HILLARY AND TRUMP..

I have been asked by the two people that read this blog two questions.  The first being why I have not written in so long?   The answer is I don't know. My that was easy when actually the truth is a bit more complicated.   I think I have been lazy.  I have had so many many blog subjects running around in my head as I live out each day that I have not been able to sit down to write. My most fertile area of ideas comes from the ER but that pesky thing called HIPPA prevents me from capitalizing on what would be a potential best seller. The second question is why, after writing volumes on Obama during both of his election years, I have not put anything down about this current election.  The answer is quite simple.  I loathe that woman to such an extent that my blood pressure rises every time I  see that cow on TV. The fact that our current POTUS is campaigning for her adds to the vomit and headache factor.  Susan Hodge this blog is for you.


We are in an election with a seasoned politician vs. the reality TV King.  Well this would seem like a no brainer except that it's not.  Donald Trump beat out 17 Republican hopefuls, all seasoned 'statesmen' and I use that term loosely, to capture the crown.  He is rude, sometimes crude, insulting, and temperamental.  I  LOVE him.  Every time he opens his mouth he is speaking for me. I love the wall, I love the idea of deporting illegal aliens, I love the idea of getting rid of or revamping the so called Affordable Care Act.  I love that he is a business man and has great successful kids who adore him. I love love love the fact that he is not politically correct. We are rapidly becoming a nation of panty-waist whiney babies where a single word can send a person running to a lawyer because of emotional distress. I love the fact that he has not spent most of his adult life in Washington. I love the fact that he is smart enough to surround himself with brilliant people.   Lets address the complaints about him from the left of center.  He is a xenophobe.  Xenophobia: n. A person who is fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or of people from different countries or cultures. Donald Trump has business interests in Canada, Turkey, Panama, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Uruguay, Ireland , Scotland, Brazil, Azerbaijan, and Dubai to name the current few.  Maybe he had therapy to deal with his xenophobia because he has done very well dealing with all those foreigners successfully.  Homophobia: n.  The irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or anyone in the LGBT community.  It is well documented that he does not support non-traditional marriage.  I do not have any figures to know if he has any workers in the community but I would imagine that in the thousands of employees that he had there are more than a few.  There is documentation of  his friendships in the community. He can change his mind just as Hillary has.  I have gay friends who will be voting for him anyway because as one man put it.  "I trust him and like the majority of things he stands for".  Speaking frankly, because this is my blog I have a huge issue with transgenderism.  If you were born a man then you are still a man until you cut off your offending member. Like wise if you are a woman and want to be a man then until that time that you close off the canal and grow a penis(or have one made) you are still a woman.  You use the bathroom dictated by how you pee. Stay out of my bathroom and my dressing room.... but I digress. (there will be another blog about this issue).  Racist: n. A person who believes that a particular race is superior to another and Sexist: n. A person who has sexist attitudes or behaves in a sexist manner. Racist is most commonly a term used  to  describe feelings against African Americans and now Mexicans by Caucasians. Trump hires the best.  He runs a business and if you are African American, Hispanic or a woman and you are the best you will get a job.  There is no history of him refusing to  hire a person just because of the color of their skin, or their sex.  Bruce Levell  who founded the National Diversity Coalition  For Trump says he has met most of the top execs for Trump and he sees no  sign of discrimination. He is quoted as saying if " you're black, small, white or tall.  If you've got a gift and a talent he's going after you." It is a fact that he supports and encourages women in his organization to reach for the top and promote them in male dominated fields.  Islamaphobia: n. A dislike or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force.  Well if you do not want people from countries that support terrorism to be allowed to enter our country at this time  and that is considered an Islamaphobic then I guess that includes one hell of a lot of Americans including me. FBI Director Comey stated to Congress that the government does not have the ability to  conduct  thorough background checks on all the  10,000 Syrian refugees that Obama administration wants to let into our country. Trump is correct.  At this time our borders need to be closed. As far a Illegals from Mexico goes that needs to stop as well.  You should not be allowed come into our country and receive any benefits that we grant our citizens. Mexico would not allow that to happen in their country so why should they condemn us for the same.


