Sarah Palin Rumors Debunked

The following came from this site:
http://www.audacityofhypocrisy.com/2008/09/07/sarah-palin-rumors-debunked/

1. 
   No she wasn’t a member of the (wild-eyed libertarian) Alaska independence Party, although her husband once was
   
2. No, she was never a Pat Buchanan supporter; even when Buchanan claims she was, she was on the board of Steve Forbes’a campaign in Alaska.
   
3. No, she’s not anti-semitic. In fact, she has an Israeli flag in her office. (Contrary to popular belief, the usual Evangelical thinks Israel has a right to exist, granted by God.)
   
4. No, she’s doesn’t believe that the Iraq War was directed by God. Yes, she did pray that proceeding with the war was God’s will. (Ever hear the phrase “Not my will, but Thine, be done”?)
   
5. No, Buchanan doesn’t support her now; in fact he’s supporting Obama. (Buchanan did think her speech was amazing, but then so do 80 percent of the people who saw it.)
   
6. Yes, she was pregnant when she got married
   
7. Yes, barring immaculate conception, Bristol appears to have had sex with her fiancee. No, Bristol didn’t receive only “abstinence-only” sex ed.
   
8. Yes, she did fire the public safety guy — but he said in the Anchorage paper that, for the record, she never, and no one else in her administration ever, tried to make him fire her ex-brother-in-law and yes, the state trooper (her sister’s ex-husband) she was worried about did: tase her 10 year old nephew; drive his state patrol car while drinking or drunk; did threaten to “bring her down”; and did threaten to murder her father and sister if they dared to get an attorney to help with the divorce.
   
9. No, she didn’t cut funding for unwed mothers; yes, she did increase it by “only” 354 percent instead of 454 percent, as part of a multi-year capital expenditures program. No, the Washington Post doesn’t appear to have corrected their story. Even after this was pointed out in the comments on the story.
   
10. No, she didn’t cut special needs student funding; yes, she did raise it by “only” 175 percent.
    
11. Yes, she did ask the librarian if some books could be withdrawn because of being offensive; no, they couldn’t; yes she did threaten to fire the librarian a month later; no, that wasn’t over the books thing but instead over administrative issues; no, the librarian wasn’t fired either; yes, the librarian was a big supporter of one of her political opponents; yes, the librarian was also the girlfriend of the Chief of police mentioned above; no, this is not the first time in the history of civilization that someone has been threatened with being fired over a political dispute
    
12. Yes, she’s an was an Assembly of God Holy Roller. No, she doesn’t attend an AoG church now. Yes, she did leave the AoG because they were getting too weird for her.
    
13. Yes, she apparently believes in some variant of Intelligent Design
    
14. No, she didn’t try to force the schools to teach it; she said if someone brought it up, it was an appropriate subject for debate.
    
15. No, she doesn’t believe in “abstinence only” education. Yes, she thinks abstinence is an effective way of preventing pregnancy. Duh. Yes, she believes kids should learn about condom use in schools.
    
16. Yes, she kills animals and eats them, and wears their skins
    
17. Yes, she has on occasion tried to get money from the federal government.
    
18. Yes, she did finally turn down the money for the bridge. Yes, that meant changing her mind about it.
    
19. Yes, she was vetted extensively, not just in three days — I’ve got links to press reports about people coming to Wassila on 29 May, and we had her on our Veepstakes at PJM from the first day we ran it.
    
20. Yes, Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech was written by a speechwriter. Duh. No, none of Obama’s, McCain’s, nor Biden’s speeches were impromptu off the cuff things either.
    

Happy Birthday Sister!

My little sister turns 27 today!

Happy Day Katie!

Not only is Kate my sister, she is one of my best friends. I can't image life without her. Some of the reasons I love her:

• Shared obsession for fountain Diet Coke
• Her go-get-em attitude, never lets grass grow under her feet
• Her ability to keep her house "company ready"--always!
• Her generosity, she is always doing nice things for me
• Her willingness to be my "assistant teacher" when we were kids, teaching imaginary children
• Her great sense of style--I'm so jealous!
• The fact that she perfectly planned out the switch from Katie to Kate on our way to freshman orientation.
• Her ability to have fun and laugh in most any situation
• Her passion for shopping
• Her silly faces and bird lips
• Her love of jelly bellies
• Her willingness to do anything I ask her to do for me--with little complaining :)
• I love our morning conversations as she drives to work and yells at other drivers.

I really don't know what I'd do without my see-ster.

I love you! Happy Birthday, TATIE.

