ROLL TIDE ROLL ! BEST TEAM IN THE NATION ! BAR NONE !

TODAY IS THE FIRST GAME OF THE ALABAMA FOOTBALL SEASON & SHOULD PROVE TO BE A GREAT KICKOFF FOR THIS ILLUSTRIOUS TEAM.

I WAS A DIEHARD AUBURN FAN UNTIL MY YOUNGEST SON WENT TO UA, AFTER A FEW TAILGATES, WEEKEND'S IN TTOWN, THE RAMMER JAMMER, WATCHING GAMES ON TV AND GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THE FANFARE, WELL, I DEFECTED !

 NOT COMPLETELY THOUGH, I STILL WANT AUBURN TO WIN WHEN THEY PLAY OTHER TEAMS, JUST TO KEEP IT IN ALABAMA, CAUSE LETS ADMIT IT, THIS STATE IS MORE WELL KNOWN FOR BEING A LITTTTTLE BIT BACKWARD THAN IT IS FOR FORWARD THINKING AND GREATNESS SO A GREAT FOOTBALL TEAM WITH A NATIONWIDE FOLLOWING SEEMS TO BE OUR CALL TO FAME, AND I LIKE THAT !

NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY KIDS ARE MUCH BIGGER FANS THAN ME, I CAN SIT AND WATCH THE GAME WITHOUT FOAMING AT THE MOUTH OR SCREAMING AT THE PLAYERS AND COACHES ON THE TV. MY QUESTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN, "DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THEY CAN HEAR YOU " ?

APPARENTLY THAT IS NOT THE REASON FOR COACHING FROM THE COUCH OR LETTING THE REF'S KNOW THEIR A BUNCH OF DUMBASS'S ,BUT, SOMETIMES, I MUST ADMIT, IT SEEMS TO WORK, OR AT LEAST IT KEEPS THEM FROM CHEWING A HOLE THROUGH THE COUCH CUSHIONS OR RUNNING THEIR HEADS THROUGH A WALL !

SO WHETHER YOUR ON THE COUCH, AT THE GAME, IN A BAR OR WHEREVER YOU MAY BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO WATCH THE GAME TODAY LETS GET THE TIDE ROLLING WITH A NATIONWIDE ROLL TIDE ROLL !

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO CLICK THE ADS ON THIS PAGE SO I CAN GET MY 2 CENTS !

WE NEED JOBS, JOBS, JOBS !!!!!

I KEEP HEARING ABOUT THE STIMULUS TO THE ECONOMY, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I HAVEN'T FELT STIMULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT YET !

THIS ECONOMY IS NEVER GOING TO RIGHT ITSELF WITHOUT JOBS CREATED BY AMERICANS FOR AMERICANS !

IF YOU STOP AND THINK ABOUT THE HOUSING INDUSTRY ALONE, WE HAVE LOST MILLIONS ON TOP OF MILLIONS OF JOBS TO THIS RECESSION. I DO NOT SAY THIS  SIMPLY BECAUSE I WORK IN IT, BUT BECAUSE IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT IT IS A MAJOR PART OF THE BACKBONE OF THIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMY.

IF YOU CONSERVATIVELY ESTIMATE THAT IT TAKES 100 SUBCONTRACTORS & VENDORS TO BUILD 1 HOUSE AND MULTIPLY X 100,000 HOUSES STARTING CONSTRUCTION A DAY, NATIONWIDE THAT IS 1 MILLION JOBS PER DAY, THEN THESE PEOPLE SPEND MONEY IN OTHER PARTS OF THE ECONOMY, GAS, FOOD, ENTERTAINMENT, PAYING TAXES, ETC., NOW YOU REDUCE THAT BY 1/2 BECAUSE THE HOUSING INDUSTRY JUST HIT THE SKIDS, YOU ARE DOWN TO 500K PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY, THEN YOU REDUCE IT AGAIN, YOU ARE DOWN TO 250K, BY NOW THESE PEPOPLE ARE TERRIFIED AND NOT SPENDING ANYMORE, SO WHAT HAPPENS ?
THE ECONOMY DROPS LIKE A ROCK !

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INDUSTRY THAT HAS HIT THE ECONOMY HARD, THERE ARE 100'S OF OTHERS & OUR GOVERNMENT, THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT, THEY NEED TO QUIT WORRYING ABOUT THE BIG BANKS WHO ARE HELPING TO CHOKE THE LIFE OUT OF US AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET JOBS, JOBS, JOBS BACK INTO THE ECONOMY.
THEY NEED TO STOP THESE BIG CORPORATE GIANTS FROM OPENING PLANTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES SO THEY CAN MAKE THEIR PARTS CHEAPER, THEN SHIPPING THEM BACK HERE AND CLAIMING MADE IN AMERICA !

