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It's hard to believe I haven't blogged in over a year but I now realize I missed it terribly. I'm at a crazy ass turning point in my life after losing my job that I absolutely loved. It's tough being a woman in her late thirties with a degree in Poli Sci and trying to find a job. My brother always use to say 'poli sci, why try'. What's sad is that I got my degree in that field because I truly love politics. However in the real world it seems jobs are few and far between for people with that degree. Oh well, I keep searching. It's been an eventful year in that I have lost almost 100 lbs. 90 to be exact but damn it I'm close. I ran/walked my first 5k last week and that was one of the most exhilarating things I've ever done. And I'm ready to do it again. So many things to write about I think I'm going to keep it short today.

Thoughts on this election....

Well I've been thinking a lot about whether or not to put these thoughts out here but those of you who know me also know that I am pretty much an open book. I don't hide my feelings and I normally don't hide my thoughts either. So I have decided to jot down some of my thoughts on this election. First and foremost if you don't know I am an Obama supporter. If you didn't know you must be living under a rock, or you never look at my page. Secondly I am a Democrat. However, I am not a Democrat that votes a straight party ticket. So please don't think I am close minded. I have felt attacked many times during this election year by people telling me that I was crazy voting for Obama or that someone was going to pray for me because I was voting for Obama. To me spirituality whether it be Christianity, Catholocism, Buddhism,or Judiaism is a very personal matter.I understand that there are those who come from an evangelical background and believe it is your job to spread God's love as well as his word and I appreciate that. However I also believe I have friends who are just as strong in their faith but may not proclaim to the world. I, personally, believe politics and religion do not mix. Once again my belief. So let's get down to business. Why am I voting for Barack Obama? I vote on a variety of issues. Many of them social not fiscal. However, seeing as we are in a recession at this current time, I am also more aware that I need to vote with fiscal issues in mind. I am not here to lay out Barack's plans for you. There are online and you can look them up. I'm just telling you what I think is best for my family. I do not make $250,000 and if you do I think that is fantastic and more power to you. Barack's plan will give me a tax cut and in this day and age it will be welcome relief. Enough said. Also although I do not have children I believe they are the key to this nation's future. I believe in reforming no child left behind, as well as increasing teacher pay and empowering our schools to take the initiative to enrich these children's mind. Teachers need to teach the curriculum not teach to a test. If you've heard it once you've heard it a thousand times. Green Technology is our future. The US will not be able to compete with other nations if we do not adapt this technology. We must become an energy efficient nation. And no that doesnt mean we have to "drill baby drill'. There are alternatives such as wind, solar and clean coal technology. Healthcare is a hot button issue for many people, especially mine considering my brother and sister both work in this industry. First and foremost let's get one thing straight, Barack does not want to institute Universal Healthcare. His goal is to make coverage affordable for everyone. And if you don't want more affordable health insurance I'd love to know why. The war in Iraq seems to have become a back burner topic and it's sad because I think our troops have done a great job and sometimes as busy as we are with our schedules we tend to forget about this war. My problem is that we are spending billions of dollars on this war when the Iraqis are sitting on a roughly $79 billion surplus. I believe they should be using their own money and we need to put our money back into communities across this great country that are struggling due to the economy.Gay marriage is one of those volatile issues that gets people talking but I will say this about the topic, I have many gay friends who are in much better relationships than some of my staright friends are. These are people who work next to you every day, that love their partner as well as the families they have created. All they are asking for is that they have the same opportunities as we do such as spousal visits at the hospital, spousal healthcare benefits through employers and unfortunately one day social security benefits if their spouse should pass away. Last but not least I am a woman and I could never and I mean never vote for McCain because of the fact that he voted against the Violence Against Women Act as well as the Equal Pay Act. I also could not vote for McCain because of his running mate. A woman who wants to tell other women that I'm sorry you were raped but you will have to carry that child to term. I know, major hot button issue but I am not backing down from that. I know there are many people excited about Sarah Palin and that's great if she's your gal. However, I take heed when people say she's great she's just like me. Well I don't know about you but I don't want a VP who's just like me I want someone a lot smarter. In closing these are my thoughts and yes I am sharing them in a very open forum, however I still felt like sharing them. All I ask is if you are so passionate make sure you vote on Tuesday.

Something that makes me sad.

