Vote according to the dictates of your own conscience?

This is a statement which in some way or another is sent out in a press release to each branch or ward throughout the world near elections. This year the First Presidency has sent out a new letter. We should all hear it in the near future from the pulpet in Sacrament meeting. If you don't you can read it at the lds.org website search First Presidency Issues Letter on Political Participation...under the gospel library...date 22 Sep 2008. What part of the statement do many people not understand? Is someone lesser or wrong if they believe one person is better than another just because they are from one political party or another? I am just mixed up sometimes about the thoughts of people. Just to let you know we have many members in the LDS church who are registered democrats...we have probably more who are registered republicans. I am going to follow the prophet and vote according to my own conscience (voting for the person I believe will do the best for our country and people.) We need to vote and give others the right to vote and not feel judged if those votes differ. Sometimes I may vote republican and sometimes it may be democrat. So no more judging jokes according to what I or anyone else votes please. I believe we need to be grateful for those who will do their duty and vote...whatever the vote is... I remember many a time when my parents went to vote...they never missed...they would say they had to go cancel each others vote out. One would usually vote once way and the other the opposite. They were a good example of the importance of voting tho. They didn't hate each other or make mean jokes about the other because of their votes either. Thank you very much mom and dad for the great example.

Sadness...

You know in this life there are things people need and things people want. I don't know if I need a child...however, I want one of my very own. I want to be able to have a say as to how they are raised and I know they would be loved and not taken advantage of in any way. I would say I am sorry if I messed up...because I would mess up. Cause, I am not perfect. If I could choose qualities in a child of mine...I would choose a child like Timi Grant. She isn't perfect either. She is a kid...dang is she a kid. I love her so much. She has taught me so much in this life about love, gratitude, patience and strength. I want the best for her. I want so badly for her to be happy. She is going through a hard time right now and I am suffering with her. I want it all to turn out so well. How do you make life the way you want it to be for those you love. Isn't it horrible to see those you love suffer?

I am grateful if I couldn't have a child I was blessed with Denise as my sister to have Timi as my niece. Thanks for everything Timi. You are loved so much and forever.

Meine Seester

Denise is my very favorite little sister. She is a sweetie. She works VERY hard and tries to do her best at everything. She is VERY talented. She can crochet up a storm and has made numerous beautiful things...table linens, afghans, pillows, clothes and a VERY beautiful tablecloth she gave to us. I am so proud to have her as a sister. She is SOO funny. I laugh really hard when I talk to her. I can not believe it has been so many years since this picture was taken. She was and is a beautiful person. Thanks, Denise, for being a HUGE part of my life. You are appreciated. Moochies kiddo! To all of you who are reading about Denise for the first time...if you have the chance...this is a person who can enrich your life. Take a chance.

Cracked Claus

Yesterday I received a late birthday present from my sister Shawna and her three beautiful little girls - Grace (5), Martha (2) and Clara (5 months). As I opened the box and carefully unwrapped the tissue paper, there was the beautiful Santa ornament with a heart. I collect Santas of all sorts. As I looked at the ornament I noticed a small open crack at the top of the heart. As I read the card that she had attached, I discovered that our little Martha had to hold it when they bought it and of course being 2 she dropped it. So, I have a cracked santa! I love him. That crack is special to me. Grace picked out the Santa with the heart because they love me and Martha added her own special touch. That cracked my heart!

Our Friends, Liza and Randy Hunt

Ok, so I follow our friends, Liza and Randy's blog. Today is Chile's Independence Day. I know how much I value our independence here so I wanted to give a bit of a shout out to Liza for her country's independence day. She is such a sweet person. Chile is a BEAUTIFUL!!!! country. If you want to see pictures please notice their blog on ours (I've found a way to make you smile)...it is full of pictures of the different regions in her country. IT IS SO WONDERFUL! We are blessed as well to have such a great person here in our country. I LOVE learning about different cultures. Liza has really opened my eyes to new things. I appreciate her and Randy for that. Cudos!!!! Friends!!

