Today is the day. Florida voters are flocking to the polls in record numbers (or so we’re told) to cast their ballots in the Presidential primary.
I had no less than four phone calls yesterday – Gov. Charlie Crist called, so did State Sen. Don Gaetz and U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, and oh yeah, Mitt called too. I hated to tell them they were too late I cast my vote early, along with about 10,000 of my fellow Sunshine staters.
]]>Today is the day. Florida voters are flocking to the polls in record numbers (or so we’re told) to cast their ballots in the Presidential primary.
I had no less than four phone calls yesterday – Gov. Charlie Crist called, so did State Sen. Don Gaetz and U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, and oh yeah, Mitt called too. I hated to tell them they were too late I cast my vote early, along with about 10,000 of my fellow Sunshine staters.
Florida is one of 30 states that have provisions for its residents to vote before the actual polling date. Two weeks prior to the primary and general elections, special precincts open for registered voters. I walked into the polling place around 11 a.m. one Saturday morning. I was one of two people there casting their vote. I was in and out in less than 10 minutes.
Reports are that 1 million absentee ballots have already been cast, and estimates are for a 40 percent voter turnout for the primary – 40 percent.
I am amazed that only 40 percent is considered good voter turnout, and that’s registered voters. That doesn’t address the millions of people who are eligible to vote and aren’t even registered. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 32 million people who could be, but aren’t registered.
In the 2000, the difference in votes cast was only 543,816. I won’t even try to explain how these votes translated into electorial votes, I can’t unring that bell. But, it is not unreasonable to believe that if those 32 million unregistered, and percentage of registered, but not voting, had gone to the polls, the outcome of that election would have been vastly different.
I may not be what any one would call politically savvy, but I make a good faith effort to be informed and vote for a candidate I feel is best. Then I have a right to gripe about “why did I vote for that loser”, or gloat – “don’t blame me, I voted for the other guy.”
My 18-year-old daughter is so excited about voting in this election – her very first. She signed up early to receive her absentee ballot at college. I can remember the day I voted in my first presidential contest. I was just out of high school and Ronald Reagan was up against incumbent Jimmy Carter. I got to leave my job early just so I could vote.
It was a big deal. It’s a big deal now.
There is no reason why anyone of legal voting age is not registered to vote and not making tracks to the local polling precinct to cast a ballot. Especially with early voting, and absentee ballot options.
Listening very carefully, I’ll only say this once:
If you aren’t part of the process, you are part of the problem.
Update:
My kid calls me around noon today, all excited.
“Your daughter is officially an American citizen!’
She made her way to the Student Union today and voted for the very first time. She is going to save the “I Voted” sticker the poll worker gave her as a keepsake.
“I feel like a big kid now!”
I am so very proud… got all verklemped over here.
Read more at If Mom Says OK
]]>A challenge can be made if the coach disagrees with a call. If the call is reversed, then it’s good for the challengers. If it stands, the challenging coach loses a time out in addition to whatever disadvantage the call imposed
How cool would it be is we could have challenges… do-overs and take-backs… in life?
]]>A challenge can be made if the coach disagrees with a call. If the call is reversed, then it’s good for the challengers. If it stands, the challenging coach loses a time out in addition to whatever disadvantage the call imposed
How cool would it be is we could have challenges… do-overs and take-backs… in life?
Something happens that you think should have had a different outcome, and you can ask for a review of the event. If there’s a ruling that the event was totally unfair, you get a do-over. If the review shows you messed up and the whole thing was your fault, you have to live with the consequences, or worse.
As a kid, I would have used that flag like a missile. I would have been throwing it every time I turned around. As I got into high school and college, I did some really stupid stuff, but I knew what I was doing when I did it. I would have lost the overwhelming majority of any challenges.
As a wife and mother, I’m probably the reason for other flags to be flying. I would win a few, lose a few…
How much more careful would we be about our own actions, or less likely to set blame to someone else, if our life was reviewed by a set of field officials?
