Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The nerve of politicians

After watching the debates last night, I am beginning to wonder if there is a difference between John McCain and Barack Obama, other than the obvious 20+ year age gap.


I live in Michigan. John McCain has pulled campaign staff and funds from this state. See excerpt from NY Times blog below:


October 2, 2008, 2:30 pm — Updated: 5:15 pm -->
McCain Pulls Out of Michigan
By
Adam Nagourney
John McCain’s decision to cancel a campaign event in Michigan next week was not a matter of scheduling: Mr. McCain is giving up his effort to take the state back into the red column, concluding that economic distress there has simply put the state out of reach, according to Republicans familiar with the decision.
Michigan had been one of Mr. McCain’s top targets for two reasons: evidence that Barack Obama was having trouble connecting with blue-collar voters (which presumably would be a problem there), and also because the Democratic candidates did not participate in the state’s primary after Michigan defied Democratic party rules and held it earlier than permitted.
Republican officials said that polling suggested that Mr. Obama was building a lead there, and said they concluded that it wasn’t worth spending any more campaign funds – or Mr. McCain’s time – in the state.


So, imagine my surprise this morning, when I received THIS via email:



Dear Friend,
The RNC Victory 2008 emergency voter registration and get-out-the-vote effort needs your immediate support.
With four weeks until Election Day, I’m counting on our Party’s top supporters like you to help fund these vital programs.
Your generous
secure online contribution of $2,000, $1,000, $500, $250, $100, $50 or $35 today will go a long way to helping RNC Victory 2008 reach our $50 million goal for October and ensuring our Party has the resources to reach, register and motivate voters who agree with our reform agenda.
The last two presidential elections have proven voter turnout is the key to Republican victories. In 2004, John Kerry would have won the election had he received 127,014 more votes in New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado -- three states that will have many closely contested races again this fall. And the 2000 presidential election was decided by a mere 537 votes.

I have never donated to the RNC, so how they refer to me as a top supporter of the Party is laughable. Am I wrong to feel just a little bit insulted by this?

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Choosy Mom's Choose Jif


Johan asked me this morning why I buy Jif peanut butter, and off the top of my head I replied, "Because choosy mom's choose Jif." It's amazing how a jingle or ad slogan can stay with you throughout life. I probably haven't seen or heard a Jif commercial in over 10 years. "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't."









On a different note, I think my Spin class was a dud this morning. I took an idea off of pedal-on.com but I learned that what works for some instructors can be a total disaster for others.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Out with the old, in with the new...

This was the old...





...this is the new.

It's a 2000 Mercedes-Benz C280 "Sport" edition. Yes, Mercedes-Benz...completely out of the ballpark when it comes to the line of cars I was looking for. I was in the market for a wagon: Volvo, Volkswagen, Saab, BMW (dreaming now...), but seriously, I really thought I would end up with a wagon of some sort. I never, ever pictured myself driving a Benz - only snobs drive them, right? - but this car drives and rides like a dream, plus I got a great deal. Almost $2K below Blue Book value, and I am all about bargain shopping, Benz or not.
So, now I need a whole new wardrobe to match my new car. Anyone wanna go shopping?

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Another birthday!




We celebrated another birthday this week - Luke is a year old!

As you can see, he enjoyed his cake!


I have posted a video (I condensed it to about 3 1/2 minutes long) of the birthday festivities. I think Johan and Hannah add some humor, albeit unintentionally.



























Thursday, May 1, 2008

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

I can't believe it...Hannah turned 15 on April 29th. You know what this means: driver's ed & after-school employment are in the not-so-distant future.

We celebrated the special day with dinner at a Chinese buffet after her Track meet, in which she took second place in the 200 m. Go Hannah!

So, here are a few things you should know about Hannah:


-She was born in Burbank, California, right across the street from Disney studios.


- When she was a toddler, she literally ran into Marcia Clark at the Macy's perfume counter in Glendale, California. Marcia Clark was one of the lead prosecuting attorneys in the OJ Simpson murder trial.

- Her favorite book when she was little was Dr. Seuss's ABC Book. We must have read it to her 1,000 times!

- She doesn't like chocolate, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches or bananas.

- She's a talented photographer.

- Her favorite pastimes are sleeping and reading.

So, Hannah, we hope you enjoyed your special day and we love you, and we like you, and we love you lots!!!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Happy Birthday, Dad!

60 years ago today, my dad, Lee "Mickey" Lundgren, was born in Chicago, Illinois. His family left the windy city when he was just a lad, and moved to sunny, warm California, where he now resides. Since it's his special day, here are a few things you should know about my Dad:


  • He is called "Mickey" because his mom called him her "little Irish Mick" when he was a boy and it became his nickname.


  • He enjoys NASCAR (but I'm not sure who his favorite driver is. Jeff Gordon?)


  • When my brothers and I were young, he bought a cow named "Clover" who had a calf, and my dad named the calf "Food"...well, you can figure out why. He didn't want us to get too attached to it.


  • He is big-hearted and gives powerful hugs. He is very strong.


  • He was a "hippy" in the 60's, and I have a picture of him in a tye-dyed tank top to prove it.


  • He is a Vietnam War Veteran and I am very proud of him for serving his country with honor.

  • He loves to have fun. He's a 25 year old in a 60 year old body.

So, Dad, I hope you have a very special day!

I only wish we lived closer so we could celebrate together. I love you!




Saturday, February 16, 2008

This is my name

MARNIE

Made by Andrea Micheloni

The sign changes every time I visit this site.
Click on it and you can make your own sign :)