OMG, We're Moving!!!

As of this evening, the carpet will be in the upper dormer/master bedroom of the new house, the lease will be signed, the deposit dropped off, and the moving can commence! Which is really good, since technically we have to be out of our apartment today, LOL. But given the New Years weekend, I'm feeling fairly safe in taking the next few days to move. Of course, it doesn't help any that we spent the night at the ER with Little Pom. He's developed a urinary/bladder infection which is pretty painful. Plus, for some reason, his catheter isn't draining at *all* but all of a sudden he's urinating the conventional way and often! The often part is most likely due to his UTI, but the conventional way part is just plain ole surprising. The ER team flushed his catheter twice, and ultrasounded his bladder to make sure he wasn't retaining fluid. So, all of this adds up to a big "hmmmm....." Not sure what it means yet. Everything checked out, and yet he continues to penis-pee and his catheter stays nearly dry. Is it silly to hope that this could be a sign of miraculous recovery? :-) Eh, after the year we've had, I'm not going to be that hopeful this soon. But still, it gives one pause.

So anyway, after our trip to the ER, the move schedule is a bit messed up- we have NOTHING packed at ALL, since we were not sure exactly when we'd be able to move. So now, the big day is upon us; we have 3 solid days (we lose Friday because of the ER last night...had to change our days off) to move a household. I think we're basically going to approach it as if we were just going to switch around rooms in the apartment: take everything out of DQ's closet, drive to Eastpointe, put it in her closet there....and repeat, LOL. 

So, busy weekend ahead, but also some intriquing possibilities for 2009. If I don't post anything between now and then, I absolutely have to say:

GOOD RIDDANCE TO 2008

and

A blessed, peaceful and healthy New Year to you all.  HAPPY 2009!!!

More Renovations

Long Time, No Post...with Pictures

I just realized it's been about 2 weeks since last I posted. Things have been crazy busy. I've been drafting several documents for work- in addition to coordinating a number of media and event opportunities- that have kept me super busy. That, coupled with our work on the house and LP's daily care...not to mention the holidays...have kept me from having much free time. So, here's a quick update.

When people talk about what holidays they do, I usually say that we start at Chanukkah and work our way through towards New Years. So, this year, The Dancing Queen lit her funky hanukkiah and we lit my amazing modern-art version that I got from www.moderntribe.com. I would post a pic, but they no longer have it at their website and mine didn't turn out well. I'll try again later and edit the post if I can get a good one.

On Christmas Eve we went to the Castle (don't ask...ugh!) and then to service at our UU church. The Interim Minister did an absolutely lovely service, although I must say I was a little shocked when I opened the order of service and saw FOUR homilies on the agenda, LOL. They were each about 3 minutes long though, so it all worked out well. Then, we came home and crashed.

Christmas Day, we opened presents:






For those who may be wondering why *I* am not in any of the pictures, it's because I was too busy taking them with my new hot-pink digital camera!!!

The big reveal came when LP got to open his BIG gift....so big, it had to be wrapped with an entire room, rather than some pretty paper:



When he opened the door (we even let him use the key!) he saw that Santa (AKA Grammy, Poppa and Great-Nana) had delivered his biggest wish....a Power Wheels!!!



He was jumping up and down and shouting "Oh Yeah! Oh Yeah! I got a Cavalier!!" ROFL It took us awhile to explain to him that a red Mustang convertable was WAY, WAY cooler than any Cavalier. :-)

Of course, it says a lot about my kid that (other than the hot rod) his favorite present was a sock monkey:



My other favorite holiday moment came when DQ opened her stocking. She is NEVER without a lip balm or three...so she thought it was awfully funny that "Santa" put TWENTY different kinds in her sock- all flavors and brands!



And finally, my biggest joy of the season: my kitchen is DONE!! And it's beautiful!!



We hung the border today. It matches the border in the bathroom and the wallpaper we plan on hanging in the hall once all the furniture is in place. I'm just over the moon...I think it looks like something straight out of a magazine. :-)

I'm exhausted but blissed. More later, but until then: Happy Christmakwanzahannuhyule.

Counting Blessings

Today, I received some work-related news that totally blindsided me. It is what it is, but it was hard to get through the day today and keep a smile on my face. I spent my day feeling really sad, confused and hurt. So, I've decided, in keeping with my usually-optimistic self, to try and think of all the reasons why I *love* my job. We'll see if that helps.

1) I get to do tasks that I truly enjoy.