]]>Of those, four were released from the hospital and taken to another facility for mental evaluations and one remains in intensive care. It wasn’t reported how many of the pills these students took. A sixth student, who took only one pill, was not hospitalized.
]]>Of those, four were released from the hospital and taken to another facility for mental evaluations and one remains in intensive care. It wasn’t reported how many of the pills these students took. A sixth student, who took only one pill, was not hospitalized.
The 10th- and 11th graders took Elavil which is used to treat depression and in some cases, chronic pain. The pills, according to police reports, had been prescribed for the father of one of the kids involved.
The side effects related to an overdose are frightening, especially when the first sentence says, “can prove fatal.”
This is so incredibly tragic and was so preventable. It would be easy to blame the parents, but I can’t imagine that any parent could foresee their child stealing medication and distributing it at school and not taking steps to prevent it.
I have rheumatoid arthritis. My kids know this. They know that I take so much medication to control it that I rattle. I just can’t see them taking any of my meds to school and sharing.
I have had the obligatory “drug and alcohol” talk with both of my kids and will periodically reiterate my position, loudly and forcefully. But, I have not taken precautions to secure my meds. It never crossed my mind that it would be necessary.
I firmly believe that I don’t have to worry about either of my kids getting involved in drugs. But, how do any of us really know?
]]>I also, in the spirit of full disclosure, have to say that when I get chain e-mail, I typically read it, without opening attachments, and then promptly delete it.
]]>I also, in the spirit of full disclosure, have to say that when I get chain e-mail, I typically read it, without opening attachments, and then promptly delete it.
We got a nasty virus from one once, totally fried our PC. Since then, chain letters scare the bejezzus out of me. We have a Mac now and are practically immune (No, I'm Lloyd, that's the moon - that one's for WK - MST 3000 rules!) from viruses so I don't really need to worry about opening these messages. Old habits, die hard.
To all my friends who have sent me a chain letter but never got it back, I do love you, I am a patriot, I love Jesus and it's not you, it's me. I'll try to be better about responding in the future.
Back to the meme... Renée at Empty Nest Mom tagged me. She sent her only daughter off to college this year too. Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
2) Share 7 facts about yourself.
3) Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4) Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
5) Then tag 7 innocent bloggers.
Seven things about me...
1. Sometimes I will tell people that I am slightly older than I really am just to hear them say "No way you're that old. You look great!" Vanity thy name is Tara.
2. When I read a book it's to be entertained. I want to escape into another place, another time or another reality. I don't want to be intellectually enriched. Authors I have been escaping with lately: Neil Gaiman, Christopher Moore, Frank and Brian Herbert, Ray Bradbury, Patricia McKillip, Anne McCaffrey, and China Miéville.
3. I am a tea drinker, never really learned to like coffee. I buy almost as many different kinds of tea as I do books. My favorites for the moment are: Dessert Moose Munch from Harry and David, Good Hope Vanilla a rooibos blend from The Republic of Tea, and Tazo Chai.
4. I have actually laughed out loud during a funeral. Shortly before my grandmother passed away I had a serious chat with her about my reluctance to attend church. I let her know that organized religion had not worked well for me, but that I did believe in God and had been baptized. She was greatly relieved that I was not going to Hell. At her funeral, her pastor made an altar call during the eulogy. For those who were raised in the Baptist Church, you know what that is. It was so like her to reach out to people, even from her grave, to invite them to Christ. It reminded me why I loved her. I just had to laugh. I miss you Grandma Jessie!
5. I love my blue tooth! Sometimes I wear it just so I can talk to myself and not look completely weird.
6. For the past 8+ years I have been a student of taekwondo. I have attained the rank of third degree black belt and am a certified instructor. It is something that I am very proud to have accomplished. It is also very empowering to know that I can literally kick someone's butt if I have to defend myself.
