I went to the memorial for Joanne and Donald Sypien today. They were together for 53 years. His wife Joanne died on November 4th, 2009 and he passed January 4th, 2010. The pastor said that the family believes Don died of a broken heart. That kind of love and commitment is getting less and less these days. Since “Syp” taught at the same school for over 30 years, there were many who stood to tell the packed room how he and his wife had impacted their lives.

I never am one to want to speak to a crowd, but I had to tell his family how he smelled of cough drops since he drank so much coffee. He didn’t want to have bad breath. When I couldn’t turn to my parents, he was the “dad” I needed at school. He never was judgmental even when I found myself pregnant. When she passed and 4 months I went to tell him. He held me and told that I would make it through. He told me I was stronger than I gave myself credit. He told me he believed in me.

As with my own experience, others stood with similar inspiring stories. He had a gift of reaching into the souls of his students and pulling out the best in them. He was an amazing teacher who somehow knew what I was talented at. I didn’t think about it until later, but when I was in high school he kindly told me I would never be a programmer. Then he placed me as a reviewer of different software. He knew I had a gift for writing back then.

When I became a teacher, he told me “you will not make a lot of money in this profession, but you will be fulfilled in so many other ways.” He was right, I do love helping students. I love keeping in touch with them after they graduate. Funny, I became an English teacher because of my love of writing. I became a counselor because of my love for helping students.

Now I am doing both. My first book signing in March will be one that I dedicate to those who inspired me throughout the years. I made it because of their encouragement.

I may not have 53 years with the love of my life, but now that I have found him I am going “live a happy life” which was what the pastor advised us if we want to walk in the paths of Joanne and Donald Sypien.

I am sure they are enjoying their afterlife as much as they lived this life.

DDF

Ed Schultz Show (very democratic) “I tell you what; if I lived in Massachusetts I’d try to vote 10 times. I don’t know if they’d let me or not, but I’d try to. Yeah, that’s right. I’d cheat to keep these bastards out. I would.” This is referring to a Republican taking the seat which is Brown.

Hardball with Chris Matthews: agrees with Ed Schultz with cheating to get the person in the seat in government. Bribe them, not officially buying the vote, but trying like buying cars and other incentives. He is upset that maybe Massachusetts can’t be bought anymore. He prides Solensky as his hero who is a progressive. His philosophy is that the ends justify the means so do whatever you need do to make it happen. Do it for the common good? What is the common good?

Paul Watson “If you don’t know an answer, a fact, a statistic, then….make it up on the spot.” Christian Newswire Jan 15, 2010

“We know we will have to rewrite our history.” Michelle Obama

“We are five days from fundamentally transforming the United States of America.” Obama just before the election

Okay Pat Robertson says something crazy, but so did Danny Glover. Robertson said Haiti’s earthquake happened because they signed a pact with the devil. Now on every media station as crazy religious guy, but Glover said it happened because they sinned against the earth due to global warming. The earthquake happened because of global warming, but we are finding that the earth is not heating up but cooling off. The point is that the media went after Robertson and not after Glover for similar statements, but different religious perspectives. Sin against the devil or sin against the earth? I guess it depends on if the earth is being worshiped like God? Hmmmm, good question?

Now that Brown has taken Massachusetts, it is Bush’s fault? Obama is seen in interview saying they voted for Brown to get back at Bush? Why would voting in a republican hurt Bush? He is no longer president. In another interview, Obama seems like he has to explain to us why we are not doing the right thing in his opinion. Is Obama our daddy? He stated that he was too busy to speak to the public about what their core values are. Is he telling us what my values are? Shouldn’t the voters be telling him what our values are? He is talking to us like a father while pushing his values, his ideas, his voice, his hand, so he is trying to guide us like we are children. We are voters, not children. Government does not need to guide us by the hand.

All of us would be insulted to be talked down to, so why do we accept it from our president? Oh, it is the do as I say and not as I do policies like parents do? We all can relate to that!

