In Honor Of Palin...

In honor of the release of Sarah Palin's new book entitled, "Going Rogue", I would like to offer the definition of "rogue" provided by dictionary.com:

–noun

1.	a dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel.

2.	a playfully mischievous person; scamp: The youngest boys are little rogues.

3.	a tramp or vagabond.

4.	a rogue elephant or other animal of similar disposition.

5.	Biology. a usually inferior organism, esp. a plant, varying markedly from the normal.

–verb (used without object)

6.	to live or act as a rogue.

–verb (used with object)

7.

to cheat.

8.	to uproot or destroy (plants, etc., that do not conform to a desired standard).

9.	to perform this operation upon: to rogue a field.

–adjective

10.	(of an animal) having an abnormally savage or unpredictable disposition, as a rogue elephant.

11.	no longer obedient, belonging, or accepted and hence not controllable or answerable; deviating, renegade: a rogue cop; a rogue union local.

Origin:
1555–65; appar. short for obs. roger begging vagabond, orig. cant word

Synonyms:
1. villain, trickster, swindler, cheat, mountebank, quack. See knave.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

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Link To rogue

OK!! I literally posted that directly from the website and might I say, it seems like a fitting title to her new book.

Ramblings...

Wow, I haven't posted in ages! I often have the thought, "I should blog about this" or "This is SO blogworthy" but then time slips away and I never get around to it. Work, the house, and everything else leaves me little time these days...

So, in honor of waking up at 7:45am on a Sunday, here's a few ramblings for you:

First, I love "Twilight". Darn it, I can't help it.

I got "bitten", if you will, by the vampire bug. I'm even listening to the soundtrack now, which has a some cool songs on it. It's funny I love the movie, but hated the book the first time I tried reading it. Spurred on by my new bug of the vampire virus, I'm going to try to read it again. I'm completely stoked about seeing "New Moon" next month as well. What can I say? I never really grew out of these things...



My Boo and I went to see Mary Poppins this past week. I won tickets on Facebook by being the first person to correctly define "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". (Sp???). We walked in and the first thing my Boo said was "I didn't think there would be this many kids here!". Well, it was Mary Poppins we decided. All the little people aside, it was a really cute show with cool sets, colorful costumes and fun songs. My advice, if you go see this show, don't sit too close to the stage. We were able to see the wires and other things that would have been hidden if we were not so close. Even seeing the wires, it was amazing some of the things they did. At one point, the character Bert, walks up one side of the stage (the wall), across the top, tap dances upside down and walks back down the other side of the stage. Even seeing the wire, I was still amazed that someone could do that. I still haven't figured out how they made her fly over the audience but it was very fun. If you have a chance to see it while it's here, I would recommend it.

Work. Well, work is good some days and not so good other days. I do enjoy most of the people I work with (Boo especially) but I have these moments when I think, "What in the hell am I doing here?!?". I hate that feeling. I know many people who are just fine taking a little time to "coast" in life. I'm not one of those people. It bothers me to think that I'm in a job where I will not learn anything new, never move up or really make any difference to anyone. That's pretty much how I'm feeling at this point. The hard part is deciding what purpose it can serve me. Of course, it helps pay my bills right now but long term, what is the point of this job? Is it time to look around, perhaps dip my big toe in the mortgage waters again? Or, is it time to stay here and go back to school part time until it's time to go to school full time and see this position as a "means to an end"? I haven't quite figured it out yet but I need to make a decision quickly. I think the attorney I work with will be a partner soon and that means he won't just be somewhat of an arse but a complete arse! If I have a goal in my mind, that will help me keep my comments silent rather than out loud...

There are many things political that I want to blog about and catch up on but I need to gather my thoughts and put something together that will actually make sense!

More later, for now....Shalom Out!

For All Those Going to the "TEA Party"...

Please read this little commentary by Paul Begala at CNN.com.

Miscellaneous Updates and Ramblings...

Well, this is a totally random list of postings but here goes:

First, WE ARE MOVING BACK TO CIVILIZATION!! Woo-Hoo! We have the inspection on the house we are buying on Wednesday, so provided that everything goes well, we are moving the first of March. I can't wait!! We spent a little bit more than what we wanted to but in the end it's a good thing. I love the house and the neighborhood and that's important since my Boo has threatened to make me live there the next 75 years.

