No age is too old to follow your dreams.  I know of a few 80 yr olds who’ve gone back to college. My grandfathers dream was to travel the world, and he’s doing that now, at 83.  Age is only a limit if you make it a limit. 

My dream was to own a business and to be financially independent. I’m only 30, but I’m well on my way. It took a massive leap of faith to start the ball rolling, but I’m glad I did. While the latter half of my dream hasn’t been realized yet, the former is a roaring success. :)

 My husband’s dreams pretty much coincide w/ my own, so that helps. It was also a major factor in my decision to marry him. Our daughter is five, and already an independent thinker. (Another dream of both my husband and I.)  I can’t wait to see how she turns out as an adult. We’re teaching her not to let anything hold her back. 

 If there is one thing I’ve learned, in my short time living, it’s never let anyone or anything hold you back from accomplishing your dreams. This includes yourself.  There are so many things out there to be done and to be seen. It’s a shame so many people don’t recognize that. 

Ms.Bergen, I’ve enjoyed your work since I was a young child. I grew up with Murphy and I held that character as a role model. She meant so much to me.  Thank you. 

Prednisone is given to help w/ flairs, swelling in the joints, and things like that. It’s a steroid that’s pretty powerful. I hate taking it and won’t unless absolutely necessary.  (It’s the go to medicine most Drs. use at the first sign of Lupus or a flair.) It comes in a five pack and the ones I get are in a plastic case. It can also make you test negative for ANA. I had that problem when I was first being diagnosed. One Dr. kept prescribing  it for me and kept testing me for ANA. He was like it can’t be Lupus, you keep testing negative! Well… DUH, of course I do.  (I don’t see that Dr. anymore because of that.) That stuff makes me so sick, I’d rather deal with the flair. 

 I’ve got Lupus, Fybro, and now my Dr. is insisting I’ve got RA in my hands. I told him I had enough to deal with and I wasn’t accepting any more illness! LOL! The RA can go take a hike as far as I’m concerned.  

 I’m sorry that you two have had bad experiences w/ rude people. There is no excuse for bad manners at any age. What you’ve described, in your job search, is ageism. Both men and women get discriminated against because of their age all the time. As a business owner, I would prefer to hire someone more experienced, because I know the job is going to get done right and I don’t have to waste resources training, but I think I am in the minority. 

Thank you Baby Snooks and the Count for your kind remarks.  It took a long time to come to peace. I was very angry, but then I realized, those girls were lashing out at their own injustices, and I was the one who was there. Was it right? No, and it certainly wasn’t fair, but that’s life.  I made a choice to not be angry. By remaining angry, I was still being a victim, and I was giving that hatred control over me.  I didn’t like the person I was becoming because of it. 

 The color of your skin shouldn’t be what you use to make your way in the world and it shouldn’t be used to judge you  for anything. What you say, how you act, and how you carry yourself is what should be used. I really do think the majority of people feel the same way. It’s that small minority that keeps feeding the flame.  I wish there were more people like Martin Luther King Jr.  in this world. Men and women like him stomp out those flames and they use the power of education to do it. They don’t use more hatred. 

 President Obama is our president, and like I said before, we’re all in this together. Democrat, Republican, Independents, etc..  There is simply no need to bring race into it. President Obama is a human, just like me and just like you. He’s being judged on his actions and his words as such. If he fails, it won’t be because he’s bi-racial, it will be because he made human mistakes, just like we all do. And if he succeeds in leading this country,it will be because he made the right choices, not because he’s bi-racial. 

 I don’t necessarily agree with his politics, but I don’t want him to fail as president. He is our elected leader and I hope he does just that: Leads our country by the guidelines set forth by our country’s founders.   I like what the fellow (I forget his name, sorry) posted here earlier. He introduced himself as an American first and foremost and that’s exactly what we all are. 

You know, once upon a time ago, there was a 14 year old girl in a state run, all girl institute. Some girls, like her, where put there because there wasn’t any room in the foster care system for them. They had done nothing wrong, except being born into an abusive home or other things along those lines. However, most of the girls there, were there because they were juvenile delinquents. Criminals, that the jails had no room for, or were too young to go to jail. 

 This young girl fell into the former category. She got along the best she could, being a minority in this closed community. It was pointed out to her everyday by the other girls and the staff, that she was a minority, and had better watch her back. Her being a minority effected everything. From what bed she slept in to what and when she got to eat. 

