Today I am feeling a bit melancholly. There are so many things going on that it's hard to break it down into what exactly is causing this feeling.
My reproductive system is doing that thing is does, just 10x more painful than last month. Thank gwad it stopped the every other week thing it was fond of.
I look out the windows and see dogs hanging out of the passenger sides of cars. I wish our dog did that. She is cute, but scared shitless of riding in a car.
Everything is melting. It's a great day! Of course I finished the cashmere cowl last night. It's so heavy, but it looks faboo!!! I will take a picture of it later and push it into this post.
Tomorrow Kay goes and tries out for the AAA hockey team. I am on the fence about her being on the team. Trying out will be a great experience for her, making it will be an expensive venture for us. Practices held 3 hours away and 3 tournaments, one in the Twin Cities, one in Grand Forks and one in Duluth.
We found out on Friday that Kent (my husband) is a match so he can give his father a kidney. I am so very glad that this will help my FIL, but I am frightened about the whole procedure. I tend to be a worry wart, and this isn't helping. There are so many things that need to be done even before a date is set, it's daunting even though it's not me going under the knife!
I can't wait to get my peppers and my tomatoes started! I want to do it before I leave for my mother's. Oh! Wait! Another stordy!
A few weeks ago, mom went through a rough patch and I felt I needed to go out there and spend some time with her. Life got in the way, as it often does around here. Hockey schedules, school stuff and Kolton and Kent getting sick... I just couldn't get away.
One night, Kent was somewhat covertly talking on the phone to his sister. I heard yeses and nos... Then I heard her ask if I would prefer a window or eisle seat. WHAT????
My darling husband booked a flight for me, with his sister's help and miles for next week to go see my mom! What a great guy!
Brownies. Yep. That's whats needed.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Getting Closer!
Some of you might object....
But I am doing a small happy dance in my chair.
This note was received from the JDRF by a friend.
President Obama plans to sign an executive order expanding the federal government’s support for embryonic stem cell research on Monday. This is a crucial step forward in our ten year effort on this important component of JDRF’s legislative agenda. The article below from the Washington Post provides more detail.
JDRF will learn more about the contents of the Executive Order and the signing ceremonies over the weekend.
We will be issuing an action alert early next week that will direct you to contact the White House after the Executive Order is signed.
Thank you for all of your hard work on this issue.
JDRF Government Relations
Obama to Lift Ban on Funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, March 6, 2009; 3:52 PM
President Obama is planning to sign an executive order on Monday rolling back restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research, according to sources close to the issue.
Although the exact wording of the order has not been revealed, the White House plans an 11 a.m. ceremony to sign the order repealing one of the most controversial steps taken by his predecessor, fulfilling one of Obama's eagerly anticipated campaign promises.
The move, long sought by scientists and patient advocates and opposed by religious groups, would enable the National Institutes of Health to consider requests from scientists to study hundreds of lines of cells that have been developed since the limitations were put in place -- lines that scientists and patient advocate say hold great hope for leading to cures for a host of major ailments.
Administration officials would not comment immediately other than to say "there will be a stem cell related event on Monday." But an email sent out yesterday from the White House stated that officials were planning a ceremony on Monday "on stem cells and restoring scientific integrity to the government process. At the event the president will sign an executive order related to stem cells." Sources close to the issue, asking not to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the plan, said the order would lift the restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cells.
Because stem cells obtained from very early embryos are believed capable becoming any tissue in the body, scientists believe they could lead to fundamental insights into the underlying causes of many diseases and repair damage caused by a host of ailments, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries, but extracting them destroys the embryo.
President Bush imposed the restriction on Aug. 9, 2001, limiting federal funding to studies of what turned out to be 21 cell lines that were already in existence as of that date to prevent tax dollars from encouraging the destruction of more embryos.
The limitation, welcomed by those who believe that destroying human embryos is immoral, has been denounced by many scientists for severely hindering research one of the most promising fields of biomedical research.
The 21 cell lines that scientists have been permitted to study under the Bush policy have a variety of shortcomings, critics say. Many, for example, may have defects that could make them dangerous to transplant into people. But perhaps more important, hundreds of newer lines have been developed that offer a host of opportunities. Many lines, for example, carry defects for specific diseases.
Because of his long support for such research and repeated promise to repeal the restrictions, proponents expected Obama to lift the restriction in his first week in office, when he issued a flurry of executive orders to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, make government less secretive and lift a ban on funding international family planning groups that support abortion, among other things. But Obama did not, raising concern among advocates that he might be reconsidering his promise.
Opponents have argued that research on human embryonic stem cells has become unnecessary because of scientific advances in the interim, including promising advances, making it crucial to continue to study those cells along with embryonic cells.
