13 trillion dollars and counting

By the time you read this post our nation will be in debt 13 trillion dollars. Well probably, right at this moment it is $12,954,...,...,... I'm not blaming any particular person, I'm blaming the system as a whole. I found two ways that our government could save money and when called on it, they refused.
1: Ever year about four months before your birthday you get a paper statement in the mail saying what you can expect your retirement benefits to be based on what you have paid into social security. First of all, yeah right. Like SS is even going to be around by the time John & I retire (although I have never gotten a statement, John gets them regularly - it seems like every quarter or so, although the worker I spoke to yesterday on the phone said that isn't true). Second of all, duh! I know what I reported last year as paying social security. And if I really cared, I could look up my past tax returns and see what I paid. Third, why in this electronic age, can I not get these via email or some secure login social security website? Oh yeah because we have to waste trees, ink (yeah I'm turning into a recycling hippie here), postage, and labor (for delivering) to send these out to people who couldn't care less.
2: Census. Ok, I realized 1/2 way through this segment that I'd already posted my lovely experience with the census worker. Anyway, on top of that I had a census worker come to my house today. I told her we already filled it out but she said she had to fill it out anyway. Also, my brother & sister in law got 2 census forms in the mail a couple weeks apart. When they called they were told to fill out the form again and send it in AGAIN. Yeah - more $ down the toilet to pay for what has already been done!
grrrrrr government. Love the freedoms but hate the wastefulness.

Hiatus?

It's been over a week, maybe two since I've posted last. Have I been enjoying my sabbatical? Well I joined an "athletic club" aka gym & after the first visit I realized how much I've missed the gym since we've moved here. I've never really experienced a "runner's high" (probably because I'm not a real runner - I walk with some intermittent jogging) but the endorphins have kicked in. Although it's a little farther than my old gym (I definitely will drive every day, which with my old one I could walk if I was feeling adventurous) and I have no awesome work out buddies (until they get their rears in gear and find jobs here) and it's hard to go at night (Buddy & I haven't tried the gym's $1.75/hour daycare yet, but we will) - I still love it. There is something awesome about watching The Biggest Loser (with their last chance work out) and being on the elliptical. My old habits were to watch & feel incredibly hungry for chocolate (it's hard to see someone sweating so much).
Anyway, I am on my official week 1 of training for the half marathon. Registration is May 1st & I AM going to complete the walk/jog with my two former workout buddies.

In other news, I created a company for myself tonight. I wanted a free subscription to Real Simple and they wouldn't take "home maker" as a defined enough business title (kept asking me to select another subcategory & wouldn't let me select all - even though I do it all). So now you can refer to me as Mrs. Becky -----, Purveyor of Awesomeness, ----- Home Inc. (the ----'s are for my last name - I'm not going to post it on the Internet - safety first kids, safety first.)

Oh, and I am coming to dislike the whole census thing. At first I thought it was cool, doing extraction for family history- I've seen a lot of census records. I thought how awesome it would be that someone could look me up and see that I'd been here, at this time (like that one TV show with the famous people doing family search). But then I saw the signs and the "workers". So my experience with a census worker was this: I was at the library & was going to pick up a form since our house is new and for some reason we didn't get one in the mail. The census "worker" (who I thought was just a creepy guy using his laptop and sitting really close to the public information table for weeks on end) stopped me - my hand outstretched to get a form - and said "You need a census form?" I replied "Yes" Then he said "English?" I replied "Yes" (although I wanted to say "Obviously"). Then he said (as he handed me this rectangular shaped form) "there you go".
Yeah, he totally earned his $12/hour. We can't pay teachers $12 an hour but we can pay a creepy guy hovering over forms.
And the sign outside the library says "Have questions about your census form? A representative will be at the library M-F 10:00-5:30" I filled out the form and the only questions I have is: 1) why did you make the form this large rectangular shape that is obviously costing tax payers more to send back? and 2) how could anyone SERIOUSLY have questions about this form. If you can read and you have a black or blue ink pen, I'm pretty sure you can fill in your name and age (and those living with you). A first grader could probably do it (except those boxes are a little small for first grade print - ok maybe a second grader).
Then the signs & commercials everywhere (& we don't even watch the 8 non-cable channels we have more than 4 hours a week). "Fill out your form" "Don't forget to be counted" blah blah blah. Seriously, the only people who aren't going to fill out their form are: 1) people who can't read & fill it out themselves - but they could have a "worker" help them and 2) illegals who don't want to be found out. And the census "workers" that will be pounding the streets like missionaries here in a month or so, do you think that they are really going to answer the door (or even be home) when you come a knocking? I doubt it.
So - I like the whole idea & understand the importance of being counted (it's not like I'm trying to hide from the government or that I think the whole thing is a big-brother-watching-you conspiracy) but really - how many millions (which we will go into debt to China for) will be spent because of stupidity when it comes to the census?