She's something

That wife of mine...I'm telling you she is something. I love Cherie. She even takes up for me in our blog! LOL I am long-winded sometimes. I just have to say what I feel..."in Miami you can get a great seafood meal!" That's from an episode of the "Golden Girls" (an 80's tv show for those too young to know). Cherie and I tend to do little things like that when we're talking to one another. We'll start a sentence and realize that somehow it fits with another comment from a movie or tv show and we break into dialog. We're goofy that way. I love that about us. I love a lot of things about us. We have fun together. We laugh a lot and most of the time at one another - in a good way. Cherie has a wonderful sense of humor and laughs easily. That's another great quality she has. She loves "hard" too. By hard, I mean passionately and loyally. You couldn't ask for a better friend. As I've mentioned before you have to be careful sometimes when you're her friend because she'll do anything to please. It's hard to not take advantage of that. She'll do what you ask and listen closely to things you love and then try her best to give that to you. I'm lucky and I know it. Sadly, I do not have a picture of her on my list here so I won't be able to put anything there. Sad. I do have a picture of her here at work on my desk. It was taken several years ago but she still looks the same - that smile, those brown eyes, those nostrils! LOL I know she's going to kill me for that one! I had to say that because... well, it's a long story and I promised myself I'd keep it shorter today. She'll know what I mean, though. Even though these blogs are a diary of sorts, it's nice to occasionally boast about something you have in your life that you wouldn't change for anything. With all the things in life that sometimes don't go our way, we've got each other and that is really SOMETHING!

It is long...but from the heart.

Ok, so the last blog by my wonderful husband is long. It is from the heart. You don't have to agree with everything on a blog do you? I am kinda new at this. Jeff is very intense...of course, I am to in many ways. I don't say a whole lot about my political views...however, he has good ideas even if everyone doesn't agree with them all...so he thinks the last blog is to long and wants to know if he should delete it. Can you take the time to read it and comment on the things you can? You can read it in sections if it is to much to read at once..ha. I told him to leave it on here. I mean, it is our blog afterall and he feels like he feels.
I am doing better. We were supposed to go to Kendallville Branch to church last sunday for a baptism. I just wasn't feeling good. You know old lady stuff...mixed up and all. I hope Jesse Jacobs had a great and wonderful baptism. We are so proud of him.
We are celebrating Jeff's birthday today...going to Jeff's favorite restaurant and to see a movie. Hopefully, mom is feeling ok today...when it is time to go...and will be fine being home alone for that long...maybe we will just be able to go to eat? We shall see.

A Mish-mash

I just thought I'd write today a little bit of everything. Cherie is so sweet to me. She has a very self-deprecating sense of humor sometimes. She makes me out to be better than I am most of the time, too. I love her for that, though. I had a wonderful birthday, and thanks to you all who commented. I ended up taking the day off - it really wasn't planned but I figured, what the heck, it's my birthday! We obviously didn't have any plans due to my impromptu vacation but it was nice to just have a quiet day at home and to take a ride with the one I love most. She bought me a birthday cake from the lady who did our wedding cake. I had been watching some show the other day and they were eating wedding cake and I commented on how wedding cake sounded really good. Don't you just love wedding cake? There's something soft and moist about most wedding cakes that you don't get with other ones. Anyway, she ordered me a birthday/wedding cake! It was great. I have to be careful of the things I mention around her when it comes close to birthday time or Christmas because she listens intently and will try her best to accommodate any wish I have. She is wonderful that way, too. What a great woman I have in my life. She forgets how wonderful I thought she was when we were out at school, too.

I remember one year I wanted my hair frosted - remember this was the 80's! LOL She put this little cap on my head and pulled my hair through the little holes in it. My hair turned out more platinum blonde than frosted, but I loved it! It was very Billy Idol, very "White Wedding"! The bad part was that I was trying out for a part in the musical "Oklahoma" and my blonde hair stuck out too much. I didn't get the part. That was the Fall of 1987. My how time flies. I can't believe I'm 43 either.

What is 43 supposed to feel like? I remember my mom at 43 - I was 24 then. WOW! Weird, huh? I guess most people my age have children at home or in college or both. I have neither. Most have been working for years at their careers. I haven't been. Most people probably have a house, mortgage, and take family vacations. I have none of those either. Oh well, I'm an anamoly for someone my age. I guess the "norm" was never to be me. Hence the title of our blog..."Life is a Roller Coaster". I remember telling Cherie before we were married that she better hold on because my life was not a Merry-go-round. I tended to have the kind of life that was a roller-coaster, filled with ups and downs and scary turns and flips. Needless to say, that's exactly how our lives have been these last 13 years together. I'm glad I have someone on the ride with me, though. It would even be more scary and lonely without that extra passenger. I have always loved roller-coasters, so I guess that's what you get when you are a thrill-seeker such as I. However, sometimes, in retrospect, it's hard to feel a part of regular everyday life when you don't exactly fit in. It's hard to find those commenalities with others because you don't have the same reference points. It does make things difficult sometimes and it does take a great deal of conviction to live a life such as ours. Although it may not be ideal for most, it's mine and it's all I know. Good or bad, that's how it has been for me.

