Some photos just make you smile...

After my less than 'warm' post yesterday... I thought I would post something a little light-hearted..

Doesn't this just make you smile:


You can hear Gary say "What cha talkin' 'bout Willis?"

Election Woes, II

*****************************WARNING***********************************
Okay.... I am posting my true, honest feelings. I am not posting this to debate others. I am not posting this to change anyone's mind. I am posting this because my heart hurts. I am posting this because I always feel excluded in the Christian world during elections. I have a heart for God, a heart for serving others and a heart for giving. I am a Christian but I am not a Republican. I am not a Democrat. Here it goes...................
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9-17-08: I am writing another election woes post today because I am really sad. I am really really sad at the impression Christians give during elections. Christians (I am speaking in general but you see it blog after blog after blog) portray an impression of intolerance and lack of interest in helping others during election time. If you don't believe me, pull up some blogs, read the comments at FoxNews.com. Read the blogs and comments as if you were unchurched. What opinions would you have? I see so many hypocrisies (on both sides) that it bothers me and I am a Christ Follower, again.. imagine how the unchurched view all of this.

Example: I have seen Christians make fun of the left for wanting to protect polar bears in Alaska. Aren't polar bears God's creation? I have seen Christians laugh at ObamaWaffles, pretty racist if you ask me. You can only imagine how the unchurched see Christians during elections, I am right and you are not.

The pastor at my church mentioned the elections in this past Sunday's service. He recommended that you vote for the candidate that lines up with the Bible. Okay.. I think that principle should be applied to elections and every day life for that matter. The worship center was full of chuckles and applause. I know they were chuckling because they assume you will vote Republican if you are a Christian.I felt pretty excluded because I am not 100% Republican. I imagine others that are not 100% Republican felt the same way. I don't exactly see how Republicans think they line up with the Bible and Democrats do not line up with the Bible? They do on some issues but certainly DO NOT on other issues.... Same with Democrats.

Republicans are Pro Life (again I am generalizing things) and I would agree that Pro-Life stance lines up with the Bible. But.. Doesn't Pro-Life include any person's life (even a capital murderer, an innocent child or citizen in Afghanistan, a soldier in Iraq?). That seems to be forgotten. On the Pro Life issue, why do people make that the center of elections? The Supreme Court currently has more conservative appointed judges than liberal appointed judges. Reagan had 8 years, George H had 4 and George W had 8. The decision has not been over-turned.

Another subject is taxes.. well I have to say, I pay more in taxes now than ever. George W. has been in office 8 years and I have seen my taxes go up. I know that is not all of George W's doing but how can Republicans claim to be a party that lowers taxes? George W even cut the Katie Beckett Waiver (a Reagan program) 3 years ago. Grant was eligible for this waiver to help with co-pays and out of pocket expenses. This costs us anywhere from $200-750/month. George H Bush and Clinton funded the waiver (again a Reagan program). To be very honest, I will pay my fair share of taxes to live in our country. We have so much to be thankful for that are covered by taxes: Fire Departments, CDC, Schools, Universities, Police, Highways, FDIC, Military, Court Systems, Medical coverage for those that would not have coverage otherwise, Boards that govern our medical personnel, FDA, FBI, just to name a few. You may not agree with every program covered by taxes or the way every program is handled. You may want very different programs than your neighbor who wants different programs than the next guy. But.. in a country with freedom, the programs are diverse as is the population. Call me crazy but I think we get a pretty good deal for the money we pay.

What about feeding the poor? Okay, Food stamps and welfare are not perfect systems. God has called on Christ followers to help our neighbors. The systems need work but they would not be needed if the churches in America were following the calling of Jesus. Republicans want to do away with the system. Then what, have our neighbors starve? What about helping AIDS victims? It is my understanding that churches donate 3% of all donations for AIDS relief. If churches did more, the government would not need to do so much.

I see elections as a negative force in the mission of Christians. Elections are a freedom and a right that should be exercised but the judgments, comments, intolerance do the Christian movement more harm than good. As a Christian, I pray that my children will learn about the election process but not to see Christians in a negative way. I love my Determined Democrat friends and I love my Rabid Republican friends all the same. "Can't we all get along".

