I VOTED TODAY!

Why vote in 2008? It's time to inspire. Time to lead. Time to seek peace. Time to be courageous. Time to be outraged. Time to believe. Time to fight for what is right. Time to think. Time to make history. Time to rock the vote.

I am 54 years old and I voted today for the first time in a presidential election. It scared me to death - but felt good doing the right thing; fulfilling my civic duty as a citizen of the United States of America. I cast my ballot not on a computer like most of America, but the old fashion way - bubbling in my choices on a sheet of paper. (REALLY HELPED KEEP ME CALM!)

This election with nearly everyone on both sides predicting a turnout like this country hasn't seen in decades, I read that "somewhere between a third and half of all American adults won't vote". I use to fall into that category. What was even more interesting was, "in some countries, voter turnout comes awfully close to 100 percent. In the democracies most like ours, turnout is often in the 80-90 percent range". Not here. Why the most powerful country in the world and we don't take advantage of this right. In Australia they send out letters asking why you didn't vote!

I know, I should talk - I have to admit, mine was a real fear! not of voting, or who was going to be elected - which is also a fear, but of the act of voting in a booth!

I carry a lot of "baggage" from my childhood and this fear is just that! Believe it or not, when I was in high school, the school had real voting booths brought into school for us to vote. I got stuck in the booth! I could not figure out how to get out; open the curtain with that moving bar and after turning around a few times - hoping no one would notice (my feet moving in circles!) I spread the curtain apart and walked out; and of course the teacher yelled at me for not doing it right, so everyone laughed. If she had only shut up - maybe no one would have noticed. So that is my story!

And today, at age 54 - I voted and feel really good about it; and Thankful they didn't have booths that I could get stuck in!!!

Why Reba Makes Me Laugh

I DVR all of the Reba shows that's four to six a night - this is the funniest show on TV and it's on lifetime! If I couldn't get Lifetime on my cable I would change companies - that is how addicted I am to this show...it doesn't matter how many times I have seen a episode, I will watch it again and laugh my butt off! I now have my hubby watching and laughing with me!

How many shows can you say tell it like it is - real life! Can you imagine being friends with your ex-husbands new wife - let alone giving her advice or going out to bars with her or talking her into going through with her wedding - to your ex-husband?!!? Her daughter, Cheyenne is a fashion air-head; she thinks the world revolves around her - and sometimes it does. she is married to Van, who is an idiot; he is so stupid he is hilarious. Reba's ex-husband, Brock takes all the blunt of the problems an d causes then, too. He is married to Barbara Jean - Melissa Peterman . She makes the show! Although I can't imagine having an ex-husband, but I don't know if I could be that close!

If you think of it - how difficult is divorce on the children. I lived it, as the kid. My bio-mother made it a living hell! While the people involved dangled on a string, wondering what she will do next. Reba takes it to a caring, real life, laugh about it stage....not laugh about the divorce, but about your own life.

What really is amazing is how many blogs - judithsdivorceblog.blogspot.com/
http://lawlady.typepad.com/lawlady_blog/divorce_ritual/; images - 10 pages!
stories in the news - 26,808 for divorce; even if you google maps - something comes up for 26,808 for divorce!

Reba - laughs about having to do all the laundry, cook all the meals, her teenage daughter pregnant and marrying at age 17, hew other teen daughter's difficulty with the divorce or life in general, teaching her married daughter and husband responsibilities when they have a made a huge life responsibility with a baby. What better way to deal with life than to laugh!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7cuCQQN_8M&feature=related

From an idea of Wenderina's:
A Tribute to the Woman Who’s TV Show Helps Keep Me Sane

There has been nights that I could not deal with having anyone in the house - after living alone (with out hubby) for two years. Sometimes when I come home I just want to do what I want to do! I want to change into t and shorts; lay around; read a book; watch DVR shows or a good movie; NOT TALK TO ANYONE! but I can't always do that. Watching Reba, breaks me out of these - "MOODS". The episode where Reba is accused of hitting people - sometimes I can relate to her - wanting to just wake someone up that I am frustrated with - no I won't do it, but it is funny watching her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7cuCQQN_8M&feature=related

The Reba show has ended - the last episode was how mothers feel - now matter how much they complain about all the work, no "me time", husbands. Mother will miss all of it when it ends!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4rzT3xTpBU

I have always enjoyed listening to Reba sing - but for the last six years, she has really shown a different side of her. Watch the reruns - they are GREAT!

My blogging is as slow as the trip!

Once we crossed into New Mexico, I thought that was the end of the oil wells...but R found some more...a mural on the rest room walls! Good old R!

From the "week" of driving through Texas, the weather was getting hotter....AHA the beauty of warmth! it is dry air...not sticky..just warm.

