Do you LIKE paying high gas prices moms?
As the American economy struggles, and as hard-working Americans find it harder and harder to make ends meet, Big Oil is raking in the bucks hand over fist (to the tune of 35 BILLION dollars in the first quarter ALONE!). So if you ask me, it's time for a good old-fashioned boycott. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a capitalist through and through, and I know businesses need to make a profit in order to stay in business, but I do think it's time we consumers put Big Oil back in it's place. It's time we hit them where they have hit us--in the pocketbook!
How can this be done? Simple, we go after them one at a time. I suggest we start with Exxon/Mobil because they're making the biggest profits. 99% of businesses would be OVERJOYED to make in an ENTIRE YEAR what Exxon/Mobil makes in ONE MONTH! If only 10% of the American people would quit buying from Exxon/Mobil, they would be forced to lower their prices, and once they did, other companies would have-to follow suit. This isn't just theory people, it's fact! And once their price is BELOW $3 per gallon, we will start buying gas from them again--it's simple economics.
Part of the capitalistic process is called Supply and Demand, and I think most people know basically what that means. But I have some questions: Why is it that gas is the only product that seems to be so instantly susceptible to this process? Right before a travel holiday, gas goes up. If a hurricane is approaching (even if it doesn't hit), gas goes up. Before a weekend, gas goes up...etc. The answer is supposedly because demand is higher, or supply is lower, right? But why is it when gas goes up, it goes up 10 or 20 cents OVERNIGHT, but when it goes down--it takes TWO WEEKS to lower the same amount!? Or why is it other companies don't have such a hard time with supply and demand? If I buy a pizza on Super Bowl Sunday it costs the same as on any other day of the week--but demand is probably ten times higher! Why don't restaurants charge more on weekends when demand is higher?...etc. I can give example after example. My whole point being that I really think oil companies are taking advantage of the fact that we must continually buy gas in order to get by in our daily lives. So lets show them the consumer is truly the one with the power. Lets show them if they want our business, they'll have to be better corporate citizens. Lets show them that profits are good, but OBSCENE profits will NOT be tolerated by the American consumer! Lets show them WE mean business! Boycotts are just as much a part of capitalism as price gouging. Big oil has done its part, so now lets do ours.
Is it not at least worth a try?
What's for dinner
Some other easy ideas for dinner are to stop by Simply Good in Birmingham and pick up a beautifully prepared meal...always delicious. They are on the corner of Lincoln and Adams and have great cooking classes too. My other helper is Martha Stewart's Everyday Food Magazine, your guide to fast great meals. She maps it all out for you along with a grocery list. There are sides, main dishes, light ideas, desserts, tips and cookie of the month. All recipes are simple and easy and really pretty good. She gives you ideas for Monday through the weekend and includes the reinvention of leftovers. This publication comes out once a month.
Happy Mothers Day
When I was little I thought I had the best mom that anyone could ever have. I thought she loved me, taught me and understood me in ways that no one else ever could. I couldn't imagine life without her because I loved her so much. Now that my youth is not much more than a faint memory, I just want to say that some things never change, I still believe that God has blessed me and mine with the best mom ever and I love her, appreciate and value her so very very much.
For all of the hard work and sacrifice, the love and dedication that is uniquely mom and in so many ways sets a bench mark for all of us. For everything you do that makes our lives so very rich I just wanted to jump over from the Dads blog and wish each and every one of you a sincere and heartfelt Happy Mothers Day.
How do you become a Mother in a minute?
Dianna,
You have always been someone I have looked up to, and I too, have never been more proud of you.
You are the type of woman that whatever goal you set for yourself you've always been able to accomplish it and I have no doubt in my mind you will be successful at this as well and this little girl will grow up to be a wonderful, strong woman because of you!
My only child may be a 4-legged animal that sheds alot, but I'm here to help if you need me!
Jen
How do you become a Mother in a minute?
Dianna,
I must say having grown up with you,I have never been more prouder of you than I am now.
I know the struggles you are dealing with since becoming a "new" mom and it has not been easy but you are doing such an awesome job!