A Midwest Fourth

This weekend we tried to teach Carter the phrase "hey y'all"...being the good little midwestern 2 year old that he is he looked at us like we were speaking a foreign language--silly boy!

We spent the fourth of July with our friends the Mann's--Kyle, Lindsey & Carter. Kyle just finished his ortho residency and they moved to West Des Moines about a month ago. A road trip was definately in order. Saturday morning we went to the famer's market downtown. While there were still many sandbags littering the streets and huddled close to buildings it was a neat experience that definately puts Iowa City's farmer's market to shame. Here are a few pictures from the market.

Seriously!?

Seriously?! I cannot believe that this is not a JOKE. I do not yet have words for my thoughts...

For its latest locale, Bravo's Real Housewives franchise has picked a real peach.

The cable network confirmed Thursday that it is planning to set the third installment of its hit reality series in Atlanta.
A preview of what audiences can expect from the privileged southern belles who producers have picked to represent what living in Georgia's capital is really like is scheduled to air July 30 at midnight.
"Bravo's Real Housewives franchise has resonated with our viewers across the country, and we think they will be equally fascinated by the lavish lifestyles and personalities of these Atlanta wives," Bravo executive VP and general manager Frances Berwick said Thursday. "They let us peek inside their exclusive, affluent community and see how they live their often-dramatic lives and manage families and careers. There is truly never a dull day for them."


The camera-ready hausfraus this time around:
Deshawn Snow: nonprofit founder, wife of Cleveland Cavaliers baller Eric Snow
Kim Zolciack: single mom, aspiring country-music singer
Lisa Wu Hartwell: real estate firm owner, jewelry and baby-clothing designer, model, actress, writer...and wife of Oakland Raiders linebacker Ed Hartwell
NeNe Leakes: nonprofit founder, wife of real estate investor, two sons
Sheree Whitfield: single mother of three, clothing-line owner

All of whom are at the center of the Atlanta social scene, Bravo promises.

courtesy of e! online

Tea Party

So we all know that the little niche I find myself drawn to in the cyber world (because remember, I live in Iowa) is the one of preps. Southern preps, New England preps, doesn't matter....preps. I found this video and it is hysterical! You must watch. You must watch now. Let me know what you think.

Friday Freebie at Monogram Chick!

Hey Y'all! Head over to the "business blog" and enter to win a free Preppy Travel Mug!

Chalk the Walk

Spring has sprung (albeit a little late) in Iowa City! Recently Niles and I celebrated the amazing weather by going to Mt. Vernon's annual "Chalk the Walk." A fundraising event for the nearby city in which local and national artists flock to the barren midwest to create chalk drawings. Local businesses sponsor squares that were chalked by artists and there was also a large "community" picture of dogs playing poker. For $10 you could purchase a "square" and a box of chalk to contribute to the larger chalk drawing.

It really was a fun event, Niles and I ate lunch at the Lincoln Cafe (a place we've heard rave reviews about for dinner and want to try) and strolled with Bailey around charming, downtown Mt. Vernon.

Cool "Blogthing"

So I found this pretty neat "blogthing" and thought I'd share since I am such a chocohaulic!

What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You

You are sophisticated, modern, and high class. Your taste is refined, but you are not picky. You are often the first to try something new. You are full of life and vigor. You have an amazing amount energy, and you keep very active. Some people feel like you can't focus on them. You do tend to be restless You love being by yourself and thinking. Developing your own theories and ideas is fun. You feel lost when you're forced to be social. Being with other people can be lonely for you.

The Chocolate Oracle

Preppy Spring Swap

I LOVE games and am so excited about my newest "game"! I am taking part in ConneticutCharm's Preppy Spring Swap and I just received my partner's name. The rules require that I send my partner 6 preppy, springy items in the colors pink and green. They can be: homemade, secondhand, candy, thrift store find, etc.
The fun part is that each item must represent 1 letter in the word SPRING.

Example (but not limited to):
S - stickers
P - pencils
R - really pretty picture
I - interesting Spring recipe
N - notecards
G - green ribbon

I am so excited to start sending stuff to my partner Imporverished Preppy (and am a tiny bit excited about receiving things too!)

What a great way to kick off spring, espcially because today was so rainy and dreary in Iowa and I am longing for the Georgia sunshine!

Wellies!

One good thing about the mess that we have here in Iowa City from the melting snow and ice is that it is an opportunity to buy new shoes. If you'd ask Niles, he'd say I can use just about anyting justify a retail experience. However, this most recent purchase was born from true necessity. Now, I am not talking peep tose with kitten heels--yet, but I am talking adorable rubber rain shoes--wellies! As a kid I loved sloshing around in mud puddles and now, with my feet fully protected in my prepply little wellingtons I can unabashadly tromp through the puddles once again.