Hillary Clinton wants the job.  She is a sociopath. Sociopath: n. a person who  lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others.  A sociopath is often goal-oriented and have little regard or respect for the rights or feelings of others. Do you know how you can tell Hillary is telling the truth?  Her mouth is closed. I wish I could take credit for that.   Hillary is for women's rights.  Um hum.  Tell that to all the women Bill  slept with, raped or intimated. She eviscerated those women.  So women's rights only apply to certain women.   She repeatedly stated that she was against gay marriage but to give the cow her hay, she like Trump, can change her stand on that.  She and her husband have the Clinton pay-for-play Foundation.  I am sure that the Foundation  has done some good.  The main thing that it has helped has been the Clintons.  It is currently under investigation for multiple improprieties.  I do not believe that our current Justice Department will do anything.  The Attorney General Loretta Lynch will never touch her unless she kills someone on national TV. Books have been written about the Clinton and their corruption. I cannot even begin to cover everything.  It is easiest to say that she remains above the law. She has lied and lied and lied to the American Public and justifies it or blames it on someone else.  She has been given a pass from the FBI and the DOJ repeatedly on things that if you or I had committed we would never see the light of day.  I still want to know what happened with Benghazi and maintain that the blood of four Americans are on her.   She perpetuated the lie that the attack was caused by a video.  Her emails have been destroyed and wiped clean.  Remember when she said she only had a Blackberry to communicate  well make that  13 Blackberrys and 5 iPads. None of which were government issued.  She had her own server.  The FBI proved that she lied repeatedly about receiving and sending classified government information and they still did not bring charges against her.  Many of her communication devices were physically destroyed.  My guess is she didn't want anyone to get information about her daughters wedding or her yoga appointments.  When confronted with her lies she doubles down and continues to lie.  When confronted with FBI testimony about her lies her statement was that she heard it a different way.   I love it,  she has selective hearing.  She only hears really good things about herself.  She has condemned  Trump of being pro Russian.  It is darling Hillary that needs to answer how on her watch Russian was given control of 20%of the uranium production in the United States. If your interested look up the creation of "Uranium One" As the Russians gained control of Uranium One  money was given to the Clinton Foundation totaling over 2 million dollars.  At the same time Slick Willie the former president was given  half a million for a speech in Moscow.  He may be entertaining but what could he possibly say worth all that money.   Considering all that there are still those who  look the other way and consider her presidential material. 


I am obsessed with the news and will continue to be so until the election.  I will vote wearing Trump Red so that I can be identified as a supporter.  We need change we don't need another term of Obama. Our country is at stake. Our debt is staggering, our healthcare is in jeopardy, crime is escalating, our borders are a sieve.   I am willing to give the businessman a chance after all 8 years ago the country gave the biggest job in the land to Obama and he had no experience.. and how has that worked out for us.


PS: catty sexist comment ahead.... someone needs to fire her dresser or get her one which ever pertains.  Maybe her vision like her hearing is selective because she looks like hell in those ridiculous pant suits

