Help Stop MRSA Now

Like all parents the most important thing is keeping my child safe.  And there are so many things out there that we need to protect our kids from.  Some things are really scary and life-threatening.   Our kids get exposed to so much even when we have them in our site all the time.  I’m of course, talking about things like germs and infections.  I feel so fortunate that Darly is so conscientious about germs.  Okay, okay I’ve managed to train her to be another germophobe!   But…

Skin infections like MRSA, a potentially life-threatening antibiotic resistant Staph infection, are the cause of 56 percent of all outbreaks of infectious diseases in competitive sports in the U.S.  

Luckily, simple preventative steps like scrubbing hands frequently, wiping down hard surfaces with a bleach solution (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 gallon of water), covering cuts and regularly cleaning, laundering and disinfecting sports equipment can reduce the spread of bacteria. And funny enough, these steps also help stop the spread of other germs like the common cold and the flu!

S.T.O.P. MRSA Now Coalition, Swap Me Sports, professional basketball star Grant Hill, who was affected by MRSA, and The Clorox Company are teaming up to educate families and coaches through Equip Them Well, a program to help teach families and sports teams about practical MRSA prevention steps .  Through the program, parents can also collect, disinfect and donate used youth sports equipment to communities in need.  

Plus, each individual who enters the sweepstakes on www.StopMRSAnow.org will score a chance to win a trip to Phoenix for a Suns game and an exclusive “meet-and-greet” with Grant Hill. 

Professional Basketball Star Grant Hill Coaches Parents in MRSA Defense

--Stop MRSA Now Coalition Member Focuses on Disinfecting Sports Equipment and Other Shared Items to Help Prevent the Spread of MRSA-- 

            September 13, 2010 WASHINGTON – Skin infections like MRSA, which spread through skin to skin contact as well as contact with equipment and shared items, are the cause of 56 percent of all outbreaks of infectious diseases in competitive sports in the U.S.[1]^,[2] – but simple steps parents can take can help prevent the spread.  MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a potentially life-threatening antibiotic resistant Staph bacteria that has increasingly been found in community and youth sports settings.³

The Stop MRSA Now Coalition in partnership with The Clorox Company and SwapMeSports.com, has teamed up with professional basketball star Grant Hill to launch Equip them Well, a program to help teach families and sports teams about practical MRSA prevention steps, such as washing hands and disinfecting equipment with a bleach solution.  Like so many others who have been affected by the threat of MRSA, Hill understands the importance of prevention, both in the locker room and on the court.

“We need to get more kids in the game with youth sports – but I also know firsthand that MRSA is a tough opponent that many young athletes may face,” said Hill, MRSA survivor and Stop MRSA Now Coalition member.  “That is why I am excited about the Equip Them Well program to inform parents and coaches that we all play a part in MRSA prevention.”

Donate Used Sports Equipment and Score a Chance to Meet Grant Hill

In addition to educating parents about MRSA prevention, the Equip Them Well program is committed to providing the resources necessary for kids from all communities to take part in youth sports. Parents can collect, disinfect and donate used youth sports equipment to communities in need through the Equip Them Well page on StopMRSANow.org. 

Each family that visits StopMRSANow.org and enters the sweepstakes will score a chance to win a trip to Phoenix for a Suns game and exclusive “meet-and-greet” with Hill.

Equip Them Well – With Simple Equipment Wellness Steps

MRSA is generally spread by skin to skin contact and by touching surfaces that have come in contact with a person’s infection. The following steps can help prevent the spread in community settings:

• Scrub up – Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer.  
• Wipe it down – Use a disinfecting bleach solution to wipe down and disinfect hard surfaces. (1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 gallon of water or as directed on label)
• Cover your cuts – Keep any nicks or wounds covered with a clean, dry bandage until healed.
• Keep to yourself – Do not share personal items, like towels or razors, that come into contact with bare skin.
• Use a barrier – Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared equipment.
• Don’t play dirty – Wash children’s athletic clothing after each use, using the warmest wash recommended and adding bleach when appropriate.

