Funny Birthday Girl

No, it isn't her birthday again. It was July 27th, but I just now finished this layout.  All the pictures left me wondering, just who is Ashley.  I seem to remember her without any of these features. She is our youngest granddaughter and we are very proud of her.

Sorry, I'm about to fall asleep in my chair.

Have spent much of the day remembering wonderful lines from the political speeches last night.

May God bless our country and may God bless you.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 Caleb is learning how food grows. Beth has a garden. She has lots of experience and plants  are coming up well.  This day, Caleb was gathering radishes. It is one of the few things he had not eaten before. He bit into one, Yuck.  He bit into another one. Yuck.  But seeing that mama and dada were enjoying theirs, he tried a third. Suffice it to say, radishes are not one of Caleb's favorite foods...at least not at the present.

If I had a garden and could grow leaders, I would want to grow the kind who are running for president and vice president on the Republican ticket this time.  

 Obama has failed to deliver on his promises and has instead made things much worse. Contrary to what the Democrats want you to believe, Romney and Ryan have  a proven plan to get our people back on their feet with secure futures. They will fix Medicare so that seniors  do not have to fear their futures.  They don't have make believe numbers.  They have real numbers. 

They are about uniting our people, not dividing them. That is the way we should be. 

I watched from 8:00 until the end of the convention tonight, wanting to remember some of the best lines for the blog. But there were so many I would be here all night and I must get some sleep. 

 I am truly happy with our candidates. If you missed them and  have a chance, please try to hear the speeches made by Marco Rubio, and Mitt Romney, at least.

 I do believe God has brought us a new beginning with Mitt and Paul.  God Bless America.

 Clint Eastwood was very pointed and entertaining as well.

US

 This picture was taken of Ron and me at Naturealm in June.  I wish it were possible  to walk trails like this one every day. Since Ron isn't a big fan of hiking, I would do it alone, if I felt it were safe.

Back to the Future:  Early today I watched a video of a black lady who is running for Congressman from Utah.  Her name is Mia Love and she is a lovely woman, whose parents came to this country with $10 in their pockets and a hope that all they had heard about America was true. It is short, but powerful. Watch her here.

The Republican Convention is on again tonight and  I've really enjoyed hearing from Paul Ryan, the Vice Presidential nominee. He gave us real  hope for the future.  He has a real plan based on the freedom that God gave us and upon which this country was founded.

 It is time we quit voting for a party that has left it's roots and has deceived us over and over.  We cannot afford one more year of burdened businesses not able to pay employees, due to heavy taxes and governmental intrusion.  We must get some new blood in the federal government...actually throughout the land.

I love what Mitt's wife Ann said in her speech, "We are smart enough to know there aren't easy answers, and we're not dumb enough to accept that there aren't better answers.

We must not let the Democrats raid Medicare to fund Obamacare.

We do not need 20,000 pages of rules and regulations that go along with a healthcare plan that we didn't want in the first place.

Check out Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan yourself. Listen to what they have to say.  Do not rely on second  hand information.

By the way, I can't believe how prejudiced the three major networks are. They did not broadcast a single speech made by black Republicans at the convention.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

The clocks, the triplets got for their birthday, having three different times on them, reminded me of this song from the late 60's. The song goes, "Does anybody really know what time it is?  Does anybody really care?  Since it was from the 60's, I decided to pick up a retro look and colors from that era. The sheet music as a backdrop adds a little to the layout. 

By the way do you know what time it is? Do you really? It is time to get serious about bringing out the vote for Mitt Romney so that he can get out country rolling again instead of chugging backwards down the track.

If you are one who can't get excited about Mitt Romney, just think a while. Are you willing to have four more years of the same fumbling  and the crumbling economy. the blame game can only go so far, then you have to stand up and face the facts. If you and your friends are not better off now than you were four years ago, go to the polls wired and vote out the spend thrifts. 

Simple Experiment

Have a problem with slugs? Caleb is learning how to get rid of slugs that plague his mama's garden. He covers them with salt.  The salt absorbs their moisture.   