Even though the idea of comparing life to carnival rides is exciting, living it can be a challenge. I was thinking the other day of the few posts I've made on this blog. I was thinking of the one specifically of the Obama's. My sister-in-law told Cherie that she thought I was only voting for Obama because his wife had a good sense of style! LOL I was at first a bit put off by that, but then figured I should have mentioned other things that have drawn me to him as a potential president. Remember, I said this was going to be a mish-mash of thoughts today so bear with me...I just really feel very strongly that we need change in this country. I love being an American. I love our country. I wanted to say that at first because I also want to say that I get really upset with our country and sometimes I am not so proud to be an American. I feel that our leaders over the last eight years have ruined our reputation as a nation globally. I feel that attitudes even among everyday Americans have become twisted and complacent. We need change. We need better health care for our citizens. There should never be someone in this country who is in need of health care. I don't care what the disease or the cost, we are living in the one of the wealthiest and most progressive countries in the world and the idea that people have to sacrifice everything just to be made well is very sad to me. I believe that the McCain campaign is of the attitude that many are - that we should just take care of our own lives without government help. I think that's fine to a degree, but there are many who do not have that ability. I have seen and been witness to many people who suffer unnecessarily in this country. It's interesting that they want government out of some things yet want it in others, i.e. a women's right to choose...I'll say no more.

Also, our middle-class is suffering horribly. My neice has to take out massive amounts of student loans and be stradled with debt because her parents make too much money to qualify for student aid, they cannot afford to pay for the high cost of her education. She is a smart, witty and talented young woman. She does not deserve to start her life post-college being indebted.
When I was in college I remember working with a young woman who was from Korea.
She was an international exchange student and our country, yes the good 'ol US of A, was literally paying her to go to school in our country. She was not given as much as others and I remember her telling us of students from Japan who were at BYU who were able to buy fancy cars with the extra money they were being given by our country. Even she was appalled. We have to educate our own people. This was also in the late 1980's when this was happening, guess who was President then? You got it...George the 1st. We should be educating our own children. One of the things that makes a civilization progress and exist is the value it places on education. Not just on learning to read and write but to be productive, trained and skilled individuals with strong communication and cognitive skills. These things are intrinsically important.

Along with change, healthcare and middle class rejuvenation, I also agree with Barack Obama on his stance for change in the economy and also with the war in Iraq. I feel like we really have our work cut out for us as a nation in patching up our alliances throughout the world. It's important that we remain a member of our world community and not be lost. I don't mean we should compromise our beliefs, but there are ways of diplomacy that have been ignored during this last administration. We are all human beings on this planet and we have a responsibility to one another. When one country has more than another, they should share. I know that's idealistic and rather utopian in thought, but it's a good idea in theory. I'm not sure the Obama campaign has taken that stance, but I do feel that there is a chance for better foreign relations if he were elected President. This mess of a war that is going on Iraq, too, needs and deserves attention. We need to get our people out of there. We are beginning to turn this war into another Vietnam where we are fighting other countries' wars for them. This is not right and it costs everyone. We cannot just pull out now - I realize that, but I think the whole thing was started on false pretenses and most of the United States went along with it because of 9/11. We were all hurt and confused about those tragedies on that day seven years ago so we were vulnerable. I feel that the Bush administration took advantage of that to begin it's attack on Saddam Hussein and his regime. Was Saddam Hussein a monster? Yes. There's no question of that, but the pretense that there were weapons of mass destruction was proven to be false. I know that he was a tricky person with no morals, but are we the world police department? We have to be wise in these decisions and we have a current president who can't even say "nuclear" correctly!