Lancaster, SC has been named America's most vulnerable city. This makes me sad. This town was once a town that lived and thrived due to Springs Industries (the company that makes all the bedroom and bathroom linens). And now I read in Forbes Magazine that it's just a sad little town due to unemployment figures, poverty and education. Well let me tell you what I know and remember about Lancaster SC. My father's family is from this town and my grandparents have always lived there. I grew up spending many weekends there as well as lots of weeks during the summer. My grandfather and grandmother both worked for Springs. She worked in customer service and he worked in what was called the bleachery, where they made the textiles. They both put in many years with this company and retired many years ago. Springs at one time took great care of its employees. They use to have a small amusement park on the grounds of the Catawba River. It was also at this park that I first went to summer camp. I made it till Thursday and then I had to go home due to a bad case of homesickness. But let me tell you about this place. It had the biggest swimming pool I had ever seen with one of those Olympic size diving platforms. It had a skating rink that was outside. It had rides like you would see at a county fair. It also had a boat that would take you around the Catawba. It was a place of fun for kids of all ages. However, it closed many years ago due to the globalization of Springs Industries. It's sad to say that a large population of Lancaster lost there jobs due to the fact that Springs could find cheaper labor south of the border. Moving on from Springs let me tell you some other great things about Lancaster SC. Its Main St use to come alive on Friday and Saturday nights with teenagers just cruising. Yes I think the maximum speed on the weekends was a whopping 5 MPH. It was the place to see and be seen. I remember cruising with my cousin Kevin in his Camaro with the T-tops out listening to Rob Base. It wasn't the only thing to do on a weekend night in Lancaster it was the THING to do. Oh and I can't forget the Eckerd's lunch counter. My grandma and I use to have lunch there on Saturdays after leaving the beauty shop. You could get the world's best patty melt at the counter. I could go on and on about memories of Lancaster. It made my heart sad to read that article, however I am optimistic that this little town will turn things around.

Funny how things work out.

Seven months ago my spouse was offered a promotion to be an Operating Partner in Hilton Head. At the same time I made a lateral move to be the catering sales manager in Savannah, GA. We spent 6 months living in the lowcountry and decided it really wasn't for us and moved back to Columbia. At first I didn't know if I would have a job or not but the great company that I work for has allowed me to continue working for them. Well as of Friday I have found out that I get my old job back. Hooray. It turns out that the chick that had my job is making a move to our home office. Funny how things work out. I guess some body was looking out for me.

BS and then some

As those of you who are friends with me know, I am very much a Democrat and I don't try and hide it. I love my all my friends Republican and Democrat and I will always agree to disagree. However, I must speak up about these brazen lies that are circulating on Myspace about Barack Obama. Mainly, the fact that he is a Muslim. He is not. He is a Christian. Also there is a BS post comparing Barack to the anti-christ. Now if it were done in good fun I could maybe get a laugh out of it but it's not. It's written in a way to scare people into voting for McCain. We've come this far with out any major scandel about Obama and the reason is he's a good Christian man. One of my favorite political sayings is God is Not a Republican...or a Democrat. So when it comes to electing a president think with your head and do what's right for you, whether it Obama or McCain. But please don't let the fear mongers scare you into believing their BS lies.

So much to write errrr type.

Just got back from 4 days in Mt. Pleasant at my company's home office. If my husband wasn't here I don't think I would have come home.I absolutely love my job and the people I work with. They have become so of the best friends I have ever had. Had some great meals while I was there. If you ever get to Boulevard Diner you must have the Pimento Cheese burger. It's rich, lush and damn right good. Also ate at the Bookstore Cafe and the portions are ginormous. Who doesn't love a fresh crab cake sandwich topped off with fried green tomatoes. I haven't had the opportunity to watch the debate yet but I have it recorded and I plan to catch it this afternoon. I have seen the Katie Couric/Sarah Palin interview and once again this woman shows exactly why she should not be the VP candidate. It's a Saturday afternoon so there's a lot of good football to watch. Loved seeing Oregon State beat USC on Thursday night. Although I do have quite the school girl crush on Pete Carroll. It's the gray hair I think. I'm a little peturbed that I applied to be on the debate panel for the State newspaper but apparently they had plenty of Obama supporters so I didn't have a chance. What exactly does that say about SC? We are a Red state and they were having a hard time finding McCain supporters. Hmmm that's odd. My mom leaves on Wednesday to go on a two week cruise of Italy, Greece and Turkey for her 60th bday. I really hope she has a great time. What an opportunity. Maybe one day. Hell I'd be happy to go to Helen, Ga for a weekend at this point in time, lol. Is it just me or does it seem that I am all over the place today?

Boo on mean people

I haven't been writing much lately but I guess that's a good thing because I usually only write when I'm pissed off or mad at some one, lol. I woke up this morning to apparently find out I was being too thorough in my job. WTH? Yes, too thorough. So I need to scale back on my emails and send one at the end of each day. Ok so enough about being too thorough because if I get started I won't stop. The cool crisp weather in Columbia is fantastic. Fall is one of my favorite seasons and you can tell it's just around the corner. And with fall comes great football, the state fair and Halloween. Hooray Fall!! The election is also around the corner and I think the media is starting to get over their Sarah Palin obsession. More and more information keeps coming out about this woman and it keeps looking better for my Dems in November. If any one in their right mind watched her interview with Charlie Gibson they would know this lady is an idiot. She may be shrewed, cunning and instinctive but when it comes down to intelligence I don't think she's got it. Come on she has a Bachelor's in Poli Sci. I have one to so I'm thinking about asking Andre Bauer if he would let me be his lieutenant governor because clearly I am qualified. As my little smart ass brother use to say Poli Sci, why try? Yea I know it's pretty much a crap degree unless you get your Master's or go on to law school, but at least it shows I committed to 4 years of going to school. Actually make that 4 and a 1/2.