I am happy that his mom was/is a teacher and that she keeps him learning all the time. This is something I never taught my kids... at any age. I didn't even know it until she showed Caleb.

We, as a nation, have experimented with socialism and I think we have learned our lesson...But I guess we won't know that for sure until November when the votes are counted.

It is very difficult for the young people today to find jobs that will help them pay student loans and live lives that are fulfilling. Our government has  robbed them of their lives by heaping upon them student loans they've had to choose because of the exorbitant cost of higher education.  Many have had to pay for remedial classes because they were not taught sufficiently in high school and were forced out into the world without the skills they need to continue on to a higher education.  

I hope and pray that they can see through the hype fed them daily in the media. I hope they realize that  they (we've) made a serious mistake in our choice to a president and congressmen and women. We now actually need to vote for change, much more than we  did the last time. Our nation can not survive much more of this type of governmental rule.  We have been a free nation, one where anyone who wanted to work  could do so and they could work as hard as they wanted and increase their ability to earn. That time is over and will not return until we put others at the helm, others who believe in the constitution and support it day to day.  

Many of you have never voted Republican. You feel funny even thinking about it.  But consider this.  The only way we can defeat  the administration who is killing our economy and freedoms is to stick together and vote.  And remember, out Democratic party, the party of Kennedy, etc. is no longer around. It has been taken over by left wingers who are out to get what you have and give it to those in third world countries. 

Galatians 5:1

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves by burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Do not allow the government to run your lives. Christ has set you free.

Forty-fifth

We celebrated out anniversary, which is today, last night at Lucia's Steakhouse in North Canton. I can't believe they are so close  and have been for 66 years, are so very good and I didn't know about them. That shows that we spend most of our time 'up north'.  

It has been a good week. Thursday afternoon we went to the first movie we've attended in a long, long time. It was quite interesting and taken from a well documented book by Dinesh 'D'Souza. . It is the new 'Obama 2016' movie.

D'Souza directed and acted in this very interesting, though low budget  movie,  in which he  outlined facts to help us gain an understanding of the  apparent motivations behind many or our president's policies.

By Friday afternoon it had grossed $700,000 from 1,000 theaters.  That, compared with $300,000 for the new big-budget, Sylvester Stallone action flick, "The Expendables 2", which was playing in 3,355  theaters., according to Deadline Hollywood.  

 From the Wall Street Journal...  "An anti-Obama documentary placed in the top-ten at the weekend box office.  "2016: Obama's America," from Rocky Mountain Pictures, brought in a total of $6,237,517.  It had the highest per- screen average of any film in the top ten."

Another encouraging fact, this one from TV. A new game show, the American Bible Challenge with Jeff Foxworthy started with a bang this last Thursday evening.  

I suggest you see the movie and watch the game show. 

May God Bless America Again

Caleb Loves Diggers

If you've followed this blog long, you must be starting to see that there is an abundance of pictures of a certain two year old, who is not yet tired of the camera and offers sweet smiles it's way.  When he is here, I take hundreds of pictures and his mom is very good about capturing his day to day activities as well.  When he is grown, he will appreciate (most likely) his well documented life as a child. And hopefully his children will enjoy seeing his books as well.

Caleb LOVES DIGGERS...as he calls his grampa's tractor and these big trucks which move the earth.

I love earth movers as well. There is a certain one I'm following right now.  His name is Paul Ryan and he has the plan to put our nation back on it's feet and get our people working again. It is great to have help when we can't find a job, but it is even better to work, feeling secure there is a pay check coming and knowing we have done something worthwhile.

Practically all of us can do something.  We don't all have to be doctors or lawyers or Indian chiefs. And whatever skills and talents we have are needed somewhere.  We don't all need to go to college.  Many skills are important to our lives that can be learned without sitting in classes for years.  All jobs are important and we should not make people feel unappreciated just because they don't invent the computer, etc.  God blessed  people with many skills and talents. No two are just the same. We don't have to shove anyone into a mold and make him or her something they were not meant to be.

