Really Long Rant

Yeah, so today is not a great day. My beautiful state is being sucked down the toilet and nobody in elected office gives a crap. They are all out for the quick fix, easy way out and it just disgusts me. I cannot believe that my state would elect John McCain in the REPUBLICAN primary. Who out there actually thinks this man is a republican??? I really want to know. He is nuttier than a fruit cake and will do serious damage not only to my state but to the country as a whole. And then...oh yes...with 64% of the vote, the totally uninformed, unenlighted actually passed stupid amendment 1. My insurance (just the homeowner's and windstorm, which are required in order to get a mortgage) went up $2000 this past year. Yes, from paying approx $2000 (which is high to start with but totally undestandable since I do choose to live where I do) to over $4000. No, I am not kidding. But Hey! Wait a minute! I just got tax relief....really...how much you say...I will probably save $240 a year (if I am lucky enough to max out the savings). So, property taxes have gone sky high over the last 5 years right along with the ridiculous sky high property values but hey my taxes will go down approx $200. The thing about this amendment that really infuritates me is that written into this amendment is protection for all those 6 monthers/snowbirds who have second homes here. Excuse me...I can barely afford my one home let alone a second home. These people DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to be protected as such. If the taxes are just too high for you do not own two homes. Or if the taxes in FL are too high, homestead here instead of up north. I am absolutely sick of our elected officials doing more to protect those who rape our state (ie snowbirds) then those of us who choose to live here with our families and actually positively contribute to the state economy. I actually have a job here, I use my disposable income here. I do not sit back and spend the least amount of money possible while sucking down as many Medicaid dollars as possible and then bitch that the state does not do more to help them protect their SECOND home. I have really had it with the people who are running our state. The top jerk is the Governor who started this whole descent with the selling of our beautiful state to the Indians and gambling. If you want full scale casino gambling go to the places where it already exists and do not futher destroy our beaches and environment. And please do not tell me about how much better it is up north and how all us backassward redneck hicks should destroy our state to make it just like up north. If you love it up there so much, stay there!

And for now I will stop as I no longer have time to continue this worthwhile rant. Check back for future moments when I loose my cool and type what I am thinking without any filter.

1st Skateboarding Accident

So. Just so ya'll know...I did not give my 4 and 2 year old babies full on skateboards for Christmas. THAT person would be Pappi. Anyway...ignoring the whole age inappropriate thing I allowed them to actually have the skateboards and ride them. You know what happens next...



and then THIS....



Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the next day when Kyle's upper lip was swollen 4 times the normal size and all the scrapes showed up so well with the scabs. He about took his entire nose off and almost knocked out one of his front teeth.

To Kyle's credit (and I am secretly proud...) he actually asked to get back on his skateboard a few days later.

Long Overdue

Things have been super crazy around here the last few weeks but I am trying to catch up here. Christmas was awesome. As seems to be the usual for our kids now they get to have 3 Christmas celebrations (soooo spoiled). We started with Kevin's family at Useppa. Nothing like getting on the boat to go to an island to celebrate. It was nasty cold on the way out there but the weather was just great the rest of the time. Sunny, warm...very nice. Kids got to see Santa. Todd of course was terrified of Santa. Would not get near him. Even with me (and Kevin) holding him. Kyle on the other hand loved Santa. So much so he followed him out of the house and the people walking around with Santa had to tell us to come get him (he wanted to see the reindeer). We were at our house for Christmas eve and the Christmas day. The boys got lots of cool stuff... the best being their power wheel nascar cars. The LOVE them! And yes, we are somewhat ashamed of the whole redneck thing...sigh...oh well! After our family celebration, Mama, Paige, PG and Zane came over for more gifts and dinner. We had a fabulous time. New Year's Eve was much the same. Had Mama, Paige, PG and Zane here for dinner (Stone Crab, Filet...yum yum)then Mama watched the boys while Kevin and I went to his brother's house for their party. Again by boat. We have had the most wonderful weather (I was actually sitting out in the sun last week). The boys are growing way too fast. Kyle is already to my waist now and Todd is only 4 pounds lighter than Kyle (Kyle is still a bean pole). Toddles is finally showing the effects of the double ear infection he has had now for awhile which I had no clue he had. He has been coughing and stuffy the last 2 weeks but with colds and croup I did not even thing about his ears. Took him to the doctor today and she was like...ummmm...he has a really bad infection...I was totally like...oh...okay...he never complains or cries...I think he will be back to his old self now that he has medicine. Both kids are still singing Christmas carols. Favorites are Jingle Bells and Santa Baby. Who knew? Todd is also talking so much. It is incredible. He has not quite mastered the "C" sound yet and Kyle comes out "Tyle"...same for all c and k sounds. Kinda funny actually cause I start calling Kyle Tyle. Kyle is all about learning still. We make a counting and subtraction game out of his eating. Two positives...he is learing basic math and he eats. I am telling you...the child would not eat if left to his own devices. Okay...I am stopping now and will get some photos up here....Happy New Year to all!