And those three things are all I've been thinking about since my last post (not counting the company I "made" tonight - so I guess I've only been thinking really about two things the last two weeks). I know you really missed me.

Rain & Randomness

Doing the Slice of Life challenge this month has made me realize that I rant about a lot of random things. Today is no exception.
It has been blustering, blowing, and raining since before I was woken up by it @ 2:30 this morning. Then I heard Buddy wake up coughing and crying (poor guy, I hate colds).
It did stop briefly so I moseyed us out of the house to go to story time at the library - only to arrive 10 minutes late (like usual) and find that story time is cancelled this week. Would it have killed anyone to tell us this last week when we were there? So of course I felt stupid because Buddy didn't really want to go out and I definitely didn't want to go out but here we were at the library again. We read three stories, talked to some moms (yeah, I actually recognized and talked to people today even though I felt like a sluggish pile of bricks), grabbed a video (we didn't deceive ourselves into thinking we need some more stories to read when we have piles all over the house or that we would actually read any more new books today- we went straight for the easy entertainment - Sense and Sensibility for me & Baby Einstein numbers for Buddy) and headed home.
I called my mom & ranted about the suckiness that I feel is my life today, put in the video for Buddy, and then heated up leftover pizza for me & macaroni for Buddy. He actually ate (which is great because last night's dinner consisted of a bottle of milk - I couldn't even bribe him with treats. He really must feel like crap). And then we watched Milo & Otis while I put away dishes.
Nap time came & here I am - finishing the laundry I didn't finish yesterday, blog surfing, and blogging.
Puddles are forming on/in my lawn, but the mysterious stench from last night has disappeared. I guess I should count my blessings (those of which don't include: the fact I have to go for a quarterly check up tonight @ the doctors -which I think is utterly pointless and a waste of time and money for the whole company my husband works for and the fact that we are going to Happy Valley this weekend because John's parents are flying down there - which I hate because 1 - it's Happy Valley and 2 - I avoid traveling any where within a hour of downtown Salt Lake on General Conference weekend).

Two more randomness thoughts from blog surfing before I go lay down:
Have you ever known anyone this prepared for their first baby? I haven't even decorated Buddy's room (and he's almost two).
I bought an Easy School Lunch System today. Even though it will be 3 or 4 years before Buddy takes school lunch. It was on sale. Maybe John will use it.

What do you do when it's pouring outside (and sometimes in your life)?

Play group is over - can I have a drink now?

I'm trying people - really I am. I've been to almost every church activity and just got home from another "play group". It was like I wasn't even there. No, don't try to make me feel welcome by calling me by my first name. No, don't involve me in any of your stupid conversations - especially the major one about how you eat healthy but your husband is a snacker (who couldn't name his favorite vegetable when you got married). Please, don't tell me how you taught your children the ABC song or their colors (even they're only two) because I don't want my kid to be smart. Oh, and could you practically scold me when I chase after my kid and accidentally go into your "messy room" - because that will really make me feel like staying at your house longer.

Yeah, I shouldn't be so critical. Obviously K has some mental issues (which explains why her house is pristine, but all painted gray) and A is just a label-loving snob (notice I'm keeping it PG here). But that's all who was there. And I'm just frustrated that I can't find a Mel or a Deb here in the Falls. It's not like we plan on living here long - we only purchased a house. Ugggggg.

I do have scrapbooking again tonight, which I feel a little more comfortable at. I met this random group on craigslist (as well as the book group I attend). I know the Church is true, but some of the people in it aren't (true Christians).
And when I have play group at my house (in two weeks), I'm going to do my best to make everyone feel comfortable.
(Although I'm worried that not a soul will show up since it's been the host-mom, A, and me at the last two meetings - and A already acts like she too good to be my friend. So if it's just me: well Buddy & I will have an awesome time and maybe I'll let him watch choo choos on TV while I rant to my true friends in other cities - via the internet).

I would walk two miles...