You know, some people may just like to fish. Good for them.  We need fishermen.  All jobs are important ones.

Jesus was asked the question, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, " is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12: 29-31

Caleb Shoots

What this family needs is one more photographer...and Caleb seems willing to fill the gap. Happy to let you know I got a picture of him using my camera for the first time. Here he is along with the two pictures he took. I'd say he caught on quickly.

On the news front,  the mandate of the Obama administration called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, violates federal law. And because of this, there was a suit filed by ten employees of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement this past Thursday in Dallas. 

The mandate usurps  the powers of Congress...which is  something our present administration has done time and time again.  

 This administration has ordered federal law enforcement agents to break the law, to ignore the laws that they're supposed to enforce. As for ICE agents, they are told to break federal laws by not deporting those who legally should be.

This new program lets many young illegal immigrants avoid deportation and gives them the ability to get work permits. 

 It seems that the president's men are doing it for political reasons.

I predict we will see many, many, many illegals lining up to vote in November.  They and all the graveyard occupants who will vote in many cities  could swing the election to the socialists who want so badly to rule, uninhibited by the voices of the people and the constitution.

There is one factor these people are not taking into consideration. I believe it is the winning hand of God.

Psalms 29:11 The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Let's make sure that God knows we are His and that we trust Him to deliver us.

Accomplishment

These three ladies are  winners of awards given by Blue Cross, Blue Shield.  

 Our granddaughter Lauren is a bright girl and she does well in school. We are proud of her accomplishments and know that she will put her all into whatever she does. 

We can say the same for our president. He is accomplishing  exactly what he set out to do.  If you have not yet seen 2016  Obama's America, you should make it a point. It is a movie of facts. Some would watch it and say he is doing well and others could see the same thing and feel that he is not doing well as our president.  The movie is from the book written by d'sousa, in which he compares himself to Obama. It is very interesting indeed. 

Socialism is a philosophy of failure,

the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,

its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.."

-- Winston Churchill

These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read:

Unfortunately, most voters don't know this.

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the wealth out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them; and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work, because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

May God bless us with peace.  You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114

Excitement in the Neighborhood

There was some excitement yesterday for Caleb. A neighbor was grilling on his porch and caught his house on fire.  No one was hurt and the fire was extinguished quickly.  However, Caleb, who loves big trucks got really wound up. The fireplug is at the end of their street, right in front of his house, so he got to see  the action first hand.

I have one more page to add to the story. It will show him walking in the water that ran down the gutter to the end of the street.

Keep praying for our nation.

The Great Outdoors

On the sixth of June John, Beth and Caleb,  Ron and I went to Naturealm. We enjoyed the walk through the woods and over the swinging bridge. The pictures turned out pretty dark in those deep woods, but thanks to Photoshop Elements, it was possible to lighten them quite a bit.

John was on vacation from his job in Ft Collins. It is too bad he couldn't work as a blacksmith for the city of Detroit. It is a pretty special job. And even though the pay isn't great, he could also hold another job if he just didn't like to lay around all day with nothing to do.  You see, The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department pays a 'horseshoer' $29,245 in salary and roughly $27,000 in benefits per year.  Of course, Detroit has no horses.  But thanks to union contracts, it is virtually impossible to eliminate this position.

So what makes you think we need to increase our taxes?  Seems to me we need to clean up our budgets and get rid of all the waste.  

And if you think that is bad, the federal government  throws away our money by the billions.

Don't go to bed mad.  Go to the Lord in prayer.

Who's Drivin'?

Caleb thought he was driving...and we thought he was really cute.  Of course Daddy was the one in control.

These last four years we've had a driver in the White House, who has really grabbed control and driven right around any road blocks the House, and courts have put in his way.  While everyone has been blamed but him for the loss of jobs, and the huge downturn in the economy, he has been constantly at the wheel. It's been a dangerous ride and we all need to hit the exit.