Blessings and Poop

Oh Lord this had not been a pleasant spring thus far.   My mother-in-law died and was buried on February 1.  She had been hospitalized for nearly a month and was suffering horribly for  a time.  Stan drove down to St. Petersburg just days before she died and I am so grateful that he had that time with her.  Becky, the kids, and I left that Saturday to drive and I woke up with an abscessed tooth.  I got my medication took it like a good girl and when I got back went to see my dentist....who referred me to a dental surgeon because of an impacted wisdom tooth.  I never had those little pesky things removed and they  lay dormant all these years just lurking under my gums.  It helped that the oral surgeon looked like Dennis Quaid.  I still was scared spit less. It took nearly two hours to complete the surgery and involved removing a small part of my jaw. I apparently sang and hummed "the sun will come out tomorrow" from Annie the entire time except when I launched into "when your a jet your a jet all the way....  lalalala from West Side Story. They thought it was hysterical.   Post op orders were soft and liquids for the next month.   My Boss had the right idea when he said it sounded like vodka and ice cream time! I started private Pilates class with Fiona to increase my core strength and to help my posture and also for weeks I had just not felt good.  Not bad just low energy, lack of motivation, and kind of an "eh" attitude.  I worked my 6 day stretch and then watched the twins for Becky.  We made big plans with Joshua's two babies and Becky's three for a weekend and had lovely things for everyone to do.  I got nauseated on that Monday and went to work on Tuesday and left after 30 minutes to go back home.  I had generalized abdominal pain and felt a good fart would relieve all symptoms.  I ended up back at my hospital that afternoon when the pain localized to my lower right side.  I cannot say enough about the staff at St Martin Hospital.  I know that I am part of the family but I have watched them give the care to others that they gave me.  I was coddled and pampered and cared for from the moment I walked in from the ER staff to lab and xray.  I had an appendicitis and needed to be transferred.    That night at LGMC South I had emergency surgery and it was discovered that my appendix had ruptured.  I thought I was tough.  I breezed thru a bilateral mastectomy in 2003  but this had knocked my socks off.  The surgeon told me that I was a little older this time around... duh.  The worst thing is the crying.  I cannot stop the tears and do not know why.  I do remember coming to in recovery hoping that my mom was there.  I fully woke up and that lingering thought made me cry.  Becky spent the first night with me and I was dreaming about my mom.  I awoke with the thought " I am there, in her hands" as I looked at the sleeping form of my precious daughter  and I realized what an awesome gift that I had been given.  Pooping becomes the obsession.  If you don't poop you cannot leave.  If you take pain medication you  don't poop.  I quit my last narcotic on Thursday and Friday morning requested a gram of Tylenol and 600mgs of Motrin every eight hours.  I also told them to get me a ducolax pill.  I gained my release Saturday after I could prove that I could eat and poo.  The only lingering problem I have is this incessant crying.  A car commercial just set me off.   I am walking almost upright and decided that my focus now need to be my many many blessings and not these medical problems that should have occurred in my 20s. 
I am BLESSED to be alive and to be able to see the humor in this whole mess including the crying.  I am blessed that I work for St. Martin and that the entire staff is like family.  I am blessed that I have 5 dogs that are not house broken yet(do not ask me to explain why that is a blessing).  I am blessed that I have not used my e-cig for a week.  I am blessed that I have little pain that is controlled by non narcotics.  I am blessed that I have a husband who is caring for me and waiting on me hand and foot.  I am blessed that I have a daughter that has the DNA of my mom and that she is so loving and caring.  I am blessed that my son is rediscovering himself and making a place in paradise. I am blessed that I CAN cry,  I am blessed that I have a strong connection to many people and they came out in messages and calls of support.  I can only hope that in their time of need that I can be such a blessing.  I am blessed that I am a believer and that prayer is just not a word for me but an actual activity.   And last but not least I am so very glad that I can poop... it opens all kinds of doors

Merry Christmas and Happy New year

I didn't send cards, didn't write a pre-Christmas blog I was barely keeping my head above the proverbial water,  So much has happened this year and when I sat down to write I was blocked.  Everyone wants their Christmas letter to be full of good news or to be funny.  This has been a difficult year and a wonderful year at the same time.  My sister Barbara died on Father's Day and it rocked the world for my sister Patti and myself.  Patti spent a long time with her the month before she died and Barbara told me what a blessing it was to have her there.  Barbara said she experienced such a closeness with her and that she felt that God had really given her a gift.  On March 24 my precious daughter gave birth to twins, Aster and Patton.  Aster Leigh is named after my daughter's friend Leigh Billeaud and Patton Lee is named after my mom, his great grandma, Ina Lee.  My daughter wanted Barbara to see the twins so we packed up her three kids and Rebekah, Stan and I went to Perrysburg Ohio to visit.  Barbara badly wanted to see the twins so because of my daughter we were able to fulfill that wish.  My son and his wife Syndi separated in the summer.  When a marriage ends there are no winners but I do know without a doubt that they both adore their children and will do what it takes to keep them happy.  Allison and Aries have grandparents who also adore them and I am grateful to God that Kurt and Stephanie love those two angels as much as I do and are such a positive influence.  I have prayed and will continue to pray for blessings to surround both Josh and Sydni.  Joshua is moving to St. Thomas Island in a few days and my heart grieves BUT I know and I have been assured that God is directing his life.   Thank you Jesus. 

