So it's no joke that i am a died in the wool Democrat. I was born into a Democratic family and raised that way. I have voted for a Republican twice in my lifetime - probably just weak moments if the truth be known when I had not educated myself enough to know and may not have even been in my right frame of mind.
That being said, this year I've volunteered some time and GIVEN MONEY to the Obama campaign. I don't have alot of money - that's why it's in all caps.
My sister and her husband made a nice donation to procure a 4 x 8 foot sign and since I live on a big corner lot, decided to put it up in my yard to get maximum exposure. No problems there, right. NOT!
They spent about $50.00 on the supplies to put the sign up and spent a couple of hours making sure it was secure, etc. That was Saturday.
Sunday - pretty nice day with no real problems.
Monday - first I get a call from the office of the property owners telling me the sign has to go. I live in a housing development that was funded by Low Income Housing Tax Credits, a federally funded program, and I suppose one of their rules says you cannot advertise for anything federally political. Don't know for sure, don't really care at this point.
BECAUSE - when I got home Monday evening, the sign had been kicked down. OK - so it can go and we'll put it somewhere else safer.
Lynn (my son) recovered the sign and the $50.00 worth of rebarb and tie downs - the sign was not destroyed - and we can reinstall it somewhere - God knows I wish it could be the roof after what took place Tuesday night.
Tuesday evening about 8:30 Lynn and one of his friends discovered there was a fire in my side yard. Upon investigation, there were three McCain/Palin signs put up and one Obama sign (the small yard type I'm sure stolen from somewhere in the neighborhood). The Obama sign had been torched, the can of accelerant was laying on the ground.
But, little did the perps know my neighbor was watching EVERYTHING and they are so fricking stupid - they are boys she knew from down the street. She came over to my house, she had already called the police, and they came shortly. A report has been filed and it's labeled as a 'hate crime' which brings in bigger guns and more punishment.
My kids were very upset - Renee cried and cried because she is tired of being treated different because she is bi-racial. She has experienced more racial prejudice at the Christian based univeristy she attends than I could have ever taught or exposed her to in a lifetime. She left her bedroom window up last night so she could hear if they came back - they did - but only in drivebys yelling "we hate niggers" each time.
My son, well, I hope he doesn't do anything stupid. He left the house after I begged him not to and to let the authorities handle it. He has no faith in the justice system at all.
Yes, I will pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law, even though I fear retaliation and further abuse and harassment. But, I will not live in fear nor back down from what I believe.
You want to know the best part - these young men are over 18 and guess what - neither Dumb Ass is registered to vote!! How much more ignorant can you get?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Renee's First Car
My daughter bought her first car Saturday! It is the cutest little car I've ever seen and I am so very proud of her!
I would have given her a car the day she turned 16, if it had been possible. She's never questioned me, or fussed or argued with me about not having her own set of wheels. She's been great about sharing the one vehicle we've had - especially when she had to go early or wait on me because our schedules didn't exactly mesh.
I've felt so bad that I had not been able to buy her a car - but she was always "It's ok momma". Thank God she's not been as hard on me as I've been on myself that I didn't pulll it off. There's always been something else that took precedence, like the roof and food.
A few years back, my sister Amy and her husband, Ben, did a video for our family for Christmas. It's so awesome I can't fully describe it, but it starts with pictures of our parents as children, then them getting married and us kids, each of us had our own 'song' and each grandchild had their own song that backgrounded the pictures.
Searching for a song for the kids first seemed like a daunting task to me - but - about that time Martina McBride had released "In My Daughter's Eyes". It's the most beautiful song I've ever heard, and I still can't hear it without balling like a baby. But it's true, for Renee changed me. I saw the person I wanted to be in her newborn eyes, a good example, an upstanding person, someone who never hurt her, embarass her, or make her anything than proud to call me "Mom"! She was truly sent from God to rescue me!
Renee, you've worked so hard and been so very patient - I am so happy for you and I am proud of you and I love you very much!
Mom
I would have given her a car the day she turned 16, if it had been possible. She's never questioned me, or fussed or argued with me about not having her own set of wheels. She's been great about sharing the one vehicle we've had - especially when she had to go early or wait on me because our schedules didn't exactly mesh.
I've felt so bad that I had not been able to buy her a car - but she was always "It's ok momma". Thank God she's not been as hard on me as I've been on myself that I didn't pulll it off. There's always been something else that took precedence, like the roof and food.
