Living Rural

cre8BUZZ, BugLady58

A nice place for a “bug”,

“Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Our GOP Primary in South Carolina today, Saturday, January 19th.

In previous years, the candidate that wins SC wins the election in November … talk about pressure!

My personal choice is Mike Huckabee. Please check out his web site, http://www.mikehuckabee.com and see what you think. I had the honor of greeting Mr. Huckabee in Florence on Thursday at our airport for a short press junket stop. I must admit I was undecided. However, he represented all the characteristics of the man I want in the White House and his issues are my issues. My decision is now one of pride to be casting my vote for the next President of the United States in 2008, Mike Huckabee!

If you are a registered voter in the US, please exercise this special privilege and vote in your primary and then in the election in November, 2008! EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT.

Election 2008, GOP, Mike Huckabee President 2008, South Carolina GOP Primary, SC, vote

The primary is this Saturday, January 19, 2008 In South Carolina. Our primary is one of great importance to the Presidential election in November, 2008. Mike Huckabee and his staff flew in to Florence at 1:00 PM today for a press junket stop at the airport. The crowd was enthusiastic even with the rain and cold. Chuck Norris and his wife were there to offer their support and to invite the crowd to a “virtual BBQ” on Saturday by web cast, of course. Included will be a tour of the Norris ranch in Texas! Former Governor Beasley and his precious wife, Mary Wood were there, along with Mike Campbell. Mr. Huckabee traveled with a cool group for this junket!

I was undecided until today. I found myself shaking my head “yes” to his comments and clapping like a “mad woman” when he listed his priorities for his time in the White House. I am no longer UNDECIDED. My vote will be for Mike Huckabee, this Saturday, in the South Carolina Primary! If you are a registered voter in South Carolina, please take advantage of this opportunity to put the RIGHT person in the White House. The first step is voting in the Primary in South Carolina to insure Mike Huckabee is on the ballot as a Republican Candidate for President. See for yourself!

Mike Huckabee for President, Republican Party, Conservative, Election 2008, Florence SC, South Carolina

In South Carolina!

It happened quietly around midnight last night. The upper part of the state was expecting the lovely, white stuff, but not in the Pee Dee area, closer to the coast … well, mother nature said, “Snow in the Pee Dee!” and it did.

It was not much, enough to cover everything in white and then the rain started and the wonderful white stuff was gone!

SNOW, South Carolina, Pee Dee area, winter

This is a first for Myrtle Beach, SC and the entire resort town and surrounding beach towns are going above and beyond to make this memorable event go smoothly. The MB Convention Center were the debates will be held is making last minute preparations for tonight’s debate. Our local ABC affiliate will be covering it on their news shows.

Yes, it is a huge sand sculpture of the faces of the candidates debating tonight! Only in the SOUTH!

FOX News will have the debates beginning at 9:00 pm. You Decide 08! » Home

Please watch. We will be watching, too! Remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ here!”

politics, Republicans, debate, Myrtle Beach, SC, tourism, sand sculpture, MB Chamber of Commerce, government, Elections, You Decide 2008, WPDE TV News

To my readers, NaBloPoMo, 451Press and to the promise I made myself … to post everyday, 7 days a week for the entire month of November … I had to break that promise/commitment this weekend. Life will sometimes “kick you in the butt” to get your attention and let you know who is in charge! First, read the original post about NaBloPoMohttp://www.livingruralonline.com/nablopomo/ ; then read about my college, AIUonline http://www.aiuonline.edu/. You will be caught up to the present and my apology.

The third session of AIU ended at 11:59:59 PM CT, Saturday, November 10, 2007. My classes this session were Algebra and Computer Systems Management . The computer course was very helpful and not a problem. The Algebra class was quite another story! Anyway, to make a long story a short one … I did not have my assignments completed and began a marathon last weekend playing catch-up which we all know is usually impossible to do. I was giving it my best effort when my daughter called from her doctor’s office on Friday with the news that she was being admitted to the hospital for intravenous antibiotics and hydration; also, to be seen by an infectious disease doctor. Wham! All concentration and knowledge of my world around me vanished. The mother “thing” took over. Worry. Panic. Crying.

Posting was suddenly moved down the list of priorities by at least 10 other “priorities” and that gets us to … an apology. I am sorry I missed Saturday and Sunday, had I posted it would have said, “Still no answers for Betsy” and I still have no answers. They are “growing cultures” to find out what type of bacteria has invaded her body, un til they have the results, she will remain in the hospital on an intravenous antibiotic (which they are not sure is the “right one”, comforting!)

What else is happening in my rural space … weather is gorgeous, other children are fine, hubby is happy, and TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY! So, Happy Birthday to me!

I must listen for the phone, plug away at overdue assignments in algebra, and begin two new classes at AIU … I am not whining … I am “sharing”. Anyway. remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

birthday, NaBloPoMo, AIUonline, health, hospital, bacteria, daughters

When did I fall into this r. u. t.? Way to much talk about TV in the country this week, but everywhere you turn someone is complainingtalking about it. The Country Music Association Awards are worth talking about … such talent, exposed skin (sorry, but true), and surprising!

