Gay Marriage

New York is the 6th. state (along with Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, D.C. and the Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregon) to legalize Gay Marriage...Yeah!

Now...I pose this question...How many states have to legalize Gay Marriage before the federal government gets on with it and makes it a national law?

Marriage is not about religion!  At least not in America it's not!  Marriage is about the thousands of legal rights that married couples have in our society!

I fully understand and support the portion of New York's new law that states basically...no church/clergy can be forced to perform a same-sex marriage ceremony.  Well DUH!  Why would we want to be married by someone  who doesn't want to perform our ceremony?  There are tons of officiants we can turn to...so if you don't want to perform a ceremony DON'T!

I guess there has to come a point where, as a society, we realize that everyone has their own belief system and to coexist as one nation we must learn to respect those beliefs!  I 100% support your right to dislike gay marriage...if you don't like gay marriage don't marry someone gay!  But in turn...you must respect my rights to believe/live as I choose!  I am not out protesting that straight people can get married and how I think it's gross!  It's really none of my business who you choose to marry/live/sleep with...just as it is none of your business who I choose to be with!

What is my business is this...when I die (which is going to happen sooner rather than later)...we had better hope that we have all of the dozens of different forms/wills/powers of attorney/etc. that we need, to afford Cris the same rights as a straight person who's spouse has died!  When straight couples marry it is assumed that when one of them dies the rights of inheritance are automatic!  LGBT couples must have tons of paperwork and attorneys fees just to ensure that our partners can decide where are bodies are buried and that they get to keep our home!  And God/ess help you if your partner dies and their family decides to fight all of the legal paperwork you worked so hard to compile!

I have actually heard of couples that were together for 20+ years...one dies...they had their paperwork all legal & filed w/the courts...but the deceased partner's family (who never liked that fact the he/she was LGBT) came in and challenged the paperwork and won!  20 years together and the surviving partner is left destitute on the street!  This is something a marriage license would have prevented!  Rights of survivorship are automatic when you are married!

SEE...IT'S NOT ABOUT RELIGION...IT'S ABOUT RIGHTS!

LezGetReal...so angry!

Ok...so if you haven't read it yet (CLICK ME) and you will see why I am so frickin' mad right now!

RANTING!

Keep your religion out of the government!  Not everyone is a Christian!  Get over it!  We are not all nor do we all want to be Christians!  Don't pray for guidance in how to run the nation/state!  Use your education and the opinions of the people you are supposed to be representing!  ALL of the people...not just the Christian people!  I am so tired of Christians saying America is a "Christian" nation!  The Founding Fathers would HATE that!  They founded this country to be a place for people of ALL religions!!!  How hard is it to separate your religion from your job????  Keep the Bible out of the court rooms and off public property!  Take "God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance and off our money!  God has NO PLACE in American government on any level!!!!!!!!!!

Ruminations...

Why do we do the things we do to one another?

When will we realize that everyone's faith/beliefs are as valid as our own?

Why can't people leave others alone to love who they choose?

When will people let God speak for His/Her-self?

Why do people find it necessary to knock on my door and try to preach at me?

How hard can it really be to stop spending money on crap we don't need and spend it on the things we do?

Why can't the governor live in a trailer?

Why do children/teens NEED multiple activities that keep them/their parents out until 9:00 p.m. EVERY night of the week?

How hard is it to cook dinner for your family every night?

Do you really NEED a 7 passenger SUV?

Why should people who don't have kids have to pay school taxes?

***These are the things I ponder when left alone and over medicated on cold/allergy pills :c) 

The M&M'S "Born Leader" Figurine: A Salute To The United States Marine Corps

Such a cute collectible I just had to share it!

The M&M'S "Born Leader" Figurine: A Salute To The United States Marine Corps

30 Days of War Movies...days 5-10

Ok...I got a bit behind...cancer sucks!  LOL

Day 5 - The Patriot (movie info here... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187393/ )

Day 6 - In Harm's Way (movie info here... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187393/ )

Day 7 - Operation Pacific (movie info here... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043887/ )

Day 8 - A Bridge too Far (movie info here... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075784/ )

Day 9 - The Fighting SeaBees (movie info here... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036824/ )

Day 10 - A Few Good Men (movie info here... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104257/ )

The Pain & Sadness of Others...

Reading a blog...

The thoughts of a famous lesbian...a mom...a farm girl...

Always written in verse...never to the point...

Still conveys the loss/pain/loneliness...

Sadness & sympathy sister...you were done wrong...

By another famous lesbian!