A few years back, my sister Amy and her husband, Ben, did a video for our family for Christmas. It's so awesome I can't fully describe it, but it starts with pictures of our parents as children, then them getting married and us kids, each of us had our own 'song' and each grandchild had their own song that backgrounded the pictures.
Searching for a song for the kids first seemed like a daunting task to me - but - about that time Martina McBride had released "In My Daughter's Eyes". It's the most beautiful song I've ever heard, and I still can't hear it without balling like a baby. But it's true, for Renee changed me. I saw the person I wanted to be in her newborn eyes, a good example, an upstanding person, someone who never hurt her, embarass her, or make her anything than proud to call me "Mom"! She was truly sent from God to rescue me!
Renee, you've worked so hard and been so very patient - I am so happy for you and I am proud of you and I love you very much!
Mom
Friday, October 10, 2008
Waffling Down the House
Something pretty amazing happened this week. Lynn got his first 'real' job working at the Waffle House.
Now, this is significant for so many reasons, but probably the most important being that maybe, just maybe, he has decided that he has to really become the adult he so desperately wants to be.
He started on Wednesday and spent the first two days in training. As mom, I watched as he got himself up - I didn't have to wake him, threaten him, coax him, threaten him again, or any of the usual activities that take place with Lynn has to be somewhere before late afternoon. He got up, got ready, had the appropriate clothes on, and seemed relatively happy about going. In fact today, he has worked two shifts - this morning 8 to noon and tonight 5 - 9.
Now, he's hourly pay is pretty pathetic - like most restaurant jobs it's just a little over $2.00 per hour - but - if he does good he can make pretty good in tips. He got a taste of that today when one man left him $4.00. Can't begin to tell you how much confidence that raised in him.
Lynn has struggled, mostly against me, but the root of it has been his own self-confidence. The big bad wolf persona had to come out to cover up that. As his mother, I've known that only too well and been the brunt of most of his anger, etc.
But today, well, I see the young man beginning to emerge that I've known was there from day one!
BUT, don't let me take any credit for this! No, GOD is faithful and prayers are being answered minute by minute.
Now, this is significant for so many reasons, but probably the most important being that maybe, just maybe, he has decided that he has to really become the adult he so desperately wants to be.
He started on Wednesday and spent the first two days in training. As mom, I watched as he got himself up - I didn't have to wake him, threaten him, coax him, threaten him again, or any of the usual activities that take place with Lynn has to be somewhere before late afternoon. He got up, got ready, had the appropriate clothes on, and seemed relatively happy about going. In fact today, he has worked two shifts - this morning 8 to noon and tonight 5 - 9.
Now, he's hourly pay is pretty pathetic - like most restaurant jobs it's just a little over $2.00 per hour - but - if he does good he can make pretty good in tips. He got a taste of that today when one man left him $4.00. Can't begin to tell you how much confidence that raised in him.
Lynn has struggled, mostly against me, but the root of it has been his own self-confidence. The big bad wolf persona had to come out to cover up that. As his mother, I've known that only too well and been the brunt of most of his anger, etc.
But today, well, I see the young man beginning to emerge that I've known was there from day one!
BUT, don't let me take any credit for this! No, GOD is faithful and prayers are being answered minute by minute.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Think About How You Will Really Feel
First, let me say I watched Hillary Clinton say something along this line, but I just have to expand on it.
In your mind - skip ahead 3 weeks, 6 days today was Election Day - and after you'd worked all day, stood in line to vote, got the kids fed, put in a load of clothes, homework, kids to bed, maybe ran a load of dishes too, talked to your mom, had a late supper with your significant other - my point is that you've had a full day and you are watching the returns, but the tiredness and fatigue take over before the election is called. You have to go to sleep. There is no shame, you must take care of yourself.
But, you go to sleep without knowing what's happened. And the next morning you wake up and it's the first thing on your mind. Hoping for the best, praying it's a good result, but wanting to avoid disappointing news as long as possible, you lollygag around. Hillary said you take 10 minutes to brush your teeth and make really strong coffee - but finally you have to know.
So, you turn on Diane and Robin or Matt and Ann, you logon your computer, or you call your best friend and you ask "Well, what's the verdict?"
