Too ugly to win the election? You have to be kidding.

NH State Representative Steve Vaillancourt

In the "what the absolute f***" news today, apparently a New Hampshire State Representative believes that looks are what win elections, and that US Representative Ann McLane Kuster will lose her seat because she's "ugly as sin" and looks like a "drag queen."

This is insane! What decade are we living in here? Does anyone still really believe that looks are what makes a good candidate? If so, why hasn't anyone told the men that? Seriously - when is the last time you heard anyone say a man couldn't run for office because he wasn't attractive enough? Or asked a male politician about his wardrobe, hair style, makeup choice? (You know they wear makeup for the cameras.) Or what about balance - women in politics are asked about their children, how they expect to balance their position with their home lives, are criticized for their parenting choices. But aren't men parents as well? Why are they not quizzed on backup childcare for voting days?

But just going back to the main point - this is what Vaillancourt actually said:

"Let's be honest," Vaillancourt writes. "Does anyone not believe that Congressman Annie Kuster is as ugly as sin? And I hope I haven't offended sin. If looks really matter and if this race is at all close, give a decided edge to Marilinda Garcia."

As much as I hate to give this asshole traffic, here is a link to his actual blog post about it. It seems he has a thing for the young, pretty candidate opposing Rep Kuster.  He used an unflattering screenshot of Kuster, but a glossy, smiling, shot for her opponent. This is Rep Kuster's photo from her website.

She's not a young twentysomething like her opponent, but ugly? No. It's sad that he can't talk about any of the issues, her voting record, sponsored legislation, or any valid reason for not supporting Kuster. He only focuses on her appearance.

He is a prime example of what is holding women back in politics.

Hindsight

Allergy rash on 2 year old Sophie

Way back in July 2012, when Sophie was 2, we discovered she had an allergy to artificial colors. That was the beginning of a new reality for us.

However, today I was feeling nostalgic and was going through old posts in her birth board on Babycenter.com, and found two posts I made about the same thing happening! One was in November 2010, when she was only 8 months old, and then again in February 2011, right after her first birthday. Both posts mention her common symptoms- eczema spots we couldn't get rid of, the rash on her face after eating something with food dye. And both times she had the full body rash like she did in 2012! I also in retrospect figured out another incident, a few months before the final one in July, that would have been from the same allergy (she had eaten a cupcake before breaking out, but again, didn't make the connection until much later).

I know "hindsight is 20/20," but I wish I had put this all together earlier! If  I had remembered the breakouts from one incident to the next, if I had started researching causes earlier - what might have happened?

Probably nothing, except an earlier diagnosis. The post from February 2011, I mentioned she was taking amoxycillin. Guess what the liquid contains - Red 40. That is a medication she can't take now, because there is no version on the market (for liquid at least) that is not dyed pink. The pharmacist checked the last time it was prescribed to her.

So what is the point of this post?

If your child has sudden, unexplained rashes, keep a very detailed journal. Foods eaten (even if nothing was new), medications, beverages, anything that could have been consumed. And keep it in a safe place, and refer back to it whenever the rash recurs. Even little rashes - most of the time Sophie just had very red cheeks and a few small bumps around her mouth. Now we've learned that is a consistent reaction of hers to eating something with artificial colors.

Tennessee constitutional amendment 1 - What is it really saying?

Protester at a clinic, via Morguefile

In case you haven't heard, there are four amendments to our state constitution to be voted on next month. Some are not very major - an amendment outlawing state income tax, which is already the case, and an amendment allowing charities to hold lotteries - but Amendment 1 is potentially huge for women in our state.

Here is the text of the amendment:

Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 1for the November 4, 2014 General Election BallotShall Article I, of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section:Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.

Supporters of this amendment say that this is no big deal, not restricting legal abortion at all, just using "common sense":

Voter approval of Amendment 1 in 2014 will allow the people of Tennessee and their elected representatives to restore common sense protections for women and the unborn, including inspection and regulation of abortion facilities by the Tennessee Department of Health.

In reality, though, facilities that provide abortion services ARE inspected and regulated. Also, protections are currently in place to protect women. Here is the current law in Tennessee.  Partial-birth abortions, always a talking point for anti-abortion groups, are already illegal. Even though these groups try to make it an issue every time, it is not even legal. Babies are not pulled out of the womb and killed, no matter how many graphic billboards these groups pay for. And there are restrictions in place - written consent from the mother (or parent if a minor), and a 48-hour waiting period after meeting with the doctor. The Yes On 1 organization also implies that women from other states flock to Tennessee to have abortions performed. In reality, women must prove state residency to receive an abortion. The amendment also mentions funding of abortions - this is not now, and never has been, in question. Taxpayer funds are not used to provide abortions and if this amendment does not pass, that will not change. 

