America... did you do it???

Did you?? Huh?? Did you?? I don't hear you!!!

Right now, it doesn't matter to me who voted for whom... I just want to be sure all who are able to... has made their voice heard!!

If you have not voted yet.... & if you can't drive yourself... call a friend... call a neighbor... JUST GO VOTE!!! It's that important!!

TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER... TURN OFF YOUR TV... & GO VOTE!!!

IT'S YOUR RIGHT... IT'S YOUR DUTY!!... IT'S YOUR HONOR!!

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS by VOTING!!!

Yes, I said that! Because they're fighting for our freedom... & one of the freedoms we are so privileged to have is the RIGHT TO VOTE!!

SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? As long as your in line by 7:00p.m. your time, you will count!!!!!

IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE WHO CAN VOTE.... VOTES!!!! So... one more time... if you have not yet voted...

GO...
NOW...
VOTE!!!

UFC - #89 - I am just a leaf

The challenge was given by my dear friend Caghs the Cat Lady... & I normally don't do poems... because I'm not that good at it.

However, I'm going to give it a try for her. She needs a "pick me up" & so, I hope giving this a try will help put a smile on her face!!

In case you're new to my blog... UFC is a group called UNTIED FRIENDS CHALLENGE. A group of friends & authors. We challenge each others writing talents. We only have to do challenges that inspire use.

To read more entries... CLICK HERE!!

The exact challenge is:
Write a poem about a leaf. Short, sweet, & to the point :)

~ I am just a leaf ~

©OPYRIGHT 10-2008 ~ Lady Harley ~

My life is brief.
Spring waters from heaven gives me strength to grow.
The sun warms & gives me the color green.
Through the summer I wave in the breeze.
Fall arrives to chills my veins.
Yellow, red & brown in between.
Time for me to go before I freeze.
For I am just a leaf.
©OPYRIGHT 10-2008 ~ Lady Harley ~

Just MY opinion & feelings about the upcoming election...

Disclaimer: I am not going to open this for comment, only because I don't want to start a debate here.

If you want to comment to me privately... you know how to do so.

With that said, I have been sitting on the sidelines here skimming through other blogs & listening to my hubby's opinions & fact findings. I have kept my mouth shut; bit my tongue & sat on my hands... for most part that is. The one time I did voice my opinion... I almost lost a friend or two, because I was being pushy about it. (Which I did not intend to be!!)

Anyway... I have been meaning to post a blog about how I feel & what my opinions are. However, I had been leery about it, because I didn't want to start a political war here on my blog. Nor do I want to loose any friends over it.

So, I finally had the bright idea I'll do it & post it so no comments / replies can be left.

Another reason is because my opinions are based on what I've researched on my own or... I've trusted the source & I've just filed it in the memory bank.

So, I urge you, that if you have ANY questions about either candidate, to go to THE OFFICIAL PAGES of the candidates... Do not rely on media. Do not rely on emails that have been forwarded all over. Do not rely on Snopes. Rely on YOUR OWN intelligence!!

Read what the candidates say about THEMSELVES! Do not read what they say about their opponent... for they are not giving you all the facts... or they have a spin on it to make you agree with them.

McCain - Palin that link should take you right to the Issues page.

As this link should also for the other party... Obam - Biden.

My 1st thought when I visit each of their "issue" pages is one huge difference... something that really really bugs me... & that is Obama's issues page has a small blurb about his view... & then what they say is McCain's stand.

But NOT on McCain's page... It just states what HIS own ideas; views & opinions! And the more I think about it... the more I think about how people are saying that McCain said he'd run a clean campaign... & Obama is complaining he isn't.

Well... all those ads that do NOT have McCain speaking... I ignore... even if it says at the end "I'm ... & I approve this message." ... because, that can be spliced in so easily anymore. So, I still think McCain is running a clean campaign... for the most part!

It's no secret that I vote Republican. (I will admit, I have voted for 1 or 2 Democrats in my time... but always been local stuff.) It's also not hidden fact that I am not a "political" person... HOWEVER... this election, I'm going to now get a little vocal... I'm going to rant a little... only because I feel if I do not have my say, I will have this awful feeling, what if... "What if I had did a blog with my views? Could I have helped anyone decide?" (Ok, it's a big lofty thought... but it won't hurt... so why not!!) ;)

On with it you say... well, ok...