It looks like some who have stood behind this man through thick and thin have finally had enough and are now jumping ship.  When Newsweek turns against a liberal, you know something really big is up. Evidently, they have begun to see the real picture, not the slanted version being spoon fed  them day and night.

Check out this week's Newsweek cover and the article inside.

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/ferguson-newsweek-obama-hit/2012/08/19/id/449051

How did that song go?  Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more!

First Day Back

School starts so early now, especially in some locations. In years passed, we had three months summer vacation.  But that isn't the case anymore.  Even though our triplet grandchildren are home schooled, they still have classes with other home schoolers one day a week. This was their first day back to what they call 'tutorial'.  Their mother is teaching an astronomy class this year on that day.  

As far as I know, there is no dress code, but then I imagine not many schools have them these days. I'm not sure when or where kids learn to submit to such rules...perhaps when they apply for a job wearing whatever and are turned down over and over.  Then after lots of failure and looking for help in finding work, they are told that they need to dress in a particular way to be hired. In the work place there are often dress codes.

What are we teaching our children?  Will they fit into society and be good citizens? Will they be able to face the trials and tribulations of the real world.  Have they been taught to win and lose gracefully?  Will they be self starters?  Many questions should be asked while the children are still young.

I am a proponent of home schooling, even though I taught in the public schools. Things have changed a lot since I was in the classroom...a few things for the better.

Wonderful But Short Visit

Today was a perfect day in many ways. The weather was wonderful, especially after having such a scorching summer.  We had ice cream with friends this evening...blizzards at DQ.  And most of all, we got to visit with our oldest daughter Kim, her husband Woody and our granddaughter Leah. 

But something that is not perfect in all ways, is not perfect.  Isn't that right?  Sadly, our daughter and her family were not in town for the whole day and most of their time was spent visiting his family and celebrating the life of his mother, who passed on to her reward this last week. 

It may be a while until we see them again.  But I'm hoping it won't be more than six months.

As for the news...a little history in preparation:

The following is a narrative taken from a 2008 Sunday morning televised "Meet The Press."

From Sunday's 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, Televised "Meet the Press" the then Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag.

General Bill Ginn, USAF (ret.), asked Obama to explain WHY he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

The General stated to Obama that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171...

During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present (except those in uniform) are expected to stand at attention, facing the flag, with the right hand over the heart. Or, at the very least, "Stand and Face It".

NOW GET THIS !!

Senator' Obama replied: "As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides....." "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression...." "The anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air, and all that sort of thing." (ARE YOU READY FOR THIS???) Obama continued:, "The National Anthem should be 'swapped' for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it. In my opinion, we should consider reinventing our National Anthem as well as 'redesign' our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarmAmerica to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we, as a Nation of warring people, conduct ourselves like the nations of Islam, where peace prevails - - - perhaps a state or period of mutual accord could exist between our governments ......"

"When I become President, I will seek a pact of agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts . We as a Nation, have placed upon the nations ofIslam, an unfair injustice,which is WHY my wife disrespects the Flag, and she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past."

"Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put my hatred aside. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country's First black Family. Indeed,CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America."

WHAAAAT, is that???

Yes, you read it right.

I, for one, am speechless!!!

Dale Lindsborg , Washington Post

Recently some of us have discovered that our president has begun wearing that flag pin on his lapel. Maybe that is the change he's been promising.

Rocking and Rolling on the Dock

Some of us ORU girls took a long boat ride yesterday. It was a perfect day, unlike most of the really hot ones we've had this summer.  At lunch time, we stopped at a popular restaurant at the lakes, the Olde Harbor Inn. We love to eat out on the deck over the water.  This time, I started feeling a little seasick. At first I thought it was from looking at the moving water. Later I realized it was because a man at the next table had a really nervous leg. He was rather muscular as well and he was actually shaking the deck.  We were rocking and rolling right at  our table.  As much as we enjoyed our food, it was a relief to finish and get  our feet on solid ground again.

