Better than Oprah's!

A few weeks ago I convinced my Grandma to start a book club with me.  Like any good grandparent she said 'yes' even though I think she wasn't completely on board with the idea (she's humoring me, folks).  

Our book club is better than Oprah's because we'll read some trash (oh!  and self-help books are strictly prohibited).  My Grandma got first pick (a not so subtle sales tactic I used to get her more firmly invested in the book club idea).  We're reading a mystery/thriller called Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown.  

I've posted our current and next selections on the right side of the blog.  This is to encourage those interested to read along with us.  After my Grandma and I read a book, I'll drive to see her and we'll talk about what we thought.  I'll post our thoughts and hopefully you will post your comments and we'll have a quasi-official, Internet-driven book circle.  Sounds fun, right!?!

In fertility news, we had some mildly stressful moments last week when we received our IVF bill.  The big payment of $11K is due on October 5th, which is a Sunday (and slightly odd payment date).  We have to pay this bill before we can begin the stimulation injections on October 13th.  So why the stress?

Have you been watching the news!?!?  Luckily we've known for a while this was coming.  We picked a finance option that was right for us and got approved last week.  In the event we weren't approved some financial alternatives we discussed included:

• holding a charity dog talent show (until we realized neither of our dogs do anything special)

• selling our plasma for $$$ (roughly 200 times each)

• playing the state lottery (but I heard the odds were kind of low).
  

Becoming a Teacher or an Alcoholic?

Friday I spent the day 'observing' my old roommate Clay (aka Mr. Kennedy).  He teaches Spanish and French at a local middle school.  While I don't plan on teaching French or Spanish, nor do I plan on teaching middle grades, I wanted my first observation to be with a friend.  I haven't been in a public school classroom in over 15 years (I was scarit).  

What did I learn?  I really must live a life of leisure right now, I was exhausted at the end of the day (and I didn't DO anything).  I am completely convinced there is a direct correlation between teaching and an increase in alcohol intake.  Is it still illegal to keep a liquor cabinet behind your desk?

Clay was awesome!  It must have been quiz day in all his classes.  For extra credit he asked his students to stare at 'the mysterious lady' in the back of the classroom and guess who she was.  Some responses included me being his sister, his wife, his friend, being from France, etc.  My personal favorite was 'she's waiting for you to retire so she can take your job' (I requested this kid get half credit for creativity).  

The school made me wear a big red sticker all day that said 'VISITOR' (that's me during planning period trying my best to rock it).  All in all, I'm still excited about teaching.  When I get my graduate certificate, send me a case of wine (for medicinal purposes, of course)!

Rockin' ECON 101

I've got my first real test tonight!  It's in my ECON 101 class.  I did the practice study questions for fun and surprised myself by getting all the answers correct but one (apparently going to every class, taking good notes and reading the chapters does work).

So, how would you fair if you had to take my ECON 101 test?  Here's some sample questions (grade yourself on a huge curve since you don't have the textbook and haven't been to class):

1.  The Law of Supply requires:

a.  quantity supplied to be greater at higher prices

b.  supply curves to be negatively sloped

c.  supply curves for inferior goods to slope downward

d.  an increase in price to cause an increase in supply

2.  An increase in the quantity demanded of hot chocolate could be caused by:

a.  an increase in the price of coffee

b.  a decrease in the price of hot chocolate

c.  a decrease in average temperature

d.  a decrease in the price of marshmallows

3.  If the price of apples is above the equilibrium price (i.e. market price) then:

a.  there is a shortage of apples

b.  the quantity supplied of apples exceeds the quantity sold

c.  the quantity demanded of apples will exceed the quantity supplied

d.  the price of apples will tend to rise

4.  Which of the following statements concerning a price ceiling is true?

a.  a ceiling set above the market price will have no effect

b.  a binding ceiling will create a surplus

c.  a ceiling is designed to help sellers

d.  all of the above

5.  Owners of rent controlled housing may attempt to increase profits by:

a.  allowing the rental units to deteriorate

b.  converting rental housing to commercial property

c.  taking under-the-table payments

d.  all of the above

I'm particularly curious to see how my friend Holly's husband does on this quiz.  He's a high school Economics teacher in SC (that should give you some clue).  Also, my friend Shannon's husband was my Marketing mentor for years (he painfully taught me business economics on a daily basis).

Here's the answer key:

1.  A, 2.  B, 3.  B, 4.  A, 5.  D

P.S.  Question #3 was the one I got wrong.  I still don't fully understand why.  I think the questions flawed.

The Politics of Family

Well, we've talked about three out of four taboos on this blog (sex, money, and religion) might as well talk about politics.  Here's a brief history of my family and politics:

• My Grandma has voted Democrat most of her life

• Her two children are Republicans (apparently the Democrat gene skips a generation)

• My sister and I are Democrats

• My two younger brothers are Independents (they'll probably be Republicans because 'guns are cool')

• My baby sister is too young to vote

• My mother just became a US citizen a few years ago! (and currently an Independent)

Alright, so what does this all mean?  Well, for the first time in her 80+ years, my Grandma is seriously considering voting Republican (I believe her exact words were 'I'm voting for Palin, not McCain').  In an equal reversal of roles, my father (aka Rush Limbaugh Jr.) was caught making fun of Palin.  Essentially he wonders why McCain didn't ask my Mom to be his running mate, she also has five children.  

My Dad's comment got me thinking maybe my Mom would make a good Vice President.  Here's why:

• She has 15 years public service experience (she's a high school teacher)

• She was born and raised in Germany (good foreign policy experience)

• She managed a household with 5 kids on a single income (knows how to balance a budget)

• She only buys American cars (loyal citizen)

• She likes playing Rock Band (great photo op possibilities)

So Mom, if you're reading this, I'd vote for you!  Now that I've covered taboo #4 I feel this blog is truly complete.  

On a more serious note, did you know politicians have a legal right to lie to voters in commercial ads?  If you don't believe me, read this interesting article from the Annenberg Political Fact Check organization (www.factcheck.org).

The Annenberg Political Fact Check is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization which 'aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics' (I know, takes all the fun out of it).  

Good luck this election year figuring it all out!

Baboons Are People Too!

I saw this yesterday on ABC's Good Morning America (I had to share, the clips only 3 minutes long).  Apparently stress-related health disorders have similar effects on baboons as they do on humans. 

Some things that went through my mind while watching this video:

1. I'm not sure which is more interesting, the study findings or the scientist being interviewed.
   
2. I think I worked in similar environments as some of the baboons.
3. My favorite quote:  'You've got 9 hours of free time every day to devote to making somebody else just miserable.'  (I most definitely worked with a few of those baboons!)
4. I thought all British people were born unhappy?

Enjoy!