HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDI...............TOMORROW

PERSONAL

I awoke this morning at 6am, to a 3+ after 9+hrs of sleep. It is below freezing this again morning. I took my am pills and put my flag out after the sun came out. My blog will be short today as we will be traveling to Spirit Mountain for a few days to celebrate Judi's Birthday tomorrow and will not be back home until Wednesday. We will be having dinner their Sunday to celebrate and I am not going to take my laptop, so it will be Thursday or later before I post again. I will give a short rundown of our Christmas Day celebration at Peg and Eric's, Eggs Benedict and presents and Sister Danni's Christmas Eve. I did have a wonderful Christmas Eve at sister Danni's and I insured my popularity with the nieces and nephews with those 2009 “silver/gold” dollar coins and gave Danni, Mike and Marty copies of a picture of Mike, Marty and I at the 2001 U.A. Convention. We drew names again this year and I had Marty's “significant other”, Kelli and I think she really liked the picture of her and Marty that Eric made for me.

The Senate passed their version of the health care bill 60 to 39 (Merry Christmas) and now it may go to conference. They tried to get all 40 republicans to vote against but the tally I saw was 60/39 so maybe not all the republicans were not there to vote. Was one of their members hung up in the Minneapolis Airport? Does anyone know if that former Idaho Senator was part of the “C Street Family”? That wasn't too catty, was it? I did a search on the average age of Senators and it turns out the average age is just under 63. I am not sure what the average age of ALL Americans is, but I think it is much lower. The Republicans, and a few others are sure fighting to not allow access to the good health care they have access to. (the ole I've got mine attitude!)

I have communicated with cousin Mike from Michigan and he did tell me his father is still around at 80+. I am also still working on the History of Mehrens's in the United Association for the Local 290 archives for Louie Faust. I didn't make the retiree or union meeting but I did take some stuff and left it with brother Mike, and he said he would share what I have so far with him.
One point I have found out, thanks to the help of brother Michael, and cousin Mike; I have tallied up almost 350 years of Mehrens Family Membership in the United Association. The copy of a picture from my retirement party, shows over 230 years of Family U.A. Membership, just in that picture. I placed it on my opening page.

It's hard to believe we started the BULL SESSION twenty years ago. Thanks again for stepping up again Local 290. One of the charities helped is “The March of Dimes” and I found out last night cousin Brandee is pregnant again. So please keep her in your prayers for a successful pregnancy.

If President Obama signs the health care bill without a public option I will still be VERY disappointed, but listening to Senator Brown, and hearing about Senator Merkley I think there is still hope.

I still need to send an email to Senator Wyden, I hope it's not to late, because there is another important point that I have not heard made, still. The Republicans main argument is that Doctors will stop taking patients because the Medicare reimbursement rate is only 87%. The Democrats are making the argument that health care costs have caused over 45,000 bankruptcies a year. Isn't 87% of something better than the 0% from bankruptcies? One argument the Republicans are making is, it's too easy to declare bankruptcy, so the fight is on about Banking reform now.

I have to say again Lloyd and his help from All in One Mobility did a wonderful job.

I will again repeat one of my Dads favorite poems, Around the Corner, that brother Mike was kind enough to send me. And also the following poem that was distributed at Zowies funeral:

God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, And when it comes to my last cast
I then must humbly pray. When in the Lord's safe landing net I'm peacefully asleep.
That in His mercy, I be judged............Good enough to keep.

AROUND THE CORNER
Charles Hanson Towne (1877-1949)

Around the corner I have a friend, In this great city that has no end;Yet days go by, and weeks rush on, And before I know it, a year is gone, And I never see my old friend’s face,
For life is a swift and terrible race.He knows I like him just as well, As in the days when I rang his bell And he rang mine.
We were younger then, And now we are busy, tired men; Tired with trying to make a name Tired with playing a foolish game; ‘Tomorrow,’ I say, ‘I will call on Jim, Just to show that I’m thinking of him.’ But tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes, And the distance between us grows and grows. Around the corner!— yet miles away ...‘Here’s a telegram, sir. Jim died today.’
And that’s what we get and deserve in the end; Around the corner, a vanished friend.

My daily prayer, is to Mary Mother of God…..”O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear OUR prayer. As your children we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially for the safe and successful birth of Brandee's baby, and all in need. We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help ALL of us, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever, Amen.”
Thank You, Mother Mary, for your help and assistance.

I know I have been repeating things, maybe too much, on my blog; but some of this stuff I need to be reminded of and some of this stuff others need to be reminded of, and I've cleared a lot so far.