1st... My biggest issue I have is with the "extra" parties running for President. Sorry, it's more of a concern for the fact that people who vote for one of these "independent" candidates is just going to hamper the others. If you vote for someone like Ralph Nader... it's like voting for no one. So, why bother voting... because it's your right to voice your opinion. I have always wondered why they don't include a 3rd party on the ballots in the debates & the media stories.

So why not include them in on the debates, for those who don't like or are torn between the Democrat or Republican candidates. It's just never made sense to me. I know... I know... it's giving us a choice. But the only thing is all it does is muddy the water.

Let me say this... if out of 100 votes, 49 went Democrat & 49 went Republican... & 2 went with another party... what are they to do? How are they going to decide who will get the Electoral votes? (Which that is something I don't understand... & I don't care... for the fact, let those who need to understand it care about it.) & I know... I know... it's not going to be that close... but it's probably going to be close enough that they may have to do a recount. And the only reason it will be close is because of the other parties that are going to get a few votes here & there.

Basically... I feel if they're going to allow other parties on the ticket, then they need to include them in the debates AND in the media should talk about them as well. I mean... when's the last time you heard where Cynthia McKinney & Rosa A. Clemente stand on this issues?

Yes, they are actual candidates on the OFFICIAL ballot! Have you even heard them ladies? I hadn't... but that doesn't mean that they are not known somewhere. Why even bother putting them on the ballot... What is the point?

If McCain had gone with Mit Romney... this would have been my first presidential election that I wouldn't have voted in. For the fact, I would not have liked either choice. & I wouldn't have wanted to make my vote for someone else not really count.

I was hoping it would be Huckabee, for I thought that he would be a great "off set" to McCain. However, the more I've heard & read about Sarah Palin... I feel this is the best pick.

I like the views of Palin... it helps that she's extremely familiar with guns. In the way that she knows that it is people who kill people, not guns. You've never heard of a gun loading it's self & shooting someone. So, the lawsuits against gun manufacturers... I think it outrageous. (Ok, that's a totally different rant for another day.) My point is, that Palin has that well rounded; well educated way about her.

She reminds me of myself... in the fact that she "a little bit country & a little bit rock & roll". You can tell that she's not "stuffy" like Hillary Clinton.

McCain and Palin are THE CHANGE WE NEED!!!

The fact she's new to the scene does not mean she's NOT qualified! Who is? None of the candidates have held the office of President or Vice President!! I think this is a great stepping stone for Palin.

As for McCain, I think he's also a great choice because he knows what AMERICA is all about! He has fought for our country AND he's even been a P.O.W!! That right there should be enough for anyone to see that McCain is willing to FIGHT for our country!!

Ok, here's where the part that might upset some of you... & the other reason why I am not going to allow comments or replies. My thought is that you'll see it like this... that's her opinion... good for her for voicing it. I don't agree... but good for LH.

I am afraid, that if elected, Obama is going to split this country so much that we will have another civil war. I'm afraid that he will abuse his power as President and will end up starting WW3. (No, I don't have anything to back that up with... this is just the awful feeling I've had all year.... Just a feeling, that's all... I wish I could back this up... but I can't.)

There is more I could say... but again, I can't back any of it up. So, it would all just be hear say. And that's not what I want to do with this blog.

I just can not see John McCain, one who was declined early release as a P.O.W. abusing his rank. I mean, come on... that in its self takes courage, not to mention class & decency!! He had the ability to see his release was just a stunt by his captors, that he refused & insisted that those that had been their longer than him be released first. To me, that alone should make this a landslide election.

The other thing that you should remember while you're voting is... Do you really want a President who refused to put their hand over their heart during the Pledge of Allegiance & / or the National Anthem? Seriously, think about it.

Ok... ok... I've ranted & rambled on long enough... now... go do some research of your own... make sure the pages are official... if you see (or hear) something that doesn't seem like your candidate... then go to the official page & find out... then....

GO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!!!

We have the honor & the privileged of doing so... our military had fought for your right... so MAKE THEM PROUD and...

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD BY VOTING!!!!!

Have you been paying attention?

