So, an aquaintance of mine wrote an editorial for the newspaper. Typical democrat drivel. Voting with her emotions and not the facts. Their rants drives me insane. I'm having lunch today and thought "everyone in town is going to have read this; I better have some answers for all the ladies". And I'm only talking to 2-3 people here! She is spewing this nonsense to a whole community.

     In the first paragraph she slyly puts the message out there that the RNC convention signs that said "Hockey Mom" were surely plants! If this were true the signs that said "McCain hates American Vets" wouldn't have been allowed. Her comment "even though the "hockey Mom" signs at the RNC may have been plants........how stupid is that; and so what if they were. It's a campaign for God's sake! People come up with campaign slogans put them on signs and give them out at ALL the political rallys/conventions and such. I 'm pretty sure there were some of those at the Dem convention. ...that's just stupid.

    The next paragraph holds that "the Bush admin is FULL of Oil Tycoons". I am so sick of that old nonsensical rant. Dick Cheney is the only '"tycoon". Evans has some stocks with a big corp, Condie had a board position at chevron a while back and one other guy.......And of course Bush is an oil Tycoon. So, 4 out of 15; plus the 5 more ranking members on the cabinet so really 4 out of 19? It's so full of oil tycoons! Oh, and they're all so wealthy! THEY'RE all freakin' wealthy! Look at the Clinton's; $109 mil made last year! Give me a break. Like all the other Politicians in DC are poor potatoes!

    The most offensive and EGGREGIOUS statement she makes is that if McCain is elected it will just be 4 more years of a WHITE man in office; just like the last 43! Did she really just make that statement? White man?  Of course she is American Indian (1/18th) and we stole her lands from her and made her STUPID! Is she voting for Obama because he is 1/2 black not 1/2 white?? 

     She does make a few sane points like why are we focusing the attention on Palin; she will be second in command. But, the answer is clear to me; she is a newcomer, fresh and interesting. Things to find out there. As she is quick to point out McCain has been around FOREVER no news there, we know what he is about. Although, Palin would be second in command my aquaintance seems to think this is irrelevant. HELLO! John is getting up there in age, 72. Supposedly he could kick the bucket at any time. However, DID YOU SEE HIS MOTHER at the RNC? 96 and fabulous! So, I'm not worried.

     Her uneducated spewing of the media's retoric on the Bridge to Nowhere is laughable. Of course she was "for the bridge before she was against the bridge" (remember John Kerry's gaff when he stated "I was for the war before I was against the war") My aquaintance uses the term "flip flop". When running for office in 2006 she was "for the bridge" which led, I believe, from the main island to a small island in Alaska. When she goes to congress to get the money for the bridge they dont' give her what she wants/needs they "flip flop"and she says "thanks but no thanks". I think congress flip flopped.

     Then the worn out discussion on Palin's stance on abstinence. I personally believe both things should be done; abstinence and condoms. They're teenagers! The fact is that Palin's stance on abstinece is not something to be looked down upon. Abstinece is the best case scenario. Now, we all know that teenagers are loose cannons, they don't have the reasoning ability that we do as adults. It woudl be nice if they did. But using this abstinece agenda "against" Palin; trying to make her out to be the bad guy in all the teenage pregnancys in Alaska? I'm sure my aquantence does not have the full story here. She is saying that she cut funding to shelter women in need! That right there is one of those "snippets" of the real story that I'm talking about. I don't know the whole story on that one but am going to research it for myself!

     Last but not least she makes it seem like Palin is having books banned in Alaska. Palin simply asked the Public Librarian if the subject arose would she take into consideration banning a book". She did not request any particular book or books to be banned. This needs some furthur investigation as to why she may have really inquired about this. But she was mayor and in charge of the Public Library system and as such had certain criteria she needed to be aware of.

    But, what I'm saying here is that all of the inuendos are absurd. They are just that Inuendos. Stupid is as stupid does. Newspaper writers & the television media think the general public is stupid. They think that they are more intelligent and that the words they spew (most not all mind you) are Godlike. Unfortunately there are alot of people out there that believe the first thing they read or hear. Especially if it comes from someone important; like Matt Damon "I think Palin is a disaster".  They do not go the extra mile to investigate the real story. Snippets of "drama" and  the opinions of stars & the media is where they recieve their "intellect".

