My adorable nephews

My nephew, Angelo, is trying on hats with his grandma, Lynn. Here he is sporting a Santa-style hat with Yoda ears attached to it. He is so darn cute!

Angelo is playing with an electronic device behind the wheel of this ride-on toy. I often see people doing this  when driving down the freeway! 

My nephew, Bryson, was celebrating his birthday and seems overjoyed with this giant coloring book!

Manny and Gabe watch as more birthday presents are being opened. I miss them terribly!

How to Win a Debate: 101

From breitbart.com:
1. "He did call it an act of terror." The worst untruth told by a moderator in presidential history. Candy Crowley's intervention in favor of Obama caused the president's cheering section to burst into applause, in violation of the rules, and there was little that Romney could say in response. But she was wrong--Obama's reference to "acts of terror" in his Sept. 12 statement was in a general, abstract sense, and came long after he had described the 9/11 attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions as demonstrations against an anti-Islamic video. Even Crowley seemed to realize what she had done: it wasn't long before she walked back her own comment.

(Emphasis mine)

Speech from the Rose Garden on September 12 in part: 

"Of course, yesterday was already a painful day for our nation as we marked the solemn memory of the 9/11 attacks.  We mourned with the families who were lost on that day.  I visited the graves of troops who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan at the hallowed grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and had the opportunity to say thank you and visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed.  And then last night, we learned the news of this attack in Benghazi. 

As Americans, let us never, ever forget that our freedom is only sustained because there are people who are willing to fight for it, to stand up for it, and in some cases, lay down their lives for it.  Our country is only as strong as the character of our people and the service of those both civilian and military who represent us around the globe.

No acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this great nation, alter that character, or eclipse the light of the values that we stand for.  Today we mourn four more Americans who represent the very best of the United States of America.  We will not waver in our commitment to see that justice is done for this terrible act.  And make no mistake, justice will be done."

Mitt was right!!!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/09/12/remarks-president-deaths-us-embassy-staff-libya

Getting excited

Cautiously so, in looking forward to the debate tonight. The radio and Internet shows are ablaze with the Clinton news, the diversion from the focus being on the leader of the free world. What it's all about is yet to be determined. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Talk about a war on women---letting them take the fall!

When Justin and I were talking about the upcoming debates, I expressed to him how I was not a fan of this format, but somehow, it has caught on---probably because of being like Oprah! One of the commentators reminded today about "the ponytail guy" from the 1992 elections. I had nearly forgotten about him! He stood up and asked the candidates to take a pledge to fill the needs of the nation...Look at what a mess THAT type of thinking gets us into!

The scuttlebutt is that PresBO will bring up Mitt's secret tape where he has discussed the "47% of those who believe they are victims". I hope the secret tape IS brought up so Mitt can reiterate how he shouldn't have said that, and then turn to the President and say, "You really wanna go there? You really wanna go to tape recordings? How about your conversation with Medvedev about waiting until after your re-election to get more flexibility with Russia and its missiles? Or, how about the 'bitter clinger' remarks made when talking about the Bible believing people in PA?(speculating about white voters who "cling to their guns or religion)" I would strongly suggest not opening that door!

Ooh, I am fired up today! Maybe it's because today is my friend, Linda's, birthday! To celebrate, I am making a pumpkin pie for Justin and I to enjoy during the debate. I had promised him one for his birthday and am just now getting around to baking one for him. Me, and Maria Callendar!

                                              

This morning I got up and dressed, and took myself on some errands. First to the bank, and then, foolishly, to the grocery store. I say foolishly because then I was going to see Julia at Great Hang Ups. With frozen foods in the car, not a good idea to hang out very long. I gave her an extra camara bag which I had lying around my house, and then lying around in my car for months. Always intending to take it to her, and finally, at last, remembered to do so! She loved it, saying hers looked like heck from being banged around so much. It is a win-win!

Once home from the errands, I got things put away in the fridge and cabinets, and then had to go back down for my BIC workbook. I had to do my homework! Connie met me near my door with a delivery from the mailman---my new books! One morning I heard the one book being discussed on Fox and Friends and sat right up in the bed. In fact, I was chatting with Linda when the author was on. His book is sort of 'self-help' which I normally don't care for, but the topic appealed to me. It is titled "Living the 4:8 Principle", based upon Philippians 4:8. Finding joy in our lives based upon that passage. This excited me because this is my favorite passage in Phil. 4, my funeral chapter!!!