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

As I mentioned earlier... I was tagged by Buggal... oh, I guess it was on Sunday... I thought it was longer than that. Anyway... here's the deal...

"Each blogger starts with 10 random facts/habits about themselves (current). Bloggers who are tagged need to blog about their own 10 random facts/habits.
At the end of your blog, tag 10 people and list their names.
Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them that they've been tagged and to read your blog ..."

Well, since most of you have already been TAGGED... in some way shape or form... I'm not going to tag anyone per say... I'll be like Kitty (Caghs) & just say, if you want to do it... have at it!!

I'm also going to do this in the same fashion Kitty did hers... I'm going to post the facts... you tell me if they're truth, not true, 1/2 true. (for the not truths or 1/2 truths, reply with what you think is the truth & then a day or so, I'll post the answers in a separate blog. (Or in this case... in the review... btw... I am posting it here... so... well, we'll make that the 1st fact... & I'll give you that answer now... it's the COMPLETE TRUTH!!!)

#1... I post stuff in the "review" module that probably could go in a blog because my dad reads only my blogs... and I don't want him to have to "wade" through the fun stuff that is mainly just for us Multiply users.

#2... My drink "kick" right now is A&W root-beer. Extra points if you remember what it used to be!!

#3... I am 1/2 Italian & 1/2 German. (Hmmm... wonder if I actually shared this with anyone??)

#4... My computers have names. (What are they? ... 3 of them... well, 1 is no longer being used & one is mainly used by my hubby. Extra points if you can remember the name I gave my hubby's computer before I found out it's "real" name!) ... Oh, did you know, it's good to give your computer a name... because operating systems will ask you for it... & They give you examples such as "Home" or "Work" ... however if you give it a unique name, it will help you to remember... oh... that's the one I had that document on... for those who may have multiple computers.)

#5... I don't like the number 6. (Extra points, what's my favorite #?)

#6... Some jobs I've held have been: telemarketer; fast food worker; receptionist; bank teller; & manager.

#7... I'm a Chiarian.

#8... My favorite time of the year is Autumn.

#9... I have a degree in Radio & TV broadcasting.

#10... I have not rode my Harley at all this season. (Extra points if you know why!!)

Ok, I'm not really keeping score or anything... but it's fun to say "extra points"!

Was Tagged

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

I was tagged by Buggal a little over a week ago... I just wanted to let you know that I will get to that eventually... When I'm feeling better.

So... consider yourself warned! (When I get to it... & I see you haven't been tagged... I may just be so inclined to TAG YOU!!!) :o)

Winter is NOT here yet!!

Hi all. Welcome to the last day of October! FINALLY! Of all the months... I despise this one the most, mainly because of all the Halloween "spooky type" stuff. But then again... I liked it because I could get PINK stuff in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness... & the fall colors.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know I've been having a rough week this week. Not sure why, but I just haven't felt well at all... I think my body just knows that winter is approaching & is telling me to take a break. I've been sleeping a lot... or at least laying down, trying to sleep. I've been whispering because after a little bit it hurts. I wake up with a burning throat... but I think that's just because we have dry heat. After I drink something I'm usually good. I've not had a fever... I'm not coughing & it's nothing that I think I can go to the doctor for. (Dad, did you hear me?!)

I believe I just need to keep taking it easy... I've been avoiding the computer pretty much all week... & that's helped. I felt pretty good yesterday enough to get up & get a shower. And when my hubby got home I felt more like chatting with him than I had all week. But, not today... today, well... I can't believe I'm actually typing this, because I feel as if I should be laying down again. Oh well.

I just wanted to give you all an update since I hadn't been by hardly anyone's blogs or even sent any messages out. I hope that this is just something that will pass by really soon.

Oh... one more thing my son, Mike... well, he has left that "trade" school & has gone back to his "home" high school. He's back to normal classes & is in the 11th grade. (I thought he was in the 11th grade last year & was just going back to the 11th so he could go to PCTC, so he could specialize in Welding.) I guess I was wrong. Either way... I just hope he sticks it out long enough so he can get his HS Degree!!

I guess it's good that I decided to hop on here to give you all an update & not try to sleep... because my hubby is home early today. (Because it's probably the last nice day of the season... he has outside stuff to do.) Well, he's out in the garage running something that sounds like a dentist drill. GEESH!!