All teams know that sports equipment is often shared among teammates. That makes “equipment wellness” another important part of preventing the spread of MRSA in youth sports settings. It is important to:

• Regularly clean and disinfect sports equipment like balls, racket grips and bats.
• Pay particular attention to disinfecting or properly laundering sports equipment that comes into direct contact with the skin of the players, such as headgear/helmets, mats, and body armor. ^[3],[4]
• Avoid using tape to wrap gripping areas of rackets, bar bells, or to repair rips and tears on other sports equipment. This may provide an environment for germs to thrive and may interfere with the disinfectant process.

Parents can read and download practical prevention steps online at www.stopmrsanow.org.

About STOP MRSA NOW

STOP MRSA Now is a coalition of community members who have experienced first-hand the threat of MRSA and MRSA experts who are committed to working together to reduce the spread of MRSA in community settings and to educate community members on MRSA prevention.

MRSA is a potentially life-threatening antibiotic resistant Staph infection. The MRSA bacteria is carried by up to 5 percent of the population, especially in younger people.[5] According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2005, nearly 19,000 Americans died from MRSA infections.[6]  During the same year, there were 134 cases of MRSA in children.[7]

  

About SwapMeSports.com

SwapMeSports.com is a free community website that allows parents to buy, sell, trade or donate used sports equipment.  The organization facilitates the donation of equipment to organizations, schools and leagues through its community giving program. All donated equipment benefits the many children who would like to participate in sports but cannot afford to. SwapMeSports.com’s sponsorship of Equip Them Well encourages families and teams to collect, disinfect and donate used sports equipment, while educating them on MRSA prevention.  For more information, visit www.swapmesports.com.

About The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, with fiscal year 2010 revenues of $5.53 billion.  Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol® cleaners; Green Works® natural home care products; Brita® water-filtration systems; Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products; Kingsford® charcoal; Hidden Valley® and K C Masterpiece® dressings and sauces; Glad® bags, wraps and containers; Fresh Step® and Scoop Away® cat litter; and Armor All® and STP® auto-care products. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $80 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges. In fiscal 2010 alone, the foundation awarded $3.5 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $8.8 million.  For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

The Clorox Company sent me information about the Equip them Well program not intended to solicit product claims.

A daughter in mourning...

IM convo cuz we're both on computers...only 20 feet apart.

Darly says: OMW, there's an AMERICAN GIRL COMMERCiAL

RENEE says: on tv?

Darly says: no  the site, but I think it will be on tv soon

I HATE YOU MATTEL (owner of AG)

RENEE says: y b sick & cry (note: she had emocions for sick & crying) oh cuz they're cheapening the dollies?

Darly says: Cry cuz ag's going in the pitts,

RENEE says: sorry hun

Darly says: Sick because MATTEL IS SICK

RENEE says: you could boycott them  stop buying their stuff

Darly says: Soon they'll be all plastic, have gient boobs,

Huge butts,

RENEE says: gient?

Darly says: GIANT

RENEE says: they already have huge butts

Darly says: bigger butts

RENEE says: boycott, boycott

Darly says: Teeny itsy bitsy waists,

RENEE says: no more mattel stuff in my house

Darly says: I wisk  WISH

RENEE says: sounds like barbie

Darly says: exactly

RENEE says: life in plastic...it's fantastic!

Darly says: That's why i'm gonna go to the ag store, and SCREAM at everyone there that Mattel is DORKS

NO IT'S NOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT (in response to my life in plastic remark)

RENEE says: ummm I don't think I can take you to the AG store to make a scene  I thought you wanted to work there

Darly says: the whole point of AG's was NOT to be like barbies

Eh, DID

RENEE says: I know, but then the original owner sold out and made millions

Darly says: It was for them to be encouraging girls to make the best out of childhood

RENEE says: now Mattel is driving them into the ground

Darly says: NOW MY CHILDHOOD IS RUINED

RENEE says: like they do everything

Darly says: (crying emocion)

RENEE says: good thing you're all growed up now

Darly says: NO I'M NOIT

I'm 12 years old and I want to stay a little kid who loves her dolls

And can shut out the rest of the world when she's with them

RENEE says: la la la la

Darly says: I want to have a proper childhood

But that will never happen

My children will be born into plastic agony

And the world will expolde

RENEE says: ya know not every childhood includes over a thousand dollars worth of dolls

Darly says: Yes,

But the first AG's only cost like, $70 maybe less

RENEE says: are any of your dolls PC's (PC is for Pleasant Company, original owner of American Girl)

Darly says: one

wel, teo

Sandy, and niv=cki

NICKI

RENEE says:

you must be really ticked cuz you can't even spell like a cat!