Many of us are praying that our nation will return to God. We already believe in him, but many of us don't really believe what he says.  If you are have not read the Bible before. I challenge you to start reading it. Begin with the book of John in the New Testament. It is a chapter on love. It will make you feel really good, when you realize that God is love and that he loves you. 

Reading the Bible is important if we really want to know God. He isn't a distant God. He tells us what he likes and what he doesn't like because it isn't good for us. Again, I challenge you to read it for yourself.

John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only  son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

After reading the New Testament, it is good to go back to the old and see what happened before Christ came into the world to save us.

Jonah 3:10  "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."

II Chronicles 7:14  "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble  themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

They Turned Ten

I remember waiting at the hospital for their delivery. Ashley came first. They were so tiny. Mason was the biggest at 5 pounds, Aussie the smallest at 3 pounds and Ashley 4 pounds eight ounces. Now they are ten years old. How can that be? The time has gone so quickly.

And this brings on my rant for the day...families now move to where they can find work, or for any number of other reasons and the extended family doesn't get to see them much. It makes it very hard to keep the close bonds that grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins should have. I miss seeing them. But I'm thankful for Face time and Skype. I'm thankful that even though we can't travel as much as we  would like, at least we get together once in a while.  Even though we couldn't be there with them for their birthday this year, we did see them the month before.  

It has been about 20 days since their birthday. I'm finally getting the layout posted.

Well, what do you think? Our president just pulled the executive order trick again after Congress refused to sign his Dream Act.  His order gave some 1.7 million additional illegal immigrants the chance to live and work openly in the US.  Immigration officials will begin accepting applications to defer deportations.  

Each illegal will also be given the right to a driver's license and Social Security.  Looks like if a president doesn't have the numbers he needs to get reelected, he can just wave a magic wand and bring in more.  Our nation may as well sing it's farewell song, unless God is willing to step up to our defense.

I pray that God will find us deserving of another chance  to show Him our allegiance.  

In the Psalms 29:11 we are told, "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."  We need to show him that we are really his people.

Caleb Pretends to Read

Since my brain has already gone to sleep tonight, I think perhaps I'd better turn off the computer and call it a day.  

I had trouble with other layouts today.  This is the one that didn't give me any problems. I took these still shots from a video Beth sent me this morning.  It came together quickly, unlike the others.

Looking forward to a great day tomorrow.  Hope you'll tune in then for another layout.

God bless you all and good night.

Aunt April

It is a shame that our family is separated by so many miles. It is a rare occasion when some of the kids get to see their aunts, uncles and cousins.  Of course many kids these days don't even have aunts, uncles and cousins. As a matter of fact, some children don't even have in tact families with a mother and father. So I guess it could be worse.  We need to appreciate what we do have and be content.

This was a joyful time, when Ashley could get  a big reassuring hug from her Aunt April.

It is reassuring to me that Paul Ryan not only has the plans, but he has the figures in black and white.  It has been disconcerting to hear Democrats over the years claiming that Republicans want to cut Medicare and thus kill grandma.  You've heard it many times. They try to scare the older people into voting Democrat.  I've always known that this was not the case, but it seemed like no one stood up, held up their hands and said, Stop with this nonsense.  Paul Ryan does. Again, he has the facts and the figures...the real figures, not the 'magic' figures quoted by newsmen all over the country. One fact that we must face is this:  Obama's crew  slashed  $716 billion from Medicare to pay for Obamacare. This fact is from the congressional Budget Office, July 24 of this year, 2012..

Under Ryan's plan,  future medicare recipients will have the same plan as federal employees do now...a much better one than we the people get now. 

Things are looking brighter.

Mixed Message

April, Ashley, Kim and I were sending  a mixed up message to others we saw on the lake that day in early June. It really wasn't  cold, but we were prepared for a little nippiness that evening. You can read my comments on the layout itself  to see what I mean.