Some opponents have suggested that Obama might qualify his executive order to try to take the sting out of the move as part of his effort to find common ground on divisive issues. But proponents expect Obama will simply lift the restriction without caveats and let the NIH work out the details. In anticipation, the NIH has started drafting guidelines that would address the many ethical issues raised by the research, using as models templates compiled by the National Academy of Sciences and the International Society for Stem Cell Research.
Advocates were especially concerned that the delay could force stem cell scientists to miss and opportunity apply for some of the new funding the NIH is receiving as part of the stimulus package.
Despite the executive order, Congress is also likely to get involved by considering legislation designed to prevent any future presidents from reinstating restrictions.
________________________________________________________
I am so for this! I know... some of you believe in life beginning at conception. I guess this could be debated but I don't want to! This will help save my daughter's life!
This is such a long post, I will say no more... except... Yippee!!
But I am doing a small happy dance in my chair.
This note was received from the JDRF by a friend.
President Obama plans to sign an executive order expanding the federal government’s support for embryonic stem cell research on Monday. This is a crucial step forward in our ten year effort on this important component of JDRF’s legislative agenda. The article below from the Washington Post provides more detail.
JDRF will learn more about the contents of the Executive Order and the signing ceremonies over the weekend.
We will be issuing an action alert early next week that will direct you to contact the White House after the Executive Order is signed.
Thank you for all of your hard work on this issue.
JDRF Government Relations
Obama to Lift Ban on Funding for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, March 6, 2009; 3:52 PM
President Obama is planning to sign an executive order on Monday rolling back restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research, according to sources close to the issue.
Although the exact wording of the order has not been revealed, the White House plans an 11 a.m. ceremony to sign the order repealing one of the most controversial steps taken by his predecessor, fulfilling one of Obama's eagerly anticipated campaign promises.
The move, long sought by scientists and patient advocates and opposed by religious groups, would enable the National Institutes of Health to consider requests from scientists to study hundreds of lines of cells that have been developed since the limitations were put in place -- lines that scientists and patient advocate say hold great hope for leading to cures for a host of major ailments.
Administration officials would not comment immediately other than to say "there will be a stem cell related event on Monday." But an email sent out yesterday from the White House stated that officials were planning a ceremony on Monday "on stem cells and restoring scientific integrity to the government process. At the event the president will sign an executive order related to stem cells." Sources close to the issue, asking not to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the plan, said the order would lift the restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cells.
Because stem cells obtained from very early embryos are believed capable becoming any tissue in the body, scientists believe they could lead to fundamental insights into the underlying causes of many diseases and repair damage caused by a host of ailments, including diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries, but extracting them destroys the embryo.
President Bush imposed the restriction on Aug. 9, 2001, limiting federal funding to studies of what turned out to be 21 cell lines that were already in existence as of that date to prevent tax dollars from encouraging the destruction of more embryos.
The limitation, welcomed by those who believe that destroying human embryos is immoral, has been denounced by many scientists for severely hindering research one of the most promising fields of biomedical research.
The 21 cell lines that scientists have been permitted to study under the Bush policy have a variety of shortcomings, critics say. Many, for example, may have defects that could make them dangerous to transplant into people. But perhaps more important, hundreds of newer lines have been developed that offer a host of opportunities. Many lines, for example, carry defects for specific diseases.
Because of his long support for such research and repeated promise to repeal the restrictions, proponents expected Obama to lift the restriction in his first week in office, when he issued a flurry of executive orders to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, make government less secretive and lift a ban on funding international family planning groups that support abortion, among other things. But Obama did not, raising concern among advocates that he might be reconsidering his promise.
Opponents have argued that research on human embryonic stem cells has become unnecessary because of scientific advances in the interim, including promising advances, making it crucial to continue to study those cells along with embryonic cells.
Some opponents have suggested that Obama might qualify his executive order to try to take the sting out of the move as part of his effort to find common ground on divisive issues. But proponents expect Obama will simply lift the restriction without caveats and let the NIH work out the details. In anticipation, the NIH has started drafting guidelines that would address the many ethical issues raised by the research, using as models templates compiled by the National Academy of Sciences and the International Society for Stem Cell Research.
Advocates were especially concerned that the delay could force stem cell scientists to miss and opportunity apply for some of the new funding the NIH is receiving as part of the stimulus package.
Despite the executive order, Congress is also likely to get involved by considering legislation designed to prevent any future presidents from reinstating restrictions.
________________________________________________________
I am so for this! I know... some of you believe in life beginning at conception. I guess this could be debated but I don't want to! This will help save my daughter's life!
This is such a long post, I will say no more... except... Yippee!!
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