Hint of Spring

We've finally had a break in the tundra-esk weather! This afternoon Bailey and I went jogging through the neighborhood. I was actually out in 34 degree weather enjoying the "warmth"! The snow is melting and the sidewalks and roads are turning into a muddy mess, thus Bailey was a muddy mess and required a bath when we got home (in my nice clean tub that I just bleached yesterday!) but it was worth it and I am craving spring!
So, I am wondering what y'all have on your playlists? I have a running mix that contains an eclectic mix that gets me through the run what gets you through yours?

With You--Jessica Simpson
Wind It Up--Gwen Stefani
Don'tcha--Pussycat Dolls
Glamorous--Fergie
Open Toes--Katherine McPhee
Holla Back Girl--Gwen Stefani
Suddenly I See--KT Tunstall
Don't Lie--Black Eyed Peas
Bubbly--Colbie Caillat
My Humps--Gwen Stefani
Switch--Will Smith
These Boots are Made for Walking--Jessica Simpson
Pocketful of Sunshine--Natasha Bedingfield
Rockstar--Nickleback
Don't Stop the Music--Rihanna
Ocean Avenue--Yellowcard
One, Two Step--Ciara
Shine--Anna Nalick
Love Story--Katherine McPhee

Winter Weather Advisory

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 12 PM CST WEDNESDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN QUAD CITIES HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 12 PM CST WEDNESDAY.

SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE AREA LATE THIS EVENING. ALTHOUGH SNOW AMOUNTS WILL BE GENERALLY LESS THAN AN INCH...STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS...FROM 20 TO 30 MPH WILL CAUSE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW AND EXISTING SNOW. IN ADDITION TO THE BLOWING SNOW...WIND CHILLS WILL BECOME BITTERLY COLD. THE COMBINATION OF TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO THE RANGE OF ZERO TO 10 BELOW AND STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL RESULT IN WIND CHILL INDEX READINGS AS LOW AS 20 TO 30 BELOW ZERO LATE TONIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT A COMBINATION OF WINTER WEATHER FACTORS WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR THOSE WHO MUST TRAVEL AND VENTURE OUTDOORS. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES. BE SURE TO CARRY A WINTER STORM SURVIVAL KIT IN YOUR VEHICLE.

Today was snow day #4, possibly #5 tomorrow! When checking the weather this afternoon, (which as a side note, I wonder if it is really necessary to know the temperature as there really isn't much difference between -2 and -10, they are both subfreezing and arctic!) I came across the above warning.

I can't decide if the most amusing part is where they call it "bitterly" cold, where we are told that with the windchills the temps will be 20-30 BELOW zero or the last line in which we are warned to carry a survival kit in our cars. Really?!

Always an adventure here in Iowa, think of the stories we'll be able to tell our children. Niles will really be able to say that he walked to school in the snow...he won't be able to say uphill both ways, but we can tell them he was in snow up to his knees & that I had to carry a survival kit in my car!

Cookies

Mrs. Gish Rocks!

Today I received a shipment of the best tasting and cutest cookies in the world. Check her out at www.mrsgishshomemadecookies.com I promise you'll not be disappointed. She does every occasion under the sun. The chocolate cookies are my favs. Don't you just love the braces?!

Spring Fever

I'm done. I'm over it. I want nothing more to do with the snow. However, this will prove to be difficult since we are expecting 4-6 inches of snow tonight. Who in their right mind finds this fun? I certainly don't. I'm sick and tired of my weather bug showing temps in the single digits with no end in sight!I was reading The Road of Life blog when I came across "Spring in a Can". You can purchase this snappy little set on Etsy. It is a paint can gussied up with some burlap & twine, a pack of dirt and a few grass seeds. You assemble in the dry, gas heat induced warmth of your home and voila in 5 days you have bright, green grass! It seems that, for now, this is my only hope of springtime. How sad is that?

So, as all you southerners bask in the radiance of the warm sun say a little prayer for me--that I can make it up my ice covered driveway without sliding back down as I lose traction and then that I'm able to scurry into our "cottage" without getting frostbite on any exposed smidgen of skin!

From now on, only sunny thoughts for me!

Snow Day!

