True Radical

True Radical! I guess that is me? I consider myself to be pretty moderate. Today this was said to me at a late lunch, "I don't know how you and Craig get along, you are so radical". What makes her think that I'm radical? What makes her think that Craig and I don't agree with each other politically? We do, just not on everything. I've never shared any views to her other than the fact that I voted for President Obama, and I was upset about the fact he wasn't allowed to speak to the school children when his speech originally aired. She was the one who screamed at me, almost crashed 2x and said "I think he is evil"! Do you think that saying someone is a Radical Republican an oxymoron?

Powers That Be!

Not only do I live in the most Republican state in the Union, I also live in the most Republican county in the state, and also in the most Republican town in the county! Lucky ME! President Obama was supposed to speak to the school children this past week in a televised broadcast. Nebo School District decided not to have him address the kids in the Nebo District. We were the only district in Utah that decided not to air his talk. His previously written talk was printed on the Internet for all to see. It was very uplifting and would have been something that all children would have benefited to see, and hear. While I respect a parents choice not to have their child hear the President speak no matter how dumb I think the choice is. I really was saddened to see the district take this route. If only three children in the whole school wanted to hear him they should have been able to. It reminds me of some communist country that will only let certain things be seen and heard by its citizens. A former friend likened him to Hitler, and Hitlers youth. Not viewing it would be more like something Hitler would have done. One parent wrote in that his child was not to listen to that black Ni--er! Teachers in the lounge were heard to feel the same way about having to listen to the President. You may not agree with his policies but there is no need to name call and disrespect the man. If you disagree with him talk to your children and tell them why. Don't call him evil. As a member of the "Church" I am disappointed in the way other members are behaving. I have heard so many evil things said about him. Would you feel Comfortable talking in the manner you have been talking in front of President Monson? Have you heard President Monson say horrible things about the man? NO! I've heard people say that he isn't my president, or he is our servant he needs to serve us! Try pleasing a whole bunch of spoiled brats. Believe me your day is coming.

Now the district has back peddled and will air his speech. It'll be interesting to see what happens and how many parents will keep their kids away. I really worry what we are teaching our children. It isn't respect, and that is for sure. We are teaching them that we don't need to respect anyone in authority. If you don't agree call them names. Rebel you don't need to support anything you don't believe in...seat belt wearing, underage drinking, speed limits.....You are the President of your family. Is it your only job to serve? Do you need support from your family? Yes you do and regardless of how you feel about the president you need to be the best that you can be and support him in the ways that you can.

Duh? I don't get it!

Why is it that we can accept the fact that someone who is straight, or so called religious can become wild, or fall away, and we believe it. But Someone who was once wild can never become religious, huh? So one can never mend their wild ways, and fall back into the flock?

Walk Softly But Carry a Big Mouth!

I must say that I am quick to anger. Sad but true I get angry and spout off like nobodies business! I was angered the other day and used some choice words to convey the message. Made that person wish they'd never called! I need to take a course in speaking my mind without all the fur flying. I don't need to swear to make my point. Even though I was right in the incident I could have handled it better. I just hate being questioned about my integrity. I hate that others are treated unkindly, and I have a tendency to stick up for the underdog. I don't care for the self important, or blow hards as I like to call them. Everyone needs credit for the good that they do in life. So things don't always go your way, deal with it. I don't deal with compliments very well, but I feel that others need to be told that they are doing a great job. Especially if the powers that be don't let them know. Everyone needs to know that they are appreciated. I don't compliment on other things like kids, they're yours so I assume you think they're cute. Hair, you got the cut you must like it. You must think you look great in that outfit, you bought it. I hate the fact that some people are so needy they are searching for compliments, I think I'm a bit intuitive about that, and I don't play that game. If I see y0u are being oppressed by some bully I will tell you how great you are dealing with the creep. But hair clothes and kids? Sorry honey you're on your own!

Must Be Hard to Be A Celebrity!

