Redwaterlily's Ramblings

I don’t have pictured of all of what I made- but here are a few items.

Let me start with my latest creation because I love this little bag. I used a vintage image, ironed it onto Jacquard fabric. On the lower right you will see a silk flower that was taken apart from the stem and sewn in place. Additionally I added beads along the bottom line of her “cover up”. I love the picture a I used.

The second one is a fairly large purse that was inspired by the Japanese fabric - I saw it and had to buy it.
It is somewhat “balloon” shaped

When I saw this Chinese print at the store, I right away wanted to use it with a black tassel. I folded the black print and stitched the folds in place before attaching it to the red fabric. The closure is a Chinese knot that I made.

My needed a gift for a birthday party. The birthday girl loves skulls but also wanted a bag with green and black stripes. I couldn’t find that in a fabric so I used green ribbon and attached it to the black fabric. The flap is striped, the rest of the bag is in skull prints. The strap for this bag is made in two pieces, so she can tie it in place to any length she wants and either wear it across her body or just one one shoulder. Most of the bag was designed by my son. The birthday girl — she loved it.

And finally, this is the first purse I ever made - kind of cute.

I also made a few reusable shopping bags and for a friend of mine I made an apron with a poker theme. I used poker card fabric and made a BBQ style apron with bib. I used drilled holes into two poker chips and attached those as buttons to the front of the apron. I don’t have a picture of that though.

that’s when I will be back full force. Right now I just don’t have the time or energy. While I only work three days a week, I try to sew in my off time to get a little inventory so I can sell some stuff and I have been revising my resume and such - I really need to find a job for after June 30th - we just can’t make it financially without me working at least part time. So please excuse me if I am not in the right mind set at this time to think about posting here and fighting with Elliott over whether I said that I am OK with the IC or not (What I said was actually that I talked to someone working for the IC and that I feel more comfortable then I did before the talk — and I was only referring to the fact of lowering the reserve requirements and nothing else in regards to the IC’s office — because, quite frankly, I have other things on my mind then getting into a back and forth with Elliott).

SO ANYWAY — I miss reading all your blogs, I miss posting here - and I will be back. Until then, I hope to see some of my gay and lesbian Bloggers (and gay and lesbian friendly Bloggers) at the Annual Stonewall Fundraiser or other events.

Don’t give up on me, OK?

To see what’s on the ready list just go to www.delaware.gov and click on the upper right on GENERAL ASSEMBLY. on that page you will see links to the “Ready List” for both the House and the Senate. ready list means these bills are waiting to be put on the calendar for discussion/vote.

Senate Bill # 41
Long Title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FOSTER CARE AND THE SEED PROGRAM.
Synopsis: This Act would allow children who are leaving foster care to have access to the SEED scholarship, without the condition that they begin their higher education immediately after high school. This Act also allows them to attend school part-time. These exceptions are necessary because children aging out of foster care have the unique responsibility to support themselves and may not be able to follow the traditional timetable that children with the support of a more traditional family are able to follow.

I really like this bill. Kids that are aging out of Foster Care have a tough enough time to make ends meet - helping them be able to attend college is a step in the right direction.

House Bill # 18
Long Title: AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 7, TITLE 19 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DOCTRINE OF EMPLOYMENT AT WILL AND PROTECTION FROM WRONGFUL TERMINATION.
Synopsis: This act is based on the Model Employment Termination Act promulgated by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 1991. The basic philosophy of this act is one of compromise and balancing the competing interests of employers and employees. Thus, although covered employees are granted an expanded substantive right to “good cause” protections against termination, available remedies are limited to reinstatement, with or without backpay, and severance pay when reinstatement is unfeasible. Compensatory and punitive damages are eliminated, except in cases where an employer retaliates against an individual for filing a complaint, giving testimony or otherwise participating in proceedings under this Subchapter.
Pursuant to this act, employees who have worked for an employer for more than one year may only be fired for “good cause.” Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week are not covered by the act. As to covered employees, this act extinguishes all common law rights and remedies against an employer. This act, however, does not displace or extinguish any rights granted to an employee under any Federal or Delaware statutes, administrative rules or regulations having the force of law. Similarly, this act does not displace or extinguish any rights granted to an employee under a collective-bargaining agreement or an express oral or written agreement relating to employment. Employees not covered by the provisions of this act retain all common law rights and remedies.
This act does not apply to the State or its subdivisions or agencies, municipal corporations or private employers with less than five employees. “Good cause” for a termination is defined as: (i) a “reasonable basis” related to an individual employee in view of factors such as conduct on the job, job performance and employment record; or (ii) the exercise of business judgment in good faith by the employer. The requirement of good cause for a termination does not apply to a termination which occurs at the expiration of express term of employment or upon completion of the specified task or project to which the employment related.
The provisions of this act cannot be waived except by an express written agreement of the employer and employee providing for severance pay in the event the employee is terminated without good cause. Any covered employee whose employment is terminated may file a complaint and demand for arbitration with the Department of Labor within 180 days of the effective date of the termination. An employer seeking a declaration that good cause exists for a termination may also file a complaint and request for arbitration. Arbitration pursuant to this act shall be governed by Delaware’s Uniform Arbitration Act. Either party to an arbitration proceeding may appeal the arbitrator’s award to the Superior Court of the County in which the termination occurred.
The act will take effect 180 days after enactment to allow the Department of Labor to promulgate regulations implementing this act.