    In closing I love the fact that my aquaintance is anxiously awaiting the debate season which is just around the corner. She says "then McCain will be going head to head with Obama". Is she seriuos? I feel she is being rather boastful about her "black" candidate (I only use "black" because that is why she is voting for him) In her story she spews venom about the qualifications of Palin who in my opionion has more experience governing anyone than Obama. My aquaintance seems to think that experience is a requirement for one to be Vice President however does not feel the same is   necessary for one to be President of the USA .I guess you just need to not be a white man. Well, I think John McCain has proven himself in  the field in more ways than one and when in "contest" with Senator Obama that experience will shine through during these debates. He may not be the great orator that Obama is - and I will give Obama that, he is a very eloquent man  (Note: fluent with meaningless words)- but what McCain has is a calm, steadfast and road tested belief in America with the heart & backbone to prove it.

 

My friend Shannon's husband William Latimer aka: Bubba is an award winning barbeque cook! He has a very successful barbeque reasturant here in Georgia called Bubba Q! Cute huh? Anyway, it has been a real success and if you are in North Georgia you should give it a try. Keep your eyes and ears open at your next BBQ cookoff event for Bubba Q! It's good. Here is a little photo of their son Parker toting a little pig statue. Good Marketing guys! :)

 

Mary Quinn's birthday was a total success. Not without it's stressful moments though; the electricity went out just as it started and never came back on. A huge storm cell came through knocking down trees across the street. The kids were running from window to window checking it out. Cries of "this happened last year" and " it rained on our campout last year" were heard throughout the house. We were all attached to Darryl's black berry watching the cells storm across Georgia. Finally we took the chance in between two cells and ran out in the back yard for our carnival. The storm had left a slight breeze going and things were nice and cool. Only the paper streamers were downed in the rain. The games were all a "go" and so were the kids. The parents were oohing and ahhhing. The kids had a blast and Mary Quinn said it was the best party ever. I think we will do a backyard carnival every year; adding different games and such. The electricity never came back on so Mary, Bo and I went out for a late dinner, found a hotel and spent the night out. It was really a suprising day!

So, we're back from SoCal (I know, how corny is that lingo) and the trip was memorable. It has taken about 5 days to get acclimlated to the time and our regular schedule. Going to Cal was not so bad since you gain 3 hours! Coming back, well I've slept til 11am everyday! Horrible! I am usually an early  bird; arrising around 6am each day. Now that's not to say I get out of bed at 6! Just that I wake up then. Whew! But, today I awoke at 8 so maybe tommorrow, 7.............blah, blah. It was a great trip with our family. Mary Quinn and I have been looking forward to meeting Pappa Daddy's crew and we were not disappointed. Pappa Daddy and his father, I call him Big Ed, are two peas in a pod! They were great to watch together. We also met his sister Nancy,2 of her children and Gabriel the "baby". They were delightful and I felt like I had  known them all along. I loved getting to spend some extra time with Mitch and really getting to know his bud & roomate Price. They are a couple of really great guys. And Mary Quinn loves Mitchell! So, that was especially nice. Cookie, Pappa D and Brenda were terrific and Mary Quinn only had eyes for them. We visited the wonderfully eclectic "Swapmeet" which is the local flea market; but it surpasses any I've ever been to by far. So much STUFF! I would be there early every Saturday morning! The Hollywood hills around the big iconic sign were beautiful; but the ONLY beautiful part of Hollywood. The rest..............By far the best beach town was Newport beach and Balboa Island; I could definetly spend a fine summer here or live! Very, very cute and "islandy". The prettiest spot I visited was in San Juan Capistrano. Bo & I  toured a mission built in 1796 and I was just blown away with it's beauty. I could have stayed there all day and then gone back for more. The town was adorable and NEXT TIME I hope to walk through it. But we were on our way over the mountains. Winding through the Cleaveland National Forest was a great way to see the diverse landscape of California and I enjoyed it throughly. The wild brush and flowers are gorgeous. Once over the mountains we wound through the Temecula Wine Country. It was a short trip but we did wind up finding one of the best tasting Savignon Blanc's & a sweet, sweet Resiling ever! I was very suprised by both their bright, sweet flavors. I can't wait to share it with Bo over tapas on our next at home date! Yes, we do this often. It's one of the best dates and you should try it! A deck of cards or a game, cooking together with a glass of good - not from the grocery store mind you - good wine.and conversation........a great way to connect. Anyway, I look fondly into a return visit. Now that I know the lay of the land I will be able to really see the sites next time. I hope you will click on our 3 sets of SoCal photos in the  Photo albums section to experience our trip with us. Enjoy!

