Time Wasters

I found this site under the heading of Time Wasters. Tim follows this blog, too, so I've now been added to their list. You know what they say, the couple that wastes time together, stay together. Here's the link:

http://failblog.org

Here is a sample of what you can find:

see more pwn and owned pictures

Coolest Magazine Cover EVER

I was getting the oil changed Friday and noticed the latest issue of Time magazine on the counter. I LOVED the cover for the November 24th issue. I know it was Photoshopped but I think the comparison is spot on!

Check it out:

In case you don't know the origins of the photo, here is the original:

My little artist

This has been a pretty busy week, so I'm putting several days' worth of blogs in on one day.

My pretty Katie is now an official artist. She has sold a piece of her artwork.

Katie is my crafting buddy. Anytime I am doing a craft, she's right there.

Now, she is an artist in her own right. The Hurst-Euless-Bedford (HEB) Shool District has an Education Foundation that gave a fundraiser dinner Saturday night at the Hyatt at DFW Airport. As part of their fundraiser, they auctioned off pieces of artwork done by HEB students at all of the different schools. HEB has two high schools. five junior high schools and close to 20 elementary schools. Katie is a third grader at Lakewood Elementary. She and one other child had their artwork chosen to represent all of Lakewood at the fundraiser. Here is the text of the email sent to me by the art teacher:

11/3/08
Ms. Costello,
I’m sure that no one minded your viewing the art at the gala. Each piece of art had an opening bid of $20 and increased in increments of $10 each bid. I sent 3 pieces of art to represent Lakewood. They earned a total of $100.00 for the HEB ISD Educational Foundation. The one by our sixth grade boy placed 3rd Place in the Elementary Division when the pieces were juried. Katie’s art was purchased by our superintendent Dr. Buinger’s wife who loved the colors and was charmed by it. She purchased it for her daughter who is a 3rd grade teacher because of the colors, and because the little white bird Katie had sitting on the table reminded her of a pet her daughter owns.
I’m so glad you had a chance to get a picture with Katie beside it all matted and framed before it sold. I have a digital picture of it that I will also send home to you soon.
Thank you for your support. Congratulations to Katie for being part of the 50th Anniversary of the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD and the ongoing support of grants to teachers for the benefit of children in our district through generously donating her artwork.
Sincerely,
Diane McClure
Lakewood Art Teacher

Here are the pictures Maggie took of the artwork:

Yep, we're awfully proud!

Yahoo!

As soon as the Electoral Votes reached 270 on Tuesday night, I headed down to Tom Thumb to purchase balloons to hang on our Obama yard sign. When I told the man at Tom Thumb what I was doing, he gave me a weird look and said, "Obviously, I hadn't heard." I wasn't going to let him rain on my parade!

My balloons didn't make it through the night very well, but I did manage to get a picture Wednesday morning of what was left.

Did you catch the speech? That was some inspiring speech. Even if I hadn't voted for him, I think I would have become a fan after hearing that.

The kids and I had dinner at Chick Fil-A that Tuesday night -- it was kids' night and they have crafts for the kids to do. Lots of talk about the election was going around Chick Fil-A. One kid working at the counter asked everyone he encountered, "Who did you vote for?" He never asked me but I told Katie and Trevor it is rude to ask someone that. Trevor said they had partitions set up at school for the Kindergartners when they voted. I told him that was to make sure it was a secret ballot. I tried to tell them how the secret ballot is very important. If you want to tell someone who you voted for, you have every right to do that. You do not, however, ask someone for whom they voted. The secret ballot is to protect the privacy of those who do not want everyone to know. Of course, I've got a bumper sticker and a yard sign, so evidently I don't mind discussing it. Both kids told me that Obama won at their elementary school's mock election. They both said they voted for him, too. I asked each one why they voted for him. I said it's important to understand why you want someone to be president. Trevor said, bless his heart, that Barack Obama's grandmother died and he wanted to do something to make him happy so he voted for him for president. I replied that might not be the best reason to vote for someone, but at least he had a reason. Katie said she voted for him because Mama and Daddy did. I told her it's important to make her own decisions. Listen to what others say about the candidates but ultimately make your own decision.

