Election Day is 1 month away...or is it?

I sat down with my notebook and Hershey bar ready to watch the debates.

This is how far I got.

...before I fell asleep. Like snorin' deep.

For my friends that are rolling their eyes right now...but will send me an email in a few minutes to ask me just what my notes said, I am just going to share them now to save you time. I am very thoughtful and generous that way. Notes in red.

1) McCain: "Not you Tom." I looked at Big Shooter and said, "WHUH?! What in the heck?" it was weird and rude.

2) Concerning Fannie & Freddie: Did he say just say Obama was the 2nd highest campaign fund benefactor? Must check that out.

3) Obama: "No one wants to hear politicians standing up here pointing fingers." Amen Brother.

4) Loved the bipartisanship points McCain made when he spoke on spending reform, spending reform, spending reform. How often have each really crossed party lines with their votes? Must look up.

5) 78 yo Fiorra ~ Loved, loved, LOVED her question. "What are you going to ask the American people to sacrifice for the good of America?"

If you're wondering about the UH in the top left with tallies: blame Girl Child. She cannot listen to Barrack without counting the "...uh(s)..." he says. I promised her I'd keep track for her. I was awake for the first and last 15 minutes. The count was 53 (in case you were wondering).

I am glad I fell asleep. Because when I woke up I was NOT a happy camper hearing this little tidbit, "Obama only needs ___ # of electoral votes to win."

Pardon Me?!

Y'all I was under the impression the election was in one month. If they already know how they are going to vote (the electoral college) then what in the heck am I wasting my time on?! I have many more things I'd rather blog, worry over and contribute $ to. Don't you?

The more I think about it, the more mad I get.

I'm just going to bed.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I am hoping some home-made chicken noodle soup, comfy quilt, your chair...and your nasty nose spray...will do the trick for you Love.

A Green Give Away!

It seems all I need to do to get you all talkin' is post about politics or personal security emergencies!

Seriously, I am just glad to know there are more than 3 of you out there because I'd like to have a little Give Away today!

Before I tell you what it is though I have a little tree-huggin' to do.

Many months ago I received an email that changed the way our family looks at plastic.
We've all heard about the wildlife that suffers innocently from our plastic waste. And sadly, we seem to become immune to the pictures.

But, did you know:

* Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute with billions ending up as litter each year.
* According to the EPA, over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year.
* According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. (Estimated cost to retailers is $4 billion. Who do you think they pass that cost on to?)
* According to the industry publication Modern Plastics, Taiwan consumes 20 billion bags a year—900 per person.
* According to Australia’s Department of Environment, Australians consume 6.9 billion plastic bags each year—326 per person. An estimated .7% or 49,600,000 end up as litter each year.
* Plastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photodegrade—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways and entering the food web when animals accidentally ingest. Which we in turn digest.
* According to David Barnes, a marine scientist with the British Antarctic Survey, plastic bags have gone "from being rare in the late 80s and early 90s to being almost everywhere from Spitsbergen 78° North [latitude] to Falklands 51° South [latitude]. Wow. Read that one again.
.

What can we do about it? Here are a few ideas:

* In 2001, Ireland consumed 1.2 billion plastic bags, or 316 per person. An extremely successful plastic bag consumption tax, or PlasTax, introduced in 2002 reduced consumption by 90%. Approximately 18,000,000 liters of oil used to make the bags have been saved due to this reduced production. Maybe governments around the world should consider implementing similar measures.
* July 2003, ReusableBags.com goes live, advancing the mainstream adoption of reusable shopping bags.

* Each high quality reusable shopping bag you use has the potential to eliminate hundreds, if not thousands, of plastic bags over its lifetime.

And guess what they sent me to give away...

Tell me what you think of this Tree Huggin' idea in a comment to be entered. I will randomly choose a winner of all three bags on Thursday evening. Too, if you're the recycling kind already they have AWESOME metal water bottles. Check them out here: http://www.reusablebags.com/

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thanks for lovin' me even when I get all...you know, Green.

Tried to bribe a police officer

I have a story to tell you this week about last week.
I couldn't tell you any sooner because 1) Big Shooter was out of town last week. And 2) I couldn't keep my heart rate below 200 whenever I thought of it.

Here are the basic facts:

* The Crumb Snatchers were in bed asleep. Girl in her bed in the front of the house. Boy in mine in the back of the house.

* I was sitting in the living room, near the front windows, typing on the laptop.

* No question about it, someone tried to get in my front door. Plain as day. Not maybe.

* Some of you know this about me, some of you don't, some of you have been with me when the Mama Bear kicks in to overdrive.

