Politics

I am generally not one who likes to get too involved in politics.

I tend to cringe when they are brought up in a conversation and I know there is going to be a debate.

I do like to be informed and have my own opinions.  I don't need to debate.

I don't expect people to think like I do.

That is one great thing about a vote.

But, living in TAXachussetts, I would have thought things would have turned out a bit differently.

On yesterdays ballot, there was a bill to reduce our state sales tax from 6.25% to 3%.  A huge reduction in my opinion.  Maybe too big.

Another thing to vote for or against was keeping a tax of 6.25% on alcohol, or getting rid of the tax.

I was blown away when I got up this morning.  Granted, I will admit to being very disappointed with election results in this state.

But what I think is the most unbelievable is the tax results of the election.

Voters in the state of TAXachussetts voted to KEEP the state sales tax at 6.25%, but GET RID OF the tax on alcohol.

To me, it is unbelievable that people love their alcohol enough that they would rather have a sales tax on everything but alcohol.  Granted we do not have sales tax on food and clothing, but everything else we buy is taxed.  

Except for alcohol.

Crazy to me.

1.  voting

2.  only 2 more days of teaching seminary

3.  middle of the week!

WOW

I waited for Todd to get home from work last night before I went to vote.

Normally I go during the day, but he wanted me to wait for him this time.

I could not believe the turn out.  

I have NEVER had to wait in line to vote.

We had to wait over 30 minutes.

I heard people in line saying they didn't even have to wait in line when Obama was elected!

Crazy.  Guess people want a change!!

1.  freedom to vote

2.  seeing people want to have a voice

3.  agency

Boys

Thanks to a friend of mine who read yesterday's post, 

here is a picture of what my boys looked like for Halloween!!

Glad someone takes pictures of my kids!!

Thanks Nanci!

1.  friends

2.  only 3 more mornings of teaching seminary

3.  GOOD seminary teachers

It's not easy being weird

Halloween 2010 will go down in our history books for being a hard one!

With it being on Sunday, our family decided that we would not go 

trick or treating and we would spend it doing things at home together as a family.

Not an easy thing for one of my children who had many friends ask said child to go trick or treating with them!!  Also, not all of our friends understand why we chose not to go(making us kind of weird).

But we endured and had a fun evening.

It is times like these when I miss being around my mom because she always does something fun for the kids, and knowing what she had in store for my nieces, I am sure she did not disappoint(lucky girls)!

The girls got invited to the local Girl Scout Halloween activity.  They had a blast.  Brynn is a Rydell High Cheerleader(from Grease) and Marissa is an Orange M&M.  It was kind of funny because the girls that asked them to go were dressed up as a Green M&M and the one that took Brynn was a Pink Lady!

Sunday night we stayed home and passed out candy to our 12 visitors!

We decorated the table and I think it turned out cute.  

We had tacos with eyes(sliced olives), orange julius, brains(bean dip), and I think I even heard the above said child, who was having a hard time with Halloween being on a Sunday, say what a great day it was!!!

Thanks goodness for tender mercies!

I did tell said child that next year I will take this child and friends wherever they want to go(in the state) for as long as they want.  I may be out for a long time next year!!

Whatever it takes!!

Happy Halloween!!!

BTW, they did get to go to our ward Trunk-or-Treat, so they did get to get candy!  And the boys did dress up for the ward activity, but I did not get pictures of it.  Braden was a lacrosse player and Brandon was a Bob Marley kid of hippie.

1.  sunshine

2.  teaching moments

3.  a simple Halloween

Amazing

I have been sitting at my computer a good majority of the day today.

Entranced by what was happening in Chile.

I am amazed at what transpired today.  

I can't believe that 33 miners were trapped for 69 days in a mine 

a half mile underground.

I sat and watched so many of the miners arrive on the surface.

It is an amazing world we live in.

1.  safety

2.  cameras

3.  blessings

She will be missed

CHARLOTTE HUMPHRIES 

Charlotte Blake Humphries "Love One Another" Charlotte Blake Humphries, fun loving mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister and friend passed away October 8, 2010. She was born December 16, 1913 in Hinckley, Utah to Joseph E. Blake and Delta Cox Blake. She married Ray B. Humphries in the Salt Lake Temple September 18, 1936. She was always active in the LDS church, serving as a Relief Society President; faithful visiting teacher, Young Women's Counselor, Sunday School, Primary and Young Women's teacher for over 50 years. She loved Temple work. Survived by her nine daughters: Joan (ElRay) Buchanan, Marilyn (Richard) Hubert, Kate (Steve) Burdette, Barbara (John) Hester, Paulette (Paul) Burt, Charlotte Marie (Dick) Hill, Debra Humphries, Kristine Humphries, and Cynde (Ken) Snow; 36 grandchildren; 72 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; two sisters: Irene Whitfield and Lou Jean Steadman; brother, Delaun Blake. Preceded in death by husband; two grandsons; one great grandson. Sincere thanks to Haven Hospice for their loving care. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!!!!

HAPPY 22nd BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!

Mom we love YOU!!!!!! You love US!!

WE LOVE YOU MOM!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! :) 

From Marissa

Need Something

to uplift you today??

This story made made me cry and wish there were more people in the world that would be such a good friend!!

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=12646567

1.  good people

2.  rain

3.  FRIDAYS!!!!

My Favorite

Talk of the night

President Monson

1.  A living Prophet

2.  service projects

3.  brownies

Driver's Ed. started last night.

enough said.

Game Night

College Football has begun!!!

And what a great night it was!!

Wasn't the best game as far as turnovers and penalties,

but in the end.....

Utah wins!!!  

Beat #15 Pitt!! in overtime!

1.  football

2.  no school today~great since the game was on until Midnight

3.  LONG weekend

Anniversary

Its been 17 great years!

Still going strong!

I

am ALL ALONE!!!!!

1.  a great first day of school for the older kids

2.  Brynn on the bus this morning

3.  only 1 tear as Brynn left!

Happy Birthday

Happy, Happy Birthday

to a great

dad

husband

man

son

We love you!!!!

McDonald's

I took the kids to McNastys today.  

We had been at our wonderful hairdresser's house because Brandon needed a haircut and did not want me to do.  I only use clippers and he didn't want his hair as short as I usually do it.  Anyway, that is another story.

We were on our way home and were all hungry, so we decided to stop.

We went in, ordered, paid then I didn't get all the food I ordered, so I told them what was missing and sat down to eat.  

The kids and I were having a discussion about being honest (I had just received a phone message from Kohl's letting me know that the $4 I had turned in last month that I found on the ground in the store had not been claimed and I could come and pick it up) and then I looked at my receipt

 and noticed that the food I had been missing was not on the receipt.

I had ordered a grilled chicken sandwich combo and was only charged for the sandwich.  I asked my kids what I should do.

Of course, they gave me the right answer!!

As we were ready to leave I went to the counter and explained the situation.  The cashier looked at me like I had a hole in my head.

She went and got the manager who then started to laugh!

She told me not to worry about it.  It would be "too much trouble" and that "it was their fault".

It was only like $2 difference, but to me, it was being honest.

I left with that extra $2 and a few people laughing at me, but my kids saw me being honest and that is all that matters.

Love McDonald's!!

1.  honesty

2.  $4 waiting for me at Kohl's

3.  good kids