Food for thought.

I am not Republican.

I am not Democratic.

I support Mitch Daniels.

I support Barack Obama.

I also support this article.



I agree that Toyota is guilty for manufacturing unsafe vehicles... but, let's play fairly.




Indianapolis - Governor Mitch Daniels is taking President Barack Obama to task over his handling of the Toyota recall problem and several other governors have joined him.

Daniels stopped and talked with some school children at the Statehouse Tuesday. While he was making small talk, he was also sending out a big message to the federal government when it comes to Toyota.

"Let's recall. Let's fix it - the cars," Daniels said. "If a fine is in order, then fine, but they have gone so far beyond that. It's very very suspicious in view of the government conflict of interest."

That is why Daniels and, he says, a bipartisan group of other governors around the nation have joined together to send a letter to the Obama administration, complaining about the handling of the Toyota recall investigation. House investigators are now saying there is growing evidence that not all the causes of Toyota's acceleration problems have been identified.

"This is why you don't want government in the car business, for instance. There you have a company doing more than others have done with regard to a recall. There were 600 recalls last year alone and they didn't go so hysterical as this," Daniels said. "These congressmen running this committee have their own agenda and it is a discriminating agenda in this case. They didn't do this the last several hundred recalls."

The governor said the letter was written up without influence from Toyota.

"The company did not ask us to do it and may have preferred not, but we did not want to remain silent. We think they are being discriminated against," he said. "[Toyota is] an excellent citizen. Only company I know that didn't lay anyone off during this sales downturn of the last year and the most American car company, based on where they build their new cars and where their parts come from.

"So why are they being beat up this way? That is what the letter says. Obviously the government has a conflict of interest, owning companies that directly compete with Toyota. They need to play fair, which they haven't done up to now."

Daniels admitted that all the governor's involved - which is thought to be four or five total - have Toyota plants in their states.


Toyota is a large employer for the state of Indiana, and I support Gov. Daniels in his actions to protect the company, and Indiana jobs. While many may argue that Toyota cars are "junk", that isn't really the argument at hand.

Lets continue...

WITH ANOTHER FAVORITE:

... and more kitchen.

The kitchen is one of my favorite places to be. Zach might beg to differ because it isn't like I am singing and dancing while I am in there. But, I love to create new and different things, and I especially love to cook and bake for others.

Well, today I am baking cookies... and I realize that my cabinet FULL of spices and baking supplies is a wreck. So, this brings me to another favorite thing, organizing. I love to have things organized and orderly. Which, Zach would probably also say contradicts many of the things my persona would reveal; I am quite scattered in my thoughts and actions. But, I like the world around me to be in order :o) So, I had to pull everything from the cupboard and get it in order. Then, it hit me... I have an entire cabinet dedicated to cooking and baking. That's likely not natural... But, I went through everything, and there are only 4 spices that we rarely use; I couldn't toss anything.

We'll see just how long the organization stays put. I give it a week. :o)

My Favorite....

KIND OF POST:

I love it when things get accomplished around our house, making it OUR house and not the folks who formerly lived here.

Last weekend I Zach took out that old nasty kitchen sink and faucet and replaced it with a nice shiny new one. We think it goes with the rest of the kitchen a bit better.

Before:


After:

Indypaint

I am not sure what direction this brand new website will take, but the concept it cool.... post for free, sell for free. The only prerequisite is that art work must be physically located in INDY, and deliverable to the Indy Paint gallery; that's it.

Well shucks, I actually qualify for something :o)

www.indypaint.com

Happy selling.

Link

Okay... the link below is up and functioning now! I apparently typed it in incorrectly the first time.

Enjoy the new blog!

A new blog

A new year brings new things.

I've decided it is time to start a photography blog.....because,well...sometimes I just want to post a super crummy picture on my personal blog without thinking of its reflection on my photography skills. So, I've started a new blog.

This also allows me to keep a rolling portfolio that will be linked to my website... which is the main reason for its creation :o)

www.modernrelicsphotography.blogspot.com

*SHEW* that's a long link.

Besure to become a follower, or what have you, so that you are alerted when new images are added.

