is that much sooner than later you can reference your husband or wife and no raised eyebrows.

I am disabled and I have been having a tough time the past few days. Something happened the other day that got me thinking and that's how I came up with my holiday/New Years/anything you want to call it wish-hopefully not stupid.

I was looking at being responsible for another holiday dinner for my partner's family and I wasn't looking forward to it. It sure isn't a potluck. My dear, sweet husband looked at me the other day and said he wanted split pea soup for Christmas dinner. The ham is done and people are welcome to come over for a bowl of soup and a ham sandwich. No dressing, no yams-candied or otherwise and all of the rest. We are having a quiet dinner. Most everyone else found dinners to go to and I am going to enjoy the whole day tomorrow.

I have shared this story with a lot of people. I have been told I have the world's greatest husband and I think we should all be able to talk about our spouses or partners the same way. My family will continue to work and walk along side you.

My family celebrates Advent with a study every night. Our church provides the booklets. This year's Partner in Prayers was written by Dawn and Joseph Weaks and I am having problems with it. My absolute favorite Advent book was written by former President Jimmy Carter. I put the book somewhere so I could use it again but for the life of me I can't remember where. Is anyone else having a problem or do I need an attitude adjustment?

Rally Information & Updates

Claremont "Shame on 8" rally, In Memory of Harvey Milk
-to coincide with the release of the movie "MILK"-

*This is a non-violent rally.
We CAN NOT fight hate with hate*

Date and Time: FRIDAY, December 12th @ 2pm
Location: Memorial Park, off of Indian Hill Blvd.,
North of the I-10 Fwy

Between 2pm and 5:30pm, we will gather by the out door performance stage; several guest speakers are scheduled to speak. Roughly around 6pm, we will march from Memorial Park and make our way to the Claremont 5 Laemmle Theatre in the Claremont Village. Make sure to bring candles (preferably electric/battery operated) and signs. It will be a rally/march/candlelight vigil.

*NOTE*
Know how to cook? Have any tasty treaty you'd like to share? PLEASE BRING IT! We will have ourselves a POTLUCK and have a fun filled afternoon!

*If you are planning to attend the event at Memorial Park during the afternoon, please bring a picnic blanket so that you will be comfortable!

We will also be holding a food/toy drive for the holiday season. Please bring an unwrapped toy/s and/or can goods to donate. Thank you so much.This will be part of the National LGBTQ Food Drive for Equality.
http://jointheimpact.com/national-lgbtq-fo...


website: www.myspace.com/ClaremontShameOn8Rally and Facebook
contact: ThuanAgainstH8@gmail.com

This will be a massive rally, so please spread the words!! And bring as many supporters as you can!!

http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Cla...

I awoke to a happy surprise this morning. Our disability checks were in the bank today instead of tomorrow. We can't make huge donations to anything as we have to watch every penny. Our donation was made in honor of the GLTB board on DU.

When we got our dog from the rescue I used the words Whoo Hoo and Woot Woot. I keep forgetting and using the phrases and Sampson associates them with treats. If this keeps up, I am going to have to take a time out and go to the store.

I have been a strong advocate of defeating proposition 8. Not only is it illegal, it is immoral and wrong.

I also am active in my church. I belong to the Disciples of Christ which is the "sister" to the United Church of Christ although we are a much smaller denomination. As with any church we have neocons to progressives and it's not unusual for our church to have a wide difference of opinions. I have always tried not to talk politics while I am there. When I feel passionately about something my Irish can kick in and my pastor tells me I can scare the crap out of the little old ladies because they are very used to the soft spoken me.

I scared a few, including our resident neocon libertarian. He made a mistake by spewing all of the lies shown in the commercials and I let him have it, no hold barred.

The good thing is about fifty people now know that a church will not lose its tax exempt status if a minister for refusing to marry a gay couple. Personally, I think they should but they won't. Our pastors require non members to go through a prenuptial class before they agree to marry them. It's not a money making thing, there is no charge. They also know the education statute they refer to is talking about a teacher reading books in primary grades and that just because something is written doesn't mean it will be followed. My daughter attended the same district from 4th to graduation and never once did she ever have a lesson about King or Chavez. I didn't agree with teachers ignoring the mandates but that's what NCLB did.

Then they got a lesson in ancient Greek history and what normal Bible scholars say about Leviticus. It isn't what neocon ministers say it is. I don't know if I changed any minds or not but several people thanked me because they weren't aware of any churches status.

I also learned something I didn't know although it may be bunk. I was wondering about the churches handing out the yes on 8 signs and I was told they can talk about propositions legally. I think it may be bunk although it seems like neocon churches get by with a lot.

We all have to do what we can. I can't afford to send large donations as I am disabled and on a fixed income. It also stops me from volunteering as much as I want but I can sure talk till I am blue in the face to make sure we are all equal.

Two German Shepherd mixes are a part of our family. Sweetie, her name fits her perfectly, came to us as a puppy. Sweetie makes your heart sing because she is so happy and loving. Sampson came to us last year as a rescue dog. He had been at the rescue for over seven months and the reason he was there was because his family had been killed in a car accident. Sampson has a damaged ear and his teeth are very worn down. Sampson makes your heart feel gentle. We call him our gentle giant after he adjusted to having a home and a yard and knew he was home.

