Pork - it's what's for dinner...

Included in our "bailout" bill.

Wooden arrows: This tax break, backed by Oregon's two senators, would benefit an Oregon manufacturer of wooden arrows for children by $2 million over 10 years.

Racetracks: Earmark would allow auto racetrack owners to depreciate their facilities over seven years, saving the industry $100 million over two years.

Rum: Offers rum producers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands a rebate on excise taxes worth $192 million over two years.

Wool: Reduces tariffs for U.S. makers of wool fabric that use imported yarn, worth $148 million over five years. The measure was pushed by Reps. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., and Melissa Bean, D-Ill.

Exxon Valdez: Plaintiffs in the suit over the 1989 oil spill could spread their tax payments on punitive damages over three years, cutting their tax bill by $49 million. The measure was backed by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska.

American Samoa: Allows certain corporations to reduce their tax liability on income earned in American Samoa, at a cost of $33 million over two years.

Hollywood: Extends a tax break for film and TV companies that keep their production in the United States, worth $478 million over 10 years. The provision was originally pushed by Rep. Diane Watson, D-Los Angeles.

Source: Taxpayers for Common Sense

Look at my guns...

Grae: "Hey Mommy, look at my guns." He pulled up his shirt sleeve.

I admit I was a little shocked to hear this. Since when did he start calling his muscles "guns". And where did he hear this from?

Then I remembered a little present Grandpa B sent him.







Tattoos and a jolly roger do rag. He loves both.

Fairness?

I am soooo sick of a certain political party talking about "fairness." Look, life isn't fair. Some people have more, some less. Don't tax those who have worked hard, sacrificed, put hours into making money and give it to those who aren't making that kind of money.

What's up with a tax cut that reduces taxes for those making under $250,000 when over 40% of the "low income" households don't even pay taxes. What they will really be getting is a tax credit. Free money.

How is that fair?

A little help from my friends...

Friends are so great. This past week I've been blessed by my friends.

See this cup:



My friend Amy gave it to me. I LOVE it. It's so me. I've already told the kids not to touch it as they have had a bad habit of breaking all of my favorite glass things lately. And this includes my vintage Pyrex. Grrr...



Also my friend Janna taught me how to can applesauce and now the girls and I are going to town filling our pantry shelves with applesauce. We have big plans next year to can everything we can get a hold of. Canning is a lost art and so very practical. I'm so glad I had the chance to learn and the girls are learning.

So it's been a great start to the week. It can only go downhill from here. ;)

Well sort of...

Ellie: "Daddy, what's your favorite type of fruit?"

Dad: "Ummm, blackberries."

Ellie: "Mommy, what's your favorite type of fruit?"

Me: "Strawberries."

Ellie: "Grae, what's your favorite type of fruit?"

Grae: "Ummm, schoop (soup)."

Ellie: "Soup isn't a fruit."

Grae: "Uh-huh, I had it one time and it was good."

Our little garden....

You can not believe how excited I was when I saw these...



Our first potatoes! I wanted to grow potatoes so we cut up a yukon gold we bought from the store and planted each piece in each corner of the box. I can not believe they actually produced anything. Those potatoes were from one plant.



Grae had to inspect each one with his "scope".


We're also growing blueberries, carrots, tomatoes, grapes, squash, eggplant, pumpkins, cranberries, elderberries, plums, pears, and various cut flowers.

Here is a carrot that Maddie pulled up. Why they can't wait until they are ready, I don't know!



It's red on the outside but orange in the middle.


Molly was in charge of washing everything.


I wish we had enough space to raise some chickens. I would love farm fresh eggs everyday!

I like Sarah Palin...

Just finished watching Sarah Palin's acceptance speech for VP on the web. Funny, funny, funny! She has spunk. My favorite part is when her youngest daughter (is she about 6 or 7?) was holding Sarah's 4 month old and right in front of the camera, licked her whole hand and proceeded to smooth down his hair. (the girl did this, not Sarah.)

I wasn't really behind McCain as I disagree with a lot of things he believes in but with Sarah Palin on the ticket, I am a little more excited!