Paul Richardson for President!!!!

By George.. I've got it. Paul Richardson for Prez! This guys rocks! He is a little younger than the 35 year old age requirement and uses a Mac but we can get by both of those 'issues'. Oh yea.. there is the Cowboys issue. We could around that too.

This guy has a heart for people and a heart for God. He is a bit dry on the sarcasm so I think the media would be baffled by his jokes, but I'd get them. I don't think the Paul knew you could put lipstick on a pig until all the politicians starting rambling about it. He is a HUGE Disney and Star WARS (I put Trek but was corrected) fan. See, the guy can pay attention to detail. This guy is a multi-talented dude that would be great for this country. I don't know anyone that doesn't love this guy.

Speaking of Community Organizer.. this guy is it.. He organizes a Community Makeover or Home Makeover every summer. This years involved thousand of folks. It rocked! I don't think he took any earmarks or bribes from anyone to do it.


His wife would have the most gorgeous inaugural ball gown. The parties would be fantastic! Each world leader would have a wonderful gift basket in their GUEST SUITE at the White House. They would be a beautiful First Couple:


I think Tim Grandstaff would be a good VEEP for Paulie. I don't know if they will make a SNL skit of him.. If so, Justin Long with a little more hair gel would be perfect. He doesn't look as good in a skirt.

So.. the ticket is (drum roll)

Richardson/Grandstaff 2008

Too long to fit on any bumper stickers but it has a catchy sound, don't you think.

Elections Stink!!!!

******Warning.. Do not read this if you read political stuff one-sided. This is not meant to make anyone mad.. just my views....******

I mentioned in a previous blog that I hate politics. Well, you can't get away from it these days. I am just thankful we have less than 2 months to put up with campaigning. I think elections bring out the worst in folks. People tend to put blinders on and only focus on 'their side', whatever that may be. I see friends divided, work places divided, conversations strained. I have a lot of friends that are strong Democrats or strong Republicans. Some people seem to carry the 'my side is right and you are an idiot if you don't believe me' vibe. I get such strong e-mails on both sides, I delete most of them before I read them.

This election is particularly sad to me. Our economy is hurting, unemployment is at the highest rate in recent history, foreclosures are through the roof, we are in a war with no end in sight, etc. Our country needs a strong candidate. I don't think we have a great choice this year. I vote Democrat and Republican. I have never, and will never, vote a straight ticket. I agree and disagree with different views on each side. For instance, I am for gun control, strict gun control. I hate guns! Another example, I wish public schools allowed more freedom to express faith. I don't want the war. I don't think the war is currently for the original purpose and innocent lives are being lost (not real Pro-Life if you ask me). I guess I am really described as a moderate with no real political home.

Specifics: I don't think I can vote for Obama/Biden. Obama's relationship with Rev. Wright worries me. I don't like the church being used to preach hate and question how he did not know about Rev. Wright's views. Biden is old school Washington. I know I cannot vote for McCain/Palin. I was actually going to vote for McCain until he selected Palin. I cannot understand why Republicans are backing her??? She has owned a passport less time than my 7 year old son. That scares me. Her radical views such as banning books then firing the librarian because she would not ban the books is also scary. My biggest issue with Palin is that I feel she choose power over her family. If my daughter was pregnant and going through this tough experience, I would not have selected a nomination that would have thrown my daughter in the national spotlight. I would have declined for my families sake. I think her family values ploy is a crock. I also know that a child with special medical issues or disabilities needs a lot of care the first few years. Downs' babies are 50% more likely to have heart problems. Grant has cardiac surgery twice in his first 4 years. I know how demanding that can be. Why would she choose power over the care of her son? There is no way for the mom to give him the best care on the road campaigning or as VP. And there is McCain voting with Bush 90% of the time. That is not what we need going into the next 4 years.

