Sunday, November 9, 2008
Go Seminoles!
I equate his excitement about watching FSU in person to a child's excitement about a trip to Disney World. The Seminoles are his Mickey and Minnie. Despite FSU's loss, we had a fantastic weekend filled with fun and tons of incredible food. I love opportunities to get away and it was awesome to be able to spend some time with Mom and Dad. Let's hope the rest of the FSU season is filled with victories (translating to even happier Saturdays at our house)!
Friday, November 7, 2008
It's all about perspective...
First, I'm not by any means saying that electing Obama wasn't historic, it obviously was. Firsts are always a big deal. Whether we elected our first African American president or our first female VP, it was clearly a milestone. Our country continues to progress and that is encouraging. I understand how far we've come and I'm grateful for that, which is why I am discouraged by all of the racial issues surrounding this election.
My point in my last post was that it bothers me that the color of someone's skin, or someone's gender for that matter, is a qualification for office. It's not. I think it is sad if people chose to vote for Obama because they "wanted to be a part of history" and it would have been equally sad for those people that chose McCain-Palin based on Palin's sex. That's selfish, that's not putting your country or others first, that's not what our country is about.
I firmly believe that it is our duty to educate ourselves and cast our vote for the person who we believe is the most qualified to lead our great country. "Qualified" can incorporate many things (religion, policy, records, experience, character, etc.) but things such as race, sex, or age shouldn't be factors in the decision. However, I'm not so naive to believe they aren't for some people. No matter how you factor it in, it's silly. People define "qualified" differently and that's okay, I understand that, but that's not what people are arguing. That's why I'm frustrated.
The bottom line is this, we are privileged to have the opportunity to cast our vote for the person that we want to be our leader. A lot should go into that decision and while I'm glad people showed up in record numbers to vote I would be more encouraged about the progress our country is making if there were more headlines about people's faith in Obama's economic policies, or health care plans, or whatever issue is important to you, than those talking about the history being made and the racial divides. History is important and I'm thankful that I live in a country that allows anyone, regardless of race or gender, to hold the highest offices, but what's more important than that is the history that Obama chooses to make himself, history that doesn't involve skin color, history that includes our national security and our economic strength. Sure, he's the first African American president, but was he the best choice to lead our country? Only time will tell on that one, either way the election went there is clearly a lot to be proven and we'll undoubtedly see history unfold over the next four years.
Our country is at a crucial crossroad and we have a lot of ground to make up. People around the world, including me and my family, are lined up waiting to see what happens next. I truly hope that our new president finds a way to meet in the middle, for the benefit of liberals and conservatives alike, and that he is able to unite our country once again. Here's hoping that the next few years hold many unexpected pleasant surprises.
As for political rants, thank goodness election season is over--back to Oliver and the family!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Here We Go...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Progress...
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Quick update...
As for more important issues, Oliver is still sick. My fantastic and super sweet neighbor came over to check on him during the day today (she saw just how ferocious our guard dog can be) and then Mom came by after work and kept him company. I was hoping that all of the visits and attention would be unnecessary because he would be feeling better, but no such luck. We finally were able to get some medicine in him tonight (thanks to Cassie, aka the dog whisperer), but he won't eat anything and his little face is pitiful. He will act "normal" for a minute and then he goes back into his sick sad mode. It's killing us. Please say your prayers that he starts feeling better soon. We've decided if tomorrow afternoon he's not improving, we're going back to the vet.
I'm off to care for our sick pup--HUGE thanks to everyone who helped us out today. We're a little crazy when our baby is sick and we all appreciate your love!
Where there is smoke...
Some very sweet people were super helpful and tried to minimize my embarrassment, but... too late. Not only did I ruin my lunch, but now I'm sitting here starving and smelling like burnt toast. On the bright side, there were some funny jokes, but mostly a lot of people just pissed about smelling like firemen.
Oh, what a day...
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Oliver has a friend!
Baxter and Oliver
Our sick baby...
Monday, October 13, 2008
Incredible Irony...
Okay, I couldn't resist re-posting the above lead for a story about the upcoming "W" movie (read the full story at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081013/ap_en_ot/film_stone_s_w).
Oliver Stone, the film's director has been repeatedly quoted saying he "doesn't take sides" when it comes to politics--funny, huh? Does he honestly think anyone is buying that? As for me, not for a second. The film, especially the timing of the release, will obviously further a liberal agenda and I'm willing to bet that the irony is even greater. He'll attack George W. Bush saying he's "unqualified to be president," yet I imagine he'll cast his vote for a man who has never really proven to anyone that he's qualified to be president, or even qualified to be a senator for that matter. Funny how that works, huh? I wonder what 'ole Ollie Stone uses as his prerequisites for the most important job in the world. Hmm... point to ponder.
