G&G K come to visit & we put them to work!!! March 15th to 18th, 2009.

Grandpa & Grandma Kuhlmey came to visit

and since we had just rearranged the bedrooms,

Rachel's needed painting. So G&G got all the

paint and stuff and started painting.

I was going to get to it....eventually!

Thanks G&G K for getting this project well on its way.

Here's Grandpa speckling all the holes made from

many items put on the walls. Not anymore though!!!

Here's Rachel helping out by taping the baseboards.
Here's Grandma K showing Rachel how to do it.
Rachel came home from school and was so excited
to find her room almost all painted.
Here's Rachel touching up the paint.

Grandpa & Emily are relaxing watching some cartoon.

Here's the almost finished bedroom.

Now, Rachel, Bud and me just need to

finish up the touch-ups.

Doesn't it look so bright & cool!!!

These are her favorite colors, purple & blue, with

some apple green thrown in the decor.

Here's Emily with G&G K in her new room.

We are gonna make her room POP (as she says)

with adding some bright pinks into the decor.

Here's Brittney (Jake's girlfriend), Jake
Grandpa K, Emily, Grandma K, Rachel & Casper.
I'm the one behind the camera and that's where I like it.

Gary & Ann Kuhlmey
(Grandpa & Grandma K)
Thanks again for coming to visit.
We enjoyed all the eating, and eating,
and then painting Rachel's room.
We love you!!!

From Bud to you All!

Wendi,

We need to get the word out to all of our friends that might not be aware of what is happening in regards to the California Budget and the new taxes that are being thrust upon us. Our family alone is looking at paying $1,175 more a year in new taxes. Where are we going to get this money? That is an extra $100 per month to the state! The increase will be much the same for all our friends with families, unfortunately, the more kids you have the more taxes you will pay. As Californians, we are now the highest taxed citizens of any state in the country with no end in sight. By all reasonable estimates, we can expect our politicians (both Republicans and Democrats) to raise taxes again this year because of the tax gimmicks they have in place and their refusal to control spending.

For those interested, you can learn more about the recent State Budget and what you can do by visiting the Howard Jarvis Tax Payers Association website at: http://hjta.org/ The site explains our current situation and elaborates on the new taxes, some of which have a two year life, that are being forced upon us. Additionally, there is clarification regarding Proposition 1A. Our politicians of both parties (including local representatives like Kevin Jeffries of Murrieta) have conspired against us. In Prop 1A they not only seek to confirm the new taxes that they have bestowed upon us, but they package and disguise Prop 1A as a so called "Cap on Spending Proposition" when in fact if Prop 1A is approved it will extend the new two year taxes to four years. Additionally, the language of Prop 1A states that if taxes are increased, then spending can increase also! So much for a spending cap in California. The Governor and our State Legislature with the joint crafting of Prop 1A have only promoted a greater mistrust of politicians and our political system.

What does one do when the government conspires against the very people it is suppose to represent?

I for one am fed up with our self serving politicians. I joined the Howard Jarvis Tax Association tonight. I also emailed my local representatives (Kevin Jeffries of Murrieta, Brian Nestande of Riverside and Dennis Hollingsworth of Temecula) the following message:

I can not express my dissatisfaction enough regarding the State Budget and associated Tax Increases that the California Legislature has passed. Further more, Proposition 1A is a travesty and promotes even greater mistrust of our politicians and the political system. I intend to support every action possible, including grass root efforts for recalling politicians like yourself, to hold every member of the legislature accountable for the ongoing financial dereliction of duty.
If these efforts prove fruitless, then like many others before us, I and my family will leave the state, further reducing the upper middle class tax base. Enough is enough!

I truly believe our founding fathers would stand amongst us and fight this fight. I am struck by how similar our situation has become to theirs. I for one have had more than enough. I hope you and our friends, as citizens of California, will join me in strongly, strongly, expressing your dissatisfaction with our elected officials.

Bud
PS Moving out of California is Plan B; it has become a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there.

Conversations With Mom!

Conversations with the kids...
1. What is something mom always says to you?

E - I Love You!

R - Good things come in small packages

2. What makes mom happy?

E - Me doing what I need to do.

R - When daddy comes home

3. What makes mom sad?

E - Disobeying

R - bad choices

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

E - She says funny things or tickels me.

R - by acting like a geek

5. What was your mom like as a child?

E - I don't know.

R - adventereous

6. How old is your mom?

E - Almost 45.

R - 44

7. How tall is your mom?

E - I don't know, how tall are you?

R - 5ft 3 & 3/4"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

E - Be with her family.

R - Crochet & Read

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

E - Go shopping.

R - sleep

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

E - Crocheting

R - comedy

11. What is your mom really good at?

E - Crocheting!

R - loving us

12. What is your mom not very good at?

E - Your good at doing everything to me.

R - texting

13. What does your mom do for her job?

E - Works on the computer for my Uncle.

R - works for my Uncle

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

E - Broccoli & Cheese Soup

R - Spagetti, Tacos

Uh girls it's Mexican, although I do love Broccoli & Ch Soup

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

E - When she cares for me.

R - everything

16. If your mom were a character from a book, who would she be?

E - I don't know.

R - Alice in Wonderland

17. What do you and your mom do together?

E - Play dice or talk

R - Read

18. How are you and your mom the same?

E - Were both unique.

R - same eyes and hair

19. How are you and your mom different?

E - She likes Pink, and I like Red.

R - she's taller, I'm shorter

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

E - She takes care of me and makes sure I have what I need.

R - the look in her eyes

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

E - Fashion Bug

R - K&T Nails for a pedicure

22. What do you wish you could do with your mom?

E - Live at Glamis.

R - go on the world's biggest rollercoaster

23. What's your best memory of your mom?

E - All my memories are good.

R - When I went to get the shot in my mouth at the dentist,

she brought Caden with us so I wouldn't wimp out.

Crock Pot Chicken Tortia Soup

4-5 Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Breasts

(2) 14.5oz cans Mexican Style Stewed Tomatoes

(My family did not like the big chunky tomatoes, so

you can dice, chop or puree them in the blender)

(2) 8oz cans tomato sauce

(2) 15oz cans Black Beans (I use less sodium kind)

(Minnie didn't rinse them, she kept the juice.

1st time I kept the juice, 2nd time I will rinse & drain,

just my preference)

(1) 14oz can Chicken Broth (I use less sodium kind)

1 cup salsa (any kind, but I used Pace chunky)

Garlic - lots if you like garlic

(we both used 1 TBSP of the chopped garlic out of a jar)

Chili Powder - to taste

Pepper - to taste

1 bunch Cilantro

2 Avocados - cut into chunks

Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend

Sour Cream

Tortia Chips

Place Chicken Breasts into the bottom on your crock pot.

In a large mixing bowl mix the next 9 ingred.

Pour over chicken and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Then take out the chicken and shred.

Put chicken back in and add the mexicorn and 1/2 or all of the cilantro.

Serve with crushed tortia chips, sour cream,

avocado, cilantro, and cheese as toppers.

Enjoy!!!

I got this recipe from my friend Minnie Shabaan.

(I did double this,

and it almost overflowed in my 6 qt crock pot)

***Add a Tablespoon of Flaxseed (no one will even notice)