Darly says: yes

And my shirt's all wet

RENEE says: WHAT?

Darly says: I'm crying

RENEE says: real tears?

Darly says: yes

RENEE says: ah hunny don't cry

Darly says: They're pure evil

RENEE says: yes

Darly says: They don't even care about girls anymore

RENEE says: well I guess I don't need that coupon for the personal shopper now

they never did

Darly says: All they want is bukoo bux

RENEE says: yup

Darly says: AG WASn'T ABOUT BUKOO BUX

RENEE says: until Mattel gave them bukoo bux to buy the name

I really think that they're shooting their nose off to spite their face though

opening stores everywhere will make the stores not so special

Darly says: All i want is the remnants of Pleasent company's past

RENEE says: so now I have to buy just from ebay

Darly says: Elizabeth, and Josafina

No,

I may get a few of the semi newer outfits

cuz I like a few of them

RENEE says: lol

Darly says: but then I will go off to some other doll brand

Maybe GBH

They're cute

Soon we'll be abel to buy AG's in target

for 1000000000000 dollars ofcourse

RENEE says:  and Walmart!

Darly says: Yes

And walmart

RENEE says: and KMart

and Smarty Mart

Darly says: Kmart LAYAWAY 

RENEE says: and quickie mart

Darly says: SMARTY MART??????????/

RENEE says: and doobie mart

Darly says: QUICKYMART/

RENEE says: and wookie mart

Darly says: what the

RENEE says: and petsmart

Darly says: Um

As dog toys?

RENEE says: and dingomart

Darly says: for 5000000000000000000000000000000000000 dollars?

RENEE says: and automart

and bippomart

Darly says:  And lemmie gues

Fartmart

RENEE says: LOL

I got her to stop crying over the commercial.  course I still think she wants me to buy her some more dolls.  ugh

Confirmation Retreat

I don't know what I was thinking when a few weeks back I agreed to help chaperone my daughter's Confirmation Retreat, but I agreed so I went.  Now I know what everyone complains about when they have a sleep over!  I got NO SLEEP!!!  Usually when Darly has a sleep over I get sleep...cuz I don't have to worry about how late the kids stay up...if they sleep, good, if the don't, oh well they're not my kids and they'll go home soon enough.

Not so at a Retreat.  See the first problem with this is I had to sleep in the same room with the kids girls.  Second, we had no beds...so sleeping on the floor.  I'm not such a good sleeper on the floor, even with an air mattress.  Then I had to get up several times for bathroom breaks because I had consumed a bunch of water because where we were staying was pretty dry.  ugh!  AND I had to get up at 6am.

The food was good, the kids were pretty good and the lesson was good too.  Just the lack of sleep.  When we got home on Saturday I went to sleep really quickly after our dinner...which I'm so thankful was left-overs.  If I had to start dinner from scratch we would still be hungry.  lol

So, will I do another retreat?  ummm Maybe I'll let someone else have that pleasure. ;o)

Sneak Preview

I posted last week about getting to see Life As We Know It and I really wanted to share the sneak preview experience with you.  Here's my post about the movie...you should go see it!

First I received an email asking if I wanted to go see the movie and post a review on it.  And seriously I did want to see it.  I had seen previews and was excited to see the movie.  So I said yes right away as if you snooze you loose on these kind of things.
I also asked my friend to come with me, cuz I had two seats...why not use them?

So the day comes and we go to the theater.  I had some choice seats reserved...sweet!  But first we had to go through security.  I hadn't been to a movie in a while so at first I assumed this security was just normal, it wasn't until later that I realized what was up.  We were asked to turn off our cell phones before going in too.  I was thinking "SWEET! no cells going off during the movie!"  Turns out that was part of the same security.  Also our bags were checked.  All of this was to make sure that no one was sneaking in a video camera to make a copy of the movie because we were seeing the movie before it's release date.

