Today I voted for the first time in our new precinct (is that the correct term?), and all I have to say is that "we are not in Kansas anymore". I was first surprised by the long line when we pulled in and the plethura of cars. What I was also surprised with was the lack of campaign signs and the lack of campaign people on sight, urging you to vote for their candidate. There were eight, count them, eight! voting machines which were completely digital. I did love them, however.
Back in "Kansas", our former small town (which is only about 15 min from our new house), the voting was done at the borough hall aka public swimming pool and park with small office attached. There were a whole crew of "old dutchies" (PA Dutch = German) senior citizens running the joint, complete which crockpots of chicken pot pie and baskets of candy. The same ones worked the hall year after year and would tease the kids and make silly jokes when we came in the door...because the line was NEVER out the door. There were usually, oh, say 4.7 people in front of you. The 2 polling booths were exactly that, booths with curtains and buttons and levers...very reminscent of the 1970's with brown accents on the curtain. They often only used one of the machines, and saved the other for the "busy" times. I thought that was normal until today.
This whole weekend has been a new voting experience for me. From 4 non-recorded phone calls from the Obama campaign informing me of where and when to vote, to the doorhanger on my door and cards left on my car while I was shopping, I have just felt, well, sort of, irritated and over taxed by all this campaigning nonsense. Will calling voters over and over again really make them want to vote for you? It was just downright annoying, not to mention the fact that I had no intention of voting for their candidate and I knew perfectly well where and when to vote.
There was a total lack of signage and people at the voting venue. In our old town, there were usually several people at the doors, giving you fliers, and more often, candy with their campaign logo and cheap pens that didn't write. You could shake the hand of the local yocal who was running for the school board and have a little how-do with them. Not in the "big city". There are rules against such things. "There are no signs allowed on the property. There are no campaign personnel allowed within 10 feet of the building." A lady in line next to me told me that there was talk to ban people from wearing anything pertaining to a particular candidate.
Is this the end of civilized elections? The ridiculous campaigning and millions of dollars spent, do they really make a difference? This election, I felt more like a number than an actual person. Will an election ever be a little crockpot-type deal where we cast our ballots, eat a tootsie roll, and smile at each other?
It was a very disheartening experience, which made me long for my small town of aging Democrat Dutchies. There were just as liberal in our small town, but there was more respect between people. Today it seemed like the principal had to make all these rules because the school children couldn't play nice. I was surprised by it all. It was sad.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Can you Find Me Now?
Can you find the earrings?
Warmer....
There they are....
I *mistakenly* left my earrings on Noah's changing table one night last week. I say mistakenly because I *forgot* that the child is on the loose b/c he can "climb out" now.
When I realized my mistake a few days later (that's how often I wear earrings), I frantically called the little chap over and asked him, "where did you put Mommy's earrings?" He replied, "earrings", "I don't know". The trash had just been taken out and picked up by the garbage company so I had visions of my favorite earrings in a bag full of diapers, on their way to the landfill (not a pretty thought on any account).
When I realized my mistake a few days later (that's how often I wear earrings), I frantically called the little chap over and asked him, "where did you put Mommy's earrings?" He replied, "earrings", "I don't know". The trash had just been taken out and picked up by the garbage company so I had visions of my favorite earrings in a bag full of diapers, on their way to the landfill (not a pretty thought on any account).
However, my jewelry-loving daughter heard the commotion and came in and casually mentioned that she knew where the earrings were and that she put them up high so Noah couldn't reach them. Yes indeedy, they were up high. I could hardly reach them without standing on a stool. I think she stood on the top of the changing table to put them up there. Genius, I'd say.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Weis: Puffs Tissues 19 cents a box
Here's another great weis deal which is good until this coming Wednesday. Weis ads in our area typically run from Thursday to Wednesday.
