Brace yourself forJulie's political rantings...

I have been plagued lately by my rage over this election.

I was just wondering about the basic logic and reasoning in this country. I have never claimed to be "in to politics," nor do I claim to know the historic patterns or deep seeded root of the problems we face in America. With that being said, I did not watch the entire convention. From what I gathered, Obama basically listed every problem that any American can face or that is present in our country and vowed to change them without raising taxes, actually while cutting some huge percentage of taxes. I wonder how that can be. It doesn't take a genius to see the error in logic. How can you fix all the problems in your term without spending money (putting the country in more debt or taking tax payers money). Not to mention that it would only be a matter of time before the empty promise of such would leave him in the position to have to renege on his word. How does he plan on changing the problems that he sees as being completely at republican fault...skyrocketing tuition, housing prices going down, and mortgages people can't afford (just a few of the problems he named in his theatrical performance the other night). Other politicians, like Al Gore have in so many words claimed that electing Obama will, by itself, reverse melting of glaciers, green the earth, and make the world love us. Seriously, did he complain about his wife and him having to repay student loans? How much do they make again...I think she makes $600,000 a year! It is so sad we believe anything that makes us feel good for the moment. Such an entitled and self-gratifying bunch of people. It is not enough to identify the need for change or to identify the issues. I feel like neither of our candidates are really skilled for the job. Isn't it a fact the only one in the race with any experience running something is the new Republican VP Nominee from Alaska who has been criticized already for her lack of experience? Does this scare anyone but me? or are we all sooooo eager for promises of change and pie in the sky dreams of a perfect country that we all get caught up.

This pretty much sums up my feelings about this political race. It has always been about who promises nicer outcomes (fancier dreams for us idiots to believe), none of which are truly backed with any experience, moral background, data, or a simple desire to do what is right. It is not a race for president and leadership, but a race to see who can become more popular to the massses before we all find out what they are really about behind closed doors. Both parties have been nasty and they always are...the commercials, the press being completely one-sided thus propelling the race whichever way they see fit (a subject all on its own), and dirty tricks to get ahead. All it really does is show the true colors of those fighting to run us. I go back to the question I posed many posts ago...why do we want to be completely run by some guy we barely know and will never really know. Even those who are far more educated on the issues have got to be confused by the craziness of the election. This begs the question why? Why do we allow ourselves to be preached to from all news channels and from these men that are supposed to lead with us? Why is it so difficult to get an actual plan to fix the issues in our country instead of a passionate promise without any idea of how. I don't know about you, but I am tired of the games politicians play and even more exhausted by us who allow and buy into this entire charade...as if this country will magically change by who we vote in for the next 4 years, while allowing our leaders to treat us like puppets, tugging our strings to say, "Aye Aye, Captain!" I will say one thing...we sure do like good speeches or should I say speech writers...maybe we should elect them.

Luke finally outsmarted one..

a fish that is! He caught his first fish and it wasn't too shabby either. He was so proud. I received the proud phone call while I was in Walmart with Carys. (He evidently called everyone else too) He told me how big it was, how he reeled it in (by himself), what bait they used (chicken livers), and that it was indeed a Striped Bass. Rob and Luke have been fishing many times now and this is the first time they have been successful at catching a fish. They joke that they have to figure out how to outsmart the fish. This truly has proven to be a great father-son activity. I never would have thought my rambunctious boy who never sits still could enjoy the long and drawn out activity of fishing. Go Luke!

Here's a cute story:

After a few errant casts that plopped a few inches in front of him, Luke said, "AW! Who's going to take me fishing again with a cast like that?!" Rob replied, "I will!"

There a few pictures from our recent camping trip and from another quick overnight trip Rob and Luke went on at a local park. Luke just can't get enough of these outdoorsy activities...like father, like son!




Luke loves corn!

I wonder where he learned to take up this hobby? :)

Luke's first fish!
Carys getting ready for church in curlers for the first time!
Captain is looking pretty dopey in the picture, 14 mths old.

UH, GROSS! What good is camping if they can't get dirty?!

BatGirl Carys

The big boys checkin' out the tackle box.

Carys "Bluebeard" after eating a blue twizzler!

Look at that striper...not too bad for a first catch!

Luke hates to wear underwear. This is what happens when he doesn't! The funny thing is he knew I was trying to take a picture of it and he informed me that he does not like me taking a picture of his crack! :0

Is it possible, that I am becoming a camper?

