Autumn Splendor From Fort Toulouse

A New Leader, A New Era

I don't know what I think about our new President-elect. He doesn't seem to be a raving lunatic at first glance. He actually seems to be a pretty nice guy. I just wonder how deceiving are the looks.
The world at large seems to approve of our choice for new leadership. Some may think that is a good thing and maybe it will prove to be. I consider it unnerving. Maybe I am just too suspicious, but for whatever reason, my instincts have the hair on the back of my neck raised a bit.
I am offended that he is being touted as the "first black president". I understand how proud African-Americans are that he has been elected and what that means for their people and I do not intend to put a damper on any of their jubilation. Still, the fact remains that our new leader is bi-racial and it seems to me he would use that to help bridge the gap between the races. I happen to think that is one of the good things about him. I have a niece and nephew that have been through some difficult times because they are bi-racial. I know what it would mean for them, if Mr. Obama would celebrate his dual ethinicity instead of allowing the media to only focus on his African heritage. I hope he will consider this. To date, I have not heard it from him.
I hope that we have enough common sense people in Washington to keep a balance. So far, I have yet to hear HOW Mr. Obama expects to do all he wants to do, without taxing us to death.

I really think health care is something that we should be responsible for ourselves, not something the government should provide for us. I am not crazy about the quality of government supplied goods and services and I like my healthcare to be of the highest quality, thank you very much. BTW, we have an HSA so we pay out of pocket unless something catastrophic takes place, so we don't have tiny medical co-pays, covered RX's, dental, or eyecare. All that comes out of pocket, but I have the choice of who cares for our needs and that is important to me.

I know Mr. Obama is big on "sharing the wealth", and I don't mind sharing. I just like to decide with whom I share. I don't think it is sharing when the government takes my money and decides for me , to whom they will dole it out. They do enough of that already.

We have become a society that feels "entitled" to have, without doing to achieve. That is not what made America great and it may be the very thing to cause her downfall.

I hope Mr. Obama will remember that he still has to earn the trust and confidence of 48 percent of the populace and act accordingly.

My photos above are Callie's class at school celebrating Veteran's Day with a Patriotic Program.

I can't help getting emotional with the realization that our America, the America we know and love may be forever changed. Hopefully, (my eternal optimism shows through here) it will be for the better. God bless and keep us as we embark on our journey of "Change we can believe in"

So Angry I Could Spit Nails!

See the buckets that yesterday were FULL of pecans that I picked up?

See the now half empty buckets?

See the pecans lying on the ground that yesterday were in my buckets?

See the sweet, happy faces of the three wonderful children who emptied the buckets while having a pecan war?

See the children all looking at their feet as they search for pecans that will be twice picked up?

That is not what they are doing in the photo, but it is what they will be doing when they arrive home from school!

The joys of motherhood. (sigh)

Anything But Mundane

My booth at our Fall Festival featured many tasty treats that bordered on the macabre. There were Mummy Krisp Heads, Chocolate Werewolf Gremlins, Dragon Eyes, Garden Garbage Dip (which had a hand protruding from it), RIP Tombstone Cheeseball, and to wash down all those yummies, some Black Bubbly Punch with a Worm Ice Ring. We also had Frozen Faces to keep the punch nice and chilly. To add to our ambience, we engaged our bubble machine, which was a huge hit with the kiddies! It was great fun...I just love autumn and Halloween kicks off the holiday spirit within me. I am ready for the end of the year party that the holidays always is for me.

Time to set my clocks back one hour, before I go to bed. Gaining a whole hour...this day couldn't get any better!

Happy Halloween and all that Jazz!

Our church had a bonfire, hayride, and hotdog dinner with all the fixin's on the side. Stations were set up to entertain the children in between. It was a night of fun and frolick that was enjoyed by all. Here are some pictures of the event.

Daddy's Home

The parents finally made it home late this afternoon, tired, weary, but glad to be in their familiar surroundings. When I left tonight, Daddy was asleep in his recliner, talking away about something. (LOL) Mama was reviewing all of Daddy's new medicines to familiarize herself with their dose and side-effects, etc... Ellen is staying with them tonight.

Hospital Once More

Grandmama is tired, but doing better now that Granddaddy is better.

Daddy is in the hospital once again. He was having difficulty breathing most of last week and by Friday night it was bad enough to go to the hospital. He was given steroids and breathing treatments by nebulizer and admitted. The doctors know he has a faulty valve in his heart that in a younger man would be repaired surgically, but they do not recommend it at his age. They are treating his asthma/emphysema, but leaving the heart as is. His heart is beating strongly, his wheezing is gone, his blood pressure is good, his appetite is good, his spirits are good, and he is coming home tomorrow, if nothing changes. This time, because of the baby, we have pics! Ha, ha!