In short, this amendment paves the way for the current law, decided by the State Supreme Court in 2000,  to be overturned at the whim of voters. Supporters want to take the decisions out of our hands and put them in the hands of the government. It is insulting to all women, to imply that our reproduction requires legislation for us to make the best decisions for ourselves and our families.

More information: Vote No on 1

And in case you don't want to follow the link above, here is the text of the state's abortion law:

Code Section
39-15-201 to 209; 37-10-301 to 307

Statutory Definition of Illegal Abortion
(1) Failure to meet standards for legal abortion including residency requirement; (2) attempted criminal abortion; (3) coerced or compelled abortion; (4) administering to pregnant woman medicine, drug, or any substance or instrument with intent to destroy such child(5) Partial Birth abortion: no person shall knowingly perform a partial birth abortion except when necessary to save life of the mother if endangered by a physical disorder, illness, or injury.

Statutory Definition of Legal Abortion
First trimester with woman’s consent upon advice of her M.D., after first trimester and before viability with same, but in a hospital. After viability, necessary to preserve life, health of mother

Penalty
Impermissible abortion: Class C felony; mother attempting to procure a miscarriage: Class E felony; M.D. fails to use due care to preserve life of baby born alive or violation of 48-hour waiting period: Class E felony; abortion on non-Tenn. resident: Class C felony; coercion to obtain abortion: Class A misdemeanor; M.D. performs abortion on minor violating consent statute: misdemeanor

Consent
Informed, written consent of mother, 48-hour waiting period between M.D. giving mother information and consent; after viability, same as first trimester except M.D. must certify in writing to the hospital that procedure was necessary; by at least one parent must consent to abortion to be performed on minor; no parental consent necessary if emergency; minor may petition court for waiver

Residency
Mother must produce to M.D. evidence she is bona fide resident prior to procedure except in medical emergency, (but M.D. must still give information to mother)

License
First trimester, licensed M.D. upon his medical advice and woman’s consent; after first trimester to viability, licensed M.D., licensed hospital; after viability, only to preserve life of mother

- See more at: http://abortion.uslegal.com/state-laws/tennessee-abortion-laws/#sthash.ra1VqU3G.dpuf

Stay tuned...

A new Inspired Life is coming soon!

I'm going to redo the whole site - design and content - to reflect where I am now. As I get older (I turned 36 a couple weeks ago!) I'm less and less inclined to censor myself to please imaginary "others" and have decided to write about what I want to write about, even if I know people I love won't agree with me.

See you soon!

Getting to know me - Have I ever?

Have you ever...?

• Eaten an entire box of Oreos Yuck no.
• Thought about eating an entire box of Oreos No
• Baked a cake Yes!
• Cooked Thanksgiving Dinner for a group Yep.
• Eaten sushi Ew no!
• Been on stage Yes
• Gone skating Yes
• Made homemade cookies Yes
• Gone skinny dipping Maybe?? Can't quite remember for sure
• Dyed your hair No
• Broken a bone Yes
• Been hospitalized overnight Yes
• Had your name appear in the newspaper Yes
• Published a story, poem, novel... Yes
• Played a game that required removal of clothing Yes
• Gotten drunk or extremely intoxicated No
• Been arrested No 
• Changed your name Only my last name 
• Changed your "look" Not really
• Changed who you were to fit in Not really
• Traveled outside the country Yes

Getting to know me - my creative outlets

Creative outlets: Do you...

• Paint or draw Not nearly as much as I'd like
• Sculpt, do pottery, mold clay... No
• Build scale models No 
• Collect... (what?) Not really
• Write (what?) Yes. I write what I need to write. My posts here, fiction, writing to express something I need to get out.
• Compose music No
• Choreograph dances LOLno.
• Dance I wish
• Develop software Not a chance. That's a language I don't understand.
• Meditate I don't think I'm capable. 
• Daydream All the time.

Getting to know me - leisure time activities

Leisure Time: Do you like to...