7. I can eat almost anything if I can put salsa on it. Forget chocolate, I love hot and spicy.
The seven bloggers that I am tagging:
Bad Mama
Confessions of an Insomniac
FritzFacts
Such Simple Pleasures
Wild Woman
Joeprah
Sleeping Mommy
The place was understandably packed. There wasn’t a single table inside, and we only lucked out on finding one outside. The boyfriend told us that his mom and sister had braved the shopping mania, having left their home before sunrise.
]]>The place was understandably packed. There wasn’t a single table inside, and we only lucked out on finding one outside. The boyfriend told us that his mom and sister had braved the shopping mania, having left their home before sunrise.
I still question the sanity of people who make this an annual trek. I went last year because there was little else to do in Blountsville, Tenn. and I was so over sitting around and just staring at my other family members. I had to get out of that house. I wasn’t gone long and I don’t think I bought a single item.
While at lunch, looking around at the shoppers, I was surprised how many people had brought their children, and I mean little kids, stroller small, with them on their foray into madness.
There were countless news reports of mayhem and bodily damage as normally sociable people became unglued and resorted to pushing, shoving, cursing, and adult games of tug-of-war.
One guy in Destin shoved an elderly woman because she wouldn’t stand aside for him at a local electronics store. She almost whacked him with her cane… did you get that, she had a cane! What was so important for anyone to manhandle someone who has to use a cane?
I heard another report about two guys who got into a wrestling match at Sam’s Club over a trampoline… it did have the protective netting included for the holiday price of $150… but really?
Shoppers wait for hours outside of retailers to be the first in line, only to be trampled by fellow bargain hunters once the door finally open. The sad part is that the craziness has only begun, shopping anywhere for the next couple of weeks will be insane.
I can’t remember anything I wanted bad enough to fight someone over. Last year WK wanted a Wii… they were nowhere to be found. Instead, he got a coupon good for one game system as soon as one came available. We could have camped out at different stores, waited in line and quarrelled with other parents, but why? WK still got the game, not exactly when he wanted it, but he got it.
This year WK wants Guitar Hero for the Wii… he may be getting a familiar piece of paper again. I have a few phone calls to make.
Have we become such a generation - or society as a whole - of people who demand instant gratification that we become barbarians when we don’t get our way? Are we teaching our kids that they are entitled to what they want, when they want it, no matter who gets hurt?
Whatever happened to “patience is a virtue,” or “do unto others…,” or “No, you can’t have that now,” or just plain “No?” All this drama is taking a serious bite out of my holiday fun. I think I will stay out of the malls and do the bulk of my Christmas shopping online, that is if the server doesn’t crash.
]]>Miz Mary from across the street brings over a loaf of fruitcake, and because I am the only one in our family who actually likes candied fruit… it’s mine, mine, all mine!
]]>Miz Mary from across the street brings over a loaf of fruitcake, and because I am the only one in our family who actually likes candied fruit… it’s mine, mine, all mine!
A Tupperware bowl full of sausage balls is always sitting on the kitchen counter from Thanksgiving to New Years. Last year we experimented with chorizo… we’ll be inviting Jimmy Dean back this year.
Each year both of the kids get holiday socks. WK usually gets something manly, wooly and substantial. JM is more fun. She likes toe socks with sparkly yarn and bright colors.
Even though we already have so many ornaments it’s hard to find the tree, we will get a new one to mark the passing year. The Santa key, the one that lets him in the front door so he doesn’t get stuck in the chimney, is hung outside on the doorknob.
The one tradition that has endured the longest however, has been our Advent Calendar. I created a four-foot square tartan freak shortly after we moved to Florida. I am a passable seamstress… if I have a pattern. I made it free hand and it turned out a smidge bigger than I planned. (It was supposed to be not much bigger than a standard wall calendar.)
Good for the kids… bad for me. When I first introduced it, I spent days, nay weeks perchance months, picking out the little gifts to hide in the pockets. I had a plan to limit each trinket to no more than $1 – nearly impossible 12 years ago, impossible now.
