Questions and Anwers

Ahh....the holiday season. In the past week, our family has experienced: Clark being dedicated at church, Ellie's first dentist visit, Clark cutting two new teeth, 4 Christmas parties, baking 250 cookies and Ellie's first professional haircut. Not to mention that I have to figure out how to make Ellie a sheep costume for her school program. She is the "sheep with curly horns". One word - typecasting. Ha!

This year has been wonderful in that Ellie is old enough to understand why we celebrate Christmas. She asks questions daily and, as I answer them, it's a great reminder when I find myself getting bogged down in the details....

The Bug Song

My daughter likes to make up songs with me to sing at bedtime. This is one we made up that she now keeps requesting to sing all the time. It's not the best but Ellie likes it. /Being musically challanged I have no way of expressing the tune of the song we use.

"The Bug Song"
Do you want to snuggle with a bug in a rug or a bug in a jug (admittedly the weakest line in the song)
...Not me Not me
Do you want to snuggle with a bug in a rug or a bug in a jug
...Not me Not me
Do you want to snuggle with a prickly porkypine and all of his prickles (this is where I poke/tickle like prickles)
...Not me Not me
Do you want to snuggle with a prickly porkypine and all of his prickles
...Not me Not me
Do you want to snuggle with a big oh shark with his big sharp teeth (this is where I say "chomp chomp" and make a chomping motion with arms and fingers)
...Not me Not me
Do you want to snuggle with a big oh shark with his big sharp teeth
...Not me Not me
Do you want to snuggle with a bubble bee in a bubble bee tree (this is where I say "bzz bzz" and poke/tickle)
...Not me Not me
Do you want to snuggle with a bubble bee in a bubble bee tree
...Not me Not me
END

Fun at the Park

Ellie loves to climb on the this big web thing....she's our Spider Girl.


Clark was diggin' the swing....he was happy and smiling as long as it was moving.

Belated Costume Pics!!

This was their first Halloween (I mean 'Fall Festival') costume event --- party at the Alley's the night before Halloween. Ellie loved her "white & silver princess" costume, and Clark couldn't get out of his bumblebee bunting soon enough. Not before Mom shot some pictures though!

On Halloween, we went to a big shindig at Celebration Baptist--Clark was relieved to be out of the bunting - especially since it was pushing 80 degrees. Unfotunately for him...that meant he had to wear a sailor hat :-) I know I only have a few years of this.....but I love it!!

The Maze of Amendments

Local Referendum:
1/2 cent Sales Tax for indigent health care: (This will make Leon County the highest sales tax county in the state, children are not qualified, there is no provision for eliminating the tax if no one signs up, only about 8,000 will qualify, lasts for 15 years)
I vote "NO"
[If you want to give to indigent health care write a check to TMH for 0.5% of your income]

Amendments:
Most Amendments should not even be on the ballot. It should not be so easy to amend the Florida constitution. The State Legislature should handle most of these issues. Most amendments are on the ballot because they couldn't make it through congress. Voters for some odd reason almost always vote yes on amendments which is why we get "pregnant pig" and "bullet train" amendments passed.
For these reasons I vote "NO" on almost all amendments.

NO.1
Changes budget procedures to limit use of nonrecurring revenue. (I agree with the basics of this very complex amendment. If an average person with a Masters Degree can't understand it don't vote for it. This should definitely be in the legislature not an amendment)
I'm voting "NO"

NO. 3
Makes it more difficult to pass amendments [by 60% instead of 50%] (Since I think it is too easy to pass amendments ....)
I'm voting "Yes"

NO. 4
Dedicates $57 mill and more each year to anti-tobacco campaigns (I, like most people, am against kids [and adults] smoking but this should be legislated. That money will come from what now goes to the general budget, and in my opinion is much too much $)
I'm voting "NO"

NO. 6
Increased Homestead Exemption for low-income seniors. (everybody wants to help out low-income seniors [although even wealthy seniors tend to have low "incomes"] but this should be legislated not amended)
I'm voting "NO"

NO. 7
Gives homestead tax break for disabled veterans. (I am all for giving tax breaks to disabled veterans, however this should be legislated not amended)
I'm voting "NO"

NO. 8
Bars eminent domain [government forcibly buying property] for private purposes. i.e. Leon county can't force you to sell your house because they want a Walmart [which earns more taxes] built there instead. (Because this is private citizens rights issue not likely to ever be legislated since it takes power away from the state and local governments...)
I'm voting "Yes"

fin

Vote Judges in Leon County Florida

Don't forget to vote for or against the Judges. Ok so judges are hard to research because they don't "vote" on issues very often.