IF YOU LET AMERICANS WORK THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST THEMSELVES ! WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR HANDOUTS LIKE THE BIG BOYS, WE ARE ONLY LOOKING TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.

IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO OTHERS YOU KNOW WHO FEEL THE SAME WAY, AND BY ALL MEANS MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL, AFTER ALL THAT IS WHY WE ELECTED THEM,  TO HELP US, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE !

ADULT CONTENT WARNING DROPPED !

TODAYS BLOG IS ONLY ABOUT DROPPING THE ADULT CONTENT WARNING FROM MY SITE, IT WAS ON THERE TO KEEP YOUNGER CHILDREN FROM POSSIBLY READING THINGS THAT WERE NOT AGE APPROPRIATE, BUT MAY PEOPLE HAVE EMAILED AND SAID THEY THOUGHT IT MEANT IT WAS A PORNO WARNING, SO IT'S GONE.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME BUT, I WOULD APPRECIATE EVERYONE MONTIORING THEIR OWN YOUNGER PEOPLES ACCESS.
THANK YOU

IS THIS REALLY JUSTICE? YOU DECIDE !

A FRIEND OF MINE CALLED, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT LIFE AND EVENTS AND WE GOT ON THE SUBJECT OF THE OUTCOME OF A MURDER TRIAL GETTING READY TO START BUT ENDING IN A PLEA DEAL.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T LIVE IN THE NORTH ALABAMA AREA,  YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T HEARD THIS STORY, BUT HERE IT IS.
IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR A TRAGIC WRECK TOOK THE LIVES OF 2 YOUNG PEOPLE, THE FACTS AS STATED ARE:
1. THE DRIVER THAT KILLED THE TEENS WAS AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT
2. THEY WERE SITTING AT A REDLIGHT WHILE ON A DATE, MINDING THEIR OWN BUSINESS
3. THE ILLEGAL WAS INTOXICATED AT 3 TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT
4. HE WAS RUNNING FROM THE POLICE
5. HE RECEIVED 2-15 YEAR SENTENCES TO BE SERVED CONSECUTIVELY
6. HE PLEAD GUILTY TO ONLY MANSLAUGHTER
NOW, I UNDERSTAND PLEA DEALS, IT SPARES THE FAMILY THE HORROR OF RELIVING THE WHOLE THING AGAIN, IT INSURES A GUILTY VERDICT, AND USUALLY SENDS THE OFFENDER TO JAIL.  ALL OF THESE THINGS WERE ACCOMPLISHED, AND I AM TRULY GLAD FOR THE FAMILIES THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO HEAR AND SEE THE HORRORS THEY, I'M SURE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH FOR THE PAST 11 MONTHS AND WILL FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
THE GENERAL CONSENUS OF EVERYONE I HAVE HEARD FROM AND TALKED TO IS THIS,
WHY SUCH A LIGHT SENTENCE FOR TAKING THE LIVES OF 2 PEOPLE JUST STARTING THEIR LIVES ?
WAS THERE NOT ANOTHER OPTION FOR A MORE SEVERE SENTENCE? WHY ARE WE THE TAXPAYER GOING TO PAY FOR HIM TO STAY IN A PLACE NICER THAN HE CAN GO BACK TO IN MEXICO ?
I KNOW THE JUDGE AND PROSECUTOR IN THIS CASE ARE HONORABLE, FAIR, FAMILY MEN AND HAD REASONS FOR THIS, AND MAYBE IF THEY WOULD ELABORATE JUST A LITTLE MORE ON THE REASONS BEHIND IT, WE WOULD UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT IT A BIT MORE.
MY HEART FELT PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES WHO LOST THEIR CHILDREN IN THIS SENSELESS TRAGEDY AND I HOPE THAT EVERYONE WHO READS THIS WILL ALSO INCLUDE THEM IN THEIRS.

I LOVE DOGS, BUT THIS IS A BIT MUCH !