We traveled the most Southern route of New Mexico, so the town names weren't even familiar...it was a real quick trip in and out of NM.....the clock and I don't agree so I don't like to speculate the time..besides I think we were going even slower, if that was possible....I was just hoping to make Arizona that night - even dreamed of Tucson - not going to happen!

We did make it into Arizona, about an hour away from Tucson...it wasn't bad for the day...but don't even ask about the hotel situation! Can you say "dive".

R has a budget that he will pay for a hotel/motel..and it isn't much! We are in some little town and they have the usual Motel 6, Budget Inn, etc.....we stopped at one and it was full??? I can't believe that many people actual can find this little town let alone anything happening in the town to make people come to it!

They only have a suite - too much! so dear R goes walking off through the parking lot - all of the hotels are connected - there is only one corner in this town! he comes back after 20 minutes all excited that he found us a room!

And if you know R, you know he can start a conversation with anyone...so he was so excited that he found a room for "us" and the old guy and R just had the greatest talk about old times..I am not sure who's old times! but R was happy:)

Last Day! Tucson, Yuma, then into California!

TEXAS - I spent a week there one day!

That's about the extent of it - we traveled into Texas through Texarkana on I-30 heading toward Dallas...picked up I-20 toward El Paso - can you say El longo! This road never ends and I was beginning to believe there really wasn't an El Paso, TX!

Around Abilene Texas, we stop for gas.

Only in Texas can you find the signs to make you wonder!

I wonder where they find that many frogs to get legs in a dry state like Texas to offer, "All you can Eat" for the number of rednecks that I am sure swarm to this place on Friday night!

As we continue down the LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG road, hubby is fascinated by all the oil wells - I wonder if there is really oil in those wells, because the gas pumps don't show us Americans finding much!

Not yet to El Paso, but night is falling and the slow moving truck must stop one more time to take another picture of a F_ _ _ _ _ oil well!

Maybe we'll get out of Texas the next day! (YEP!)

On with the voyage!

Well what ever you call a truck full of crap, driving no more than 55 mph across country! We left VA - after daughter and A went to gymboree - that was hard! I hate saying good-bye to them!
Traveling south toward I-81 S toward Roanoke - I was really hoping we would get at least that far! Well we really did make it onto I-40 almost to Nashville, Tenn the first night.

The next day was not such a good start - we sat in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Antioch, TN with a flat tire on the car carrier. Now anyone who knows me would think being stuck at a Wal-Mart I would be in heaven, but not 2 1/2 hours in the parking lot!

Yes, I did wander into the store to waste time - but all I was thinking was how we won't make it to Texarkana that night! (yeah - I now going 50 -55 mph we might not make it anyways!).

Now this didn't really happen - because there would never be any room for another person - with a cat in a carrier and a good size dog between us - but I thought it was funny! (Hope you can enlarge to read!)



Back on the road - we land in Little Rock...I can't complain (but I do!)...this isn't too bad..this trip is just taking forever! This was the Wal-Mart in Little Rock - just kidding!

We'll be back on the road again tomorrow - into TEXAS!! maybe will see some camel or something else that is only found in Texas!

Hitting the Road Again!

OK - so we have 25 years of crap. Can you say, "ROLL-OFF".

That is what I should have insisted on, but I couldn't do that to hubby. It scares me that he thinks he is doing so much and does so little. Really, what did he do in 6 month...yes he did put up most of the molding in the house (still some needed); cabinet doors in bathroom were finally put on; the list goes on of things that needed to be completed from jobs started.

However, the basement is still full; his shelves of tools, screws, junk, etc are not packed; tool box; this list goes on and on! I find little boxes of nothing, that I am sure he spent hours going through other boxes to find this little box of this nothing!
I hold several sales - get rid of some things - not what I wanted/needed to get rid! there is soooo much more!

On Friday, June 27th we begin to load up a 26 ft truck of "stuff"...... Now that I have completed this packing and move, I can really say - we screwed up!

Just some word of advice - 1st don't try to do this all in a week; 2nd pack what you really want on the truck FIRST....we packed the dinning room table, but now the chairs; did not get the sofas on - even though I want to sell them, we could have used them for a while; some poles to swing, but not all or the swing.....moving is something you really have to plan and throw out as much as possible!



Well we are on the road back to A's house for some more giggles and gymboree!

First stop for the night is sis, W's house...to get some much needed encouragement and love!

The First Day of My Summer Vacation!

I started a day early - getting on a plane in SD at 10:30 pm - landing in DC at 6:30 Am...This is the best flight - Jetblue..Unfortunately it looks like they canceled the flight for the future!
Anyways - I am at my beloved grandson's house as he is getting up for his day! and we are going to Gymboree at 10:15 !!!!