One more thing before I abandon my political viewpoint, is about Sarah Palin. I have to comment on all the hoop-la about her. I think she's fine, ok. Fine. I, however, do not want her as our Second-in-command. It is not because she is female. I believe there will be a female president one day. However, I feel she is unqualified and I am not impressed with her family relations. Why is this woman running for VP when she has a newborn child with Downs Syndrome and now has a 17 year old daughter who is pregnant? Would you, as a mother or father, subject your 17 year old to the eyes of our prying world when she is in this state? I mean she knew before she accepted the nomination that her daughter was pregnant. Is Alaska so far-removed from the rest of the United States that she didn't think the media would have a hey-day with this? I mean honestly, come on! There were many other more qualified individuals who John McCain could have chosen. Let's just say I feel the whole thing is very seedy. I feel like his motivation was nothing more than an attempt to get the "Hillary" voters. Sarah Palin in my honest opinion, was a fool to fall for this request. Being Governor of a state would have been enough for anyone with her family responsibilities, but to go on such a national stage is ridiculous. What about the boy who is the father of this child and his family? Did they consult with him or his parents before she made this decision? They will be drug through the mud along with her daughter as well. Just one more thing I have to say in this regard, too, is that I am absolutely shocked at the blatant hypocrisy of those in the Republican party for acting like everyone should be supportive of her. I have known many people who are Republican and lived in Utah (Republican-ville USA) and you can't make me think that they are all so holier-than-thou that they are thinking this teenage pregnancy isn't appalling. They are, and to ask us to believe them is ridiculous. They were "stuck" with this situation and now they are trying to be more "liberal" in their own show of acceptance. Believe me people, this is all a big show and I feel sorry for those who are falling for it.

OK, I've gone from birthday to politics. I guess I've said more than enough, but I am definitely passionate about some things in this life. I do not believe that one way of thinking is better than an another, but I believe that honesty and compassion go a long way. Even though I may be for Barack Obama, I do not vote a straight ticket. I vote my conscience and vote for who I believe is the best candidate. For example, and I will put this plug in, too, I really like Mitch Daniels, the Governor of Indiana. Even though he is a good friend of W, who I won't comment on, I still think he has done a good job here in the last four years and unless something changes, he will probably have my vote in November. So, you see, I feel that we should all examine the issues and be careful in our choices. I just happen to believe one way.

We are all citizens of this planet. We have to think before we act. It's hard and I'm not perfect either, but we have to be thoughtful and careful with who we choose to lead our countries. We, who have a right to vote, should do so. I love being an American today. How exciting a time we live in to have history being made as we live! I'm glad to be 43, too. I wouldn't want to be a teenager again - been there, done that one! LOL I love my wife. She's my world. I guess no matter what happens we have our two kitties and each other. I'm glad for that. I can at least lay down at night with the knowledge that I'm with those I love. I just want a better world for us all to wake up to the next morning.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday. He is such a sweet heart. It seems like just yesterday I met him. I saw him the first time when I was just home from my mission. He had come out to BYU after his mission. I was out there seeing my sisters who were there. He was SOOOO handsome. His hair was GORGEOUS!!!!! He had a wonderful haircut and his hair was very light blond from the sun in California...He dressed really great as well. I saw him and remember thinking he was really cute...beautiful teeth as well. Then I went out to BYU to school in the winter of 1987 and saw him many times. He still had the blond hair and dressed in suits because he had an office job on campus. He had a long wool coat that was really nice. He certainly didn't look like someone I would ever marry. I never thought he was even a choice for me. Heavenly Father must really love me!!!
Well, I met Jeff that winter but didn't get to know him until a few months later. We have known each other for 21 years now? Can you believe it? He is 43 years old today...he was born about 8:10am on the 10th of September! So...I have been blessed for him to be in my life for so long. I can not believe I have been with him for 12 years, actually 13 years in October. We will have been married for that long, I mean.
I am so very grateful for my husband. I know he is such a good man. I know I am blessed and I try very hard to not take him for granted. I sure love him and I know Heavenly Father has had a HUGE influence in what has happened in our lives. We struggle with some things...however, we are able to talk about EVERYTHING and anything...alot of tears and trials. I am just SOOOOOOO blessed.
I have to say...I love ALL of my family. I have to say, as well, I have been given through marriage the most wonderful in-laws...who are just like my family...as a matter of fact they are my family. I am soooooooooooo excited for each of them and their families in our lives.
Birthdays are so awesome! I am so excited for Jeff's birthday today. He is a wonderful and great man. He gives men a good name. I adore him!!! Moochies, my Jeffrey!!! Thanks so much for you!