 One day, something happened that set off a riot. This girl was out in the quad ( a big lawn in the middle of4 "cottages".) , talking to a friend, who had just had a baby, when she noticed everyone running towards the quad. Some girls were trying to get into the cottages; They were trying to get away from the rioting ones.  Some made it, most didn’t, so they joined in the crowd for safety. 

This girls first thought was to get the baby to the cottage, so it wouldn’t be hurt. She didn’t even get to turn around before another girl was before her. The other girl told her she wasn’t good enough to hold that baby because she was a minority. The  other girl grabbed the baby and tossed her to her mother. By this time a crowd had gathered. As soon as the baby was snatched, the crowd grabbed girls and beat her. They beat her until she was broken and bloody. The police, who had managed to rally 20 mins. into the riot, had to use pellet guns and full riot gear to make a hole so they could get the girl out.  Total time for this to happen: 36 mins. 

After the girl was pulled out, she was taken into a cottage to await medical care.  While she was being attended to by the paramedic, another girl who hadn’t been involved in the riots, came up and attacked the girl while screaming racial slurs.  She managed to kill the girl, with a blow to the temple, before the staff supervisor could restrain her.  

4 mins and 30 seconds later, the girl was brought back by the paramedic. She was rushed to the ER. Per state law, a caseworker had to be present so the girl could be admitted. A caseworker was assigned this duty. While in the ER, the girl "died" again, this time for 3 mins and 16 seconds. Again, she was brought back. The girl was admitted to the hospital, over the caseworkers very loud protests.  A week later, she was discharged. That very same caseworker came to pick her up and bring her back to the state run facility. During the ride back, the girl had to listen to how a worthless "racial slur" wasn’t worth the time or the money being wasted on her. The majority were so much more worthy. 

I was that girl.  If anyone has a reason to hate based on skin color, it would be me. Do I?  No. I don’t even hate the girls who did that to me.  They made a choice that day and they have to live with it the rest of their lives. I do hope that they found peace, but then again, I wish that for everyone. 

Personally, I don’t give a fig if you’re black, white, purple, red, tan, orange, or neon green. If you act like a fool, I will treat you like a fool. If you act like a decent person, I will treat you like a decent person. If that makes me a racist, and it certainly does by some peoples definitions, then I guess I am. 

President Obama is making the same mistakes any other person would make with the same level of experience. White or black, it doesn’t matter, the man wasn’t ready. That fact is unavoidable. It might be unpleasant for some, joyful for others, but there it is and there it will remain. 

We, as a country elected him. Now we have to teach him, learn from him, and learn with him. We can hope he listens to us when we speak. We can vote him out of office if he doesn’t or we can give him another try.  It’s not about black or white and it never had been. It’s about him doing the job he was elected to do with the best interests of this country in mind. 

Of course, that’s impossible because there is no pleasing everyone all of the time. This is why our founders set down the bill of rights, the constitution, and even the declaration of independence . Think of them as a frame & foundation  for a house.  Yes, things need tweaked, but the overall foundation should be left alone, or the whole thing will fall apart.  

 Former President Bush didn’t listen to the people and he didn’t uphold his office. That man did more to erode our rights than any other president in our history. If any president was marching us into a state other than a democratic republic, it was him. Get your facts correct if you "think" you know else wise. Ever read the Patriot Act? The Real ID act? Been to the airport recently? 

 Us uneducated racists would like President Obama to correct the things wrong with the foundation of this country. If he doesn’t, we’ll ask the next president. (Even if she/he’s neon green) 

 I would like to add another thing to the allergy issue. If you have food allergies, avoid buffets! (Esp. chinese buffets, if you’re allergic to shell fish, so many chinese dishes have seafood in them) No matter how meticulous the host, hostess, or restaurant, someone will always put a serving spoon from one dish into another. This cannot be avoided! My  husband has almost died from an allergic reaction because of that. 

When you’re hosting a party, a buffet seems like an easy way to serve food, but it really isn’t when you think about it.  I’ve tried everything, from color coordinating the dishes and spoons, to hovering and serving from the buffet myself.  It’s exhausting and it doesn’t work. Somebody always manages to do the spoon switch. :)  It’s much easier to just serve the dishes straight. 

LW 1- Who the heck gets married because it seems like it’s the "time"? Who the heck has kids because their partner "seems" like they’d be a good parent?  Imho, those are all the WRONG reasons to get married, and especially to have kids. Am I alone in thinking this guy is off his rocker?   Why, this woman didn’t have alarm bells going off before they married, is frightening. Is this guy a sociopath or what? 

I really feel for his wife. I don’t usually leap to the automatic defense of the woman, but cheesus jebus! This guy is a piece of work. Is it any wonder the wife is calling him names? (I would probably do a lot worse, if I were in that situation.)