According to Gilcrease Research Institute: MSNBC is bias to the left and Fox News is bias to the right. I did my own little test. I added comments to articles/blogs on both sites. I can say that MSNBC printed both the positive and negative comments towards the Democrat. Fox only seems to print the positive towards Republicans. They seem to miss the negative comments towards Republicans. I think you have to read both news channels, filter the extremes, and form your own opinion.

I am on the hunt for a write-in candidate. I do not want to vote but feel it is our obligation as a citizen to cast a ballot. People fought to give us this liberty and we must exercise this privilege... Now.. who do I vote for? I am thinking that I may vote for Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life dude. I think he is a man that truly has a heart for God. I think he would run this country based on Biblical principles. Any other ideas.. Send me your ideas.

CHRISTMAS PARTY 2008

SAVE THE DATE.............
Our Christmas Party will be on Saturday, December 13th at 7:00 (one day after my b'day- hint hint). Reserve your baby-sitters now. The focus of the party will to benefit A Fresh Hope. We will be collecting optional donations of Back Packs/School Supplies and/or items for the Chritmas Outreach event planned for 12-20-08. Invitations will come in November. If you are reading this and have never come to our party...come on. The more the merrier.

WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

College football has started. I can't wait to get to Auburn for a game. My dad and Grant went to the game last week. I think we will go to the Auburn v TN game and the Auburn v. UGA game. Grant is all into the games. He had to wear his Brad Lester jersey today and we had to get the shakers out. I almost watched most of the UGA game with him. For those that know me, that was a HUGE task on my part. I am trying to be more supportive for my dear husband's sake (he is a UGA grad). I can't say I actively cheered but I did not critize once... not even once. That is like a Italian Catholic from Boston sitting through a Mississippi Southern Baptist sermon without one snicker, snub, doubt or comment(or vice versa). I was very proud of myself. Actually, it is about time I grew up a little. I told my husband a few months ago that I would be more supportive of UGA. I can't say that I would be okay with one of my kids going there because that is probably more than I can swallow.... I mean ever! My Mom would probably have a fit. But I can watch a game on a Saturday. I promise to never bark (not real lady-like if you ask me)! I promise that I will not sing Auburn songs over the UGA band even though they ARE Auburn songs. I promise to not cheer when the other team scores.

A few tidbits about me.....

Why did I start blogging? Honestly, it looked like fun. I do kind of enjoy blogging and I love to read other peoples' blogs. I think blogging can help make us transparent. I can use a little help in that area. One about blogging is that it requires upkeep. I didn't need another thing on my list at all but here I have it... keep up blog.

My friend did a blog where she made a list of interesting things about her. It was a neat way to learn more about her. So.. in my effort to keep my blog up, be more transparent, AND have fun.. I am going to list some things about me (I hope I do not offend anyone).