I'll admit camping wasn't my first choice of vacation things to do. However, I did marry a guy who loves the outdoors and have two children who also love being outside (like most kids). I committed to give camping the chance it deserves and we have been 3 times now. Each time we have gone it has improved so much! I think a lot of it is because we are getting better at camping. We know what to pack. We know what to cook. We know where to go and who to go with! This last trip was with 4 other families and we had a great time. I couldn't believe how much I relaxed! The adults had actual time to talk and laugh and get to know each other. The kids were filthy and had more fun than imaginable. Rob broke out our dutch oven and we made cobbler (thanks gpa for the recipe) and chicken pot pie for dinner. It was easy and delicious! I left happy to have been there and looking forward to our next camping trip. I honestly didn't think it would win me over. I am pleasantly surprised. Rob grew up camping pretty regularly and he has always planned on doing so with our family. I am glad that I no longer have to consider it my compromise in our family life and it is now just a part of our family life that we all can enjoy together. Thanks to our friends who helped make this trip so much fun. I will post some pics soon hopefully.

Ant Coursey

#1)

Luke: Aunt Coursey, aren't you glad you're not a bug?

Coursey: What?

(all the adults in the room completely missed what he was actually saying until he clarified.)

Luke: Aren't you glad you are an ANT and not a BUG?

We couldn't contain ourselves!

#2)

Luke says "I went to Miami. When are you going to Yourami?"

Too Funny! We explained this a while ago when he first said it, but he just said it again since our trip there. Funny little guy!

A glimpse of what is yet to come

Well, Luke was playing with his Papa Kevin a lot and they did typical boy things...kung fu fighting, pretend shooting like cowboys with their fingers in the shape of guns, etc. Luke began using his fingers to "shoot my words," when he was 3 and he decided he didn't like what I told him to do or rather not to do. I would say, "Luke we don't use guns and we don't shoot people especially your mommy even if it is pretend." He would reply by saying, "I am not shooting you. I am shooting your words." Very clever Luke, but still unacceptable. Needless to say, I broke the habit as fast as possible and haven't had it back until now. He is back to playing pretend shooting. This is fine as a play activity or pretend, but not as a way to disrespect me or others when we do or say something he doesn't like. How do you make the distinction? You really can't. You have to basically eliminate or at least make it clear it is not ok to pretend to shoot people. Anyway, this was my conversation today...I will try and create a visual to help.

Mom: "Luke, stop jumping on my bed, please. (ignored already twice.) Luke, I said stop. If you can't stop jumping on my bed you will have to sit on the floor."

Luke: (points his finger while using a trigger thumb and makes the pshew pshew sound to mimic a shot) (how does he know this sound since he has never actually heard or seen a real gun?)

Mom: "I have talked with you about the shooting. It is not alright to shoot at me ever even if you are unhappy with something I said. If you choose to shoot at me or others again you will have to go to your room." (I thought I said that pretty clearly.)

Luke: He puts his hand back up in gun form and then retracts his finger as if to dismantle the gun. Then he aims at the TV and shoots. Then he stops turns to me and sticks out his middle finger...yes, his middle finger. He points it at me and says, "boom, it's a cannon." Yep, folks, he flipped me the bird in all its glory. He had perfect formation, I might add.

Mom: Holding back the shock and some laughter over his ignorance of what he just did, we rediscussed that all weapons real or pretend are not appropriate for use on people. No aiming, no nothing. All in a days work!

Can you believe it? My kid shot me the bird! I know he had no idea that a cannon is practically the same idea as saying the words that flipping the bird would mean. It was probably some kid that invented the whole shoot the bird business in the first place as a way to stick it to his mom...it is elementary enough and pretty immature at that! I have to admit I got quite the chuckle out of it. Rob did too. My Luke does not miss much and he is pretty darn quick to the draw. He is going to be a force to be reckoned with one day and I hope that serves to bring him much success! (just give me the strength to keep him on some sort of good path)

Luke did get the concept in the end, though. The rest of the day whenever he went to raise his hand to form a gun, he stopped and retaliated...Mom won this battle! Phew! Let's just hope this isn't some foreshadowing of the cleverness or should I say sassiness that is yet to come with my teenage boy! (if he is anything like Mom, I bet it is) ;)