Grand Ole' Party

So here I am, three days after the election and for lack of a better word, heartbroken. My brain is fried from over seven months of non-stop work, my stomach hurts from a diet consisting only of fast food, and I no longer fight the bags under my eyes that seem to get darker by the hour. But would I trade the past seven months for anything? I don't even hesitate as I say no. For one of the first times in my life, I honestly feel like what I did had an effect on not only myself, but the future of our fine country. I can forever say that I had a part in what will be one of the most historical Presidential elections of our lifetimes. Did we lose? Yes. Do we have changes to make? Of course. But that is what has made this experience so much better, the fact that we can look at what happened and learn. I am so proud of my party; I am proud of President Bush and I am proud to have been behind Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin.

I was not raised in a particularly political home, nor were the views that rarely emerged Republican; and I couldn't help as I grew older that I found myself drawn to the Republican party. Not only for the social aspects, but now as I learn and mature, the financial principles as well. I believe in small government, I believe in the freedom of parents having a choice on where they send their kids to school, I believe in private healthcare, I believe in lower taxes and am against putting my hard earned dollars into broken government programs, I believe in energy independence, I believe in creating jobs at home rather than internationally, I support the war in Iraq and helping other countries learn the power of democracy, I support the beauty of life and protecting it, I believe in the right to bear arms, I believe in the power of the Consitution and preserving the orginial law of the land, and most importantly I believe in the American Dream; the power of creating something for yourself, by yourself.

While my interest in politics were always high, I never thought I would be sitting here working for the national party. I get asked all the time by friends and family who don't share my beliefs why I work where I do, and I can't help but get frustrated as they lay their judgement on me. To me, I would rather fight for what I believe in, than sit idle and complain when things don't go my way... That is why I won't be bitter come January 20th when Barack Obama is sworn in as our 44th President. Some people seem to forget that the President is still not only the leader of our country, but also the free world. That man, no matter who he is or where his views lie, deserves the respect and support of every American; something that I feel many people seemed to lose sight of with President Bush. And I truly do hope that Barack Obama brings good change to Washington, because while it may be unsettling for some, it might be what is needed.

Also, thank you to all of my family and friends who stood by me over the past few months, I couldn't have done it without your constant support. Even when we got in screaming matches over election news, it is always nice to have a little outsider perspective. And here's to the next couple of years and the revival of the Republican Party; I sure as heck can't wait to be a part of it.



Martha Stewart Tip-of-the-Day: To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop.

I'm voting because...

I am not one to post political ramblings but this just made me laugh...

"I'm voting Democrat because like most Americans I trust lawyers more
than anyone else; I think only lawyers should run the government, and
all the Democrat Leaders are lawyers: Barack Obama, Michelle Obama,
Joe Biden, John Edwards, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Leader
Harry Reid, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry, to name
just a few. (Al Gore dropped out of Law School, so I don't trust him
as much, except on Global Warming.)

I'm voting Democrat because the Democrats support the trial lawyers
and I think this country needs more lawsuits and less tort reform. And
I don't believe the trial lawyers' contributions have a thing to do
with it.

I'm voting Democrat because Congress has done such a wonderful job
under Democrat leadership the last two years, that I want a lot more
of the same.

I'm voting Democrat because I want to get my health care from the same
competent, efficient, cost-effective, customer-service-focused folks
who run the US Post Office, the Pentagon, FEMA and the state Registry
of Motor Vehicles.

I'm voting Democrat because I'm way too irresponsible to own a gun,
and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from
murderers and thieves.

I'm voting Democrat because Sen. Obama has promised to cut the taxes
of 95% of the people, including the 30% who don't pay taxes.

I'm voting Democrat because Sen. Obama has promised to take away the
secret ballot in union elections, and I think the union bosses should
know if a workingman or woman is with them, or against them.

I'm voting Democrat because Sen. Obama has over three years experience
in the Federal Government, and "Hope" is a great strategy.

I'm voting Democrat because Sen. Obama voted "present" instead of
"yes" or "no" over 120 times in the Illinois State Senate, and I think
we need a decisive president.

I'm voting Democrat because I think that drilling for American oil is
foolish, when we can buy oil from the Middle East.

I'm voting Democrat because I think windmills (except off Hyannis) are
a better answer to reliable, clean energy than Nuclear Energy.

I'm voting Democrat because I don't think we give enough to other
countries in foreign aid.

I'm voting Democrat because I'm for putting up barriers to free trade,
as they did in 1930 with the Smoot-Hawley bill. That made things much
better then.

I'm voting Democrat because I miss the high unemployment, inflation
and interest rates of the Jimmy Carter years.

I'm voting Democrat because parents shouldn't get to choose the school
their kids go to. Parents should leave their children's education to
the teachers and stay out of it.

I'm voting Democrat because I think this is the perfect time to raise
the Capital Gains tax and drive investment money out of the stock
market.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits of 4% on
a gallon of gas are obscene, but the government taxing the same gallon
of gas at 15% isn't.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better
job of spending the money I earn than I would, and I want to spread my
wealth around to those who earn less-or nothing.

I'm voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as
nobody is offended by it.

I'm voting Democrat because, when we pull out of Iraq, I trust that
the bad guys will stop what they're doing because they now think we're
good people.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that people who can't tell us if
it will rain on Friday CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt
away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius.

I'm voting Democrat because I'm not concerned about restoring partial
birth abortions so long as we keep all death row murderers alive.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that small businesses should not
be allowed to make a profit. They need to break even and give the rest
away to the government for redistribution to people who didn't start
businesses.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe the law is what judges say it
is, and not what legislators say -- or the constitution."




Only 6 days until the Presidential Election, so if you aren't Early Voting please remember to go out and VOTE on the 4th.
As always, Go McCain - Palin!!!!

Martha Stewart Tip-of-the-Day: Take a few minutes to open, read, and sort mail as soon as you bring it inside. Keep a trash bin near your sorting area for junk mail. Drop other mail into one of four in-boxes: personal correspondence, bills, catalogs, and filing.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

I find it pretty much impossible to be unhappy in the fall time. The weather is turning to the perfect cool crisp, beautiful leaves cover the ground, harvest decorations adorn almost every home, weekends are spent drinking beer and watching football, and my favorite holidays are just around the corner. But more importantly, there is the reemergence of everything pumpkin and all of the delicious masterpieces that come along with it. One of my favorites, Pumpkin Bread! I always find myself baking it multiple times to share with friends, and almost always finish a few loaves myself.

• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce
  
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 cup of brown sugar
  
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 small splash of vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, applesauce, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and vanilla. Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until lightly mixed. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 45-50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

I dare you to bake this and not finish a loaf in one sitting. Some like to add a glaze, which can be made from combining soft cream cheese, confectioners sugar, and a little milk. Also, try throwing in chocolate chips or dried cranberries to change things up a little.



Only 11 days until the Presidential Election, so if you aren't Early Voting please remember to go out and VOTE on the 4th.
As always, Go McCain - Palin.

Martha Stewart Tip-of-the-Day: Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.

Buckley Windsor Sullivan

Although most pet owners are usually partial to their own, I can assure you that I am the owner of the most perfect pup ever...

Isn't he just so adorable. I literally fall in love all over again every time I look at his little face.