Florida Supreme Court Justices (I'm saying No to these because of a personal bias against them because in my opinion they are liberal and activist judges, I found it difficult to due the hard research on them)
Justice R. Fred Lewis (appointed by Lawton Chiles)
(Keep? NO)
Justice Barbara Joan Pariente (appointed by Lawton Chiles)
(Keep? NO)
Justice Peggy A. Quince (appointed by Lawton Chiles)
(Keep? NO)

District Court of Appeal (In contrast to the supreme court, which is very powerful, the appeals courts are less so and unless they make significant bad descisions [like letting convicted murders out in <5>
Judge Edwin B. Browning Jr. (Keep? Yes)
Judge Brad Thomas (Keep? Yes)
Judge Peter D. Webster (Keep? Yes)

County Judge Group 3
Ron Flury (Assistant State Attorney)

John Newton ( Senior Assistant Attorney General in Economic Crimes and Civil Rights)

....with a little help from our friends

Sometimes, in life, you need a little push from your friends.
Sometimes you need to borrow their power tools.
Sometimes you need a ear to listen to you.
Sometimes you need them to help with a hefty project.
Sometimes you need them to zip up your princess dress.
Sometimes you need them to bring you food or medicine.
Sometimes you need their pick-up truck.
Sometimes you need advice.
Sometimes you need their ESPN.

I guess that's how we get by...

November Elections (Vote in Leon county Florida)

Don't forget to Vote in the next elections.
Here is the new Sample Ballot
If you are real busy or tend to be out of town some days then go HERE to request a mail-in ballot. (scroll down and fill out the form).

I'm not including the random 3rd 4th and 5th party candidates unless I think they have a chance.

State Elections
US Senator
Katherine Harris (A little crazy, does not handle her staff very well, but I like her politics: anti-abortion, pro Bush tax cut)

Bill Nelson (liberal, pro-abortion, against Bush tax cut )


Governor
Charlie Crist (Better than Jim Davis)

Jim Davis (The second worst attendance record in the US Congress, the worst attendance record in Florida Congress, He got paid too much)
(I couldn't find an image for Zero stars which I rate him as)

Attorney General
Bill McCollum (Jeb Bush's and my pick)

Walter "Skip" Campbell (Carey's dad knew this guy when he was a practicing attorney, "Skip" is an ambulance chasing trial attorney)


Chief Financial Officer
Tom Lee (Florida Senator since 1996, president of senate in 2004, a strong supporter of tax cuts and state frugality)

Alex Sink (A woman with the name "Alex", the wife of governor candidate Bill McBride, seems competent, has a lot of business experience but no political experience making it difficult to predict her decisions.)


Commissioner of Agriculture (I don't like either one)
Charles Bronson (Concentrates on Agriculture, has done some for consumer advocacy, wastes tax dollars, soft on immigration, my reluctant pick)

Eric Copeland (Concentrates on Consumers, A Miami Lawyer and tax-professional, The "Miami-Herald" supports Charles)


Superintendent of Schools
Jackie Pons (Deerlake Middle School principle, awarded national Blue Ribbon School award 2005)

Rosemary N. Palmer (attorney, advocate for disabled children, little to no education experience)

Patricia Sunday (Was on school board)
not much info

County Commissioner District 4
Bryan Desloge (opposes this version of 0.5 cent sales tax, not opposed to other tax increases)

Will Messer (More conservative, against 0.5 cent sales tax, opposes other tax increases)


Ocklocknee River Soil & Water Conservation Dist. 2 Supervisor
Gabriel Johnson (not much info)
?
Scott Matteo (current ORSWC chairman, not much info)


Ocklocknee River Soil & Water Conservation Dist. 3 Supervisor
Thure Caire (scroll down link, current ORSWC supervisor, has a lot of environmental science experience)