• Read Oh my goodness, yes
• Go out, anywhere! Sometimes
• Go dancing I used to - not so much now
• See a show can be fun, at times
• Rent a video Does anyone do this anymore? Netflix family here :)
• Listen to music Certainly yes
• Go for a walk Definitely
• Watch television Yep. Favorites are Sherlock (BBC version), Doctor Who, Sherlock, The Blacklist, Sherlock, Castle, Supernatural, Bones, and I can't forget Sherlock.  O, and Arrow, and Orange is the New Black. 
• Surf the web um... duh! 
  
• Chat with friends online Yes. Great way to keep in touch with long distance friends!
• Meet people for coffee and conversation Not nearly as often as I'd like!
• Go to a party Do kids' birthday parties count?
• Stay home Of course.
• ...? I'm guessing this is for what else I do for leisure? Write. Play The Sims (or more accurately, build amazing houses and then never play the families). Do yard work (yes, I enjoy it). 

Frustration.

I'm at the frustrating part of my recovery. Yesterday, I had my post-op checkup and my staples removed. Then I stopped by a kids' consignment store and finished up Sophie's fall & winter wardrobe, visited my husband at his office, and then to Target next to his office for some ointment because my skin's reaction to the adhesive tape was worse than the incision itself and I was going crazy with the itching. Since it was my first day out and around, and driving independently, since my surgery, I ended up spending an hour in Target. Then, I visited with a coworker and had another errand to run before picking Sophie up, then picking up my oldest from school and taking her to work. I ended up being gone for over 7 hours. And I felt GREAT all day long.

Then, I went to bed. I fell asleep rather quickly, but woke several times overnight with my muscles aching and spasming, from my back to my toes. And this morning was just as miserable. I took a muscle relaxer to help, but it didn't. I was hurting, and so lethargic I couldn't even hold my kindle to read. Finally Sophie woke up and brought me the glass of iced coffee I had in the fridge and I took my pain pill. We snuggled in my bed for another hour and a half before I was able to get up for the day.

Then, grocery shopping. I couldn't even make it through the store without stopping to rest in one of the chairs at the pharmacy. I know I did too much yesterday, but I felt great all day! The limitations in what I can do is so very frustrating to me.

Thankfully, the actual back pain is GONE. The surgery was a success. I know it will take time for my body to recover - I mean, the surgeon operated on my spine! I just am impatient to get back to normal again. I've felt useless for too long.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Princess Sophie has a fun day

Once upon a time, Princess Sophie and her big sister, Princess Emma, decided to spend a fun day together, since it was summertime and school was out. They started out by playing with their dogs, Sir Angus and Sir Tucker, in the garden. Then, they took the dogs to the park.

They walked the dogs in the park, but Sir Angus kept chasing the ducks! He chased them right into the lake! The girls laughed and laughed. Sir Angus ran back to the girls and jumped all over Princess Sophie, getting her all wet. Princess Emma laughed at her dripping wet sister, until Sir Angus turned and soaked her, too!

Since they were both already wet, Princess Emma called and asked a palace helper to bring them towels and dry clothes, then the girls tied the dogs to a tree to keep them from running away, and jumped in the lake themselves. They had fun swimming and playing in the water.

When they finished swimming, Princess Emma and Princess Sophie went for ice cream. It was so yummy. After eating their ice cream, they went to the library. Dogs were welcome in all buildings in their kingdom. Princess Sophie picked out four books to read, since she was four years old.

Princess Sophie and Princess Emma finally went back home to the palace, where they read books together. It was a very fun, happy day.

The end.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Princess Sophie has a party

I wanted to rush Sophie's bedtime story last night, so I told her I'd make up a story. Her reactions to each detail were so wonderful that the story kept continuing, and she has asked for more made-up stories. Here is the first Princess Sophie story.


Once upon a time, there was a little princess with red hair and blue eyes, named Sophie. She had a big sister, Princess Emma, and two faithful dogs, Sir Angus and Sir Tucker. She played with them in the palace garden, playing chase and fetch, and having a great time. The palace cook brought Princess Sophie her lunch in the garden, with enough to share with Sir Angus and Sir Tucker.



One day, Princess Emma was going to a ball. Sophie thought this was wonderful, and asked her sister if she could go to the ball also. "Don't be silly," Princess Emma said to her. "This ball is for grown-up princesses only!" Princess Sophie was not happy. "You're not a grownup either! I'm going to ask Mommy and Daddy!" So Princess Sophie asked the king and queen if she could go to the ball. Her mommy, the queen, told Sophie that the ball is for big princesses only, but Princess Sophie could have her own ball with her friends!