I just read an article:

http://www.slate.com/id/2203910/?GT1=38001

It was thought provoking. The question is, "Did Obama's race help him win the election?" Nowhere in it did I see my theory. I think President-Elect (wow!) Obama's race helped in that it got others who may not usually feel voting is important to listen to him. Once they heard his message, it was a done-deal. I really do not think many people voted for him just because of his race.

VOTE!!!

Evidently Tim thinks I've become some radical voter... He keeps sending me videos to put on my blog about voting. Yeah, I am a radical voter. I think voting matters. While I really don't like it when people say, "It doesn't matter who you vote for, just vote," I do believe if you don't vote at all, how can you complain about what happens in politics?

Halloween Party @ Church

Sunday, October 26th, we had our annual Halloween party at church. This year was really fun. I didn't do my sugar skulls this year. However, I did put on some clown make-up and make balloon animals. My talent is limited to "dogs." Whenever a kid would ask for a cat, I'd respond with, "How about a dog?" Then the kid would ask for some other kind of animal, and I'd suggest a dog again. Pretty soon they all got the hint and settled for dogs! Here are some pictures...

Me as a clown

Katie is a scary bride

Trevor is a knight in shining armor

Maggie was a celestial sorceress face painter

More stuff about the election

You've GOT to see this:

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Potpourri

Isn't that the name of a category on Jeopardy? I conclude it means a big old mess of stuff by the questions in that category.

So here's where my head is at, right this minute:

1. Still following the election pretty close. I can't believe how wrapped up I've become in it. It's odd, too. I live in a super-conservative neighborhood. Four years ago, you couldn't go two houses without seeing a "Bush" sign. There are serveral McCain signs in the neighborhood, but the number of Republican signs is much fewer than it was in 2004. For a while it looked like we were the only ones with a Democrat sign in the front yard. However, last weekend, another appeared! I like to call that progress.
2. Lots going on at church. We've started having events on Wednesday nights again. I have to say I am enjoying this much more than I thought I would. At first all I could think about was having to rush home after work to get the kids and fight traffic to get to church by 6:00. It was a choice for the first couple of weeks. Then Maggie was asked if she would like to join the child care team, especially for Wednesday nights. So then it looked like I HAD to go on Wednesday nights in order to get Maggie there. You know what? I've found out that I really enjoy the meal, vespers service, fellowship and hanging out with the kids while parents do their thing. It's not a hassle, like I was worried it would be.
3. Worried about this Sarah Palin business. I read on-line today that Tina Fey said if Sarah Palin becomes the vice president, it would be "over" for Tina Fey. She said she can't go through four years of impersonating this woman (though she does a bang-up job!). She said it would be literally "over" because she would have to pretty much die if the country decides Sarah Palin is worthy of being vice president. I'm not quite that drastic in my opinion because I'm worried McCain/Palin may actually win and I don't want to have to kill myself to carry out a threat! Check out this blog: http://womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com/ It's one of the best sites I've found.
4. Another site I've stumbled across is www.winster.com This is a gaming site with slots, poker, sudoku, etc... The object of this site is to help other people win a game. For example in slots, if I am going for all 7s and I see someone is going for all diamonds, that other person will give me a 7 or I will give him a diamond if I get one. It's really a feel good site.

That is all I'm going to rant about right now. I'll think of more later I'm sure.

The Universe is Changing!

I feel the stars aligning... I see change happening in the world... I feel the HOPE of a nation...

In today's political climate, I can see a change coming over America. We have an African-American in the lead for presidency. And we have an African-American with a number 1 COUNTRY WESTERN song. Darius Rucker, of Hootie and the Blowfish, has a song I LOVE called "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." I am a big fan of Hootie and the Blowfish. When I first heard Don't Think, I really liked it. Then a dj said it was Darius from Hootie, and I thought OF COURSE IT IS. I can so hear it now. Country Western isn't exactly known for it's diversity so this is big news.

I grew up listening to all of the old-timers -- Merle, Hank Sr, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty and Charley Pride. Charley Pride, an African-American, made a big splash back in the day. A few years ago, there was another African-American on the country scene -- Cowboy Troy. His claim to fame was that he sang "Hick-Hop." Honestly, I've never heard anything of his.