^"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." 

This passage got me through some very tough times in my life, and continues to do so. I pray the book will not be trite, because then I would have to put my sad face on, instead of the sunshiny one from the cover of the book! 

                                                

The other book is about the important role mom's play in the lives of their children. When Linda was here, being an early riser, she heard about this book on Fox and Friends, before I got up. Later we were at the pool, eating lunch in the cabana with Lee while the rain came down. We talked about the book, "What a Difference a Mom Makes" and had a wonderful conversation about it. Lee went home and downloaded it immediately. I have the paper version and will have to discuss it again with Lee once I have finished it. Might be after the elections, though, as my brain is being kept busy with all the political stuff! I am so into this!

Eureka! I have found it!

The top of my desk was seen for brief periods this afternoon and early evening as I whittled away at the accumulation. At long last, the filing is done, that which has a place has been dealt with, and that which has no place, remains. In my 'work' office, these things would be in the Miscellaneous basket!

(Have you seen the commercial by Subaru where the little kids wash the car with the windows and sun roof open, even scrubbing the dashboard and controls with   soap and toothpaste? Oh my! They are basically ruining the car, but the dad simply walks up to the car, and tells them they missed a spot. The premise is that the car survives because it is a Subaru and they will inherit this vehicle from him. It looks like a pretty new car to me, and these kids were doing damage to it. Personally, I would NOT shrug that off. Ugh!)

So, anyway, I got a lovely present yesterday. At church, Jackie gave me another of the laughing cards she gave Gretchen for her birthday this year. Because I liked it so much, Gretchen gave me the laughing card to enjoy at home, so now, I have 2! Jackie figured I would need a back-up in case the battery fails on the original! Now it sounds as though I have a full audience laughing at my jokes. Thanks for feeding the problem, Jackie!!!

Justin had a very short day work day today. With the weather changing, some places go to an every-other-week schedule. This afternoon he went to get a haircut and looks very nice, though he did not want it this short. It will grow back, sooner than he wants, probably. 

Justin and I stayed in tonight and polished off some leftovers for dinner. He and I were talking about tomorrow night's debate. He is wildly excited about it, and hopeful. Since I have BIC at Victory, I told Justin that I would try to leave the class at 8:30 in order to get home in time for the beginning of the debate. Strawberry pretzel torte anyone?

Justin vacuumed my bedroom for me tonight, something for which I am most grateful. We are having an infestation from outdoors of teeny tiny flying insects which somehow make their way through the screens. And then they die. Therefore, they must be vacuumed from the floors. Yes, I am particular, and make good use of my man-servant with mad vacuuming skills.

Today I got a bevy of catalogs in the mail which were such fun to page through (anything to avoid cleaning off the desk!). There were several t-shirts which tickled my funny bone. One read: "I am not a pessimist---I am an optimist with experience". Funny! Guess I will open my card and hear the laughter! Here's another one: "I don't expect everything to be handed to me....just put it down wherever". I am opening my laughing birthday card now!!!

Needing some beans!

Justin is going to a birthday party tonight and made a special batch of baked beans to take. Jesse, his friend, whose mom is celebrating the birthday, asked Justin to make his bean recipe. He used a can of beans, browned hamburger, crushed pineapple, real bacon bits, and topped the whole works with fried onions from a can. Smelled marvelous!

                     

My dinner will be made up of leftovers from the week, up to those brought home today. There is enough for a couple night's worth so I will go easy on them. At lunch, I got full so quickly that it seemed I ate nothing on my plate at all. But I did! 

I had one pretzel bread stick, one potato skin, and one chicken crisper from Chili's. Sometimes Justin helps me but today he was also full from his lunch, plus two bread sticks with his soup. Usually I get a couple meals from my outings which makes it a rather good deal for me. Plus, a side order of socializing to boot!