 Doesn’t this guy understand that marriage takes work? You don’t say I do and live happily ever after la de da. If he has these issues w/ her, he needs to tell her, and they both need to work on them.  It sounds to me like she is trying to talk to him, and he isn’t listening or doesn’t care, so she is calling him names to try to get his attention.  In the absence of any communication, an argument would  probably be welcome. 

 Next time, instead of "doing" (read-buying things) things for her, try talking to her or spring for some therapy sessions for you both. You two need to connect on some level, even if it’s only to split up. 

And while I agree that men get a bum wrap in a divorce most times, if you get the custody ,support, and property division hammered out before you go to court, the courts will usually honor the agreement. My SIL just did this w/ her ex. They’re both very childish, but they were able to talk, and do what was really best for their kids. They both did the adult thing in this instance. The courts are recognizing mens rights more and more nowadays, so that she’ll screw me in court song and dance,  doesn’t really hold water anymore. 

LW, stop acting like a emotionless a**, and do what’s really right for your kids. Stop acting like this is all your wife’s fault, step up, and accept responsibility for your part of the marriage!  I can assure you they know you and mommy are not happy and you are doing more damage now than you could ever do by divorcing.(Maybe you’re happy playing the poor me card? It’s sick, if you are.)  If you can’t handle that, you can hire a mediator to do it for you. They are fairly cheap, especially, when you balance the cost against your children’s well being. 

LW2: . A good hostess will attempt to make accommodations for allergies, if informed of them in enough time, but shouldn’t be expected bend over backwards. I often host dinner parties for ranking military personal. When I issue an invite, I always make sure I have placed my contact info and a small note saying something to the effect of: Please make me aware of any allergies or sensitivities.  When I host a party for friends, I do the same thing. (I<3 Miss.Manners; She is my guiding light.:) 

 My husband is allergic to all fish. When we receive an invite, I call or email the hostess (or host) to tell them. I always do it well in advance of the event and there has never been a problem.  Most people, who host often, have already made a back up menu for those w/ allergies etc.. 

 My daughter, thankfully, doesn’t have allergies. However, several children in her school do. I think her school has come up w/ a wonderful solution to the issue. They have a allergy class and an allergy lunch table. All the children are told NOT to bring any allergens to the class or the table.  If they want to sit at the table w/ their friends, their food is checked. The parents of the allergic kids have even come into the classrooms and taught the kids about them.  They do it in such a wonderful way and it really helps the other kids understand. The allergic kids aren’t made to feel segregated and no one teases them. The teachers have incorporated allergy awareness into their lesson plan too.  They feel that education, starting in kindergarten, is the best solution, and I agree.  (I just sent treats for my daughters class, and she helped me read the labels; She didn’t want any of her friends to get sick. )

I, for one, don’t think Levi is dumb. He’s smart enough to know that anything Palin sells, and as long as people are buying, he’ll keep selling. As is his right to do. The only thing I’m really surprised about is that there hasn’t been a sex tape yet. (Or maybe there is, but considering their ages, it’s probably illegal to distribute.) 

 Mrs. Palin opened herself and her family up to the public the moment she ran for public office. If she doesn’t like the scrutiny and attacks, she should retire from the public eye. It really is that simple. All though,  I’m not even sure what Levi has said even constitutes an attack.  He was there while we were not. He would be the one to know. 

 Bully to Palin for not making him sign a confidialidty agreement before she drug him into the public arena. Other celebrities and politicians have their staff and family sign one. It is common sense, especially in this day and age. (You betcha she does now. *wink*) 

Baby Snooks, 

 Where exactly did I judge Kennedy?   I think I wrote that that is between he and his god and the only ones who can judge him are Mary Jo’s family. I simply don’t want her life and her tragic end to be white washed.  She deserves to be remembered as much as he does.  She is a part of his legacy just as much as the boy that Mrs. Bush killed is a part of hers. They are forever intertwined with each other. 

 As for Mrs. Bush, I really do think she does have her moments of personal hell, just as I think Kennedy did.  Mrs. Bush handled the aftermath with true remorse. I may not like her politics, but I do respect her for that. 

 Someone once said a measure of a man is not his mistakes, but how he deals with the consequences of his mistakes.  (I am paraphrasing.) I’ve always felt that to be true.  Please look at how Mrs. Bush handled her tragedy and how Sen. Kennedy handled his.  

  I think we are having a misunderstanding and I do not wish to engage in a flame war. Please understand that I am not judging him. I am merely stating the truth and my opinion that Mary Jo deserves to be remembered too. 