The movie theater that we were going into had another movie title on the sign that tells you what theater to go into for your movie.  There were no ads and only one preview for another movie.  And then during the movie the security guys who scanned us with metal detecting wants as we went in had special binoculars to use to watch us with to make sure no one was filming the movie.

I thought it was all very interesting.  I don't know if anyone was upset by it or not...they shouldn't have been...we were all there to see the movie for free.  There were other folks there who weren't with the same group that I was...I asked who they were with and they were very friendly about it.  They also got to see the movie in exchange for a review.

All in all it was a great experience and if I ever get the chance again I will do it.

It's about time!

for a new look!

I finally decided to change my blog template...aren't you glad? I had been using that template for I don't even know how many years...but I noticed (yeah, just now...duh) that the header said I was still a LLL Leader and I quit that about 4 or 5 years ago. So it was time to go!

Also it helped a lot that blogger has some free, easy to make more me-ish templates that are free...oh yeah, I said that. lol

I don't know if this will make me blog more. But I'm liking it so far. What do you think?

"Hello My Name is Hope" campaign

I think most of you know how addicted to Facebook I am. My poor blog here often gets neglected because of it. Well now I have a good excuse to be on Facebook and you do too.

Way back in the 80's my grandparents were going through a very rough time. My grandfather was in the late stages of Parkinson's disease and my grandmother was struggling to take care of him all on her own. I can't imagine her horror in learning that there was a lump in her breast. I don't know all the specifics as I was just a teenager and unfortunately such matters were not discussed in our family. However, I do know that my grandmother decided that since she didn't have the time for additional treatment that she would just get a double mastectomy and be done with it all so that she could put her focus back on my grandfather. Well it's 25 years later and my grandmother is still alive and kicking.

As you know, October is Breast Cancer awareness month. I am excited to learn about the "Hello My Name is Hope" campaign presented by www.Quill.com, a leading business-to-business online and direct marketer of office products. To boost breast cancer awareness, Quill.com is inviting all Facebook users to post and personalize virtual "Hello My Name is Hope" stickers on their profiles to honor both survivors and victims of the disease. The familiar "Hello My Name Is" stickers take on new meaning with personalized messages of hope and support shared across the Facebook community. For every sticker shared, Quill.com will donate $1 - up to $20,000 - to City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center dedicated to research, treatment and education.



Here's my sticker. Isaiah 43:2 says When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. And I feel that this scripture is perfect for all of us but especially breast cancer victims as they need the strength and encouragement. The picture on there is from my Women's Group at Church. I know that at least one of these lovely ladies that I'm proud to be a member of has gone through breast cancer treatment and I pray that she stays in remission.

So what can you do? If you're on Facebook, click on the link http://www.facebook.com/quill and allow the app. Spread the word and spread the Hope! Let's provide all the funds we can.

I learned about this campaign through MomSelect.com and received an entry into a contest for a gift card for my blog post. However, I would have posted this anyway as it's a cause I believe in.

"Life As We Know It" – Review

2 Moms – kids – hubbies + Fun Movie = GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!!

About a week ago I got the most awesome opportunity in my email box. This is something that I never in my wildest dreams ever thought would happen. I got asked to go to a pre-screening of “Live as We Know It” a new Warner Bros. movie. Little ol’ me! Who wudda thunk??? So of course I asked my buddy Marsi to come with…we both needed a girls’ night out.

As luck would have it, I had saw previews for this movie and it was something I really wanted to see. Here, you watch this http://lifeasweknowitmovie.warnerbros.com/ and tell me you aren’t interested…go ahead, I’ll wait…

Let me just say THE ENTIRE MOVIE IS THIS FUNNY! (okay, there are sad parts, the baby’s parents die) but the rest of it was FUNNY! Oh and to make the movie even more fun, there are plenty of EYE CANDY shots of Josh thrown in!

Movie Synopsis:
In the romantic comedy “Live as We Know It,” Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is an up-and-coming caterer and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) is a promising network sports director. After a disastrous first date, the only thing they have in common is their dislike for each other and their love for their goddaughter, Sophie. But when they suddenly become all Sophie has in the world, Holly and Messer are forced to put their differences aside. Juggling career ambitions and competing social calendars, they’ll have to find some common ground while living under one roof.