I love animals, all kinds of animals, dogs, cats, zebras, monkeys, polar bears, you name it, I love em, except snakes, which we have already made clear I don't consider animals. Anyway, I have 3 dogs, each of my son's have dogs, we have quite a menagerie of them, and we all consider them part of the family, they go on vacations with us, to the store, to visit others, play dates, they go where we go.
I have rescued a lot of animals over the years from shelters, puppy mills, craigs list you name it if I go to look and it appears to be a puppy mill, I will buy 5 or 6 dogs and find them good homes, we found a beautiful little pit bull on craigs list that was being sold out of a hotel, they had already sold 14 for fighting dogs, or warm  up dogs as these younger pups are called, she was kept locked in a small bathroom, she was sweet but she was eaten up with worms, stunk to high heaven, and grossly underweight, but I was not going to let her be killed for sport, so we paid for her, brought her home with the intentions of finding her a good home, and alas, we did, my house with my son until he moved out and took her with him.  She grew into a beautiful dog, 65 lbs and her best friend was, and still is a 4.5 lb Chihuaha, they play, it is the funniest thing ever. She has the  sweetest disposition ever, which just goes to prove any breed can be a great family pet if it is treated with respect, dignity and a whole lotta love.
I Cannot stand anyone who in anyway condones animal cruelty, abuse or neglect ! This being said I had adopted a grown female Dachsaund from a puppy mill, she was to be euthanized for not breeding, so I bought her brought her home, kept her a while and then found her a good home, with some elderly ladies who had lost their Dachsaund to old age. I thought what a perfect mix, but when I went to check on her, it was like walking straight into Grey's Garden, the movie, I cannot even describe this place, but the ladies just loved her, so I was satisfied, which brings me to the rest of the story, and I swear it is the truth, nobody could make this up.
I stopped at the store today and the girl who helped me place the dog with these ladies stopped me and said, Oh my God, do I have a story for you. "Your doggy is doing great, they could'nt love her more, they were in here yesterday, I asked about her and they said she was at home with her new friend"
I asked " Oh, did you get another dog"? The reply, and this is the God's honest truth, was " Oh no, we got our DEAD DOG back Friday", huh? uh, excuse me ? We had our dog freeze dried when she died and we just got her back, so she is laying on her pillow IN the living room, she looks so life like, we also went and got one of those little plaster things they use in kindergarten for handprints and made prints of her paws and put it on the table by her bed. Our new doggy just loves her, she lays on the bed with her and they SLEEP together, so now everyone is home and happy.
My friend said the first thing she did was call her landlord, cause she thought of her, because she had taught her Dog to READ, yes, READ ! Now I'm no teacher, but how the hell do you know if a dog can read, do you find it with a book by the fire reading ?
I thought, good Lord you know some strange pet owners. All I could do through this whole one sided conversation was stand there with my mouth hanging wide open, I mean, really, you can freeze dry a dog ?
Won't it thaw ? What happens when the new dog decides to try and play with it ? Is it like freeze dried coffee, will it dissolve in water?
Anyway, I love my dogs, consider them little people, but I think I would find it just a bit creepy to have one of my dogs laying on its bed in my living room for all of eternity, but thats just me.
If you want to adopt a dog or cat, please visit one of your local shelters to see their beautiful animals,or volunteer your time, take a bag of dog food or a large box of treats once a month to donate, if you see what you believe to be a puppy mill or dog fighting place, PLEASE contact your local animal control, even if your wrong it is so much better to be safe than sorry. If you feel like giving monetarily they all accept donations or you can donate to the ASPCA at http://www.aspca.org/  a little bit goes a long way. Please spay or neuter your pet.
Please click on the ads on my blog, it helps pay the internet bill ! Thanks alot, if you have feedback or comments I truly welcome them

I STILL LOVE NEW ORLEANS

I STILL LOVE NEW ORLEANS, IN SPITE OF KATRINA, ALL THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY AFTERWARD AND THE OIL SPILL, YOU JUST CAN'T GET A GREAT LADY DOWN !