30 Days of War Movies...Day 4

Today's movie is...


Battle Cry


A group of young Marines have adventures in love and war.


Full information can be found here...http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038160/

**All movie information is courtesy of IMDB

30 Days of War Movies...Day 3

Today's movie is...

They Were Expendable

A dramatized account of the role of the American PT Boats in the defense of the Philippines in World War II.

Full information can be found here...http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038160/
**All movie information is courtesy of IMDB

30 Days of War Movies...Day 2

Today's movie is...

The Sands of Iwo Jima



Marine sergeant John Stryker seems a martinet and a bully as he trains young Marines for combat in the Pacific war. In the end, as survival in the bloody battle of Iwo Jima depends on the lessons Stryker has drilled into them, his troops discover why he was so hard on them.

Full information can be found here...http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041841/

**All movie information is courtesy of IMDB

30 Days of War Movies Suggestions...

If you have a suggestion of a movie I cannot miss for my 30 days of war movies...please e-mail me or leave a comment!

Movies must have a war/military theme!!!

**I cannot watch any movie about Vietnam!  This is an old promise to my father that I will honor always!**

30 Days of War Movies...Day 1

Starting today (May 2, 2011) and going until Memorial Day (May 30, 2011), I will be watching a different war/military themed movie everyday!

Today's movie is...

The Flying Misfits

"The Flying Misfits" is the pilot movie for the series "Baa Baa Black Sheep/Black Sheep Squadron".

Full information can be found here...http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073961/

**All movie information is courtesy of IMDB

Spaghetti with Turkey Meat Sauce

A healthy (and much lighter on your stomach) alternative to heavy (ie beef) meat sauce...


Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey
1, 28-ounce can tomatoes (organic if you can afford them), cut up - **Try low sodium here**
1 cup finely chopped green pepper
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 lb spaghetti - **Try whole wheat pasta here**
non-stick cooking spray (preferably canola)

Preparation:

Spray a large skillet with non-stick spray coating. Preheat over med-high heat. Add turkey; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Drain fat.

Stir in tomatoes with their juice, green pepper, onion, garlic, oregano, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove cover; simmer for 15 minutes more. (For a creamier sauce, give sauce a whirl in a blender or food processor.) **Also try - adding 1 tbsp. of cream cheese at this point.**

Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain well. Serve sauce over spaghetti with crusty, whole-grain bread.

Nutrition Content (all nutrition information is given for the recipe unaltered...ie without the information marked with an asterisk)

Per Serving:
calories: 330
total fat: 5g
saturated fat: 1.3g
carbohydrates: 42g
protein: 29g
cholesterol: 60mg
sodium: 280mg
dietary fiber: 2.7g

Trying Too Hard (or not hard enough?)!

Sometimes I wonder...all of the people who tell me, "You can't give-up!" "You have to keep trying!"...I wonder what these people would do in my place!

I am tired!  It's that simple!

I have been sick for a very long time and I have been "fighting" for a VERY long time!  I am tired!

I am dying...that much is not in dispute!  How I choose to die should be up to me!

I love my friends!  I really really really do!  And I know that people are just trying to be helpful and keep my spirits up...

Sometimes though...I just want to lay down with my dogs and not move!  This is not giving-up!  It's called tired! I am tired ALL the time!  I am never not tired...not even for a second!

So please...if I am too tired to chat or go to dinner or play games on Facebook/Pogo...please do not see this as giving-up!  See it for what it is...I am just tired!

Much love!

All My Movies...software review

Hi kids!

I want to tell you about the most amazing software...it's called All My Movies!  CLICK HERE to visit their page! (it's free to try)

We have over 1,500 DVDs/Videos...sometimes we lose track of what we have...NOT ANYMORE!

All My Movies is a database-type software that makes keeping track of your collection so easy!  Just type in title of the film/series and hit enter...it automatically searches imdb.com (or other similar database you choose) for the info/actors/etc.  Then it lets you pick the cover box/image you want to use on the cute little bookcase that shows you your movies.

It took me 4 days to enter all 1,545 movies/series!  It's quick, user friendly, and pretty (it has skins so you can change the look)...I love it!

It also has lots of custom fields so you can really personalize your databse (ie. movie location, format (DVD, VHS, etc.))

I used Movienizer forever and never had anything but problems...I am a convert!  All My Movies ROCKS!

Try it!

A Bit Sad...

I'm a bit sad today...I closed all of the Incredimail groups I owned on Yahoo except one (my always list)...this is the end of a very long journey for me...I have been on /owned IM groups for 10 years...I just can't keep-up anymore.