Liberal agendas, liberal media... if I wasn't so afraid of the outcome, I'd say I can't wait for this election to be over. For anyone who isn't registered to vote, you have until 10 days before the election to do so (Oct. 24th if I'm counting correctly) so REGISTER ASAP, unless you plan to vote for Obama, haha, just kidding--sort of. http://www.voteal.org/register.htm
Thursday, October 9, 2008
My birthday...continued!
I rounded out my birthday weekend with tons more fun. Mom, Dad, Allie, Brad and I went to dinner at J. Alexander's Friday night and then celebrated at Mom and Dad's with cake, ice cream and all sorts of fun surprises!
Saturday I spent most of the day out and about with mom (and catching up on the phone with friends calling with sweet birthday wishes) and then some of our fantastic friends came over for dinner and more celebrating. Have I ever mentioned that I have the best friends in the world? I most definitely do. Sissy made me awesome funfetti cupcakes and there were all sorts of other yummy treats (Brad's still talking about Amy's cheese dip). Most importantly, Brad and I were able to really hang out with some of our friends that we don't get to see nearly enough (I think I saw Amy more when she lived in Florence) and some of our friends that we are fortunate to see most every day (they're our neighbors). It's nice to have the opportunity to celebrate with friends from all aspects of our lives. I had a great birthday and can't thank everyone enough for all of their thoughtfulness. I am eager to see what God has planned for my 24th year!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Let the celebrating begin!
My celebrating began with lunch at Taziki's with Rachel. We really were getting together to catch up, but she brought me a super fun surprise and kicked off my weekend of celebrating! I left thinking... I can't wait until tonight when I get to celebrate some more... back to work, blah.
I was at my desk working away when the front desk called to let me know I had a delivery. My sweet husband sent me beautiful flowers (the picture doesn't do them justice) as a pre-birthday surprise--I was pumped, another tally for my "I love my birthday" list. Just as I was getting ready to head back to my desk to admire my lovely flowers, Holly told me she needed to talk to me in the kitchen (I panicked thinking something bad had happened); I was surprised yet again. Miranda (my cubicle neighbor) made me delicious funfetti cupcakes (yep, they picked up on my favorites already) and I celebrated with a sweet card and gift from my friends at work. I was completely shocked and incredibly grateful; I've only worked here for a month and I wasn't expecting anything at all. I am very fortunate to work with such kind and thoughtful people.
Birthdays aren't so much about the celebrating itself, but more so about the fun you get to have with the people in your life. That's why I love my birthday--I get to slow down a bit and hang out with the people that mean the most to me. Yay, for another year... let the celebration continue!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Funny question...
Hollywood?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Oliver's new cousin!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
No worries...
Since I wasn't sure what sort of state he'd be in, I passed up going to Auburn today and Brad invited his dad to go. They left this morning to go and cheer on the tigers. Oliver and I are going to do some things around the house (Halloween decorations anyone?) and then go to Mom and Dad's to watch the game. War Eagle!
P.S. Presidential debate last night--wow! I have way to much to say about that. I'll post about it once I can condense my thoughts. However, think about how many times the phrase "You're right, John" or "John's right" was used... hmm...
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Say a little prayer...
Tomorrow Oliver will be getting neutered and staying overnight at the vet. Yes, that's right, despite Brad's arguments we are having the procedure done. I've read 1,000 articles about how important it is to increasing longevity of life and preventing certain illnesses, so we agreed--why not be proactive?
Although I know it is best for him, I'm a bit nervous. He's obviously never had surgery and we haven't ever boarded him, so he's not used to being in an unfamiliar place. North Shelby County Animal Clinic will be doing the procedure and they come highly recommended, so I know they'll take great care of him; I just have to be a bit more trusting. They kindly let you bring his blankets and toys from home, so hopefully that will offer him some comfort. I can already tell that I will be counting down the hours until we pick him up on Thursday. Say a little prayer for Ollie!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Obamanomics...
Seeing through Obamanomics
By Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe Columnist September 14, 2008
ALL THROUGH the spring and summer, opinion polls tracked a growing confidence that Barack Obama could handle the economy better than John McCain. Just before the Democratic convention in August, Gallup had Obama leading McCain on the economy, 54-38 - a 16-point margin. But now Obama's lead has nearly vanished. Gallup's latest numbers show the candidates nearly tied. Just 48 percent say Obama would be more adept at superintending the economy; 45 percent choose McCain.
