A Word from Jay Leno

"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3's of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?''< /SPAN>

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.

Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and
provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.

Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The Commander-In Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it...are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.

They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads; and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about "how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way"...Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is ex potentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.

"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

Jay Leno

Let the Craziness Commence!

On top of this weeks school, tball, brownies, work, etc...Todds mom, Carolyn, flies in this morning. Thursday his brother Bryan and family arrive and next week is spring break! So if I don't blog for a week...thats why. Or maybe we'll do lots of cool things and I'll be on everyday...who knows? Either way have a great week!

Happy Easter & Lots Of Pics!

We had a wonderful day. The easter bunny brought baskets for the kiddos and Max. We all went to church and then headed to the park for our "traditional" Easter BBQ. Lots of family and my friend Jenni all made it out there. Even the dogs got to come out! We ate, talked, played frisbee and blew bubbles. I even got an hour in outside tanning time during "quiet time" and we watched Enchanted which the Easter bunny brought Tori. Then we cleaned house and took baths to prepare for our normal schedule resuming tomorrow. Enjoy the pics!

Tball

From Wednesday's game!

No cake for me.

You cannot have your cake and eat it too. You cannot work tons of hours and be a stay home mom. Pardon the whining post...

I am TIRED! I love my job and its craziness...I actually really like the atmosphere of a hospital in the middle of the night. But I dont really ever get a normal amount of sleep and even when I come close in hours its never back to back...its like 2 hours here, 2 hours there, etc. And my part time job had me working 36 hours this week...thats not part time! My eyes slighly resemble the before in a Visine commercial.

Now I realize lots of people work but I have this insane idea that I can do that and still be the stay home mom who attends MOPS, goes to lunch with friends and their kids, cleans, does laundry, cooks meals, takes care of the dog, leads brownies, is cookie mom, volunteers at church, etc...oh yeah and sew. I should really let the sewing go but its like a profitable hobby, something I really enjoy. Making it hard to give up.

I should learn that I can't have my cake and eat it too. Oh well I really should stay away from cake anyway :-)

Easter Eggs

Before I went and bought another kit with the same old colors, maybe a little glitter, etc I thought I would see what else what out there. Check out these awesome eggs you can make using dyes and household items like tinfoil, bubble wrap, rubberbands, thumbprints, and string.

Now the real question is will we actually try one of these?

Another Top Ten!

Ten More Cool Things:

1. To Go!
Same food, same price, no wait = Amazing!

2. www.kayak.com - fast, easy, cheap, love it.

3. Coffee + Godiva = Yummy!



4. Eli Stone - great show, watch it here.

5. Very cool art decor on etsy. Cubicle!

6. Cute craft idea for Monday:

Instructions at Family Fun.

7. Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Granola Bars are delicious and fill you up enough to be a quick meal on the go, love that!

8.
Okay I like McDonalds but its not a top ten...the seasonal Shamrock Shake definitely is though! Especially since Checkers did not bring back their absolutely to die for Baileys Shake.

9. Wall Words - Make a semi-permanent statement in your home and it still looks fabulous - whats not to love?

10. Mickey Waffles - with something like this for breakfast how could you not start your day smiling? Yes I am a Disney fanatic. But really...cute!

Swell

Super cute Kate in "Swell", fabric by Urban Chiks.

Easter Egg-Stravaganza

Next Saturday, March 22nds is the Easter Egg-Stravaganza at our church. Inflatable, carnival games, egg hunts, a one man circus, and more...all for FREE! If you are local and interested and did not already get an email let me know and I will send you details.

Another sick day...

The kids are home AGAIN today...and they are bored to death. Sick of coloring, sick of Hannah Montana and the Suite Life. Tristan is dying to go out on the back porch but he just runs around like a wild animal set free from a cage. I am glad they are getting this now not when cousins and family are here or over spring break but I am sick of them being sick. Its a sad day when the highlight of it is grocery shopping, which I also hate for the record!

Ridiculous

I have a fascinating job by most people's standards, including my own actually. I get paid really well. Okay so the hours really suck.

I was checking out a website for this pirate cruise that we are going to go on while Todd's family is in town and was reminded how much I want to be a summer pirate. I am sure they make way less, they have to make fools of themselves, and in the summer its scorching hot on that boat. Yet I would love to be a "pirate."

Hi my name is LeShayne and I am ridiculous.