Some days the gift was too big to fit in the pocket, so I would draw crude treasure maps or leave them clues where to find it… typically it was something like a holiday mug bought at the Dollar Tree with a packet of hot chocolate.
I had thought that my children would have outgrown this tradition years ago…much like Halloween trick-or-treating. Nope. One of them asked the other day when I was going to hang the calendar. Answer - sometime after midnight Nov. 30. It will take me that long to wrap each one. Yes, I do wrap them. Each kid has a different colored paper so it’s easy to tell which one gets which present.
This year, however, we have a glitch. Our oldest will be spending a good chunk of December away from home at college. That didn’t seem right. So shortly after last Christmas WK and I made a trip to the hobby supply store. WK found just the thing… a plain wooden snowman filled with 25 little drawers.
I spent one weekend painting it and adding numbers to the drawer fronts. I’m not much better at painting than I am at sewing, but at least it still looks like a snowman. Then the questing began.
I thought finding 24 little gifts to fill a 5×5 inch pocket was difficult. Try finding 25 that fit into a space not much bigger than a 1-inch square. Some of the things I got for the snowman that didn’t fit will go into the Mother Calendar.
I gripe, but the questing is half the fun. I enjoy hunting for stuff that I think will make my kids laugh, smile or just realize how often I think about them or how much I love them.
I love this sentimental silliness. That’s why I had to make sure my daughter knew that no matter where she was this Christmas season, she was still a huge part of our holiday traditions. And, her brother will think of her every day he pulls his Advent gifts, all alone, from the calendar.
]]>I’m not a generally an unhappy person; I just like to rant… a lot. My husband is not a fighter, my daughter is away at college, and my son doesn’t fight fair… what’s a girl to do?
]]>I’m not a generally an unhappy person; I just like to rant… a lot. My husband is not a fighter, my daughter is away at college, and my son doesn’t fight fair… what’s a girl to do?
Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away and I have been thinking about this annoying habit of mine. I really am thankful for lots of people and things. In an effort to minimize some of the effects of my recent curmudgeonly grumbling, here is what I am most thankful for this holiday season.
My children – I do not have the words to express how blessed I am to have these two people in my life. I have loved (almost) every minute of being their mother.
My husband- when my husband looks at me, and the 30 pounds I have socked on since we were married, the only thing he sees is “just more of me to love."
My parents and in-laws – thank you for helping me become the wife and mother that I am, and for my husband being the man and father he is.
My step-parents - Mom, Dad, you finally got it right. These people are wonderful and I am so glad you brought them into my life.
My taekwondo friends – you are my second family. Your support and generosity of spirit cannot be more appreciated. I love you all.
My job and the people I work with – these people are crazy, in an “I can’t stop laughing” sort of way. They make it fun to come into the office, and help make a job, not be a chore.
My pets – Maxx, Hershey and Pollo del Fuego, our three furry bundles of unconditional love and side-splitting hilarity. Our house would not be a home without you.
Books – a shout out to Mrs. Wiggington (my high school English teacher) for instilling in me a love of reading.
Modern medicine – and doctor’s that have made my various, and sundry ailments bearable.
Don’t let everyday life make you forget what is important. Take the time to tell the special people in your life how much they mean to you and how glad you are they are around. Be thankful for the little things and the big things won’t be so bad.
Happy Thanksgiving!
]]>The silent treatment tactic apparently is just how she deals with conflict. What a waste… a week lost over a misunderstanding, when a little conversation could have fixed it immediately. JM even asked her numerous times what the real problem was because she couldn’t believe all this drama was over a hypothetical pet.
]]>The silent treatment tactic apparently is just how she deals with conflict. What a waste… a week lost over a misunderstanding, when a little conversation could have fixed it immediately. JM even asked her numerous times what the real problem was because she couldn’t believe all this drama was over a hypothetical pet.