DDF

Cadillac healthcare tax

President Obama sure sounded like he was for the everyman on the campaign trail when he pledged ‘no taxes’ on 95% of working Americans. Of course, he doesn’t seem to count indirect taxation as a tax. For example, when he breaks his promise and decides to go through with a tax on so called Cadillac insurance plans, that is a tax on millions of Americans.  And contrary to popular belief, subscribing to a Cadillac plan doesn’t necessarily mean you are a fat cat millionaire.

The current decade long cooling trend has thrown a wrench into the alarmists trying to sell America the ‘we are burning up’ tale. It’s a little tough to buy that the globe is warming when there is snow in Florida. So, progressives do what they do best and change the argument. No longer is it global warming, it’s climate change. It’s an old trick and they are doing it again.

Remember how politicians reacted when gas prices skyrocketed? They called out the greedy fat cats from ‘big oil’ and threatened to confiscate their ‘windfall’ profits.  President Obama is again threatening the banks with a massive tax to penalize those evil bankers for any profits they make. But what happens when news breaks that The Fed had a record breaking year and made more in windfall profits than Exxon Mobil? You guessed it.

Cap and Trade

Extension of Van Jones’ Green Jobs?

Politicians love cap and trade because they can claim to be taxing “polluters,” not workers. Hardly. Once the government creates a scarce new commodity — in this case the right to emit carbon — and then mandates that businesses buy it, the costs would inevitably be passed on to all consumers in the form of higher prices. Stating the obvious, Peter Orszag — now Mr. Obama’s budget director — told Congress last year that “Those price increases are essential to the success of a cap-and-trade program.”

Hit hardest would be the “95% of working families” Mr. Obama keeps mentioning, usually omitting that his no-new-taxes pledge comes with the caveat “unless you use energy.” Putting a price on carbon is regressive by definition because poor and middle-income households spend more of their paychecks on things like gas to drive to work, groceries or home heating.

Windfall tax-top 1% need to pay more. Banks pay more in taxes, but you end up paying the taxes in the form of fees. Banks already put caps on loans, credit, and added fees, so how can Pelosi approve such a program. Just an extension of the Bailout problems-govt. wants more money-means customers will pay more

STIMULUS NEPOTISM:

A White House official who is overseeing the weatherizing aspects funded by the stimulus chose the little known window company her husband just happens to work at. Conflict of interest? Unfortunately for the White House, John Stossel uncovered the shameless connection. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rusty-weiss/2010/01/13/white-house-can-t-keep-track-jobs-saved-or-lies-told

DDF

We have been nothing but impressed with our son’s instructor, Robert Diamant, at the Canyon Gates Dojo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The dojo is spacious, warmly decorated in red, black, and yellow. The beauty of the Bonsai tree is painted on the wall where the students face at the beginning of each session. USSD’s logo is the Bonsai Tree. The Bonsai symbolizes the qualities that are taught in the dojo: wisdom, adaptability, strength, character, truth, and longevity.

There are inspirational quotes lining the walls that teach wisdom, kindness and responsibility. Sensei Bob makes sure the parents are welcome by having coffee, tea, and snacks available. He is one that likes to create a family atmosphere, so he enjoys providing gifts for his students during Christmas. He made sure the kids had a safe place to go on Halloween night, so we are very thankful to have such a positive influence on our son who cares for him. We can entrust that he will encourage and reinforce our values. Sensei Bob and students participated in ninja night where the kids get to spend the night at the dojo. They had a blast and just to reveal what kind of sensei our son has, he built a trophy to create a bit of competitiveness between dojos. The winning dojo got to keep the trophy until the next ninja night.

Our son has three group sessions and one private session each week. It takes time and dedication for the whole family, but we believe it is worth it, especially when the dojo is filled with the sounds of kids yelling “kiai.” Pronounced key-eye and means: spirit yell.

