Another moment of "What are they thinking?"

So have you heard of the new law going in to effect next month? I'm not sure our gov't officials really thought this through very well. It affects everything!

If you haven't heard (or read the article in the link), there's a new law on the books effective Feb 10, 2009, that says that ALL children's items being sold or given away must be tested for safety (free of lead and something else I can't remember the acronym of). So resale shops, handmade items at craft fairs and online and *gasp*, stores that sell used children's books (including homeschool books) will have to have all their items tested. The problem is is that it's quite pricey to have those items tested, and most of the small businesses and work-at-home moms won't be able to afford it. And even our children's libraries will be affected.

This is just craziness. Now I'm feeling compelled to go stock up on clothes for the kids from the great little resale shop I just found. And I need to get the kind of sling that I was planning on buying because the only way you can find them is handmade. AND I'll need to go buy all the baby bows I was planning on getting from a work-at-home mom.

I wonder if our marvelous gov't will bail my behind out with all the debt I may incur before Feb. 10.

At first, I thought this was totally no big deal and just a case of a slow news day and sensationalist reporting on the part of the news station I heard it on (local news, not my precious Fox News). But the more I've heard and read and learned, the stupider this sounds. At a time of 'economic crisis', they choose to enact a law that could shut down an entire industry?? What are they thinking???

Of course, one thing I read said that early last year, people were jumping up and down about the safety of our kids' toys after all the recalls. We were all yelling for gov't intervention. That's another moment of, "Be careful what you wish for".

I knew it was coming

I was pretty sure this would be the next thing we would be hearing about.

A lot less talk, and a little more action

Well, it's over now. Thank goodness. I've made it no secret here in my little corner of the bloggy world who we were supporting in the election last night. So obviously, we're not exactly stoked in the Sweet house this morning. I was wrong on how quickly the election would be decided, and I was really surprised at how large the margin was between the two candidates. I thought for sure it would be much much closer, regardless of who won. But I still stick to my thought that about half of the country shares in my disappointment this morning. I also find it--what? strange, funny, ironic?--that our Democrat-run congress has a 9% approval rating, and yet, we've elected more democrats to office. I'm not sure what that says. However, most all the county and state elections went the way that I voted, so I'm feeling pretty good about that.

Saying that I'm skeptical of a President Obama is an understatement. I don't think that he can accomplish everything that he's promised, and honestly, I don't want him to since I don't agree with any of his policies or plans. But I'm trying to keep an open mind and I'm accepting that this has been the decision of our country. It takes every shred of will and maturity that I have within me to do that, though. I'm interested to see what direction the country will take and to see if Americans are happy with the change they've voted for. Honestly, I'm a little nervous. But I'm holding tight to my belief that God is in control of this. So I remain optimistic and hopeful.

I hope that in the next 4 years I'm pleasantly surprised by how this all plays out. But I'm also prepared to quit just talking about politics and half-whining about what I don't want to happen. I decided a couple days ago (before we knew who would be elected) that for the 2012 election, I'm going to do more. I'm still going to talk about it, I'm still going to be listening to everything that's going on, but I'm going to find my politicial cause and the candidates that I back, and I'm going to get involved. I'm not sure why I didn't make that decision 6 months ago. I know it wouldn't have made a difference in this election, but I think I would have felt better about the outcome.

So I'm curious...what are your thoughts today? What do you think the next 4 years has in store for us?

Our civic duty is done for the day

We voted! The kids were excited, even though I don't think they fully comprehended the whole process. But each of the older two boys got to help press our "Cast Ballot" buttons and Stephen helped me spin my little dial to make our selections. I was hoping we'd get some stickers like we have in the past, but we didn't. Darn. I was really in it for the sticker. :)

We had a little scare in our voting process. The place that we normally go to to vote told us that our name wasn't on the list and told us to try another precinct's polling place. I was worried that something had happened to our registration. But we headed over to the other precinct and sure enough, we were on that list. I think the change in polling places has something to do with where we vote in the primaries vs. the general election.

I'm excited and nervous to find out the results, but like I stated a few days ago, I'm relieved that this campaign season is over. I'm not naive enough to believe that this election is over yet, though. I have a feeling this thing might drag for a few days at least. And it is a little disheartening that no matter who wins this election, at least 50% of the country won't be happy. People just feel so strongly about it.

So I hope you've voted. An opportunity to help make such a huge decision doesn't come along every day.

Is it over yet?

November 4 is fast approaching, and while that day holds significance for me every year, this year on our anniversary, Sweet Hubby and I will be casting what I think is the most important vote we have ever cast. Actually, this is only my second time to vote in a presidential election (the first time I was eligible, there was a registration error that kept me from being able to vote in 2000). But this year, it feels more urgent.