While I still wouldn’t call them friends, I think they can at least begin to heal the roommate relationship. I do know that Saturday morning JM called spitting mad and wanting to transfer from her room. Now, we won’t have to move her. I’m very thankful for that.
I am proud that JM, with minimal advice from me and her dad, handled the situation herself. There were ways she says now she could have dealt with her roommate drama differently, but it was all a good learning experience for her.
Until next time….
]]>Hello, Tara.
It’s not just that I love books, I buy books, lots of books. I don’t like the frailty of paperbacks. Most of my books are hardcovers, so this is an expensive habit. I don’t like to get my books at the library because sometimes I have to wait for the ones I want… and I want them now, even if I won’t read them for weeks.
I always have a book with me, in my purse, in my car or on my desk at work. If I stop for anything - lunch, doctor’s appointments, traffic lights - I am reading. I usually have two or three books going at a time.
]]>Hello, Tara.
It’s not just that I love books, I buy books, lots of books. I don’t like the frailty of paperbacks. Most of my books are hardcovers, so this is an expensive habit. I don’t like to get my books at the library because sometimes I have to wait for the ones I want… and I want them now, even if I won’t read them for weeks.
I always have a book with me, in my purse, in my car or on my desk at work. If I stop for anything - lunch, doctor’s appointments, traffic lights - I am reading. I usually have two or three books going at a time.
Right now, I am about a third of the way through “The Known World,” by Pulitzer Prize winning author Edward P. Jones, and have gotten a few chapters into Brian Herbert’s “Hunters of Dune.” This last one is a continuation of the spectacular Science Fiction epic first begun by Frank Herbert in 1965. Yes, I have read all of Herbert’s previous books in the series and those of his son, Brian.
I just finished re-reading David Eddings “Elenium” trilogy and Brian Jacques’ “Loamhedge,” and have almost finished “Rakkety Tam.”
One is never enough.
One of my problems is that I read a book by an author and if I like it, I have to get everything else he or she has written. Jacques is one such author. His Redwall series is marketed to children, but he has just as loyal adult following. I recently bought the 19th book in the series, but have two to finish before I can start on that one.
I have all the Harry Potter books, seven there. I began reading Anne McCaffrey’s “Pern” books when I was in high school… got most of hers too, close to 25. I was drawn to Patricia McKillip’s books - at least a dozen so far - because the dustjacket art was so beautiful. That she is a wonderful fantasy writer was icing on the cake.
The cover of “Brave Story,” was also the thing that first got my attention. It is written by a Japanese author named Miyuki Miyabe. I think I’m toast here too because she has four other books that have been translated into English.
I had to serve on a jury about a year ago and one of the other panel members recommended a book by Christopher Moore - “Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings.” Don’t let the title fool you. It was both irreverent and one of the most hiliarious books I have read. But, it got me hooked, I have five or six of his now.
I got a book by Clyde Edgerton once by accident. His stories come out of the Deep South and I recognize many of his characters as my grandparents and great-aunts and uncles. I have never laughed or cried so hard while reading a single book than I did when I first read “Walking Across Eygpt.” I have nine of his books and am forever checking at various booksellers for new editions.
Needing to break the habit
My problem is that even though I am a voracious reader, I can’t keep up with publishers or my own buying habit. I have bookshelves stuffed two deep in nearly every room of my house. I have stacks of books lying in wait by my night stand. I have tote bags full sitting in my car.
It has become a serious obsession. I recently took my book club cards out of my wallet thinking that would slow my purchasing frenzy. Did you know the cashier can look up your membership number for you if you don’t have it with you? Go figure.
It’s not that I’m running out of shelve space, I’m running out of money. Some women buy shoes, some jewelry. I buy books. It’s not a matter of getting more bookcases, then I would have to fill them up with more books. This is a serious problem.
Read more at If Mom Says OK
]]>Clement Clarke Moore wrote these immortal words in 1822 and forever established the image of Santa Claus. It was this description that advertisers used when creating the commercial stereotypes of Santa in the early 1930s.