Sensei Bob uses different teaching methods to meet the needs of many types of kids. There are students with Down syndrome in our son’s class. He is strict and expects students to listen, respect, and to perform to the best of their ability. He rewards them not only for performing, but also for following instructions or being helpful to a fellow student. The kids are learning the competitive techniques of karate, but also team work, self-discipline, how to focus, how to concentrate, positive attitude, patience, and how to deal with emotions. Our son is learning that he needs to practice if he would like to test for his next belt. Sensei Bob is direct with our son when he can see he had not practiced, so he reinforces what we are teaching him at home. Our son is learning that he will not win every time just because he shows up, but that he has to lose gracefully, and beyond that show good sportsmanship.

Sensei Bob uses stars and ninjas to reward students along with his verbal cues that make kids smile, jump up and down, and try harder. He has a way of joking with the kids on their level while teaching a new technique. He is like a big kid when he is teaching the group, but very serious during the private session. He really strives to help our son perfect his movements and learn the art of balance. He has a knack for seeing which two kids would work the best together to gain sparring skills. Our son and his best friend have practiced together and are exciting to watch as they perform a kata, DM, or pinan.

When we signed up our son he was provided a dogi (pronounced ghee) with the USSD patch, DVD, and book. We were able to set up a monthly payment plan. We were able to buy the sparring gear as a special. Our son has three 45 minute group sessions and one half hour of private lessons. He took part in his first competition which was a humbling experience for him since he did not earn a trophy, but we were proud to see him perform in front of a huge audience.

It is said that our kids are the best investment, so we believe that the experiences our son is having at the Canyon Gates dojo are priceless. If you are interested at all in an activity that will teach more than just a sport then give a USSD dojo a visit. While there, check out the “free session” provided for all new comers. There are always specials to get you hooked as a parent, child, or adult student.

Check out the USSD site:

http://www.ussd.com

We heard so much about the Blue Man Group, but it was beyond our expectations. These are some tremendously talented people. Even before the show starts, the audience is pulled in with the scrolling words in red. They have the audience chanting and laughing which makes the time between being seated and the curtain rise entertaining. Then the adventure begins like a roller coaster ride. There are so many changes, turns, twists, and breath taking moments that it is hard to describe. One would think a show that is an hour and forty-five minutes couldn’t possibly seem short, but even if you had ADD you would not be bored. The show was like being in the mind of an ADD person. LOL

None of the three Blue Men speak the entire show or even at the meet and greet after the show. Those eyes seem to look right through you. Their expressions have three distinct personalities that are portrayed with such comfortableness that it just seems normal. Audience participation is huge, so they were walking all over the chairs, through people, and along all walkways; those piercing eyes looking mesmerized by the foreign non-blue audience members. Then they choose a couple of people to do skits with them. I don’t want to give too much, but the two they chose did an excellent job of playing along.

From the toilet paper water fall all over the audience, the music, the colors, the band, and shifting gears every ten minutes. My brain was on overload, but loving every minute. They are just disgusting enough to make the adults go “Ewww,” but the kids squeal in delight. It is a family friendly show that has a little science lesson in their on how the eye can be tricked. Very impressive with the intense music in the background.

The band members were really great after the show. We got to take pictures and talk to them. They really love being part of show. The Blue Men did not speak, but posed with us for pictures. They did nod at compliments, so that is enough for me. If you have not seen the show yet, then take your whole family because it worth the adventure.

DDF

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

Everything is the open with Healthcare?

When asked, Nancy Pelosi laughs about it. CSPAN reporter asked that question. Then she says “things are said on the campaign trail” and then laughs.

Obama and Pelosi lie about openness and now closed the door in hopes we don’t question. We should demand the truth. Why closed off to CSPAN now? The story of them being closed out is now public. So why should we believe them that healthcare is going to be better or that jobs will increase?