Life is a continuous river that ebbs and flows with joy and sorrow.  I have learned to praise the Lord through the sorrow because I know that as a daughter of the King he is in control.  This is the season that we celebrate the birth of the Son of God.  People argue that this is not when He was born but they just don't understand.  For those that believe it is enough that he was born.  It's not the when it's the WHY.  Christians honor his birth during Christmas and we give gifts to each other to celebrate.  Some of us go a little overboard..uh-hum....and we decorate our houses in greenery and trees which is to some pagan in design.  The evergreen was an ancient symbol of life during the dark of winter: a symbol of rebirth.  What is the birth of Jesus but a rebirth of hope.  I am keeping my trees, keeping Christmas as the celebrations of Jesus birth and ignoring those who want to throw water on my joy. 

While I am writing let me briefly discuss  Santa Clause.  St. Nicholas was a Christian Bishop who was noted for helping the needy.  After he died his legend of gift giving grew and morphed into a fat man in a red suit who gives gifts to all the children in the world. We take our children to see Santa and it is magical.  One of my favorite figurines is one of Santa kneeling at the foot of the manger.  One day I will buy it as it will offer and opportunity to explain the difference to my grandchildren.  In my home with my grandchildren we will let them know the "reason for the season".  I see nothing wrong with Santa,  that is my personal feeling.  If you don't do the Santa thing then good for you.

This year I am grateful for so many things.  I am grateful for my family and my extended family.  I am grateful for friends who are as good as family. I am grateful for my job and the opportunity to minister to the sick and I vow to do better this year.  I am grateful for my sister Patti  I am  grateful for the time I spent with her when she was ill because I learned strength thru her.  I am grateful that I quit smoking in May and (this is going to be tough) I am grateful that I have gained 30 pounds as soon as I quit. I am especially grateful for the five little angels Allison, Winston, Aries, Patton and baby girl Aster.  My heart is renewed each time I see them.

It is often said that Christmas is for children but in truth it is not.  Christmas is for all of us.  Jesus came for all and I am grateful that this time of year renews my focus and my faith when I think of the baby born in a manger who came to save the world.  Merry Christmas

Happy Thanksgiving 2015

This year I forgot to write my daily thankful list on Facebook like I did last year.  I really liked doing that because it brought to my mind daily each blessing that I have.    I am blessed with my husband, my  wonderful children and grandchildren. I love being a grandmother(Mimi) and  each time I see Winston, Allison, Aries and my little twins, Patton and Aster, I am filled with such awe that these little people are part of me.  Watching them grow has given me back all that I missed when my children were growing up.  I get up each day with a new ache and pain  BUT I am still getting up and each day I thank God for that big blessing.  I have a job that I really love and get to take care of people that over the years have become a part of my life.  I took care of a young girl last week and her mom reminded me that I was the one that told her she was pregnant and now the girl is 16.  Where has the time gone.  I quit smoking in May this year.  I still use a Vuse occasionally but my cough is gone.  I am thankful for that but I am having trouble being thankful  about the 20 lbs I have gained since then! I am thankful for the man in the ER who told me that I was a "big booteefull" woman because he made me laugh.  I am grateful for all my friends for without them I would be so much less.  I am thankful  for my interest in politics.  I would have never believed that a news program would be my choice for excellent television. I am thankful that I still believe that I can make a difference with my voice and with my vote.  I am thankful that there are those that don't believe the way I believe because it keeps me studying and on my toes.  I am thankful for the arthritis in my hands because it is a daily reminder that for the past 40 years I have taken care of others in their time of need.  I am thankful for my house with its  worn carpet and old kitchen flooring because so many don't have a home. I am thankful that I am  able to remember the touch of my mom and her voice.  I still miss her after all this time.  I am thankful that I am able to feel even if I do cry a lot.  I am thankful that I am able to cry because it is then that I am most able to go to God and intercede in prayer. I am thankful that each day still brings a new adventure, a new book to read, a new person to meet, a new idea to explore, and a new prayer to offer.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. 

