What an eye opener

No matter what your political convictions are this is an eye opener....What a thankless people we are!!!

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'
A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state.
F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable' discharge after a few days inthe brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done itthis way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the NewYork Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'


- Craig R. Smith

Allie's in choir

As many of you know my Allie girl is following in my footsteps in choir. It's like her FAVORITE thing!! She loves it so much and this year she's in piano again which she also loves! Looks like the music genes have definitely passed on to her!

For the second year the choir is singing at Valley River Center for Christmas. It's earlier this year though and I wanted to let everyone know so you can attend if you want to! :)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008
11:45 choir arrives at VRC
12:00 choir performs
12:45 choir returns to school

It's pretty short, but it's so cute!! Let us know if you can make it and we'll look for you! Last year the risers were in front of Macy's.

Switching gears....

Well, after yesterday's landslide it's time to switch gears in my head. I'm so worried. I will be praying harder than ever now.

However, I'm an American. I made my voice heard as did a record making number of other American's. The choice has been made and I will support that choice. One thing is for sure...we set history yesterday on many fronts. It makes my heart smile to think that this country has come this far in it's racist views...how amazing is that! It's good to know that my children will grow up in a less racist nation and that we will be able to offer so much more for the next generation in regards to acceptance. Praise God!

I have hope. I HAVE to have hope for my own sanity. But still I worry.

And I pray.

Election day TODAY! Go vote!!!

Stole this from my girl, Becca! I'm sure she won't mind cuz she LOVES ME!!!


Today is an important day in the future of our nation. I thought I'd post a few quotes that I found regarding elections and the process...get on out there. Make it happen. And remember:
~
Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be. ~Sydney J. Harris
~
Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. ~Author Unknown
~
Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote. ~George Jean Nathan
~
People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote - a very different thing. ~Walter H. Judd
~
Mankind will never see an end of trouble until... lovers of wisdom come to hold political power, or the holders of power... become lovers of wisdom. ~Plato, The Republic

WoW peeps are real!!!

Met up with a few of my gamer buddies when we were in Portland this weekend!! Jason (Silpher), Eran (Eroni) and Lucas (Maiea) took us to Paddy's, a quaint little lounge type bar in downtown. Then they proceeded to get me drunk!!! Took our first trip on the Max which reminded me of the tram in Vegas last year, and then we walked back to the hotel at about 2:30. It was a BEAUTIFUL walk!! The sidewalks are like, cobblestone and brick up there!! Got to walk across the bridge and get some fresh air...no rain and no crazies!! Was fun! I took my camera thinking I'd be annoying and take a bazillion pictures, but I only got a few and Jason took my camera and got a few more...as soon as I find my cord I'll upload them and throw them up here!!

Had a fabulous time meeting my game friends in real life tho! Thanks for a great night you guys!!! <3

METALLICA BABY!!!

So, Mark and I went to a Metallica concert with our friends LeRoy and Missy this weekend! I must admit that I wasn't all that excited about it. I was glad to be going to spend some time with Mark without kids and get away, but I was more excited about IKEA the next day! BUT, I had a BLAST!!! Seriously...Metallica definitely knows how to put on a show!! They were amazing. And such gracious hosts too!! You could really tell they appreciate and value their fans.


As we got in line to go in it started to rain! Missy and I found shelter but the hard core boys stayed out to hold the place in line and got DRENCHED!! LMAO

I have no idea what this look is...his excited face? Notice the empty seats? Mark is a MetClub member and we got early tickets with early entry! Only way to do a concert FOR SURE!

He calls me his "rocker wife". He loves it when I let my hair down and have fun!

This was at the opening. Pitch black in the stadium and everyone opened their phones. There were still a few lighters in the crowd, but mostly cell phone glow! It was cool.

They did a BITCHIN lazer light show for the first 2-3 songs. It was amazing!

Cell phone pics kinda suck...but you get the hint of James here. LOL

Even as a cell phone, fuzzy, crappy picture...this is still cool!

He's AMAZING!!

Aww missed a couple important ones!!

These had to be shared and I realized when I reviewed the previous blog that I missed them!


Spidey and Pooh....best pals! Bet you didn't know that! lol
ROCK ON POOH BEAR!!! (hard to believe this man will be head bangin to Metallica in less than 24 hours....)

Papa blow drying Gracie's curls! Classic. I love this!!!