2) I have generally awesome co-workers...and those that don't quite count as "awesome" at least qualify as "amusing."

3) Our mission is something I wholeheartedly support.

4) I get along well with darn-near everyone I work with.

5) I get to participate in making a tangible difference in the world every day.

6) I take enormous pride in what I do. 

7) Our Board of Directors is truly an inspiring group of people. I learn so much from them and am grateful for the chance to know them.

8) 95% of my workday is spent doing projects that I'm good at, that I enjoy and that show off my best talents and attributes.

9) I have a high level of independance

10) I have an employer that is genuinely concerned about LP and allows me flexibility

11) 95% of the time, I feel truly supported by my employer.

12) In many ways, this is my dream job.

......well, in some ways that helped, but in other (fairly significant ways) it didn't. 

Times heals all wounds, right? 

I'm off to bed.

House Remodel Update

The Good News

Since I promised both good news and bad news last night, then left you hanging on the bad, here's the counterpoint to the terrible-ness of our weekend:

Two Sundays ago, at the UU church, Daddy and I were talking to a friend of ours about all the stuff we still have to get done in order to finish up our house and move in. The church secretary heard me and asked what we still had to do. I told her that the list was W-A-Y too long for me to try and remember by rote, but that I would email it to her so that she could see. Well, she put the whole thing into the church newsletter!

A few days later, we got a call from someone I'll call Miracle. Y'all know I'm not big on using real names online, so bear with on the cheese-factor...it's the perfect alias for this guy.

Miracle is a licensed plumber who's grandfather helped found this particular UU congregation. Even though the family is not connected anymore, his mom down South saw the newsletter and called him. He called us and, lo and behold, a miracle occured!!

Miracle has coordinated him plumbing company, an electrical company, a floor-finisher-guy and a carpenter to come in and finish everything up on our house so that we can move in without stress. Everything.

I don't have words to tell you what a huge, well, miracle this is for us. They are starting to work right away and the goal is to have us in by the end of the month.

So, while there has been lots of crappy news in the past week, there's also been a lot of good too.

(Did I cheer everyone up again? I don't want you to be sad on our account!)

It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

The bad news post has been "redacted", on the advice of other military-type folks who are concerned that no matter how general my descriptives, it still might not be wise to post. If you missed it, and want to know the scoop, comment here and I'll drop you a line.

A Bigger Life

Last night, Little Pom said something that broke his parents hearts. We were driving him home so that he could go on dialysis and he asked us if we could go bowling. We told him no, we couldn't, because there wasn't enough time before he had to get plugged in. LP burst into tears and said "I hate this! All that I can do is TV and dialysis. I deserve a bigger life than that!"

WOW.

A Bigger Life.

Honestly though, that's NOT too much to ask. My little guy went from school, dance, karate and sports down to...school and dialysis. Or maybe, in a busy week, clinic too. Oh yay. Little Pom is absolutely right- is DOES deserve a bigger life. I'm just not sure how to do that for him.

So, here's where I need feedback: what can I do to expand his world a little bit as we manuver our way through the Land of Kidney Failure? We have 2 hours between when I get home and when he needs to get plugged in for the night. Nearly all sports are out for now, because of his catheter bag. Play dates have been non-existant, because the kids in his class tease him and ostracize him now. (I know....that's a whole other rant) He spends ALL his free time at home. His world has grown very small and that's not okay.

So....ideas everyone?

Clinic Day

Today was our monthly clinic day. Not much has changed...Little Pom is super-happy because the dietician explained that he's only restricted from colas, not from all brown soda. Which means he can have his beloved Mr. Pibb again. :-) His weight is holding steady, which is so-so news, because he's not losing any...but he's also not gaining; which we really want him to do. So he gets more good news from the Dietician: he can have LOTS of steak and hamburger and even bacon...one slice a day, LOL. 

On the "eh" side of things, one of the new residents mentioned that he had a heart murmur today. This is the first we've heard of this and even when the "big" doc came in, he didn't feel a need to mention it to us. She said it's most likely benign and that they can come and go...but still, I think it's an important fact to know, don't you?

That's all the news from today. Daddy gets home tomorrow and I can't wait. The Dancing Queen left to go visit the other half of her family today, so LP and I had some alone time today. Now, when Daddy gets home, I'm going to get some totally alone time. :-) I'm thinking I need to get a pre-winter facial and manicure. We'll see. 

Oh Where Have All the Comments Gone?

