Telephone State and Local Tax, Telephone Usage Charge Tax, Utility Taxes, Vehicle License Registration Tax, Vehicle Sales Tax, Watercraft Registration Tax, Well Permit Tax, Workers Compensation Tax...

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the heck happened?
Can you spell 'politicians?'
And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?!?!?!?

received by email; author unknown

SMARTEST DOG IN Obedience school

received through email; author unknown

Watching the News

the other night i was watching the news. i am a person that tries to keep an open mind and judge things by common sense; which i think is lacking in this day and age. (my mother always told me i march to my own beat (LOL). i definatly have opinions, but also try to see both sides of the story before i form an opinion. race, religion, political parties and so forth do not sway me in any one direction; common sense does, and i guess i see irony in many things. so as i said i was watching the news and both of these stories made me think....

Democratic President Obama Issues First Execitive Orders;

retreived 1-22-09 from; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTuHgewKn1g

interesting speech, but what caught my attention was this...

Obama Freezing Some Aides' Salaries;

retreived 1-22-09 from; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMKKozEvBnQ

following that story this next story was broadcasted. unfortunatly i can not find it in video, so i will have to print it out for you to read (sorry, i'll condense it and if you want to read the whole story you can go to the link provided at the end).
as i live in utah (the most republican state in America)this did raise my hackles a bit as it seems to me that our seniors, mentally ill & physically ill,law inforcment,baby your baby,our schools, abused aid and so forth are the ones that will be affected....
Utah parents, advocates beg state's lawmakers not to cut funding for autism services, disability programs
From the Salt Lake Tribune.
Deep cuts proposed for the Department of Health appeared to salvage other programs defended by Utahns Wednesday. Winners ranged from parents with autistic children in preschool to low-income women with breast cancer relying on publicly-funded insurance.
Renae Bolson, a single mother diagnosed with breast cancer, said Medicaid's coverage helped keep her alive. Without it, "my family would have been planning my funeral," Bolson said.
Under revisions made Jan. 21, state money that flows to local mental health programs would be cut $3.5 million in 2010, instead of $8.6 million.
Rather than eliminating Meals on Wheels for thousands of vulnerable seniors, a far fewer number would lose their access to the program.
But other cuts remained deep...
A proposed $3.5 million cut in 2010 would eliminate Adult Protective Services and its 45 positions...
Officials believe cutting the program would endanger residents and make Utah the only state in the nation without such services. Law enforcement or other agencies would likely need to increase their involvement, which would cost the state money for training, said Nels Holmgren, the director of the Division of Aging and Adult Services.
A proposal to reduce cuts to substance abuse programs hinges on making people help pay for their treatment. But that could lead to the further loss of federal Medicaid dollars and is unrealistic...
About 200 people had packed Wednesday's hearing, begging lawmakers to spare programs ranging from disability services to the four autism preschools.
Dozens of parents...convinced lawmakers to not close the schools.
The families suggested the state put more money into the program, which has a waiting list of nearly 300...
"If you take this away, that is nothing but pure cruelty," said Gloria Stratford...
Advocates urged lawmakers to save Medicaid programs by temporarily tapping rainy day funds, repaying them with expected federal stimulus funds.
"Economic recovery is on its way from the federal government," said Lincoln Nehring, Medicaid director for the Utah Health Policy Project. "There are resources within the state that [could] help mitigate the economic challenge that we currently face." ...
Melissa Gilley said the Baby Your Baby program helped to ensure the safe delivery of her daughter...
"You're cutting people's quality of life. We're real human beings here, we're not just another number," said LouAnne Stevenson, who said she would become suicidal without treatment for clinical depression...
Several speakers said the so-called savings would result in more costs in the future. For example, cutting 5,600 women from Medicaid-funded prenatal care could result in astronomical hospitalization costs, according to March of Dimes spokesman Stephen McDonald.
A study of mothers who didn't receive prenatal care showed their babies were two times more likely to be born prematurely and severely underweight and need time in intensive care, he said.
Retreived 1-22-09 from: Utah parents, advocates beg state's lawmakers not to cut funding for autism services, disability programs

as i said, i don't affiliate with any party and i'm one of those that stay nuetral with the attitude of "show me what you will do" and as i have had the experience of living both VERY POOR & VERY COMFORTABLE i have witnessed both sides and can relate to both. however, this really makes me think of what i want my government to focus on.

sorry this is so long---i'm getting my Robin Hood outfit out just in case LOL.

one last note; the mention of utah not wanting to "dip into their rainy day fund" which consists of approximatly 400 million dollars.

couldn't this be considered a "rainy day?"

for more on utah's "rainy day funds" follow this link
Retreived 1-22-09 from; http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705277414,00.html