This whole AT WILL employment thing has bugged me forever. I believe this bill is also a step in the right direction, although I can hear all the business owners already screaming that not only will they have to employ gays and lesbians (the anti-discrimination bill) and treat them respectfully but now they also can’t fire whomever they want. I don’t think it is right to be able to fire someone without telling them why or what they did wrong - It’s OK for a employers to use and abuse and chew up and spit out their workers at will and the workers have no recourse — this bill would give workers at least a bit more recourse, especially if they have worked at a place for more then a year.

House Bill # 64
Long Title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO HEALTH CARE INSURANCE.
Synopsis: This bill enables small businesses in the State, such as school bus contracting businesses, to participate in the State Group Health Insurance Program at no cost to the State, effective July 1, 2009.

Again, the more people we can cover by health insurance, the better. Delaware has a lot of small businesses that cannot buy health insurance for their employees at group rates - this bill would cover a lot of employees at those small businesses.

All in all, the above bills are all good for the people of Delaware, especially for the working population. They are all aimed at increasing the Quality of Life for Delaware’s workers - not having to worry about being fired for no good reason after working somewhere for a year or more, knowing your kids are covered by health insurance and being able to take them to the doctor as needed, and knowing that you yourself can go to the doctor rather then having to abuse the ER as your primary care doctor and having huge bills to pay off - these bills are all good and I am all for them.

However, what is the chance of them passing?

Lt. Governor Matt Denn held a press conference outlining a proposed bill that would allow parents to buy into the SCHIP program if their income is above 200 percent of the poverty level. I absolutely agree with that bill, because health insurance coverage for kids is much too expensive. During my previous employment my health insurance cost went up by about 300 dollars a month just because I had to add my son to the insurance. I didn’t make a lot of money but was above the 200% of FPL mark - being able to buy into the State’s Children’s health Insurance Program would have been invaluable to me - it would have saved me $200 a month (if the buy in cost was about $100 per month), it would have left my son with all the doctors he already had, because they were in that network, and his coverage would have continued seamlessly even if I lost my job. It’s a win-win situation for he kids and parents and after the last bill died that would have covered more kids (it would have increased the level from 200% of FPL to 300%), I hope this bill pases because the fiscal impact would be offset by the parents paying the premium.

Now if only Delaware would have more good doctors in Sussex County and more Dentists altogether, it would be even better. I am trying to find a good Dermatologist (not the quack I went to last time) - and the only good references I get are from doctors up north in Wilmington - that’s close to a 2 hour drive for me! Anybody know a good Dermatologist in Sussex or even Kent?

