I actually enjoyed watching the Biden-Palin debate last night. Although I’m a Mama for Obama, I really went into it with an open mind. Gov. Palin is obviously a very intelligent, successful woman with great confidence. I also believe that she is an honorable person who goes with her gut versus pressure from the outside. In addition, she’s funny. I think that if she lived near me, I’d like to be her friend. She seems like someone who would be a lot of fun with her quick wit, and she obviously likes to shop - lots of extra points from me!

As far as Sen. Biden is concerned, his appearance is a little too polished for my taste, but he is obviously also very intelligent, very qualified, and like Gov. Palin, seems to have a quick wit as well. I don’t know if he likes to shop or if someone else shops for him, but I would like to get the name of his dentist! He has the whitest teeth I’ve ever seen!

No, I’m not as shallow as I’m appearing. I’m not going to vote for anyone because of their teeth or their sense of humor. I am concerned with the issues. I’m concerned with the economy, with the health care system, and with single moms in particular. Yes, I believe that the church should be taking care of the underprivileged, but unfortunately, we’ve got a ways to go before that actually happens. I don’t want higher taxes, but if I made over $250,000 a year, and a few extra dollars could help some of my friends without insurance, friends who are self-employed or who have been laid off, I suppose I’d be willing to part with some of mine to help them. Robin Hood, socialism???? I hope not, but I know that I’m sounding a little that way.

Bottom line, though, after watching what I deemed an excellent discussion, I was thoroughly disappointed, even ticked off, when I got on the internet for a fact check and discovered that both candidates had lied about their opponents. Surely, they were just spinning the truth as most politicians are known to do, but they LIED. Gov. Palin lied, and Sen. Biden lied. (Gov. Palin actually lied more, but I”m not sure that that makes a difference.) Why do they have to lie? Let me hear the truth and then choose who I agree with the most. I’m not an idiot. I don’t think that I’m going to agree with anyone all the time. JUST QUIT LYING OR SPINNING OR WHATEVER IN THE HECK YOU CALL IT!!!!

Why is it that men get to do whatever in the heck they want to do whenever in the heck they want to do it? For some women, their husbands hunt. For some, they golf. Others have hobbies like skiing or fishing or boating. Some men run or bike or swim. There are those men who put together models or work on cars or watch every sporting event shown on television. Still others attend any game for which tickets can be found. Some men are musicians or artists or horsemen. ALL MEN have hobbies.

Many women have hobbies as well. I, for one, enjoy reading. I also love to shop and have Girls Night Out. I’d even go so far as to say that one of my hobbies is just piddling around the house. It makes me feel good!

The difference in men and women? Men choose when they’ll do their hobbies and let their wives know, assuming she’s available to watch THEIR children. Women ask permission, make sure that the man will, in fact, be at home, that he has not already made other plans. It’s universal. If you men ever wonder what we talk about under our breaths when we think you’re not listening, you now know. Many of the men I know are fantastic husbands, hands-on fathers, great providers…..Still the question remains - Why is that men get to do whatever in the heck they want to do whenever in the heck they want to do it?

Those of you who know me even a little know that I am tired of having little ones. Don’t get me wrong. I adore them. I love their cuddles and the way that they think that I’m the center of the universe. At the same time, though, my nerves have just about had it. After 13 years of little ones, I want them to grow up - just a little. I’m actually only talking about the girls, 7 and 5.

This morning, while taking my shower, I was interrupted no less than 5 times EACH by my girls. “Mom, do you know where the tank is that goes with that jacket I bought at Justice?” “Kitty, what jacket?” “You know, the one I got at Justice?” “Huh? Come over here closer so that I can hear you.” Etc., etc. “Mom, can I have fruit snacks for breakfast?” “No, Jia, those are for lunches. When I get out, I’ll get you some real breakfast.” “I hate breakfast! I don’t like to eat breakfast. I don’t like to look at breakfast. I’m not going to do anything you say.” Then, whine, whine, whine…… I’m in the freakin’ shower. Do I jump out and spank her? Do I scream, “Get out of my bathroom!!!!” Do I send her to her room - good idea only she’s too tired to walk! HELP!!!

Then, as it was time to go to school (an hour late because of the snow), Kitty wasn’t ready. Shock! She’d been getting ready (supposedly) since 6:44 when she woke me up. (By the way, I NEVER woke up my mom!! NEVER!!!) I told her she’d be grounded if she made William late for school. Of course, she’s been grounded every day since Sunday and is even missing a playdate today, but all she could focus on was that William was playing, too. “Yes, Kitty, but William is ready to go!” Can I scream, “GO TO SCHOOL!!!!”

As William and Kitty were leaving for school, I reminded them that they weren’t staying for Spanish today. William doesn’t like it and usually forgets to stay anyway. Kitty likes it, but sometimes forgets to stay. I’m tired of writing a check for $82/month when they forget half the time and don’t seem to be learning anything anyway. I know that I’m supposed to be teaching them to finish what they start. In this case, I’m quitting. I asked Kitty yesterday if she wanted to continue. She thought about it and thought about it and couldn’t decide. When I told her that she wasn’t staying today, she said, “I still haven’t decided!” That’s okay. I’VE DECIDED!!! If it takes that long to decide, it’s not worth $46/month for her to go.