Okay, seriously...

LEAVE ME COMMENTS!

At the bottom of each post you'll find the phrase "karmic truths" with a number in front of it. Recently, that number has been zero. A LOT of zeros. 

Click on karmic truths and post your thoughts, comments, suggestions, whatever. 

You can also click on one of the emotion/response check-boxes below each post to register your feelings on the subject, LOL.

Am I talking to a brick wall? I sure hope not. That's a fairly boring way to spend an evening.

Love ya all!

My Mother Kinda Rocks

She not only procured a new fridge for our soon-to-be-finished house, but she managed to get a HUGE big box store to essentially give us my dream fridge: a french door, freezer drawer on the bottom, beauty. I'm in love. Of course, the real fun started when my father- and brother- in- law tried to deliver it for me. Have I mentioned that we're rehabing a rather old home? With very narrow doors? Yeah....when I left to put LP on dialysis, they'd taken the doors off the fridge and were working on taking the doors off the house, LOL. It'll be beautiful...even if it *is* kept on my front porch from now on! (Just kidding, mother!!)

Pics of the house updates will come tomorrow, but for now, take a look at my fridge:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=45982-46-GX5SHTXVB&lpage=none

At the late night, double feature, picture show

Last night, Daddy and I did something that I haven't done since I was 17 years old:

Rocky Horror Picture Show, LIVE.

Talk about a blast from the past!

When we arrived, I was startled to see how young the cast members looked. Seriously, Dr. Frank was about my age, and Columbia looked to be approximately twelve. Then I realized that they were all most likely in the same age-range I was when last I did the Time Warp at Midnight. I was the one who'd gotten old. 

Once I came to grips with the fact that time waits for no one...not even those who don party hats and throw slices of toast in a crowded theater...I went into RHPS Snob mode. When the cast went around identifying Rocky "virgins" (first-time attendees) I was quick to point out that not only was I NOT a virgin, I was from the home of the longest-running live Rocky show in the country. That's right, ladies and gentleman, I've done Rocky at the Oriental!

Daddy *was* a virgin, however...and was quickly marked as such with a giant lipstick V on his forehead- a signal to the cast that he was to be tortured later on. Highly amusing for me, by the way. 

Overall, the night was great fun-- and the first night out alone that Daddy and I have had since Little Pom was first diagnosed. He was de-virginized in ways both amusing (for me) and mortifying (for him). The cast was not quite up to Oriental Theater standards, but then, I was raised on one of the BEST RHPS casts short of Richard O'Brien and Tim Curry. My standards are thus insanely high..so, I'll forgive them their horrendous Bohemian Rhapsody lip-sync opening act, and instead compliment them on being brave enough to put on their act every single month in Jackson, Michigan of all places. 

This isn't a "news" post. Nor is it a post about LP. I just wanted to tell y'all that we had fun last night and felt like kids again for a couple of hours. Because nothing makes you feel young like shooting people with squirt guns in a darkened cinema.  

Time to Process

Okay, I've dried my tears and have had some time to process the whole idea of a President Obama. I have to say, I was scared to hope. I was truly scared that this would be like every other election I've ever voted in; where the scarier of the two candidates won. This was the first time I've been able to vote for someone I truly, passionately believed in....as opposed to the candidate that I thought would "f" up the country less. And after the past 8 years, I'd pretty much given up on the idea of hope. I've marched with hundreds of thousands- enough to literally fill up Washington D.C.- only to have it called a "focus group", assuming it wasn't ignored completely. I've watched the Commander in Chief say that my religion isn't one. I've sobbed at the funerals of family members who died because when they couldn't find work anywhere else, they enlisted. I've sobbed again in the halls of Congress when elected officials (cough...JOHN McCAIN...cough) tell me that he's willing to "take a chance" with my husbands life, as long as there might be potential for resolution in Iraq and that obviously Rob's cousin died because he was simply too lazy or too stupid to look for a civilian job before joining the Army. The idea of compassion, of dialogue, of hope, has not been a part of my reality for the past eight years. Now it is. Barak Obama wasn't the candidate I supported because he was the Democrat. He was my pick in the primaries (well, he would've been if our state government hadn't acted in such hubris as to cost us our electoral voice) from the minute he announced. And then, he got the nomination! And now, he's WON! Honestly....I didn't believe it could happen. And I am so incredibly hopeful and grateful and blessed. And while I know that much of my family is die-hard conservative and is undoubtedly taking this very hard; I'll remind everyone that the Bible says that our leaders are chosen by powers higher than just our little votes and ask them to be glad- glad that Little Pom has a chance to perhaps access amazingly life-changing medical care, if nothing else.  There's a song by the duo "Emma's Revolution" that kinda sums up how I'm feeling right now. Here are the lyrics. And here's to hope for the future!

bound for freedom

©1997 Pat Humphries

Moving Forward Music, BMI

www.emmasrevolution.com

In Montgomery and in Selma and the streets of Birmingham

The people sent a message to the leaders of the land.