I am disabled but I will walk both dogs on my own. I get up early and with the heat wave we are experiencing they have be walked in the early morning. Now the problem

Several residents in our neighborhood are not great dog owners and it seems the worst are small dog owners. All of the large dogs in our neighborhood are never out of their yard unless it is with a leash. I am finding it more difficult to find a path on our walk where small dogs aren't charging us. The small dog comes out snarling and snapping at my dog's legs and the owners just stand there. My dogs are trained not to react to dogs snarling at them behind a fence or in a house. We go on our merry way. Now the reason I mentioned I am disabled is because both of my dogs weight 85+ pounds and it takes everything out of me to get my dogs moving while the stupid people are watching their dog act aggressive and don't do anything about it. They don't even try to call the dog's name.

Obviously my fear is that one of my dogs will hurt the other dog or get hurt themselves. I am also afraid that a child may lose a beloved pet and I don't want to see that happen either. I called the Humane Society and they told me if Sampson or Sweetie hurts another dog charging them I am not responsible. They take down the addresses of where the small dogs are and say they are sending them a letter. Big whoop, it hasn't changed anything.

Does anyone have advise or hints on how you solved a similar problem? There are three streets where I won't walk my dogs because I am trying to avoid a dog fight. My dogs deserve better. Thanks

Has anyone you know suffered from Serotinim Syndrome? My daughter is very ill and may not be able to complete her senior year. She was taking a low dose of Celexa for depression and this past week she has been to urgent care twice. The first time she was transported by ambulance to the emergency room and it was within walking distance. She has had violent tremors which look like seizures daily for the past week. We are able to control them now but she can't go anywhere. We have been told it only happens when someone over doses but my daughter didn't. We are told it's unheard of to happen on the dose she is on but it did. I was wondering if anyone knew of other cases.

I received this in my email and thought other pet lovers would enjoy.

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - pet nose height.

Dear Dogs and Cats:
The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. ; ;Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it "fur"niture.
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, they are an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4.. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't want to wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children

Check Out H. Res. 888

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/4/223...

The insanity has to stop.

December has been a horrible month for so many people on DU. I can't really talk to my husband or daughter so I am writing to clear my head.

Earlier today we learned that one of the neighbor kids was shot and killed last night. I call him a kid because I have known him for seventeen years. For many years, our home was Rudy's home away from home. He came to me when he had problems with school. He watched my daughter and I lost count of how many times I set an extra place at our dinner table. When I was in cancer treatment Rudy would come down and play video games. It helped keep my mind off my troubles.

A couple of years ago Rudy started hanging out with friends. He didn't visit very often but he was still the same old Rudy when he was here. I worried because I figured he was going to get into trouble with a couple of the guys in the group. It was more like a crew and not a full fledged gang. A year ago he was shot and almost died. He started turning his life around. We still didn't see much of him with the exception of an occasional wave and he would come down every once in a while to see if we were ok.

It changed today. As soon as I found out I went to his house. Talking to his brother and sister was hard but his mom broke my heart.

My family has been hit with 15 deaths in the past four years, either family members or people who were like family. This is the third death since August and there have been two this month alone. The other death was a man who was like my daughter's second dad. When I was in cancer treatment she stayed with them when I would end up in the hospital.

Three years ago my brother in law committed suicide. My husband found him. His brother shot himself and was clutching a Bible. We had him convinced to see a psychiatrist on the day he decided to end his life. My husband had what they call a severe depressive episode and is not also diagnosed with PTSD. My daughter lost her best friend the following month and we have been dealing with everything that each new death creates.

I think this is her original recipe. If it isn't, please don't tell me. Ok??

1 bag raw cranberries
1 bag dices or ground marshmallows
6 apples peeled and cored
l large can carnation milk or 1 can whipping cream
1 flat can crushed pineapple (don't drain)
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Run cranberries and apples through fine blade food chopper or food processor. I add some marshmallows and some cranberries or apples and process in the food processor. Add some sugar and pineapple. Stir and set aside for 15 minutes. Add nuts and bold in whipped cream. Freeze at once.

It makes about 4 quarts. I made it yesterday and by the time everyone helped themselves we only have a tiny bit for today. I used about 1/2 cup of Splenda instead of sugar. You may want to use more or less. The first time I made it I forgot the sugar and people still pigged out.

My daughter is no stranger to dealing with loved one's going through cancer treatment. I am a cancer survivor. She lost a beloved uncle and aunt within the last five years to different cancers. Two of my cousins she loves dearly are cancer survivors.

She called this morning and told me one of her best friends, age 17. has just been diagnosed with stomach cancer. I have alerted her counselor at school and the one she sees anyway. Does anyone have any magic words?

My mom probably made the best potato soup in the world. Unfortunately, she never wrote any recipe down. Most everything she made I can do and it tastes likes hers except potato soup. I would say mine is one of the worst in the world. Does anyone have a recipe?

Congratulations. It was great and I hope PBS airs it again. I almost missed it because of the time difference.

I don't know which thread it was but there was one this morning that showed why Dennis wasn't there. Don't put up with any or

This board always reminds me of why Iowa will always be home.

Anne