Darius has a great voice that translatesto country very well. He doesn't like to be referred to as "Hootie," though I don't know how he thinks people should refer to him since he is the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish! Jeez, entertainers. He said in an interview I heard that Hootie and the Blowfish are still together, he was just taking time off for something of his own.

I wish him the best!

Here is the video for Don't Think I Don't Think About It:

I'm not sure what to make of this country

I've followed the elections pretty close this year. I am sickened by comments I see out there.

"Vote for McCain because he is not black."
"Vote for Obama because he is black."
"Vote for McCain because he chose a woman as his Vice President."
"Vote for Obama because he chose a veteran politician as his Vice President..." wait. That one makes sense.

Can we look at the issues? Can we look at what the issues the candidates think are important?

It seems to be a lot of back and forth -- Republicans blasted Obama for his lack of experience. Then who did McCain choose? Someone with even less practical experience.

I look at the Republican ticket and wonder who in the world would really vote for them? Who can give me really good reasons without mentioning race?

"Obama is a credit to his race."
"It's not that I have a problem with Obama's race. I just..don't like him."
"Obama has a minister who says radical (African-American) stuff."

COME ON FOLKS

Should Barack Obama approve EVERYTHING his minister says? No. I don't agree with everything my minister says. Everyone is able to have differing opinions from their clergy.

Am I voting for Obama BECAUSE he's black and I consider myself super-liberal? To be honest, I asked myself that very question. And the answer is no. I find him to be inspiring. I feel an excitement I have not ever felt during an election year in my life. Most importantly, his views correspond with many of mine.

I find Barack Obama addresses many things on his website. http://factcheck.barackobama.com/ lists all of the rumors that are circulating along with the facts that show many are false. He's not a Muslim, he did not take oath on the Koran. And, you know what? So what? Freedom of religion ... sound familiar? Not all Muslims are terrorists the same way as not all Baptists are casserole-baking, soul saving zealots.

If something were to, God forbid, happen to Obama as president, would Joe Biden make a good president? Honestly, I don't know that much about him.

What I do know is that he will make a HELLUVA better president than Sarah Palin. Let's face facts, McCain is not a spring chicken and he has had some cancer issues. The chances are pretty good he won't make it, God forbid, through the four years if elected president. What do we know about Sarah Palin? A little too much, I think.

I, personally, think she is a wack job. Being a beauty queen, mayor of a very small town, and governor of one of the least populated states does not make for a great vice president. She rambles when she talks to interviewers (just watch the interview with Charles Gibson and Katie Couric). I ramble too, but hey, I'm not up for being vice president of the country.

I think I'd much rather have Tina Fey as the vice president. That's an idea! I wonder if Tina would be up for it? I might change my vote if that happens.

This country was not built on religion. This country was built on FREEDOM of religion. To me, that means no "God talk" while doing nation business. Sarah Palin is all about the "God talk." The Republicans blast Obama for always talking about "change;" what about saying things are "God's will?"

She has a right to her church, the same as Barack Obama has a right to continue associating with Reverend Wright, if he wishes. I really don't want her in charge of my (lack of) civil liberties. I feel so bad for her daughter, Bristol. I also feel bad for Bristol's boyfriend, Levi. Can you imagine being a regular kid, putting foul words on your MySpace page (the same as lots of other teenagers), fooling around with your girlfriend and then, BAM, you are the center of attention. I don't think he's that bright, but I also don't think it's fair for him to be in the middle of this circus.

There is one issue where I am more conservative than most Democrats. That topic is abortion. I am so grateful I never came to a path in my life where that seemed the only option. And, to be honest if I had, I'm not sure I could have gone through with it. That is such a strong personal issue, and tempers usually fly when it's discussed. I would prefer no one ever have to make this choice. That's very naive of me, to be sure. I have to say I lean toward pro-choice because I don't think a politician has the right to tell me I can't do it. I strongly believe reliable birth control is the best way to go. In cases of rape or incest or endangering the mother's life, the decision to abort is a no-brainer. For all of the women who make this decision because of a "woops," my heart goes out to you. If you feel this is the only way out of situation, then I guess I come down on the side of pro-choice.

I'll stop this rant for now.