Today we woke up to a Snow Day! This is my car this morning buried in snow--isn't the midwest fun?! According to Mark Schnackenburg, we are expecting a "wintery mix" (whatever that is) so school is called off for the day. Praise God! There was a break in the icy, watery, yucky precipitation that was falling from the sky this morning so I went out and unearthed my car. Who would have thought that shoveling snow in 32 degree weather would cause a person to sweat buckets? It was a great workout however, it is a chore that I think I'll leave to Niles! Enjoy the before and after photos!

Vail

I am sad to say that we are home from Colorado. We had a wonderful time skiing at both Vail and Beaver Creek. Niles and his fellow ortho residents atteneded a conference in Vail this past week--2 hours of class in the morning, 6 hours of skiing during the day, and 2 more hours of classes in the evening. Of course, the week went by way too quickly and we are now back in Iowa. The weather is about the same however, there are no snow covered mountians nor any white lights on the trees around here making it look like an idyllic snow village--we are simply back in barren midwest. In the photo below we just arrived at Beaver Creek ready for fun!

A Volvo made completely of LEGOS!

Never Did I Ever

Never, in my carefree days as a child growing up in the sunshine state, did I ever think that I would have the JOY of spending winter in Iowa! I long for the days that I laid in the pool in January with sweat running down my temple, sipping on an icy cold beverage. Instead, I sit here shivering, clinging to my hot tea, with a foot of snow outside. As a youngster I never had to start the car 20 minutes before going anywhere in an effort to break the multiple inches of ice from all glass surfaces. I was never schooled in the heat insulating properties of goose down. When it was time to get the mail we ran outside, barefoot of course, with the thick saint augustine grass blades finding their way between our toes. We did not have to spend 10 minutes suiting up, covering every square inch of exposed skin to walk 12 feet to the mailbox.

On the other hand, the beauty of freshly fallen snow is breathtaking. The other night Niles and I stood outside in the silence of the night as huge, quarter sized snowflakes fell from the sky. That is something most Florida girls don't get to see. However, the serenity and beauty were short lived as my southern buns soon began to freeze! Only 3 more months of this...

Oh, by the way, for all you southerners: Did you know that if your gas tank is low on fuel it can freeze, rendering your vehicle incapacitated....just something I learned today. Praise God, it was not a lesson learned from experience! Note to self: don't let the gas light come on when living in Arctic temps!

Happy Belated Birthday

To the King of All Things FRATASTIC!

D.C.

One week ago I was basking in the Florida sunshine, sipping the sweet southern nectar (fountain Diet Coke) and today I find myself struggling to walk as my ankle length down parka hinders each step I take. I am unable move my head from side to side for the scarf wrapped snugly around my neck in an attempt to keep all warmth bottled inside. But what makes matters worse--no fountain Diet Coke! Once we crossed the Mason-Dixon line on Wednesday it was goodbye sunshine and DC, hello snow and Pepsi. When will the midwesterners see the light? The holy light that shines on Diet Coke.

So Katie & Leigh, my partners in addiction, have DC for me! Cheers.

I can't be the only one....can I?

Seriously, why is it that I can spend hours reading the musings on blogs of people I don't know, nor will I ever know, yet there is a pile of laundry that needs my attention and as I go to refill my tea I continue to step over it?

Anyone?

Sick

Being sick sucks. But I think that what's worse than me being sick is Niles being sick. He started feeling badly on Thursday night and has gotten worse ever since. His fever finally broke this morning for the first time in 3 days. He has a horrible cough and severe headache. He seriously has not gotten out of the bed in 2 days. He is going to the doctor today, hopefully the dr. will work some magic.

I pray that I will not, but I know that I will be, one of those high strung, overly cautious, thinks-the-worst mothers when it comes to my children being sick. Every time that Niles coughes (which, by the way, it sounds as if he is coughing up at least one lung and half of his intestines) I'm on edge. So, I guess I have some time to mellow out....

Get well soon Niles!

Slacker

Ok, I have been a major slacker when it comes to keeping up with the blog. As we near 2008, I am making it my goal to be a consistent blogger.....we'll see.
As we settled into life in Iowa City we have done some really neat stuff, met some great people and had visits from family. I will try to chronicle 4 months worth of festivities into this post.

WINDSURFING

Who would have thought that we'd learn to windsurf in I-O-W-A? Believe it or not, we did. AND, belive it or not, I was better at this aquatic sport than Niles. Really, that is all you need to know about the adventure.....OK, not all but in my humble opinion it is the most important thing of which you should take note.

The orthodontic program director is an amateur wind surfer. Niles, being up for all things adventurous, told him that we'd like to learn. When the stars were alligned and the wind was at perfect learning speed (10 knots, coming from the North) we were phoned, given all directions, and within 45 minutes were at Lake McBride for our first wind surfing lesson.