As a nation under stress of high unemployment and deep debt, we don't need any mixed messages when it comes to the presidential campaign. That is one of the many reasons, I am elated with Romney's VP choice of Paul Ryan. He tells it like it is. He knows how important it is to get the economy fixed and he knows how to do it.  He does not mince words.   Watch a video of the time he spoke at the White House Summit about Government Healthcare:

Click here.

Dog Cousin

When the kids came for Ron's birthday party, their stays didn't overlap much, so the triplets just had a short visit with their little cousin, Caleb and their dog cousin, Rado.   

When the three of them were younger, they feared dogs, even our Golden Retriever who wouldn't hurt anyone or anything.  So it was a delight for me to see Mason develop a fondness for his uncle John's dog. They quickly became close buddies.

 I think all people should have dogs.  Can you tell that even though I have only a cat and a pond full of goldfish, that I'm really a dog person?  Dogs will give a person love when everyone else is too busy or not around.  I would give anything to have a small dog to follow me around the house, or sit in my lap sometimes or to lay by my feet while I'm on the computer.  I get teary eyed every time I think that I may never be allowed to have a dog again.

 I didn't mean this to be a downer.  I mean for us to think about how sweet these two look in each other's company.

Today was a good day. It was great seeing that others are as happy with R& R  (the Romney and Ryan ticket) as I am. Romney made a perfect choice, since "It's the economy, stupid."  We've heard the Democrats say over and over that Republicans are the party of 'no', that  we don't have a plan.  Ryan HAS the plans. And he is not backward about it. He has spelled them out and they are good. It is a super team of very wise men. I pray that all who understand economics will vote in November.

Feed My Sheep

Feed my sheep was  Jesus' instruction  to his disciples...the sheep meaning those who follow him...Christians. The 'feed' was the truth that God sent his only son to save us from our sins.

It came to my mind when I was working on this layout of Caleb feeding the animals at Ft Collins City Farm.  Of course there are a few goats here.  And they want fed as well.  Caleb was happy to help them.

Tonight on Facebook, I found another picture of him and his cousins at the same place feeding those animals.  His Mom's sister and mother are there visiting him, along with his cousins Patrick and Katy.

I would like to be there with them, But, it was a great day here this Saturday. We had the first cool day we've had in months. I thanked God for the relief from the heat and the rain that is making everything green again after a terribly dry summer.

News from Washington made me glad to be an American. A wonderful Christian family man ( He is Catholic) with a great financial brain has joined the Romney  ticket. These two men together have what it takes to get this country turned around and prosperous again, with sound budgeting and simplified tax rates. They will be able to save Medicare for us and for those who come after us.

Did you know that no president, except for FDR, has even been reelected with more than  7.2% unemployment?  It is true. And as has been said, Barak Obama is no FDR.

When George W. Bush left office, the unemployment was lower than it has been at any time since. 

More people were working and fewer needed food stamps.  

Gasoline is between $3.58 -$3.89 in this area today. Are we better off now than we were  four years ago?  If you are, it is probably  because you have profited greatly by the failure of one of the companies in which  our president has invested and lost our money.  You might be able to afford to fill up you tank with that expensive gas.  

We need to put our people back to work and drilling for oil and gas is a great way to get started.

Hard Rock

If you are looking for heavy metal, sorry, you have come to the wrong place. This is Caleb's kind of hard rock. He found it in the city park and he turned it into big fun.  

You know the saying that if you find yourself  with a 'lemon', make lemonade? It is haunting me these days. Here we are with a lemon of a president and I'm trying  with everything I have to make the best of it. But then, we certainly have learned very quickly what doesn't work when it comes to improving the economy and getting people jobs. Let us hope and pray that  a man who has in the past had lots of good experience doing business and working with the Olympics can turn us around and point us in the direction   that will bring back the free America we know and love.

I must admit that it bothers me to hear that Romney did not pay taxes for 10 years, and any of the other absurd claims that are being made in desperation about him.  For one thing, if that were true, he would be in jail. Believe me when I say...check it out if you wish... if a man does not pay the taxes he owes, the IRS will  have him in jail.  You just can't get away with something like that, especially if you have the money.

