It’s now 8:24 a.m. The husband is taking a shower, I’m catching up on blogs (no emails to answer! Yay!) right now, will scarf down some yogurt after I post this and then head to the showers myself. The sun is shining (it was actually pretty cloudy yesterday – boo!) and it promises to be a beautiful day. It’s still pretty chilly, but I’m sitting here in front of the camper heater, hot air blowing against my sweat pants and I’m actually pretty cozy. When the boys wake up, they will likely camp out (pun intended) in this cubby hole.
(We spend a lot of time in this hole).
The husband and I did a bit of shopping yesterday. We went to BAM (Books a Million) and I bought Twilight again (I had to give my other copy away for the Bloggy Giveaway – I had just started reading it when the Giveaway started and I was all like, “Ack! I want to give something away, but what?). Then we went to Wal-Mart to see if they had Gears of War 2 for the XBox for GD (that is his birthday gift request) and they did. Whew! Apparently, this game is pretty popular and they only had two copies left. I’m betting Springfield has already run out of copies.
And that’s all we did yesterday. The kids didn’t even change out of their sweats (but in their defense, it’s just warmer to stay in them!)
My Texan chili was DEE-LISH!! In fact, the husband sang my praises all night (and I ate them [pun intended] up).
We played the game of Life last night – GD won (we called him Bill Gates he ended up with so much money), the husband came in second, me third, and MK last. We had a lot of laughs and I love the fact that the kids will remember that our camping trips consisted of many hours of board games.
We also watched Ironman together, too. The boys and I have seen it, but the husband hasn’t. As usual, we had to keep nudging him awake – movies are like a sleep drug for him, he simply doesn’t stay awake long enough to finish the movie and then has the audacity to ask what happened later.
Grr.
Today, will take it easy once again. We wanted to play a little putt-putt, but it might be too cold for that. In fact, I don’t think the courses are even open today. *sad face*
We plan on going out for steak for dinner, playing more board games and watching Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull today (again, the boys and I have seen it, the husband has not and again, we’ll probably have to nudge him all night).
I just woke up to a huge picture of someone flipping me off. It was on a blog that I routinely check in my Google Reader and let me tell you, I was not amused.
In fact, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me on this particular blog. I appreciate opinions, I appreciate passion, but wow, a huge picture of someone flipping the bird is just about all I can handle – opinions and passions aside. Especially when I strongly disagree with this person’s life views anyway. I kept her in my Reader because she is generally a funny, if not crass, blogger. And I enjoyed her insights because they were so different from mine. Again, I appreciate diversity. But I’ve noticed a trend, a negative trend, and I’m out. Life is too short to be bombarded with so much negativity, you know?
That happened on another blog I had been reading for a while – I eagerly clicked on her blog in GR (Google Reader) and there was a picture of her sticking her tongue down another woman’s throat. Ugh. Not my bag, thanks. Click*Delete
I’d like to think I’m not a prude, but I suppose, on some level, I am. I love interesting writing, I’m not a big fan of being consistently subjected to shocking material. Once in a while, haha, funny … disturbing, but funny. Take me to the edge if you must, but then coax me back, please.
Enough is enough.
I’m becoming quite discouraged by the quality of blogs in my Google Reader. Now granted, there are some really good ones, but there are also some really vulgar, Eff this and Eff that ones, too. What is up with the language? With the shock blogs? I feel like I’m reading Howard Stern wannabes.
Needless to say, I’m sick of it. I’ve been doing some GR housecleaning and am now on an active search for new and interesting blogs. I’m looking for edgy, fun, intelligent, caring and interesting bloggers to follow. If you have any recommendations, believe me, I’m all eyes. 🙂
It’s a cold, crisp morning here at the campgrounds this weekend. We didn’t wake to puffs of smoke coming out of our mouths, but it was pretty darn close. Our camper has a heater, but it also has fold-out-tent-like beds so you can imagine how cold it gets in those beds at night.
The boys are sharing the big fold-out bed at the front of the camper, we’ve sentenced the husband to the back, smaller bed because he snores so loudly, and I’ve been sleeping in the main area, on top of the kitchen table – sounds kinky doesn’t it. 😀
We’re sleeping in t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and sleeping bags, but we’re having to use blankets on top of that. This sounds like I’m complaining when in fact, this is my favorite time of year to go camping. The cold almost startles you when you peel yourself free from your sleeping bag and blanket, but it absolutely wakes you up. There is no grogginess, it’s an instant snap-to-attention sort of thing. It really cracks your morning wide open for you. Then, there’s the whole huddling over a hot, steaming mug of coffee thing.
