Thanksgiving

What it's all about:

Couple has 32 people are headed to their Littleton townhouse

We had a wonderful turkey day,a bulldog puppy, 2 turkeys and a ham, ONLY 9 people which made it a small holiday around here, more food than we could eat in a week. Nice weather and a very small nap made it complete except husband was in Laredo TX which was a bad deal but money is money.

Hope everyone had something comparable.

We pray for the safety of all in Mumbai which I confess I didn't even know where it was till Wednesday night. Let's count our blessings once again.

BTW if someone can think of a good 2 syllable name for the boy bulldog throw it this way in the next couple hours.

Pet Surrender Numbers up in Austin

One more sign of the economy. I know pet food is expensive, some trips to the store I'll buy $20 worth and it's all dog food, cat food, kitty litter, etc. Plus the vet bills.... the list goes on and on. But the same $20 will buy a trip to the movies for one, a CHEAP pair of jeans, a new dvd, think how much more enjoyment the pet gives you!!
Besides they will and can eat some table scraps, I know I'll get flamed for it but I know people who never buy dog food, in fact a few leftovers haven't seemed to hurt any of our dogs. Just don't give a dog turkey bones or ham bones for a small dog, I do know a lab who would consider his life sadly lacking without cooked till they are mushy turkey bones, of course he ate the pump out of my yard pond too so he isn't very discriminating.
Economy down pet surrenders up

I rescued a human today......

QUOTE:

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.
UNQUOTE:

Rest of the story here and comments.

Think about it. My nephew is coming to get a puppy from my daughter in two days, my dog has pulled me out of the doldrums more often than I care to admit.....

My daily take on Politics

I used to be a Republican. I have a stepson who served @ the first of the Iraq war in the gulf and luckily was stateside till he got out last year. I have several cousins who are or have been over there. I support them fully. Having said that I don't think this article is too far off of it's mark.
Why America Feels Like it's Been Ruled by a Foreign Occupier.
This excerpt is a bit extreme in it's outlook but it's not too far off the mark.
QUOTE:
Propaganda Tuned Up

Bush took the stance of a foreign occupier in his governance- rational argument would never win the minds and hearts of the masses so crude propaganda such as Fox News was trotted out to scare and paralyze America into obedience. The same quest for obedience through misinformation and crude scare tactics are the same you see in the totalitarian governments from South America to Asia that have brought nothing but misery to their own people and the world at large.
UNQUOTE:

I hope everyone with an IQ over 100 knows to question ALL the newscasts and gather facts. I have become a news junkie along with millions of other Americans, I have CNN, Drudge Report (Republican), Huffingtonpost (leaning Democrat), and democraticunderground (obvious) on my browser tabs most of the time, and then I DO go to Fox News to see what their take on it all is. Others I'm sure just go to one source if they pay any attention @ all

I was looking at the news the other day and thinking how it would have upset my father if he had been alive now. USA in recession possibly depression, Iceland? in Revolt, not to mention how he would have felt about 911. If you had forecast these headlines 10 years ago no one would have believed them, much less perhaps trillions in bailout monies and stimulus packages. At that time we were more worried about the definition of what Clinton did with Monica?

I admit I've been reading President Elect Obama's book the Audacity of Hope. In it he says in 1980 CEO's on the average made 42 times what their average employee made, in 2004 it was 262 TIMES what their average employee made. I think I've got the quote right. That and unbridled speculation and unregulated banking and the trickle down effect (yeah right, it trickled down but it wasn't money), have done serious damage to our economy. You say what do I care what a CEO makes? They should be rewarded for doing a good job not a mediocre job or a so so job, if it's a publicly traded company it affects the stock market etc. which in turn affects pension plans and investments which affect how much money people have to spend on the things we make or sell to earn our food.

Where am I going with all this? Don't listen to one news source only. Don't just go to your preferred parties website. Don't listen to just a select group of people. Diversify your knowledge, it's our mess and it's up to everyone of us to become well informed thinking individuals. Yes we elected them all but the platform MOST of them put out was that they would LISTEN to the people. Have something worth saying to them.

Wanna Beautiful Cocker Spaniel?

