so a few days ago, Jami hears the expression “D.O.A.” and wants to know what it means:

“Mommy, does D.O.A. mean “dead on accident?”

I stifle a giggle and explain it means “dead on arrival” … and then my twisted sense of humor goes down a twisted path …

“Well, if it did, then I guess D.O.P. would mean “dead on purpose” …”

Why is it that we are still laughing about this WEEKS later?

Is Bobby Jindal the One Republicans Have Been Waiting For?
Kathleen Parker
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Drum roll. Suspense. Who will it be?

In this corner, we have Stormin’ Mormon Mitt Romney. In the other, we have Brain-Buster Bobby Jindal.

Amid speculation that John McCain will announce his vice presidential pick soon, political nail-biters have begun placing bets. Favorites include Louisiana Gov. Jindal, with whom McCain is meeting Wednesday, and former Massachusetts Gov. Romney, whose resume is familiar.

Can McCain’s former foe become his new best friend?

Romney would bring more than squeaky clean qualifications and youthful good looks to the ticket. New polling in Michigan by Ayres, McHenry & Associates shows that Romney gives McCain a significant jump — “off the charts,” as someone familiar with the still-unreleased poll described it — and makes him competitive in a state that hasn’t voted Republican since 1988. Mike Huckabee had little effect on the survey results and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s name was of negligible value.

Given the importance of even that single state, where 17 electoral votes are at stake, Romney would seem a logical choice. Then again, as conservatives frequently note, logic doesn’t always work with McCain, who seems to enjoy doing the opposite of what he senses people want him to do.

Although Jindal is less well-known, he’s got rising star power. Importantly, he’s young — and looks even younger. If he had cheeks, you’d want to pinch them.

Reed-thin, Jindal has the metabolism of a hummingbird and the kind of intellect that makes Vulcans uneasy. Often referred to as the smartest man in the room, Jindal’s mind can wrap around anything but the idea of repose.

More to an important point, he’s not another white guy. The son of Indian immigrants, Jindal is both the Republican Barack Obama and the anti-Obama. To a vote, he’s a fiscal and social, pro-life conservative who came to the governorship on a promise of reform in the wake of Katrina.

While then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco told President Bush she’d get back to him about what she needed after the hurricane, Jindal orchestrated a national emergency system of volunteers, faith-based agencies, retail providers and truckers to donate and deliver supplies to the drenched and homeless. Affectionately told stories of his gritty performance are the stuff of future legend.

That can-do spirit is a thread that runs through Jindal’s life. Before becoming governor, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before that, he was appointed secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, taking the state’s bankrupt Medicaid program from a $400 million deficit to a $220 million surplus. He also served as president of the University of Louisiana System.

Oh, and he delivered his third child when his wife awoke in the middle of the night in labor. Yeah, but can he juggle machetes?

In one of his toughest challenges as governor, Jindal vetoed a bill that would have doubled state legislators’ pay. Jindal had long opposed the raise, but also had promised to let the Legislature handle its own business. Caught between two vows, Jindal erred on the side of ethics, admitting that he had made a mistake in promising too much.

“As with all mistakes, you can either correct them or compound them — I am choosing to correct my mistake now,” Jindal said at a news conference.

Too good to be true? Perhaps. If Jindal gets close to the White House, Americans will hear about his conversion to Catholicism. He was smitten in high school by a young lady who stole his heart and led him to the cross. In college, he witnessed and wrote about an exorcism.

Though such talents might be needed in the nation’s capital, Hindu converts to Catholicism who admit to belief in demons have some ‘splainin’ to do.

It seems clear that Romney would agree to serve as McCain’s wingman. He has stumped for McCain for several months after graciously dropping his own candidacy for president.

Jindal has a tougher call. He’s been governor only for six months and has the unique opportunity to create a new state, literally, from the ground up. Politically, the fallout would be significant, as Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, a Democrat and brother of U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, would take Jindal’s place.

Staying put might allow him time to further burnish his executive credentials while honoring his contract with Louisiana voters. Jindal’s resume would suggest that he’s always been a man in a hurry, but there’s no rush for the nation’s junior governor.

When you’re Bobby Jindal, the night really is young.

Copyright © 2008 Salem Web Network. All Rights Reserved.

How many zeros in a billion?

This is too true to be funny.

The next time you hear a politician use the word ‘bill ion’ in a casual manner, think about whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet. (Well, I don’t believe in evolution, but you get the gist of the illustration …)

A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain…

let’s take a look at New Orleans …

It’s amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D) is presently asking Congress for 250 BILLION DOLLARS to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number…

what does it mean?

Well… if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, and child) you each get $516,528.

Or… if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.

Or… if you are a family of four… your family gets $2,066,012.

Washington, D. C

HELLO!
Are all your calculators broken??

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax < BR>Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food Licens e Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting Licen se Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Ta x
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring ChargesTax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago… and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt…

We had the largest middle class in the world… and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened?

Can you spell ‘politicians!’

And I still have to press ‘1’ for English.