Colorado

Zach and I enjoyed another fabulous mini-vacation. We spent 4 days roaming the great state of Colorado, and we hope to make it back without too much time between now and then.

There is no way to sum up the beauty of the west, particularly western Colorado, into a few short sentences... so, I'll make no effort. Just enjoy our photos :o)

Lovely Bones

The movie is coming out, and I've got a gals date planned. Which,I am very much looking forward to.

This book came out at a very pivotal point in my life. As I sat alone in my apartment in San Antonio, I read the book in just a couple of days. Tears fell down my cheeks. Emotions brewed inside of me of which I had not taken the time to comprehend. And, I ended the book realizing that at least one other knew, knew the emotions... surely that's how the author had come up with the words that graced each page.

If you've seen the movie previews, and have not read the book, you will assume that it is just another murder mystery. I obviously haven't seen the movie yet, so maybe that is what the film format will focus on. However, in paper format, the murder plot is just a side clip to the purpose of the book. It's, more so, a book about the emotions of death. The emotions of the living and dead.

As I mentioned, the book came out at a pivotal point in my life.

My senior year in High School, I lost one of the very best friends I have ever had. Molly died in a car wreck on Feb 22, 1998. She was such a special friend to me. In fact, when I moved to Franklin she was the very first person I befriended. Or, better stated, befriended me. From day one, we were instant friends, and I always loved her for that!

Stroll a few years down the road. I still found myself battling through the first loss, only to be struck my the loss of another very dear friend. Jed died on October 13, 2002 from an accidental shooting. I received the news as I sat alone, in the very same apartment that I would later find myself reading Lovely Bones. I was so overcome emotionally by his loss. I took the next flight I could catch home and tired to sort through all of my emotions in those 4 short days.

It didn't work.

I had only been in San Antonio a couple of months, and only had a couple of friends, from work. So, I spent most every evening during the week at home, alone, trying to understand life.

One of those friends had read this book, and gave me her copy to read. She just said "This is a good book, read it". So, I did. I don't think she knew just how much it would effect me. Positively.

The book gently walks through the emotion of death. Particularly, an unexplainable and unexpected death of someone full of youth. So I read, and cried, and began working through my emotions.

When I heard the book was coming out in movie format, I instantly asked Molly's mom, Pam (who has become a very special friend to me!!!) to join me on a gals date. Knowing the emotions the book brought forth when I initially read it, I thought it might be best if I reread the book and work through those emotions again before becoming a babbling idiot in the theater. So, I went and bought the book to reread. I just finished it.

It was not until I read this book again that I realized how far I have come emotionally with the losses. I made it almost through the entire book before a tear hit my face, which was a major improvement from the first reading. But, then, there I was, on page 281. The family had marked their 8 years past the death date (which is where I stand on Jed's death), and they spoke of the emotions that have come and gone, and where they currently stood.

"Don't tell me you don't see her."
She let go.
"I see her everywhere," she said breathing out her relief. "Even in California she was everywhere. Boarding buses or on the streets outside of schools as I drove by. I'd see her hair but it didn't match the face or I'd see her body and the way she moved. I'd see older sisters and little brothers, or two girls that looked like sisters and I imagined what Lindsey wouldn't have in life...."

I cried. But only briefly. I often see and hear the distinct features each of those I've lost, I see and hear them in complete strangers... 8 years ago as I read this book, these "sightings" would make me pause, hope (knowing it would never be), and move on in a sort of disappointment. Today when I see these features in others, I stare longer than I naturally should, grace my face with a smile, and remember all of the joys we shared. But, I still see them. I kind of like to think of it as a gentle reminder. A reminder that is sometimes needed. A reminder that takes my mind through a fast paced jog through my memories of the times we shared. A reminder that makes me know we are not alone, ever.

Time doesn't heal, it simply allows you to accept. Never understand, but accept. And as I turned each page of the book for a second time, I realized how far I have come emotionally. And for that I am thankful!


If you've ever lost someone you loved, tragic or not, it is a suggested read. If you have not lost and choose to read the book, you may not understand how it can bring forth such strong emotions, but I hope you do!