I mentioned the Weis deal in the previous post. This is another great deal which takes advantage of the same P&G Dollar Rewards deal that I mentioned in the last post. The deal is buy 7 P&G items, get $10 in Dollar Rewards for your next transaction. Well, if you buy 7 boxes of Puffs tissues, which are on sale 3/$5 this week, you will $10 in Dollar Rewards.Here's how the deal looks:
7 Puffs at $1.66 or $1.67 each
Total: $12.37
Less $1 off 3 Puffs coupon in tomorrows newspaper.(If you have access to more than one newspaper, you could use two of these coupons).
Total: $11.37 plus you get $10 in Dollar Rewards for your next purchase. What I did was bought the Puffs in one transaction then did another transaction for the rest of my stuff using the $10 off coupon. Sometimes, certain stores don't let you use your rewards right away, but I use the self checkout and haven't had a problem with that.
Anyhoo, if you live in the area and need tissues, yipee for you!
We have so.many.tissues. I ran out of napkins and we are using tissues in liew of napkins, LOL! :)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Deal of the Week
Here's my favorite deal in a few weeks...
When you buy 7 P&G (Proctor and Gamble) items, you receive $10 off in Dollar rewards for your next purchase. There are several P&G items that will work for this deal (they are specified in the sale flyer) and they are on sale. Plus I had several coupons from the newspaper as well as from a P&G mailer.
Weis is offering a great deal today until this coming Wednesday!
When you buy 7 P&G (Proctor and Gamble) items, you receive $10 off in Dollar rewards for your next purchase. There are several P&G items that will work for this deal (they are specified in the sale flyer) and they are on sale. Plus I had several coupons from the newspaper as well as from a P&G mailer.
Here's the run down of my dealio...
$9.99 - 8 Double Roll pack of Bounty
$4.00 - 1 liquid Cascade
$4.00 - 1 Cascade action packs
$6.67 (for four) - 4 boxes of Puffs
$2.99 - 1 Cascade rinse aid
Total before coupons and Dollar Rewards: $27.65
Less -$7.49 in mfr coupons
Total OOP (out of pocket): $20.16
It doesn't sound like that great of a deal yet, does it?
I also earned $10 in Weis Dollar rewards for my next trip, so you could say I paid $10.16. That's a great deal. BUT...it gets better.
There was a rebate tearpad at Weis near all the P&G items for free Crocs if you spend $25 on P&G brand items in one transaction. Well, I did spend $27.65 in P&G items (before coupons) so, not only did I get all of the items for $10.16, I am also going to get free Crocs in the color and size of my choice shipped to me absolutely free! Love that! I think I am going to get purple Crocs this time.
I heart bargain shopping.
*For some reason, blogger is not letting me space this post. I tried several times to space out all the paragraphs and prices, but to no avail. So, I'm sorry it's so squished.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Birthday Boy
Elijah was four on the 16th. We celebrated on his day as a family and then with my extended famly on last Friday. We combined Grace's and Elijah's birthdays at my sister's house. Here's a cute picture she snapped of him just before he blew out his candles.
I can't believe my little man is four!!! He wanted a monster truck cake this year so we made it red to match his new-to-him truck that he got for his birthday. I had to use so much food coloring to make the icing red, that the icing tasted terrible. Even the kids thought it was gross! My kids' favorite part was the chocolate donuts...truthfully that spurned on the desire for a monster truck cake. :)
I can't believe my little man is four!!! He wanted a monster truck cake this year so we made it red to match his new-to-him truck that he got for his birthday. I had to use so much food coloring to make the icing red, that the icing tasted terrible. Even the kids thought it was gross! My kids' favorite part was the chocolate donuts...truthfully that spurned on the desire for a monster truck cake. :)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
What's coming out or not coming out of my mouth?
Our 8th Anniversary was this past Tuesday. We have good friends who do swap babysitting with us from time to time. I love trading kids. The kids play so nicely together and I always enjoy having their kids around...and I also enjoy having a little break from my kiddos! So, for our anniversary we went out to dinner and left our kids...what a novel idea!
Here's a few pictures of the kiddos having fun...