Anticipation

I love looking forward to things. It makes the daily stuff go by faster and makes it more enjoyable. I have passed this thinking on to my kids too...last night's conversation:

"I am having my best friend sleeping over for the whooooooooooole night, we're gonna stay up until 9:30." - Tori

"Well I'm having my friend Ian sleepover for the whooooooooooooole vacation." - Tristan

Cute! Glad he thinks of his cousin as his friend, they didn't have that for awhile. I also love that my kids dont feel like they have to "go" somewhere to be on vacation. Pirate ship and strawberry picking here we come!

The countdown begins....

Cookie season is almost over...5 days until the final money is due. The last cookies will go out this week (don't worry B&L yours have been safely tucked away until you arrive). The girls will turn in the last of their stuff tomorrow.

And by this time next week I will be cookie free and my favorite season will officially be here - SUMMER!!!!!

To sum up : Augh. Ew. Oy vey.

Augh - on my to do list for the weekend is 2 custom orders, 1 new set, a tball game, lunch with my family in Brandon, an "end of the radiation" party at Todd's dads this evening, window washing, church, a cookie booth, youth group and an 8 hours shift at the hospital. And of course the regular laundry, swiffering, dishes, meals, etc.

Ew - last night Tristan proceeded to throw up on my living room floor, because daddy was closest and is a guy instead of getting something and bringing it to him so it was all in one place he picked Tristan up and carried him to the bathroom so it streaked across the entire living room, hallway and bathroom. Poor Tristan. Thank the Lord for laminate though. (Needless to say I got a head start on house cleaning - floor has now been wiped down, swiffered, and steam cleaned.)

Oy Vey - I am not sure my to do list is gonna get done. The tball is a definite no...but I guess we'll see about the rest. Hoping it was a 24 hour bug and its passed.

Cute as a Bug!

Isn't she just adorable? If only you could hear her talk!!! I love that age where they talk about everything and nothing and are always fascinated. She took great pics so she got princess treats on the way home...just so you know.

Ladybug Summer

Book Tag

Laurie tagged me and since I happen to have a book near me...a couple actually...I am willing. Randomly Grabbed...

1. Pick up the nearest book (at least 123 pages) - ok done - Scream Free Parenting (its my theology/parenting books/dog training shelf; the novels are kept elsewhere)

2. Turn to page 123 - yep...

3. Find the 5th sentence

4. Post the 5th sentence on your blog.
"By saying "can be" instead of "always" you are recognizing the propensity of change."

Sentences like that one might be the reason that I did not finish the book. The guy was apparently a better speaker than writer which is why I own the book.

I tag Jenni and Melissa (gumdrop).

Surfs up!

Surf's Up! I love this surfer fabric and cute Isabella makes it shine. Thanks for looking!

Kitchen Quotes

Was looking for Wall Words for my kitchen and found these that are either so true or they just cracked me up:

"No husband (man) has ever been shot while doing the dishes."

"Todays menu has two choices...Take It or Leave It."

"If we are what we eat, then I'm fast, cheap and easy."

"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand."

"Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator"

"Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate and wine."

Lessons from Today

1. God knew I could handle only TWO children (both kids have friends over).

2. I am never going to be skinny again (I like cookies too much).

3. Sleep is not cumalative (if I got 10 hours last nights it doesnt mean I only need two tonight).

4. Dominos thin crust pizza tastes like cardboard. (have you had it?)

5. When you have a day to enjoy the sunshine it will rain, when you have a busy day it will be as sunny as can be. (yesterday rain, today sun)

Fun blog stuff!

How many colors can you name in 5 minutes? I apparently am not as colorful as I thought! Maybe another day when I am feeling cerebral I'll attempt the countries.

47

Archery...

While at camp the girls got to learn to shoot arrows from a real bow. It was bigger than them! Needless to say this took much concentration and fear apparently. Check out these faces!

Encampment 2008

The Girl Scouts sponsor a themed encampment each year - this year it was at Camp Dorothy Thomas in the Riverview area. The theme was pirates. Here are some pics from our weekend. The girls had a blast and it went pretty well...glad to be home, I am tired and have never been so thankful for hot showers in my life :-)

Our camp greeter:

Playing circle games in our cabin:

Some girls waiting their turn at archery (using a real bow and arrow - eek!)

Arts & Crafts included tie dying pillowcases, making eye patches and these pirate beaded necklaces:

Proof that we were in the middle of nowhere...this grew naturally