I think I am now prepared to enter the theater. :o)

The darnedest things...

I often listen very intently to my nieces and nephews, when they think I am not paying attention at all... and, it never ceases to amaze me, the things that come out of their mouths :o)

Here's just a few of the things said during our vacation:

As we're driving with the radio on
Matthew: "This is my solo, right here" *Que, highly exaggerated, air guitar*

Following dinner, when asked to put the dishes in the dishwasher
Cheyenne: "What!?" with complete astonishment, "I'm on vacation!"

On the way out of the dinner cruise
Keigan: "When I heard him say they've only been in business for 9 weeks, I thought 'Man, anything could happen'"

Ramdonly
Keigan: "Matthew, you're getting a mustache"
Matthew: "Well, I am growing up" (he's nearing 12) *rub, rub of the upper lip*, "What color is it?"

Walking through Fisherman's Village on New Years Eve
Keigan: "All of these drunk people are like *staggering walk, high pitched voice, half opened eyes*,"HAPPY NEW YEAR"

During the dinner cruise, as she waits in line for the restroom, and a woman departs after being in the restroom for longer than normal
Keigan: "I know what you did" (not directly to the woman, but as she walked by... rather embarrassing, but also humorous)

Randomly
Kalib: "I don't want to pop my knuckles, but they keep egging me on until I pop them" *pop, pop, pop*


Just a brief overview... but, they always make me laugh.

Vacation ~ Florida

Zach and I returned to the FREEZING cold this afternoon, after spending the last week in the Sarasota area of Florida.

Day 1:

We departed the morning of Christmas; our days end destination, Macon, GA. We made it, but... I do not do well on long car rides. After I come out of my morning stupor, it's nearly impossible for me to stay put. We knew we had plenty of time to get to Macon, so after seeing an endless count of billboards about Ruby Falls, we thought we'd eat lunch and check it out. Of course, being Christmas day... we were promptly shewed off of the property. The detour wasn't terrible though. We drove up through Lookout Mountain and Rock City. The houses in the area are adorable, and I could probably handle the mountain views, but... the city sprawl of Chattanooga wasn't much to look at. So we remain marveled by the magnitude of Ruby Falls signs, with no answer to whether or not all of the advertisement and hype lives up to the attraction itself.

We arrived in Macon and spent a bit of time in the hot tub... we were a tad nervous about our hotel rental. I booked on Priceline, and never usually go below a 3 star, but decided to be daring this time... and we were pleasantly surprised. We've stayed in worse, that's for sure :o)

The view from Lookout Mountain




This view is nice, but it reminds me why we generally fly


Day 2:

Torture. Besides the temperature increasing, and finally arriving to our destination... the day in the car was just plain torture :o) But we did arrive to the smiling faces of our nieces and nephews... which always puts a smile on my face. We spent the evening relaxing at the house... and trying to enjoy the pool and hot tub which did not meet our standards as far as warmth is concerned.

Day 3:

We visited Myakka River State Park this day. It was really pretty. Sometimes when in Florida, it's nice to get away from the beach scene, and into the "natural" habitat of Florida. I type it like that because the majority of southern Florida is not in its native habitat due to the damming of Okeechobee Lake, and in response, the draining of the water in Southern Florida.








We enjoyed the airboat tour, watching the alligators, birds and wild hogs. We took a couple of walks through the wooded areas, up to a lookout tour and across a canopy walk; the latter two shook my fear of heights :o)




We spent the evening out on Anna Maria island eating dinner on the water.





Day 4:

We woke up early this morning and went shelling while the tide was low. The kids found all kinds of things; clams, shells, sea sponges, sand dollars,hermit crabs, etc. I enjoyed photographing the birds as they welcomed the sunshine.












After walking the beach for a few hours, we went back to our rental, took naps and showers, then went to the Gamble Sugar Plantation. We took the tour and learned the history of the plantation,along with a little Florida State history. I was very excited when my nephew, Kalib, referred back to what he had learned about tabby while at the plantation a few days later. (I was also excited when Keigan referred back to my history story on Spanish moss and the saying "don't let the bed bugs bite" almost a week after I told her... sigh... it doesn't all go in one ear and out the other)




This evening we went to the beach to watch the sunset, while the kids flew kites. It was soooooo windy, we were all being pelted with sand and freezing. So, we watched most of the sunset and quickly returned to the car. Even with a sand beating, the sunset was beautiful.




