Wordful Wednesday: Support Our Ranchers - Be AWARE.

For today's Wordful Wednesday I am extending my post from yesterday in hopes that something great will come from this tragedy. I am just so passionate about this issue.

Some American Ranchers are in need of your HELP. They need your support right now. They need you to be AWARE. If you haven't heard about Robert Kentz. Please take the time to read yesterday's post. Go here or scroll down. This is important in so many ways. Please check it out. Do your own research and get the message out that OUR BORDERS NEED TO BE PROTECTED.

OUR people need to be protected.

**the picture is borrowed from Google images**

Fired UP

It's political which I try to stay away from on my blog but it is time...............

It is time to get serious. Because this, Arizona Rancher Murdered, shouldn't have happened and I am upset about it. I am OUTRAGED. So I write.

I am mad that this happened and relieved that I don't live there anymore. The Hubs who is now going to be called Mr. Man (because I am tired of "Hubs" and because I call him Mr. all the time so it fits) knew this rancher. We lived not far from him and he had done business with him before. Such a sad sad story and IT DIDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

When is something going to be done about our borders? When is THAT going to be a priority?Instead we waste months arguing about a health care bill that to quote a democrat on the hill the day it passed, "This bill is going to destroy America as we know it" and admitted that it passed just as a "We told you we could.......(pass a bill) to the Republicans." DISGUSTING.

Meanwhile people, OUR innocent good people are dying just because we can't seem to keep OUR borders protected and bad people out of OUR country. This has been weighing on my heart from some time. One - because I lived down there for six years and saw first hand the floods of immigrants that would cross our ranch. Two - in the last couple of years I saw the demographic of people that have come across change and it is scary. SCARY. It's ridiculous.

These immigrants that are coming over are NOT the immigrants of old. They are not looking for a better life, an education, or a place to work (hell we HAVE no work). They are running drugs that are infiltrating OUR schools. They are gang members that are infiltrating OUR communities and OUR schools. They are TERRORISTS.

I believed once that they were here for a better life. I have known a few that have come here illegally then made it legal and brought their family over to pursue and education - a better life. I am all for legal passage and immigration into the United States. Come on over be a part of a great nation. Be a working productive contributor not a sucking leach ( that could be said about some of our current American residents.) Bring your children leave your drugs and gangs.

Unfortunately those people are not the ones coming over. Instead the ones coming over are trafficking DRUGS. Drugs that are coming into OUR communities and being peddled to OUR children. They establish gang members in good communities. Just ask Lady Di who had a drive by shooting not too far from her house last year. They carry guns and are prepared to kill anyone who gets in there way. Innocent people who mistakenly lend a helping hand.

A year of so after we moved there. A farmer was going home and saw a car with it's hood up. He stopped to help and they SHOT him. A couple of years ago a women was shot in her HOME. Just last year we and several others were broke into. Luckily for us it was just our office and they didn't take anything they just trashed the place. However others were not so lucky. Also before we left a couple was forced into the trunk of their car and taken to the Mexico border. The immigrants just wanted a car to get back to Mexico. Thankfully they were unharmed - physically anyway. Their are many more stories out there but you never hear about them.

For every one case where the border patrol arrests a group of immigrants smuggling drugs (many were caught on our ranch) there are a hundred more and even more who never got caught because system is so overwhelmed. This should make everyone uneasy because if they can make it in anyone can. Any terrorist can come on in. Are you nervous? I am.

IT IS A PROBLEM! And the government burying their heads in the sand isn't going to solve it. How many lives are going to have to be lost before they pull their heads out and take action? I guess that have the "out of site, out of mind" philosophy up there in Washington. Or maybe they are too busy trying to figure out how to sneak little things such as student loan restructuring (that is important right now) into the Health Care Bill and I am hearing about all kinds of things that they slipped in.

It is sad that this happened to such a nice man. My heart is saddened that he lost his life over something so ridiculous. His poor family. Our family is praying for them. To quote this article that a friend emailed me today, " This country failed Robert Krentz, his family and all who work for him. As they have failed countless families all across the country."

It is time folks to protect OUR country and OUR citizens. I am not saying I know the answer. I don't. Well...............never mind that. I am saying that it is time to go to the drawing table and come up with some real solutions. We know the problem so let's start fixing it. WE have to. We can't just send down unarmed people to slap them on the hand and send them back just for them to come back the following week. That hasn't worked. Are we THAT stupid?