January blahs - that is what is going on with Buddy & I.
John is VERY busy with work, teaching, and freelance. He is loving teaching and he got an award the other day for something he accomplished at work (although he isn't going to hang the certificate up in his cubicle like his other coworkers do). We are very lucky to have such a great provider for us and that we get to spend a couple of hours a night with him is even more of a plus.
But Buddy and I (well mostly me because Buddy would be satisfied if I would let him watch youtube all day - he's addicted) are ready for spring already. It's a constant battle to get him to eat anything (that sugar isn't the main ingredient aka "treats" - one of his few words), use his words (he knows some - or used to - sign language), and get him to self-entertain ("Momma" always has to be at his side playing with him).
So Wednesday we went for a walk (thanks for the suggestion Mom) - two miles. Although it seemed like more - I was wearing my regular shoes (to which I now have a sore on my heel thanking me), jeans, and a coat. Buddy was pretty pleasant most of the time. By the time we were about to turn around and head home he started to get restless - pulling off his hat (I still can't find one of his gloves from two weeks ago), kicking out of the leg cover I had on him, and showing off his self-made tatoo to the passing motorists (which is from his "draw"ing experience Tuesday - scribbles on his shin).
We have had the blessing of visits to/from "mikey" (said in a whisper & sounds more like "bikey") when Ali is working & Mike gets substitute jobs in Ammon. We also have book babies @ the library on Tuesdays and now preschool open gym @ the rec center - so I shouldn't complain. Sometimes it's just hard to answer the call to get out of bed (which this morning was Buddy telling his blanket - "No No No!") with a smile.
Well this blog post is ending - Buddy is going "uhh uhh uhhh" and has climbed onto my lap (inbetween me and the computer).
Reader participation time: what do you do to stave off the winter blahs? oh & any suggestions on how to paint with a toddler on your heels? Thanks in advance!

Crazy on Craigslist

For a while now one of the sites I check every day is craigslist. It's like a huge online garage sale. I love seeing what stuff people are selling or offering up for free or wanting. I've even posted some items (when I lived in SL)with success like our dishwasher, free baby food jars, and some scrapbook supplies. My "wanted" posts have been less successful: a babysitter (hey I was going to do a background check before I had them watch Buddy - don't judge me, I was desperate), a HD converter, and a jogging stroller - just to name a few.
As far as purchasing items - well they have kind of worked out. I found our dishwasher, a LDS sitter less than a block from my home (in the stake right next to mine & yes I did call her other references) that worked out for a month (maybe less, I can' t remember now), my phone (which I'm not sure if it stopped working 3 months later because of Buddy or because it was a piece of junk), some DS games for my cousin, and now hardbound Harry Potter 1-4.
I say kind of because it's always a pain to go and get the items. Unlike ebay, you have to spend the gas and time to find the persons house to pick the item up (unless the seller is willing to deliver - which is likely for a fee :S). Take today for instance.

I'm going to digress for a minute and insert one of my biggest pet peeves here. On craigslist you post where your item you have for sale is. When we lived in SL, one of the most annoying things ever was that people would put Salt Lake (whether they lived in West Jordan, Sandy, anywhere in the valley - they would put Salt Lake). Well DUH - you're posting on the Salt Lake craigslist, I would think that your item is in Salt Lake. I would be all excited about picking up the item only to email them and realized that their item wasn't in Salt Lake City - it was in South Jordan, Holladay, or Murray (etc. - you get my point). Seriously people - - if you don't live in Salt Lake CITY - put where you live (or where your item is to pick up). I understand if someone asked where you were from and you said the nearest city BUT if you are posting an item for sale (that someone will have to pick up) be SPECIFIC. It's especially hard now that we have moved are surrounded by farms and the roads are few and far between. Basically, if you don't want to tick Becky (and I'm sure some other people are like me) off - put where your item really is. One good example is that before I moved & when I posted stuff I would put University area Salt Lake City. So although my item said it was in IF, it was really in Ucon (which I think should be considered closer to Rigby technically than Idaho Falls).

I'm not going to tell you how long - but I spent a significant amount of time looking for this house. I called John (and he called me) several times - since he was near a computer and is my GPS. Basically it was a HUGE headache.
Worth the $20? I'm not sure. I was about to give up when I was clear out in nowhere land (which I later discovered was Rigby) but in my mind I kept thinking - I've come this far & I'm going to find it & get those books: even if it kills me.
Buddy meanwhile is in the back occasionally screaming for ball and scratching his legs (yeah he has a rash - I'm spacing on the name @ the moment, but we have cream we're putting on it).

I finally found it (nope - I'm not going to tell you here how long I've been driving either), got the books, and headed to my next destination. I guess now every time I look @ those books I will remember the grr I have with people and their houses in the middle of nowhere but on the other hand - what a great deal I got on those books.

Happy Halloween ??

Umm? Probably not for me. I am covering my coworker who is in D-Land :P Like that is fair!

Plus I've been unable to get a single ticket for Wicked (which went on presale today only through the devil bank.

Another complaint - the elections. All I have to say is BLEGH! I am SO sick of polls, commercials, thinking about how much we are in trouble as a country. BLEGH!

But tonight is our ward's trunk or treat / soup dinner- so I don't have to worry about dinner or entertainment. And I get off work in 2 hours and 10 minutes... so I guess life isn't that bad.