What's My New Year's Resolution?

I've decided to try something a little different this year.

Instead of thinking of what I think I should change about myself and trying to fix that in 2009, I'm asking my friends and family what they think I should change.

In reality, whatever I change will have almost the same impact on my loved ones lives as will it on my own day to day life. So why shouldn't they get a voice in the decision?

So, what do you think I should resolve to change in 2009? Be honest with me, I can handle it.

(Leah told me that I should wake up before she leaves the house each morning.)

Finalists for Worst Parents Ever Award

Heath and Deborah Campbell are 2 of the worst parents in the world.

They are in the news because the local supermarket would not print their 3-year old son's name on his birthday cake.

The child's name is Adolf Hitler Campbell. (not an actual picture of the child)

They have 2 other children with peculiar names also:

JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell.

The parents are of German dissent and say they named their son after the 20th century German dictator so that "no one else in the world would have that name."

I'm not sure why parents keep doing these stupid things, but it keeps adding fuel to the fire that everyone should have to pass a competency test of some sort to have kids.

It's just $1.40!

Here's the situation:

A buddy of mine is having a hard time paying his bills, I want to be sure that he can stay in his house and get him self back on the right track, so I give him $70 to get him in a better situation.

Now, I have another buddy of mine who is also in a bad way and is just as important to me. He doesn't need as much, probably only $1.40, should I give him the money?

Of Course! If I was willing to give my first friend 70 bucks why would a dollar-forty be a big deal when my other friend needs some help?!


Congress approved giving the big financial companies 700 billion dollars a few months ago, that's a lot of cash. But now they are arguing over giving the big 3 auto companies 14 billion. *Still a lot of dough, but when compared to 700 billion it is very small.

Why are there so many idiots that make these decisions?!

The only difference I can see is that one decision occurred right around an election and the other is not...

10%....That's a Crisis?

MSNBC has a "breaking news" article on their website today about a new record that 1 out of every 10 homeowners is at least one month behind on their mortgage payment.

I am not an economist, but I feel like if 90% of us are doing this right, then we are in pretty good shape.

Some other numbers that are closer to being considered a crises in my opinion:

25% of males have a felony on their record.
14.2% of 8th graders have smoked marijuana.
66% of adults are overweight.
17.5% of 6-11 year olds are overweight.

Let There Be Lights

It is only the 3rd day of December and I already feel like we all need a bit of a reminder in Christmas Light Etiquette. Here a few ground rules you should abide by, if you need further instruction or clarification then just don't put up whatever you aren't sure about.

1. No inflatables. This is the most disturbing new trend in outdoor decorations. It is quick to set up and tear down, so it would seem that it is the perfect decoration for the hectic holiday season. But, no one needs to see Winnie the Pooh and Tigger riding in Santa's sleigh with Oscar the Grouch in tow with a big bag of presents. Not to mention how sad they look in the daytime when they aren't plugged in. The children of this generation will need counseling due to seeing a different deflated baby Jesus on each street of their neighborhood.

2. Less is more. I am as guilty of being tempted to keep adding to a good display as the next guy, but most things are better off in moderation, and Christmas lights are no exception.

3. Not a melting pot. Just because Garden Ridge carries icicle lights, led lights, C7's, C9s, minis, and whatever else, doesn't mean you need to buy and use each kind. Find what you like and use that.

4. No light shows. We've all scene the video of the house that is all tricked out to the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, it's awesome. But, that's not your house and no $19.99 box of "light show" lights will make your house look like that.

5. Don't be stupid. I am all about using the natural lines on your roof and the trees and bushes in your yard. But, just because you have a truck permanently parked in front of your house that won't start does not mean that you should draw attention to that.

I am sure I will be adding to this as the Christmas season progresses and more people use the month of December as an excuse to turn their front yard into an electric array of tackiness.