Missing "toy", Madeline found it. Jack went over and they both peered underneath. Madeline proceeded to stick her paw under the stove for several minutes before dislodging a carrot.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Madeline
Missing "toy", Madeline found it. Jack went over and they both peered underneath. Madeline proceeded to stick her paw under the stove for several minutes before dislodging a carrot.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Dinosaurs! MN Zoo
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| Following the dinosaur footprints |
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| A little one |
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| Not sure what he thinks |
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| Brontosaurus |
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| Liking it now |
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| Wow |
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| This one was a little graphic |
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| Into the fog |
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| Enjoying the climbable dinos |
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| Safe on Daddy's shoulders |
We visited Dinosaurs at the MN Zoo today. Jack loved it but at times was a little nervous. The fog, sounds, and dinosaurs together create quite an impressive exhibit.
Utopia Part I - Fiscal Responsibility
Upon reflecting, stressing, getting frustrated, and getting mad about the state of affairs in present day society, I decided to write a bit about my ideal society, or Utopia as I will call it. I started with one post, then decided it was amazingly long winded, would bore everyone to death and lose most of you a few minutes in. Hence, I will do a few posts over the next few weeks.
To summarize, my Utopia is full of responsible, forward thinking, intelligent individuals. Utopia cares about environmental preservation, creativity, healthy living, and integrity. It is a place that allows people to live among people of like moral character knowing that their neighbors are being held to the same level of high self responsibility.
The first, and probably the most important theme in Utopia is that fiscal responsibility is an absolute. No bailouts allowed in my Utopia. I could use many examples but let's use foreclosures to illustrate my point. I am outraged listening the monologue about people getting duped into buying houses they could not afford and therefore we, as a society, should provide a safety net to assist them into a situation that is better suited to their financial means (IE: principal deductions or one of the many other subsidized programs meant to prop up the housing situation but instead props up individuals who got themselves in over their heads). And we are to do so with grace while those people who are doltish enough to be "duped" ruin the values of the other houses in their neighborhoods, hence having a negative impact on their responsible neighbors.
This type of bailout action is setting a precedent that it is okay to be irresponsible, simple-minded, or whatever you want to call it, and everyone else will (be forced to) help you out. We are rewarding ignorance while the people who have been responsible and live within their means are being hurt by declining values and a system that rewards those being irresponsible.
Something as simple as a refinance has become next to impossible for those who fall into the responsible group, limiting the access to unprecedented low mortgage rates. In my Utopia, if you don't have the income to support a loan (mortgage or anything else) you do not get approved. If you do have the income to support the note, you are approved and banks are clamoring for your business because you are a good risk. They are happy to take you on at a low interest rate because that is what your responsible behavior has allowed you to qualify for and in the long run you will be a great customer. Lenders are not vying for the business of a high risk individual because they can charge them a higher interest rate, despite the fact that it has been proven that they will likely default in the long run.
In my Utopia, if you can't make your mortgage payments, you get kicked out. It is not a right to own a home. If you can't afford it, you either buy a house of lesser value that you can afford, or you rent something within your budget.
This idea translates into many other areas: you live within your means and you tend to needs before wants. If you can't afford the shoes, you don't buy them. If you can't afford the car, you don't buy it. You feed your kids before getting a tattoo or flying out of town. You pay your debts before buying a third car or second home. The difference between this and present day society is that everyone is held to this standard in Utopia, it is expected and demanded. If you don't live within your means, you will "fall through the cracks".
This concept of needs before wants applies to government entities as well. We maintain infrastructure before funding "fun" items - ie: decorative art fountains for parks, painting utility boxes to improve the view, or funding a sports stadium with public monies.
Imagine a society where roads were maintained, schools did not have to fight for their funding, firefighters and police officers did not worry about layoffs every day when going to work. Those services would be prioritized and the citizens of Utopia would see their tax dollars doing to support the services they expect government to provide.
I realize my opinion is unpopular. I realize I probably offended a few of you. An opinion is an opinion. If you have a different one, feel free to share that.
To summarize, my Utopia is full of responsible, forward thinking, intelligent individuals. Utopia cares about environmental preservation, creativity, healthy living, and integrity. It is a place that allows people to live among people of like moral character knowing that their neighbors are being held to the same level of high self responsibility.