Now, before you go thinking that we drug the board and sail into the water and hopped on, let me correct your thinking. The first 45 minutes of the lesson were spent on land. "Practicing" the moves we would do once we were in the water. We each climbed on the board, pulled up the sail and rehearsed over and over what to do once floating in the cool water as sweat dripped from our foreheads underneath our "crash helmets" and long sleeved sun protection.

We really did have a great time and learned new words like tack, jibe, starboard, port, rig, mast and boom.

VISITORS!

At the end of September mom and dad made the trek to I.C. They were able to: see my school, bask in the coziness of our cottage style bungalow, stroll around downtown Iowa City and the pedmall, feast their eyes upon the fresh produce and much more at the farmer's market, eat breakfast at The Hamburg Inn, experience german life at the Amana Colonies, shop at Kalona's Stringtown Grocery with the Amish, pick a "perfectly crisp apple" at Wilson's apple orchard, join us at our church, take Bailey to the dog park and even saw a Clydesdale foal!

I knew I was homesick, but I did not realize just how sick for home I truely was until they came. It was a much needed visit and I loved every minute of it! I think that my favorite quote from the weekend was when I took mom and dad to the school and Brooke's students saw them walking toward the front with me. (Let me interject for a moment--we all go by our first names, and love it! read: major sacrasm) As we walked toward the building, Xavier announced to Brooke's class, "Look, its Mr. and Mrs. Sarah!" Enough said.

As I write this and relive the memories we made during their first trip to the Hawkeye state, I remember with much joy what a truely great time we had! Thanks mom and dad for visiting, I can't wait until we do it again--I dare you to come in the winter :).

The Hamburg Inn, Saturday morning

Shopping at the Farmer's market

Festive Fall Foliage at Amana


Movie Stars we met in Amana

You know you're not in the south anymore....a bakery in Amana that spelled Y'all as any yankee would...Ya All

Scenic countryside, only 15 miles outside of Iowa City!

Amish owned, Stringtown Grocery

Kalona's locals

Mom's quest for "an apple that snaps when you bite it"

What a great hubby, Niles hates apples!

Sampling the fruits of their labor

Clydesdale foal and her mama

This is horsepower!

SISTER, SISTER!
I don't even know what to say. My best friend in the whole world came to see me! As usual the weekend was WAY too short. It seems like as soon as Katie arrived she had to turn around and head home. She was a trooper, sleeping on the couch and sharing the only bathroom. She even had the joy of moving her hands between the hot water spicket and the cold water spicket in the bathroom to create a temperate mix of water to wash her face!

Of course, we shopped. We also made a trip to Kalona and stocked up at Stringtown Grocery. Katie was able to meet Brooke, and even some of my students since she accompanied us to the school's Harvest Festival. She was able to see it all, and as she says, she can now put a mental picture with our many, many phone conversations. One highlight of our trip was the I-80 Truckstop. This was a "must see" according to dad. We did not make it inside but did have many laughs trying to get the photo underneath the sign.

Look closely, we really are there!

CHICAGO

There really is life in the midwest--its in Chicago! For Brooke's birthday we made the trip to Chicago for a good dose of southern drawl from Paula Deen. Michigan Avenue was trimmed in holiday beauty, the shops were a buzz with people and great deals-- it was a great way to kick off the 2007 Christmas shopping season!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

So, my years as a 20 something are nearing an end, much to my dismay. This year I celebrated my 29th birthday in grand style. Niles sent an amazing bouquet of my favorite flowers (Star Gazer Lillies) to school and despite his hectic class schedule he made time to take me to Taste on Melrose with Brooke and Kate. For now, I am 29 and holding....

LET IT SNOW

Since we returned from Georgia at Thanksgiving there has been snow on the ground. It really is beautiful to wake up on Saturday morning to complete quiet with the streets covered in a blanket of white. It does not take long however, for the picture perfect scenario to really get on your nerves! With the beauty comes ice covered streets, shoveling snow, de-icing the car, huge--very unattractive coats, gloves, mittens, long underwear...the list goes on! But, for that one brief moment it truely is amazingly pristine.

Bailey loves the white, fluffy stuff. He finds great joy in running after the ball and then as he brings it back he purposefully drops it in the snow so that he can dig for it. It is so fun to watch! He does not love the salt we have to put on our walk...poor puppy, the salt stings his feet. Never fear, Bailey, we will be back on the beach before you know it!