We have fought and we have suffered but we know the wrong from right.

We are family, we are neighbors, we are black and we are white.

Here I go bound for freedom, may my truth take the lead

Not the preacher, not the congress, not the millionaire but me

I will organize for justice. I will raise my voice in song.

And our children will be free to lead the world and carry on.

Here I go though I'm standing on my own,

I remember those before me and I know I'm not alone.

I will organize for justice. I will raise my voice in song,

And our children will be free to lead the world and carry on.

From the streets of New York City 'cross the ocean and beyond

People from all nations create a common bond.

With our conscience as our weapon, we are witness to the fall.We are simple, we are brilliant, We are one and we are all.

Hope Wins.

And peace prevails. 

Hope and Nausea

I can't wait until tomorrow. And I can't wait until tomorrow is over. Words cannot describe how emotionally invested I am in this election. As a military wife, and as the mother of a severely ill child, there is so much riding on the outcome of tomorrows election for me. Will be husband spend the rest of his career in and out of Iraq, until eventually he either retires or is killed in action? Will my son have access to life saving therapies, or will some new administrations armchair scientist with a hardline theological bent decree that my childs life isn't as important as that of a few cells in a tube? Will my stepdaughter (and myself, frankly!) have the comfort of knowing that if (heaven forbid) we were ever sexually assaulted; that we would be able to access emergency contraception without interference from the person behind the pharmacy counter? 

For many, many voters this year, these are abstract concepts that they hear debated on Fox or NPR and then forget about. But for me, this election is, for my family, quite literally a matter of life and death.

 I take it VERY personally when someone who claims they care for us votes to continue this futile war, which has already robbed my family of one member. Or votes against the research that could make Little Poms life longer, easier and healthier. Or who laughs along with McCain at the idea of "the health of the mother." I'M that mother. And LP is my son. And my husband is the one putting on that uniform every day. 

I HATE this! I am so hopefully that tomorrow everything will, for the first time in most of my adult life, start to be okay again. I am so optimistic that there might truly be a light at the end of the Bush-era tunnel. 

But I'm petrified that it might not.

I will spend my election night home alone, because my husband will be on deployment...again. I am filled with hope and nausea. And I just want to know that everythings going to be okay.

So tomorrow, before you vote, think of me. And my child. And my husband. 

And vote for change.

And vote for hope. 

Some Thoughts Before We Vote...

It may shock you to see that this is NOT about the Presidential-portion of our ballots on Tuesday. It's about Prop 2: the Stem Cell Research intiative. For those of you who aren't in Michigan, you might have something similar on your ballots...and if you don't, you probably will someday. I've always been fairly apathetic on this issue. I've heard opinions on both sides of the equation and have always fallen squarely in the "this one doesn't affect me" camp. I know! How unlike me to *not* have a political opinion, whether it directly relates to me or not, right? Well guess what? It does.

I read this weekend about Dr. Anthony Atala, who used to be the Chief of Pediatric Urology here at our own Childrens Hospital of Michigan. Now, he's in North Carolina at Wake Forrest, working on actually GROWING bladder tissue and even whole bladders. Keep in mind that Little Pom's kidney disease was actually caused by an incurable bladder condition and the fact that this man is literally cultivating bladders is amazing. It gives me a sense of hope for my sons future that I haven't really felt in a l-o-n-g time. Maybe someday, Dr. Atala's research will progress to a point where LP can receive a bladder transplant, made of tissue that doesn't contract and stay put the way his current bladder has. Maybe, someday, my little boy WON'T face a lifetime of catheterization. It's possible: Atala has already performed one successful whole bladder transplant, in addition to several lab-grown tissue transplants in children who were born with abnormally small bladders. And yes, in case you haven't guessed it yet, all of these amazing Little Pom-Life-Saving medical advances are the direct result of stem cell research and experimentation. 