* I took off at a dead run to the back of the house to git me one of them guns...

* Only to discover one was "missing" from my secret, need-it-for-safety-purposes-right now-spot and the other I remembered I'd loaned to my dad.

* Turns out, Big Shooter still had my Glock in his car from the lake weekend. (He informed me of this when I called him not so calmly asking of it's where abouts...)

* He strongly suggested I call 911.

* What a novel idea.

* I somewhat calmly informed the dispatcher I was here alone with two young children and I'd appreciate an officer here RIGHT NOW. Thank you.

* She asked if I had a weapon. I told her all I had was my hubby's old shotgun with no shells. (I was thinking, "Do I even know where that is?) She said, "That's okay. I'd still like you to get it out." Whuh?!!

* Uh...okay. That sent my blood pressure even higher.

* After I'd informed her I had the old rusty thing out she asked where I and the kiddos were in the house, reminded me to stay away from windows but to stay as centrally located as possible. I appreciated the reminder, but I had already turned on all the outside lights and off all the inside lights but one and was standing where I could easily see both doors with one small step.

* The officer arrived within 2 minutes, checked all around the outside, calmed my nerves a bit and promised to patrol through the night.

* I don't think I slept more than 50 minutes the rest of the night.

* The next day Taco Bandito (Saucy Sashi's hubby) hooked me up with a shotgun and shells for the remainder of Big Shooter's absence. Thank you Taco Bandito. I slept like a baby.

I learned many things from this experience.

1) The Brain Dead Pug was well, brain-dead when the chips were down. (He didn't bark until I lept off my chair and when running fora gun. Whata Watch Dog...I love that canine.) 2) Bad Guys can be scared away with an unloaded, rusty antique according to the dispatcher. 3) Under extreme stress I don't think past the basic "Over my dead body will you touch my cubs..." to call the police. 4) Taco Bandito has some serious home protection I am very envious of. 5) Officers cannot take even food gift cards as thank yous. That fact saddened me greatly the next day. I am so very grateful for/to this officer. We at least wanted to buy him dinner or lunch. The city looks at that like I am bribing or buying him...?

Um...Duh?

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thank you for staying calm, rational, and the Ultimate Protector even from afar of your little grateful fam. We are thrilled you are home.

Happy Harvest Season

Love and ((Hugs)),
Straight Shooter

She Passed the Test, yet again.

I am truly trying to not say some really snarky things...I just don't see that happenin' though. So if you're a Barrack Buddy, please don't hold your breath or anything.

She's been on the stump running for VPOTUS for five weeks and she just stood toe to stiletto with someone who has been professionally blowin' smoke for 35 years... Just so we are clear ~ that's a 1, 815 week or 9, 075 day (I only counted weekdays) difference.

A couple highlights I enjoyed:

* "Paying higher taxes is not patriotic."

* Giving a timeline is like "waving the white flag of surrender". (Said while tapping a watch, We'll be outta you're way at noon on Feb. 20th 2009. You can save all your murderin', schemin', bombin' and head choppin' until the 21st if you don't mind. Then feel free to resume and be sure to make up for lost time...)

* "Go, look back at my comments. You'll see I agreed with Barrack." and "Barrack did not say he'd sit down with Hoobinjobin (can't think of Iranian leader's name) without pre-conditions." Whuh? Huh?! I actually felt bad for Biden with these two comments (amongst many, but these two especially). Does he really think 80,000,000 people did not hear Barrack say these things LIVE. So typical of entrenched politicos. I'll deny it, say I didn't say it, believe I didn't say it, say I didn't really mean it...until you believe me. I loved the retort she had to his first denial, "I watched that debate. I heard what you said. I'm sure the pundits will let us know tomorrow who said what, when."

Quote I wish she would have said to all the, "McCain voted against it. McCain voted against it," would have been, "Duh. Where do you think all the friggin' $$$$ was going to come from to pay for all your Do Good spending?!! Right off the backs of the Average Joe American bustin' his butt to pay for a house and food for his fam, that's where."

I guess it just boils down to the fact I like that she's an average, yocal, middle-class woman who is fed up with the bureaucracy like the rest of us and can speak her mind in non-politico language, stand her ground and not be intimidated by Washington's Finest. I find it interesting that people who don't like her, name the very same reasons. Seriously, I find that interesting.

She talked to the American public personally. He tried.

