OK, I think I fixed my website. The new one is: 

web.me.com/tlkphotography

Lets see how long this one decides to work. 

Home Alone

So it is Christmas eve and I am sitting in front of the fire at my parents house all alone actually.  My sweet sister-in-law (including her husband and 21 month old son) have the flu.  Both of my parents have taken her to urgent care because my brother is in no condition himself to be driving around town at 8pm on Christmas eve.  And while it really stinks to be home alone with not much to do on Christmas eve while your own husband is deployed, I really don't want to be feeling sorry for myself because I know Liz (the sis-in-law) would rather be anywhere else than urgent care herself.  

So I decided to take a little time and enjoy listening to Dolly Parton's Home for Christmas CD.  I have to admit that I really do enjoy Dolly Parton, maybe I should visit her theme park, Dollywood.  Tonight has been pretty good, I made dinner for my Mom and Dad (Apple cider chicken, horseradish mashed potatoes, and roasted green beans and tomatoes, yes I am bragging a little).  And after I'm done with my ramblings here, I plan to make Almond roca cookies, dang I'm good. 

Anyways, we got some good news today.  Michael is supposedly leaving the desert the first week of January and heading back to OK before trying to get a flight to L.A.  I say "supposedly" because the military has a fear of commitment.  I won't believe they are sending him home until I get a call from my darling saying he is IN FACT back in the great state of Oklahoma.  From there we are planning on getting a hotel room somewhere close the the beach to do what is it married people do after being separated for an extending period of time (I'm sure you can use your imagination, but please, no visuals).  I think there will be much time spent with his family in So. Cal., along with seeing our friends as much as possible.  After all of the family time is over, we head back to Oklahoma so I can start yet another semester at OU (which I am actually kinda looking forward to).  I'm looking forward to driving home with Mike, we usually have a pretty good time road tripping across country.  

Now I'm going to call to see if Liz is still alive and then make cookies while listening to the timeless Dolly.  I should be good at being alone after the last few months, right?  Sure I am, especially when I have something to look forward to, I love being home in front of the fire, one of my favorite places in the world...and I love cookies.  Merry Christmas, I really hope everyone had an awesome year and an even better one coming up.       

Aycock, Shumaker, Cassidy and (1/2) Krause Thanksgiving

I was fortunate enough to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year.  It was great to be home for my favorite holiday of the year with the people I love.  It was emotional when we went around the table talking about what we are thankful for, but something I will never forget.  Maybe it was me, but this was a remarkably low-stress Thanksgiving...one for the books.  And of course only one thing could have made it better...having my other 1/2 with me.   

Family picture time, I think this was the 8th one...

Chillin' with Grandpa, we matched.  

He is very proud of his belly button.

Pure amazing-ness

Pol-o-tics #2

So, Barack Obama has been elected as our next President.  It is obviously not what some of us wanted, but in the end it is what this country wanted.  And we know that God is ultimately in control, take comfort in that.  

For those of us who voted republican, it is now our chance to show HOW to support a leader we do not necessarily agree with.  President Bush and the Bush administration have been torn apart and slandered by the media (and by most of this country) for the last eight years.  As Christians we need to pray for and support the future leader of this country.  And that's that.   

Pubba

This is my stinker, Jezebel.  I just wanted to say how much I love this silly dog.  I'm so glad that she is here while Michael is gone.  She is my sidekick and she follows me around everywhere.  Her favorite things to eat are sticks and rocks.  Sometimes she drives me crazy and I just want to put her in her crate for the rest of the day.  But then I look at her perfect little doggie eyes and I realize again how much I love this pup!  What a good girl. 

Pol-o-tics

Politics is one of those issues that I avoid, 1. because I try to avoid conflict and 2. I guess I feel like I never really have a handle on what is going on.

But this presidential election hits a much closer to home since we are military.  I get extremely upset when I see everyone on T.V. spouting their negative opinion about McCain and Palin.  I understand that people think differently how things should be done, but the way "conservatives" are being treated is disgusting.  The things people say about Mc Cain/Palin are disgusting, it is OK if you disagree with them, but have some respect- they are presidential hopefuls, grow up people, stop the name calling and act like adults.  

I feel like I have done my homework to understand the stance of each candidate.  I am not going to get into what I agree or disagree with but here are some thoughts.   

If Americans simply vote on emotion we heading for disaster.  Electing unqualified people simply because you are angry at the bush administration will drastically weaken this country.  If you think the economy is bad now, wait until the far left get thru with the federal budget, this country will change for the worse.   

I do not understand why, anyone who has studied what Obama really stands for, would still vote for him.  And that statement is aimed even more at those Christians who plan to vote for him.  

I know it is harsh, but for those of you who are family and close friends, do not tell me if you vote for Obama, I'll have no respect left for you. 

Vote for what is right, not for what is popular.