It's very strange!  I have met some of my best friends through these groups...

Anyway...I am going to make some tea and finish the episode of Ally McBeal I am watching...

Have a wonderful rest of today readers...

Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain

I just finished Portia de Rossi's (Degeneres) book...Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain...it was AWESOME! Check it out!

(click book title to buy)...or I can lend you my Kindle copy if you cannot afford to buy it :c) - Just e-mail me hippiewiccan@gmail.com

Dinner Tonight...

Tonight I am having "Lemon Mustard Salmon Salad" from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen cookbook...a most awesome cookbook!  Check it out!

Click the recipe name for an excerpt from the book and the book title to buy from Amazon :c)

Food Poisoning...Really??!!??

Ok...so...I've got food poisoning!

Saturday night, Cris made salad w/grilled pork...YUM-O!  We're not sure what happened, the pork was fresh from the market, but she woke-up really sick on Sunday (she's a bit sensitive to pork anyway, so we figured she just ate too much).  Then Monday, I got terrible stomach cramps and started throwing-up, running fever (and a few other things I won't torment you with)...EW! OW!

Long story short...she's better now...I am still miserable!  I'm getting better!  I am keeping toast & yogurt down...but my stomach is still cramping!

Anyway...if I'm not on as much as usual...now you know why...

Peace Out reader folks!

Column Post (101 Reasons #'s 1-6)...

Ok...so this column is just me bitching...c'est la vie!

Reasons Cancer Sucks...(in no particular order)....

1.) Cancer makes you too tired to walk the dog.
2.) Cancer makes places you didn't know could hurt, hurt!
3.) Cancer makes your house dirty (not really, but it can make you too tired to clean!).
4.) Cancer makes you lonely (usually when you tell people you have terminal cancer they freak), your friends don't want to come around...no one to talk to...Lonely!
5.) Cancer makes you too tired to do the things you want to (like visit the charity shops or take a picnic in the park).

last one for today...

6.) Cancer only gives you a limited amount of energy per day (woohoo 2 whole hours! *insert sarcasm here*)...

101 Reasons Cancer Sucks!

This will be an ongoing...post as they come-up blog column...

OK...this list could probably be 1,001 or even 1,000,001 Reasons Cancer Sucks...but I have decided on 101...I will post them as I think of them...

Cancer is a Bitch...or...

I wanted to post a quick note about a new column here on the blog...it's called "Cancer is a Bitch" and it will usually have a tag line or...(ex. Cancer is a Bitch...or I'd Rather be Having a Root Canal)...I got the idea from this book...Cancer is a Bitch: Or, I'd Rather be Having a Midlife Crisis.

Read the book BTW!  It's great!  Funny & sad all at once!

Anytime I am having a particularly bad/irritating/annoying "Cancer Day", there will be a "Cancer is a Bitch" post...

Book Review - When the Focus is on Care

I read really fast...so this one didn't take too long...When the Focus Is on Care: Palliative Care and Cancer (click the title for book info)

When I went looking for books about cancer and dying most of what I found was about surviving breast cancer.  There are not many resources out the for women with any other kind of cancer; even fewer for those of us actually dying of cancer.  This book is very useful for it's purpose (preparing for the end of life).


It helps you understand your rights when the focus of your treatment is no longer a cure.  Every terminal cancer patient must, at some point, come to terms with the fact that they are dying, there are things you must do before you die (legal stuff), and no one wants to die in pain!


Lots of legal suggestions, questions for your doctor, and stories of surviving caregivers, plus a large section for the family caregiver(s)...I give this one 4 out of 4 stars! 

What's for Dinner Tonight...

Stuffed bell peppers...

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
   2 pinch garlic powder
   2 pinch onion powder
   1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
3 1/2 c. (uncooked) instant rice
4 medium/large green bell peppers
1 jar Ragu pasta sauce
shredded cheese (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix meat, spices, and rice well.

Cut top out of bell peppers and remove seeds.

Stuff tightly with filling (make any extra filling into large meatballs).

Set peppers and meatballs in 9x13 glass pan.

Pour pasta sauce over peppers and meatballs into pan.

Cover with foil & bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

Uncover and bake 30 minutes more (at this point top w/cheese if desired).

Let stand 10 minutes before serving over pata if desired.

Serves 4-6.

Enjoy!

One More...What I am Reading...

Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr

Last one for now...I promise :c)  This one promises to be funny and a bit out there...I will let you know!