Another lie: The deficit depends on American’s spending, but where is the money coming from so you can spend? Who knows where the money is coming from? We are accepting the lies from Reid who has been so honest about his healthcare plan. Votes are being bought or bullied into place, so was he against the Las Vegas Mafia or was he in bed with them and learned how to push his agenda?

Another lie: The Green jobs are supposed to be the answer, but is it just about money since the secret emails have come out to say that global warming was a hoax? Now, jobs are taken and given to prisoners to make solar panels? Why, Van Jones is still in the mix. “Workers of the World unite” has been quoted so does that mean America’s workers are now less than? Are we a global institution now? We were once the strongest country in the world, but now where do we stand?

Today all we do is consume, we don’t produce. Look at our history with the steel factories during World War II. What can we make in America today? We owe a debt that is unsustainable, so how can we understand what the government is doing for us? As a country, are we now elderly, so we must retire and allow other countries to take over our country? We were once a mega and now we are archaic, so what next for us? Why are we allowing this to happen to our country? Those green jobs will be cheaper done overseas? Or do you really think you live in a fairly land of American workers given jobs. Just look at the care industry? Who is telling the truth? Get informed and speak up before we are the worst of a 3^rd would country that ever existed.

Democrats are bailing out before being booted out. Why? Are they offered a better choice like Chris Dodd? Are they becoming desperate to keep their power and money now that they have done what they gave Reid and Obama what they needed? Why are representatives bailing now? Vote them in and then bail? Doesn’t that make Americans nervous?

Will we become racist because we disagree? “Let the charges of racism deserve to be heard, but the evidence be debated, if there is evidence, but there usually isn’t” Glenn Beck

“This is about the rules of law and not the rouse of race.” “This country was built on immigrants, legal immigrants.” We are for illegal immigrants who came to this country to bring innovation, industry, intellect, and creativity. We need them and welcome with open arms. We came here for freedom. We came here to be what other countries would not allow to happen, so we are the country everyone wanted to come to, so why make us to be not for opportunity.

An example of what is being said about us:

SEIU Representative saying

“SEiU Is the largest union in the country. A number of them is undocumented. But let me hasten to add these are not just Latinos. In our membership are Eastern Europeans, Irish, Polish, Indians, and Chinese. The whole world is represented among the undocumented and also in our membership. We also represent American-born worker, legal residence”

So we hate immigrants? We are a country of immigrants? Legal Immigrants? Twisted words to make the U.S. seem racist? When people call people names that disagree with you then you are trying to separate people? There is no evidence and they are grasping at straws, so do we buy in to the lies or do we stand for what our country was founded?
Immigrants don’t say that they come to be burdened, but they came because of freedom and the hope of being successful.

Are we the same nation? Will we fin ourselves in boats hoping for a new future in another country?

DDF

“The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time” Thomas Jefferson

Cass Sunstein: change the wording, nudge, push, or shove-government wants control of all waters in the United States.

Pelosi: government healthcare takeover-Medicare-ask your doctor about who sets the cost of medical care? The government or Medicare/Medicaid?

Climate cult: worship the planet-progressive government protecting planet-you are now under authority of the planet which gives government ultimate control…check out the pledge of allegiance to the earth which your child may be reciting in schools very soon……you may want to be aware of what your child is learning in school.

“The second bill of rights” book written by Cass Sunstein our regulatory czar. The book outlines why we need equality on every part-pay, healthcare, adequate food, clothing, and recreation etc……What does adequate mean? Give families a decent living? What is decent mean? Who decides? The government wants to control you. Where have we seen this mentality before?

USSR: Article 40 “Citizens of the USSR have the right to work(that is, to guaranteed employment and pay in accordance with the quantity and quality of their work , and not below the state-established minimum wage) including the right to choose their trade or profession, type of job and work in accordance with their inclinations, abilities, trainings and education, with due account of the needs of society.”

Article 41 “Citizens have the right to rest and leisure…..the length of collective farmers’ working and leisure time is established by their collective farms”

Article 42 Citizens of the USSR have the right to health protection.”