I know a lot of people would call this election done, based on the poll numbers. But it's not yet. I don't trust the polls at all. And I read that at this point in the 2004 race, Kerry was up by 6 points according to the polls. However, despite not believing the polls and not being convinced that this whole thing is wrapped up for one particular candidate, I'm not exactly hopeful. Mainly because I think that whatever happens, this process leading up to November 4 has left a bad taste in my mouth. There's been lies, fraud, hateful words and actions, and all around awfulness from the supporters of each campaign that keeps normal people from being able to completely trust any candidate, if that were even possible. No matter who gets elected, I think we the people have been jipped. We've not been given a fair opportunity to have all the information we need to make an intelligent decision. There are many, many people who are fired up for who they are voting for. But there are still many that aren't. And it's a sad day for our country when so many Americans have to go to the polls feeling defeated before they even cast their ballot.

Honestly, I don't think that either candidate can make good on the promises they've made. No one person can, even if they are the POTUS.

I normally love this process....I enjoy a good debate, and I'm okay with the fact that at least half of the people that call this country home disagree with me on many issues, but I'll be glad when this is all over. I'll be glad when we get to see the candidate who wins for what kind of president he'll really be. I'll be glad when people finally quiet down about it all. I'll be glad when we can leave all the yelling to the folks in Washington and us normal folks can finally be normal again.

Right on!

More political stuff. I'm just really hyped up with the RNC being this week....feel free to skip this if you're tired of me posting it. At least I'm not blathering on about my own opinions...I'm just posting other people's that I happen to agree. :)

This is just fun to watch. Be sure to watch the last minute of the video.

I want to be best friends with her

I'm going to try not to get all political on you, but you'll have to bear with me over the next couple of months as the election draws near. I probably will be posting more and more about it because it's important to me and I hope it's important to you, too. And I hope that maybe even a respectful, civilized discussion and/or debate can come out of it.

So anyway, I didn't get to watch Sarah Palin's speech last night. But I got to read about it. I heart Sarah Palin. I was underwhelmed by John McCain's pick for VP at first, but the more I read about her and the more I hear what she has to say, I'm getting really excited about the prospect of having her as our Vice President.

And what Obama's been saying about her makes me like her even more. He keeps on talking out of both sides of his mouth. Blech.

So happy!

A while back (oh a year or so ago, I guess) I was so disappointed when one of my favorite homeschool blogs "shut down". The author needed to do other things, I guess. I don't remember if she ever said why she was shutting it down. But then a few days ago, I happened to stumble back again and she's writing again!! YAY!

In addition to writing about homeschooling issues, she also writes a lot about politics (some, including me, would argue that homeschool issues and politics go hand in hand). And the lady knows her stuff. Here are a few of her articles that I think are can't miss when it comes to the upcoming election. I hope you find them interesting and informative, too:


Above My Pay Grade?
Obama and Infanticide
Obama on Education Reform
The Audacity of Home
The Politics of School Choice
Worth a Second Look?

That's just a few. There's still more. I love her blog!

You should see this

Saturday night, Fox News aired a political forum hosted by Rick Warren at his megachurch, Saddleback Church. He hosted both presidential candidates, separately. He asked them both the same questions and while Obama went first, John McCain was not listening. It was an amazing thing to watch and I hope this format will be repeated in the future. There was no bashing of either candidate. I think it truly showed what each candidate was about, and if there was someone watching that hadn't yet decided who they were voting for, I don't know what else they'd need to make the decision.

I tried to find a video or transcript, on the Fox News websited, but this is all I could find. Basically a synopsis of what was said. But as much as it pains me to link to CNN, they have the whole forum on their website. It's lengthy, but I hope you take the time to watch it. I haven't watched it on the CNN website, so I don't know what they've added at the end as far as spin (if they did), so keep that in mind.

You're voting, right?

Most of my readership is here in Texas, so I hope that most of you have voted or are going to vote later today. You can also take part in your caucus/precinct convention after the polls are closed. I'm still learning about what that really means, so I'm not sure I'll be participating in that. But do SOMETHING today, if you haven't already.

So because it's my blog and I can blather on if I want to, I'll tell you my thoughts (although most of you have probably already heard my thoughts and are tired of them...but once again, it's my blog, blah blah blah).

I was just about ready to get behind Rush Limbaugh's idea of conservatives voting for Hillary to keep the dems fighting and throw them off a bit. But then I decided that election officials probably frown upon voters vomiting on the voting machines and I'm pretty sure that's what I would do if my little dial-y thing went anywhere near her name. So, I'm voting for McCain. Now, I know many conservatives have a beef with McCain, but at this point in the process, I really think he could be the beauty contest winner in ugly town (in other words, the lesser of all the evils). And honestly, I think I like him. I'm a conservative, but a more moderate conservative. Not hard-core at all. I've heard of the repubs and conservatives (apparently, there's a difference, but I'm not sure what that is) saying that when they voted for McCain it wouldn't be for McCain. It would be against Clintama. I can say for certain that my vote is for McCain. You want to talk about experience? He's got to be our man.

And can I just say that if I hear the phrases "Ready to lead on day one" and "Hope/Change we can believe in" one more time, I just may vomit?

Funny how this process can bring up so many references to vomit.