Gas prices! What a freaking joke! Why are we all paying for the Chinese? They are driving the prices of steel, wood, and petroleum or petroleum based products out of the roof! It is nuts. Is there a anything we can do to stop the madness? Doubtful. China's trade in June was 5x's higher this June than from a year ago. And exports far outweigh imports. As a sales person in the building/construction industry, I have found first hand that these builders and furniture manufacturers do not mind using imported Chinese products. The cost are much less than the American based products, thus gaining more profit for the manufacturer. But the quality is what is missing.

My market caters to plywood, lumber, decorative hardware, and functional hardware. Companies that sell a wide variety of imported products, puts pressure on the companies that sell "value" products, or good quality products. To keep up with these import companies, we have to offer some sort of imports as well. I find that more and more of my customers are more inclined to buy imports now. The profit goes directly in their pocket and it makes them able to support their family. At least on the surface. What is actually happening is, we are making our self more money, by taking away the money that our fellow citizens make. The demands for the factory worker, or in my industry, the lumber jack, the lumber mill, the plywood mill, this demand is less. Why should we pay all of these extra people when the mill has less needed quantities of products? So the guy that works his ass of at the lumber mill loses his job. But that's ok, you made yourself more money...

It's a dog eat dog world nonetheless. But let alone taking the money from our "brothers" and "sisters", the end product we offer the consumer is junk. Reminding you we are speaking of my industry which is cabinets and millwork. We offer them an end product that is made with cheap imported products, and we feel good about it. Why? How has Americans become so greedy? Its so tempting each and every day to see just how much "greener" the grass is. But its less tempting to take a second look, at the big picture of our economy. Next time you make, purchase or even as much inquire about something you may want to purchase, think to yourself, "by buying this am I taking the 'American' out of the 'American Way'?" Just a little food for thought.

See ya soon!

Punctuation Point:  Word of the day!

The Word of the Day for July 11 is:

reciprocate • \rih-SIP-ruh-kayt\  • verb
1 : to move backward and forward alternately
2 : to give and take mutually
*3 : to make a return for something done or given

Example sentence:
We had a great time at our neighbors' dinner party, and we hope to reciprocate with an invitation to a party of our own soon.

Did you know?
"Reciprocate," "retaliate," "requite," and "return" all mean "to give back," usually in kind or in quantity. "Reciprocate" implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received ("We reciprocated their hospitality by offering to let them stay for a week"). "Retaliate" usually implies a paying back of an injury or offense in exact kind, often vengefully ("Susan retaliated by spreading equally nasty rumors about them"). "Requite" implies a paying back according to one's preference, and often not in an equivalent fashion ("He requited her love with cold indifference"). "Return" implies simply a paying or giving back ("returned their call" or "return good for evil").

I am back!! No more politcal talk, unless its something that we must discuss... But for now here I am in my greatest form, writing a bunch of nonsense, that is not likely to be important to a single soul... But that is fine, I love it... It is a stress relief...

So what is new in my life?? So many things are new, so many things are different... I am 35lbs. lighter for one thing, and I actually have some really nice muscles... Not to brag or anything, but I do feel much better... I tell you people that need a boost in confidence, energy, self esteem whatever it is please go work out... It is by far the best move I have ever made... Next topic on what's new, let me see my job is definitely not a new topic, other than I was offered a position in our Atlanta branch which I kindly turned down... I did buy a new vehicle... I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherrokee Limited... I love it... Drives like a dream and has more features then any one person would ever use in their lifetime... Unless you are really that freaking bored...Next I guess I should tell you to read the book "Running with Scissors" by Augusten Burroughs... OMG, disturbing, that's all I can say about it is disturbing... It is without a doubt the funniest most up and down book I have ever read... Incredible... And what is sad is, its a memoir and its all true... Bless that child's heart... Anyway that is about all I can think of now... I may sign back on a little later... Its taken me all day to get this far, as I have been busy as shit... But see ya!!

Puctuation Point: will be back soon... GET READY

I haven't found it too shocking, that since the appointment of Condolezza Rice, President Bush hasn't gotten the first "pat on the back" from any of the "Progressives"... Out of all the things that have been said about the Conservatives being racists, bigots, sexist, etc. not one good thing has been said since the historic move... I mean let's face it, not only is she the first female Secretary of State, but folks she is a black female... That really should put the tape over your liberal mouths... Its too big of a deal for you guys to praise the President isn't it? Not only is it a historical appointment, but it is one of the best moves of President Bush's presidency... She is a genius... She has her values, and she stands firmly by them, just as President Bush stands firmly by her...

I think its obvious how much the President thinks of this woman... Unquestionably she is one of the most loyal people, along with D. Rumsfield in the Bush cabinet... Her background makes her in my opinion one of the strongest women I have ever read about... Now she is the most powerful woman in America...