Princess Sophie was so excited. She got a beautiful new dress, a pretty pink ballgown with sparkly earrings and sparkly crown, and silver sparkly shoes. Her friends, Princess Addison, Princess Shanna, Princess Audriana, Princess Mia, Princess Jada, Princess Amaya, and allllll her princess friends all came over. They danced and danced, and had a tea party. They ate pink sparkly cookies, cupcakes and cakes with beautiful frosting, and had tea in pretty cups. The best part was that the king and queen outlawed artificial colors in the entire kingdom, so Princess Sophie could eat anything she wanted, without worrying.



When their party was over, the king and queen let Princess Sophie and all her friends make a giant pillow fort in the palace living room, with all kinds of fluffy pillows and cozy blankets, and they had a sleepover! The next morning, the palace cook made pancakes and bacon for the princesses for breakfast. Princess Sophie and her friends had such a good time, she wasn't sad at all that she couldn't go to the other ball with her big sister.



The end.

Forgive me while I rant a little.

I am so sick of all the hatred in social media lately! It's reached the point of ridiculousness. It's like our whole country is full of people trying to outdo each other with their "rightness" when the real world just isn't that simple.

Even the weather isn't safe. Yes, it's hot outside. But is it really necessary to share photos of blizzards with the caption "for everyone complaining about the heat?" The fact that it gets glacier-worthy cold in winter does not negate the fact that temperatures in the 90s with off-the-charts humidity is freaking HOT. Neither one is pleasant. Stop it.

Then a couple days ago I saw a photo shared on Facebook that had, on one side, a photo of Muslims praying at a mosque. The other side showed a football player kneeling on a field during a game. The caption said "why is this ok (praying at the mosque) but this isn't (football praying)?" Well, for starters, the two have nothing to do with each other. We live in America, land of religious freedom. That's why it is okay. It's okay for Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, Native Americans,  Pagans, and everyone else to pray however they choose. Also, it's not okay for any of them to pray in the middle of a football game. That's just football. Nothing to do with religious freedoms at all. The only purpose of the image is to create hostility and portray an "attack" that isn't even happening.

And the political divisiveness is off the charts insane. I seriously worry about the future of our country, not because of either Right-wing or Left-wing extremists "winning" anything, but because of the fact that each side thinks they are absolutely right and the other is absolutely wrong. In actuality, both sides are right on some things, wrong on others, but neither one is willing to compromise. The all-or-nothing attitude is going to lead to disaster.

This isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Our society is so hate-centric lately that I could list examples all day long, but for my own sanity I won't. Just please, be a little more respectful of our fellow humans! It doesn't compromise your beliefs in any way to treat others with politeness and empathy.

Getting to know me - what do I prefer?

I skipped yesterday; it was not a day of feeling well. Friday afternoon my mom, Sophie, and I went to the grocery store. We desperately needed groceries, and I wanted out of the house. My discharge paperwork said I can go out as I feel like it, I just can't drive. Also, the gas station attached with the grocery store has 30 cents off per gallon on Fridays and my car was in dire need of a fill up. I walked slowly, and didn't lift anything heavy. My teen daughter works there, and Friday afternoon she was working as courtesy clerk instead of cashiering, so she was able to put the dog food in my cart, and take the bags to the car for us. But the outing was still a bit much, and I spent most of yesterday recovering from it. 

Do you prefer

• Traveling I love to travel! We did a lot of it when I was growing up, and I still love traveling and seeing new places.
• Staying home Sometimes I definitely prefer to stay home and hide. I need regular alone time to decompress. 
• Going out It can be fun, definitely. 
• Cooking Eh, cooking is neutral for me. Sometimes I enjoy it, I rarely dislike it, but it's one of those things that must be done. 
• Eating out Once in a while. I wouldn't want to eat out every day.
• Entertaining at home Not really. I get too stressed about it.
• Large parties Someone else's large party would be fun to attend. I don't particularly want to host one.
• Small parties where you know everyone Yes! This is definitely my preference.
• Quiet evenings with a few friends An evening with friends is never quiet. And it's great.
• Being alone Sometimes it's necessary. 

Getting to know me - Do I?

Do you...?

