More Fun Than Politics.....

I wanted to share what Mike bought me for my birthday on the 27th......this is a lot more fun than politics. I was just waiting for a good picture to share. We traded in our SUV that we had only had a year, which is a real departure from usually keeping our cars for about 10 years. We just told our Obama friends that this is the money we would have given to Hillary. TeeHee

Some True Facts.....

This tax grid was put together by CNN Money...not by either candidate. It is pretty clear to me that Barack is the one to help my family. Also, it you listened to McCain last night and you are a Public School Teacher - there is no way you should vote for McCain. He will destroy the Public School System with his defined "Voucher" system. I sent a letter to most of you that talkes about the new candidate for VP. She is a Pit Bull.....no doubt about it.

A Long 60 Days to Come.....

The "maverick" has his running mate. She is 1/2 heart beat away...if they are elected.
We know she is a mother and has been a Mayor and a Governor.
I have been told she is the champion of "Kill the Wolf" game which is slaughter of wolves from the airplanes in the sky. She believes Polar Bears don't merit being on the Endangered Species and she refuses legislation to protect Beluga Whales and Grizzly Bears.
"Bushie II" has already be labeled the worst environmental leader our Nation has ever known - but if elected, this horrific new team could even beat his horrible record.
The thing is....she can speak. I hope everyone heard the commentators tell us that the speech was written by the Bush team at the last minute....since he chose a woman.
I did listen, was impressed with her relaxed speaking style, but she absolutely lost me when she started in on where Barack stands - she repeated the "lies" the McCain continues to broadcast.
I feel in my heart, that the Democrats still have a chance if Barack will continue to tie McCain to the failures of Bush!

Good Convention....

I've cried many tears....but I do think things are going to be all right! Joe Biden is a big relief. Also, I don't ever think I have seen two people be more gracious or supportive as the Clinton's. I still very proud of both of them - Their speeches spoke volumns --I hope the right people were listening.
We can not have Same - we need Change or this time is going to worse that what our grandparents lived through in the Depression.

Lions, Tigers and Bears ...Oh My!

It is surprising to me that I am so numb about politics.
I went to a neighborhood meeting last night to hear about Obama.
I really, really respect all the people at this meeting that are Obama supporters.

The best I can say right now is that I will be pulling a lever against
McCain......I am certainly not impressed with the stands, or lack of
stands that Obama has.

The first thing this Obama worker asked in the discussion..."How would you feel if he has to change his mind on the pull out"?
Most said, he better wait until he is elected....then I want my vote back!

I will be very, very surprised if Obama is our next president.My final words were that I was anxious to listen to the convention....the young girl said, "why?... it is nothing but fluff".. With that, we just about all walked out.

He had better send out better than her to represent him...she answered her cell phone three times while she was leading the discussion with about 25 present.. it did not go over well.

Obama's plan for education is absolutely horrible and his health plan is so wordy...you can't even follow it.

Happy Birthday Helen...

This is the best I could do for a pink rose. Hope you have a fantastic birthday.....around here the weather is so beautiful that you could ride with the top down!!!

Sam in our tree...

Sam has been with us all this week as his Mom started back this week. He gets here at 7 AM and goes home around 4:15. We have had a great time and he has learned to climb the tree out front.
Grandma will be ready for a break next week when school starts for everyone.....except us retirees!!! Cindy ask if I was going to be one of those retirees that stands and salutes the buses as the role out on Monday morning with an orange/vodka drink. I'm giving it a lot of thought....but maybe I will just stay in bed.
Between the late night Olympics and getting up early for Sam.....I'm just plain tired.

They will be ......

It is wonderful news that they are going to be heard at the convention.....she really worked too hard for her not to be heard. Who know, maybe the vote will carry her through instead of him.

Sam on Vacation....

Sam had a great time on his vacation with Grandma and Grandpa. He loves to feed the rainbow trout and he also loves to get vanilla ice cream as a special treat. We were so proud of his behavior and he really managed not to get too homesick from Wed. through Friday. It was great to have a break in the weather. Sorry I didn't take any pictures of the finished patio...but it looks great. It now gives us room to have our table and four chairs and still have room to walk around.
We came home to two sad things....one good friend was diagnosed with cancer and the son of one of Mike's teaching friends, died on a hike in Colorado. The family was all out in Colorado for the youngest girls wedding. It is a heart breaker...he was only 31 and a fantastic chef over on the Plaza. He leaves behind a two year old daughter... the services will be Monday.

Sam the Man...

Sam is going to the camper with us tomorrow morning. He is really excited that we are taking just him. Mom will be working on her classroom and it will really be a great break for her.
I'm not sure how I will handle him driving~that job may just be left to Grandpa.

Our Next Project....

We worked on forming this area for a new concrete patio. The owner is going to pour the concrete sometime this week.

We had fun!

Thought you might enjoy seeing Skip, LouAnn, Jimmy and Katie. The kids really enjoyed driving my golf cart. We really enjoyed our visit together.
I talked Skip out of the original painting of the farm - I think my painting might be up for grabs!

Meeting Skip

Heading to the camper again - yeah! On Saturday, Skip and his family will come down and join us. We are really looking forward to seeing them. Be good while I am gone!