To top that... the city is going up & down the street picking up leaves. So, yeah... it's a good thing that I am doing this blog!

Speaking of nice weather. We here in Mid Ohio was teased with a bit of cold weather this past week & half... and it TRIED to snow here... well, it kind of did... but not that big white fluffy stuff that is so nice to watch. But rather pellets like hail or ice. It was not cold enough though for it all to stick around. Some times I wished I was living in the states like NY who got over a foot of snow this past week... then again... NAH!! I'm glad to be in OHIO! I love it!! :)

Alright... this train has reached it's destination for this trip. Have a great weekend & hope you enjoyed your ride.

UFC - #86 - Snow Princess

It's been a while... however, I could not pass this one up.

SkyeRider's Challenge-Write your own fairy tale.

For more fairy tales **Click HERE** & you'll be directed to the United Friends Challenge page.

SNOW PRINCESS ©OPYRIGHT 10-2008 ~ Lady Harley ~

Cries from the baby monitor late one night wakes the mom up. Looking through slits in her eyes, she scoops up her newborn daughter, sits in the rocking chair. Slowly & methodically the new mother sways back & forth while patting the baby's bottom.

In the most soothing voice she could muster the mom starts talking to her little one. "What has you fussing, dear? You have a fully tummy and dry diaper. You have been burped. Can you not sleep? Maybe you need a story?"

She looks around the room, then realizes they have not placed any in there yet. "Don't fret my little one. Your mommy is an author."

"Let's see, how do they start?" Wiping the sleep from her own eyes & lightly kisses her baby girl's head. She begins like most other fairy tales do...

Once upon a time, in land far far away, lived the King & Queen of the land. There newborn daughter is also their first child. Though she is not any normal baby girl. She was the first ever Princess of Snowfieldland to be born into the kingdom since the death of a vengeful Queen.

The land was unusual for it once was covered in snow but not since an evil Queen cursed the land, while she was dying from a broken heart. She used to be the kindest lady of all the land... until her beloved was taken by those who were despised her sweet smile.

Snowfieldland was covered in the white fluffy snow that looked like millions of diamonds had been scattered all about. When The Queen's betrothed was pulled away from her, she cried & cried. So, much all the snow melted away that the land became a brown mush land. All the family & their attendants tried to cheer up the Queen by telling her many jokes. They also tried to find her a new love.

"Never! Never will you be able to find me a love like I once knew!" She exclaimed that no one would fill her King's shoes. "I will be the last female born to this kingdom. Furthermore, no descendant will ever know the beauty this land once held. With that she took her last drink of her life.

Hundreds of years passed by & no other female were born to the monarchy. Every time a baby cried at birth, the town waited with anticipation for the announcement. However, every time, it was another boy.

The Kingdom of Snowfieldland was dwindling down as citizens became discouraged with the rule of every King who did not find a suitable wife to become the one to bare a daughter who could return the beauty to their land.

Then one day as the newly appointed King Diamond was riding his horse to think of what he could do to bring life back into his land. When his horse stopped suddenly, jolting him back to the present. He leans to the animal's ear asking, "What is it boy?" Then he hears cracking of sticks & he sits up straight as he starred at the lady before him.

She was the most beautiful women he ever saw. He quickly dismounted & introduced himself. Upon hearing his title, the girl bowed down & kept her head lowered until King Diamond places his hand under her chin & lifts it gently.

Feeling as if she knew him all her life she smiled warming his heart. They spent the rest of the day together. She introduced him to her parents who lived in a nice home, but nothing compared to his castle in Snowfieldland.

King Diamond was taken aback by Miss Snowly that he asked for her hand in marriage before he took his leave that evening. Wanting to please someone of his stature, her father agreed.

Less than a month later they were married with the biggest celebration in all of the land. The days following were hard on Snowly, for she had wondered what would become of her if she could not produce a daughter to her betrothed.

One night she had a dream of holding a baby girl in her arms. White fluffy crystal snow covered the ground. She awoke with excitement yet reluctance to get her hopes up. When she was with child all her fears disappeared, as she knew deep down she was carrying a girl. Though she would not let anyone know, not even King Diamond, in case it was just a dream.