First we have to brush our teeth with Mommy!


We went to music class - A has his own agenda - but he loves trying new things.



Mommy tries to keep him involved too!!



After music class is fun - Gramma likes to see A bounce!

I love being at my daughter's house - I can't get enough of A's laughs. After a nice relaxing week, I had to head to NY to help hubby pack 25 years of crap into a truck.

WOW - It's July already:)

So much has happened since my last post - ROBOTICs what??
I have traveled to hold and play with my favorite (alright - the only) grandson - Little Man A. I could run around with him for hours - listen to him laugh is the sound of heaven.

To upstate NY to pack our 25 years of crap - half of which we didn't need, didn't know we had, or will never use, into a 26 ft truck and head back to Little Man's house for a couple of last minute hugs and giggles (yes, and to visit with sis, brother-n-law, daughter and son-n-law).

All of this traveling started June 12th and ended in Southern CA at our new address, July 6th at 8:00 pm PST.

In this short paragraph there are several stories - so over the next couple of days/weeks, I will enlighten you with my life's happening from the last 3 months!

Stay tune :)

WE WON ! ! ! !

Full Throttle Team 2599 was honored with the 2008 F.I.R.S.T. Robotic National Rookie Inspiration Award! We are so Thankful to F.I.R.S.T. for having this wonderful program for student!
Thankful for our parents - for their encouragement, and continual support!
Our fabulous mentors/coaches - through thick and thin; through drama after drama - we made it! We could not have done it without you!
The Sweetwater Union High School District for their support!
The City of Chula Vista, CA - especially Mayor Cox for all her support and donations!
OUR STUDENTS! what can we say - they are simply the BEST! We have had out up with the downs; the good and the bad; however, you have stuck to this endeavor - your dedicates and excitement is what will help us to continue and grow to be even a better TEAM! The Mentors, Parents and Teachers love you for who you are and who you have become!
YOU ARE THE BEST!
With two special THANK YOU -
To Mrs. Hodge - for your dedication of time, energy and your sacrifices; your willingness to never give up; always find something positive in any situation; and for your constant praises and compliments to everyone accept yourself. YOU ARE THE BEST! We could not have done any of this without you - we love you!
To Ms. Lemons, Director of Alternative Education - Thank you for supporting this program/team. We appreciate all that you have done for us - and mostly for your continued belief in the students, mentors, parents and teachers.

Full Throttle Team 2599

2008 Rookie Team Inspiration Award Winner

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of you for the pivotal role you played in our success! You may be proud to know that our Alternative Education team just returned Sunday night from the competition in Atlanta, Georgia and our team (Full Throttle Team 2599)
won the 2008 Rookie Team Inspiration Award.
This was an incredible and stunning experience! There were 317 rookie teams that registered for the event in November and out of those 317 teams, only 39 were invited to the 2008 FIRST Robotics Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, to compete on the international level. Out of those 39 teams, our team, #2599 Full Throttle, won the Rookie Team Inspiration Award--one of the only two awards given out to rookie teams at the international level! Our hearts are drawn out in gratitude for the many, many individuals, educational leaders, civic leaders, corporate sponsors, and community groups who, like you, have supported us, had faith in us, and have contributed to our cause!

What you and many others will probably never know are the miracles that occurred during this entire "robot building" process. Because of your support to our Alternative Education FIRST Robotics Program, hearts were touched, family, district, and community ties were strengthened, and lives were transformed. There really aren't words in the English language that can adequately express the tremendous gratitude we feel for the faith that you had in us. Nevertheless, with all our hearts we say...........

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Full Throttle Team 2599

Mommy & Daddy came home !

The next day was Easter Sunday -

Even though Gramma and Pop-pop had to leave, we still had some more fun. I found a truck easter basket that had a big egg in it - I bet I can't eat what's inside - that is always for the adults! Mommy got out last years frog basket so I could put some eggs in it - it was more fun playing with the grass :)

Then I went egg hunting, TWICE! I found eggs all around my house;

then Gramma took me outside, and I found more ! (I really think they were the same ones that I found in the house that I got at the hunt last weekend, too. But I won't say anything - cuz I like to find them!)

P.S: We had a wonderful week with Little Man A - I have been back in CA for 24 hrs and I miss his laugh when I chase him around the room, his smile when I go to get him out of his crib and he stretches his arm out to me, he way he runs behind the recliner like he is hiding on me and stands perfectly still till I get to him and he laughs some more. I love this little boy so much it hurts! Don't worry A - some day Gramma will live right next door so we can be together everyday :) Gramma LOVE YOU!