Decent housing, jobs, food, healthcare……….What are your rights???? If healthcare passes?

Why would we need a new set of bill of rights if we are following our original Constitution which has the original bill of rights.

Progressives in the White House? Will they progressively take over America? Will citizens of this wonderful country allow that to happen?

DDF

My sister’s status was sad on the 1st, but happy at the same time which we are all remembering dad, but happy to have the family so close again. My sister and brother are back to work in City Center, so that is a blessing. We decided to not make resolutions this year because it seems to be connected to failure. We all make resolutions, but then may not make it like giving up junk food, exercising, quit smoking, or lose weight. Life seems to take over and then the feeling of failure is not the best way to finish off any year.

I read a status that stated “I am breaking up with you 2009.” And why not? You can leave behind all that you don’t want to keep in your heart. You can shake the dirt off your shoes and kick off all that had held you back before. Don’t look back, don’t regret, and forgive yourself. If you feel refreshed or refueled by the New Year then hold onto that with both hands.

As for us, we want to bring what he loved about last year into this year:

1. Wing night has become not just eating, but a tradition. It is a time for communication.

2. Cooking together/trying new recipes like our now famous Chicken Speidie/Cole Slaw Eggrolls. It is a time to be creative.

3. Do more than just grumble about American Politics. It is a time to get involved.

4. Continue to support Prison Fellowship & ACLJ. It is a time to give.

5. Writing is a passion and a hope of becoming a full-time gig. It is a time to be expressive.

6. Family moments are key to our well-being. It is time to stay connected.

7. Time is valuable, don’t waste it on negativity. It is time to be positive.

8. Living in the dream. It is time to believe.

We do have a few items on our to-do list this year. There is hope that these will happen, but if not then we are just content with the life we have at this time and in this moment.

The plan is take this year by storm with promoting Fat Haters Club, writing Robert’s idea, get a producer to turn book into a movie, and be on Dancing with the Stars, of course LOL. All these would just add to the year being better. The best part of this year is that we are together. We are happy, healthy, and safe.

God Bless you this new year. Wish you all a year full of so many great moments that they outweigh the bad J

DDF

The New Year creeps into our lives if we want it to or not. This is the anniversary of Phillip A. Thomas’ death. This time last year we were happy that dad was home from the hospital, but to be called to the house after the ball fell New Year’s Eve to say that he decided to go home. New Year’s was planning a funeral last year, so this year, death, has changed our view of the New Year.

Two men, two very powerful men who were the center of each of our families are not here as the New Year begins. Max Attebery left his legacy on not only his children, but his grandchildren. So many stories of the kids climbing all over him as he lay in his comfy recliner chair. So many stories and photos to show what an impact this man had on the lives of those he cherished. So much so, that he was ill and noticed that his family was hungry. He took it upon himself to go out and get food for his family and put aside the pain he must have been in, which is what makes him an exceptional man. He put his needs aside to take care of those he loved. Unfortunately, that time he took to take care of his family ended up in him hurting himself from getting lunch for everyone. When he walked into the door his heart had a problem, he blacked out, and broke his shin bone. He was hospitalized. He then endured two surgeries. 1^st was on his heart and the 2^nd to repair his leg which ended up with a halo around his shin to prevent him from moving. Even with such adversity, he was determined to be home with his family, but first he was put into hospice since they said he would not make it. His strong will led him to be taken home where he was able to take part of his family’s everyday life even though he was bed ridden. He succumbed on July 10^th which was 7 days after his twin sons’ birthdays. If you can imagine him, he was 6′ 3″ and stocky, a massive man who towered over kids, but those long arms enveloped so many kids that remember him to this day. It has been said that he was the “glue” that held the family together. Who will take up his torch and be the “glue” because it takes a very special person to fill his shoes or sit in his recliner.

