Loren's Life

Farwell To Thee 2007

I hope everyone has a good time this evening with all their New Year's celebrations.

Happy New Year to all and cheers to 2008!

posted by Loren @ 5:48 AM

Huckabee Goes Hunting

"Don't get in my way," he said while pointing to the three dead birds.
"This is what happens…You vote for me, you live. You don't…there you go."

Nice. Good to know this asshole gets a high off of shooting birds. I guess he ran out of rapists and murderers to pardon.

I cannot wait for Hillary to take over and make things right again.

posted by Loren @ 5:52 AM

We're Gonna Need A Bigger Bed

Jeff, George, Doris, Larry and I all sleep together in a full sized bed. Yes, a full sized.

Especially since Doris joined the family, the sleeping arrangements have been tight and we have been wanting to get a bigger bed. The only problem is we LOVE our bed frame from American Signature, but when we looked for a bigger one, well they have been discontinued. No worries, we figured out an arrangement and now plan on repainting and moving furniture. We'll just keep the bed frame or sell it.

Thanks to the magic of my in-laws, we are getting a new bed.

So the search is on for a king sized bed. I'm torn between pillow top and memory foam. I just don't know, but the clock is ticking. I want the whole room finished by MLK weekend.

posted by Loren @ 1:26 PM

The True Meaning of Christmas

People get so wrapped up with Christmas every year. They want to have the biggest tree, buy the best gifts, receiving the best gifts, decorate their house to look like a holiday card and so on and so forth, that they forget what it's all about.

I really don't get in to Christmas, only because it's so commercial. I will pick up a few gifts for a few select people, only for the tradition of it. For example Boris (my very handsome godson), I want him and his sister to have a little something special because I love them and it's important for me to have that something special and a special memory to go with it, and that's about it. The house doesn't get decorated, I don't bake a ton of sweets, I don't even put up a tree, but I also wouldn't rain on someone else's Christmas parade either.

Today, Jeff took our annual haul of donations to the Salvation Army. We give to them because they give away those items to people in need, and not sell them. While Jeff was unloading, a man showed up at the S.A. rehab center. He had just been released from prison, was on the streets for a couple of days, wearing dirty clothes and hadn't eaten. He showed up to see if he could get assistance with buying a bus ticket to Polk County. He had been enrolled in a work rehabilitation program, but had no means to get there.

Jeff overheard him and offered him some clean clothes from the bags and got him something to eat. After, Jeff took him to the United Way to see about getting him the bus fair. At U.W., the connected him with Catholic Charities who said they would purchase the ticket. Jeff and a U.W. employee took the man to get the ticket. With his rehabilitation paperwork, clean clothes on his back and a full tummy, this man was on his way to a second chance.

This is Jeff, not only at Christmas time, but all the time and this is how we should always be to one another. We shouldn't let what we look like, what we own and who we know define us, it should be what's in our hearts and what we do for others.

I love my husband, but today, I love him even more. I'm so blessed to have him in my life and I can only hope that someday I could measure up to him.

posted by Loren @ 10:22 AM

Mystery Sender

Jeff received a Best Buy gift card in the mail, but there was no sender information. So a big thank you to the person who sent it, that was very sweet of you.

posted by Loren @ 12:29 PM

That Is So Mitt Romney!

My sister and I did our annual Christmas shopping on Saturday and while walking together, I witnessed a random person just doing something or acting stupid. I looked at my sister and said, "That is so Mitt Romney of them". She laughed, then I laughed and we both decided. that will be our new saying for stupid people.

You are welcome to use it. It can be used in many ways.

posted by Loren @ 5:44 AM

Agent Faust

So, my sister crossed the stage this morning in the fancy velvet robe and cap and earning the Education Leadership Specialist (Ed.S.) title. One more year and should complete her Doctorate and will become Dr. Faust.

I'm very proud of her. She got her Masters at 22 and took about ten years to work and really search for her passion. When she was an undergrad, she wanted nothing to do with teaching and education, but after working in drop out prevention and juvenile justice, her mission is to fix the broken education system in the state and keep on going.

She is the smartest person I know. I know that she will accomplish anything she wants to because she is hardworking, dedicated and deserves it.

My sister is incredible.

posted by Loren @ 9:16 AM

Best Friends Animal Society Gets Michael Vick's Dogs

This is why it is so important to support Best Friends Animal Society.