The first, and probably the most important theme in Utopia is that fiscal responsibility is an absolute. No bailouts allowed in my Utopia. I could use many examples but let's use foreclosures to illustrate my point. I am outraged listening the monologue about people getting duped into buying houses they could not afford and therefore we, as a society, should provide a safety net to assist them into a situation that is better suited to their financial means (IE: principal deductions or one of the many other subsidized programs meant to prop up the housing situation but instead props up individuals who got themselves in over their heads). And we are to do so with grace while those people who are doltish enough to be "duped" ruin the values of the other houses in their neighborhoods, hence having a negative impact on their responsible neighbors.
This type of bailout action is setting a precedent that it is okay to be irresponsible, simple-minded, or whatever you want to call it, and everyone else will (be forced to) help you out. We are rewarding ignorance while the people who have been responsible and live within their means are being hurt by declining values and a system that rewards those being irresponsible.
Something as simple as a refinance has become next to impossible for those who fall into the responsible group, limiting the access to unprecedented low mortgage rates. In my Utopia, if you don't have the income to support a loan (mortgage or anything else) you do not get approved. If you do have the income to support the note, you are approved and banks are clamoring for your business because you are a good risk. They are happy to take you on at a low interest rate because that is what your responsible behavior has allowed you to qualify for and in the long run you will be a great customer. Lenders are not vying for the business of a high risk individual because they can charge them a higher interest rate, despite the fact that it has been proven that they will likely default in the long run.
In my Utopia, if you can't make your mortgage payments, you get kicked out. It is not a right to own a home. If you can't afford it, you either buy a house of lesser value that you can afford, or you rent something within your budget.
This idea translates into many other areas: you live within your means and you tend to needs before wants. If you can't afford the shoes, you don't buy them. If you can't afford the car, you don't buy it. You feed your kids before getting a tattoo or flying out of town. You pay your debts before buying a third car or second home. The difference between this and present day society is that everyone is held to this standard in Utopia, it is expected and demanded. If you don't live within your means, you will "fall through the cracks".
This concept of needs before wants applies to government entities as well. We maintain infrastructure before funding "fun" items - ie: decorative art fountains for parks, painting utility boxes to improve the view, or funding a sports stadium with public monies.
Imagine a society where roads were maintained, schools did not have to fight for their funding, firefighters and police officers did not worry about layoffs every day when going to work. Those services would be prioritized and the citizens of Utopia would see their tax dollars doing to support the services they expect government to provide.
I realize my opinion is unpopular. I realize I probably offended a few of you. An opinion is an opinion. If you have a different one, feel free to share that.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Juice
We don't do much juice. But after a skeptical look Jack decided strawberry pineapple juice was pretty good.
Grandma & Grandpa's
Sunday visit at Grandma & Grandpa's. Getting lost in the bushes and finding the hose. Despite the fact that Grigg & his fun in the sprinkler was too crazy, Jack still managed to get wet and have a blast!
Driving
Decided to drive the Volvo. Complete with sunglasses. Missed the part where he needs a key to go anywhere, and forgot a seatbelt.
Rice Paper
Rice Paper for lunch. Excellent toys for little ones, sticky sticks. Kept him busy the entire time. And then the waitresss brought him toasted coconut chocolate AND salted caramel ice cream. Needless to say that kept him busy too :)
Eye
Eye stye. Poor kid has allergies as bad as his adults. His fantastic doc thinks he was playing with the plants, got pollen in his eye and now he has a stye :( Should be gone in a few days.
Oops!
I made the mistake of setting the box our delivery of espresso came in on the breakfast nook. It was full of packing peanuts. He had a blast!
Fishing
He is loving fishing with Brandon. This trip he decided running circles around a huge tree was just as much fun.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Lunch
He enjoyed his homemade vanilla yogurt. To which he added honey roasted chipotle peanuts...As you can see he ate it all.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Mother's Day Yard Work
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| New tree from Jack - crabapple |
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| Wide View |
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| Big Pot |
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| Raspberries |
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| Blueberries |
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| Helpers |
The backyard project which started as some annuals, mulch and a potential tree, turned into quite a project on Sunday. Now it is time to relax!
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