wrong number

We've all gotten and dialed the "wrong number." But what is usually a rare occurrence, is the norm at our house - receiving them that is. There is a doctors office in town that has the last 4 digits of our phone number and the first three digits are the same except the last digit. Ours is 533. The doctors office is 535.

We receive, on average, 5 "wrong numbers" a week. After assessing that I do not know the phone number and/or person calling from the caller ID, I sometimes answer and other times I just let the answering machine get it. I figure that the person calling will soon figure it out they called the wrong number once they hear my voice on the answering machine. If I do answer, I make sure that the person calling is corrected on their mistake and I hope and pray they will not repeat their careless error. After I correct the person calling, I immediately get, "You must get this a lot." Yeah. A LOT!

I've thought about calling the doctors office to please ask them to make sure their clients dial the right number, but it's really not their fault is it. I can see how people do dial the wrong number, but the frequency in which receive them makes me think that people are downright off in space half the time.

All the wrong numbers are really not too much a nuisance, except for the one day we had 7. It's more of a mild annoyance. I am thankful for caller ID so I can "screen" the wrong numbers. If I was answering all the wrong numbers, that would be a MAJOR annoyance!

voter guide

In just one week, America will choose a new President. If you are unsure of where the candidates stand, you can go to this website, http://www.frcaction.org/ , and click on the voter guide link.

And...be sure to get out and vote next Tuesday! If you don't, don't complain, and don't leave your choice to someone else.

choice or conviction

Continuing on with my conscience vs. compelled voting analysis, there are people who will vote for a candidate by choice rather than conviction. The 2008 election will be seen as an historic election - we will either elect the first black President or the first women vice-president.

After listening to hours of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Neil Bortz, I have heard that there are those who are CHOOSING to vote for a candidate simply because they want to be in on possible "history making." Those people have thrown out CONVICTIONS and principles and have CHOSEN to vote in order to be popular.

There are also those who are blinded by race. They are going to vote either for their race or against a race.

How sad we as a democratic nation have become when we vote to be popular over what we may believe. And how sad, to simply choose to vote for a candidate of the same race as you.

conscience or compelled

The right to vote is one of the fundamental rights in our society. It's our duty as citizens to get out and vote, EVERY time there is an election.

I also believe that each individual should be informed on the candidates which should result in an individual voting their conscience. Did you catch the "should?" This election, I can't vote my conscience, at least not 100% of it. I like Palin, but dislike McCain; however, McCain is the lesser of two evils. It's unfortunate that we are bound by the monopoly of a two party system giving us only two viable candidates.

I am COMPELLED to vote for McCain even though my CONSCIENCE does not like or approve of many of the policies he has backed in the past. I KNOW that an Obama Presidency would weaken, if not destroy, the basic foundations our country and weaken our standing in the world.

I have friends who plan to vote their conscience. I also know their consciences do not fall in line with McCain or Obama. But consider this, every vote NOT for McCain is a vote FOR Obama. Do you really want a socialistic President who will "spread the wealth around," or a President who has sat under a pastor spewing hate for America and is friends with terrorists?

I believe if you do not want our country to be weakened to it's very core, you will find yourself COMPELLED to vote for McCain. He's not perfect. But let's be honest, has there ever been a candidate you have agreed with 100%?

My Punkin

Last year, my cup of Joe and I visited a local pumpkin patch. We had just moved to the area and it was something for us to do to get acquainted with the locals and the area. I was 3 months pregnant with our little Espresso and we bought a daddy pumpkin, mommy pumpkin and a pumpkin for our little baby.

We returned this weekend, with our Espresso - I've been calling him my little punkin lately. We, hubby and I, had a lot more fun that our pumpkin, but it was rather sentimental for us returning with our little boy. We helped him pick out his pumpkin all the while pretending HE really picked it out. I just can't wait for him to be old enough to really pick out his own pumpkin and helping him carve his Jack O'Lantern. Oh...so much to look forward too!

Waiting for teeth!

Our little Espresso has been drooling like a dog since he was 2 months old. He's been gnawing and been uncharacteristically fussy since month 4. We are now in month 6 and I'm waiting for teeth! I WANT TO SEE THEM. I've never wanted something SO BAD. And why? I guess I want all the drooling, all the gnawing and all the fussing to mean something. I know it means something, BUT I want to see the results! I keep saying, "2 weeks. We'll see something in 2 weeks." After saying that for 2 months, I guess I should start saying "2 months!"

I know it can't be long, but I'm so impatient.

Brainwashing

I'm a Packer fan. Being born and bred in Wisconsin in a football loving family, it's rather hard NOT to be a Packer fan.

So...naturally, I want to pass on my love of the Packers to my son, right? I have begun brainwashing my little Espresso into being a Packer fan. I have no help from Daddy who could care less about football, so it's all up to me. And thankfully, since Daddy does not have a favorite team, I have a clear road to brainwash our boy into being a Packer fan.

How I'm doing so far?