Thursday, October 30, 2008

Inevitable. ?

I'm tired of it all. I'm tired of hearing the candidates blast each other. It's that whole mud-slinging thing. You can't do it without getting a little on yourself.

But I still feel compelled to spew my 2 cents on the three of you who, for some reason, are reading this today.

I know what the candidates are saying. "lower your taxes" blah blah blah The fact of the matter is that with the TRILLION dollar bailout and some new stimulus package the government has jumped into the deep-end over, there MUST be a way to repay that TRILLION DOLLARS. And with a budget already in deficit, it will come from increased taxes.

There. BOTH McCain and Obama will raise taxes.

But what matters to me is whether they actually intend to raise them.

One candidate has claimed he will cut taxes for those under $250k/year.

No, wait. He never actually said $250k. He said $200k.

Oops. Terribly sorry. You must have misunderstood or you're believing the attacks of his candidate. He said $150k - per married couple.

You really shouldn't be listening to all that rhetoric.

So, yeah.

Also, what's so awful about that video that the LA Times has? Why is it being suppressed like it is?

Why are there years when one candidate was in college that he refuses to discuss? What could have possibly happened that he would refuse to even touch the subject?



Anyway. I feel a little lighter now.

Also, am hungry. BBQ sandwich is calling my name. yummmmmm

2008 Jack-o-lanterns


Monday, October 27, 2008

2 minutes

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple (read: dwelling place) so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.



Here's the thing. I am confident that my Christian faith instructs and guides me to choose a particular presidential candidate over another one. From what I wrote recently, you don't have to guess which candidate I prefer.

I realize, however, that there are Christians in our nation who, for their own reasons, feel led to prefer the other guy. I can respect this. I have always believed that God leads each of us on our own paths. The paths may go in different directions, but the way is always narrow and the Guide is always the same.

I have a proposal for all of us. I don't think it will offend any of my readers. It seems that most of the 3 of you (haha!) are Christians, so to ask you to devote a specific amount of time each day to prayer for our nation's leaders will most likely be received well.

I won't presume to dictate what time of day YOU should pray. Chocolate knows I can barely manager showering on a weekly daily basis. But I will ask you to place a priority on this particular concern. I am asking you to spend 2 minutes each day until the election on our candidates, their families and their supporters. I am asking you to FOLLOW THROUGH and continue to pray for our nation and its leaders 2 minutes each day AFTER the election.

I will ask anyone who happens to read this to ask yourself these questions:

Which candidate is most transparent regarding his past (family, career, professional and personal associations/relationships)?

Which candidate's votes regarding abortion/right-to-life/euthanasia issues that are in alignment with your Christian beliefs?

These are not the two most commonly discussed issues regarding this presidential race. But these matter a lot to me. These issues speak directly to me and my decision-making about honesty and the sanctity of life.

(I will not go into the other issues that have everyone else's attention - today. Maybe tomorrow. Just know that I've already got a rough draft started.)

So, join with me and pray for our leaders, the election, our individual votes, the individual candidates, the candidates' families, the election workers, the campaign workers, etc.

2 minutes a day.

I really don't think I'm asking a lot.

2 measley minutes.

Starting........

.......

.......

NOW!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Handmade Holidays



The Nester is hosting a Mr Linky-thingy today. She is one of the smartest, sweetest blogging designers I've found. I don't have the talent in home decorating she does, but I love reading her posts and seeing the magic she can work with upholstery tacks and hot glue!

In an effort to help support small businesses, specifically moms who try to earn a little grocery cash through their crafting/sewing/whatever skills, The Nester is using the Mr Linky-thingy to let us do some self-promotion!

So, scoot on over there and click around. Find some birthday and Christmas gifts that are handmade or vintage and NOT produced by robots or by the millions.

And if you buy something here, I might be able to buy Sissy the holy grail of Christmas gifts!

Monday, October 20, 2008

For Bobbie's boys...


I grew up without a sister. Since August, I have the had the wonderful blessing of adopting 3 of them. Bev, Misty and Bobbie are my sisters now. And the things I'm learning about sisters!

The best thing about my sisters is the unconditional love we give each other. Furthermore, we carry each other's burdens.

So, when Bev called me tonight, less than an hour after Bobbie and I had left her house, I actually didn't think anything of it. But the call was important, not just a continuation of our chatting...

My dear friend, Bobbie, has two sons. Both of these sons are in the Army. Lucas, the older, is an MP and currently in Iraq. The younger, Chris, is still in job training but will deploy early in 2009.
She received an email from her contact at Lucas's base. He will be moving to another area soon (probably within 2 weeks) to an area that we assume is more dangerous and hostile than his current.

Bobbie is again facing some very scary possibilities tonight.
Please pray with me for Lucas and Chris. We should pray for all the men and women that are serving our country and the world by putting their lives on the line every minute of every day. If you want to share your prayer and support with Bobbie, leave a comment and I'll make sure she sees it.
Thank you.

