OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN DESERVE VISUAL COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES WHEN OUT OF COUNTRY

PERSONAL:

I awoke this morning at 6:15am today after 8+hrs of sleep to a 3, took my pills. I did make the retiree meeting yesterday, and saw Jerry Rees and Joe Kosmolski and then went to lunch with Mike which was nice. I did take my stuff for my “Backyard Bird table” but Mike talked me out of getting them to build me a metal frame.

If the weather isn't too nasty I will try to make the Union meeting tonight, as I got a reminder from Brother Al and he says that one of the main discussions should be about the contract negotiations. I did get the survey from the local but haven't sent it in yet.

I also got an email from Mary Ellen and she said Mick had his neck brace removed and the surgery was a success but it still sounds like he is in for a fairly long recovery; so keep those prayers going also.

I am also going to check on the vote for extending unemployment insurance and from the sounds of it I will be adding to my “ZERO” list.

I did contact my neurologist and talk about those new pills, Ampyra. He did tell me that Tysabri was not for me. He wants me to schedule an appointment to check my gait. I checked the website on the Ampyra and I suppose I better check my Primary care Dr. as they said on their website to make sure I do not have Kidney issues, I'm not sure if they mean Kidney stones, but I haven't had that problem for a while.

I still haven't checked with the Molly Malone dance studio to see if they have a studio in Vancouver as Katie can't drive with her Crons disease, but I did remember the name of the treatment; Tysabri and maybe I'll even talk to my neurologist about it for me also. I haven't found out where Kashmir Washington is for Betsy and Larry, they have heard it is always 70 degrees there and dry; IN WASHINGTON??.

Don't forget to say THANK YOU, to all those servicemen and women who have served or are serving. Christopher is back in Afghanistan and I got an email from him and he is looking for help to get on Skype and I will see what I can do? He is looking forward to taking down his yellow ribbon next summer; and a prayer a day from all my readers would sure make me feel better until then.

I found out that I should be able to put a “link” to my blog on my face book page but I still didn't get 'er done yet.

I will put the prayer to St. Jude in here again because I didn't make it to Dick's funeral. So please add him and his family to your prayers also.

***For Brother's Bill's and Brother Dick's families***

Prayer to St. Jude for Eternal Life
You are my solace, St. Jude, in the face of loss and sorrow. I pray that you will guide my heart away from the darkness of fear and into the light of Christ. May the hope that St. Jude keeps alive in my heart be a source of comfort to all those who grieve. For in that hope, we know God's mercy, and we trust God's promise of eternal life. My soul longs for the fullness of life, which is only to be revealed when I meet my Maker in heaven. Stay by my side, St. Jude, so that my soul will always know the power of your healing love.
Amen.

The health care “open enrollment” is this month and I hope I haven't missed it.

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.

**** 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, the welcoming of Uncle Sandy, Frances's aunt, good friends Bob Spicher, Jim Fox, brother Dick Coyle, and good friend Bill Gallagers father into the house of the Lord; cousin Mick, nephew Arron, Kelli's Mom, good family friend Pat Percin, and those who are having health issues; protecting Christopher 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, especially for BRINGING DANIEL HOME SAFELY,; for the safe delivery of Brandee's new baby girl, Larry's big win, Mick and Gloria; and those, NOW covered with Health Care.

I know I have been repeating things, apparently 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.

M.S. 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 have changed the LDN to coincide with my noon regimen and I am experiencing better days now that I'm doing the L.D.N. At noon. I stopped taking that brand new FDA approved compound pill on August 27th, Aminopyridine but I spoke with a guy whose sister has M.S. (relapsing remitting I think) and I think she saw a marked change in her balance. She has gone from using a walker, to using a cane, to needing nothing. My BP is 123/78/59 at 8:05am.

POLITICAL:

The unemployment extension failed in the house and based on what I am hearing on the “middle class” tax cut I'm thinking the additions to the “ZERO LIST” will be really lengthening my blog. Groceries vs Greed !!

They got rid of the fairness doctrine for elections; I'm thinking there is a definite NEED for a TRUTH in ADVERTISING doctrine for election ads, especially now that the BUSH Supreme Court opened the flood gates for unlimited corporate spending in elections.