I have been to New Orleans since Katrina, I must admit driving into town, I was more than just a little shocked at the devastation, I was there 2 weeks after for business and have been back several times since then and unfortunately, it seems the rebuilding of certain parts are a slow to no go, but for the most part she is like a Phoenix, rising from the ashes back to greatness.
Whenever we go on a cruise, which I love, if we leave from New Orleans we go a coupla days ahead of time so we can eat, drink, gamble, walk, shop, you name it they got it.
NOLA has hotels to fit everybody's budget and taste, from new and modern to a trip back in time. The older hotels, mostly located within the French Quarter have been updated, but haven't lost their French, Spainish, Creole ambiance. The newer hotels are wonderful if you want more modern accomodations. We have tried both and loved both.
I love the laid back style of this city, you can do whatever you like at whatever pace you please. I love going to the French Market, wandering down Bourbon Street,  shopping on Magazine St. or Royal St., I have found some of the most unusual gifts for others in New Orleans, and they love em !
Eating in New Orleans is like a vacation unto itself, all you have to do is walk, look, smell and EAT ! There are over 600 restaurants in NOLA, and all are superb.
You can game in New Orleans too, if you have money to spare, or if your in luck, you can go see the Saints in their newly renovated stadium
Jackson Square is awesome, it has shops that are to die for, local artists with some of the most beautiful paintings you have ever seen, I have bought several, and restaurants.
Take your walking shoes, climb on the streetcar's, jump in a horse and buggy whatever, because there is never a lack of things to do no matter your mode of transportation.
If your into nightlife, head for Bourbon, and no matter what the news tell you, I have never been accosted on Bourbon or anywhere else in New Orleans for that matter, it is like any other city in the world, you always have to be careful and aware of your location, but it is no more dangerous, in my opinion than any place else.
Back to the nightlife, or daylife whichever, Bourbon has both, but be aware that some parts are a little to risque if you have kids with you. At night, they block Bourbon Street so you can walk, drink, dance and enjoy the night air all while feeling a freedom and revelery you can feel no where else.
I have been taking my kids since they were young, my husband and I go now by ourselves and everytime we go, it's like going to a whole new place ! I highly recommend the cemetary tours, as well as other tours that are available for all price ranges as well as age groups.
So whether you are a partier, shopper, eater, gambler, sports fan, old, young, in between or just looking for a great get away I would whole heartedly recommend NEW ORLEANS, LA !!
You can find great info on this wonderful city at The New Orleans convention and visitors bureau websitehttp://www.neworleanscvb.com/ as well as make reservations for lodging, look at tours, etc

WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE FOR DUMMIES

First of all, lets fast forward to the present day, it is now 12 days short of the 1 year anniversary of my accident. I saw 5 Dr.'s, 3 Physical Therapists and took countless tests for whatever reason, I received 7 different diagnosis, all for the same problem mind you, but the end result is still the same, I hurt 24/7, some days much worse than others, as I have told people when it gets really painful and they ask what happened, my reply is "Life just pisses it off"
Now, about Workers Comp Insurance, please don't feel all warm and fuzzy about your employer having this type of coverage, I HAVE FOUND IT IS THERE TO PROTECT THE EMPLOYER NOT YOU !!!!
If you are injured on the job, you are only allowed to see Dr.s who accept workers comp and that have been chosen by your carrier, and believe me not all do, since they have to treat you at a discounted rate it is highly unlikely that your personal physician accepts it.
Unfortunately, in my opinion the care you receive by W/C physicians is at best like going to a discount store where you get the basics for the least price, nobody waits on you or truly asks if they can help you find something, you have to ask them, and even then you only get a discounted answer.
Moving on to being out of work, now W/C will pay you, but heres the catch, states have mandated how much they can pay you, so don't think you will make what you can make working, example if you make $100k in the State of Alabama, W/C law states you can only receive $728 per week for 335 weeks on permanent partial disability, and if you are permanently disabled you will receive $229 weekly for life, all states are different, and I understand the cost of living in AL is low, but seriously, who can live on $229 a week?And to boot, you can't get a job elsewhere to supplement, because remember you are totally disabled now !
Now once these W/C Dr.s have pronounced their final MMI (maximum medical improvement) on you, for better or worse, that's it ! No 3rd or 4th opinions, no still going to different Dr.s until you are healed, but boom the law has spoken and this is where you stand!
You cant really sue them either,you can but it will more than likely be nominal, because again, the states have limits on how much you can receive for a lifetime of pain and suffering plus the inability to work.
Nobody expects, or so I hope to win the lottery being injured on the job, but whether through your fault or the fault of others, & by the way,if it is through the fault of others, whenyou receive a settlement from the 3rd party, workers comp gets paid back everything they spent on you out of your money, right off the top unless they are willing to release their liens on your money.
Unfortunately, 100's of people are injured every day on the job, if you are I hope that unlike me, you don't end up with a permanent disability, you can return to work and make a living to feed your family, but if you run up against some of the hurdles I have mentioned, do your research on your states laws and if you can get no satisfaction, find a good attorney who specializes in W/C law.