 

A great day is when I wake early and acheive lots! It always feels like a load is lifted and I can breathe.Today is a great day! My list of acheivements as of 12 noon today:

. made coffee; drank coffee; still drinking coffee; happy

. washed all the clothes

. Folded clothes and put them away (yea!, this is huge)

. folded all  childrens "tent" blankets & sheets; put them away

. Cooked Chili

. Read an article on the killing of Mountain Gorillas in Natl Geo. Terrible! Shared and had a discussion with Mary Quinn and Logan on What happened to the Gorilla's. They asked many questions and we discussed, at length, the gorilla situation. We studied the map of the region, discussed the politics of the situation.......I kept it simple and they seemed fascinated. I believe in giving information and the discussion of such. Everything can be brought to the level of a child and applied to their everyday situation. I believe that they are capable of understanding large "ideas" if given the opportunity. I would rather engage them now instead of later....I try to do this everyday. You can tell they understand when they listen with rapt attention; if they're head and eyes are moving; they're jostling around? Well, then it is too large of a concept and you move on......Anyway, this was a great learning day too!

. Took children, dogs and self black berry picking

. Packed the children a picnic lunch; they are in the back yard picnickin'

and talkiing to the  birds & fairies

. washed all the dishes and put them away ( it's the putting away that I dispise)

. Began packing for California

. Cut up fresh fruit for the children to snack on all day

. Ironed (still ironing) clothing for California

. Baking cookies now...

No telling what else I will acheive. Maybe to some this is not great acheivement. But it is to me and to my family. So, I do it! I am connected. Yea!

 

So, today was our very first berry pickin' day!  We're so lucky; there are bushes all along our road and while everyone else is at work we can pick all the big, fat berries! We shall collect everyday; freezing them as we go along. When we are done I shall find the BEST way to make blackberry jam (which is to call my sis-iin-law Susan) :) She has found a trick to doing it in the microwave! Goodie! Jam! If I like you I might bring or send you some! Or, maybe I'll be greedy and keep for myself..........hummmm....Can't wait to try this new activity with Mary Quinn. It will be a great treat to eat and a wonderful activitiy to teach and do with my daughter. Yummy!

 

So, note the quote at the top "the world is just illusion trying to change you." I absolutely love that. Ever since I was very young someone always tried to fit me in a mold; a vision of what they had in m ind for my life. The way I looked , the way I speak, basically, every way I handled myself was wrong in THEIR eyes. It was difficult and caused much anxiety. Finally I realized that I was okay the way I was. But it is was a long time getting here. I still have people trying to fit me into their vision of me and it is exasperating to say the least. I am much better at circumventing their goals though. It is a breath of fresh air to coexist with ones true self and to find others who appreciate it. This is my fondest and greatest wish for my daughter. Not that she is a great "something." I pray that she is great at being happy with herself. This, I believe, will take her much furthur in life than anything else. The other stuff will just fall in place! So, to all of you who keep listening to the illusion........STOP! Find your own illusion and live in it. Love, ME

 

Summer is in full swing! It is a happy state to be in. Wednesday was my last school event. The staff always gives a salad luncheon and the Principal had asked if myself and 2 others from my PTO team would join them. They said nice, wonderful things about us. An ongoing comment has been made by many that "in the 20 years since I have been teaching I have never seen a PTO like this one!" And I believe them. :) So, they "gifted" us with pedicures & manicures and a fabulous standing ovation; that was my favorite part. I will miss giving my "speeches" and looking at everyones rapt faces. :) Since school has let out it has been children galore at my house. I really love it. The back yard has turned into a fantasy fairy realm. They all have fairy names and have been trying to "seek" fairies. IT's very imaginative! I love it! We had 9 children over on Monday and it was delightfuly LOUD! :) I hope that it continues throughout the summer and beyond. Look forward to putting up photos for all of you to enjoy if you like and hope you will find the time to share some of yours. I am one that likes to see them! :) Will begin to use this blog as a Blasingame family diary of sorts and if you say "what are they up to these days", you may come here to find out! Love, me!

This has been an especially hectic year. Lots of things to l ove about it! I have made great friends during my e xperience as PTO Co-President. Some being the other girls on my PTO team and a few great teachers from the elementary school. But, it was also an enlightening experience being in the public sector of education. So, with great opportunites for travel and the need to connect all of the dots in our world for Mary Quinn, we have decided to try out homeschooling. I know, I know, some of you may think "gosh, she is just a weirdo!" Well, haven't I always been? Anyway, I will be keeping up with our escapades through this blog.

 

Our summer is just getting started. Next week will be the last in school and I couldn't be more ready. I have so many things going through my head for our summer experience. Hopefully we will be able to commit to some of them. We are excited about our trip to California over July 4th; excited about swimming pools and camping; our long stay with family in Baton Rouge etc.. Hoping to jaunt over with old friends to Houston and stopping in Monroe for a visit with cousins.

 

Anyway, I hope some of you will connect with me through this medium and perhaps get one for yourself. We are all so spread apart that connections are hard to keep. It's difficult but not impossible if we just pay attention. I'll try harder. Love you all...........KB