I was thinking about my days in Texas and how when a hurricane would approach, our supplies were: Beer, propane for the grill, ice, meat and ammo (just in case). Now with Hurricane Sandy heading this way, my planning changed for preparations.
This time, it was less beer, more food for the boys. Amazing how your priorities change.
So as Hurricane Sandy hits the east coast, be safe and be smart.
I remember growing up as a child and always trying to find the coolest costume for Halloween. But usually, I ended up dressing as a solider the majority of the time because it was easy to do. This year, we decided to take the boys to our old church for trunk or treat. The boys were dressed as monsters from the movie, Monsters, Inc. And I have to say, that for the first time that they dressed up as characters, they did a great job.
Remember to be safe with your kids this year at Halloween. There are a lot of pranks going on and there seems to be more and more people getting into trouble this time of year.
Here we are, the morning after the last presidential debate and a few things stood out for me.
We are now 14 days away from the election. Early voting has already started in multiple states. So did last nights Presidential debate matter? Maybe? I think that 3 Presidential debates might be too many, because early viewing numbers are lower than the last debate. All in all, I don’t know how many people walked away with learning something new last night? But in 14 days, all of this will be over, we hope.
Don’t forget to tune in tonight to the final Presidential Debate, here is the information on the debate:
Topic: Foreign policy
Air Time: 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida (Tickets)
Sponsor: Commission on Presidential Debates
Participants: President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney
Moderator: Bob Schieffer (Host of Face the Nation on CBS)
As always, I’ll provide some type of remarks following the debate. But, now that we are within 2 weeks of the election, this Presidential Debate may prove to be the deciding factor for many undecided voters. Many states have already started allow voters to participate in early voting, but there are still a great number of citizens that are not sure who best represents them and their views.
If you are able to vote, please do your duty as a citizen and voter and take a few minutes out of your daily schedule to vote. It is important and regardless of your political views, your voice matters.
Part of growing up and learning about life, is that sometimes you lose. Whether it is an argument, sports, etc.
Some days, life really stinks. I know that as a baseball fan, the way that the Yankees played really made me scratch my head. I’ve never seen a more overrated and under achieving team before in my entire life. And at the end of a 4 game sweep, I just tell my kids that sometimes you lose, just like the Yankees did.
Life isn’t going to always be fair. But if you work hard, do what is right and always be true to both yourself and your family and friends, I believe that you don’t quite lose as much.
After getting home from the pumpkin patch this past weekend, we decided to make some Homemade Apple Sauce. I have to say, at first, I was a little unsure how good it would be, but seriously? I’ll never eat apple sauce out of a jar again.
At the pumpkin patch, we picked up 6 large apples that were grown on the farm. Then we peeled and diced them up. Put them in the crock pot for 6 hours with 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, squeezed out 1/2 lemon (to prevent the apples from browning) and then put some lemon zest in the pot and we waited. Man, to say that it was good is a complete would not do it justice.
Not only was it easy to make, it will be healthier for the boys. And when they are older, they will be able to help make homemade apple sauce.
Tonight is the 2nd Presidential Debate between President Obama and Governor Romney. I’m not really sure how this one will go, but here are my initial thoughts:
1) I think that VP Biden went out last week again Senator Ryan and went out fighting. I think he did this because A) that is VP Biden’s style, but also B) because the President came out so reserved, that they wanted to see how the American public responded. Well, it was a mixed review. Polls pretty much split the vote between VP Biden and Senator Ryan. So, I look to see the President to come out more forceful than his first debate, but maybe stay to the right of VP Biden’s approach.
2) I think that Governor Romney has really been able to hone his message and have it start resonating with the American public. That being said, I don’t know that he will come out as hard as he did the first time, but I do think that he will stay on point and hit home his message about the economy, job creation and the all important issue of healthcare.
3) I have shared this thought with a lot of family and friends, but I will be curious to see how many viewers tune in. If it is a low number, I think that that is a favor for Governor Romney. And I think that because A) early voting has already started and B) the American public, for the most part, has really already made up their mind. And with the way that the polls have been looking, a lower rating of viewers, in my opinion, only helps Governor Romney.
So, those are my thoughts, I’ll probably watch tonight and either Tweet or blog throughout or maybe just do a wrap up afterwards? We are 3 weeks away from the election.
My wife recently found something on Pinterest about things that you should do with your kids in the Fall. Now, the majority of the things that were on the list, our boys are still too young to do. But one cool thing that we did this past weekend was to take the boys to a local Pumpkin patch. They were able to run around, we took a hayride, picked out 3 pumpkins and planned on decorating the back of the house.
It was an inexpensive trip, but a lot of memories. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good pumpkin patch? And the best part, we were all together, we laughed and had a lot of fun. It isn’t always about going all out and overboard on things for the kids, but the time that you can spend with them.
As many of Americans last night, I too watched the VP Debate. Maybe not as closely as I should have, but let’s be honest, I am one of the majority that know who they are voting for. There were some interesting statements by both sides and I think that it is very important that our country gets to know who the VP is and/or might be, just in case something were to happen to the President and they become Commander In Chief.
That being said, there are entirely too many points to make here, so I will only suggest this, go to Fact Check and see the highlights of what was said, and how accurate it really was.
Two debates down and one more next week. We are in the short roads here before the election. My only suggestion is this, study the candidates and vote for who best represents you and your values.
As I have written about in the past, I am truly a Misplaced Texan living on the East Coast. So when I saw that the Deep In The Heart CD was coming out, I had to immediately order it. Not only does it have some of the greatest Texas artists performing, but it is just a solid cd for kids. And, do not forget, it goes to help a good cause, McLane Children’s Hospital Scott & White.
So far, the boys love the music and have really enjoyed listening to the music and I love that they are getting part of my life from Texas.
Deep In The Heart CD TRACK LISTING:
Pat Green “Candy Mountain”
Stoney LaRue “Oh Susannah”
Aaron Watson “Blue Skies”
Reckless Kelly “I’ve Been Workin’ On the Railroad”
Jack Ingram “You Are My Sunshine”
Jason Boland “This Land Is Your Land”
Asleep at the Wheel “Riding In the Car
Bonnie Bishop & Ray Benson “Don’t You Just Know It”
Fred Andrews “I’ll Fly Away”
Cory Morrow “This Little Light”
Josh Abbott “She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain”
Cody Canada “You’ve Got A Friend In Me”
Randy Rogers Band “Oh Mister Sun”
Charla Corn “Rainbow Connection”
Drew Womack “I’ll Fly Away” (feat. Jordan and Sunny Shipley)
Various (TBA) “Deep In the Heart of Texas”
Purchase the Deep In The Heart CD now via iTunes