Treat this situation for what it is, a homeland security issue, make it priority one and FIX it. Fix it for us and for our future generations. They need to stop worrying about how many votes it will get them at election time and fix it.

Sorry for the rant. I am just mad and when I get mad - I blog. It helps.

I miss our home in many ways but am so relieved that we got our girls out of that area. I recall countless times where we were outside and were approached by illegals. My husband would rush into a car, a shop, the house, or somewhere out of sight as fast as he could and then he would go back out to see what they wanted. SCARY.

Become a Facebook fan of 'Protect AMERICAN Ranchers on the Mexican Border (In Memory of the Krentz Family)' Here.

Snoozin' In Saturday: A Trio

Ally the dog loves when the girls come to stay at her house. It gives her an excuse to sleep on the bed all day.

Show me your Saturday snoozers!

A Poem

WELCOME TO HOLLAND

by Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this........

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland." "Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy" But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place. So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.....and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandt's. But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy....and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned." And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away......because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But.....if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things.....

about Holland.

Table Topics Tuesday: I over think

I am late to the party but at least I came

Topic: Would you rather live a week in the past or in the future?

At first glance I thought for sure the future. I am a 'What if?' girl to the core. So at first I thought - the future! Then I can see for myself that all is going to be okay and then I would be able to come back to the present and just be. Instead of being my worrisome anxious self.

Then the Hubs and I had a conversation about it. I said that it would be better to go forward and then come back and change the future (if you must) then go back and change the past because that could set forward a whole plan of events that could change the present beyond your control. Changing one moment in the past could change all kinds of things. Right? Makes sense to me. NOT to him. To him he says it is the same. So maybe I am CRAZY. So then I was really thinking about it and I thought no - I would go back. But not too far. I mean, I have made some mistakes but those mistakes have brought me to where I am today. For the most part I wouldn't change a thing. However with that said the last two years have not been the greatest. Losing a baby, Hubs not following a path he is passionate about - upon my request, only for him to lose his job 8 months later (i have incredible guilt). Then turning our world upside down by moving to Montana in the fall and both of us having to do things that we are not enjoying just to make ends meet. I would like to think, just as I have in the past, that everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that. But in these cases I think that a one simple tweak would be okay and would change things. If only.

However, if I truly believe that everything happens for a reason - then we are on a path that we are supposed to be on and it will lead us to great things. Then I shouldn't want to change a thing right? I just thought of that. I do that, often. Plus if I were to go back in the past to change the present- it would be tempting to go back even farther and I wouldn't want to risk losing what precious blessings I have in my life to change one single event.

See - who knows what would happen if you go back and mess with the past. I just read recently in a blog "Don't look back unless it's to gain understanding." It really hit me.

Maybe I am looking at this all wrong. I do tend to over think! I am sure you figured that out by now. Maybe I should just want to go to visit an era. I always loved the Victorian era. Go back and live with Queens and Kings. Nice. But....... who knows what kind of trouble I could cause in a week. It could change some seriously big events in history, right? Right.

So in the course of this I really confused myself. Round and Round I go. But I did come up with this......

To answer the question: Would you rather live a week in the past or in the future?

I know I just made a great argument for not going back. So you would most likely assume that I would go forward. However, I think I actually would travel to the past. I would go back to when my mom had my baby sister and I would hold her and love her. I would get my fill of her sweet little spirit in a weeks worth of time to last me a lifetime. I was two and a half when she passed away and I am not sure if the memories I have of her are my own or those that I have seen in pictures. All I know is this: I have a hole in my heart. I have a longing to see her and meet her so I think that is my answer. The past - but I would have to do it stealth like as to not change the present. Then I would also have to trust that the future is bright and perfect and that I have nothing to worry about. I am not very good at that!

Thanks Shannon from Welcome to the Nuthouse for letting me play along. I had fun.

It's Spring and Music Monday

Happy Spring from the Drama Mama's to you! We hope it brings you much happiness and new beginnings.

I (Amy) for one am looking forward to what I hope spring has to offer. I am ready - How about you? Are you doing anything fun for Spring Break? The school here doesn't take a lot of time so I have no idea what we are going to do.

