Items in my "What Do You Mean We're Probably Headed For a Big Recession, I Thought We Were Already In One?" Survival Kit

My new Scunci velcro rollers -- If you are a girl and have hair more than 4 inches long, you need these.

Season 3 of "Dexter"

Hope for the Phillies to keep winning and take the Series!!!!





My new purple OPI nailpolish "Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not" topped by Seche Vite's Fast Dry Top Coat -- their top coat is second to none. You can paint your nails (base, 2 coats of color and a top coat), wait 10 minutes then go to bed. No hair prints or pancake nail. It's a miracle product!







Team Caca (the fantasy football team owned by Schue and I which, by the way, is kicking ass!) (oh, this is our team logo)





Whippie -- I dig my new wheels. Wanna go for a ride?




Plans plans plans!! -- a visit with my family in Maryland; a trip to Kentucky; a DOF with Schue featuring a fancy lunch at LeBec Fin; a visit from Sandi; a fall tea party with the girls; Shirley's wedding; a biz trip to Atlanta; DD's high school reunion; Los' parents' 50th wedding anniversary party .




Comfy pants for lounging in my peapod




My two favorite animals: Eagles and Nittany Lions!!




My crock pot






Woodchuck Cider

"The Almost Moon" courtesy of THE Baronness (merci mon ami!),

Christmas Party planning -- This year is going to be a little different. Am going to do a late afternoon open house instead of the traditional evening cocktail party. Of course, people will probably hang late, but I think it'll be good to switch things up a bit so some other people can make it for a change.

A secret project I'm working on, yet to be unveiled sometime in the next few months (DON'T ask because I won't tell!)

Equal Pay for Equal Work?

One of the Obama ads that I hear quite often is one promoting his stance on women in the workplace -- "Equal Pay for Equal Work" is the line. I did a little scratch of the head about this, wondering if there is still widespread discrimination against women in the workplace when it comes to establishing salaries. Of course, it's possible and I'm sure there are cases out there, but enough to be an ad-worthy part of a campaign? It took me by surprise and got me to thinking.

Color me confused about the use of the word equal. Color me even more confused about the part of the ad that says something to the effect of (and I paraphrase, but it's pretty darn close) "...and McCain says women should just get more education and training." The tone in the ad makes it sound like it's a bad thing, which really had me confused.

The same pay for the same job? Are experience, merit, and education factored into this equation? Hmmm.

So I did a little research and found that part of the "equal pay for equal work" strategy is to raise the minimum wage and adjust for inflation because women hold a disproportionately large percentage of low-paying jobs. The theory is that by raising the minimum wage, it would help to close the gap between the average male and female wages.

Wow.

Personally I don't know if the minimum wage needs to be increased or not, but if this is the sole reason then there's no friggin' way I'd support this ludicrous idea. I agree with McCain -- they need education and training. What they don't need is a handout. (A handout probably funded by you and I.) They might like one and it may be helpful in the short term, but it just isn't the right thing to do.

If anything, this policy keeps women in low-paying jobs. Where is the incentive to get education and training? Hey, you don't need it -- we'll throw more money at you to make you more comfortable in the crappy job you already have. Sounds like "more pay for not more work."

I believe that people have a right to earn whatever they can get paid. Some make millions, and some don't. That's how capitalism works. It may not always seem fair, but that's how it goes. Don't like it? Either work harder, get some education and training, get a different job, or move to Sweden.

If women want to make more money, they should have to earn it. Earn it by getting an education, not settling for low-paying jobs, and not dropping out of high school because you're 16 and pregnant.

Sure, there are a couple of other initiatives falling under the same "equality" banner -- like enforcing anti-discrimination laws. I'm okay with that (but it begs me to ask the question, why enforce these laws but not those against illegal immigration?). Another initiative is to reform the law to make it easier for women to sue their employer for pay discrimination. No thanks - I don't think more lawsuits is a good answer.

The conclusion I've drawn is that "equal pay for equal work" doesn't really mean that at all. It's just a catchy line that masks a plan to create more handouts. Ironically, I think it promotes inequality.

We are a capitalist society and I, personally, would like to keep it that way. I find myself really wanting to like Obama, but the truth is that he's just too socialist for my liking. And don't even get me started on his healthcare plan. The only reason I consider myself a fence sitter is the most remote possibility of ever having to say the words President Palin.

Does anyone know ...

... what the hell this is ??? (aside from gross)

Pulled Pork & Sauerkraut in the Crock

Want an easy crock pot recipe for a damp-fall (or winter) day? I always make this on New Year's Day, but am breaking it out for the 2nd Street 5K Run & Irish Festival today in my neighborhood. It takes less than 5 minutes to put together, and is always a crowd pleaser.

Pulled Pork & Sauerkraut in the Crock Pot

1/2 bag baby carrots
3-4 medium red-skin potatoes, cubed
1 small onion, diced
1 medium-sized apple, diced (optional)
1 pork loin roast
1 bag sauerkraut, with juice

Note: If you buy a seasoned pork roast, you probably don't need to add extra seasonings. When I buy it unseasoned, I add:

crushed rosemary
salt n pepa
thyme
ground mustard
whatever else looks good on the spice rack

Put everything in the crock pot in the order listed. No need to add extra water or broth. Put the lid on. Check it every few hours. It's done when the pork falls apart and the veggies are soft -- usually overnight or 8 hours.

I get the best results when I cook on low overnight, then eat the next day. Everything tastes best on days 2 and 3. This dish also freezes very well.

Eat on a crusty roll with horseradish. Or just by itself.

Let me know how it turns out if you decide to try it.

Whatty-bon?

Babspeapod here, live again from the debate.

I'm actually finding it quite entertaining and will now showcase my apparent case of ADD and/or immaturity.

Obama keeps saying the word "Tolly-bon." Kinda like a "Cinnabon", but not. "Pocky-ston" is a little distracting too, but not quite as much.

McCain just called it the "Tally-pon."

Folks, I think we're in trouble.

(P.S. - I hear "Santa Claus" is a write-in candidate from West Virginia. It's true .... see!)

(P.S.S. -- Obama just called McCain "Jim" again. bahaa. And yes, I DO know the moderator is JIM Lehrer, but since Obama keeps correcting himself, I assume he keeps calling John by the wrong name.)

Whistle while you ....wha??

And will someone please get John McCain some teeth that fit? He keeps s-whistling, and it's very distracting. (S-whistling is when you whistle every time you say a word with an "s")

Tom? Jim? John!

I can't believe I'm sitting at home on Friday night flipping the channels between the Presidential Debate and the Phillies game.

When did I turn into my Dad?

Anyway, twice now in the last 10 minutes, Obama has called McCain by the wrong name. First he called him Tom ... now he just called him Jim.

What up with that?