Today I was expecting to have Pastor S. preach at GS, got Justin all jazzed to be there. But....change in plans! I had the right information except for the change in plans. Shoot! Anne H. had sent me a text message last night encouraging us to come to Victory today but I told her I needed to be at GS. Robbie was playing the organ today, his debut at Victory, and we missed it.

Judy C. had told me we were having a reprisal of last year's stewardship Bible study. Since we have been through it before, neither of us were going to go. Her Elder had called and told her it was starting today, but we later found out this was not the case. Pastor K. apologized after worship, saying there was confusion or some sort of mix-up. Some folks had come specifically for the class and were disappointed it was not held. Next week for sure, actually, the next two for sure! And then a new stewardship class the two weeks beyond that. We think. 

Lots of plan changes going on today!

****

Justin and I rode together since I did not go for Bible study. My Elder needed a word after church so Justin, my driver, waited in the car for me. When I got in to go to Chili's, I picked up my soda can from earlier in the day, and took a swig. Ew! I said to Justin, "There's something in this can..." as I put it back in the cup holder. He said, "I put a wiper in there!" He thought it was an empty can and had washed his hands and the steering wheel with the wiper. His 'particular' mother does not like the feel of the steering wheel after he's used it....

                                              

How we laughed! It tasted awful, wretched and soapy, yech! I told him I would likely get the runs now because of having consumed soap. Everyone at our table in Chili's found it amusing as well, and gross, of course. It might have been Terri T. who said I was clean as a whistle, inside and out! He is as bad as I am, nearly, with our need for clean hands.                                                                                    
                                                   
A couple weeks ago I got him the 'as seen on TV' PedEgg for removing the calluses from his feet. The feet take a beating with the all the walking he does for his job. Today in church (he hasn't changed a bit, Mom!) he told me he should use it on his hands as well. Oh that guy! At least the PedEgg wouldn't fit in the top of my soda can!

Dreaming again

This morning I had the pleasure of a rather frantic dream, nothing new about that. This time, I was evidently in charge of making up some treat bags at church. The odd part was, this was not my church! It would not be odd for me to take over someone else's project or to lend a hand. However, here, I had no idea when they were to be ready, how many, where to get the materials, and all those details. And they were needed NOW!

At one point I drove Kerry, my sister, to the store to get stickers for the outside of the bags but did not think of anything for inside the bags. I sent her back in and she came out with an enormous sack of candy, like dog food sized bag. That should do it!

Kids were busy coloring pieces of paper for gluing to the bags at the same time that they were in a program in the church. Let me think---Christmas? I will never know if I got the bags done in time or what they looked like, as thankfully, I woke up!

Something cool happened to me yesterday, a couple of things cool in nature. In mid-afternoon, I got a call from a lady at The Club. She mentioned the name of my friend, Helen, and was calling to talk about her. I was a reference! Well, I sang Helen's praises, told Patty about the website designing, her being a skilled artist, and an aesthetician. And, now, the newest employee at The Club!!!! How fun is that!?

I told Justin about it when he got home from work, how Patty had called me and now Helen has a job at The Club. He laughed a bit and said, "You're insufferable!" Yeah, I know...Later, I was on the sundeck with some of my neighbors and Maureen told me I should have come to Happy Hour Wednesday night. "They have a new tapas menu, and they named a sandwich after you!" Oh my! She said Chef walked around and made a point of showing people 'my' sandwich---the sirloin slider!!!

I AM insufferable!

Clark's pictures

Monday evening the ladies went to eat at Clark's Fish Camp. We have a social outing every other month (I know, it seems more often!) but this is the Ladies' Group for the dinner event. Plus two ladies who do not usually attend the monthly meetings but live in proximity to this restaurant. The place was all decked out for Halloween---NOT my favorite but oh, well. We had fun! Absent from the photos are Judy J. and Terri T.

 Here are Bonnie and Donna

 In the corner is me but the focus of the shot is Jayne, and her former mother-in-law, Julaine

 Two tables down from me sat Judy C. and Betty

 Across from Judy and Betty are sisters Sue and Terri H. (Terri T. is the photographer, by the way)

 In the darkened corner you will find Twila and Kim, at a table for two!

 Here are the exterior shots Terri T. took as she walked up to the restaurant. See my red car hiding there?

The entire walkway was draped with inflated, fierce-looking cats!