So does Pop-pop :)

Final Days of Vacation with Pop-pop and Gramma

Here I am - it's 7:00 am - come on - it's time to get up :) Mommy and Daddy are coming home today! :) YYYYEEEEAAAAHHHH ! :) ! :) ! :)

Gramma and Pop-pop clean up from our messy week of fun; got some groceries and after several calls from Mommy and Daddy telling us about their delays, they finally arrived at the airport :)

Gramma took me to meet them (in my pjs :) at the airport! I seen the biggest airplanes - ever!

But I especially was glad to see Mommy and Daddy - I really missed them :)

Day 7 -Part 2 - My garden!

Naps over :)  Come on Pop-pop and Gramma - let's start the garden!  Catch me :)

   

Gramma, this dirt is fun to touch - I can help, too :) 

Look the dirt can fly - 

OOPPS! the dirt has to stay in the box - but this is funner :)

Gramma let me get in the garden and play with this 

wet gooey, muddy dirt - ooooohhh, it's cold :)

  

See Pop-pop, we emptied all the dirt in the garden box - 

     YYYEEEEEeEEEEEE :)  

Gramma is giving me a ride on the empty 

bag - I wonder if she can pull me all the way

up the hill?

It's OK Gramma - this is a BIG hill :)  I'm a big boy - I can walk.

WOW - this garden stuff is fun! Thanks Pop-pop and Gramma  - I had fun :)

Mommy and Daddy come home tomorrow :) :)

Day 7 - part 1 - Chuck-E-Cheese!!

We did it! we went to Chuck-E-Cheese :) :)  it was really loud and lots of kids running around; but Pop-pop, Gramma and me had fun! First we walked around and checked out the big kids games, while Gramma ordered us pizza. 

   
         

Then Gramma insisted I get on some of those moving things - 

  

you know, like cars that had a fake Chuckie sitting in the seat next to me;    

and a bulldozer that looked really neat until she tried to put me in it with this Handy Bob looking at me; 

   

then she wanted me to go down the slide, 

put she couldn't come with me - so I was not thrilled when she slide me down - but I'm OK!

Our pizza came - it was really GOOD!  

Gramma got me a cup with Chuck-E-Cheese that has a straw!

This was a fun day! I can't wait to see what Gramma and 

Pop-pop have in store for me after my nap :)

Day 6 - vacationing with Gramma and Pop-pop

Gramma and I go into Mommy and Daddy's room to watch our morning shows - a little of Pooh and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  I start playing on the bed - Gramma and I are having fun - we laugh a lot - she thinks I am funny :)  

OOOOPS! I threw myself back and flipped over the side of the bed before Gramma could catch me - she really needs to be faster! I'm OK - but it really scared  the shit out of me! 

Pop-pop comes upstairs - really I'm OK!  let's go play in the living room.  

This place is a mess; won't Mommy be surprised; especially the tent Gramma and I made with the couch and table! but we're having fun :)  OK - that's enough hide-n-seek.

   

We're doing good - let's go out to the store and check out Chuck-E-Cheese for lunch! 

Well - we got some snaps for my bibs (so I don't pull them off all the time); and a light for outside on the porch.  Chuck-E-Cheese was way to crowded - we couldn't even find a parking place - Pop-pop said we would go after my morning nap tomorrow (if I decide to take one:).

That's OK - Let's go home and have lunch - and play!  

Gramma  puts me in  my crib for a afternoon nap after play and lunch - but really I don't think I want too! so I'll just play here for a while - Oh, damn, I shouldn't have thrown my paci, "Jeffery" blanket out of my crib - I really need them to sleep - here comes Gramma! she'll give them back to me :) maybe I could talk her into letting me skip this nap - we took a long morning nap - that should be enough for the day! 

After two times, I finally  talked Gramma into letting me get up -  go play downstairs!  Pop-pop has 101 Dalmatians on for me - that's a lot of puppies! 

After the movie -  Gramma and I are laughing- she chases me and I hide on her - she thinks I am cute :)  

Pop-pop and I play in my room while Gramma makes dinner for us - Uh-Oh :) Pop-pop is sitting in the seat to feed me tonight - this is going to be fun!  Gramma made chicken nuggets - she's trying to disguise the carrots - there's some rice, banana pudding for dessert; crackers 

with spread cheese - I kind of getting tired, so I am not sure what I want. Gramma wants to be sure I eat enough, so she gives Pop-pop some of that good yogurt stuff!

I am really trying to feed myself :) this spoon thing 

can be difficult - maybe I'll try to drink my yogurt :)

 

  

Pop-pop pours it onto my spoon - that makes it easier - he's funny :)

 

This has been another fun-filled day with Pop-pop and Gramma! 

I wonder if they are getting tired? well, more fun again tomorrow! 

Mommy and Daddy will be home in two more days :)