I am visiting all our followers this week and while cruising I found this: Music Monday over at Keeping Up With the Kelly's. So fun. This weeks theme is H.S. days. Originally I, before I went to the Tara's (the hosts) sight, I looked up Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter because for some odd reason it takes me back to my Senior year, 1996. But when I clicked on Tara's page she had posted it. So funny. So instead I picked a song that is both relevant to me and Lady Di because No Doubt was Lady Di's most favorite band back then and she introduced them to me. So it is perfect. Here you go:

Snoozin' In Saturday: Peace

I just realized that I have not posted any pictures of the A-Cat, formerly known as the MP, snoozing. Doesn't she look so peaceful? This is a rare moment for this one - trust me. This was taken almost a year ago when she was three. I will miss the days when she no longer needs her lovey. I am not going to think about it.

Ok it is your turn - Show me your Saturday snoozers.

Friday Five: The Sun

Amy's Friday Five: This is where I share with you five things I learned this week because there is always something to be learned. In the process you might learn a little something about me

1. That after experiencing -22 degrees: 50 degrees feels like beach weather.

2. That here: mother nature gives just to take it away again. It is snowing RIGHT now. We were taking walks and enjoying the nice weather and then BAM: Snow. Grrrrr.

3. Sun and blogging are vital components to my well being. It makes me ;0) and both are missing in my life right now.

4. The park can be a good place to meet people. Never had a park within walking distance. It is kind of fun.

5. The mama bear syndrome also applies to the Hubs. Don't mess with him - I take offense and the claws come out.

What have you learned this week?

Have a fabulous Friday and come back tomorrow to see who is snoozin' in on Saturday.

Rude People Suck

The Hubs' new job brings him face to face with an array of people. Not really his favorite thing but it (his job) is paying the bills. I haven't blogged about it because our current situation is like so many others and we are just not really happy but getting by. It is just life for now and this too shall pass.

Anyhow his job takes him into people's homes and he has seen things that no one should ever see from porno dvd's just lying around, birds flying (in the house), food and bird/cat feces on the floor, kids peeing in cereal bowls. Our eyes have been opened. OPENED! Wish they hadn't but they have. Crazy stuff!

The hubs comes home and tells me stories and I cringe and then make him strip his clothes and take a shower.

So he came home yesterday and tells me that he had to stop for directions in a small town. He walks into a store and asks this lady and she turns around and says, "Do I look like a map to you?"

What the heck? Are you kidding me? He, being the man he is - apologizes. APOLOGIZES! what does he have to apologize for? That old hag should have apologized. Honestly i am not sure whether she was old or not but a hag(to put it nicely) never the less.

He tells her that he is not familiar with the area and thought she might be able to help. She says, "There's a post office across the street." Not in a nice voice. He, being in uniform, thought it not be a good idea to tell her off.

It just irritates me that people are so rude. I mean seriously. This was not the first time that he has encountered a rude person like her. Who peed in her corn flakes? Maybe she has one of those kids that I talked about above. Regardless there is no good reason to treat people like dirt. NONE. If I ever find myself in that town. I will be asking directions to that same lady because I am NOT wearing uniform and I have some words for her like, Oh excuse me? I thought you were human but now I see you are just a @%&*!. So sorry for the mistake. Have a wonderful day!

I might just go there for that because I have some pent up anger I need to release. I think it would help.

So I ask, What would you say or not say when encountered with the lovely person above?

Sometimes It is Just ALL about the DRAMA

It just is. Have you ever had one of those weeks where it feels like you just can't get ahead? No matter what you do you are late to everything, the house just throws up on itself and the laundry room seems to be reproducing clothes? I just had one of those weeks. Hence the lack of blogging. I so miss blogging. I miss you. Actually I miss my computer. I haven't spent much time on it the past few weeks. Anyhow back to the drama Amy style!

You know you have Mama Drama when:

1. You are going on week 3 of the sickies. Somehow I have managed to keep it away from the girls and the Hubs but I just can't seem to kick the sniffles, cough, the nasty gunk.

2. Your 7 year old is home from school because she went into complete hysterics after you tell her that she absolutely can't where a sweater jacket with tights only. Not to mention having to cover her mirror with paper because you are just DONE with the constant staring of herself and talking to it instead of you. The previous day she had a melt down after she was told that there was no way you were letting her take down and wear her VALANCE to school. Yes VALANCE: hot pink and leopard print valance. OH MY GOSH: the DRAMA - the TEARS. I (we are in for it when she is a teenager.)