There’s a new quote to ponder above … a friend shared this with me, and while it cracked me up, it also scared the socks off me!  Heaven forbid he should win.  If he does, we are in serious danger.

Don’t know if any of you remember … years ago Robert Redford starred in a movie called “The Great Waldo Pepper” … I’m not much on his politics, but I want to think I remember liking this movie.  Anyway, Waldo’s name has nothing to do with the movie, but it made me think of it for some reason …

I’m rambling.  Sorry.

Here’s a picture of our boy that I took earlier today.  I actually set the camera on the floor, aimed in the general direction and relied on the auto setting.  Not too shabby for a hail Mary shot.  🙂

The blurry little gal in the background is Jami’s kitty … name is still in debate, but I think she may end up calling her “Missy” …

From Tricia …

Who Are You?
(Place an x by all the things you’ve done. Answer the 26 questions at the end)

Gone on a blind date – X
Skipped school –
Watched someone die –
Been to Mexico –
Been to Florida – X
Been on a plane – X
Been Lost – X
Been on the opposite side of the country – X (I live in Texas, but I’ve been on both sides, so I guess that counts!)
Swam in the ocean – X
Cried yourself to sleep – X
Played cops and robbers –
Recently colored with crayons – X
Sang Karaoke –
Paid for a meal with coins only – X
Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t – X
Made prank phone calls – X
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose – X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue – X
Danced in the rain – X
Written a letter to Santa Claus – X
Been kissed under the mistletoe – X
Watched the sunrise with someone you care about – X
Blown Bubbles – X
Gone Ice-Skating –
Been skinny dipping outdoors –
Gone to the movies – X

1. Any nickname?  LaLa, but only a couple of family members are allowed to call me this.

2. Mother’s name: Norma

3. Favorite drink? Diet Dr. Pepper

4. Tattoo? No (Are you crazy?  Why would anyone willingly allow someone else to stick needles in their flesh????)

5. Body piercing? Ears (double pierced)

6. How much do you love your job?  Eh, when I get some bills paid off, I’m shutting it down (I own my own business.)  It takes way too much time away from my family.

7. Birthplace? Liberty, Texas … which celebrated its 200th birthday a couple of decades before the United States did in 1976.  My mom attended the parade as a kid and remembers that John Wayne (“The Duke”) was the parade marshal.

8. Ever been to Africa? No

9. Ever eaten cookies for dinner?  And ice cream, too!

10. Ever been on tv?  No

11. Ever steal a traffic Sign? No

12. Ever been in a car accident? Yes, four in the same vehicle (I swear that thing had a bullseye painted under the topcoat … not one of the four was my fault.)

13. Drive a 2-door or a 4-door? 4-door Dodge Dakota Quad Cab

14. Favorite salad dressing? Thousand Island

15. Favorite pie?  Blackberry What was I thinking?  COCONUT!  (Followed closely by blackberry ….)

16. Favorite number? “Eight” – I’ve just always liked the shape of it, like the symbol for infinity on its end.

17. Favorite movie?  Braveheart

18. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving

19. Favorite Dessert?  Blue Bell Ice Cream or German Chocolate Cake

20. Favorite food? Italian or Fried Shrimp and Steak

21. Favorite Day of the week?  Friday, because the weekend’s still ahead.

22. Kind of body wash?  Jason Natural Tea Tree Satin Wash

23. Kind of toothpaste? Crest

24. Favorite smell?  There are so many … I’m a real scent junkie.  I love simple fragrances like vanilla or lavender.  But I also love Ralph Lauren “Romance,” Bath & Body Works “Japanese Cherry Blossom,” “Brown Sugar & Fig,” and then a deliciously bohemian concoction that I made at the Bath Junkie … it’s a combination of sandalwood, sage, sweet grass, cedar, and nag champa and I smell like an absolute gypsy when I wear it … I just love it.

25. What do you do to relax? Read, watch a good movie, play on the internet.

26. How do you see yourself in 10 years?  My house will be paid for, my daughter will be graduating from college … I hope to be doing something constructive that is a blessing to my husband and my daughter … figuring out what my God-given role will be as I enter a new phase of my life.

for now, anyway.  Unless his personality changes drastically, and I don’t think it will, Waldo just seems to fit.  Plus I have a hard time keeping track of the little guy, so “Where’s Waldo?” may become a common refrain around here.

And Lily Belle is not Lily Belle anymore.  My girl decided to rename her “Mystery,” but I expect we’ll be calling her “Missy” for short.  I personally thought “Trouble” was the perfect name for her … she is a minx that will not be ignored!  LOL

See you later!

This young family in our community is facing an incredible journey to recovery … Tara suffered a stroke when she was six months pregnant and underwent brain surgery and a c-section to save her and her baby’s life.  Read the story in our local newspaper … be sure to catch the audio/photo slideshow and if you feel led, make a donation to their medical expenses.  Matt and Tara were both finishing their college degrees and working part-time (i.e., without health insurance) when this happened.   Matt was working at our local Christian bookstore and Tara was actually at work at a local car dealership when the stroke occurred.  Please keep them in your prayers and join our community in thanking God for their continued improvement.