How are you going to feel with they say "Obama won". Me, I'm going to be elated. I will know that there is a chance in hell I can get out of debt and get these kids out on their own, Renee will be able to finish school and if Lynn does join the Armed Forces, maybe I won't have to watch him fly off to Iraq to come back mangled and mutilated, alive or not. I'll know I can truly retire next year and rest these bones. I think some of the worried look will leave my face and I'll believe, again, there is a good future. I'll know that my brothers and sisters, all working class, tax-paying, law abiding citizens have a chance too - they can begin to breathe and see a light at the end of the tunnel.
But, if I have to hear "McCain took it", well my deflated sails will shrink even more. I'll begin to wonder how we'll eat this winter, how I'll ever pay the light bill, how I'm going to put gas in the one vehicle we have that takes three of us to work and school, and my tiredness will overwhelm me. I'm not a spendthrift, I budget and try to plan for the rainy days, but on this morning, I will know the light at the end of the tunnel is just the oncoming train that will destroy the rest of what I have left.
Those feelings run deep in me - and for that reason I'll vote, I'll early vote actually, and I'll urge everyone I know to please go and vote. It won't just be for me, it'll be for my children, my brothers and sisters, my elderly mother in law in Kentucky who shouldn't have to struggle like she does after working her entire life, my other relatives that are elderly and have seen their investments shrink to nothing because of greed and lack of accountability.
You - YOU - have the chance to be "THE DECIDER" now. You must decide and follow thru on bringing the change we so desperately need. You do not have to be afraid and you should not let social issues like abortion or gay marriage be the deciding factor on HOW you live in next four years. There is a big difference between 'living' and 'surviving' and unless we see a major change in Washington D.C. come January - there'll be very little of either taking place.
Can you feel it?
In your mind - skip ahead 3 weeks, 6 days today was Election Day - and after you'd worked all day, stood in line to vote, got the kids fed, put in a load of clothes, homework, kids to bed, maybe ran a load of dishes too, talked to your mom, had a late supper with your significant other - my point is that you've had a full day and you are watching the returns, but the tiredness and fatigue take over before the election is called. You have to go to sleep. There is no shame, you must take care of yourself.
But, you go to sleep without knowing what's happened. And the next morning you wake up and it's the first thing on your mind. Hoping for the best, praying it's a good result, but wanting to avoid disappointing news as long as possible, you lollygag around. Hillary said you take 10 minutes to brush your teeth and make really strong coffee - but finally you have to know.
So, you turn on Diane and Robin or Matt and Ann, you logon your computer, or you call your best friend and you ask "Well, what's the verdict?"
How are you going to feel with they say "Obama won". Me, I'm going to be elated. I will know that there is a chance in hell I can get out of debt and get these kids out on their own, Renee will be able to finish school and if Lynn does join the Armed Forces, maybe I won't have to watch him fly off to Iraq to come back mangled and mutilated, alive or not. I'll know I can truly retire next year and rest these bones. I think some of the worried look will leave my face and I'll believe, again, there is a good future. I'll know that my brothers and sisters, all working class, tax-paying, law abiding citizens have a chance too - they can begin to breathe and see a light at the end of the tunnel.
But, if I have to hear "McCain took it", well my deflated sails will shrink even more. I'll begin to wonder how we'll eat this winter, how I'll ever pay the light bill, how I'm going to put gas in the one vehicle we have that takes three of us to work and school, and my tiredness will overwhelm me. I'm not a spendthrift, I budget and try to plan for the rainy days, but on this morning, I will know the light at the end of the tunnel is just the oncoming train that will destroy the rest of what I have left.
Those feelings run deep in me - and for that reason I'll vote, I'll early vote actually, and I'll urge everyone I know to please go and vote. It won't just be for me, it'll be for my children, my brothers and sisters, my elderly mother in law in Kentucky who shouldn't have to struggle like she does after working her entire life, my other relatives that are elderly and have seen their investments shrink to nothing because of greed and lack of accountability.
You - YOU - have the chance to be "THE DECIDER" now. You must decide and follow thru on bringing the change we so desperately need. You do not have to be afraid and you should not let social issues like abortion or gay marriage be the deciding factor on HOW you live in next four years. There is a big difference between 'living' and 'surviving' and unless we see a major change in Washington D.C. come January - there'll be very little of either taking place.
Can you feel it?
Saturday, October 4, 2008
On To The Next Project
I had this grand idea that after the class reunion was over, I'd be sitting down, kicked back, and relaxing for a month or two, at least! NOT!