Outragous

This was on our Internet server this morning - I find this unbelievable! I don't even think we have seen the beginning of dirty politics this election year. You all know that he was not my first pick - but this is truly outragous!

Heading Out..

Now that the rains have let up a little, we are heading down to the camper. Hope I get to fish some! Hope you all are doing well!

Yummie....

For the first time in a very long time, Mike and I planted tomatoes. He told me that if I got one before the 4th ...I would be very lucky. Well, today is the 7th and I was able to pick and eat my first tomato. It was a delicious Beefmaster...I think I will try these again next summer.

Tanner is 6

We had a small birthday party for Tanner on his birthday July 1st. His Daddy has been working on the floods in Iowa for almost a month now! Dawn and the two boys are heading up today to Cedar Rapids to spend the weekend with Paul. The boys really miss him alot.

Susie's Grandaughter

Sue sent along this picture today of her grandaughter, Sophie. She is the absolute apple of Paul and Sue's life.
Paul and Sue are working hard to completely remodel their home--inside and out.
Hope you all had a great weekend!

A Day of Celebration......

This afternoon CMSU called Cindy and said that her secondary Teaching Certificate had been approved. I'll not go into detail about the nightmare this has been! Also, with this certification , Cindy has also completed her Master's Degree in Secondary Education.
As you can tell.......I am about to bust my buttons.
Oh Happy Day!!!!

Very sad....

Hillary's speech was great......but, I am very, very sad today!

Lots and lots of rain at Bennett Spring. Our camper is nice size, but the storms were still scary...I am glad we got home last night for the big storm instead of being in the camper.

Sam and Grandpa...

We came home several days early due to storms. It's not much fun to sit in our "tin can" and see, plus feel the rough weather. Sam had a fantastic time helping to drive the golf cart, feeding fish, looking for snakes and trying to avoid the ticks. We all laughed and had a good vacation at the camper.....Cindy really felt like she had a break.
We are all just numb about Hillary!

School is Out Today....

Sam and his family will be joining us at Bennett for a week - we are all looking forward to the break. We are also hoping the rains will stop. This is a picture of the spring and it is putting out twice what it normally does.
I will take Fleta's cell number with me and maybe we will be able to connect down at Springfield- it sure sounds like he has a long road ahead, but that progress is being made. Our conitnued thoughts and prayers for both of them.

Beautiful shoe.....

Well, I did go to the Dr. yesterday morning and I have a small stress fracture in my left foot. So, for a week I will be wearing a beautiful blue shoe/boot that does not bend. I'm looking just wonderful for the meetings I have this week, but it sure doesn't hurt quite as bad. Sure glad I got all that mulch down before this experience.
Now I just do little spurts of housework, then sit down and ice the darn thing. Sure makes for a good excuse not to do too much!

Mulch and More Mulch...

Mike and I have been putting out new mulch all around our house this last week.... at last count, 85 bags. Also, I went on a field trip with Sam on Friday to the KC Zoo. The huge swinging bridge about did me in - I really think I have a stress fracture in my right foot - sure does swell up when I take my shoe off and it really does hurt. Just may have to go to the Dr. if I have a night like I did last night.
Sure thinking about and missing you all!

Bennett Spring.....

This afternoon I am heading down to Bennett with Cindy and her good friend Rhonda. Cindy needs a real break before finishing the last few weeks of school, so this is my Mother's Day gift to her. We always laugh and giggle on these trips~plus do a little shopping at Antique stores and Thrift stores. It should be a fun weekend.
Happy Mother's Day to each and everyone of you - enjoy your special day.

Farm Painting

For right now, this is the best shot I can take of the farm painting Aunt Winnie did in 1977. I have always enjoyed her paintings - for being self-taught, I sure thought she did a great job. This is the 2nd time she painted the farm. I think Barb has the original she painted. Jim always loved it. Mom always thought she put in one extra chicken house. When Aunt Winnie gave me this, she told me the name of the three horses in the field. but the only name I can remember is "Dolly". Hope you enjoy!

Had Trouble

Fleta just could not figure out if this door opened left or right~she was lucky to have me there to open it for her.
It is really wild around here, we did not lose power or have any damage and neither did our children. When you
look at the aftermath of the Stage 3 tornado that hit so close - we say once again how very blessed we are.
Also, I feel so blessed to have once again connected with my cousins - Fleta and George are just the greatest for
inviting me to stay with them. It was great to laugh through our tears.
Patsy - I sure hope your entire day was fantastic and once again, you are so lucky that I didn't sing to you this morning.

Results....

The hearing just ended with these results....
The student will be back in school Monday.
She will be enrolled in an anger management group for 2008-2009.
She will enjoy a "fast pass" to the counselor anytime she feels overwhelmed by anger.
She will not be in Cindy's class next year.

So...here's my take....hit a teacher- then hire a lawyer. If you are black in our district, nothing will happen to you.

We do, however, hope this is the end of the matter. We do hope that she does not sue Cindy, which is what has been said outside of school.

I don't care what age your child is......when they go through something like this, it is really hard to swallow.