His name is Quigley. He is a gorgeous dog, looks like he was someones pet and they just couldn't take care of him.
Here's what else they have to say about Quigley:
Nov. 17, came home and Quigley had been dropped off in a pen. He seems to get along with all the rest of the cats and dogs here. Has been doing well with going out to potty. Works well on leash. Had lots of tangles and matts that had to be cut out. He is really a very gentle guy. Adoption fee is $75.00

You can find out more about the address, email etc. for more information about Quigley @Stover Animal Control which is located in Stover Missouri, north of the Lake of the Ozarks.

BTW since this is Missouri Books I've been rereading my dog eared (pun intended) copy of How to Speak Dog by Stanley Coren. Excellent book and I usually get bored rereading books but there is just so much interesting information in it. Like dogs and cats don't get along sometimes because they don't understand each others body language. IE when a dog wags his tail it usually means he is happy or questioning. When a cat wags it's tail it means it's going to pounce. When a dog lays on it's back it means it is submissive and probably wants a chest rub. When a cat lays on it's back it sometimes means it's going to grab you with it's front feet and try to attack with it's back feet. Of course in my kittens it means they want to play which is play attacking but I can see how dogs and cats misinterpret each others signals.

All for today (I think?) Please check out the Stover Animal Control site or your local pet shelter on petfinder.

Warm bundles of fur!

Ok, it really is a pet charity, we are going to try to put the animals from Stover Animal Control in Stover MO. on the blog and also on the site moads4u.com. Speaking as someone who has two rescued dogs outside and three rescued kittens inside and 3 outside (they have a warm place to sleep don't worry) there is a great need for good homes for these animals. Please think about adopting during the holiday season, what better way to bring joy than with a warm bundle of fur? Or instead of getting gifts that you really don't need ask for donations to the animal shelter be made in your name. All the information you need is on the link below.

Stover Animal Control

Nov. 17, Bear came from a high kill pound. He is about 2 years according to vet. Apparently he had a harness that was too tight and has some areas where he has lost hair. Gets along with everyone. Adoption fee is $75.00

Imagine what Bear will look like with his hair all brushed and groomed. What says happy more than a cocker spaniel bouncing toward you with his tongue lolling out and his flag of a tail wagging?

Dog Drives Into Coffeehouse

Now I know I'm not totally obsessive when I put the emergency on when I leave the car running and the dog in it.
Video
here.

Suffolk County Police Department Press Release:

Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct police officers responded to an incident where a dog drove a car into a St. James coffee house tonight.
Bryan Maher, 60, of 103 Huron St., Port Jefferson, left his 1992 Chevrolet van running when he went into Cool Beanz at 7:10 p.m. Maher's dog, Bentley, put the vehicle in drive and the van rolled into the building.
No one was injured. The crash damaged the glass window at the front of the store and some patio furniture.

So what else is going on, husband coming home, getting ready for our second turkey day, had one @ his relatives already so we will have a relaxed turkey day next Thursday.

In other news the American way might not be the worlds destiny as predicted in this article.

WASHINGTON — Global warming could be a boon to Russia, a European country could be overrun by organized crime and the U.S. and its dollar could further decline in importance during the next two decades, says a U.S. intelligence report with predictions for the world in 2025. From the Huffington Post.
And read further @Sun sets on US power: report predicts end of dominance.

They've predicted doom and gloom before. More thoughts on headlines later, a glass of tea for husband and some quality time with my laundry calling.

Al Gore and Collapse of Civilization?

I never thought I'd be quoting an article with Al Gore in it, there is no love lost between us, I won't go into global warming, I do believe it's an imperative that we cut back on emissions and oil use.
Mr. Gore quotes Jared Diamond’s book, Collapse which I've read and found VERY interesting.
Article is HERE.

Duma Key by Stephen King

Promised I'd say something about Duma Key. AND since the title of the blog is Missouri Books I thought I'd better say something about books once in awhile. Plus that's one of the few subjects I know much about.