* My middle name is Waverly. Jennifer Waverly Strickland Gilcrease . I was named after my grandfather, Waverly, who died before I was born.
* I have a problem... I laugh when people fall. I don't mean a smile then say "Are you okay". I mean a fall on the floor, bust a gut, snot on yourself sort of laugh. I know it is wrong but I can't help it. I laugh at myself when I fall too if that makes you feel any better.
* I hate guns. I do not want anyone but the police and soldiers to own guns. I know.. a very liberal view being so close to Kennesaw but I see very little good come from gun ownership.
* I love to sleep. I am one of those people that need 8-10 hours a night. Watch out if you call me past 9:20 on a school night.
* I love Auburn University.. not just for the football, in fact that is a small part of it. It is part of me.. part of my family. My 96 year old grandmother went there when she was 16. My mom graduated from Auburn. I have been going to Auburn my whole life.
* My buddies Paige and Sheila have been my buddies for over 20 years. We don't talk every week but when we do, it is like sisters. I love them.. they love me.. We love each other unconditionally.
* I love spaghetti, Diet Coke with Lime, sweet tea, tomatoes, chocolate, and watermelon.
* I have worked for Liberty Mutual for 17 years. It is an unbelievable company to work for. They provide health coverage for Grant and that is my driving force. That kid is uninsurable otherwise.
* I can't stand Styrofoam. It gives me the creeps.
* I cannot touch a cotton ball. Again.. the creeps. I once had a headache for hours until Skip could get home and get the cotton ball out of the bottle.
* I have space issues.. If you know me.. I know you just said DUH to yourself. I don't know why but I am working on hugging. My kids all kiss me right on the lips when they leave for school or at night. I think that is their way of making my personal space shrink.
* Skip and I have been married for 13 1/2 years. We met at Liberty Mutual. Our cubicles were next to each other..say ahhh.
* I chew on things.. straws, end of pens.
* I open containers with my mouth.
* Butter over margarine any day.
* I am ADHD, self diagnosed but got the doctor to agree so I could try meds. They work.. I can now read a book and stay on task.
* I twirl my hair. I even put my hair in my mouth at times. Gross.. I know but I have done it my whole life. My parents even gave me a Dorothy Hamil to make me stop, it did not work.
* I wrecked my family's MGB into my family's station wagon in the drive way when I was 15. Not a smart move..
* Anytime I have a nightmare.. it involves a large wave. I love the ocean but can't handle large waves. I can't watch surfing on TV.
* I swam for Swim Atlanta growing up. You would think the wave thing would not be such an issue.
* I am a horrible cook. My husband does the cooking in the house.
* My closet is a mess.
* I like to fix problems. If someone tells me a problem.. my mind starts working immediately on how I can fix it. I don't have a lot of patience when it comes to fixing problems either.
* I am not a great communicator. Ask my husband.. I am working on it but it is painful for me. "Fine" is one of my more frequent words.
* Okay.. this is a kicker. I hate politics. I could write a whole blog about this. I am tired of the left vs. the right. Here is my point of view..If Jesus were supporting a party.. it would not be either party. He agrees in feeding the poor (D), He is pro life (R), Against War (D), Healthcare for everyone (D), Prayer in school (R)... I never vote a straight ticket. I do not have enough faith in either party to click one button. I vote for the person, not the party. Who am I for this year? I thought I knew until the VP was selected.... now I am undecided again. Enough of this. I will just hold my breath until November. I really hate the commercials, the debating, the lies.. who knows what to believe? I think the candidates are all power hungry folks with less than adequate integrity.
* Technology has made society's issues front and center. I at a point where I will have to explain to my YOUNG daughters what things in the limelight mean. I have banned channels on TV, the news and now will have to ban the election. I did not have to face so much of this junk growing up, partly because we did not have media everywhere but I think society expected more. This saddens me... I wrote this Thursday night. The first words out of Kendall's (9) mouth this AM is "Do you have to be in love and married to have a baby?" So sad... I resent that this is thrown in America's face.
* I love photography.
* Quality Time is My Love Language
* I bought my car off ebay.
* I love New England in the fall. Skip and I lived in New Hampshire for 4 years. The fall is breathtaking. Spring in NH stinks..
* I love the show HOUSE. I think I am a doctor and love the diagnosis part.
* I love my house. It is not the Governor's Mansion but it is perfect for us. It is our HOME. My street is wonderful too. I have incredible neighbors.
* I am a homebody. I like to travel but if I am not traveling... I like to be home. Come visit anytime but I am not great at visiting others.
* I took 3 scuba classes for PE at Auburn. I enjoy scuba diving but we don't get to go much anymore.
* I turned 40 this year. It was over-rated.
* I talk to my parents every day or every other day. They are the most incredible parents.
* I can't keep any plants alive; inside or out.
* Chicken drumsticks make me sick to my stomach.. Too many parts.
* I hate the dentist. I would rather give birth than have a filling.
* Speaking of giving birth.. I have quick labors. All 3 kids wree born in 3 hours or less. I didn't have an epidural with 2 of my kids and then the last one I got an epidural for 5 minutes, ouch.
* I am a horrible singer but I love to sing.
* Ebay rocks!
* I love my church. West Ridge Church.. That can be it's own blog one day.
* I wish we didn't see Rebel flags anymore. That must really make some folks feel excluded.
* I am scared of heights. I cried like a baby on the Eifel Tower in high school
* My family is my world. I love my husband. I love my 3 children. They are God's greatest blessing.