So there we have it: Stem Cell Therapies have the potential to give Little Pom a normal adulthood, free of invasive, uncomfortable and embarrasing medical procedures. This isn't hypothetical- it's already being done. But maybe some of you think that being able to avoid a lifetime of urinating out of ones belly-button isn't a cause "just" enough to warrant the sacrifice of those clusters of unwanted, already-trashed cells, that would have been destroyed by the in vitro lab anyway if their donors hadn't seen fit to give them for medical research. Maybe, just maybe, an easier "lifestyle" doesn't cut it for you. Then consider this: Dr. Atala is also working on growing whole KIDNEYS. The Pomegranate Clan has gotten used to living with uncertainty. We have no way of knowing for sure if Daddy will turn out to be a suitable donor. We have no way of knowing if LP will reject a donor organ. We have no way of knowing if LP's kidney function will hold steady long enough to get him to the point of transplant. Nothing in this world is certain for us right now. Except for this: Stem Cell Research now has the potential to quite literally save my childs life. Maybe not today. But soon. 

Unless people cast their votes to say that this:

Is more precious, worthy and deserving of one more day on our planet than this:

For all peoples talk about the ethics and morals of stem cell research. I have to believe that at the end of the day, Little Pom's future is slightly more valuable than that of 14 (previously frozen and incinerator-doomed) cells. So please....I'm asking (well, begging) you as a Momma: vote YES on Michigan Prop 2.  And if you're not in Michigan, the next time the subject of Stem Cell Research and Therapy comes up....remember this face:

Randomness

A Meme

Stolen L, who stole it from from Irisi, who stole it from blue_sky_48220.
Sarah Palin married her high school boyfriend, Todd Palin, on August 29, 1988. The Palin family lives in Wasilla, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Anchorage. The Palins have two sons (Track, 19, and Trig, four months) and three daughters (Bristol, 17; Willow, 14; and Piper, 7) [ages as of August 2008].

Todd Palin has said Track's name came from the interest Sarah's parents had in the sport and the fact that he was born in the sport's season; Bristol was named after Bristol Bay in Alaska, where Todd grew up and where he does commercial fishing; Willow was named after Willow, Alaska; Piper got her name because it is uncommon and "a cool name"; Trig's name is Norse for "strength".

1) Your first-born will be named after your parents favorite sport.

2) Your second-born will be named after a nearby area that you're not from but you like the sound of part of the name, and maybe you have nostalgic memories of said place.

3) Your third-born will be named after another nearby place, for no reason other than you already have two children and don't have time to put much thought into another name.

4) Your fourth gets a "cool" name.

5) Your fifth gets something mythological, possibly straight out of Lord of the Rings.

WHICH MAKES MY KIDS:
Football, Ann (Arbor), Fern (dale), Zeke, Morgaine 

Little Poms New Trick

Little Pom has been through a LOT this summer. Even after all his surgeries, catheterizations, and everything else he's STILL insanely flexible! Check out his newest trick:

He desperately wants to see the circus when it gets to town. I'm scared to take him....afraid he'd end up running away with the acrobats and contortionists!

The Obama Song

This is for everyone who's a fan of the original web classic, the Llama Song. Shout out to L over at http://thoughtsandothersmartaleckremarks.blogspot.com for finding it. :-)

The Ongoing Saga of the Pomegranate Clan

So, my brief foray into the distracting world of presidential politics came to an abrupt end when Little Pom ended up back in the hospital for another surgery. His catheter tube (the dialysis one, not the bladder one) ended up cracked so close to his abdomen that they could not repair it, but had to surgically remove it and put in another one. My stepdad was in town to help us roof the new house and ended up spending 9 hours at the ER with me *after* a full day working on the roof. Lemme tell you, he can sleep ANYWHERE! :-)

LP came through his surgery with flying colors and went back to school shortly thereafter. He has recovered nicely from having two surgeries in two weeks...and I have a great reason for not having posted recently! This past weekend, his dialysis tubing came disconnected in the middle of the night, which subsequently made his machine go c-r-a-z-y. I went to call the hospital to find out what to do and we had no phone service! Gee, thanks Comcast! I called the next day and ripped them apart- they sent out the next available tech and we've been fine. But Daddy did end up back in the ER with Little Pom to get antibiotics to prevent infection. So, that's more time lost from work. Have I mentioned how amazingly understanding my workplace is? They are truly unbelievable.

