To all moms for Mother’s Day

Steven Curtis Chapman - “One Heartbeat at a Time”

Have a great Mom’s day!

While commenting on a fellow blogger’s site, I talked about one of our favorite dogs.  He was an all white Akita and was a wedding present for my first marriage.  He looked like a Samoyed on major steroids. 

The neighborhood we used to live in wasn’t a bad area, however, it was starting to get it’s share of problems.  At the time, my children were toddies.  My second (and current) husband and Shoji, the Akita, were constantly trying to establish their territory.  It didn’t matter what my hubby touched, Shoji would go over to it and pee.  The one that got us laughing so hard was when hubby was holding my toddie son, put him down so he could clean the bbq grill, turned around and Shoji had peed on my son.  I guess the dog wanted him to know that my son belonged to Shoji!

I was never worried about my kids playing in the yard when Shoji was on patrol.   One day I was walking him around the neighborhood.  A group of kids were hanging out at a car in the street.  One of them looked and yelled, “Is that an Akita?”  I told them yes it was.  I have never seen a group of kids move so fast to the other side of a car before.  Must have had a run in with an Akita before.

Unfortunately, we had to put him down.   As Shoji aged, he started to lose sight in one eye.  A doberman had jumped our fence and was trying to attack one of the smaller dogs we had.  Shoji came to the rescue and they fought.  Unfortunately, the doberman got Shoji’s blind side and ripped half his face.  The doberman wasn’t in any better shape, hubby opened the gate and the doberman limped home to it’s house.   It was hard to say bye to such a good protector in the condition he was in.  I am just glad I was able to leave work to say goodbye to him, before hubby had to take him to the vet. 

To those that are not from Nevada, the first thing that comes to their mind about the Silver State is, prostitution, gambling, buffets, Area 51, UFO’s, mobsters, sin city, mining, celebrity marriages and quick divorces.

Being a native Nevadan, born and raised in Las Vegas, there is so much more to this state than the above.  We have the beautiful colors of Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas.  The home of the Thunderbirds.   Hoover Dam in Boulder City.  Part of Lake Tahoe in Northern Nevada and many many miles of hiking, biking, backpacking, rock climbing throughout the whole state.  There is quite a bit of history in Nevada, not to mention the beauty of the desert after a rain.

However, I am embarrassed to admit that I am a native Nevadan.  This embarrassement has come recently with our new govenor.  I want to say right now, that I DID NOT vote for this man, however, he is the govenor of this state.  With the position, comes a respect that should be shown for the duties he has to perform on behalf of the people of this state.  He’s a politician and with most politicians, one takes what they say with a grain of salt, because it may not be the complete truth. 

During the elections for Govenor, there was quite a bit of controversy about Jim Gibbon’s past, present and future.  He and his wife, Dawn, tried to put up a good show, however, I don’t think they have fooled anyone into thinking they had a solid marriage.  So it shouldn’t be a surprise that their marriage is on the rocks and recently Govenor Gibbons has filed for a divorce. 

The thing that has me baffled and a little miffed is that during their “so called working on their marriage” time, he, the Govenor, moves out of the Govenor’s Mansion back to his home in Reno and commutes daily.  Let me get this straight, the mansion is for the Govenor and his family to reside while he is in office.  But he, the govenor, moves out and goes back to Reno, while his wife, the first lady, remains in the mansion.  Last I checked the Govenor is the elected official and NOT the spouse.  My question is why didn’t the spouse move back to Reno?

To quote a section of a news article in the Nevada Appeal  ”Dawn Gibbons told the Las Vegas Review-Journal  that she didn’t ask Gibbons to move out, and that she has been trying to ‘make sure my marriage works.’  She also said she wants to continue performing her duties as first lady and needs to be in the mansion because that is her office and where her staff works.”

Well, let’s see, once they divorce, she will become the EX-first lady and no longer be a part of the Governor’s family.  So what duties would she have to perform?  The other thing stated in the same article was that the Govenor has gone to court to have her evicted from the mansion.  I’m sorry, but in my eyes, I don’t see where she has any rights to be in the mansion, if they are divorcing.  I also don’t see why the taxpayers are having to pay for court preceedings to have her evicted.  ESPECIALLY, when the Govenor has requested a major budget cut for the whole state and expects all departments to comply.

My feeling is the Highway Patrol, which is the Govenor’s police force and protection service, should remove Dawn Gibbons from the Mansion and she should quit playing the “helpless I don’t know why this is happening act!”   

Govenor Gibbons won’t be the first unmarried govenor in office and probably won’t be the last.  So who did the so-called first lady duties of the unmarried governors in the different states?  I’m sorry Dawn, but to avoid any further embarrasement to yourself, quit living in denial, get on with your life and move the heck out of the mansion.   The state has bigger things to be concerned with than your divorce.  Frankly, I don’t think anyone really gives a damn.   However, I think we all are getting pretty tired of the Gibbons vs Gibbons suit and it hasn’t even started yet. 

Even though tonight was 2 hours of Dancing with the Stars with past dancer performances, it was still a tough decision for the fans to vote.  I personally voted for each of them since they all did a great job.  The Latin round was a tough one for everyone.  I was sad to see Mario go.  He has such a great personality and was very gracious with his parting words.

I will definately check out his new albumn.  Who knows, I may enjoy his music as much as I enjoy his dancing and personality.

As I was driving home listening to KLove, a woman had called into the station and requested a prayer for her new neighbor’s middle school boy who just shot himself.  My heart just shattered at that request, and it was quickly mended as the DJ began to pray on the national airways for this boy, his family, friends and medical personnel.  To know that everyone, nationwide, was listening, at the same time, to this station praying this prayer was such a comfort.  The words spoken were truly from the spirit and is powerful when you think about how many KLove listeners there are. 

Please keep Josh and his family and friends in your prayers today.

I finally spent a couple of hours out of the house.  I weeded the back yard.  Now the dog can go out there and not be tempted to eat the foxtails!  My body aches, for a reason now. 

We watched “Licensed to Wed” tonight with Robin Williams.  Just the thought of Robin Williams being a reverend made me want to see it and it was funny.  But so true!  How many young couples get married and have no idea what to expect in marriage or when they have kids.  Gives new meaning to premarital counseling.

Well, 7:30, time for food, meds and bed … such an exciting life I lead.  Nighty night ya’ll!

Beautiful - Carole King

Jazzman - Carole King

Diary - Bread

On Eagles Wings (One of the few songs I enjoyed when I was a Catholic)

Out in the Country - Three Dog Night

Road to Shamballa - Three Dog Night

I think I have a little bit of depression going on.  Alot to do with my health frustration, 2 - with things going on in my family that I have no control over and 3 - getting used to the reduction of income. 

It’s true what they say that depression hurts, I ache all over and there really isn’t any reason for it.  I know, I need to get my butt outside and enjoy the world instead of hiding in the house watching Fugitive Strike Force.  Funny thing about watching FSF, we saw someone on the NLV Swat Team that we knew.  

I know I’ve been hiding, because I only go to work, then home.  I am usually in bed by 7:30pm only to start my day all over again.  I haven’t been to church or to any of my ministry duties.  Yup, I’m in a place I should get out of.   Why am I saying this?  Probably so I realize where I am and pull my head out of my butt!  It takes a little time when I get this way, I just have to find my purpose again.

I know I’m capable of falling into this pitt … what do you do to get out of yours?

Make Mondays Matter - Brooke Peterson on feeding the hungry

I was asked yesterday, if you had an unlimited amount of funds, what would your passion for ministry be?

As I ponder this question, my thoughts always wind back to the homeless and hungry. 

What would your answer be?