Jeffrey Sly (scroll down link, little experience, not much info)


Ocklocknee River Soil & Water Conservation Dist. 4 Supervisor
Brian Acosta (could not find any info, my pick by default)

John Maloney(scoll down link, current law student at FSU, law students don't have time to be county officials)


more to come:

Taking it all in

We're still here. Spencer OD'd on blogging with the voting stuff and me...well, I'm just lazy, I mean...exceptionally busy. News with us:

• Clark, Ellie and I all survived last week with Spencer being gone. I realized I'm either not a great mom or just very spoiled, because it was tough. Luckily, I was able to get out of the house once a day to go somewhere so I didn't have cabin fever with the kids.
• Ellie is tall, and big. When did this happen? I don't know. She sure doesn't eat that much.
• Our friend Julie took some pictures of the little ones. Too cute . http://juliealley.smugmug.com/gallery/1914647/1

Ellie had her first school field trip last week to the fire station then Chick-fil-a for ice cream. I was able to accompany the class and enjoyed watching Ellie interact with the other kids. It was her day to be the line leader. Now, Ellie has many wonderfully special qualities about her, but I'm not sure this is her strong area. There was a very exuberant boy in her class, always ready for the next adventure. When it was time to line up, he was first in line, ready to go see the EXCITING fire station. Unfortunately for him, Ellie was the line leader. When given permission to go, she proceeded at a tortoise-like pace, taking in all the interesting things around her....bricks on the walls, smells in the air, bugs flying around her.....the poor boy nearly tripped over her multiple times. He was sweet though and took it like a pro. I wished I had a video camera, but hopefully it will make into my permanent memory files. I laughed by myself at my stop-and-smell-the-fire-station child.

VOTE in Leon County!!

Just for the locals.
Here is a link to multiple local radio debates in MP3 format

Mayor (Not on Primary):
John Marks (I don't agree with a lot of his politics but he is better than the other two.)

Kim O'Connor (two words Coo Coo)

Larry Hendricks (Redneck, is articulate and intelligent I just disagree with most of his positions)


County Commissioner (Dist. 4 Leon county) (These are all good candidates)
Bo Bludworth (I like him, he has never been a politician before, and done some cool stuff)

Bryan Desloge (by far the richest candidate, good candidate but not as good as Bo)

Will Messer (Seems like a good conservative candidate)


County Commissioner at Large, Group 2 (listen to their debate)
John Griffin (against 1cent leon sales tax, for police/sheriff consolidation, first time in politics)

Cliff Thaell (for 1cent leon sales tax, against police/sheriff consolidation)


County Judge Group 3 (hard to choose)
Ron Flury (former prosecuter)

John Newton (lifetime member of NAACP.....need I say more....)

Lisa Raleigh (former prosecuter)


MORE TO COME

VOTE in Florida!!!

It is that time of year again... Where we cringe at the ridiculous number of radio and TV election ads and random people flash their signs and wave at you like you knew them. All the candidates seem to be pro-family, pro-schools, pro-business, pro-environment, pro-sunshine, pro-oxygen and pro-baby chicks. I'm still waiting for the candidate that is against all these things.
Check your SAMPLE BALLOT
Here is my own candidate ratings.

Governor (Primary): (A change of heart...After more detailed research I'm switching my pick to Charlie....barely, see hyper links)
Charlie Christ (weird guy, agree with some of his positions, seems more honest than Gallagher, I'm reluctantly voting for him)

Tom Gallagher (a little too slimy, I agree with most of his current spoken politics, "used to be" pro-abortion)


US Senator (Primary):
LeRoy Collins Jr. (I don't know and can't find much on this guy)
Katherine Harris (former pick for the primary although not much chance of winning the overall election)

William "Will" McBride (I didn't realize that I knew him until BP pointed it out, I like him, my new pick)

Peter Monroe


Chief financial Officer for Florida (This is a new state position to vote for, hard to choose)
Milt Bauguess (is Competent, not a lawyer, not a career politician)

Randy Johnson (is Qualified, Reducing Home owner's insurance is his central platform)

Tom Lee (former State Senator for several years, is being backed by Jeb Bush, my pick)



