You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time!!!

I have taken many a deep breath when I think that in less than six months Barack Hussein Obama could be our next president. Sure, he is a very photogenic, good looking man that gets great grades in public speaking by throwing around words like hope and change, but what qualifies him to be our next president? Not much in my book. He has the most liberal voting record of ANY senator in the US. http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Barack_Obama.htm... This website gives quotes and his voting record. There doesn't seem to be a tax increase that he doesn't like or a government program that he doesn't want to fund. He has promised to raise the capital gains tax which historically brings less revenue to the government because people stop buying stock. He is a huge ethanol fan (just go to my blog archive if you want some good ethanol facts) and has voted to provide them with lots of subsidies, but has voted no to every drilling effort within the US borders. (Did you know that China is drilling just 60 miles from our borders with NO environmental concerns?) His voting record shows that he is for banning handguns (voted to ban handguns in Illinois) and limiting access to guns. He has voted against having English as our national language, voted to have non-citizens (here illegally) to have access to social programs (food stamps and free health care) and voted for amnesty. For everyone out there than thinks that won't cost me any money because I don't make that much money-- you will see taxes and inflation go up substantially with Barack Obama as your president--no matter where you are in the tax bracket. Then there are his shady relationships: Jeremiah Wright, Tony Rezco, Micheal Pfleger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0WpXhcgeMM&feature=related-- Mr. Pflegar "preaching") and Bill Ayers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxoiZdBSi-g-- Bill Ayers resume). I only ask that those of you that intend on voting for Obama get the facts first. What will this man do to our country?

Unfairness and the American Way

A couple days ago I made one of my regular trips to the neighborhood Harris Teeter to pick up a few things. I go to Harris Teeter all the time to get groceries because it is so close to my home, so I know many of the people that work there. When I was going through the line I asked the cashier where Skip was, because I had not seen him in a while. (Who is Skip? He is the greatest bagger in the history of Harris Teeter. But, back to that in just a second.) She then replied that Skip no longer worked there. After some poking around I found out that Skip had been fired for saying something that upset a customer a couple of weeks back. Why do you ask does any of this matter to you or me? Why am I so worried about what happens to a Harris Teeter bagger? Well, Skip is special. I first met Skip a couple years ago when he helped me to car with my groceries. Skip obviously had some mental challenges that I noticed from the first time I met him, but he was kind, friendly and polite. He always referred to me as ma'am and every time he saw me he would run to greet me and help me with my bags. Skip would speak very quickly and sometimes jumble his words together, but I worked really hard to understand what he was trying to say and we loved discussing religion and politics. It wasn't until several months after meeting Skip that I found out from a friend that worked there why Skip struggled. Skip is in his 40's and had worked many years in the military and had made it up to Top Secret clearance. Several years back he was given a shot that caused him some brain damage which affected his speech and ability to think and reason clearly. Skip has given his life to his country and he knew that the shot he had be given had taken many of his mental abilities. He spoke with me about it at times. He was so proud of the service that he gave in the military and to his country, but he also loved his job at Harris Teeter and was happy to serve and work. I am so saddened that whoever this woman was who complained didn't take the time to look closer at Skip. I know that businesses can't have employees that are liabilities, but I do think we need to be more loving and less judgemental of those around us. Our Savior is the greatest example of love... yes, he judged, but he judged on the heart-- something we can't always see. I called Harris Teeter yesterday to express my dismay over Skip leaving-- Maybe they will reconsider.

It's 3:30 AM!!!

It is pretty sad when you wake up at 3:30 and your mind is so full of life that you can't go back to sleep, so you decide that the best thing to do is to post on your blog, BUT nothing comes to mind to say. Maybe that is because I should be asleep... I guess I could tell you why I am awake and what I am thinking and that would make for an interesting post. Ellie woke me up because she was yelping in her sleep. I guess she had a bad dream, so I went in and caressed her hair a little and she calmed down, rolled over and went back to a deeper sleep. The other reason is that I am still a little uneasy about Hannah's declaration from last night that she was going to throw up. Both Ellie and Riley had a stomach thing in the last two weeks and anyone that knows me well will tell I FREAK OUT ABOUT VOMITING. Many people who just get to know me don't really understand, but my reaction at times is almost phobic and I have come close to hyperventilating before when vomiting is involved. That is bad when you are a mom!!! It depends on my mood also-- and I can be somewhat calm when need be, but thank goodness for Ashley. He really has to handle the ralphing. He does it so well! The trade off is that if I am home I get to handle most (not all) dirty diapers-- especially the bad ones. Wow-- more than you all ever wanted know about my family life! I do take my hat off to Ashley-- he is wonderful! Father's Day is on Sunday and we are very grateful for him around here. And it is not just because he cleans up the vomit :-)
On a lighter note-- just finished Sense and Sensibility for the first time. I am now Jane Austen fan and the name Edward got even better! Could the name get better from the Twilight Series?
Yep, Edward Ferrars is a pretty awesome fella!

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

For anyone that loves Mahmoud Ahmadinejad like I do this is hilarious. For anyone who doesn't know who Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this is still funny-- good song too.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/play.shtml?mea=169811

In Memory of Lance Waldorf

This week at our house has been filled with meetings (upcoming Youth Conference at church that I am helping out with), sickness (colds, sinus infections and the stomach bug-- my personal favorite) and all the things that a family with young children has to do. But, I am sad to report that the most difficult part of this week has been the loss of a cousin, Lance Waldorf. He is my mom's first cousin on her father's side and someone who I learned to call a great friend. He sadly took his own life on Monday leaving behind a beautiful wife, Lana, stepson, Alex, mom, Levon and sister, Stacy. He served two deployments in Afghanistan and was proud of his service and showed great love to the people there. He loved family, God and country and showed it in all he did. We worked together on family history and he was able to gather over 4000 family names for his family tree in just a few short months. I am eternally grateful for his help in finding out more about my mother's family which has always be illusive to me. I will miss him greatly. Please include him and his family in your prayers along with all those who serve our country so valiantly.