Along that same line, we actually got to meet the seller of our house this past weekend. I made the Boo drive me by since I realized I had not actually seen it in daylight hours! We were talking with some friends who already live in this hood and I noticed that people were at our house! I deceided to stroll down and introduce myself. Turns out, I got to meet the seller, Delores, her daughter Gwen (who had an Obama/Biden sticker on her car!) and the listing agent Geneva. Delores looks to be in her late seventies and is moving to an assisted living center in Kirby/59 area. She was a completely delightful person and she is the original owner of our house. She has lived there for over 30 years. She took us around the house and shared some of her memories from the house and her husband (who passed away about 18 years ago). She even remembers dealing with the builder when they were buying the house and what items were upgrades! She tried to sell us her dining room table and hutch! I'm tempted to buy them just so a little piece of her can stay in the house. Meeting her made me feel even better about our home choice. I enjoyed talking with her so much and I hope that she will be as happy in her new home and she was in the old one.

Second, I'm so ticked off about Allstate insurance. It's a long story but they have given me some completely ridiculous quotes for homeowners insurance and flood insurance for our house. I think the Insurance industry, second only to credit card companies, are the biggest scam artists in this country (and probably the world). You buy insurance for several reasons:
1. Because you have to.
2. To protect yourself, your family and posessions against different perils.
3. Because you have to.

Here's what you get in return:

1. A complete lack of customer service.
2. If you actually make a claim they either (a) drop you or (b) make your premiums so huge that you have no choice but to drop them. Damned if you do or damned if you don't!
3. Companies that make the rules up as they go along.
4. Make up rules to NOT pay claims as they see fit.
5. Use poor credit scores to hypothesize that you will make claims-completely ridiculous! They are completely credit score driven and give no thought whatsoever to the reason a person may have a low credit score. Our scores are very high and we're still getting the run around about high premiums!

It is a complete scam. Again, aside from credit card companies, the insurance industry desperately needs further regulation by the Federal government. Not State government, but we need new FEDERAL laws that put these jokers in line. State laws just mean they move to another state to abide by softer rules. Notice that these companies are not asking for bailout money! Know why? They don't have to! They are incredibly profitable. They are profit making machines! I have nothing against a company making a profit but when you do it at the expense of your insured policy holders, that's criminal. I hope this industry gets the major reforms it deserves right up the wahzoo!

Shalom Out!!

Holy Cow Batman!!

What is up with Christian Bale? It seems he's a hot tempered little thing! First, just before the release of The Dark Knight last year, he gets arrested for beating up on his Mom and sisters. Now, he's cussing out people on the movie sets. Give me a break. Dude, you need a serious reality check. I like you Christian but tone down the "star" attitude, please! You get paid mucho dollars for pretending to be someone else. You really should be more laid back for a guy with such an easy job! More importantly, you will never make the exempt list like this...

Listen below, but be warned...the "F" bomb is dropped A LOT...

Obama's Speech - My Favorite Part

From President Obama's Speech:

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our
safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely
imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a
charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the
world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other
peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to
the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of
each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and
dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier
generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks,
but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our
power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please.
Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security
emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering
qualities of humility and restraint.

Inauguration Day or Oh Happy Day!!

I'm so happy today. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. In thinking about this day, I saw a post from an acquaintance of ours that said, "I'm clinging to this scripture today"...

Romans 13:1-2

1Every (A)person is to be in (B)subjection to the governing authorities For (C)there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

I think she's probably not in favor of Obama but I thought it very ironic that I could claim that scripture as well, for the last eight years.

I wish President Obama the peace of Christ and wisdom! Everyone has very high expectations.

Wow...

It's been a long time since I've blogged! I guess I could give a little update. Our holidays were great. We spent Christmas in Dallas with my family and then it was up to Kansas to visit with the hubby's relatives. Then, over the first weekend of January, we had Christmas with the hubby's immediate family back in Houston. Lots of fun was had by all. Since the first of the year, we have been looking for houses. Those of you who read my Boo's blog know that whole story. I have another house that I found this weekend. I really like it but I'm going to make a pretty low offer on this one too (we're in a recession dang it!!) and try to get a good deal out of this guy. Even my "low" offer is still above the average square foot price for the neighborhood but he has done some very nice improvements. (As long as the walls aren't leaking!!) But, after 15 years of the mortgage business and underwriting, I know one thing. Cost is NOT value. If you put $15,000 of improvements in your house, your value does not increase $15,000. It's not a dollar for dollar thing even with something major like a swimming pool, etc. We'll see if he bites. The 2008 taxes on the property have not been paid and he's hanging on for dear life to a buyer who can't get their financing. He's basically told me that if my offer is not good enough, he's sticking with the buyers who will probably never close. Oh well, the first rule of negotiations is...you gotta be willing to walk away! AND, I am. The market is not totally bad in Houston, but it ain't great either, and I want a good deal. There are way too many houses just sitting on the market to not get a great deal right now. I will update more on the house later....