As I’m typing this, Jia is rubbing on my leg and pushing my chair around. Joy! I’m glad she likes me, but, “Pleeeeaaaassssseeee, leave me alone! My skin is crawling!” While wrapping her blanket around me, she’s saying over and over again, “I love you, Mom-mom. I love you with all my heart!” She’s so sweet, but I have to answer her EVERY time she says it, and I’m trying to vent right now!!

I’ve decided that I have let my girls get away with everything short of murder. Guess what? I’m done! If they have to live in their rooms when they’re not at school, that’s okay with me! It’s time for the fast track! They’re about to grow up - just a little!!!

I’m rushing around this morning like a mad woman, taking Carson to school, making cinnamon rolls for the other children, getting them ready for school, rounding up gloves and boots for the newly-falling snow, packing up projects (why in the heck are we doing projects right before Christmas?), getting myself ready to go to Space Lab in 3rd grade (yes, as Carson said, I stink at science!), and preparing for 18 people to come to my home for the staff/elder Christmas party tonight. (As you can see, I have no business blogging this morning, but I needed a quick rant!)

As I’m sending William and KeKe out the door, William yells that the bus has come early. Of course, the bus would come early on this slow, easy-going morning! William puts it in high gear and runs to the bus stop. KeKe runs a short ways, then stops in the middle of the freakin’ street and begins to cry that she can’t go any further. I’m walking up the street, hollering at the top of my lungs, “Run, Kitty, Run!” as she stands in the middle of the street and cries, “I can’t. My leg is hurting.” Psycho Mom appeared and screamed for the whole neighborhood to hear (and Child Protective Services, I’m sure), “If you don’t run to that bus, I’m going to really hurt your leg!!!!!!” Now, I’m running for her, and Mr. Bus is waiting for her. When she sees me running towards her, she takes off running and crying the whole way! Just so any neighbors happened to notice Psycho Mom, I hollered at her (for their benefit), “Good job, honey! You made it!” Then, under my breath, “She’s going to make me insane.” Of course, how much more insane could I be at that point?

I feel much better. Now, I can be late for taking Jia to school and for me to get to Space Lab. I think I already live in Space Lab anyway!!! As Carrie Underwood would sing, “Jesus, take the wheel. I can’t do this on my own!”

Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas has gone off the deep end, and it really ticks me off! It ticks me off because, although they are not affiliated with any Baptist organization, they present themselves as Christians. These insane people attend soldiers’ funerals carrying signs that read, “Thank God for Dead Soldiers!” They attended the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington, D.C. carrying signs that said, “A Soldier Dies. God Laughs.” Members take their children to soldiers’ funerals, and their children carry these same signs. There are even pictures of their children standing on the American flag. More signs read, “God Hates Fags,” “God Hates the USA,” and “You’re Going to Hell.”

Why are they acting like this? They believe that God is punishing the United States for its liberal stance on homosexuality. And how is God punishing the U.S.? By having American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan! They have several web addresses, two of which are www.godhatesfags.com and www.godhatesamerica.com. According to their webpage, www.westborobaptistchurch.com, they have conducted over 34,000 peaceful demonstrations to date “opposing the fag lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth.” As a result of the negative press, “now, God’s america’s enemy, dashing your soldiers to pieces.”

If you’re interested in hearing “Fresh Bread from the WBC oven,” the latest sermons, you can go to their webpage. Look for the square that reads, “God Hates You,” and you’ll find the messages that I’m sure you’re dying to hear! Insanity!!!!!!!!! The blogs, news, articles, etc. on their site are enough to make you incredibly angry!! How can they go to places where people are trying to say good-bye to their fallen sons and daughters and be so horribly hateful? Where is Jesus’ compassion? Where are His arms and feet? They’re sure as H*** are not holding up those signs and stomping on the hearts of hurting people!!

This group initially made its name known when they demonstrated at Mathew Shepard’s funeral several years ago. He was the boy who was homosexual and was tied to a fencepost and beaten to death in Wyoming. They showed up carrying signs that said, “God Hates Fags” and “Fags Burn in Hell.” How many people at that funeral turned to Jesus in their time of pain as a result of this “Christian” outpouring of hate?

A father of a fallen soldier brought a lawsuit against several members of the group and won around $11 million. Now, the poor babies are crying to the judge that they don’t have the money to pay, and more lawsuits are around the corner. Maybe they ought to just pray to God for the money. If He’s really supporting them, and they’re following His lead, He’ll take care of this situation for them, too. If I were them, I wouldn’t be holding my breath, though!!!!!

I am absolutely dumbstruck! I just read the news of the day and saw that Leona Helmsley’s freakin’ dog named Trouble just inherited $12 million from her estate. The crazy old witch actually set up a trust fund for her stupid dog!!! When the dog dies, it’s to be buried alongside her and her husband in their mausoleum. PPPPPPLLLLLLEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE!!!!!!! She even left money for the person who’s going to take care of the dog. It’s a freakin’ DOG! She left $5 million to each of two of her grandchildren and left nothing for the other two for reasons that they would supposedly understand. But she left $12 million to a stupid mutt named Trouble!!! $12 MILLION TO A DOG!!!