Our dinner out was sooo good (see, it's all about food) and it was so nice to go out just the two of us. However, the most memorable moment for me came when we came back to pick up the children. The past few weeks have been really hard (isn't motherhood hard most all of the time?). I have been sooo tired, schooling has been hard with Noah underfoot now that he only takes one nap. I'm cranky and moody and the kids are bored with their tired Mom.
When we came backto get the kids, we sat and chatted for a while about our night out, homeschool, and J told me about what the kids did, etc. Then she said them. Those words. Encouraging words. She was talking about my kids and she said, "They're good kids". I almost started crying on the spot and I am not a cryer. It was a toss up between crying or said, "Huh? What did you say?" or "Really?" Not because I wanted a pat on the back for my wonderful children. Most of the time I know that they are not wonderful.
I love each one of them to pieces and in a Mother-sense I think they are the most wonderful children in the world because they are mine, but I question how I am doing as Mom and consequently how they are doing. In short, Motherhood is hard. It's a long day in and day out struggle. It's hard to see the end result when you are in the daily grind of "do's and don'ts" and feeding, clothing, etc.. It's easy to get discouraged.
Being a Mommy is far more than dressing your little baby in a cute outfit and filling a diaper bag. It's more than child safety and cute baby slings. It's more than having the teacher's favorite type of child who knows all the answers and everyone loves. All children aren't designed for that. Isn't that such a part of the pre-conceived notion about kids before you actually have them? "My child's going to be cute and everyone is going to like them." It doesn't take too many years into Motherhood until you realize that not everyone loves or accepts your kid(s) like you do.
Being a Mom is about constant, daily sacrifice in a world that does not trump the stay at-homers. It's about a lot of little daily, moment to moment details that shape a life, but are hard to account for on a daily basis and are hard to see the meaning of when you are in the thick of daily living.
All families are different. They have different house rules, etc. Each home is distinctly unique. All parents are individuals. Some parents are just learning Biblical parenting skills or their child is different or has special needs, or they are just up against a brick wall of not knowing what to do with their child who has an issue. Some parents seem to have it all together with absolutely no problem in sight that we can see. No child is perfect, we each know that our own kids are not perfect, we live with them! Why then, is it so hard to be accepting? Why doesn't it just come as second nature? Why am I quick to judge? Or, almost worse, why do I so often say nothing? Nothing discouraging, but nothing encouraging either. Silence can speak more than words at times.
I'm so guilty of being silent when instead I should have spoken up with kind words. Encouragement is easy, cheap, doesn't take much planning, and is so meaningful. Moms with "good" kids need it. Moms with "bad" kids need it. Moms who "have it all together" need it. Moms who are struggling need it. Moms who act like they don't need it still need it.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24
The best encouragement I find is in God's Word. Simply trusting in the Lord to bring his desired end for my children and family in spite of my shortcomings as a Mom. Not that that is an excuse to act however I want at, but it is hope for their future beyond what I can provide for them. Sometimes after failing my children I have the tendency to feel defeated, but I don't have to be. The Bible says, "And be not weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." After failing, I need to get back up, confess my sin, forsake it with the Lord's help, and keep on trying. It's hard to not want to give up on the long, weary days when it seems there is no end and no tangible fruit for your labors.
The next best thing is encouragement from someone else. It's one of the main reasons why we are in a local church, to edify and to build each other up. I want to find creative ways to express it....to pray to be an encourager and have encouragement on my mind each day and not just my needs.
I am so thankful for my friend's sweet, simple encouraging words. They meant more to me than a night of babysitting, a special gift, or a fancy party. Three words. That was all.
Lord, help me to not be silent, but to instead open my mouth with good and sweet words. Please help me to find at least one person whom I can encourage and guide my tongue to say the words that you know others need to hear.
(please excuse this long, rambling post. I hope it made some sense. It's getting late. I think I need to get to bed.)
Here's a few pictures of the kiddos having fun...
