Amy November 16th, 2008
Warning…. Rant ahead.
I want to know why Congress is even thinking of bailing out the auto industry? When does bad decisions, unflexible unions and outdated processes become MY problem? Why are WE, as taxpayers, expected to bail out companies? I have enough issues with bailing out the financial industry who made loans to people they KNEW would not be able to pay for them when their rates increased and have since acted surprised that the housing industry has crashed and all these people are in foreclosure…. I knew it was coming and I am not a financial wizard so I know that they knew.
But now they are considering bailing out the auto industry. ABSURD. If a company cannot make it, let it fail. It will either figure something out or disappear. Either way, consumers will be better off in the long run. The airline industry has struggled, is still struggling, but the players are making their way. I don’t think any company should feel entitled to government support. How much debt does the US really need to get into? I don’t feel that I should help keep someone’s $81/hour job for them. Get over yourselves. And on top of everything, they are paying their top executives millions and millions of dollars to stay. It is probably just me, but I don’t think that they have done such a great job if you need government money to keep functioning.
I feel better. Just needed to rant.
Michael November 15th, 2008
We had a few visitors last night. I went out about 9:30pm to throw something away and there were three raccoon kits and their mother. They and the cats were sheltering from a storm on our porch. They didn’t seem frightened by me and sniffed what I was throwing out (leftover tuna casserol) before climbing down the post to the ground. Maybe they’ll come back and I can get some pictures.
I love living in the woods.
Michael November 14th, 2008
Well, it happened sooner than I thought it would… I sold my car. A nice family from south Georgia met us in Rome so their daughter could see the car. They ended up buying it for her. (she’s just turning 15 next week)
It was kind of an emotional exchange for me. I had that car for 9 years, almost to the day. It was my first new car purchase and it was the car that defined my bachelorhood (as my wife put it so well).
But it was time to part… We did have a good run together. I could no longer give her the attention that she deserved. I hope her new owner provides her with the loving care that I did.
M.
Michael November 12th, 2008
I was dropping Camden off at his Gigi’s house so she could take him to MDO this morning when I had to take a detour for some construction. I didn’t know he had been paying attention so well. He got discombobulated, pointing to the way I usually go saying “Go Gigi’s! Go Gigi’s!”. I had to explain that the big trucks were blocking the way, but we would get there. He seemed to understand, at least he stopped yelling. He loves his Gigi!
Amy November 11th, 2008
Mother Nature has been putting on a glorious show this past week. I have found myself standing underneath orange and yellow and red trees inhaling and absorbing their beauty and trying to memorize the way the light flickers through their leaves. I love fall and one of the reasons I love living in this area is that I get to enjoy this season. Living in SW Louisiana, there wasn’t really a fall to speak of. There were a few trees that changed, but mostly it is pines and live oaks. In the foothills of the Appalachians you get to experience the fall seen in pretty calendars.
The only thing I regret is how quickly the leaves change and then fall. But on a deeper level, if the leaves lasted longer, would I get as much enjoyment and spiritual blessings from them or would I simply take them for granted? The ebb and flow of life is shown in this season. Enjoy the beauty deeply and strongly when you have the opportunity for soon it will be gone. Gone so that you can begin the anticipation of the next wonderful thing to come along. I will enjoy the seasons in between, but will be anticipating the next time I get to sit on one of my rocks and look up into the stained glass of the woods. Click here and here for the rest of the photos.
Amy November 10th, 2008
A few weeks back Camden began wanting to sleep in his shoes. Deciding that this was a battle I didn’t care whether I won or not, I relented. This proved a problem though when it got cold enough for him to wear his footy pajamas. In an effort to get him to wear these, Mike and I convinced him that these were his night night shoes. It is so cute to hear him say Nigh Nigh Shoos now when we get him ready for bed. Tonight however, I had to convince him that Night Night Socks were just as good since all of his footy pj’s are dirty…
Michael November 6th, 2008
With the weather turning cooler lately, Camden has had the opportunity to use a new word… alot… and I sometimes don’t find it that amusing. That word is “shock”. He will sneak up behind me and… zzzt! (a static electricity zap) Then just laugh.
But, I have to say this. He is learning new words every day. MDO must be teaching him some of them because I was reading him one of his books the other night and he pointed out by name ostrich, giraffe, and zebra. Animals I haven’t taught him yet. His capacity for learning humbles me every day.
M.
Amy November 3rd, 2008
Watching the presidential race this year has been interesting, amusing, uncomfortable, arduous, and exhausting and I am glad that it will be over tomorrow. I am one of those people who doesn’t like the mudslinging, even though at times it has proven entertaining, and would rather you just state what you are going to do and how. After all of the coverage I have watched I am still not sure of the answer to this question from either side. They both seemed too scared to get off of their talking points and just talk. In today’s media obsessed culture I guess it is a rational fear that something you may say in passing will be plastered all over every news outlet ad nauseum, so better to stick to the edited, reviewed, and approved message.
But all of that being said, I am excited to vote tomorrow. If nothing else, this election has gotten people motivated and out to the polls. I never expected to hear tales of people standing in line for hours to vote EARLY. I am glad that people are finally engaged. For all of the drama and no matter the outcome, this is GOOD NEWS.
So early tomorrow morning I am going to go to the little picnic pavilion at the top of the mountain that is my voting place and vote for my choice. I will get a bit sentimental, as I always do, as I stand in line and thank God for my right to vote for my choice in a truly democratic election. We live in a great country, not a perfect country, but a great country and we should all be thankful to be Americans.
Amy November 2nd, 2008
This year Halloween was a lot of fun. This is the first year that Camden was really able to participate and he managed to say something that sounded like “Trick or Treat”. He went as a fireman and acted the part as he ran from car to car at a local church’s Trunk or Treat. More than one person was overheard saying, “He’s running to the fire.”
Jackson went as a bear and although didn’t really participate, he looked cute.
We went to GiGi’s, the Trunk or Treat, and then to Maw Maw and Paw Paw’s where Paw Paw got into the action and dressed up for Camden.
Thank you to everyone for all the great treats and the great fun.
Here is a link to the rest of the pictures.
Amy November 2nd, 2008
The other night I caught Camden helping Mike with his work….