I can’t really tell you much more about the movie without telling you the entire story…cuz I love to blab, but this is a really good movie to go see with your friends. I think that all parents would get a kick out of this movie because Holly & Messer are really good at making a mess of things. The movie is rated PG-13 (note: she didn’t call that stuff on Holly’s face poo).

If you're still not convinced that you should see this movie, check out the link again http://lifeasweknowitmovie.warnerbros.com/ and check out the other stuff they have there. I need to go back and check out the sweepstakes!

I attended a complimentary screening of this movie to facilitate my review and received a gift card from Mom Central as a thank you for my time.

Don't Fret the Sweat - Review

Darly and her friends are now reaching the age where they aren't just sweet little girls anymore. They're starting to become young women. Unfortunately that sometimes means funky smells when we're all trapped in the car. UGH!

I feel blessed in that I can talk with Darly about this kind of stuff. Darly has known this was coming for about 4 years now and she's been excited to grow up. I got her a book about growing up back when she was about 9 or so and she read through it and couldn't wait for her body to start changing. Darly asked for and started using deodorant a while back. But we are having shower issues and sometimes her friends need a hint.

Need some help talking to your tween/teens about funky smells and telling them it's deodorant time? Check out DontFretTheSweat.com Your glorious guide to sweat, kids and confidence for tips, confidence-building tools and more information about the Tween Confidence Index.

DontFretTheSweat.com has some really cool stuff on there like a game for parents to see how much they know about teens today. I admit that my score could use some improvement, I had no idea how many kids today have cell phones and use them to access the internet. I really appreciated the coupon section...cuz who doesn't want to save money, right? I'll have Darly take a look at the product finder so she can choose which type of deodorant she wants to use...I sure hope she doesn't choose the most expensive one. LOL!

So far Darly seems to be loving the new Suave Wild Cherry Blossom Antiperspirant/Deodorant that we got to try out. I hope she picks that one cuz it smells really nice.

I'll be sharing this post with my daughter's friends' moms in hopes that I don't get trapped in the car with Mr Funky again. I really hope this post saves you from being trapped with Mr Funky too. :D

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Unilever and received the items necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Still frustrated by the doctor!

a while back I posted this lovely post. well the saga continues... @@ <-that's me rolling my eyes.

DH went back to the hematologist yesterday and came home still frustrated by this man. It seems to us that he doesn't even read DH's chart. DH asked about the repeated blood testes that have been ordered and the guy couldn't even give DH a straight answer about the results. He quickly flipped through the chart and said that the white blood cell count levels did seem to be improving a bit (funny with all the blood they've been drawing!)

The doc wanted to do another bone marrow biopsy. The last time DH had this procedure it A) costs us nearly $300. B) ended up cracking DH's pelvis and left him in pain since...and C) showed nothing wrong with him!

When DH said that he did NOT want to do another biopsy because he thinks his pelvis was cracked by the previous one the doctor tried to tell him that his symptoms were NOT from a cracked pelvis but from a pinched nerve and that he should go see a chiropractor. (yet when we checked the symptoms on line they all together point to the cracked pelvis and not a pinched nerve!) The doctor tried really hard to convince DH to take another test. DH refused.

The reason the doctor wants to run the test is to find the cause for his low white blood cell count. The doctor refuses to believe that this is just genetic. Every other doctor that DH has been to has looked at MIL & SIL's records and believed, but apparently in this day and age there MUST be a reason other than genetics.

I suggested that DH speak with his primary care doc about the results and see if she might suggest a second opinion or believe him and his charts so he can discontinue seeing a doctor who seems bent on draining our checking account. Hopefully he'll do that as he really would like to stop seeing this doctor. fingers crossed.

Dinner?

Tonight's weird IM convo because getting up and walking to the other room is just too much work!

sorry for the LOLKitteh talk...we do that frequently here. I doubt it helps with spelling though.

Darly says: FEED MEH MOMMIE

RENEE says: U no how the oben works

Darly says: But i don't know how to makes chickens

RENEE says: read the package...duh!

Darly says: but packages can lie

RENEE says: but this one doesn't
preheat oven to 400.

Darly says: isn't u hungrie?

RENEE says: put chickie on foil covered cookie sheet
place in oben
set timer for 1/2 the time it says
when that goes off, flip the chickie
then set timer for other half (I did 20 last night)
20 total min

Darly says: Should I make something else?