I did, however, come away with a much better opinion of him in the long run. Kinda. Okay, not much better. But, I did feel for him when he teared up and I love the fact he is so passionate about Israel and he goes home to Wilmington every night from D.C. to be with his fam. THOSE were fabulous things to find out.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Sweetie, I tried to hold back the snarkiness in the post. I really did. But, it's been driving me crazy all week so I'll say it to you ~ You know all those people that called her names, said she was an emotional train wreck, didn't have a chance or a clue? Or my fave, that she couldn't form a thought on her own? Do you think it may have been because they watched edited, pasted together versions of interviews designed to make her look bad...and (gasp) they themselves fell for it? Do ya think that coulda, maybe happened Sweetie? Nah? Me neither.

Fabulous Fall Farm Day at Sashi's

Well, the Gods in little white buckets in the sky must have felt sorry for us because when we returned home a little after 6:30 tonight our power was on. It hadn't been on for too long because the air purifier hadn't had long enough to rid the house of the Dirty Pug fragrance yet.

I love that dog.

I snapped a couple pics of the Crumbs while they were enjoying their day.

Boy Child received a new Lego creation from his buds over the Trauma/Drama Weekend and was dying to get it put together.

His sister, on the other hand, took it upon herself to play with/entertain Saucy Sashi's nephew. (Big Brother to the newest, most precious member of the fam.)

Since this little guy will head to the back door when he needs to use the restroom instead of the bathroom, we all had the same question for Girl Child when he showed up on the back porch like this. "Umm, Sweetie...where exactly did he find the mud?"

Is this not the epitome of a Farm Cat?

His name is Levi. He's 14. He weighs 12 lbs.

And he is by far my most fave thing about their place.

After school snack at Sashi's?

Why sherbet ice cream and sweet tea, what else?

No wonder Girl Child wants "more than anything my life" to be adopted by them...or their grandparents.

Tomorrow I may actually go out into the beautiful fall weather and snap some outside pics.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Every time I think of the debate tonight I hear the announcer for all the boxing matches who says, "Let'sssss get reeeeeady to ruuuuummmmbbblllle..."! Can't wait to see you in the wee hours Darlin'.

Our power is being Cut Off Today.

We came home from visiting the newest little most precious member of Saucy's fam yesterday to a note hanging from our door basically saying, "Sorry we missed you. But since you're here now, here's the good news. Your house is in the middle of all the hub bub going on in the neighborhood. You know, all those giant utility trucks making the streets rumble and all the dogs within miles going nutzoid all the live long day? Well, we want to converge on your backyard...again...to work on the lines that also converge in your backyard... Oh, and by the way, your electrical service will be down from sunup to sundown. Hope that won't be an inconvenience? If it is. Take it up with this reliable 1-800 number. Smile and have a nice day."

So to hurry and get the *&%$ outta Dodge and spend a glorious day on Saucy's farm I am posting a cheater today. A GREAT cheater. But a cheater none the less...

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My precious friend Sheila had this great little bloggy quiz on her site a while back.
It couldn't be more perfect for the Shooter fam.
Other than, "Mommy can I go visit Eula Mae?" I hear, "Mommy, which would you rather be...a plain ole human? ...or a dog? (said with the utter most awe you can muster) And if you do, what kind? (said with complete wonder and awe)"
Well Girl Child do I have a quiz for you!

I took it and look what I am!

You are a Labrador Retriever!
Your family is what makes you tick, and you never "flea" from an opportunity to hang out with the whole gang. A family picnic complete with hot dogs, deviled eggs and a refreshing swim in the lake is hard for you to stray from. Your sparky temperament and dogged intelligence mean you are not only a blast to hang out with, but great to work with as well. Your close pals appreciate your patience and forgiveness, knowing you'd rather let sleeping dogs lie than dwell on the mishaps of the past. Your dashing good looks may one day lead to a modelling career, if only you can tame the unfortunate clumsiness that sometimes causes you to go flailing from the catwalk.

Hmmm....really? Sparky, not snarky? Dogged intelligence...no comment. I am great to work with. Did you read that Sashi? Pass that tidbit on to Taco Bandito would you please Darlin'? And my modeling career...I'm still patiently waiting for Lane Bryant's to send the call that gives me the Super Size Model nod. Now, the Unfortunate Clumsiness...I'm all over that one... I've seemingly passed it on to the Crumb Snatchers. As evidenced this past weekend.

I'd love to know what breed you are. Click on the lab and let me know!

Have a great day y'all.

I hope to be back tomorrow.

Apparently, that will be up to the Gods in the little white buckets...

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I am really starting to wonder how you manage to leave town at all the right moments? Seriously? Are you punishing me for somethin'? My dogged intelligence is working over time to figure out if you are. Snicker, snicker.