 As long as Ted is remembered, so too, must Mary Jo be remembered. She is very much a part of his legacy. Despite what some believe, he was involved in her death and he was never processed under the law for it. What repentance he may or may not have done is between he and his god now. We cannot cast aspersions on how that man suffered or if he did suffer. Simply because he never acknowledged it publicly. It was a very private matter in the life of a very public man. 

 What we do know is how she suffered in the last hours of her life. That is a fate I wouldn’t wish on my dogs fleas parasites! (I have neither dog or fleas, but I would hope, that you get the point.)  Can  you imagine being trapped in that car for two hours? Clawing your way out and hoping for help to come? Can you imagine finally realizing that it isn’t coming? Can you imagine still fighting to get out as you draw your last breath?  Do any of you have empathy for her? Sympathy for her family? What did she do, beyond making the mistake of being out with him, to deserve that fate?

 I have read a study conducted by independent forensic scientists using the facts as he gave them, the facts as the laws of nature dictate, and the facts as the witness etc gave them. ( By witness I mean personal involved in search and recovery etc..)  They know she was alive, they know she was conscious, they know she tried to get out.  Science trumps word of mouth, family reputation, and money every time.  The study is out there if you care to read it for yourself. I would encourage everyone to do so.   I will try to post the pertinent info later; After I get my child out the door for school.  You can form your own opinion on the study and the other information out there.  Just Google it. 

I do feel great sympathy for Kennedy. He had just lost  his brothers and as we all know, people who suffer tragedy like death of a loved one, undergo a period of time called duress.  They do not think correctly and I believe they are not even held legally responsible for their actions for a period of time. (There is a legal term for it, perhaps an attorney could enlighten us) Factor that, w/ the alcohol, and it is no wonder he ran. He might not have even been able to ever process what had happened and he might not have ever been able to really remember what happened.  

 For all any of us know, he did admit his guilt to her family and/or at least tried to redeem himself to them, and theirs is the only opinion who truly matters. I don’t believe we’ll ever know.  In my mind, Karma has paid him back in aces. He must have suffered terribly in his final months. (Cancer is an awful  way to go.) I imagine it being a little bit like drowning slowly. 

 No matter your politics, he was a good politician, and did try to good by his constituents.  He was also a man, and man is not infallible, so please lets not have a cult of Kennedy form around him. Let us remember him as the imperfect man he was.   Let us remember what good and bad he did and let us not forget Mary Jo. To forget her is murder of her memory and she doesn’t deserve that. 

I agree, Mother Confessor.

*Sorry, I couldn’t resist. :)*

 On a side note: When is Margo’s picture going too be put up with the other fabulous women of WOWOWOW?  She’s been here for a while now and contributes quite a bit. It should only take the webmaster a few minutes, if that. 

 Sorry too bring this up here, but it has been bugging me since Margo started, and I’ve never seen it mentioned anywhere else.  :p

It’s NOT a Baboon! It’s a gorilla. It may even be a mountain gorilla, but I can’t really tell; The picture is small. Sorry- Just had to point that out. Now on to the topic at hand and a couple other things. 

Walter, did indeed, maliciously go after Margo and her beloved mother. There is no way one could possibly screw up the facts that bad.Especially if he is intelligent as he claims. The facts have been spread over the net, print, and probably television. One would have to live in a cave to not know.  Sorry, Walter, but that was a low blow and very un-sportmans like. Shame on you!

Margo’s column was written to be humorous. However, it seems one cannot make a joke about Republicans w/o getting ones head bitten off, and that’s a bloody shame. They are a bit touchy, and they have every right to be so, Bush is enough to make anyone defensive. I suspect, that in four years, the Democrats will be the same way.

Learn to laugh at yourselves people! Fighting and calling each other names is NEVER going to win anyone to your side. (And I say this to both Democrats and Republicans.) 

Personally, I supported Ron Paul, and I’ll do it again if he runs again. That man holds the TRUE Republican principles that the other so called conservatives have tossed to the wayside.

There is a movement sweeping this nation and it would behoove those in Washington to pay attention. To those women on this site who are so interested in politics: Attend a tea party. They are happening everywhere. Check meet-up to find one or even the local paper. Listen to what is being discussed. Democrats, Republicans, Who’s-its, and what’s its are all welcome. This is something that benefits us all, as citizens of The United States, not just one political party. 

As for Mrs. Palin, well, my mom taught me if I didn’t have anything nice to say not to say anything at all. We’ll leave it at that.