Here I am....and only 3 days of "Paid Vacation" time left

I haven't really been hiding since getting back in from our little trip away....it's just that I've been trying to get "back into the swing of things"....
Appointments, kids, house cleaning, food cooking, you know, it's called.......
"Life."

The "away" places and spaces are always gone too fast for me....sigh.
I taking love trips!

And this one went WAY too fast for some reason.

I didn't even take any photos...this was more like a "long weekend"....but it was good while it was happening.
My husband had some business to do so "Miss Priss, Italian Boy, and I" were able to go along for a few days and hang out in the very nice pool area and do a few other things as well.

I'm very grateful that we were able to do this.
Especially because I know many famiilies that won't or can't go on a mini trip even.

We have always been VERY BLESSED to be able to take frequent mini trip and some wonderful vacations with our family.

However....something that "bugs" me right now is knowing that most of America (us included) have VERY limited vacation/holiday time..... America's employer's are getting very BAD about taking "off time" away from it's people.

Especially when you realize just HOW MUCH vacation/holiday time people in the European Union get.
Check this out:
"The average leave and public holiday entitlements across all 27 EU states is 34 days, with little difference between Eastern and Western Europe. Employees in Finland benefit from 44 days’ holiday, while those in France and Lithuania receive 40 days. In contrast, staff in the UK, Netherlands and Romania are allowed just 28 days off. The figures are based on statutory entitlements for an employee working five days a week, with 10 years’ service."

Yikes!!! We are SO not getting this kind of paid vacation/holiday time off in America and Canada.

Here is another paragraph from a Website I was reading today.
It's called......
***Take Back Your Vacation***

"Vacations are vanishing. Only 14% of Americans will get a vacation of two weeks or longer this year. A third of women and a quarter of men get no annual leave anymore, as annual leave benefits are being eliminated like pensions. Many others are afraid to use their paid leave for fear they could be laid off or demoted if they do. No wonder the average American vacation is now down to a long weekend."

You know that really isn't good for families and individuals....people need some rest and relaxation from time to time, even if they just stay home.

But then right now add in very high gas prices and the housing crisis and umemployement, other economic issues.....and you must realize that families aren't going to be able to spend any time off somewhere together.....because they can't either take the time away or the can't afford even the simplest, tiny vacation.

Take a peek if you wish at this site........"Take Back Your Time"It's very interesting....

Our family now only has 3 days of "Paid Vacation" left....we always end up taking time off "without pay" when needed.....I know we have some things to do as a family before this year is out. We also had a "Big Trip" planned for the Fall, but have scrapped now for the time being and that's okay.

Something always works out in the end for us......but I am concerned for the others that only get 5 days of paid vacation/holiday leave even after YEARS of working for a company or corporation.
Yet, in light of what is, and has been happening in our home state of "Iowa" and other parts of the United States and the World.....
I really haven't any problems to complain about.

I have to work at keeping things in "proper perspective" at times.
Just watch the daily news though, and it doesn't take much to get your eyes back in focus.

Do I still think we need more vacation time?

Yeah.

How Do You Describe Your Parents?

How do you describe your parents, your mother and your father? How is your relationship with them? Would you bring up your kids the way you were brought up by your parents?

Tags: Parents, Mother, Father, Love, Relationship, Bonding

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Two things........or Three or Four....

Silly girl that I am....I should be packing....we are leaving for the coast for FOUR glorious days..and here I sit.
What can I say?
When it starts to flow I have to "write it down." HA! Plus I'm watching something on my comp at the same time as I am writing this....

Soooo...did any of you happen to see this photo and what is going on with Tony Blair??

No apologies here. I am a HUGE "Tony Blair" fan.....I always have been, I can't really tell you why but I've watched what he's done and am now paying attention to what he's now doing. It's not an infatuation thing although I have had and do continue to have a burden for his country.

England that is...he was born in Scotland but I'm talking England here...where he served as the "longest serving Prime Minister" ever before stepping down last year.

Tony Blair is serving in the Middle East now as an "Envoy" on behalf of behalf of the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia.

Here's a good article you might want to check out that I found on the BBC called "Blair To Devote His Life To Faith" which is worth reading....very interesting in fact.

The BBC includes this quote from Blair in the article.....
"You don't put a hotline up to God and get the answers.
"The worst thing in politics is when you're so scared of losing support that you don't do what you think is the right thing.

"What faith can do is not tell you what is right but give you the strength to do it."

I have to DISAGREE with Mr. Blair on that point.....I can understand the "fear" that one would feel in politics...being "scared of losing support".... I am sure it's a hard place to be in...but I must say....I feel that one "CAN put a hotline up to God and be told what is "right" AND have the strength to do it" altogether.