The only reason the liberals are running disparaging ads like that one and the one that claims Romney is guilty of killing a woman because she didn't have insurance (which is a lie by the way) is because our president cannot run on his own accomplishments. He had accomplished nothing since he has been in office .  He said we would not have over 8% unemployment after he spent OUR first trillion stimulus dollars to make jobs. As of this week, we have  a postwar record 42 months of unemployment over 8%.  

Ask yourself the question...Are you better off now than you were when the present president took office.

Are your neighbors better off?  

The liberals have pretty much said that things were so bad under Bush that no matter who had become president he couldn't fix it.  Let's give someone else a chance. They can't do any worse.  And while we are at it.  Let's shake up Congress, both houses as well. Let's get some new blood in there. Vote out anyone who has been in there so long that he or she has forgotten what it is like to live in the real world.

Caleb Week

I didn't plan a Caleb week. It has just happened. On Sunday, I chose a layout that I had mentioned to several earlier in the day. Beth had taken the pictures in very  clear water.  One could see every pebble and little fish. I love it. 

Our water here at the lakes is not nearly so clear.  However last year  the snails had cleaned the water so much and the sun was able to penetrate through it and  bring forth an abundance of seaweed.

Each day, I worked on catching up to the present, putting my photos into layouts.  And every day, for some reason, I grabbed pictures of .... Caleb. And because he is the youngest now, we do get more pictures of him.  However, I do have a few photos of others that need to be done as well. 

Tonight, it is Caleb again. this shot was taken at a nearby Mexican restaurant that we enjoy. The bright colors just called out to me.  The photo was slightly out of focus.  There are many tricks one can  do with photoshop. I'm pleased with the way it came out.

I'm not really pleased, however, with all the negativity going on in politics. I don't really mind the ones that are true. The truth must not be hidden.  But when a party concentrates on making up outlandish lies with not even a bit of facts to back them up, I cringe. Especially since many of our younger people and more than one would think of the older, supposedly more mature, have never been taught to think for themselves. They just swallow anything they hear on TV or read in magazines or the newspaper.   

We need to seek the truth because: The truth will set us free.

Caleb and Patrick

While Caleb. and his mom were still in Ohio in June, and John had flown off on a work assignment, they were able to spend some time with her people in Columbus. This is when they were visiting the Ohio State Campus and Caleb and his cousin Patrick played on the large numbers at the Math Department. Caleb posed on the numeral 2, while Patrick stood on three.

I was reminded of this picture when I talked to John tonight. He told us about Beth's family being there in Colorado and Caleb again having a great time following his bigger cousin, Patrick, around and copying everything he did.  

I'm now anxious to see  pictures taken of these two this week.

Today, I have something I'd like you to consider. Government Red Tape is Stifling an Entrepreneur's maternity pillow. What does this mean to you? It means all over this country hard working people who want to start small businesses and hire employees are being prevented the chance to make a living by RED TAPE.   Watch this entertaining little video here to see one lady's dilemma.  You might even be able to help in some small way.

Prayer Request

As you have probably seen here before, Caleb LOVES tractors. This is the first time he saw his grampa's front loader. I was so glad to capture the looks on his face and he stood there in awe.


This is not original with me, but I feel the same about this lady.

There's a lady I've known forever.      

She's very sick. On top of that, she's being abused by those to whom she 

has given everything..... Lies about her abound, and seem to come from all      

sides. Just breaks my heart. Seems there's nothing I can do alone but    

maybe, if we all join in and lift her up in prayer together,

God will heal her.  She will turn 236 years old on July 4th, but she's

way too young to die.

                                   

                                    Her name is 'America'...

            And I love her and have always been proud of her.

             Take time to say a prayer for her - even if it is a

short, simple prayer like,

          

"Lord, please heal our land, in Jesus' name, Amen.."

                                                   Thanks.