They're Going Down!

No way is the McCain/Palin ticket going anywhere!
'Nuff said, don't you think?

Graham, Al and Jack

Graham and Jack sitting on the Step of Greatness with Al Franken, DFL candidate for Minnesota Senate.

When people started asking for photos, Al told people they could come on up onto the "Step of Greatness"- of course Al was just being goofy. He's really not full of himself, he's quite down to earth. Daddy told Jack to cheer Al on with "You can take that guy! You can take that guy!" Jack got up there and told Al just that. Al was pretty impressed and wanted to know where Jack heard him say that. When Al was at the Wellstone Dinner, he told a great story that Paul Wellstone's son told him. When he was running cross-country races, Paul would run along side of him and cheer him on, chanting "You can take that guy! You can take that guy". He'd be down and falling behind and his dad would keep up with him. Then, he'd look and his dad would be far, far ahead of him- out running him!

Jack told a Franken booth staffer that he only had "9 more years until I vote!" I had no idea he figured that. She was quite impressed (and so was I).

We are watching the Democrat National Convention. As we wonder how McCain will fair with his acceptance speech/crowd. So, is it the media coverage that makes him pull all of these people together? Both Chris and I see or think there seems to be some media love-affair with Obama. We wonder if McCain will get this much "coverage" and he is "announcing" his VP candidate tonight. Will he get the coverage Obama did when they (media) were stalking various VP options. I haven;t seen it so far and unlikely McCain is going to pull the coverage like this. One of the reasons we hear more about McCain's VP pick is because our Gov Tim Pawlenty is suspected to be on the very short list.

So, back to my question. The reason, I feel that Obama gets such coverage is because he is pulling out into uncharted waters- history in the making! Beyond that, he has made many people from all sides (especially the youth) come together and stand up like never before. The media covers what's hot and Obama has been on fire for a long time now. The fire hasn't died and the coverage just keeps going on. As long as there is a fire, the media will chase it down. The television, radio and paper are only a small part of the media that keeps this fire going. More, the Internet and the youth have shaped a lot of this campaign in my opinion. He's stayed super positive and that keeps the fire going. What an exciting time in history!

State Fair!

The boys and I hit the Minnesota State Fair on Saturday! Awesome weather :0) Can't beat 75F and sunny!


The boys were pretty darn good. We went with friend Robyn and her little guy, Jonah. We got there about 9:30 and were leaving at 2:30ish. Perfect timing as it was getting a bit crowded from my taste. If you go, make sure you do the "Park and Ride". We had no problem getting parking at Energy Park (exit) at ETC.

Graham, Jonah and Jack hitching a ride to the Fair!

We all wore Boston Scientific shirts, as did many other fair goers :) Robyn works at their Maple Grove office and it was their corporate day (employees get discounted tickets and rides). If we were spotted, we could win prizes. Actually, only Robyn could win, but we were helpers to her with our bright, blue Boston Scientific shirts! Well, because Robyn was with me, of course she was spotted and won! LOL. I'm tellin' ya, I'm a lucky one ;)

Actually, Jack answered the first trivia question, which she admittedly didn't know. What is Minnesota's State tree? The rest of the questions were about her company, her department and her supervisor's phone extension, etc. She ended up winning a $25 Pier 1 Imports gift certificate! Yeah!

We had a great time together and I'll blog more about our adventures tomorrow!

Good Night all!

Two Super Cool Things!

One to read about

and

One to watch!

Yesterday I got a phone call from JM Oil (JM Speedstop) and I won $250 in gas! YES!
I usually go to the one in Foley because it's almost always less than in St. Cloud. I always have a .05 cents off coupon (per gallon, jack couldn't figure out I was so exicted to get a nickel off, lol) and get my card stamped. Wednesday's are double stamp days, fill up fast that way! Once it's full you can get free ice, soda, chips or .05 cents off/per gallon...then fill out the other side with your info and turn it in and WIN!

So, remember when I asked the question? Are you still sure you don't want to touch me? LOL

OK now, two of the cutest kids I know just put out a video!
My friend Jennifer from Athens, GA has some of the cutest kids I've ever met! Each one delightful, cute and so darn talented! Scroll down past the info on the "FLIP" and watch the fun and cuteness (sound is a little fuzzy at first, but don't worry it comes in better later). Oh, and heed Jennifer's warning!

Stella and Lyle

The Wellstone Dinner 2008

We were honored to attend the Wellstone Dinner at the St. Cloud Civic Center last evening.
And, Chris was double honored to help entertain the crowd with Mike Sharp. Chris sang the Mason Jennings song The Ballad of Paul and Sheila. A hard one to listen to, no doubt. I captured some photos. The boys really wanted Al's autograph- I didn't feel that would be "kosher" (friend Corrine said Al was super nice and won't mind, but I refrained from approaching him in the end).

Al Franken was a guest speaker at the Wellstone Dinner.

Corrine (Salk) Jacobs and Rob Jacobs.

Rob is running for MN state rep for the area mostly east of us.

Corrine grew up in my hometown and I worked with her many years at the St. Cloud Hospital. She's super sweet, funny and breeds bengal cats. She and I have a lot in common: She grew up on Main street. I grew up on Main street. She is from a huge family (12 kids). I'm from a huge family (13 kids). Her dad was working all hours of the day and weekend -our town doctor. My dad worked all hours of the day and weekend-refrigeration repair man, especially farmer's bulk tanks, when they need fixing, it's dire or the milk will spoil. Her mom pretty much stayed home, didn't drive (as far as I know) and raised kids. My mom stayed home, didn't drive and raised kids. She was friends with my sister Ann and of course I'm really close to my sister Ann. On top of that, there are many of her siblings and my siblings that share the same names- there were only so many good, Catholic names available for our parents in the 50's & 60's apparently! LOL Also, like many of the kids around town back in the day, we families with lots of kids pretty much had the run of the town. Those were good days!

Klobe ( sounds like, but not really like... Kobe)

When Doug Clark was asked to introduce Senator Klobuchar (in Tarryl's absence), he asked his sons what he might say. Son #2 who does a lot of phone banking for the CentralMN-DFL asked if he might convince "Klobe" to come down to the district office and help with phone calls!

Klobe? I think I like it!

Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum

I'm a big, fat cat sitting on my big, fat bum!

Eat your heart out Garfield!

Halvor is quite a sight most days- he is the furriest, laziest, purriest, messiest, whiniest feline I've ever set eyes on (we thinking he was watching TV when this picture was shot)!