Is it really that hard for you guys to come on TV and actually say something good about the appointment? I mean afterall us "conservatives" are generalized by you folks that bitch about generalizations, as the "haters" in politics... Just wanted to throw this out to see what kind of response I could get from my liberal readers... I know all liberals aren't "eating crow" and have thought all along she is an awesome lady, again I just want some feed back.... I hope everyone has a great day....

*Punctuation Point: At one point I am sure most of you received the email concerning the little girl named Rebecca that has cancer. And when you call her pager she gets a page and it shows her support and prayers from different areas... That email is true ( http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/children/tauber.asp )... When you dial 1-800-250-6939, you enter your area code and the # sign and it sends a page to her and lets her know someone is praying for her... Listen to the message when you call and you will see its set up by the Second Baptist Church... During the holidays please all take the time to call and show this little girl your love...

Good Day... Its another day here in paradise... I wanted to get this post off my chest early today since it is still fresh in my head... As the holidays draw near, I can't get my mind off the food first of all, but more so for me, I can't get my mind off spending time with my family...

I see all of the shopping malls, and retail stores, such as Walmart, Target etc. getting out all of their decorations, cards, etc... The sales papers you get in the mail have all of these "holiday" specials... Each paper or decoration has some sort of "Santa Claus" portrayed on it... Each Walmart has an electric "Santa" that waves and sings... Its just the festive feeling of "Santa" right?

Wrong... Why is it in a society, that has been founded on the basis of religion,  we lose our moral and ethical values concerning the Christmas holiday? I mean Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ... I do not see many Biblical decorations or suggestions out in these stores... I don't see many Christ statues, I don't see parents emphasizing the importance of the holiday. In fact I see parents emphasizing that their children should behave so Santa would come see them... What they need to do is emphasize the importance of Christ and the holiday, introduce them to the Lord up above, and in turn the children will behave, and the secondary, "Santa" can come see them... We are doing things backwards here... It all starts with the parents and the way they bring up their kids... I don't think you should celebrate Christmas at all if it means its all about "Santa" and food... Your Savior was born this day and that is what its all about...

Although its cute, and witty the Christmas cards that have pets, or reindeer, or Santa, or his elves or all of the above, are missing the reason you send them anyway... We should be sending the people the cards to show them our love for them, during a very special holiday season celebrating our love and the birth of the one and only... It is not hip or witty or creative to send a card with a manger scene, a cross, or an angel on it... In fact I get more cards every year, however, fewer and fewer are religious... Now I am not trying to go all Jimmy Swaggart here on everyone, and Lord knows I have my faults, but as a whole, we need to change our celebratory holiday back to its true meaning... Its starts with the moms and dads and the spread of his word... Lets take the emphasis off recieving and put it back on giving, not only at Christmas but year round...

Don't be ashamed to tell someone, "God Bless you", or "Jesus loves you", or "we are fortunate this birth came, so our Savior can forgive us of our sins." Don't walk away from the church, (if you even go), with the thought of how much more shopping you have to do, or how many family members are coming over to your house... That is all secondary... When you leave, think about how fortunate you are, and about the people that are less fortunate, or even more so, the people that do not know our Lord and Savior...

Why would it be such a bad thing to have more Christmas specials on TV about Christmas? Not about the publicised and commercialized "hoopla holiday"... Is it because it is "wrong" to play that kind of thing on primetime TV during the Christmas holiday just because some people don't practice the very religion this country was founded on? Just something to think about... It would make too much sense to keep Christ in Christmas... Its easier to be politically correct or be liberally motivated and be "progressive" in moving our nation away from its Christian roots to allow different cultures into the very nation you indirectly blame for our problems now... That is the right thing to do isn't it? This is America and that is the only way isn't it? People its your life and your future, do you part to spread the word, and please get your life in the right direction.... The time is near, and I hope to see you there...

*Punctuation Point: Daniel 10:19 - Do not be afraid, for God deeply loves you. Be proud, take heart, and be strong...

Hi everyone... For those that do peek in on my posts, I appologize for being a few days behind... My hot little Chihuahua had her two puppies Saturday afternoon... Well I say had, after a $400.00 "C" section, I have two healthy pups... It was interesting nonetheless because she had to have the surgery because the pup's heads were too large to pass through her pelvis... Their father was small as well, but I am guessing my little princess is just a little too small for those guys... One is a beautiful brindle color and the other a dark reddish mocha color... They are hot anyway!! Two males...

At first my mama dog wouldn't nurse and I am thinking its because she was in pain.... So I was the mama and I bottle fed them for the first 24 hours... Yes I set my clock every two hours and I got up and bottle fed them... So around 9 the next morning (Sunday) I go in thinking it was time to feed again, and my baby had gone into the box, pulled out her pups and put them in her bed... She was licking them like crazy, and gave them a little boobie, so now she is taking great care of them... Sorry for the short post but that's all that is going on at this point... Talk to everyone again soon!!

*Punctuation Point: The Eagles album "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" is the top selling record album of all time...