The anticipation in the land grew as news spread through the land that Queen Snowly was expecting.

Most still held belief in their hearts that with her name she is the one who would bring about a daughter. The temperature also rose intensely causing the Queen to remain confined to the royal chambers.

Weeks before her delivery date the town doctor came to examine Queen Snowly. He has delivered so many boys that he said without thought, "Your prince will be here in a few weeks." Snowly just smiled, nodded, & thanked him for his time.

The moment Snowly felt the 1st labor pain the air began to cool. She had her attendant ring for the doctor and her husband. King Diamond rushed to her side & said the doctor was detain, but would be there soon as he could. Queen Snowly had no fear, for she knew all would be ok.

She smiled & informed her husband, "Please, Diamond, don't leave me. Your princess will be here in a short while."

"I will not leave you my love. Not now, not ever." He replied. He thought she was just delirious from the pain. He just motioned for the attendant to do what he could to hurry the doctor along.

As the pain increased the Queen refused to scream. She said she did not want no daughter of hers hearing her mama in terror. Each time she had a contraction she would laugh. It worried her love, but he stayed true to his word. He remained at her side.

"It's time, she's on her way." Snowly excited yelled.

The attendant shrugged when Diamond looked for confirmation if the doctor was very near.

"My love, the doctor does not appear he will make it on time."

"I trust you. You can deliver your baby girl. Then you will see the miracle we have been granted."

Moments later as the baby crowned the doctor appeared & was laughing. "I swear it's cold enough out there it could snow." Then he saw the king delivering the baby. He rushed over & exclaimed, "Oh, I was not told the prince was near birth."

At that moment Snowly gave one more exuberant push & out came the baby. King Diamond looked at the baby then at the doctor. They were both silent at what they saw. Confused, yet amazed, they looked at Snowly & both cried in tandem. "IT'S A GIRL!!"

"Is she ok? I don't hear her, she's not crying! Tell me Diamond, is she ok?"

"Oh she is just beautiful!" As he held his princess up for the Queen to see. "She's not crying because she is smiling!"

"Amazing, I thought... I..." The doctor was speechless. "I guess I better go wash up so I can check her out for myself." He leaves the room shaking his head. He returns & looks out the window.

"Sir, am I seeing things, or is that snow?"

The King looks up from his daughter & said, "It seems our little one here is the blessing we have all been waiting for."

"Let me look her over. I'm still concerned she has not cried." The doctor takes the child to the window & inspects her. Then gently smacks her behind. Still she smiled & the snow continued to fall.

Then he goes over to his bag & pulls out a needle & pricks her toe. The infant began to wail & thunder clapped. "That's better." Then he turned to the window to see the snow changing to rain. "How odd!"

Snowly who was anxiously awaiting to calm her little girl held her arms up to accept the bundle of joy, when the doctor handed the crying infant to King Diamond.

"Shhhh. It's ok. Shhh." Yet she would not calm down. Thunder clapped again.

"Please, love, let me hold our princess. I believe she needs me." Snowly urged her husband.

Once she is safe in her mother's arms she calmed down & began smiling again. At which point the doctor notices the change to snow once again. "If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would not believe it." He turns to the new parents & says, "When she is happy all is right in Snowfieldland."

"What will you call her?"

Looking to his wife, he said "We do not have a name. We thought we would be having a boy." Placing her hand on his Snowly smiled. "I knew, Dear, I knew. She shall be called Crystal Snow Diamond."

Smiling proudly the parents agreed.

The announcement of Princess Crystal Snow's birth did not take long to reach all depths of the land. Her entry in the world went down in history as remembrance of when Snowfieldland became covered again, in white fluffy crystal snow.

The citizens rejoiced & the land flourished again. Word was also, passed along to never anger or hurt Princess Crystal, otherwise they would risk loosing their beautiful peaceful snow land again.

As the doctor said that joyful evening. All was right in Snowfieldland. And they lived happily ever after.

The new mother looked down at her sleeping daughter & saw she was smiling. A twinge came over the mom & she looked out the window & smiled at the beautiful snow crystals falling to the ground. Again she kissed her daughter's head & whispered, "You will always be my Snow Princess."

©OPYRIGHT 10-2008 ~ Lady Harley ~