I liked the book, someone left it on the break-room table @ work and I got started reading it. Bought my own copy and finished. I'll echo what the New York Times said, this book wasn't written for the horror angle of it, that's an added part but other than the hero having some supernatural powers and a few upside down herons and sea shells speaking to him it's a guy trying to come to grips with the hand life has dealt him. Granted he has a better life than many of us, he's a millionaire with considerable undiscovered artistic abilities living on a practically deserted island off of Florida which doesn't sound too bad to me. BUT he's lost an arm and had brain damage from an accident which indirectly cost him his marriage and forced him to take stock which we all know can be painful no matter what your circumstances.

Other unbiased opinions, youngest stepson started reading it (I told him if he borrowed it I'd never see it again, horrible stepmother, horrible) and he started laughing hysterically which is not what most people do when reading a Stephen King book but the first part is funny in a black humor sort of way.

New York Times review is here.

Or go to amazon to buy @ Amazon.com.

Or do what I did and go to your friendly Wal Mart and pick it up!!

For other things for sale check out moads4u.com, bookmark it we'll have more on soon!!

Dog found a mile from land?

Fishing guide Dean Lamont and his charter found this Labrador retriever swimming more than a mile from land. Go to link to read the rest of the story.News Observer

It was a yellow lab, I have a soft spot for yellow labs, even though Mugsey has destroyed, my yard pond, my landscape lighting, and my irrigation system. He hates baths though but loves water, had NO idea they could swim that far!!

If you want Christmas puppies here are some Australian Shepard/Border Collie/Queensland Heeler mix Puppies .

GM Bailout and Dow down 444.99 points

Should we bail out GM and the other two of the so called big 3? I feel for all of the employees and retirees, I feel for myself because I have a feeling a wheel mfg. plant here in town will go down thus affecting the local economy (plus flooding the job seekers whom would like MY "other" job such as it is). It would create a huge economic downturn to add to the already poor economy see above, dow keeps going down, down, down. My husband who has his own truck and delivers food all over the US might even be affected because people just won't be able to afford as much fresh produce and meat which is what he hauls. I also have a distant cousin that works for Chrysler as an engineer and is still keeping his job although there have been cuts.

On the other hand I don't make much more than minimum wage, partly because I was VERY sick a couple years ago and didn't know how well I could work and the job market was already going bad in June, two years ago I could charge double what I'm making now and that was just for freelancing!! I hear about these union workers who glue carpet on the floor of a car and get $78 an hour and I want to save them? Then I hear about the ceo's of the automakers flying in 3 separate private jets to BEG for money from Washington? That shows me and the rest of the country that they will just use the money to continue in the same manner. When my husband got back into trucking and diesel went up up up the government didn't step in and save all the small trucking companies or any of them if I recall. It was called capitalism and free market, even though the big trucking companies had bought diesel reserves @ much lower prices when they saw what was happening and kept the rates low to cut the competition out. Plus with the reports on how other car makers such as Nissan have lost between 25% and 33% of their sales when they have the fuel efficient models it makes me wonder HOW the Cadillac Escalade (as much as I love em) and other big 3 products are going to sell enough to pull the big 3 out WITH bailout money?

So what's my opinion, not that it matters? It may be painful, VERY painful but let them fail. After the AIG (bail out insurance??, the people who's business is to make sure your life is miserable? I don't think SO) fiasco and no to little accountability for the banks that have received the bailout money it's time to stop the drain. This means I have a caddy and a ford that I may not be able to get parts for and I'm not sure what happens to my extended warranty but it also means maybe the big 3 automakers can come up with another option that may involve bankruptcy or just going under.

On a side note some are saying shut down Wall Street till January 2, 2009, might not be a bad idea? Shut it down! Now!.

Other news sources:
CNN
Drudge Report
Democratic Underground

Found this later: No need for bailout, say diners near thriving car plant, so I'm not all wet?
Ok, I'll quit editing this but here's a link to the CEO's and their jets: Big 3 and their jets, slideshow!

Moads4u Christmas puppies and kittens!!!

Here are two of our ads from the webiste, if you are in the Missouri area and want to make your little one's heart sing @ Christmas what better way than a puppy or kitten?