I told you that you were a strong women and could handle this and you are...BRAVO!
You know I am always here for advice..
Second Annual Parent Conference
Moms, click over to the MichDads blog for my post with details on a terrific FREE event for parents this Saturday, May 3rd in Lake Orion. The Second Annual Parenting Conference promises to be a great day of education and inspiration aimed at parents of children under five. Breakfast, lunch, and child care for a limited number of children are all part of the event. I hope to see you there!
BPA-free products
After the recent news about plastic products containing Bisphenol A (BPA) that may pose harmful health risks,
Thermos points out it offers many nontoxic stainless steel beverage bottles, thermoses and cups appropriate for every age.
The Thermos Foogo stainless steel line offers a BPA-free sippy cup, water bottle and food jar to keep toddler's food and drinks safe and at the right temperature for hours.
There's also the BPA-free Thermos FUNtainer straw bottle, which has a push-button flip lid and comes in more than 25 popular character designs.
Me? I miss pop in glass bottles. :)
Remnants of her mother
Grace, thanks for sharing Billie Rae's new project on her mother's clothing. Incredibly interesting. I read the whole PR piece and Web site. Really cool.
Check out My Mother's Clothing.
To work or not to work
If a mother can stay at home more power to her. The children haven't changed. Society has, thinking everyone should work. What about the child? Does he-she learn your values and morals or the babysitters? KATHERINE
To work or not to work
Hey Maureen, so glad to see you back in this space!
The decision to go back to work after a baby is a tough one, no matter your circumstances. Some women have no choice. But having a baby with special medical needs would make the decision harder. I have a feeling that if you can find some good child care arrangement that working part time would be the best for you. It gets you out of the house and interacting with adults more, for one thing. :)
I blogged about this same issue a few weeks ago. Here's a story and tips that might help.
Good luck!
Plastic bottles
There have been so many stories on the possible dangers of using plastic bottles (for babies and adults). Here's a Google news search that will pull up lots of different stories on the subject.
Homeless Children in scools
Blame Governor Granholmn and her democratic cohorts for destroying the Michigan economy with punishing fees and taxes followed by promises of more to come!... This state is quickly becoming a third world economy under her guidance or lack thereof. As an example one need only consider how she blatantly acted as policeman judge and jury thereby poisoning the jury pool statewide against ALL of the students who were arrested after the E Lansing block-party gone awry last weekend but refuses to make an equally damning statement regarding any of Kwame Kilpatrick criminal activity and basic arrogance with taxpayer funds... what a bunch of hypocrites... it's almost funny if not for my college age son, who is an engineering student @ LSSU and informs me he can't wait to graduate so he can GET OF MICHIGAN as fast as possible... thanks Gov!
CDC says all kids should get flu vaccine
Your caution is wise and well warranted. Many of us have been more discriminating when buying new homes and cars than we have been with decisions on medical and health care.
common sense solutions
Thank for the reminders! We're not perfect and forget at times, but we try to remember to wash our hands after we get home from work or any outing, to use hand sanitizer when we get into the car after any playdate, playground trip, errand or appointment. We wipe down shopping carts when we enter the department and grocery stores. Also after visitors have left our home. We also use therapeutic-grade essential oils on school and appointment days during cold and flu season. And we try to be efficient and make quick work of all of it so that it doesn't seem like a chore, so that it becomes as normal as brushing your teeth. Every little bit helps.
Don't Miss This Terrific Event for Parents
I'm crashing the Moms Blog to let all of you know about a terrific event for parents. This Thursday, April 3rd Birmingham Bloomfield Families in Action (BBFA) will present ita Annual Event, "Raising Kids in a Digital World," featuring celebrated author, editor, and Web expert Robin Raskin. Ms. Raskin will speak twice, at 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Seligman Center at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills. She'll conduct a live, hands-on demonstration of the Internet and how to protect our children from the dangers it presents, and she'll respond to audience questions. This is a topic that concerns all parents. For complete information and to register, visit www.bbfaprevention.org. Don't miss it!