Happy birthday Rebekah

 You are 34 today and on the way to the hospital to have tubes put in the ears of your oldest child. It's a minor surgery unless you're  the mom of the child....I know honey. I have been there.......twice and I was terrified both times because I turned over the care of my son and daughter to a surgical team who didn't love them like I did.  What a start of your birthday.  This has been an eventful year as you have added two  more babies to your family,taken on a new job, and somehow continued to provide time to listen and advise those in your family who have grown to depend on your matter of fact wisdom.  I am so proud of you sweetheart in all that you do.  My wish for you this year is babies who sleep through the night, time to spend with your husband, alone time for you, and a moment or two to have fun in your craft room.  I wish you a year of blessings. You are now and always have been my baby girl and I love you to the moon and back

September 11, 2015

This day is the most difficult day in the year for me.  I wake up and when I realize the day, the tears start.  I cannot express adequately the heaviness on my heart that the memories evoke.  We have moved on but yet not. Our freedoms have been curtailed, we are suspicious of a whole religious group, we have to be aware in large groups for fear someone will decide they want to be a martyr for the cause of jihad.  We are fighting an enemy that holds no value for human life unless their religious beliefs are espoused.  Islamic terrorists are like a cancer that is slowly spreading throughout the world and has its tentacles in our great country.   We have lone wolf terrorists who believe that the killing of innocent men, women, and children is the way to please their Allah and usher their way into their Jannah where untold riches await them.  In their world there is no place for the "great satan" America and the state of Israel.  Our President has chosen to ignore the horrific spread of this cancer thus "they that shall not be named" is spreading  with the protection of political correctness. I worry for my grandchildren and their children. 

September 11, 2001 is the worst and best day that I have experienced in my lifetime.  It was a day that we were brought to our knees  and the last time that I can remember that we came together, all religions, all races, all AMERICANS and told the world that we are bruised but not broken.  It was the last time that our country has been united and stood together shoulder to shoulder.

Oh God, bless the families that were intimately touched by loss 14 years ago.  Protect our country from those outside forces and those internally who are working against us.  Protect Israel and provide safety to those in that country that battle daily for survival. Oh Lord put leaders in place in America that will put our country and its people first in their thoughts.  Lord make this anniversary a day that will reawaken the hearts of those who have become complacent and make them say "Never Again"

Barbara Heibel November 4, 1942 - June 21 2015 Beloved Sister Home at Last,

Today my sister went home to join her husband Bob and our mom.  My heart is broken but my spirit is lifted because I know that she is residing in glory with those that left before.  Barbara Lee was the first child of Ina Lee.  Her father was Bill Gibson, my mom's first husband.  She lived with my mom's grandparents, Pappy and Grandma White until she was nearly 4 when my mom remarried H. E. Shurtz and she was brought back to live with them in Columbus.  Our sister Patti was born in 1948 and by the time I was born in 1951 my parents marriage was nearly over and Barbara took over the "mothering" of her sisters as our mom was trying to cope. I have been told that Barb was near totally responsible for me for the first year.  Patti would have been almost 4 and Barbara was 9. 

 Memory: I was watching Barbara get ready for a date and putting on makeup.  I told her that I guess I'm just going to be a plain  Jane
 
My sister was politically a conservative and mourned with me when Mitt Romney lost the election.  She wasn't a huge fan of Mitt but she felt that Obama was leading us down a road that we will not recover.  But she would continue that God had control and that this is all part of the plan for the end times.  She never finished college but was one of the most well read people that  I know.  She read voraciously and spend hours in her bible.  She was a born again Christian and walked the walk.  She understood that good works alone were not enough to gain entrance into heaven.  She despaired over the path that the church is taking in getting away from the word into a secular feel good movement.  But again she would say "these times are exciting, this has all been prophesied. Her guilty passion after her bible was true crime books.  I couldn't get her to read a regular novel to save my life!

Memory: Seeing her dressed up for homecoming at West High School.  She was nominated for Homecoming Queen and did not make it but was on the court. I remember telling her I would rather be homecoming queen than Miss America.

She was mother to Mindy, Carrie, and Mark.  Grandmother to Suzanne, Joel, Drew, Evan, Mia and Ashley.  She loved her family and every conversation with her had some anecdote  from one of the grandkids.  She was so proud of Suzanne, Mindy's daughter, because she became a nurse. I heard about Carrie's boys every time I called and the funny things they would say or do.  I learned how Ashley and Mia, Mark's daughters, were so very very creative.   She came to stay with Becky for a week when Winston was born.  She lamented that  she was too sick to meet the twins so  Stan, Becky and I  took her kids to meet Barbara while she was in rehab.  It was the last time I would see her and it was a blessed trip.