Eloise rocks

Saturday, October 18, 2008

414

This is my 414th post.


It amazes me how many times I have managed to write about, well, um, err, nothing.


Mostly it's been attempts to maintain my sanity. Tell stories on my the kids and The Mighty Hunter. Lately I've been getting to big for my britches and posting about politics. I'm brave, I know.


There are lots of things I wanted to write about but didn't get them put down quickly enough, so I FORGOT them!


But I want to make this post Super Extra Special. I want to tell you a few things about Stinkerbell.


First, she no longer wishes to be called Stinkerbell here. I suppose she has outgrown this nickname and wants something cooler. We have agreed to NOT use her real name and that the new name should be easy for me to type and something that she will not want to change again soon.


So, let me introduce you to Sissy. She is called Sissy at home a lot. It's easy for Lucky to say. While he can say her real name pretty well, we all use Sissy fairly often.


Sissy and her BFF Lauren are starting a Rock Star band. She will be the lead singer and dancer. Everyone in both girls' families will have some sort of job. The daddies will be body guards. Lauren's mom will be responsible for shopping and selecting their Rock Star outfits. I will be Sissy's assistant, helping her with "everything."
They have already written 1 and 1/2 songs.
The name of the band is "Best Friends." The concert schedule will be announced soon.
Fan club membership details will be published as soon as the website and blog are up.
I know you're all excited, and I will keep you up-to-date here.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

gut feelings

I've never claimed to have a good ability to "read" people. The Mighty Hunter is quite good at it. It's surprising how many times he has "pegged" someone after meeting them for the first time.



I've gotten better at it over the past few years, but I'm still not comfortable at making instinctive judgments about someone and whether they're trustworthy, honest, kind, etc.



Welcome to Keri's World. Here life is not perfect. People aren't perfect, but they're not mean. They're not out to take advantage of you. They aren't conniving or manipulative. They aren't waiting for you to slip up and jump on you, like a rabid rabbit.



(Anyone get that obscure movie reference?)

Life is great in Keri's World. No one moves to another country, pretends to abide by the laws and take part in the society then utilize the educational opportunities so that they can learn to fly planes ("no, I'm not worried about learning to LAND") into buildings and kill thousands. No one hates another simply for their beliefs and faith and skin color (or lack thereof, in my pasty case.)

In Keri's World, we're all good folks.

But, back here in the real world, I need to be able to discern good from bad.

Call that discrimination. Call it profiling. Call it self-preservation. Call it whatever you want. It's just plain smart and necessary.

I do my level best to make as few judgments on others until after I've gotten to know them. I hope others give me the same opportunity to prove how harmlessly goofy I am, rather than just assume I'm an idiot.

Yet, it is necessary in adult life to learn to sense things about other people. It is necessary to pay attention to that creepy, hair-standing-up-on-your-neck feeling in order to protect yourself.

And that's the feeling a certain presidential candidate gives me.

He strikes me as slick. Too polished. Too PC. Too concerned with saying the "right things" at all times. Too concerned about morphing into the character that sells to whatever crowd he's facing at any particular moment. Too concerned about offending other nations by preferring his own most. Too... too... too sneaky.

I sometimes get the impression there's a ventroliquist off-stage that is moving his mouth and choosing his words, playing us for fools.

And maybe we are fools.

We are facing a terrifying economic situation, rivaling that of the 1930s. Thousands of us spent too much money on our cars and shoes and clothes and homes, and instead of accepting responsiblity for OUR actions, we're blaming President Bush and his "failed economic policies" from the past 8 years.

Newsflash, folks. Pres Bush didn't approve your mortgage for an amount more than you could actually afford to pay. Pres Bush didn't advise you to build or buy above your means. Pres Bush didn't tell you that it's ok to spend more than you make.

(Not to point fingers, but it was Pres Clinton that de-regulated the federally-sponsored agencies that funded and promoted mortgages to the sub-prime market. And it was a community organization that harassed banks and bankers into lending to bad risk customers. This same community organization is involved in the SURPRISE! voter fraud troubles in 13+ states!)

Which candidate labels a major portion of his professional experience as a Community Organizer?

Which candidate admits to having represented this very community organization in a lawsuit about - wait for it - voter fraud?

Which candidate has performed an incredible slight of hand and made disappear his job with this community organization as a trainer?

If I were to think about it, I am certain that I could find a period or two in my life that I would like to make disappear. (In a few years, this bankruptcy business would be the first to go.) But to poof! a part of my life away would be dishonest and diminish the lessons learned.

Which candidate refuses to acknowledge his association with individuals that hold divisive and seditious opinions and have been involved in violent acts against fellow citizens?

