Girls Just Wanna Have.. Fundamental Rights?

I consider myself to be an informed person; staying up on current events, reading the paper, making informed decisions when voting, etc. So that is why I am so surprised that I hadn't heard about Personhood being voted on again in CO & ND until I was scrolling through twitter yesterday. In case you are as clueless as me, Personhood is an amendment in ND and CO that would give unborn fetus' the same human rights as, well, humans.

The proposed law reads so that if, for example, a mother and her unborn baby are killed - there would be two murder charges. This is great. This isn't the only impact that this proposed amendment will have.

Women would not have access to birth control; morning after, daily pills, IUDs, etc. No access to abortions (under any circumstances). Women would have to potentially travel out-of-state to receive fertility treatments. Why? Because according to some 'children are begotten, not made' and 'in IVF, children are created in a glass dish and not through the act of love'. This is where I get a little heated. Some politician is going to tell thousands and thousands of women (and men)(and me) that when going through fertility treatments there isn't love? That might be the biggest load of crap I've ever heard. Why on earth would anyone subject themselves to the pokes, prods, pricks and agony - the only reason I can come up with is love.

It blows my mind that time and time again it feels like we're taking steps backwards. Taking rights away from people (women) instead of granting new rights and being a progressive nation.

If this amendment passes tomorrow - it would be a huge blow to women's rights.

Below are a few links that I read and were pretty informative. Also, there's a Fresh Air (NPR) from 2013 debating this same issue. Enjoy.

Click Here

Click Here

Fresh Air

the mahal year in review

I can't believe that 2012 is almost over. Phil and I have decided that 2013 is going to be the year of the Mahals! We have so many things we'd like to accomplish that we have dubbed it our year!

In 2012 we...

• did a little and by that I mean alot of fishing.

• had a lot of cabin time. It is something that both of us really look forward to year in and year out.

• had a little heartbreak. Phil and I experienced the ultimate joy and subsequent let down. The best part? We have a little blube angel watching over us.

• apparantley took a lot of pictures of beverages. i admit it, i'm a strange one.

• had some softball injuries. there is a reason my nickname growing up was Grace.

• started a garden! it was really fun to watch the amazing veggies grow. i also learned that mint is a weed and i never, ever, want to plant it again!

• had heated and sometimes civil discussions about a campaign. between the amendments in Minnesota and the presidential race there was always something to talk about.

• celebrated three years of wedded bliss

best wishes to you and yours this holiday season and into the new year. wishing you all the best in 2013!

xo - the mahals

i'm a bit behind...

I haven't blogged for a while and lots has happened. I will catch up, bullet point style.

The Lakers made it to State for the second straight year to play the conference rival Lakeville North. It didn't end the way the town of PL would have hoped but it was a wildly successful season and one that a lot of folks didn't see coming. I am beyond proud of little Parker and his accomplishments on and off the football field.

the laker captains doing the coin toss before the start of the game at the dome.

Parker Anderson on the tackle.

The election is OVER. While I am the first to say that I am a political junkie. Absolute junkie. I am thrilled that I don't need to see the mud-slinging advertisements anymore. I am happy that we re-elected our President but I am even more thrilled that Minnesotans shot down two constitutional amendments.

The first was the marriage amendment. I think we're going to look back twenty years from now and realize that we were about to put something in our Constitution that would really hurt and segregate a population of our state. The same thing that we did to blacks just a few short decades ago.

Now it is time for Congress to get their act together and make some adjustments and changes to ensure that we don't lose all the progress we've made.

I have tons more I can blog about.. Christmas lists, great Thanksgiving recipes, my BIRTHDAY.

xo- Amanda

five things friday

happy friday!

here are my five musings for this first friday in  november:

ONE: I have already started making my Birthday & Christmas lists for this year. Call me crazy. I recently added a beautiful brown saddle tote from Madewell. It's too expensive and I probably won't get it - but, a girl can dream right? If you would like the link, I would be happy to pass it along :)

TWO: Phil and I are not TTCing (Trying to conceive) until the New Year. We found out this week that the doctor wants us to wait a big longer until we give it the ol' college try again. This just means that I will be enjoying lots of wine during the Holiday season. And when I say lots - I mean lots.

THREE: Related to #2, I was a little upset that we having to wait to TTC again but not as much as I thought I would be. This just gives us a chance to get our ducks in a row... that, and drink lots of wine!

FOUR: Phil is hunting this weekend. Don't get me wrong, I will miss my husband but I love sleeping in the middle of the bed, watching trashy television and leaving my shoes wherever I take them off. It's the little things. I also despise hunting, especially for deer. I secretly (well not so much, I guess) hope he doesn't get one.

FIVE: Tonight the Prior Lake Lakers play their last game at Laker Field. The last time 'little' Parker will have a football home game in High School. I can't believe it. Time has gone by so fast.

The Lakers play Woodbury and when/if we win, we're on the Dome for the second straight year. What a career for little brother. Fingers crossed for a 'W'.

pictures from last fridays victory:

Two bonus things: The election is on Tuesday. VOTE!! And the ND Fighting Irish play on Saturday and neeed another W. Whoo!

Have a great weekend, everyone.

XO-

Amanda

Final debate: Obama, Romney take on the world

Final debate: Obama, Romney take on the world

I am a political junkie. Literally, junkie is the only word that can be used to describe me this time of year. I'm tuned into broadcasts, following whack nuts on twitter, and am glued to the television during all the debates [even the vp debate - waste of time].

Last night was the third and final.. check out this awesome article on the MPR website (my other crack).

Enjoy

Xo- am

The first Republican debate is tomorrow night. Good seats still available… on stage.

STEPHEN COLBERT, The Colbert Report

ShortFormBlog: A majority of Americans support same-sex marriage

shortformblog:

• YES polling indicates majority support for gay marriage

In 1988, 10% of Americans supported equal marriage rights. Now, after twenty-three years of rather intense political struggles, proponents of gay rights can plausibly claim a mandate. Polling over the last eight months strongly…

ShortFormBlog: A majority of Americans support same-sex marriage

Gay Marriage Opponents Now in Minority

long overdue but welcome with open arms!

Gay Marriage Opponents Now in Minority