• Have any tattoos (where?) Nope
• Have any piercings (where?) Just my ears
• Have any scars Oh yes. Lots. I scar easily.
• Get along with your parents? Most definitely!
• Get motion sickness Sometimes
• Think you're a health nut Not really
• Type with your fingers on the right keys Mostly
• Play an instrument Yes
• Play an instrument well No
• Sleep with a stuffed animals Nope
• Have a significant other Yes!
• Have a dream that keeps coming back Several
• Believe there is life on other planets I have no idea
• Read the newspaper The online version
• Read the comics No
• Read the sports pages Not a chance.
• Check the weather forecast Yes
• Go to restaurants alone Yes
• Consider yourself tolerant of others Definitely
• Like the taste of alcohol Not at all
• Drink Everyone drinks, or we'd get dehydrated and die. I drink water, tea, coffee, soda, juices
• Smoke No
• Swear Sometimes
• Sing Not well
• Sing in public Not at all
• Sing in the shower No
• Laugh Of course!
• Joke A bit
• Read Constantly! 
• Exercise Occasionally
• Diet No. I prefer overall healthier eating
• Cook I have to!
• Believe in astrology No
• Read your horoscope No
• Believe in magic Not really
• Believe in miracles Yes
• Go to church Yes
• Have any secrets Doesn't everyone?
• Have any pets Oh yes. These two dogs... and my oldest daughter has two firebelly toads and a gerbil
• Have any children Yep! E and S, the twins born 12 years apart 
• Have any brothers or sisters Not biological, but yes
• Work Yes, both outside the home and at home
• Have a college degree (or go to or plan to go to college I have an associate degree. Eventually I'll finish. Hopefully
• Chat to strangers who instant message you No
• Talk to strangers on the bus I don't take the bus, but theoretically, yes
• Wear hats No
• Like yourself Most of the time
• Wish on stars No
• Like your handwriting No
• Trust others easily Sometimes
• Like puns Eh, sometimes
• Have a good sense of humor Yes
• Take walks in the rain No way.

More "getting to know me" and a post-surgery update

I didn't realize quite how long this "Getting to know me" thing was when I started it, and now I'm very glad I decided to do a section a day!

Yesterday I had my back surgery. Monday afternoon I received a call from the hospital bumping up my surgery by half an hour to 4 pm. It was still almost 6 before I got to go back for my surgery; apparently the one in front of mine was longer than anticipated. I woke up in recovery at 9 pm, and was home by 11 last night. What a long day! It went well, with no complications thank goodness. The surgeon told my husband that the disc was even worse than he could tell from my MRI and that I was one tough lady - he couldn't believe I'd been working and walking and functioning semi-normally this whole time. Now I'm at home for the next two weeks recuperating. The numbness in my leg and foot have already gone, which is a big relief! It had actually gotten painful to walk on my left foot; the numbness made it feel like I was constantly stepping on a marble. I'll be so glad when the surgery site has healed and I can be back to normal again finally.

Now, for the fun stuff:

Who Would You Like To...

• Hear From My "sisters" - but we keep in touch with Facebook and other social media .The distance makes normal communication difficult.
• Never Hear From Again Oh, I'm sure there is someone, but I can't think of anyone at the moment.
• Look Like My 18-year-old self
• Be Like Myself
• Meet The cast of Sherlock, David Tennant, Peter Capaldi, Nathan Fillion, John Barrowman
• Get to Know Livia and Johanna Liv <3
• Learn from / Study With I'm constantly learning from other people.
• Impress Everyone! Haha. No really, I have no idea.
• Teach My daughters

Getting to know me - my preferences

Like I could ever make up my mind...

• Cola or Other Other - preferably iced tea. Sweet, of course.
• Coke or Pepsi Coke
• Fried, Scrambled, or Poached Scrambled or omelet. Fried and poached are gross!
• Pancakes or Waffles Either one, they're basically the same thing!
• Dogs or Cats Dogs!! No doubt. 

  

  Our two boys, Tucker and Angus

• Coffee or Tea Both
• Iced or Hot Again, either.
• Looking out the window or into the room Window
• One Pillow or Two  One
• Chocolate or Vanilla Either one, again
• High Achiever or Easy-Going Easy going, as if that's not obvious by this post
• Single or Taken Very taken! Married almost 17 years.
• Pen or Pencil Pen
• Gloves or Mittens Gloves
• Planned or Spontaneous Both!
• Food or Candy Food
• Matches or a Lighter Lighter
• Typed or Handwritten Handwritten
• Walk or Run Walk
• Elevator or Stairs Stairs for 2 flights and under, elevator for 3 flights or more. Going down? Stairs all the way.
• Walk or Drive Depends on the distance and how much I have to carry!
• Facing into the restaurant or away from the other people Facing into. Although I really don't care either way. 
• Eating alone, with one friend, or with lots of friends Whichever fits
• Home or "Out" Home
• Alone, with one friend, or with a group? I'm happy either way.