Looks like voters have started paying attention to Obama's economics. On Sept. 8, Fox News broadcast an interview between Obama and Bill O'Reilly that focused on taxation and the economy. Obama repeated his pledge to cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans, while raising taxes on the tiny fraction who earn more than $250,000.
"That's class warfare," O'Reilly objected. "You're taking the wealthy in America, the big earners . . . you're taking money away from them and you're giving it to people who don't. That's called income redistribution. It's a socialist tenet. Come on, you know that."
"Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill," Obama replied. "Teddy Roosevelt supported a progressive income tax." He acknowledged that he doesn't enjoy paying taxes either - "you think I like writing the check?" - but that "there are certain things we've got to do." His tax proposal, he explained, was a matter of civility:
"If I am sitting pretty and you've got a waitress who is making minimum wage plus tips, and I can afford it and she can't, what's the big deal for me to say, I'm going to pay a little bit more? That's neighborliness." If that is Obama's rationale for making the tax code even more steeply progressive than it already is, it's no wonder voters are having second thoughts about his economic aptitude.
"Neighborliness." Perhaps that word has a nonstandard meaning to someone whose home adjoined the property of convicted swindler Tony Rezko, but extracting money by force from someone who earned it in order to give it to someone who didn't is not usually spoken of as neighborly. If Citizen Obama, "sitting pretty," reaches into his own pocket and helps out the waitress with a large tip, he has shown a neighborly spirit. But there is nothing neighborly about using the tax code to compel someone else to pay the waitress that tip.
Taxation is not generosity, it is confiscation at gunpoint. Does Obama not understand the difference?
Perhaps he doesn't. Eager though he may be to compel "neighborliness" in others, he has not been nearly so avid about demonstrating it himself. Barack and Michelle Obama's tax returns show that from 2000 through 2004, when their adjusted gross income averaged nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year, their annual charitable donations amounted to just $2,154 - less than nine-tenths of 1 percent. Not until he entered the US Senate in 2005 and began to be spoken of as a presidential possibility did the Obamas' "neighborliness" become more evident. (In 2005-2007, they gave 5.5 percent of their income to charity.)
Obama claims his proposal would lower taxes for 95 percent of Americans, but well over 43 million tax returns, one-third of all those filed, already reflect an income tax liability of zero. In fact, Obama says, his plan would eliminate income taxes for an additional 10 million taxpayers. What he is really proposing, therefore, is not tax relief but a bald transfer of cash - $1,000 per family, he pledges - from the wealthiest Americans to everyone else. In 1972, George McGovern advocated something similar - a $1,000 "demogrant" for every US citizen. Just last year, Hillary Clinton suggested that the government start off every new baby with a $5,000 savings account. Voters didn't take the bait when McGovern and Clinton offered it. Here's betting they won't take it now.
Why not? Because you don't have to be rich to be skeptical when a candidate argues that the top 1 percent of taxpayers, who already pay 40 percent of federal income taxes, aren't being taxed enough. Nor do you have to be an economist to wonder about the grasp of a nominee who tells 95 percent of the public that they can have something for nothing. Obamanomics may look pretty at first glance. But voters are focusing more closely now, and they can see beyond the lipstick.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Vote--It's important!
While issues like health care, taxes, education and the economy are key on the election trail, and certainly factors in my decision, character, a strong faith in God and morals and values in line with mine are equally important when I cast my vote in November. The differences between the two candidates (4 if you add in the potential VP's) are monumental and you better believe that this election will greatly impact some of the things you hold most dear. This election could change the face of our country in a way that no one has ever seen. Everything that we pride ourselves on as a country--freedom, free markets, independence, strength and dignity will be challenged.
It is my hope that more people will come to realize this. Realize that we can't have the best of both worlds and pay close attention to the messages your candidate spread. Are the messages strong and consistent across all playing fields? Can you only tax the rich and then expect jobs and wages to increase? Noway, the rich are the ones hiring and paying. With the current state of the economy can you afford to pay more taxes? Not me. Is it the government's job to take care of every individual, regardless of their abilities? No. It is essential to look beyond the flashy talking points and think about substance, consider the effects of certain changes. Think about what it means for you, your family, your community and your country.
We're less than two months away from election day. Now is the time to do your homework, learn about these candidates, their records and their beliefs and make your choice. Pay attention to the upcoming debates, pay attention to what the candidates are saying and learn to ignore extreme liberal media messages.