The puppies are in Salisbury MO.
Australian Shepard/Border Collie/Queensland Heeler mix Puppies Will be ready for good homes just in time for CHRISTMAS! The mother is a Australian Shepard/Border collie and the sneaky father is a Queensland Heeler. These puppies are 3 weeks old now and will be 8 weeks old just in time for Christmas gifts! Salisbury, Missouri, go to moads4u.com to see them.

We don't have a picture of the kittens but I know the lady who has these. You can be sure they would make excellent pets!! Versailles MO area Christmas gifts or just in time for the holidays. With all the talk of going green etc. kittens are much more eco friendly for mouse and pest control than anything else. Plus they are warm and fuzzy and purr!!
FREE KITTENS!
7 kittens - Black, tabby, brindle, males & females. Very tame and playful, need a good home!
Go to moads4u.com to see the complete listing!!!

The Beginning

Hello, I've blogged before but am now REALLY going to do it. Check back for my favorite links and thoughts. Right now I have to get ready for Thanksgiving on my days off from work which I'm sure most of you can relate to. Presently I know 2 kids are coming and my nephew, don't think husband will be home because our little economic downturn hit a year before the main recession did and he has to work maybe. I know one of my step-kids aren't coming even if he is here due to the "other" relatives, but don't know about the rest. We have the model step family, I have no idea how it happened, we still have our spats and bad days but we have great large family gatherings and with 7 kids and various spouses and 11 grandkids it is a LARGE family gathering.
Since I don't have time to do much else I'll just stick a link in here to our new advertising website (our as in my cousin/best friend and I) moads4u. It has links to the website service in case anyone needs a GOOD decently priced website. I do part of the research and writing for the sites, just work otherwise part time, and.............well everyone knows how it is in these economic times.
It's cold here, must cover the air conditioners plus just generally clean house, I work @ Wal Mart and my housekeeping is basically what I HAVE to do, my daughter did offer to take a day off from her job of school nurse to help which I thought was really nice. She sent me an email this morning with several interesting thoughts in it, the first three are:

1. There are at least two people in this world
that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world
love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you
is because they want to be just like you.

Something to think about?

AND since the title of this is Missouri Books, I'm reading "No Country For Old Men" currently. It's different than the movie everyone says, I haven't seen the movie but the book is more of a mans book I think (which means I haven't stayed up way too late reading it when I should be sleeping)? The other one by Cormac Mc Carthey I read is "The Road" I guess it could be considered a mans book too but I REALLY liked it, reminded me of a short version of "The Stand" by Stephen King. I tend to get obsessed with Stephen Kings books though. "Duma Key" was my downfall last week. We'll talk about it more, I could really relate to it after living in Florida and on the coast for awhile and I'm an artist or used to be, like the main character turns out to be, I don't think that's giving too much away. "No Country For Old Men" jumps around with no preamble or history, I guess "The Road" does the same thing but you only have a few characters in it, in No Country it seems like there are more characters but as often happens I'm about half way through it and I'm really getting into the book. He's an excellent author though, book is worth the money and it's on the buy one get one 1/2 off @ Borders or @ least the one @ Independence Center Mall. A thought for the guy on your Chrismas list? And no they didn't pay me to say that.
Well my kittens are calling, I have to move the cat box, somehow we had no cats for years because the dogs wouldn't allow it, this summer and fall somehow I've raised 3 sets of orphan or semi orphan kittens? The one from the first set that is still alive is almost a cat now. Don't worry the dogs didn't get the other kittens, they SLEEP on the outside dog. The newest ones are @ the top. Devil, Paris and Crusoe. Devil is the black one obviously, Paris is the fluffy red one, and Crusoe is a survivor, he/she/it was almost dead when I found them one cold Sunday afternoon, had to force it's mouth open to put the kitten bottle in and wrapped it up in a towel in front of the heater and it survived!! Don't know what happened to mama, I'd saved them all once and brought them to our log cabin and then mama disappears!!! Could have been coyotes etc. Mama was officially a feral cat, these kittens have decided they like the tame warm life and canned cat food JUST fine after hissing @ me for the first 4 days in the house. Came home from work and found husband asleep with kittens sleeping ON him one night and 2 days before that we could barely touch them!! LOL