Aaahhhh … this is the life. The husband is not exactly a big fan of camping, he complains that it’s a lot of work, and it is, but there is just something so soothing to me to be out in the middle of nature. It just calms me. I feel refreshed and recharged.
The sun is coming up now and it’s warming up. It’s supposed to be sunny and in the high 50’s all weekend – perfect. We don’t really plan on doing much, just sort of hanging out and taking it easy. Between the four of us, we have three laptops and me, the husband and MK are currently using them – GD is still asleep. And I hope GD catches up on his sleep this weekend, the boy has been making himself sick (headaches, weak, nauseous) because he’s too freaking stubborn to go to bed at a decent hour because “he’s a teen” now and going to bed early is for little kids.
Pfft. I can’t IMAGINE where he gets that stubborn streak from. So, I’m doing what any good mom would do – I’m letting him wear himself down and learn his lesson the hard way. He’ll have to listen to his body sooner or later.
But back to the laptop thing – yes, we’re one big, happy, geeky family. We love our electronics. I’m going to head to the showers after I publish this entry and then I’m going to pack up my laptop and head to the laundry area where (hopefully) it’ll be quiet and I can get my daily NaNoWriMo word count in.
We went to our favorite Chinese buffet last night; it has sort of become a Branson tradition. Oh, that reminds me, I need to put the Texan Chili recipe in the crockpot today – we’re having that and fresh yeast rolls for dinner tonight (I made the yeast rolls yesterday). We also plan on making a fire and toasting marshmallows and making smores tonight.
That’s GD’s favorite part of camping, the campfires. He’s a regular pyromaniac – sort of worries me actually.
I also love camping because it brings our family closer together. I know that sounds strange given we’re all busy on our laptops and the only sounds you hear right now are the pounding of keys and the clicking of mouses … er … mice, but we don’t have to talk to be together, we’re simply COMFORTABLY EXISTING and these are the moments I’ll remember with fondness.
My birthday is Sunday. We aren’t really planning anything special because the husband already gave me my present (a mini-Dell 9) and this camping trip is part of my birthday gift. No, we’ll get back home Sunday morning, unpack, and then I plan on heading out to the university library and writing. This sounds like I’m abandoning my family doesn’t it? When in fact, it’s giving them a chance to unwind and get caught up on their interests – see? Family quality time doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be together to have that quality time.
At least, that’s what I tell myself. 😉
I’ll be 43. This doesn’t bother me in the least. I think mainly because it doesn’t seem real. It’s just a number. A high number, but we won’t examine that too closely. *smile* It did bother me to turn 40, in fact, that was the birthday I had the most trouble with, but now? Eh, you’re only as young as you feel, right?
And I’m feeling sprightly. Now there’s a word you don’t hear very often. In fact, that word most likely SHOWS my age. haha
It’s now 7:50, the family is up and reaching around me and thumping me on the head – I think that’s my cue to move so they can eat. I’ll try and post pictures later … or not. That’s the beauty of camping, anything goes.
I thought the campaign results for Missouri were interesting:
I don’t think we could have cut it any closer if we tried. 🙂
Congratulations to President-Elect Obama! I pray he does a good job. And how cool is it that we have an African-American President?? Wow, we’ve come a long way, haven’t we? Now we just need to get a woman in office. (Not Palin, please. I’m just saying).
I didn’t get much sleep last night. In fact, it’s safe to say I didn’t sleep worth a crap. My brain simply wouldn’t shut off. I kept thinking about how a government dominated by Democrats would change our country.
In fact, I can’t seem to shake the whole “share the wealth” thing from my head. Or even wrap my thoughts around a possible socialist society. I’m not implying that that is what Obama stands for, or that that’s what the Democrats stand for, overall, but when I see videos like this one, I can’t help but be worried.
Really, really worried.
Now granted, this is only 47 seconds. Perhaps what he says in this video was taken out of context. If that’s the case, then please, send me the link to the full transcript, or even a longer video.
But if it was not, think about the implications of what he’s saying.