Study up, register to vote if you haven't and go to the polls on November 4th. The choice is ours and the stakes have never been higher.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
When one door closes, another one opens...
Monday, August 18, 2008
Happy Birthday Kaley!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Not so beautiful day in the neighborhood...
I was standing in my neighbor's driveway chatting after work when another neighbor from down the street pulled up. She was kind enough to explain, in detail, that her house and her neighbor's had been broken into sometime yesterday between 11:00 and 1:00. I was shocked--are people really brave enough to break into a house, one that's barely a driveway's distance from the next none the less, in the middle of the day?!? Obviously so! She hadn't figured out what all was missing yet because her home was completely torn apart, but she did notice that both hers and her husband's jewelry was gone and the kind intruders spilled drinks all over her bed! I really can't get over the nerve, and sense of entitlement that some people have. It's truly disappointing!
Needless to say all of the activity in the neighborhood has made me a little nervous. I freakishly checked the locks last night and was extra cautious going in and out. I'm not usually one to get scared, but this time it was a little too close to home. Our house is already wired for a security system, so who knows, maybe we'll activate it? I'm planning to check into some different providers. I hate to overreact, but on the other hand, I would die if I came home to a kicked in backdoor, a destroyed home and... well who knows what would happen to little Oliver! Better safe than sorry, right?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
My all important review...
Thanks to our recent weekend at the each, I have finally finished my latest read--Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger. I was hesitant to even begin this book because while I loved the movie version of The Devil Wears Prada I was incredibly disappointed by the book (which doesn't usually happen, movies are typically far less entertaining than the story in print). However, with my upcoming move to a more defined role in Public Relations I was interested to read about the lead character, Bette's, leap into the PR world.
As I muddled through the early chapters I feared that the story would be a complete repeat of Devil Wears Prada--plain Jane steps out of a lack luster life and into NYC mainstream chaos (take out Runway fashion and insert a high profile PR company and there you have it)... well, that proved true, but despite the glaring similarities to her first book, Weisberger managed to create characters I was able to root for and scenarios that actually bordered on realistic. Reader beware--there is not much mystery here. I am usually the last one to figure out who the "bad guy" is, but in this case it was embarrassingly obvious not even half way through the book. However, that aspect of the story line isn't what kept me reading--it was the love story. An unpredictable love triangle kept me turning the pages, pulling so hard for my favorite leading fellow (side note, if this man existed in real life I would insist that my friends pursue him like man eaters).
All in all, I'd definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a simple, entertaining story. There's nothing complicated to understand and it's definitely a quick read. Overall, I'd give it a solid B. Now, I need to move on to another book. Maybe this time I should venture into something a bit more... challenging or informative? Any suggestions?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Family Vacay!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Two weeks notice... good idea!
I am starting week two of my nearly 4 week notice and I am confident that whoever thought that a month's notice was necessary, or even a good idea, was seriously mistaken. I have worked at the Cancer Center for about a year and a half and in that time, in my natural way, I have kept everything I am responsible for in an order that could be picked up and executed by any one who comes behind me, thus making the transition easy. Having these sort of things done, I assumed that should my time to leave come I would happily be able to work out a bit of a notice and then be on my merry way... not so much. I am SLOWLY transitioning (thanks to all of those folks) and then picking up every meaningless task along the way. Want to know who's organizing other people's e-mails? ME! Hooray, I love really making a difference.
However, the upside is that all of the nonsense that continues to fill my days is making it easier to part ways with an organization that I truly do care about. Some of the people I work with are undeniably some of the nicest people I've ever met and thinking about not coming in and "debriefing" with them in the morning is somewhat depressing. Oh how things work out... I won't even begin to explain that I'll be working the entire weekend FOLLOWING my last day of employment. Yes, that's right I won't be an employee, but am somehow required to come. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about fulfilling responsibilities, but this is far from that, this is payback... Nice!
I'm not going to ramble about this anymore... well at least not today. I'm simply trying to look forward to August 25th!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Better late than never...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Changes...
Unfortunately, my supervisor here at the CCC isn't budging much on UAB's one month notice policy, so I'll be at the Cancer Center until August 22nd and I'll start at o2 ideas on August 25th. Oh well, more time to enjoy my fantastic friends here at the Cancer Center!
More details to come...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Happy 4th of July!
We had red, white and blue covered, coincidence? I think not.
Some of the girls
Casey and Rebecca, so sweet!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Oliver meets Hallie!
I think he knows he's cute?
Oliver and Linds