Our housing situation is crazy right now. Strange things are happening with our apartment- too complicated and convoluted to even get into here, which is saying somthing- and we're struggling to get all the work done on the house that we need to do so that we can move within the timeframe we're working with now. It's just a tiny bit stressful. (Please note the wild sarcasm) Anyway, I have a work conference this weekend, so it's up to Daddy, his father and the Dancing Queen to burn through as much of our task list as possible; because, you know, we kinda like having a roof over our heads...especially what with winter coming and the kidney kid and all. (bitter, sarcastic giggle)

For those who may have noticed, I was asked by Childrens Hospital to take down the .pdf version of the donor screening form from www.kidneykid.com. I pointed out that I was simply trying to save my kids life...they pointed out that the form had their logo on it. :-P I took it down, so if anyone is interested in pursuing possible living kidney donation (c'mon...you KNOW you want to!) please email me directly. 

So, that's the super-short version of why I haven't posted in awhile. Now. Comment me darn it!

Vedddy Eeenteresting!

John McCain and the GOP heart ACORN

Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain at an March 2006 ACORN rally

From Ben Smith at Politico:

The beleaguered Democratic-leaning community group Acorn sends over this photograph: John McCain, in March of 2006, sitting beside Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek at an event Acorn co-sponsored in Florida. The immigration event, which other photos show was packed with red-shirted Acorn member, was co-sponsored by the local Catholic Archdiocese, the SEIU, and other groups.

McCain, still spiting much of his party on immigration at the time, was the headliner. Bertha Lewis, Acorn's chief organizer, said in a statement that came with the photo, “It has deeply saddened us to see Senator McCain abandon his historic support for ACORN and our efforts to support the goals of low-income Americans.”We are sure that the extremists he is trying to get into a froth will be even more excited to learn that John McCain stood shoulder to shoulder with ACORN, at an ACORN co-sponsored event, to promote immigration reform," she said.

(ACORN: McCain and Gop used to be supporters)

Three Weeks

I was challenged by someone close to me to spend three weeks in contemplation, figuring out not what I believe (that hasn't changed much in the past 15 years or so) but rather where I choose to be. I like to float between several religious communities and feel a strong connection to each of them. They each provide something different, something that when coupled with the others, create a whole that I'm rather fond of and work well within. However, my life has become incredibly complicated recently and this friend pointed out that perhaps I was spreading myself a little thin in places that I didn't need to be. It was suggested that I focus on my faith for a solid 21 days, and then decide where I was most invested. WOW. I can't say I disagree with the assessment. It's difficult to balance my work, the schedules of my family members, LP's medical needs and the time constraints that places on us all, and my commitment to several religious groups. I took the challenge and my three weeks starts now. 

I've posted personal apologetics pieces before- defending my faith and my spiritual practice to those who had raised questions. This is NOT that. I'm NOT re-evaluating my relationship with Deity. Instead, I'm thinking about where I worship and what I value in a spiritual community. This is what I've come up with so far:

I mesh well with a spiritual community that...

- Has a strong commitment to social justice work

- Believes in orthopraxy (right action) rather than orthodoxy (right belief)

- Practices in an egalitiarian way that affirms the value of differences and recognizes the ways in which we are all the same

- Connects with the mystical

- Is constantly evolving, yet has connects to a solid foundation of common practice & belief

- Embraces paradox 

- Encourages contribution from everyone

- Has a consistant ritual format that engages through traditional practice

Those are my thoughts so far. It should be interesting to see where these 21 days lead me. In the words of one of my favorite chants:

I am breathing, I am open, I am willing,

I am stepping out into the unknown,

Though the way is uncertain, I am willing,

To listen to the yearning of my soul . . .

The #1 Reason Why I'm NOT voting for McCain

Most of my readers (all 5 of you!) know that I'm the wife of an Iraq War Veteran and that we are members of a Gold Star family. More than choosing Sarah Palin, more than ignoring womens issues, more than anything else, this is why I refuse to vote for McCain and take it as a personal affront (and depending upon who you are, a flat-out betrayal) when others tell me they will. These are the ratings that various groups have given John McCains voting record on military & veterans issues:

McCain Opposes the 21st Century GI Bill Because It Is Too Generous. McCain did not vote on the GI Bill that will provide better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would “encourage more people to leave the military.” (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/08; Boston Globe, 5/23/08; ABCNews.com, 5/26/08)

McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans’ Health Care. Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans’ health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans’ health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07)