Children, the world over, see this picture in their dreams when wishing for presents to fill beneath the Christmas tree.
Well, that might change.
]]>Clement Clarke Moore wrote these immortal words in 1822 and forever established the image of Santa Claus. It was this description that advertisers used when creating the commercial stereotypes of Santa in the early 1930s.
Children, the world over, see this picture in their dreams when wishing for presents to fill beneath the Christmas tree.
Well, that might change.
]]>Class was out on Monday in observance of Veterans Day so JM had the room to herself for the weekend. Tuesday the roommate was back and the icy conditions hadn’t improved. JM said she could handle the silent treatment. It’s at least better than litter box stank.
]]>Class was out on Monday in observance of Veterans Day so JM had the room to herself for the weekend. Tuesday the roommate was back and the icy conditions hadn’t improved. JM said she could handle the silent treatment. It’s at least better than litter box stank.
]]>Parades marched down area streets over the weekend, and ceremonies are being held at several Veterans Memorials and cemeteries. One restaurant in town is offering veterans and active military free dinner today.
I say it’s just not enough.
]]>Parades marched down area streets over the weekend, and ceremonies are being held at several Veterans Memorials and cemeteries. One restaurant in town is offering veterans and active military free dinner today.
I say it’s just not enough.
]]>Gotta love college roommates.
Seems JM’s roommate is a little lonely so her boyfriend offered to get her a puppy. A puppy the roommate believed she could hide from the Resident Assistant by putting it in a kennel under her bed. I believe dorm rules prohibit such a thing, but it didn’t seem to matter to the roommate. JM is worried she’ll lose her room if she doesn’t try to stop this.
]]>Gotta love college roommates.
Seems JM’s roommate is a little lonely so her boyfriend offered to get her a puppy. A puppy the roommate believed she could hide from the Resident Assistant by putting it in a kennel under her bed. I believe dorm rules prohibit such a thing, but it didn’t seem to matter to the roommate. JM is worried she’ll lose her room if she doesn’t try to stop this.
]]>when I was JM’s age, I seem to remember spending most of my time at my boyfriend’s house or out with my gal pals. I pointed this out to my husband - again - when he complained about JM’s habit of not staying at home when she comes home. From his reaction when I ask him about his own teenage behavior, I can believe he didn’t stay at home much either.
Please read the rest at If Mom Says OK.
]]>when I was JM’s age, I seem to remember spending most of my time at my boyfriend’s house or out with my gal pals. I pointed this out to my husband - again - when he complained about JM’s habit of not staying at home when she comes home. From his reaction when I ask him about his own teenage behavior, I can believe he didn’t stay at home much either.
Please read the rest at If Mom Says OK.
]]>I have no idea what my family will be doing over the holiday, but I do know what we’re not. We’re not going anywhere or visiting anybody!
Last season we visited my family in Tennessee at Thanksgiving and my husband’s in Arkansas at Christmas. We covered nearly 1,300 miles in less than a week. It was brutal – two adults, two teens, enough luggage for a month, and Christmas presents for everyone, all in one small SUV. Spending 20+ hours in a car is not my idea of a pleasure trip. Fortunately we have great friends who were willing to pet sit for us, or we would have thrown two Labs and a bi-polar cat into the mix.
Please read the rest at If Mom Says OK.
]]>I have no idea what my family will be doing over the holiday, but I do know what we’re not. We’re not going anywhere or visiting anybody!
Last season we visited my family in Tennessee at Thanksgiving and my husband’s in Arkansas at Christmas. We covered nearly 1,300 miles in less than a week. It was brutal – two adults, two teens, enough luggage for a month, and Christmas presents for everyone, all in one small SUV. Spending 20+ hours in a car is not my idea of a pleasure trip. Fortunately we have great friends who were willing to pet sit for us, or we would have thrown two Labs and a bi-polar cat into the mix.
Please read the rest at If Mom Says OK.
]]>