I've decided now that I gravitate toward activities and there's just nothing to be done about it. I meant to take the entire month of October to rest - but check out these activities:
Tuesday I have an all important doctor's appointment - which may change the rest of the month regardless of my intentions. I do hope to get some relief from the arthritis pain that I'm enduring, as my mom would say, I am hollering calf rope!
October 14 we'll have the final reunion meeting - just to catch up and close any loose ends. And we've still got the yearbook to finish, print and mail, but some of that will be in November. The 18th is Old Timer's Day, an activity at one of the community organizations I've been involved with many years, the 23rd is a Town Hall Meeting that I don't really have to be at, but my part-time employer is hosting so I am somewhat involved. The 25th is not only the fall festival in Flatrock, but the Colt Classic at the high school. And, I need to go to a couple of football games - the 17th is Homecoming and the 30th is Senior Presentation. My sister in law is having a Halloween Party on the 31st and my nephews birthday party is Saturday, November 1st.
So, add in all the running for the kids and trying to keep the house going, and I am tired already. I will prevail though, a strong work ethic and a good attitude, along with the fact that I loathe failure, well, I'll hang in and keep pushing. It may be that sitting down is not ever going to be in my cards!
I've decided now that I gravitate toward activities and there's just nothing to be done about it. I meant to take the entire month of October to rest - but check out these activities:
Tuesday I have an all important doctor's appointment - which may change the rest of the month regardless of my intentions. I do hope to get some relief from the arthritis pain that I'm enduring, as my mom would say, I am hollering calf rope!
October 14 we'll have the final reunion meeting - just to catch up and close any loose ends. And we've still got the yearbook to finish, print and mail, but some of that will be in November. The 18th is Old Timer's Day, an activity at one of the community organizations I've been involved with many years, the 23rd is a Town Hall Meeting that I don't really have to be at, but my part-time employer is hosting so I am somewhat involved. The 25th is not only the fall festival in Flatrock, but the Colt Classic at the high school. And, I need to go to a couple of football games - the 17th is Homecoming and the 30th is Senior Presentation. My sister in law is having a Halloween Party on the 31st and my nephews birthday party is Saturday, November 1st.
So, add in all the running for the kids and trying to keep the house going, and I am tired already. I will prevail though, a strong work ethic and a good attitude, along with the fact that I loathe failure, well, I'll hang in and keep pushing. It may be that sitting down is not ever going to be in my cards!
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Veep Debate
OK - so I watched the debate last night. I was actually somewhat surprised that it was not the bloodbath I'd expected. I suppose someone told Joe Biden to take it easy on the kid - like when you're the team with all the big blockers and a group of small amateurs take the field opposing you, well, you just don't hit them normal, now do ya?
This thought kept running thru my mind - and you know how I just love to relate things to old movies or television! Do any of you remember on The Andy Griffith Show when Howard Sprague ran against Aunt Bea for city council? They had a debate - Howard had his facts and figures and years of experience and knowledge and Aunt Bea, well, bless her heart, she had her heart. And, that was about all.
Last night's debate was pretty much like the one filmed 44 years ago for a sitcom. The only thing, at the end of the debate Aunt Bea conceded to Howard before one vote had been cast.
The only other impression I had was that she was somewhat like a first grader trying to debate a senior in high school. Imagine how hysterically I laughed when Jay Leno had a picture of the first meeting of Biden/Palin and it was a picture of Joe Biden in a kindergarten class with a little girl and her crayons!
I imagine my neighbor wondered what I was cackling so loud about!
This thought kept running thru my mind - and you know how I just love to relate things to old movies or television! Do any of you remember on The Andy Griffith Show when Howard Sprague ran against Aunt Bea for city council? They had a debate - Howard had his facts and figures and years of experience and knowledge and Aunt Bea, well, bless her heart, she had her heart. And, that was about all.
Last night's debate was pretty much like the one filmed 44 years ago for a sitcom. The only thing, at the end of the debate Aunt Bea conceded to Howard before one vote had been cast.
The only other impression I had was that she was somewhat like a first grader trying to debate a senior in high school. Imagine how hysterically I laughed when Jay Leno had a picture of the first meeting of Biden/Palin and it was a picture of Joe Biden in a kindergarten class with a little girl and her crayons!
I imagine my neighbor wondered what I was cackling so loud about!
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