‘They deserve the very best that we can give them’

Judge Henry Hudson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has approved a recommendation by a guardian/special master appointed by the court that 22 of the 48 American pit bull terriers connected with the Michael Vick civil forfeiture action be placed with Best Friends Animal Society.

Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss, in a Summary Report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, recommended that 47 dogs (one has been euthanized for medical reasons) be placed with eight organizations, with Best Friends receiving the most dogs (22). The next largest group would be placed with Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BAD RAP) of Oakland, Calif. (10). Other organizations that would receive dogs are Richmond Animal League of Richmond, Va. (4); Georgia SPCA of Suwanee, Ga. (3); SPCA of Monterey County, Calif. (3); Recycled Love Inc. of Baltimore, Md. (3); Animal Rescue of Tidewater, Chesapeake, Va. (1); and PACK (Pit Bull Advocates for Compassion and Kindness), San Francisco, Calif. (1).

“The court has granted Best Friends the opportunity to do what it does best – provide a caring, rehabilitative home for these abused, homeless animals,” said Paul Berry, chief executive officer of Best Friends. “They deserve the very best that we can give them, and we are prepared to provide a safe place for them to stay for the rest of their lives.

“The pit bull is easily the most misunderstood breed of dog in the U.S. Unfortunately, it is the very loving and loyal nature of these dogs that makes them prone to exploitation.”

Huss expressed confidence in Best Friends and the other rescue organizations recommended for placement. “For the dogs that may need to remain in a sanctuary environment, although there will certainly be a period of adjustment, I believe that these dogs will not just survive, but thrive in that environment.”

The report was prepared during multiple visits by Huss to Virginia, where she interacted with the dogs and their caretakers, and spoke with animal control officers and numerous rescue organizations, including Best Friends.

In July, the United States filed a civil forfeiture action relating to approximately 53 American pit bull terriers located on the property of Michael Vick. The court appointed Huss as guardian/special master of the 48 surviving dogs.

posted by Loren @ 9:10 AM

I Hope You Get What You Deserve

Vick sentenced to 23 months for dogfighting
Judge scolds QB for being part of 'cruel and inhumane sporting activity'.....msnbc.com

Michael Vick is an asshole who deserves way more than this sentence, but I'm sure he will get what's coming to him in prison. I hope he goes through the same, if not worse torture then what he put those poor dogs through.

Sucks to be you, Michael Vick. Fuck off.

posted by Loren @ 1:11 PM

Let Me Get This Straight

I read an article about some guy who wrote a letter slamming Target for not giving money to veterans charities, not allowing the Salvation Army to set up kettles at their stores and instead they support animal, gay and lesbian charities and how they are owned by a French corporation. He wants America to boycott Target because of this. Because he only used his first name and I have no idea where he lives to send my reply, I will post it here.


Dear Edward,

In response to your letter titled “America Is Off Target”, I just have a few things I’d like to say.

Asking the people of our country to be good Americans and boycott Target because it does not support veteran’s charities and the Salvation Army is ridiculous. What makes this country so great is that we have the freedom, not only people, but corporations as well, to support the myriad of charities and agencies that are local and national. This country has the people, means and heart to encourage others to support the less fortunate, no matter what the cause is. We are blessed to live in such a great country where private citizens want to help others. Unfortunately there are so many people and charities in need that we can’t help them all, so we must search our hearts to find who and what we can support. Not supporting veterans is no fault of Target, but maybe our government should do more for the people who served. As for the Salvation Army, from what I understand they accept donations all year long, not just at Christmas. So instead of waiting for the kettle to appear, send a check to your local Salvation Army agency.

As far as Target being owned by a French corporation, well then so be it. I would say the majority of companies in America are owned by a parent company in another country, and good Americans shouldn’t judge to hard working people you see in the stores everyday, because they would be the ones who would be affected by your boycott, not the decision makers. Money spent at Target will still boost America’s economy and go to the charities Target does support.

Use your freedom of speech and write a letter to Target explaining how important it is to support veterans. Maybe there is something they don’t know, and you can help them change their minds. If Target still decides not to support the veterans, be appreciative of the charities they do support. Just because they don’t support the charities you would like them to, does not make them a bad company. You can still support the veterans.

Democracy is not forcing your opinion or using threats to get what you want or to make people change their minds. About sixty or seventy years ago a society tried that once and failed. Democracy is a gift we have been given that was fought for and we should embrace it and use it for the good that can come of it.

Sincerely,

Loren J F Stanford

posted by Loren @ 6:57 AM