The other man who is missed so much I can hardly breathe writing this. I miss his voice, his advice, his laughter, his singing, his ultra light cigarettes so it did not seem like he was smoking. I miss him just like Max is missed at every family get-together. I remember this tower of man with a voice who could wake the dead become so frail in such a short period of time. The cancer that ravaged his body took him so fast. All we wanted was more time. We look back and he was healthy in October. We chose to sit with him to give out candy, but the chemotherapy had touched his system and it was apparent he was getting tired quicker. Just 3 treatments, so by the time Thanksgiving came around he was only able to sit for a few minutes and ate nothing. It was the first Thanksgiving he did not make the turkey. We all knew, but didn’t want to admit it just yet. By Christmas, it was obvious the cancer or chemotherapy had ravaged his body to the point of no return. He said no more to chemotherapy. This was a 6 foot plus marine who was the only one to survive out of his platoon in Korea to end with such an internal illness was beyond imagination. Dec. 31^st we went home to get some sleep since for the past few weeks we were in the waiting room waiting for that last breath. He told Robert “make them stop” since we were all crying so much and thought he would not leave the hospital. He made Robert promise that he have us take a shot after his death. He was determined to be home by New Years, and that is what happened. He succumbed on Jan. 1^st 2009. If you can imagine him, he has a wonderful smile that was true to his words. We are a stronger family because of him. We love better. We accept better. We laugh together because of the foundation he planted for us.

Neither man minced words, but spoke words of wisdom, God, and love. They live within us each day. We need to remember them because that is who we are. If we forget them then it is easy to be different and lose the values we have been taught. Each man left a legacy and just their deaths was more about the family then themselves. The sacrifice and selflessness is admirable. Their legacy is to give to others and to focus on family. They loved without condition. No matter the mistake. No matter what they loved us. May we live our lives the same way, so our hope is to accept, love, and embrace everything in our lives, even the dark times.

May this year bring you memories of those who affected you and you apply what you have learned from them.

DDF

So much hype goes into Christmas. Making time to decorate, pump up Santa to kids by saying “Santa will not be here if you do not behave yourself!” No parent would use that line, right? The anticipation of giving and receiving gifts. Did I get the right one or what regift will I get this year? Then there is the hours spent baking or cooking when it takes less than a half hour for it all to disappear. Of course, everyone loves the “it’s time to clean up,” or “who wants to take this turkey leg home?”

Wow, so busy, but as I think about yesterday I am so thankful for it all. It was worth watching the babies play with the “makes lots of noise and lights up” toys. The smile on my sister-in-law’s face as she held up her new bracelets let us know we picked just the right gift. We drew names, which allowed for more conservative spending, but more worthwhile gifts. Our son had a wish list and people just picked off the list, so we ended up buying 2-3 games instead of his whole list. Dylan and Robert’s daughter, Amber, had a blast playing since she has a WII too and her list had WII resort. Lot’s of fun family time. WII ping pong is much harder than it looks.

That is what it was for us this season. Our ribs hurt from laughing as my brother told stories in his unique comedic way. We hugged and told each other how much we love each other. We cooked together, we ate together, and we cleaned up together. Even though Dad was not there physically, he was there in that he left his legacy in each of us. Each of us carries a part of him with us. It wouldn’t be a family get-together without family karaoke. There is nothing like my mom singing “Achy Breaky Heart” to warm the heart.

We will be learning how to make cookies today with Robert’s daughter, so that should be fun. As she listed off the ingredients, I had to laugh since obviously we don’t bake. I am pretty sure we will need all the ingredients and a baking dish. There is no “bah humbug” here, we will make a trip to the store and bring deliciously made cookies to Robert’s side of the family later today.

The spirit of Christmas is different this year. Time spent is so fleeting. We were reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season which brings us back to just loving the time we have together as a family.

We hope that your Christmas was as special as ours. Oh,wait, now what New Year’s Resolution will I make? Oh, the pressure! LOL

DDF