When someone says America, what do you think: freedoms, rights, opportunities, the whole rags to riches story, right?
America prides itself on giving it’s citizens opportunities to excel, to prosper, to accomplish great things, right? After all, we’re a nation of people who work 60 + hours a week, who routinely miss family functions and exist on minimal sleep all for the opportunity to make, and save, money to take care of our families and to hopefully have enough to retire comfortably on. Our motivation is making sure that happens, right?
Now, take that same scenario, the working 60 + hours a week, the missing family functions thing, the zombie-like state because we’re exhausted and then picture giving all of our hard-earned cash away, redistributing it, to people who have never, nor will ever care to, work as hard as you. All of your motivation to do well in life, to provide for your family, will likely die. Why wouldn’t it?
That’s what a socialist society is all about. And unless I’m mistaken, that’s what Mr. Jim Moran, congressman from Virginia, is saying.
Here is a notable quote from this video:
We have been guided by a Republican administration who believes in the simplistic notion (emphasis added) that people who have wealth are entitled to keep it and they have an antipathy towards means of redistributing wealth (emphasis added). And they may be able to sustain that for a while, but it doesn’t work in the long run.
You thought you could keep everything you’ve worked to the bone to earn? Silly you.
Again, if this is taken out of context, then please, set me straight. Because if this is truly the route our country is taking, then we’re in real trouble.
And I predict lots of sleepless nights in my future. Oh joy.
And just a side note:
I will be posting password-protected posts from time-to-time. This has nothing to do with any of you that visit me. It has everything to do with my family and my desire to write directly to them. I use real names, I talk about things that are happening in my family and none of these things are suitable for public consumption. They are my own private notes to my family because after all, this is my journal and the reason I blog is to leave a bit of me behind for my family and to provide a creative outlet for my writing. Nothing more, nothing less. So, just ignore those posts, they won’t show up very often. Thank you for understanding.
And now? I’m sick to death of politic talk. No more political posts. In fact, I’m so upset about this video and this emerging attitude, that I’m going to walk away from the ‘net now and go do something productive offline.
There are election posts all over the blog-o-sphere today …
I’m afraid mine won’t be the exception. I’m so sorry, but I need to get this off my chest. This journal is something I would like my children to read someday – I want them to know how I felt about sensitive issues and why I did some of the things I did. But because this post is likely to piss off some people and I have no desire to get into a heated debate with anyone because this is how I feel, and what I’m thinking right now, I’m shutting comments off. Thank you for understanding.
I have to be honest. Since the hubbub of the election theatrics campaigns began, I’ve been reading more and more blog opinions, very strong opinions at times, about our country’s politics in general and our presidential candidates specifically.
And most of them have (eventually) pissed me off to no end.
And I’m not one to usually get too upset over what I read on blogs because come on, we all have opinions. It’s our right to have our own opinions, at least, the last time I checked we still have that right, that may change in the near future, but we’ll cross that bridge if we’re forced to.
And even though we might have been reading certain bloggers for any number of months/years and feel like we KNOW them, we don’t really. You and I both know that a lot of times what is written on our blogs is an exaggeration, or a condensed/diluted version, of real life due to the ever elusive attempt to entertain and/or make people laugh so they will love us and want to keep coming back. So you know, whatever man. Tit for tat. You take everything you read on blogs with a grain of salt; at least you should and I certainly do.
I’ve lambasted written before about how we ought not to judge bloggers simply because someone has picked one candidate over the other. After all, speaking for myself, I’m a Republican, to a point. I don’t necessarily agree with everything the Republicans stand for, but overall, they advocate less government and I’m 100% for that, so I typically vote Republican. Now whether that conjures up an automatic image of me in your mind, so be it. I am who I am, no one can take that away from me, and I will certainly not apologize for that.
But wow. Enough with the condescending I’m-better-than-you-are and what-I-think-is-how-you-should-live attitudes. It’s a huge turn-off. I respect bloggers who present a well thought out argument as opposed to those that nitpick appearances or lifestyles and ignore what’s really important – what they want to do with our country.
I’ve been running since 6:30 this morning. Well, not literally, figuratively … well actually, literally at times.
