How Do I Love Thee, Dear Internet...

Let me count the ways!

Oh, my, I'm back...and I couldn't be happier! We came through Ike virtually unscathed...one tree limb down "by" our house and our power was restored less than a week after the storm but, our cable services just came back online tonight. And, oh, how I have missed it! Not having access to the internet has made me realize just how dependent I am. I go to the internet when I need a map, a phone number, a word defined, a recipe, an election update, check my e-mail, inspiration, traffic reports, weather updates, blog reading, homework help, to learn how to feed a pig, cow and goat...okay, you get the idea. I'm totally addicted to it! I should find a support group! Not only were we without our beloved internet but cable television as well. Which means that we have been seeing only bits and pieces of the actual destruction of Hurricane Ike. While browsing my favorite blogs tonight I came across this website posted on my friend Laura's blog. Words cannot describe how sad I am to see the total devastation of our beloved Galveston and the other coastal areas. I knew that it was bad but seeing these pictures has my heart breaking tonight. I know there are many who criticize Galveston with it's brown, sandy water but, it has always been a special place to me and my family. For years it has been a frequent diversion for us in the summer and in fact, we had planned a visit for the very day the storm came to town! I have no doubt that the city will be rebuilt smarter and more beautiful than before. My thoughts and my prayers are with those who begin the healing and rebuilding process and with those who have lost loved ones.

We took a short "hurrication" after Ike to my sister's house in Gruene. Although she was out of town on a business trip in Tennessee we stayed in her beautiful new home and got to visit with my mom and dad. The boys took a very short rapid ride on the Guadalupe River (it was cold!) and we visited the shops and just enjoyed the time spent with family. Leighton and August holed up in a kind of closet like space upstairs where my sister has exercise equipment and a TV and played video games. Cameron got a much needed haircut, our puppies got to visit with their cousins, we ate too much Mexican food and I scored a McCain/Palin sign for the front yard. On one of our shopping sprees Bubba bought me a new t-shirt. The slogan on the back is one uttered by Davey Crockett and exemplifies the spirit of Texans:

You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas.

and this is how I know Galveston will be back...bigger and better!

Much love to all of you,

"Representin' the Devil"

This is a "Leigh-Leigh" share. Tuesday night Leighton and I were on our way to the first FFA meeting of the year. As I turned to head to the barn he thought he saw our FFA president walking to the barn and said, "Mom, that's Kain. Turn around and pick him up. He's walking." The distance to the barn is very short from where we turned and I said, "No, Leighton, I've already turned. It's not that much farther...he can just walk." "Plllleeeaaasseee," he begged. "Oh, alright, I'll turn around, but, I really don't think that is Kain." He insisted that it was but as we approached he realized it wasn't and said, "Oh, you're right. That's not Kain, that's one of those kids representin' the Devil." "What?" I said, as I giggled out loud. "You know, one of those devil representin' kids," he said. "Oh, I see," I laughed. I thought it was funny that Leighton had this impression of this boy, who, from what I could see, didn't have any reference to the Devil on him at all. Maybe I was missing something? I mean, yes, he did have long, black hair...he was wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans (I think) and a variety of bracelets...maybe black Chuck Taylors, black rimmed glasses. "What makes you think that boy is representing the Devil?" I asked. "Oh, you know mom, just one of THOSE kids." "Well, I'm not sure I do know, Leighton." This is where I give the speech I have given them time and time again. You know the one...don't judge people on their appearance, what they look like, the color of their skin, don't judge people on first impressions...sometimes people are just projecting onto you how they feel about themselves, be nice, blah, blah, blah. But I do think it is funny that here my son is...maybe not passing judgement on someone, but definitely making an assumption based on the image this kid was projecting. Coming from kids who sometimes admit to thinking tattoos and piercings are cool, I just thought it was funny that his conservative side was showing! And this guy did actually show up at our meeting, so I'm hoping that Leighton will reserve his judgment until he actually gets to know him. At least that is my plan! :-)

my momma told me: pretty is as pretty does!

Until next time...

Breaking Ground on Technology

I have to tell this story even though you will probably think I am a meanie when I'm done. First let me explain that my wonderful husband is not so...oh, what's a nice way to say this...hmmmmmmm....technologically advanced? Oh, not to worry, it doesn't bother him much. He just shrugs his shoulders and laughs when we tease him about discovering a text message on his phone that is three months old. Heck he didn't even know how to send a text message until a couple of weeks ago. He even told us that he could GET text messages but that his phone could not SEND text messages. Nonsense, I said, as I showed him how. Imagine my surprise when one day I actually got a text message from him! The kids and I could hardly believe it! WOWZERS! I'm a fine one to talk...I text in Abc mode...I've yet to figure out T9 (whatever that means, lol!)

Anyway, this story is about our handy, dandy VISA check card. You know the ones...you probably have one and know just how to use it. I have one (and I definitely know how to use it!) and David has one too. However, it does say VISA on it and I'm afraid that David thinks that means it is a credit card (something he is adamently against). Today we were in need of dog food and I had foolishly let us run out of checks. We write checks most of the time because there is carbon copy proof that you spent money, lol! David asked me if I wanted him to go to the bank and get cash and I said, "no, you can just use your check card." "Huh" his expression told me he was saying. "Just use your VISA check card," I said again. "Oh, I have one of those, that's what I have???" he asked. "I didn't know it worked at PetCo." Now here is where we start to tread on dangerous ground. We are on the "paycheck to paycheck" budget around here and it's all I can do to keep up with recording the checks that we write much less if he actually started using that thing! YIKES! So, what did I say in response..."Uh, yeah, I T-H-I-N-K it works at PetCo." Lord help us if he figures out any other places that take that card, lol! I don't think David reads my blog too often (and hopefully if he does it won't be until this post is buried somewhere, heehee) but, David, if you are reading...and you decide to use that VISA card in your wallet, will you please bring me the receipts? Love ya honey! :-)

Cheers!

Out of the closet...

I've tried to be quiet over here but this is just too much! Now people are comparing Barrack Obama to Jesus...

Daily Kos

And then there is this from Planned Parenthood:

Life News

So, now who is out of touch...

This article sums up exactly how I feel about this year's election:

How Obama lost the election

No matter who you are voting for or who you think you are voting for this election cycle, I hope that you are at least keeping informed!

Cheers!