Bipartisanship

I don't know about most of you folks, but we have been watching conventions and politicians around here for a while now. My top pick of course was Ron Paul, but that hasn't worked out so well. Mitt Romney sounds a lot like an ice cream flavor to Fred so its kind of hard to swallow ( pun intended). Mostly I am simply AMAZED at how both sides continue to scream "we have to work together!" and in the next sentence take a swipe or give an elbow and pretend  no one saw. Some of it is fun, some of its plain awful. 

You may remember my cousin Bob, who is a die hard Democrat and dearly beloved by all in our household. Today in the midst of emails I decided I needed to break the news to him that I really dig Paul Ryan. Of course, its important to be delicate in these matters as I really do believe there are PLENTY of good folks on both sides of the aisle that have the best of intentions even if we strongly disagree. But how could I come up with a good reason or two for Bob or any of my other Democrat friends  and family for simply loving Paul Ryan without adding further division to our nation?

Bob, Sarah and me at Harpers Ferry last year

Whats a girl to do?

Then I remembered something. There is a story I read about my favorite author C.S. Lewis once, a ways back, that told of his being raised in a strongly anti-Catholic environment. Some people have speculated that his early upbringing was something he was never able to overcome and the reason he never joined the Catholic Church despite how closely he came. I always gave him a mental pass for that one. Some times it just isn't our fault we are the way we are. I also realized I gave plenty of people mental passes afterwards for all sorts of reasons figuring they just didn't see things the way I did and vice-versa. 

What follows is a top ten list of reasons I think any of my Democrat family and friends will be able to give me a mental pass for liking Paul Ryan while still keeping bipartisanship in tact.It complete eliminates all the important stuff like  pro-life positions and fiscal policies ( and allows you to think me shallow and act as if I just haven't done my homework). Most of these facts were gleaned from his facebook page.( yes- I friend-ed him!) I sent it to Bob today and haven't heard back yet, so who knows what will happen. At least its worth a try. Hope you enjoy:

TOP TEN ACCEPTABLE REASONS FOR LIKING PAUL RYAN FOR MY DEMOCRAT FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

10) He is born in 1970 ( so am I)

9) He loves CS Lewis ( Mere Christianity-wow! yes! )

8) He is Roman Catholic ( really? what a coinkidink!)

7) He loves Austrian Economics ( um- yeah )

6 ) He likes Monty Python (me too! )

5) His favorite movie is The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly (can still recall watching this with my Dad_ God rest his soul. Yet another thing Paul Ryan and I have in common- lost a Dad young)

4) Considers 2 cups of coffee  in the morning a weakness ( gosh I didn’t know ANYONE else on the planet felt that way except me!)

3) He works out 5 days a week ( yup! )

2) OK, I’ll say it- he’s just damn cute!

1) Lastly, he is from the great state of Wisconsin where my beloved  Democrat cousin Bob  Mackreth lives!!!!! How could I possibly dislike that????

Prince Harry

Yes, yes I am sure all of you have been over-exposed to parts of Harrys body this past week. I am not here to recount his lack of class or indiscretion. But,  I would like to draw attention to the one thing everyone else seems to have missed- from my reading anyway:

Why is the third in line to the English crown unable to play even a somewhat decent game of pool?

Not even good enough to keep, lets say, his shorts-

or perhaps his socks?

Anything?

Goodness with the advantages he has been afforded, one thinks he might be able to hold on to something other than a girls backside- but these are indeed strange times we live in.

As C.S. Lewis remarked "I wonder what they do teach them at these schools?"

Haircuts

My friend Sarah told me about a promotion at J.C.Penney for the month of August. They are giving out free kid haircuts for back to school time. I had just trimmed the girlies hair last week, but 4 of my boys all really needed a good cropping. We headed down tonight. My kids were so psyched to get to tell the stylists what they wanted for haircuts- as opposed to me just running a shaver over their scalps. We walked through the Mall afterwards and got cinnamon pretzel sticks. They were all in awesome moods as they stopped to try on hats as we headed home. Unexpected fun.

U.S.A. vs. Jamaica?

Like many of you, we have been perched around the Olympics the last week or so watching the competitions. There is a whole lot of patriotic cheering each time a medal is received, and we love the truly inspiring stories of these tremendous athletes. 

BUT, the last few days as the competition has gone from the  pool to the track a different kind of excitement has taken hold of our household. Fred showed up with Red Stripe beer  yesterday and whipped up Jamaica patties in the kitchen all weekend, which were gobbled down by all of our children happily. And why shouldn't they like Jamaica patties, since they are in fact like their father -Jamaican. I know that may be hard to believe with a name like LeGare, but its true. Freds wonderful mum was born and raised a Jamaican. They also have the COOLEST ACCENT EVER ( lets just be perfectly honest about that once and for all.)  And with names like Bolt and Yohan, hey- I'm diggin' it..

We kind of find ourselves in a win win position each night watching track and field. If the Americans win OORAH! If the Americans get beat by a Jamaican OORAH! Usain Bolt and Yahon Blake are well thought of in these parts. We share a common heritage and that is certainly something to be happy about. 

So our win/win situation  almost feels like an unfair advantage, but I'll let you all decide what you think...

Bock, Bock

Visited our local Chik'n joint today! Lots of fun and food. Lines out the door.Three hour wait at some points ( thankfully it was only about a half hour for us). The food was really good, the service terrific, the other patrons were super patient and kind. My little guys played in the play place, my older ones chowed down, Fred and I ordered milkshakes, I really was appreciative!

this is what a 15 minute wait looked like outside

Strawberry Shake!

Perhaps the most difficult part of our adventure today (dare I say it?) was passing by Red Robin which was so very close by! Hey,I guess sometimes we just have to do the right thing even when heroic sacrifice is involved!

(sigh!)