~ UPDATE ~

As promised........ I said that I would keep everyone posted as to my progress in my by-pass quest. I have successfully completed all of the physical aspects of the pre- testing. I must still under go a physcological exam. I honestly don't understand the need for that considering that if I had the cash I could find almost any plastic surgeon who would make me look like almost anybody for a fee of course. Regardless that must still be scheduled to see if I really am seriously over weight, and that this surgery could actually help save my life.
More word as I find out.....................

~Please~

Please, please, please......there now I said it three times. You won't be able to say you didn't know. or you weren't aware.I Found out today there are in excess of 200,000 homeless Veterans. At least 80,000 are Viet Nam Vets. The remaining ones are from WW2, Korea, Grenada, and the first Iraqi War. There were no stats for the ongoing war but I am sure that there will be many who will not be able to come back to the world. Many for whom the dreams will not stop. Many of them reduced to hiding in fear at the sound of a car back firing or perhaps the weather helicopter flying over head.
These brave men and women reduced to living hand to mouth,often outdoors, many not using the veterans benefits they so richly deserve.These brave souls have lost the ability to spend a peaceful, quiet, relaxing evening in the safety and security of their own homes. Many afraid to be indoors because of feeling trapped.
We as a nation need to be ashamed of the way these heros are being treated. We need to know that these brothers and sisters laid it all on the line . They paid the ultimate price for all of your and my freedoms. Because of what they did and gave up you and I are safe and secure in our own homes.
Get interested and involved in helping our homeless vets, donate all you can spare. If you are involved with a community project, make the focus of that group help the homeless vets. After all look what they have done for you. 

~ HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY ~

Today is a National holiday. It is a day that we as a nation should reflect on, well, what brought us to the "dance". We here in America enjoy a lot of things.Most things we don't even notice and as a result we take for granted. Most of us enjoy a standard of living that is way beyond what the majority of the world experiences. Take for example the simple act of brushing your teeth. You stumble out of bed in your air conditioned home, totter to the bathroom and flip on the over head light.Most will avial themselves of the lavatory and then head to the sink and wash your hands and brush your teeth. Some will even begin their day by taking a hot shower and putting on freshly laundered clothing. These are a few of the small things we take for granted.
We then head to the front door and get the daily morning paper. It, as usual, is full of claptrap and nonsence BUT they are free to write anything they want, about anything they want. The only constrainment is that is must be true and even that is rarely adhered to.
Well it is time to prepare for the days festivitys. We make sure the beer is iced down, the charcoal is in the grill waiting for the guests to arive. Our food is stored safely in the refridgerator untill it is time to grill it.
Soon our guests arive,cars parking in the yard,in front of the houses, every available space. Most of the guests bring their family specialtys.....those special baked beans or perhaps potatoes au gratin. Maybe a pasta salad or a green salad. We all pool together our resourses and a grand party comes together. We celebrate by getting our buzz on and watching the fireworks, perhaps setting off a few ourselves. Patriotic feelings coursing through our veins as we hear the thunderous report of the ordances we are setting off.
The day has come and gone. Our familys and friends have gathered. We celebrated as hard as we could, and all have returned home safely.
How many truly will reflect on what our forefathers actually paid to bring this country together? All of the signers of the Constitution paid horrific prices. They lost their fortunes, their familys and their property. Most did not live long enough to see our fledgling nation flourish.
We live in the greatest nation on the face of this earth. Some of our citizens have no clue as to what it took to get us here. Some don't care any longer,it seems we are turning into a nation of self centered people instead of a band of citizens that work together for a common goal.Most fail to understand what it takes to remain free and strong. They can't even be bothered to get off their lazy duffs and venture out in their own community and vote. Vote for the people who represent us, vote for whom we want , oh yeah that is another privelege . If you don't like what is going on you may run for office and work towards changing it.
Please people it is high time we quit knocking our country and our President and our troops. We are so blessed to live in this country. We have so much more than any nation I have ever seen. Happy Birthday America !!! May God continue to bless us.