RENEE says: then heat the potatoes, veggies & graby

Darly says: But I don't want gaby

RENEE says: you could make biscuits too.
I want graby!!!

Darly says: ZE U MAKE GRABY!

RENEE says: u no this goes on de blog...right?

Darly says: u no, at my house when i grow up, graby will be unheard of

RENEE says: rotflol! yeah right!

note: the child has NOT got up to make my chicken & gravy! It's frozen breaded chicken strips.

Flying Dog!!!

We just returned from our camping trip. We had a great time. The cabin we stayed in was very nice. Here's a link to the cabin we stayed in last year http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/GoldenGateCanyon/CabinsandYurts/Pages/GoldenGateCanyonCabinsYurts.aspx This year we were in a similar cabin.

We went up with some friends... Darly's BFF and BFF's Mom. BFF is rather a cranky person in the mornings and didn't like being woken up...but then she didn't like it if we let her sleep either. LOL, no pleasing that kid. So to be funny we put Lilly up in BFF's bed on the top bunk. Lilly of course knows how to make folks wake up...she's very good at it.

But she isn't very good at posing for pictures. I was trying to get a picture of Lilly up in the bunk and called her...so Lilly being a good girl came to me. YUP! Flying dog!

She scared me to death! I had the camera in my hands and didn't have enough time to try to catch her...which probably would have hurt both of us pretty badly anyway. So she hit the floor. She didn't seem at all hurt by it and now two days later doesn't seem any worse for wear.

We took Lilly on a hike and other than pulling me down on some loose gravel she did really well. Lilly likes to be in the lead so she kept pulling on the leash. Finally I had to "put the girdle" on her...that's where you take the leash and wrap it around the dog's belly and through the leash again, so it's like a choke collar but around the belly. It is really effective at keeping your dog from pulling...so much so that Lilly will do anything to try to get out of having to wear the leash that way.

The Food Report for Lilly: Well Saturday night she didn't get anything special as the people went to a cookout at another campsite. bummer. Sunday night the people had stew (that smelled up the cabin all day and made us all extra hungry!) and Lilly got to eat some of that...YUMMMY! Monday night the people had hamburgers & mac n cheese and Lilly had one bite of hamburger and some mac n cheese. no smores for Lilly though. oh and she got to clean up breakfast dishes of oatmeal and grits each day.

There were lots of squirrels running around and laughing at Lilly...she got to chase a few. There were also a few dogs to try to bark at, but mom was mean and wouldn't let her. Sunday morning there was a lot of activity in the camp as most folks were packing up to leave...Lilly had to woof at them all...waking Mom and getting her really angry! Monday morning Lilly slept in the crate and Mom got to sleep in until 9:30...much better!

Now we're home, Lilly got a bath and doesn't smell like a camp dog anymore.

more suckage

as many of you know, my dear hubby spent a good part of last year over in the sandbox. He came home all safe & sound only to come down with a nasty case of pneumonia that landed him in the hospital for 10 days. ugh! and things just got even more crazy after that.

well this year his boss went over to the sandbox to do the exact same tour that DH did, but here's the twist. Due to our president deciding to pull the troops out, there is nothing for boss to do while he's there. Boss is sitting in the hot sand twiddling his thumbs! when DH was there he was so busy working that he had no time off at all, working weekends and holidays! AND

since boss is gone, DH has to do both his job and his boss' job. DH is gone at the office so much that he might as well be deployed again! He goes into work before 7 and only comes home at 8:30 because the south gate on the base closes at that time and DH hates having to drive to the north gate. In fact DH went into work on Labor day as if it were a regular work day. UGH!

and to make things even more fun...that stupid recovery & reinvestment act is stealing money from projects that DH is working on and giving it to states to tear up perfectly good roads and repave them...meaning traffic delays and decreased productivity. So DH gets to figure out what they can live without or delay to cover paying for what they need. Course it doesn't help that they have stupid contractors who get fired off of jobs for cutting through major communications lines (while operating heavy equipment & talking on their cell phones!) come begging for their contract back with their crying wife. Frankly I'm very miffed at the person who agreed to that meeting...what a waste of time!

k, I think I'm done now. LOL