I Love Elections

I watched my first conventions (from gavel to gavel) when I was in kindegarten. I remember back then nominations were often so close we didn't know who was going to be nominated until the convention actually took place. And I think we have these types of nominations again - at least on the Democratic side.

I'm not a Hilary fan. I wish Obama had a different stand on a number of issues because I really like his leadership style. I usually vote Republican but the first time I voted that way was in 1980 and Chris had to hold my hand while I checked the name on the absentee ballot - it was traumatic :) I call myself a radical moderate. I'm so tired of the hateful rhetoric on both sides, that I'm in a way intolerant myself! I'm also very purple. Anti-death-penalty, pro-life, anti-war, anti-big-government, pro-traditional-marriage - purple and proud of it.

But anyway, back to the election - and especially Hilary. She's really screwing up - which is so interesting to watch because I've always seen the Clintons as VERY politically savvy. Bill is playing WAY too large a role - even if he was 100% loved by all Americans his role is too large for a former president who is trying to place his wife in the spotlight for her own election. This political cartoon captured what I was thinking so perfectly.



What are they thinking? Plus she's been attacking Obama with the silliest things - like for saying something positive about Reagan. When people see a politician slinging such impotent arrows they end up knowing more about the slinger than the target. Another screw up... she's airing an ad in Oklahoma that criticizes Bush's connection to the big bad oil companies! I predict that will play well with about 10% of the population here.

Anyway, expect more politics as the months go on because it's fascinating me like it hasn't in years. I can't wait to see how silly Guiliani does in Florida - what was HE thinking???

Love you all!

The Kiddos (with sweetie pie!)

I love this picture. Lisa sent it. Thanks, Lisa!

Moms

See my friend Lisa's wonderful tribute to her mom on her blog.

It made me think of my mom and how much I love her and miss her. She would be SO proud of all her children and grandchildren. Love you, Mom!

Also - to those who enjoyed the story about St. Josephine - see the quote from Pope Benedict that I added to the post.

Patience

Chris and I were just talking last night about how we won't need patience in heaven. Because God's actions will not seem "slow" to us. We'll be totally in sync with Him and His will.

But Lord, I sure need patience on earth. This took WAY TOO LONG...

St. Josephine Bakhita

Read a beautiful story about how this saint inspired a white supremacist murderer on death row to become a devout Catholic who now leads other prisoners to raise money for children in Sudan.

Added on January 12:
I'm reading "Spe Salvi", Pope Benedict's encyclical on hope and came across a beautiful passage about St. Josephine:

He tells about her horrible encounters with cruel masters since she was 9 years old, and then...

"Up to that time she had known only masters who despised and maltreated her, or at best considered her a useful slave. Now, however, she heard that there is a “paron” above all masters, the Lord of all lords, and that this Lord is good, goodness in person. She came to know that this Lord even knew her, that he had created her—that he actually loved her. She too was loved, and by none other than the supreme “Paron”, before whom all other masters are themselves no more than lowly servants. She was known and loved and she was awaited. What is more, this master had himself accepted the destiny of being flogged and now he was waiting for her “at the Father's right hand”. Now she had “hope” —no longer simply the modest hope of finding masters who would be less cruel, but the great hope: “I am definitively loved and whatever happens to me—I am awaited by this Love. And so my life is good.”

Sooner or Later

Our poor Sooners (Univ of OK) lost their Bowl game last night. I'm sitting here at work and it feels like I walked into a funeral home. One co-worker said he thought about taking a bereavement day today. Like Chris said, it's not "just football" in Oklahoma.

I am inspired by Mary Ellen's camping plans for the year. I was thinking just yesterday that this might be the first time we actually plan our days off at the beginning of the year. Last year I kind of accidentally lost some and THAT is not acceptable.

Have a wonderful day y'all (including those in mourning).