Toy Thursday: Even Veterans Need Toys

Happy Veterans Day! Be sure to tell a Veteran "Thank you" today...or any day. As they put their lives on the line for your freedom.

Seeing as today is "Toy Thursday", I thought it would be appropriate to write about a toy that my husband ended up with in Iraq. My husband was not able to go trick or treating with our son on his second Halloween because he was in Iraq. I had decided to dress Liam as a monkey, and a little monkey came with his costume.

Liam the monkey and his monkey

So Daddy would feel included, I sent the monkey to Iraq. Daddy loved it. Even though he was carrying a M-16 anytime he went outside of his room, he still had his toys to make it feel a little more like home.

Toys in Iraq

He told me that on his way home, he had packed his big green bag so that the monkey was hanging out of the top. People in the airport would applaud and then laugh or "awww" when they saw the monkey peeking out of the top of his duffel bag.

So on Veterans Day, thank a Veteran. They're a son, daughter, brother, husband, sister, wife, mommy or daddy to someone. And even though they face death daily, they still have a soft side.

Wash Wednesday: Cleaning the Corruption Out of Office

What a lesson we sent last night. A clean house is a happy house. Whether the house is your own home, the House in D.C. or as in our state, Iowa's own Terrace Hill.

Iowans like so many other states across this great country do not tolerate corruption. Iowans don't like a select few of people telling them what to believe. And Iowans sent that message last night. Governor Chet Culver and his machine were voted out.

Conservative power has been restored to not only the Iowa House, but the House in D.C. We have cleaned house.

While Iowans DID re-elect all of their Congressional Incumbents, they voted NO for Judge Retentions. This is a historic vote here in Iowa since all three tried to redefine marriage. ALL THREE Judges up for retention were fired by Iowans. Yes, fired. Iowans don't like being told what to believe. Iowans want "the vote" on marriage. We were denied it, so we took matters into our own hands. Iowans believe there are consequences for actions...or lack of action.
Our Governor Chet Culver's administration has been nothing but a giant fail. Corruption upon a scandal upon a failed set of policies and values. Iowans also sent a message to the Secretary of State office as well. ID's MUST be shown to vote. It's too easy for voter corruption. Enough is enough. I am sure the same message is true for your local officials and statehouse.

Our children will (hopefully) learn in Government or Civics class about the "Great Wave of 2010." When the Conservatives took their Country back. When Americans wouldn't tolerate outside forces buying elections. When corruption was tossed out the door. The days of Government take overs and bail outs are over.

As Thomas Jefferson said, " I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." Honest work is something we want to instill in our children. Corruption never wins. Cheaters always get caught. Honest, hard work is the only way to go. Keep your values, keep working, keep trying. Keep cleaning! Eventually victory will be yours.

Sports Saturday: Happy Halloween!

This weekend's family recreation will probably consist of some form of Halloween. And with potentially beautiful weather, you could have fun carving your pumpkins or trick-or-treating in your neighborhood. This year we actually went to a local grocery store for a fun night where we could decorate pumpkins, do a cake walk, a Tootsie Roll toss, and eat for $0.99.

No matter where we go, we should all be aware of a few safety tips. This will not only ensure a fun time, but a safe evening as well for friends and family.

• Dress for the weather.
• Use hats instead of masks for your kids making it easier to recognize each other.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes.
• Make sure that your tails, skirts and pant legs, and/or feathers are not dragging behind so that no one will trip and fall.
• Trick-or-Treat earlier in the evening before it gets too dark.
• Dress your kids in light colors so that they are more noticeable at dusk/after dark.
• Eat only candy that is commercially and individually wrapped.
• Stop at houses only with porch lights on and well lit.
• Map out Trick-or-Treat route beforehand.
• Have a cell phone with you for emergencies.
• Use safe make-up.
  

For those who appreciate alternatives, taking your child to a pumpkin patch or an apple orchard is also fun family recreational activity. We also did just that and spent a weekend at the apple orchard picking apples, playing in the corn maize, and saying "hi" to the animals at the petting zoo. Add Grandpa and Grandma and you have lots of fun! and photos!

From our family to yours, may you have a Happy Halloween and a fun-filled Fall season! Safely of course....