Our dinner out was sooo good (see, it's all about food) and it was so nice to go out just the two of us. However, the most memorable moment for me came when we came back to pick up the children. The past few weeks have been really hard (isn't motherhood hard most all of the time?). I have been sooo tired, schooling has been hard with Noah underfoot now that he only takes one nap. I'm cranky and moody and the kids are bored with their tired Mom.
When we came backto get the kids, we sat and chatted for a while about our night out, homeschool, and J told me about what the kids did, etc. Then she said them. Those words. Encouraging words. She was talking about my kids and she said, "They're good kids". I almost started crying on the spot and I am not a cryer. It was a toss up between crying or said, "Huh? What did you say?" or "Really?" Not because I wanted a pat on the back for my wonderful children. Most of the time I know that they are not wonderful.
I love each one of them to pieces and in a Mother-sense I think they are the most wonderful children in the world because they are mine, but I question how I am doing as Mom and consequently how they are doing. In short, Motherhood is hard. It's a long day in and day out struggle. It's hard to see the end result when you are in the daily grind of "do's and don'ts" and feeding, clothing, etc.. It's easy to get discouraged.
Being a Mommy is far more than dressing your little baby in a cute outfit and filling a diaper bag. It's more than child safety and cute baby slings. It's more than having the teacher's favorite type of child who knows all the answers and everyone loves. All children aren't designed for that. Isn't that such a part of the pre-conceived notion about kids before you actually have them? "My child's going to be cute and everyone is going to like them." It doesn't take too many years into Motherhood until you realize that not everyone loves or accepts your kid(s) like you do.
Being a Mom is about constant, daily sacrifice in a world that does not trump the stay at-homers. It's about a lot of little daily, moment to moment details that shape a life, but are hard to account for on a daily basis and are hard to see the meaning of when you are in the thick of daily living.
All families are different. They have different house rules, etc. Each home is distinctly unique. All parents are individuals. Some parents are just learning Biblical parenting skills or their child is different or has special needs, or they are just up against a brick wall of not knowing what to do with their child who has an issue. Some parents seem to have it all together with absolutely no problem in sight that we can see. No child is perfect, we each know that our own kids are not perfect, we live with them! Why then, is it so hard to be accepting? Why doesn't it just come as second nature? Why am I quick to judge? Or, almost worse, why do I so often say nothing? Nothing discouraging, but nothing encouraging either. Silence can speak more than words at times.
I'm so guilty of being silent when instead I should have spoken up with kind words. Encouragement is easy, cheap, doesn't take much planning, and is so meaningful. Moms with "good" kids need it. Moms with "bad" kids need it. Moms who "have it all together" need it. Moms who are struggling need it. Moms who act like they don't need it still need it.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24
The best encouragement I find is in God's Word. Simply trusting in the Lord to bring his desired end for my children and family in spite of my shortcomings as a Mom. Not that that is an excuse to act however I want at, but it is hope for their future beyond what I can provide for them. Sometimes after failing my children I have the tendency to feel defeated, but I don't have to be. The Bible says, "And be not weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." After failing, I need to get back up, confess my sin, forsake it with the Lord's help, and keep on trying. It's hard to not want to give up on the long, weary days when it seems there is no end and no tangible fruit for your labors.
The next best thing is encouragement from someone else. It's one of the main reasons why we are in a local church, to edify and to build each other up. I want to find creative ways to express it....to pray to be an encourager and have encouragement on my mind each day and not just my needs.
I am so thankful for my friend's sweet, simple encouraging words. They meant more to me than a night of babysitting, a special gift, or a fancy party. Three words. That was all.
Lord, help me to not be silent, but to instead open my mouth with good and sweet words. Please help me to find at least one person whom I can encourage and guide my tongue to say the words that you know others need to hear.
(please excuse this long, rambling post. I hope it made some sense. It's getting late. I think I need to get to bed.)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
We have this doll
What do you think it is saying? Sophia got it for her birthday in July and I never noticed that it said this until I read about it in the news and it really does sound like it is saying, "islam is the light". What do you think?
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