CHECK OUT PAST BLOGS FOR THE Top 5 Social Security Myths. I am only going to list the first one from now on, as it is the biggest, as far as I'm concerned and I will save the space.
Myth #1: Social Security is going broke.
Reality: There is no Social Security crisis. By 2023, Social Security will have a $4.6 trillion surplus (yes, trillion with a 'T'). It can pay out all scheduled benefits for the next quarter-century with no changes whatsoever. After 2037, it'll still be able to pay out 75% of scheduled benefits—and again, that's without any changes. The program started preparing for the Baby Boomers' retirement decades ago. Anyone who insists Social Security is broke probably wants to break it themselves.

The nation's retirement deficit; the gap between your current pension/retirement savings and what you should have for retirement--is a staggering $6.6 trillion. Yet there are calls to cut Social Security, fewer people have pensions and 401(k)s have been decimated. It's time to wake up Washington and tell lawmakers to keep their hands off of Social Security and fix our patchwork private retirement system.

Well, here we go......(John Bohener as Speaker of the house), BACK to the BUSH years? (that is in this new Contract on America)

If your looking for that little piece that was forwarded from my Uncle Hank; you will have to also check the past blog, “NO, HELL NO”!

THE MOST IMPORTANT SECTION!!

OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING OUT OF COUNTRY DESERVE VISUAL COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES:

YELLOW RIBBON SECTION:

NEPHEW CHRISTOPHER IS BACK IN AFGHANISTAN, DAMN. Thank you for your service and you are in our prayers every day. It does appear our prayers are being heard.

ONE RIBBON STILL UP, FOR CHRISTOPHER.

DON'T FORGET, SOFT LANDING BILL, and thank you SENATOR PATTY MURRAY and CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER for helping with it.

Please check the sites on the side of the blog under YELLOW RIBBON as they all could use help.

If you are flying the American Flag, please keep flying it until ALL our Troops return home.

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:

The Trailblazers are off to a good start, even though they lost those close ones in Oklahoma City (Seattle) and New Orleans, and it is only fitting they have dedicated the season in the memory of Maurice Lucas, the bad news is, it appears Brandon Roy's knees are becoming a problem for him.

THE DUCKS ARE STILL WINNING AND DESERVE THAT #1 RANKING, IT SURE WAS A GOOD ONE SATURDAY.

Mr. Angelos, sir, I hope you have had your people keep an eye on that Mehrens kid, that played fall ball for the S. Cal Rangers, I have been trying to follow his progress on line and he definitely has the right stuff; based on what I've read he will be making a wonderful closer. I spoke with him and he is moving up from A ball to AA and he told me he has developed a GREAT knuckleball, clocked at 79mph, and after the World Series results Texas could sure have used him.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES:

The planning for the 2011 Hood to Coast in August has started already and Judi has signed up for the walk part, and we are recruiting for the 2011 M.S. Walk which is in April. ALL HELP APPRECIATED.

In honor of National Recognition Week, the Oregon M.S. Chapter would like to thank you for moving us closer toward a world free of MS.

In 2010, the Oregon Chapter raised $588,000 through 10 Walk MS events in Oregon and SW Washington! We owe a special thanks to you and the 5,040 walkers and 460 teams who joined together as a community to show the world their commitment and dedication to creating a world free of MS.
The donations you and your team collected are funding critical research, providing vital programs and services to those living with MS and their families in your community and supporting advocacy efforts nationwide.
The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals moving together to create a world free of MS. With the help of people like you, we are able to address the challenges of every person whose life is affected by MS and help them stay connected to the great big moving world.

HELP THE KOMEN RUN/WALK – www.komen.org/findarace.aspx

Hey Journey Group,
I just updated my page on the Playing for Others website, www.playingforothers.org. I’d be thrilled if you checked out my new adventures with PFO and my progress in reaching my fundraising goal.

My journey group page: http://www.playingforothers.org/whos-involved/goal-pages/molly-smithson-2
As always thank you so much for your support!

Molly Smithson
Co-President, Teen Executive Committee
Playing For Others
www.playingforothers.org

The American Rights at Work still needs help. We must not take our eye off that MAIN issue, our two Senators haven't; E.F.C.A. Hopefully this will be a lame duck accomplishment, especially in light of that mine disaster in West Virginia and those Rig explosions in the Gulf. I watched the commission on the B.P. Disaster and, from here, it looks like the beginning of a cover up.

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

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS

Don't forget; Union meeting Tonight, and I hope to see you there.

MICK and CHRISTOPHER, stay positive and we will meet on the golf course and I will take it easy on both of you. I did take my clubs out of the back seat, at least until it's time for that BULL SESSION TRIP.

May love and laughter light your days
And warm your heart and homes
May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours

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 blog is 5 pages, and over 2,000 words today, I think.