Opposed an Assured Funding Stream for Veterans’ Health Care. McCain opposed providing an assured funding stream for veterans’ health care, taking into account annual changes in veterans’ population and inflation. (S.Amdt. 3141 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 63, 3/16/06)

McCain Voted Against Adding More Than $400 Million for Veterans’ Care. McCain was one of 13 Republicans to vote against providing an additional $430 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. (S.Amdt. 3642 to H.R. 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06)

Voted Against Establishing a $1 Billion Trust Fund for Military Health Facilities. McCain voted against establishing a $1 billion trust fund to improve military health facilities by refusing to repeal tax cuts for those making more than $1 million a year. (S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297, Vote 7, 2/2/06)

McCain Opposed $500 Million for Counseling Services for Veterans with Mental Disorders. McCain voted against an amendment to appropriate $500 million annually from 2006-2010 for counseling, mental health and rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder or substance abuse. (S. 2020, S.Amdt. 2634, Vote 343, 11/17/05)

McCain Voted in Support of Disabled Veterans Only 25 Percent of the Time from 2004-2005. While McCain claims he “has been a leading advocate” for veterans with disabilities, statistics show he supported the Disabled American Veterans’ interests only 25 percent of the time in 2004-2005. In 2006, that figure slipped to 20 percent of the time. (Project Vote Smart)

McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans. McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-ofliving adjustments for certain veterans’ benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91)

INCLUDING BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR GUARD AND RESERVISTS

McCain Opposed Increasing Spending on TRICARE and Giving Greater Access to National Guard and Reservists.Although his campaign website devotes a large section to veterans issues, including expanding benefits for reservists and members of the National Guard, McCain voted against increasing spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy. (www.johnmccain.com/Informing/ Issues/9cb5d2aa-f237-464e-9cdf-a5ad32771b9f.htm; S.Amdt. 324 to S.C.R. 23, Vote 81, 3/25/03)

McCAIN ALSO VOTED TO OUTSOURCE JOBS AT MILITARY FACILITIES

McCain Supported Outsourcing VA Jobs. McCain opposed an amendment that would have prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from outsourcing jobs, many held by blue-collar veterans, without first giving the workers a chance to compete. (S.Amdt. 2673 to H.R. 2642, Vote 315, 9/6/07)

He Also Supported Outsourcing at Walter Reed. McCain opposed an amendment to prevent the outsourcing of 350 federal employee jobs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center—outsourcing that contributed to the scandalous treatment of veterans at Walter Reed that McCain called a “disgrace.” (S.Amdt. 4895 to H.R. 5631, Vote 234, 9/6/06; Speech to VFW in Kansas City, Mo., 4/4/08)

AND HE REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST FUNDING FOR THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

2003: McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion for Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included $122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. (H.R. 2861, Vote 449, 11/12/03)

2001: McCain Voted Against $51 Billion in Veterans Funding. McCain was one of five senators to vote against the bill and seven to vote against the conference report that provided $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as funding for the federal housing, environmental and emergency management agencies and NASA. (H.R. 2620, Vote 334, 11/8/01; Vote 269, 8/2/01)

2000: McCain Voted Against $47 Billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of eight senators to vote against a bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (H.R. 4635, Vote 272, 10/12/00)

1999: McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion for Veterans Programs. McCain was one of five senators to vote against a bill providing $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, plus funding for other federal agencies. (H.R. 2684, Vote 328, 10/15/99)

1996: McCain Voted Against a $13 Billion Increase in Funding for Veterans Programs. McCain voted against an amendment to increase spending on veterans programs by $13 billion. (S.C.R. 57, Vote 115, 5/16/96)

1995: McCain Voted to Underfund Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 billion. (H.R. 2099, Vote 470, 9/27/95)

1995: McCain Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes to Increase Veterans Funding by $74 Million. McCain voted against eliminating tax breaks and closing tax loopholes to provide revenue to restore some of the proposed cuts in Veterans Affairs spending. (S.C.R. 13, Vote 226, 5/25/95)

1994: McCain Voted Against Funding the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of nine senators to vote against appropriating $90 billion in budget authority for the Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development departments. (H.R. 4624, Vote 306, 9/27/94)

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America graded his veterans/military voting record as a D

(http://www.iava.org/full-ratings-list)

Disabled Veterans of America stated that McCain "stood up for us" only 11 out of 32 key votes.

(http://dav.capwiz.com/bio/id/192&lvl=C&chamber=S)