I got up at 5:45 a.m., went through my normal routine of checking emails, blogs, answering emails, updating websites and then at 6:30, I jumped into the shower, jumped out, made the kids’ lunches (I made an extra sandwich for a friend of MK’s because I’m just awesome like that), took the kids to school, came home, answered two more emails, packed my gear, went up to the public library (not the university library because I didn’t feel like driving all the way over there), got irritated with two women who wouldn’t shut up about some sort of pattern (AARGH! Library! Hello! SHUT THE EFF UP!)
*deep breath*
Wrote 2500 more words, answered another email, met the husband for lunch, had scrumptious McSalty’s club sandwich and potato salad *drool*, went to Wally World (aka Wal-Mart for those that don’t speak Ozark-ian), bought a six-pack of Red Bull …
which is a new addiction, by the way.
and I should totally get paid for this picture,
then back home, to more emails and updates.
*deep breath*
Now it’s about time to get the boys and when we get back? I’m totally taking a 20-minute power nap so I’ll have energy to fold laundry and get dinner started.
BUT,
I’m ahead of the word count game and I’m loving my story so far. I think it definitely has potential. I’ve been doing a little spotty research on NASCAR and have learned some interesting stuff, that I’m of course incorporating into my story. Fun, fun. Look for the prologue tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow, I’m totally dreading it. I’ve been reading that people are being forced to stand in line for HOURS to vote. Swell. I plan on hitting the polls after I drop the boys off at school, then I’ll head to the university library to do more writing.
Even though the media would lead you to believe that Obama is leading, don’t listen to them, they make it sound like Obama has already won the thing. HA! It ain’t over until it’s over, folks. I sort of feel sorry for Obama because IF he wins, he’s going to have a lot to live up to, what with painting a Utopia for people. Good luck, dude. You’ll very well need it IF you win.
We’re scheduled to leave for camping Thursday after the kids get out of school. That will be a challenge to try and get any writing done while in the middle of the boonies, but I’ll figure something out. We had originally thought we would go to Dixie Stampede for my birthday dinner, but after running the numbers and figuring out it was going to cost us OVER $200 to see a show and eat, uh, no thanks. We’ll just go have some cheap steaks or something. Geez, just the thought of blowing $200 on something like that makes me gag chunks.
The weekend was quiet. I spent the majority of it writing …. zZzZzZz …. getting tired of hearing about it yet?
Just think, we still have 27 days left! Lucky you! 😉
I am currently at the public library and I not only ran into some heavy rain, but hail as well.
Rain? I can handle. Hail? Not so much.
I’m driving an ’08 Vibe and the thought of having hail damage freaks me out. Luckily, the library used to be an old lumber yard and they have huge carport structures back behind the building. So, I raced to get under one …
… me and about half a dozen other people.
I can’t really tell at this point if there is any damage, but I’ll be on pins and needles until I know for sure.
In addition, this is Halloween. And there are a TON of little kids dressed up in costume. I’m assuming the library is having some kind of shindig for the children. This also means there are a ton of screaming, yelling, excited children running around.
Swell. At least they are adorable to look at or I might have to get cranky. *grin*
Quick note: I haven’t been to this library in quite a few months. I was pleasantly surprised to see they had added quite a few cubicles, complete with power bars, as well as a few funky tall tables and chairs, next to outlets, I might add. I’m currently sitting in a cubicle, though I wanted to sit at one of the two funky tables.
Only I couldn’t because one table is occupied by a sleeping student and the way the tables are situated, I would be sitting facing the kid and I didn’t want him to think I was staring at him.
Which I would totally be doing if I were sitting at the next table. Not because I’m weird like that, but because I’d be staring and zoning while thinking (I do that) and it could be misconstrued as being stalker-ish.
Another quick note: My mini-Dell is acting squirrely. It keeps toggling from top of page to bottom of page, while I’m typing. Most of the time I don’t notice what’s going on and keep on typing, in the middle of another paragraph because the cursor jumped so I end up spending all of my time undoing the last command and putting the cursor in the correct position. It’s beyond frustrating. It could be a setting, or maybe I’m hitting something by accident, but if we can’t figure it out soon, it may have to go back to the shop.
And there is no way I can use it for NaNoWriMo because I’ll be typing, fast, and I don’t have the time or patience to deal with a bi-polar computer.
It’s a good thing I have my Toshiba laptop to fall back on (and from which I’m typing this now).
In case you’re keeping track, I now have four computers, all to myself.
Write From Karen 