MORE TO COME

Backpack-backpack

Ellie started school last week. She's attending a wonderful school, Community Christian, and enjoying it immensely. Her favorite aspects appear to be:

• a bean bag game (every day, this is the first report I receive---the status of the game and who won)
• Spanish class (she was able to name 4 colors and count to 5)
• her backpack (an admittedly vastly oversized one---considering it only transports her snack, juice and 1 envelope - one day, she lost her snack in the maze of all the pockets. Its main redeeming quality is that it's purple just like Dora the Explorer's)

I, however, had a more difficult first week. I came home the first day, and as I was putting Clark down for his morning nap, I glanced in her room. It was dark, neat and empty....so, of course, the tears came. Yesterday she mentioned being a little sad because someone didn't want to play with her for some activity. I almost cried again. I'm not sure how I'm going to get through 12 years of this. Luckily, I shouldn't have post-partum hormones for most of those years :-)

We had a fun weekend in Tampa 2 weekends ago. We got see my brother and his family (who we're shamelessly trying to convince to move to Tallahassee), my step-brothers, Chuck's sister Pat who flew in for the occasion (Chuck's 60th birthday). It was a man-cooking fest on the patio. There was a smoker(pork butt), a grill (sausages) and giant steamer (crabs) and a big pot on the burner of the grill (clams). At any given time, there were at least 2-3 men out there sweating in 100 degree heat with furrowed brows discussing times & temperatures with various electronic devices beeping to keep them updated with time and temperature statuses. The women watched from the air-conditioned living room and congratulated ourselves on being smart enough to be the gender that cooks INSIDE.

Mondaynight's Full Quiver

Darcy took these pics this past monday night at our house....man oh man...and this isn't even all of them.....



Like little dominoes..... Ranen Bennage, Nena Walworth, Cash Alley and Clark (Looks like Clark is the instigator & Ranen is smart enough to get out of the way)





How cute are the mondaynight kids. L to R: Adah Bennage, Jackson Alley, Madeleine Walworth, Ellie, Lindsey Lehman and Libby Alley. Uncle Michael appears to be the King of this cold land where prince and princesses must wear snow hats.

All I can say is....Nena and Jackson have their own little harems going on :-)

Pee Chalky Jew & Bad Guys

"Life moves pretty fast....if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
-Ferris Bueller

I love vacations. It's the chance to stop our cooking/cleaning/scheduled life/fixing things around the house (Spencer) and just enjoy each other and perhaps some fun surroundings. We recently got to enjoy the Ron Jon Surf Resort at Cocoa Beach with Jay (Spencer's bro) Joanna and their ever-growing brood---Dakoda, Skyler, Thatcher and Riley. Here are some highlights:

• Floating on an innertube in the lazy river trying to avoid the random water features that dump/pour/spray water on me (and Spencer,using Clark like a shield, trying to push me into them)
• The beach at dusk as a storm was beginning to roll in.
• Ellie & Skyler---these two just LOVE each other....they have some mystical connection that the rest of the family is not in on.
• The pure joy of 4 cousins riotously laughing with each other covered in sticky watermelon juice

• Trying to suppress laughter at all the various "things" dropped over the balcony while the adults were distracted (watermelon rinds, Skyler's pee)
• Playing Dance Dance Revolution with Jo in the arcade after the kids went to bed (BTW, our mad skills were heightened by a few glasses of wine--and we dominated the 'tweens hanging out there)
• Trying to figure out what Thatcher (2) was saying. His most frequent utterance was "pee chalky jew". Before you berate Jay & Jo on their antisemitic teaching, this was Thatcherese for "Please may I have some chocolate juice (chocolate milk)" That kid is just plain funny. I tried to help him by breaking off pieces of his biscuit...he looked at me with a mad face and said "Ah Ca, ba ga" (translated by Jo: Aunt Carey, bad guy) We almost peed our pants from laughig so hard. Is that kid from Spencer's gene pool or what.
• Watching Riley (9mo) eat her breakfast, which consisted of crawling around on the floor under the table eating the feast of Cheerios that the other kids dropped.
• Comforting Ellie as she cried when she realized she was leaving her cousins. This is a highlight only because I realized what a blessing it is to have such a close family relationship. I pray these cousins will always be close to each other.