Tonight Craig and I took a cute couple from Australia (Martin and Elaine) to dinner in the Tree Room at Sundance. Not on our dime, it was through Craig's work, and entertaining clients. On the way up I said maybe you'll see Robert Redford! Now, I've never seen Robert Redford ever! I've heard he wasn't very good looking, but I didn't really know. As we exited the over priced restaurant we took a few pictures of the beautiful surroundings, and each other because we are beautiful in our own surroundings. Her husband was taking more pictures of the area. Craig was up a head, and I saw a honey blond, scraggly looking, wrinkly old man walking down the path. His head was down but I recognized that hair, and I said "LOOK" you wanted to see him and here he is. Mind you I was holding out my arm, and pointing like I was announcing the Queen of Sheba. He raised his head and said "Hi" promptly dropped his mop top again and went on his merry way, as my friend asked a "photo please". He just kept walking! I think about me announcing in a joking way, and pointing in such a way someone would point out a monkey at the zoo! I was kind of feeling a bit like a paparazzi, and not very respectful of his solitude. So, sorry Robert and here's a bit of advice, sunscreen!

"WHO YA GONNA CALL"?

GOATS BUSTERS! Sheeeeeesh make one little mistake in hearing something! I have a friend who works with me who loves to plan fun vacations. So..we were talking about trips and I told her she ought to plan a trip for we women to go on. Just the women from work, I love the women I work with! We talked about going back East, California, Nauvoo, Las Vegas.......someone mentioned Savannah and then the ghosts of Savannah. I said, "Goats of Savannah?" Can't we just go and see goats at Thanksgiving Point? Well you can't imagine the laughter that ensued, HA HA! They said, "GHOSTS of Savannah"! I knew that! We got pretty silly, and laughed about "Goat Hunters, Goat Busters, The Goat Whisperer, Goats of the Mississippi. I even had a little chuckle later that night when I got all cuddled up in my bed. Well, I am now known as "The Goat Whisperer". Tough title but I think I can live up to it.

Today, and probably a couple of weeks later, from that not hearing to well incident, my co-workers really had a hay day with all things GOAT. When I came back from a break there was a little white goat sitting in my chair. When I asked where the goat came from my co-workers said, "What goat"? I went to get my phone out of my purse and what do you think I found? Yep a little brown goat! I had to take one of my kids to inclusion, and the story that the other children had to act out in that classroom was, "The Three Billy GOATS Gruff". And the same white goat was in that room! I went back into my classroom, and one of my co-workers said, "You left your phone in here". I picked it up, opened it to make sure the game was off, and my screen saver was another little white goat! When I was going back to class I turned my phone on and got a text message. When I opened it there was a little white goat in my car! My co-workers are a little crazy as you can tell. When I got back from inclusion I heard a pitiful little bleating sound coming from inside our classroom. Yes, it had been recorded on my phone. Aren't those co-workers of mine a hoot! Mrs. Jensen's 2nd grade class got in on all the fun, and illustrated me a lovely GOAT book, which she wrote a story to. I left the room again and when I came back there was a cute little blank book, with a titled cover, "The Goats of Mapleton Elementary, by Susan K. Jessen"! I am going to write all of my goat stories in that book! I wonder if they'll mind if I use a "Goat Writer"?

What Would You Do?

Well, at my work, Mapleton Elementary a cruise is being planned for April of 2010, to the Mexican Rivera, for 7 days! The cost will be 50 dollars per person down, and 750 dollars per person after that, and that's a real steal! I LOVE to cruise! The dilemma: That should be the month that Benny gets home from his mission. I'm thinking that he loves his mission soooooooo much he'll want to extend for another 6 weeks. So I should just go on that cruise(remember? I really LOVE cruising!) I'm thinking hummmmmmmm...? If I don't plan to go he'll extend, if I do he'll come home and I'll have to lay the smack down on him! What would you do(Please remember how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cruising)? Oh yeah and I also LOVE Ben a lot too!