Memory: Barbara was "chatty" and Bob was more taciturn.  She told a story that just after they got married they were lying in bed and she was just chattering away.  Bob turned and looked at her and said " why don't you turn over and play your flip side". 

Because she was in Ohio she had primary care of our mom in later years.  It was hard on her and she later reflected that she was able to come to terms with the resentment that she harbored from childhood.  She said that God revealed to her the issues and she was able to let go of the past and have a spiritual healing that gave her abundant love for our mom.  Those reading this don't misunderstand, we had a wonderful mom but for a time she was unable to provide those things that moms need to give because of what was happening in her life.  Barb was the one who had to pick up the reins and keep us going. 

Barbara had a life time of illness that really didn't keep her down but caused her great  discomfort  As a teenager she would have frequent fevers that were termed "fevers of unknown origin"  She had trouble sleeping and other vague complaints that caused one of her doctors to tell her she needed a psychiatrist. She was finally diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Memory:  Bob, Barb and all her kids brought mom to  Pensacola, Florida to visit me.  She had a rash on her hairline and asked me, the nurse, what she should do.  I told her it looked like  psoriasis so go lay out in the sun.  I had pictures  developed just after they went home and called mom telling her I know what is wrong with Barb.  The pictures showed a perfect "butterfly rash" and combined with all her other symptoms was very suspicious of SLE.  Mom told me "you almost killed her having her go in the sun"  She had to go to the hospital  as soon as she got home BUT she finally did get diagnosed. 

Sisters.  Always three.  Different in many ways but united by love and family.  We always met for weddings and family gatherings.  We had a sisters weekend in New Orleans a few years back and promised that we would do that again.  We never really did.  We agreed that we would get together for the birthdays that started a decade.  40, 50, 60 etc.  That did work out for a while but work and events sort of  took precedence. Sisters now two united in love and in grief. 

Memory: Patti, Barb and I were staying in a old B and B in New Orleans.  They were arguing politics and I took my coffee, cigarettes and book to the balcony to quiet.  Patti came out and ask me how I pick a president.  I told her that I pick the man I would most like to sleep with. Patti was disgusted and I went back to reading. It was the Bush and Kerry year.  Really no contest Kerry made me gag.

I call my sisters every week(almost) Friday is Joann Page day.  Joann is my father's first child and my oldest  half sister.  Saturday is Barbara day and Sunday is Patti day.  Recently the past year or so I took to calling Barb several times a week to discuss politics and religion.  She was so very knowledgeable and well read on both subjects and would give me ideas for my blog.  I am sitting here looking at notes that I have taken from conversations to put on blogs and it makes me sad that I didn't blog sooner about things that she was interested in.  I promise Barb that I will start blogging again. 
Patti went down and spent several weeks with her while she was  in rehab.  Barbara commented again and again what a blessing it was to have Patti with her.  She told me that she had such love for her and her exact wording was that they had really bonded even though she was driving Patti crazy. 

Memories:  Red beef stew, green iced Christmas Tree cookies, lemon bars, potato casserole, baked asparagus and dill salmon dinner, bathing the dogs(before the final goodbye), my black leather coat with the silver fox collar that I gave her, Johnny Marzetti (its a dinner dish), Pepsi not Coke, my potato soup, grandchildren,  weddings, funerals, sitting in the airport in Lafayette talking with mom about French kissing and oral sex(Patti, Barb, and me), Martha, Freddie, Dianne( I thought they were so glamorous when I was a child), backrubs, unconditional love no matter what I did, surprising Patti when she got Rotarian of the year, no PJ's, her wedding to Bob..she was so beautiful, Mark sticking a hatpin in her butt while at the store, Carvel Ice cream shop,  West Third Ave apartment, foster child Althea,  putting Queenie our collie to sleep( it took me years to get over that),  Andy her basset hound, Cincinnati on Woodmill Lane, Joshua's wedding, Rebekah's wedding,  the family cruise, Aunt Bee,  I could go on and on as the scenes flash  in my head...  it's a kaleidoscope of laughter, tears, joy and sorrow. 

Joshua put it best when he said Aunt Bee had a life well lived.  I will miss her so very much. Barbara you had a great impact on my life and my faith and really no better thing can be said,   I will cherish each memory until we meet again.