Day 5:

This day we spent a lot of time taking the kids to the tourist shops so that they could get rid of that money that was burning a hole in their pockets :o) Zach and I rarely enter these stores... but, I must admit, we did enjoy watching the kids debate on what they wanted to spend their money on. Keigan came to me before every purchase to get my opinion, and told me that she likes it when I give her "solid advice" :o)

While at the Red Barn Flea Market a gal told us to go up to Appollo Beach and check out the manatees. Well, the unfortunate part of the lookout is that the manatee are drawn to the power plant area because of the warm water release from the plant; the fortunate part, there are hundreds of them. They are so darn cute :o) So, if you can stand the stink spewing out of the power plant, I suggest it. We also enjoyed looking at the birds, crabs, shark and stingray.




We also took the kids across the Sky Bridge. They have a ritual (which I think Ruth started :o) ) of trying to hold their breath as they cross any bridge, and make a wish (which only comes true if you hold your breath all the way across). They tried, but failed on this bridge. But, they would start at each little island break in the bridge and try again :o) They didn't even try on the way back over, I think they realized it was impossible.



Day 6:

By far the nicest as far as weather is concerned. We spent the entire day on the beach. From sun up to sun down... and I loved it! I relaxed, caught some rays, read my book (yes, you read that correctly, I read), searched for shells, walked, built sand castles, and watched the kids dig the biggest holes they could; holes wide enough to hold at least 3 at a time and deep enough to hold standing water. We enjoyed it so much, that we all declared that we would get up early in the morning again the next day to do the same thing... and we did.










Day 7:

We rose early again and made our way to the beach. The morning was a tad chilly, but the sun was out. So we walked, tanned, shelled and built sand castles again. By lunch, the winds had picked up and the clouds had set in... so we were chilly, and went back to the rental to take a short nap and showers.



Afterward, we drove down to Charolette Harbor and took a dinner cruise. It was very enjoyable. Dinner was served indoors on the vessle, and afterward we were free to roam about at our liesure. We went upstairs and out on the deck to watch the moon glisten on the water. It was a nice full moon to ring in the new year. The kids were very excited when they went up to meet the captian and he let each of them steer the boat for a few. Those of us on the deck became suspicious that this was the case when we felt the vessle weaving back and forth, and the wake/path left behind prooved the feeling to be true. :o)





We had a scavenger hunt that lasted most of the week. We thought this would make the kids be more aware of thier surroundings, and we made thursday afternoon the cut off date. The prize was that everyone got to stay up to ring in the new year, and the winner got to pick out the snack for the night. Cheyenne was the big winner, and she picked peppermint icecream and waffle bowls for our snack. After a long couple of days, we were all so tired that we counted down to midnight and quickly hurried off to bed.

Day 8:

Rain and chilly air set in on this day. So, we drove over to Anna Maria island and slowly made our way down to Lido Key, where we walked St Armands Circle and ate lunch at a Cuban resturaunt, YUMMO!



Friday night we all just relaxed, the kids swam, and we prepared for our drive home. We also celebrated Matthew and Cheyenne's birthdays. (I cannot believe Cheyenne is going to, officially, be a teenager tomorrow :o( )





Day 9:

Did I mention that I do not deal well with car rides? Because, I do not. Traffic was heavy... there were multiple areas where wrecks had happened and the roads were not cleared off, and by the time we reached Macon, we were at our whits end and could not wait to reach Chattanooga where we had reservations.

We finally reached the hotel, ordered room service and tried to enjoy the hot tub for a few minutes before we took ourselves to bed.

A cute telephone booth in the hotel



Day 10:

We're HOME! Home is not my favorite place, because I am always thinking about places in the world that I want to see and experience. But, home IS my favorite place for countless other reasons... and, my body is looking forward to my own bed tonight :o)