I know, I know - I suck at posting lately. There are two reasons for it.
1. I am working 3 days a week in Dover and, therefore, don’t have the time to post. By the time I get home I am tired and don’t feel like going on-line. After all, I spend all day at work in front of the computer.
2. I have a very obsessive personality. If something captures my attention, I will spend just about any free minute doing whatever it is that captured my attention. This week and last week it is SEWING. I never learned how to sew and just taught myself how to use my sewing machine. Since I am a perfectionist I am now busy teaching myself all the tricks of the trade until I am as perfect as I think I can get (probably never, but I try anyway). Who knows what it will be next week, but this week I am sewing shopping bags and purses (I like quick projects that I can finish in a day/night — because I love instant gratification. I could never sew, for example, a quilt - it takes too long and by the time I would be done, the obsession most likely already passed).
3. Due to my job I find myself filtering what I write here and I don’t really like that - it takes more effort to post “nicely” than it does to bite my tongue. So I do a lot of tongue biting these days. I consider it an effort at becoming a “better person”. Yeah - are you all laughing with me?
4. I am too friggin tired to post!!! I had a “sleep study” last Friday and can’t wait for the results. I do know that I woke myself up during that study because my leg was violently shaking. For the past 8 or so months I have been pretty much tired nonstop. This can be hormonal changes (I am only 38, but my mother went through early menopause), not enough restful sleep, or who-knows-what. A blood test I had done came back normal (well, I was low on calcium and need to take supplements). I am sick nd tired of being tired - and hopefully it will change soon. I miss being able to jump out of bed at 7 a.m. fully awake and alert and ready to face the day.

So, in a nutshell, that is it - I am not gone and I do feel bad for not posting - and I try to be better Just stick with me, will you?

Today is Earth Day. What are you doing today to celebrate this day and to mark this day? I started last night by making a reusable shopping bag from an old pair of jeans. I never used my sewing machine ebfore but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be and the bag looks pretty cute. I even used the back pocket from the jeans and sewed it onto the front for change or the shopping list. I will try to post a picture later. So what are you doing to save the world, once “green” project at a time?

Plastic bags consumed this year:

Here are some links about going green, live before going green, earth day projects, etc.

Did anybody go to Wilmington’s Rodney Square for the Earth Day celebration that was there today? If yes, let us know how it was.

The Earth Day Network can be found here and also read about the project GREEN GENERATION.

From the GOOD blog — Environmentalism before Earth Day and the Earth Day Mixtape Playlist.

Or how about you make your own reusable shopping bag - make a few and you can give them away.

Other Upcoming Event:

2nd Annual Earth Day Event on Chincoteague Island,VA.
May 9.2009 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.
Live Music all day with Mama Jama,Earth Band and local talent. Arts and Crafts Show,Farmers Market,Flea Market,Childrens Play area,Educational Booths,Bio Diesel cars and so much more. We are aiming to have a ‘hazardous waste’ trailer working with our county landfill so the community can come and bring old paints,stains etc. that day to be collected and disposed of properly. The event will be on Mother’s Day Weekend (and a full moon) and the evening will end with a drumming circle….on 5 gallon buckets!

I should be writing something meaningful but I think I have the “spring blues” — nothing seems worth writing about and I have spent much of my time trying to figure out how to get my house nice and pretty. Yesterday and today I painted the ugly white fireplace surrounding and it looks a lot better - next is the railing for the staircase - that plain ole white is getting on my nerves. If I didn’t hate cleaning as much as I do, I’d probably be scrubbing the house from top to bottom — instead I have to admit that I like to spend my time doing more fun things (such as the painting of the fireplace). Hey - if you want to come and clean here, I’ll paint your fireplace hahahahhaha…..

Anyway - I am off from work this week and next week and by the time I go back to work next week I want to have my house nice and pretty and clean and fresh and whathaveyou - maybe that’s why I have not been writing.

No, that’s not true - I have not been writing a lot ever since the Sussex County Executive Committee elections. Sussex County is just such a lost cause when it comes to politics - things are done a certain way because that is how they have always been done, and people get elected just because everybody knows them (and it doesn’t really matter if they are good politicians or not - it just matters that they are “nice people”). Personally, I like to elect people or put people into leadership positions that I feel are good for the party, good for Sussex county, and good for the Democratic party and Delaware’s political landscape in general. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter what I want. I wish I lived in a ore progressive representative district.

SO — the elections left me feeling blah and I need to get out of this - and I will try, I promise. Can’t wallow in self pity too long now, can I?

But I can’t seem to find the peace and quiet to do it….hopefully this week — since I am not working and have the time to THINK!

• NOTIFICATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD REGARDING THE SIGNING OF A BROWNFIELDS VOLUNTARY CLEANUP PROGRAM AGREEMENT FOR THE FORMER JACKSON PIT PROPERTY IN LEWES  DNREC negotiated a Brownfields VCP Agreement with Robino-Cottagedale, LLC for the Former Jackson Pit Property. The 18.33 acre site is located in the 19000 block of Beaver Dam Road in Lewes. DNREC investigated and remediated 15.55 acres of the site due to its former use as a landfill. In August 2003, DNREC issued a Second Final Plan of Remedial Action for two parcels of this site. The Second Final Plan called for a deed restriction to be filed on the site, prohibiting the installation of any shallow water wells on, or groundwater usage at the site without prior written approval of DNREC. In addition, the Second Final Plan required that the site to be located within a Groundwater Management Zone (GMZ) effective October 30, 2003. The public comment period ends on April 6, 2009. Please submit comments in writing to Lindsay Hall c/o DNREC, 391 Lukens Drive, New Castle, Delaware, 19720. For more information, please contact Lindsay Hall at (302) 395-2600, or visit: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Lists/Public%20Notices/DispForm.aspx?ID=360&Source=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ednrec%2Edelaware%2Egov%2FLists%2FPublic%2520Notices%2FAllItems%2Easpx.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

• IMPORTANT INFORMATION
  The Baker family has filed for 28.5 acres to be rezoned Heavy Industrial adjacent to the Pemberton Development in Milton.  This zoning - H1 - is the heaviest industrial zoning possible.  There was a hearing in the County Council on Tuesday.  Milton elected officials and several residents were able (with the help of Councilwoman Deaver) to keep the record open until 4/15.  So, if you live in Milton, have friends in Milton, especially if you know folks who live in Pemberton or Wagamons West, please get in touch with them and encourage them to send comments to the Council now.  See Councilwoman Deaver’s website for more info.  
  • The official Sussex County hearing record is open until April 15^th for ANY written comments on the Baker application for Heavy Industrial (HI) zoning on 28 acres of land within Milton’s growth area (adjacent to Pemberton) 
  • C/Z #1661 – AR-1 Agricultural Residential to HI-1 Heavy Industrial
  • Application of Wayne Baker – 9.03 Acres – Tax Map I.D. 2-35-19.00 Parcel 22.00…West of Route 30, 2,300 feet north of Road 319 & south of the Railroad 
  • Application of Wayne Baker – 19.02 Acres – Tax Map I.D. 2-35-19.00 Parcel 23.00…West of Route 30, 1,200 feet north of Road 319 & south of the Railroad. SEE STATE COMMENTS on this: - Wilson Baker Parcel 23
    Location: West side of Route 30, 1200 feet north of the Route 30 & SCR 319 intersection.  
  • 4 unit industrial park to include unknown warehousing and/or manufacturing sites  State Comments
  • For More click here  http://councilwomandeaver.com/HEARINGS.html
  • To Contact COUNTY COUNCIL:  http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/dept/council/

(note - I had to remove the video, it kept making IE hang up)

The website in the above video and the stories below came to my attention through a discussion on OutQ radio, a GLBT Satellite radio station on Sirius.  The fact is that all these anti-abortion people that fight for the right of fetuses are taking away a women’s right to choose how and when and where to give birth.  In some cases, as the one described below, it even rates the life of the fetus higher then that of the mother.  I am outraged by these stories and even though they are a few years old, this stuff still happens.

• In 1987, Angela Carder was twenty-five weeks pregnant, and cancer had metastasized to her lung.
• Administrators of George Washington University Hospital – who were also the liability risk managers feared a lawsuit by pro-life activists.
• They convened a court hearing at the hospital
• Angela’s family and her husband as well as her physician opposed a c-section because it was very   unlikely that she would survive such procedure. 
• Despite medical testimony that such a procedure would most likely Angela’s life, an order was issued forcing her to have an emergency c-section.
•  Neither Angela Carder nor her baby survived.

And then there is this one

• Laura Pemberton had given birth via c-section before.  When she  became pregnant again, no hospital would let her give natural birth.
• She decided to give birth to her child at home in Florida.
• While she was in labor, a Sheriff came to her house
• Doctors were in the process of getting a court order to force her to have a c-section because of a less then 5 percent chance of ruptures during delivery.
• The sheriff took her into custody during active labor, they strapped her legs together and forced her to undergo a c-section at the hospital.
• During a later lawsuit she was told that fetal  rights outweighed hers.
• She gave later birth to three more children — naturally

Or this one

• Melissa Ann Rowland was charged with murder after she gave birth to twins, one of them stillborn.
• Melissa was told by doctors that she should have a c-section, but she refused to, because she had been through the procedure and had been cut a lot
• Melissa did finally have a c-section, but, according to prosecutors, not soon enough.
• They theorized that the second baby may have survived an earlier c-section.