A Whirlwind Tour

Last night, all four of us were under the roof of our house for the first time in almost 2 weeks. It started with Spencer going out of town for work, then a SLP conference in Birmingham for me, then us meeting in Live Oak for 2 days. We then split up again, me taking the kids to visit Jay, Jo & kids in Ocala, then Mom & Chuck in Tampa for Mom's birthday and Spencer finishing travel work, then going to help out with Hurricane Katrina relief/repair work in Mississippi with our church. We were both tired, travel-weary and happy to all be together again. Our time in Ocala and Tampa was much fun though, as it's always great to see our family.
Clark shows the water fountain he's not afraid at all. He repeatedly attacked it, got water shot up his face, and attacked again. Later on, he actually crawled over these small fountains heading for the bigger ones....very brave this little one is.

Rylee gives Dakoda a little help with the car. I guess she's seen Little Miss Sunshine.... you know what they say....Behind every great boy is a baby girl with a heart condition.

Papa Chuck and Clark compare tongues.....Ellie tries to catch some fish in the lake behind Besta & Papa Chuck's house. Unfortunately, the fish weren't jumping out of the lake to bite her stick (which was a good 2 ft out of the water). She didn't want to put it IN the water as she didn't want to get the stick "yucky".

Tolerating my photo shoot....they are good sports:-)

....Like it's 1999

A few weeks ago, Spencer and I were able to spend the weekend with some of our favorite people. Mary, Joanna and I decided that since our 30th birthdays were hurling toward us whether we wanted them to or not, we might as well look forward to it. We decided that we would all get together for a weekend for each 30th. Since Mary and I both had new babies at my 30th, mine was postponed.

For Joanna's (Jan 4th) she chose a fun weekend in Orlando where we went dancing at Pleasure Island, visited Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure and enjoyed a nice dinner --ALL WITHOUT CHILDREN. This itself is no small feat, as there are 8 kids between us (ages 6mo - 6 yrs). We dropped ours off with a nice lady at the Flying J truck stop at I-75/I-4(my mom), and headed to O-town. My abs hurt after this weekend from laughing so much. Some highlights:

*Locking ourselves in the master suite Fri night to get ready for a night out on the town. This involved approx. 2.5 hours of trying on every outfit each person brought, a few bottles of wine, make-up session with Joanna, eventually ordering dinner in because we were taking so long to get ready, laughing as every 30 min or so, one husband would be voted to approach our camp and asked the fated "Are ya'll almost ready yet?"

*The pastor's wife, the missions chairwoman and I losing track of how many glasses of wine we had.

*DANCING--we hit every single club including: 80's, hip-hop, top 40 and (Spencer's favorite) ...techno. At one point, all of stepped outside for a little break and after 5-10 minutes realized that Spencer staying inside and was on the dance floor by himself, busting a move. As Spencer put it...."It was a good song - I didn't want to waste it!"

*Spencer and Jay trying to defend the tower at this cool huge jungle/high rope/cave place. Spencer was disappointed with the design of the high and low water guns and intends to write a strongly worded letter to Universal to make them aware of this design flaw. It did not, however, keep him from attempting a markedly futile attempt to assault the shooters who were armed with stronger water cannons with longer range.

*Spencer always ordering very little food, then finishing Joanna's meal. We realized about halfway into the weekend that he observed how she never finished her meal, and since we couldn't really do take-home boxes, Spencer figured why should he pay for a full meal, when he can order a side salad, then finish Joanna's chicken/steak/panini dish. Much teasing ensued, but he was not deterred as he proudly calculated how much money he had saved.

As I write these, I am reminded how much I LOVE my husband. He always evokes both respect and laughter, often at the same time. I am also reminded of the blessing of friendships, especially as they weather the years with age, memories, tears, laughter and wisdom. I thank God for these women and many others who sharpen and love me.

Christmas fun

Whew. Our family is slowing emerging from the hubub of Christmas and, after getting our pictures back, can now reflect with some wistfulness on the wonders of the past month.

First Wonders: ICICLES
Spencer decided to protect our orange tree (during the only hard freeze so far) by letting the hose drip on it overnight. The result provided hours of fun for Ellie and amazement at the science of water and ice (which Spencer enjoyed explaining).





Second Wonder: SCHOOL PROGRAM COSTUMES
I wish I knew how to sew, but I don't...yet. I keep saying I will learn. Unfortunately for Ellie, these skills did not come soon enough. She was a "sheep with curly horn" and needed an appropriate costume. After researching on the web, I came upon an idea that was a)cheap b) easy and c)seemed that it would work well. Well, two out of three ain't bad. It consisted of poly fill pillow batting stuck to double-sided tape on white clothes. Suffice it to say that from the moment we got out of the car to the end of the program, more than 80% of the "wool" had fallen off, leaving a trail everywhere from the parking lot up to the church, through the sanctuary, up onto the stage (where other children were picking it up and trying to stick it back on her), back down the stage, and ALL over the pew where she sat with her class (who proceded to throw it at each other throughout the rest of the program). I vascilated between laughing so hard I cried and slinking down in the pew, hoping no one would know I was the slacker mom who couldn't get a decent costume on her child. Here's a picture for posterity (this is right when she arrived with her class, so most of it is still on.). Oh...and notice the high-class professional costumes she's surrounded by!

Third Wonder: PLASTIC ICE SKATING
Tallahassee debuted a new ice-skating rink this year in the downtown plaza. Unfotunately it is FAUX ice...uh....plastic, actually. Ellie has never been ice-skating and was super excited about the adventure. However, when she got there and discovered what it was, she started calling it plastic-skating. She had a great time with her cousins Dylan and Sarah, and caught on pretty quickly. I even laced up, to help Ellie out, but was disappointed. I love skating....on ice. Fun for kids, though. Oh yes, Ellie also sported a splint for the holidays. She had a tiny buckle fracture and had to wear a splint for 2 weeks. Luckily, it didn't slow her down a bit.

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