3. In an attempt to accept your current plight you try to embrace all things winter and attempt to go skiing with a group of kids that turn out to be your responsibility because the leader became ill the day before. YOU who has extreme ANXIETY soon realize that the possibility of returning these kids in one piece is going to be a chore and you start saying prayers as soon as you see the mountain. Thankfully I was heard.

4. In the same trip you decide not to get skis yourself but put your 7 year old in lessons and after lessons end up walking or riding up the mountain on a magic carpet to put on skis that have fallen off or just going up there because she is frustrated and needs a pep talk. My feet were frozen and my fingers felt (well they didn't feel at all). I had just planned on staying in the lodge all day. You have drama when you realize that you are completely unprepared for such an outing.

5. A new friend invites you to what you assume is just a few mom's talking over coffee for an hour about an hour ahead of time. So you throw on a track suit and hat grab some crackers for the girls and get out the door to find (1) you are actually a half an hour early and (2) this is a three hour thing with agendas and guest speakers. HOLY CATs did I feel a little uneasy.

6. After not so GENTLE prompting from you mom you go to her chiropractor for what you thought was a regular adjustment. After 2 hours of tests he decides you need x-rays before he will even touch my spine and he says, "has anyone ever talked to you about sclerosis?" FANTASTIC! What the heck is that?

7. To enjoy the SUN you decide to take the dogs and the little girls for a walk to pick up the K- BUG (aka the OP) from school. You grab the wagon and dog leashes and head out. About half way you realize this was the DUMBEST idea in the world and wish you had turned around. When you think it can't get any worse one of your dogs takes a huge DUMP on someone's yard and you not being used to the whole dogs-on-a-leash thing because you used to live in the middle- of-no-where- desert have forgotten some sort of dump removal system ( bags ). So after standing at such yard for 5 minutes praying that no one has just witnessed such violation you keep walking. You then find a ziplock on the side of road and run back to clean up your stupid dogs mess. So really I did two civic duties that day: I picked up trash and cleaned up after my dog.

8. It is another beautiful day and you decide to walk to the park with the kids (no dogs) to enjoy the sun. After 10 minutes the B-Bear (aka the YP) has to go potty so you make a mad dash for the restrooms, open the door and feel like you just fell into a sewage plant. You hold back the urge to puke and open the stall door to now have visual to go along with the smell. Next door the results in the same visual. I think crap (literally) what the heck? So in complete desperation you throw paper towels into the sink and hold her over it to pee. I mean she is two and she can't hold it! All the while thinking of the people you are going to write a letter to about this! RIDICULOUS! The B-Bear gets done and you throw away the paper towels and go to turn on the faucet- NO WATER! GRRR! %!@*

and last but not least. You KNOW you have Mama Drama when:

9. The Hubs has to sleep on the couch because, after coming home at 1:30am from being out on a ride-a-long with the local pd, finds that the Basset hound has peed on his side of the bed. I let the dogs sleep with me and the B-Bear, not sure why, and apparently he must have dreamed he was peeing on a tree and actually peed because he never got up. Nice.

I told you it was one of those weeks! Crazy. What I ask was your drama?

Monday's Mama Drama

You Know You Have Mama Drama When.....

1. You cook "breakfast for dinner" 3x during the week because you didn't have time to go grocery shopping. No worries however, my kids LOVE breakfast for dinner.

2. You have to haul all your laundry to your in-law's house because your washer decided to go kaput.

3. You go to the gym for your first class named Boot Camp and after seeing the trainer show up in full fatigues (he's an ex-drill Sargent) realize they REALLY do mean BOOT CAMP. I didn't know the human body could produce that much sweat.

And Finally...

4. Your back begins to hurt so bad while on a walk with your husband and kids that by the end of the walk you're in the wagon and the kids are walking. Must have been the boot camp...

Snoozin' In Saturday: Tuckered Out

Sorry this is late - i was snoozin' in. The hubs finally came home and I took advantage.

So here is the B-Bear aka the YP. She tuckered out at the counter while I was blogging. Just laid down covered her head with her lovey and took a little siesta.

Show me your Snoozer(s). Did you see last week at Our Life with Multiples? She played along and oh my word - so cute. Also Lady Di made an appearance today- Yippee. Check it out below or click here. Have a great Saturday - It is beautiful here in Montana. FINALLY!

Sitting With My Girl- Six Word Saturday

Little curls resting on my shoulder.