If I had the opportunity, I'd LOVE to distance myself from certain persons in my past. I'd love to simply describe some relationships as we've been in the same room. We supported the same organization. But to deny my relationship with these people would be to refuse to admit my own mistakes in judgment and bad decisions in choosing my friends.

In choosing to NOT admit to these things in his past, this candidate is condoning the actions (past and present) that so many of us find wrong.

I remember from my high-browed, theoretical discussions about Very Important Topics back at AU, that there are those who refuse to place the label of "Wrong" or "Evil" or "Immoral" on anything, because that would be imposing one's morals and belief set on another. And that would just be wrong. (The irony. I am full of it.) This candidate drips with the attitude of "accept the beliefs and morals of everyone, even if their beliefs say that an obviously immoral or repulsive act is ok. I'd hate to offend someone. Or be accused of being intolerant!"

I'll just put forth my very non-PC, intolerant belief set...

Serve Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. There is no other way to God, but through Him. Preserve life. Love, protect and serve others. Be honest. Be pure. Be respectful. Be kind. Treat others in ways that I would wish to be treated. Acknowledge the difference between a person's actions (oftentimes they're mistakes) and a person's character. Give second chances. And when you can't give more chances, give forgiveness and move on.



Trying to remember my point...



My gut is feeling something. It feels suspicious of one candidate. And that suspicion is only one reason I'm voting for the candidate who has lived a life of service. A life that has, admittedly, included mistakes in judgment and poor choices in friendships. If he seems robotic or awkward or stiff or mechanical, think about the events that caused those life-long injuries. Think about the experiences in his history that he would love to poof! away. Being a POW would be the first to go, don't you think? He may lack polish, but he exudes pride. And not self-pride, but pride in his country. Pride in being a servant. Pride in his people. Behind that pride is a love for others. For you cannot put your life on the line for anyone that you do not love.

Would the other candidate die for you? Would he endure torture and abuse for you?

My gut says no.



For a much more interesting and better written explanation of why a fellow Mommy Blogger is voting for McCain, read this.

For what I wish McCain would have said in the last debate, read this.

For an explanation of Obama's economic/tax plan, read this.

For a few words of wisdom about these volatile times, read this.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

trying to find a way to quote the dad in "The Christmas Story"

... but it just doesn't seem to work.

Anyhoo...

Look over at the Nester's Place.

She is featuring little ol' me!!!

And my card designs!!!

And we're giving away 3 designs!!!

You, too, can win!!!

And if you don't win, you can still buy!!!

At a discount!!!





I'll quit using so darn many exclamation! points! now!

You'requitewelcome!

Friday, October 10, 2008

ain't too proud to beg (#2)



Dear Gatorade Advertising Agency,


These pictures are for sale. My baby's cuteness is not free or cheap - but it is XTREME!
Yours financially,
Keri
Auburn Gal Always
p.s. You may contact me at auburngalalways AT gmail DOT com to negotiate your contribution to my habits of buying food and clothing for my children and myself. Thankyouverymuch.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

For Anni

I've been a loyal lurker at Moreena's blog for some time now. I forget exactly how I discovered her, but I always get a little thrill each time I see a new post from her in my Google Reader.

Her words are beautiful and full of joy and pain. Her gift for describing the mundane is unequalled. Her insight into the joys of motherhood is piercing. Her perspective on the burden of raising two gorgeous daughters, one of whom has been terribly ill since birth, is amazingly all-encompassing.

Today, Moreena's family received the phone call that they've awaited for years and hoped would come in time. Anni is getting her third liver tonight.

And it's Moreena's birthday today.

They need your prayers. Go leave a comment and let that precious family know you are lifting them up to your Lord.

Monday, October 06, 2008

Boring boredom

I haven't planned to not post here so rarely lately. And since I can't
think of anything else to write about, I'll give you the lazy
blogger's ol' stand-by.

A List!!

1) its been pretty busy and crazy and hectic on the homestead lately.
2) we haven't been officially late to anything yet.
3) Stinkerbell has tried very hard to be strong and not be sad but
has still missed her daddy an awful lot.
4) we have health insurance under the glorious coverage of a Group
Plan again!!
5) I pulled Stinkerbell's other front tooth Thursday morning.
6) she thought I had tried to kill her.
7) Lucky's hair has grown a lot, but the curls haven't come back.
8) it's getting pretty cool at nights now.
9) I love this time of year.
10) does Sarah Palin get everyone excited about politics for the
first time?
11) is it just me?
12) is everyone fooled by Obama?
13) except me.
14) is there anything worse or more dangerous or more repulsive to a
seven year-old girl than Boy Germs?
15) I'm very disappointed in my beloved Auburn Tigers.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Stinkerbell's awards!

The drawing is of tulips and a butterfly and won her 1st place and $3. The picture of Jake, the Lickingest Dog In The World, didn't win any prizes. The picture of Lucky won 3rd place and another $3.

Needless to say, she is thrilled and determined to enter MORE and win AGAIN!!!