***Secondly.....

God TV...I am nearly addicted to it lately.

I pick up the "live feed" on my computer and watch it. I love it. And for me.....

OF COURSE.....I am watching alot of the U.K. stuff.....the other night I watched a great show from the U.K....loved it......and right now....I'm viewing the
"One Thing Jerusalem Conference"....it's very cool and interesting to watch people speaking and singing in Hebrew and English of course.

This morning I watched a good bit of "Frenzy 2008" from Edinburgh, Scotland and saw my FAVORITE band
...."Delirous"....

I was very excited about that.I had just bought their new CD called......"Kingdom Of Comfort."

Now what do you think that could be about with a title like that??? I love these guys because they are all about "Helping Humanity".....they have big hearts and I like that. They have joined a group of music artists in forming a charity called......"Compassion Art." Take a look at that site.

And here are the lyrics to "Kingdom Of Comfort".....hummmm......the chorus IS impressive.

***Kingdom Of Comfort***

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

I built myself a happy home
In my palace on my own
My castle falling in the sand
Pull me out, please grab my hand
I just forgot where I came from

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

I rob myself of innocence
With the poison of indifference
I buy my stuff at any cost
A couple of clicks and I pay the price
Coz what I gain is someone else's loss

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
From my unhealthy lust of material things

Save me save me
From the kingdom of comfort where I am king
To this kingdom of heaven where you are king

Written by Delirious? ©2008 Curious? Music UK

I'll be talking to you all when I get back.... it's time for some "R&R" now.

Do You Believe In God?

What is your idea of God? Do you believe that there is a God who created everything and who watches over all His creations? How do you relate to Him?

Tags: God, Creation, Beliefs

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

True Inspiration.....

"Water Lilies" by Claude Monet: 1840-1926

I have little "writing inspiration" today so I thought I would give you some one else's "artist inspiration" instead.

Oh I do have "inspiration" in other realms......but not in the writing arena today.

I think my mind is clouded and I have been frustrated at myself lately for not writing any "good articles" actually......it's just mainly "what's going on with our family" and things of that matter and that is all good and fine.

But I have a "Deeper Well" within me and I love it when I can tap into it and release what's there......but that takes time.

I've had my "quiet times" of reading and reflection and such but I'm talking about writing. I have so many more things inside of me but I can't seem to get them out due to time or....like today...lack of "writing inspiration."

Right now the best and truest inspiration I can give you in 10 seconds is......."help change the world."
There is a lot to be done and a lot that just ONE person can do.

Getting Off This Horse.......

Sorry it's taken me so long to post this. It's been a busy week around here...as usual it seems.

I DO want to "Get Off This Hobby Horse" though and move on.....so I will now print out for you the reply that the "House of Dior" sent to me following my e-mail to them regarding the very untimely and uncompassionate remarks regarding the earthquake that took place in China....which were made by one
"Sharon Stone" who is/was one of their spokes persons.

You can read about the entire thing in the post below this one.....

This is the reply I received from Dior:

Dear Ms. Mahan,

Thank you for contacting us and sharing your concerns about this matter. Please be aware that we entirely disagree with the statements made by Ms. Stone and do not support her opinions on this matter in any way.

We are deeply saddened by the tragic devastation in China caused by the earthquake, and we regret any statements that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.

We appreciate that you contacted us.

Sincerely,

Stacey

Customer Relations

Christian Dior Couture

Good to know.....I appreciate the stand they took. They are a BIG and FAMOUS Fashion House that has been around since 1945 and didn't have to address what she said.....but they did.

Whenever you see a cause or an issue that you CAN address....why not do it?
It didn't cost me one penny to do what I did. We have pens, we have computers....we can take action.

You can do this too....and it will make a difference to someone.

We should never want revenge in situations.....but we should want to see "Justice."
I am very passionate about Justice.

lotta 'bout nothin

yeah, I have decided I am pretty boring because nothing really important comes to mind that NEEDS to be posted. It could also be 'cause I don't remember things too...but that would be making fun of myself and we don't like that

right? RIGHT?

Honestly, I can completely agree I have not been the entertainer you all have grown to know and love lately...and I have no explanation (atleast one that will fly anyways) except to say that maybe I am just getting too old to be funny anymore?

Please, no one answer that. Purely hypothetical...I dont think my ego could take it. Plus, do you all want to be responsible for me going and getting Botox? I think not. In fact, I could use your comments as ammunition in the court case when I sue you all for emotional distress. Don't think I wont. I am a badass

OK, even that made ME laugh. ME? A Badass. HAHAHAHAHAH. I talk tough, deep down inside I am a folding lawn chair. Ask anyone. In fact, ask my daughter...she sure takes advantage of that.