LDN REPORT

This is my attempt to keep track of my experiences with my LDN treatment for my Neurologist and his RN. So far with the 4.5mg I think I'm noticeably better. I am experiencing better days and now that I'm doing the new dosage I am seeing a marked change. I have now been on that brand new FDA approved pill, Aminopyridine, and I have gone through the whole prescription, almost. I have ordered a refill and should be getting it soon. It is supposed to be good for “gait” issues, even those with primary progressive. I'm not jogging but I have been doing a lot of walking and it is a help for me getting into my new shower. It is apparently another pill that Kaiser Pharmacy does not “compound”.

POLITICAL

I got it done, I now have a HERO list, a ZERO list and an EVIL list. If for no other reason than, Joe Lieberman needed a special list, and watching the circus from the obstructionists I have to add ALL Republican Senators. Can't we get someone to convince Rosa D. to run for the Senate in Connecticut. Should Max Baucus be placed back on the ZERO list, other democrats too? I know I have a number friends that are registered Republicans, while I still like you, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED of your representatives in D.C..

I also added our Senator Merkley to the HERO list for his help on the health care bill. Thank You, Jeff.

After nearly a year of negotiations, concessions, fits and starts, the U.S. Senate passed sweeping health care reform legislation in an early-morning vote Thursday, by a party-line tally of 60 to 39.

I think Firedoglake.com is calling for the defeat of the Health Care Bill. What could they possibly be thinking? I am one of those that also believes, “Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good”!

I DO NOT support any efforts to recruit a candidate to run against my Congressman.

I am still convinced ALL this health care “controversy” that was being generated was to take the publics mind off of the Employee Free Choice Act, American Rights at Work, “card check” legislation. Hmmmmmn

How is it, our country is spreading “democracy” around the world, and because of a few U.S. Senators we don't even seem to practice it here in our own country. What was that threat made by the Republicans under Bush, (nuclear option)?

It seems all the talking heads are giving grades to President Obama, he believes he has earned a B+. The heads seem to be settling at a C. I want to give him his B+ but, I will not, until we see the results of health care and E.F.C.A.. Based on what I have been hearing lately he is a solid B.

I still don't know yet, if the “soft landing” bill is done but that is one issue I will keep harping on until I am sure.

Did you know that there were more vets that died last year because they didn't have health care, than have died in both the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars?

Question of the day. Who was it that came closer to destroying the American Financial System and the American Way?

YELLOW RIBBON SECTION

If you go to this website, http://wwwLetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.
Check www.LetsSayThanks.com often to read feedback from the troops about the Let's Say Thanks program!

We now one nephew in Afghanistan, and one in S. California getting ready to go; Who knows Where? Be safe, hurry home. WELCOME HOME DANIEL!!!!!!!!

At the 11th Hour, on the 11th Day, of the 11th Month a cease fire was signed to end the war to end all wars in 1918. How's that worked out so far?SPORTS

SPORTS

Giz; You might want to let Peter know, his scouts in Pasadena should be paying close attention to that Mehrens kid, soon to be playing on Jackie Robinson Field.

And yes; I still think the Ducks are for real, and yes Bobbie I WILL tape the Rose Bowl and watch for You and Dennis! Isn't it appropriate that the BCS system is drawing the attention of Congress, as they don't have anything more important to do.
Sorry Scott, the Beavers didn't fare too well in Vegas.

The loss of Greg Oden has had a bad an affect on the Blazers, Joel sure stepped up and since he went down in the Dallas Game so have the rest of the Blazers, that Spurs game and Denver both were awesome.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES

THANK YOU 290 FOR TRINA, THE SOLDIERS AND THE BULL SESSION.

Judi is getting started on the M.S. Walk in April already, if you want to become a member of Wally's Walkers, just get hold of us.

The Cancer Center at Providence Hospital, as I know they were definitely a comfort to Dianna, her family and friends those last days. Their pink gloves advertisement is great. And because of Joe Lieberman the Susan G. Koman foundation will definitely suffer in their fight against cancer.

M.D.A. is also an awesome organization, including the Gales Creek Foundation. In large part to the efforts of Don and Sandy Getman.

The American Rights at Work still needs help. We must not take our eye off the MAIN issue. E.F.C.A.

The U.A. Local 290 “Don Salee” Member Assistance Program.

The National Guard, the USO and the Salvation Army

L.C.S.A. - Labors Community Service Agency

The OSBT – Oregon State Building Trades Council, AFL-CIO

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS“GET 'ER DONE” - SOFT LANDING ! And give them back their money, and their overdue raise!

Whether you attend a church service, a Mosque, GLBT gathering, or Synagogue service, please say a prayer that God; yours, mine or ours; keeps our service men and women in the Palm of their hand.

Mike; My “short” blog is a full 4 pages today. Now don't forget to say your prayers and I'll see you next time on my blog. In a few days anyway.