AND THE WINNERS ARE: http://www.cmaawards.com/2007/

Surprises? Or did you pick the winners?

What a great night!

CMA awards, ABC, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, CMA winners

Last night’s choices on the networks did not appear to be affected by the writer’s strike. It is probably because most shows have several “in the can” to use in just this situation. The talk shows are probably feeling “the pain” the most; next, anything that is live and then, the soaps (are their writer’s included in this strike?). If all the viewers begin writing TPIC to say how much they miss the shows and the writers, possibly the network will settle this quickly.

The writers are entitled to be compensated for the contribution they make to the shows because the strike makes it absolutely clear that without the writers, there is no show. Come on people, wise up, and “spread the bread”!

TV, networks, CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, UPN, strike, writers, pay,

LivingRural is exactly what it says, living in a rural area. In this rural area of mine, there is no cable TV which means the TV channel choices are the networks, CBS, ABC, PBS, FOX, and UPN and that is IT. Yes, the public was told that a strike was coming among the writers, but I did not understand it began last night at 12:01 AM. I heard through the blog grapevine that it happened. Read about it HERE. (Thanks, Dave :))

TV is a huge part of living in the country. It keeps us company. It fills an empty nest with noise. It makes you laugh. It makes you cry. The characters become family. The shows become stories about you and yours. You begin to wish Dr. House was your doctor. Brothers and Sisters are your brothers and sisters. Grey’s Anatomy let’s us look behind the scenes at a hospital. And the reality shows show how silly and funny “scripted” reality is (don’t get your panties in an uproar, I am entitled to MY opinion!)

What will we do? What will the networks do? What will the talk show hosts do? “They” will show reruns and we will watch them. Simple.

Heaven forbid that we talk to one another, or read … remember doing those things? Well, hopefully the strike will not last long, but while it is going on at least think about using the time normally spent in front of the TV to be with your family and/or friends, do go and visit your Public Library … write a letter with pen, pencil and paper … go to the post office and (s)mail it! We will survive! Don’t forget, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

Oh, I am a little disappointed at the response to my question, “Hunting … pro or con?” Reread here and I will extend our discussion to next Monday, OK?

TV, writer’s strike, HOUSE, BROTHERS and SISTERS, GREY”S ANATOMY, reruns, country living, CBS, ABC, PBS, FOX, UPN, network television, Public Library, post office, mail, hunting

It’s here! The official start of National Blog Post Month! First posted here.

I am so excited. This is going to be such a challenge and uplifting experience for everyone committed to writing a post every day during the month of November. Some folks are using a THEME ; I am “winging it”! This blog has always been eclectic. I follow my heart when I write, good or bad.

This week has been full of challenges and sadness. Our community lost several young people to tragedy this past weekend. A horrible fire … Iraq … traffic accidents. All sad and leaving our hearts heavy and wondering “why”? When young people die it is somehow harder to understand and accept without questioning the reason. There are no answers. Faith will see us through the pain and sorrow by His Grace.

Tomorrow is another day … one to praise Him!

Happy writing! And remember, “Y’all come back, ya’ hear!”

NaBloPoMo, Fall, Autumn, Faith, Grace, death, Iraq, accidents, November, writing

I AM SURE “BABY BOOMERS” remember “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” boxes that our parents gave us to collect change, from the homes we visited on Halloween, to be given to the project being sponsored that year. Yes, they wanted to support UNICEF; but, I think it was to ease the guilt of letting us go through the neighborhood begging for candy!

Thank goodness they felt that guilt … it instilled in me, and many others, that helping others through giving was a good thing. It planted the seed of volunteering in my heart. I knew I might not always be able to give money for causes that were important to me, but I could and would give my time and my talents.

Over the years, I have volunteered for many causes - our local museum, library, schools (public and private), nursing home through gardening, caring for a plot of roses in our city park, and through many functions connected to our church. My plate has always been full. When thinking about Halloween and the days of collecting for UNICEF, I realized I had not done much for this group in several years. I naturally went to their web site UNICEF. I was amazed at what I found. I read and read.

NEW YORK, 27 October 2003 - Good ideas often have humble beginnings. Such is the story of “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF,” which started in 1950 when a group of young trick-or-treaters went door-to-door on Halloween with their pastor in Philadelphia. At each door, they not only opened their bags for candy, but held out empty milk cartons to collect coins for children in need overseas. They collected $17 and sent it to UNICEF. The result was much bigger than those children ever imagined.

And that’s how it started …

I hope kids are still doing this as they make the rounds tomorrow - in groups with parental supervision, only in their own neighborhood, in safe costumes before dark. Or at an organized event without the emphasis on “getting” but “giving”.

UNICEF, Volunteering, Halloween, pumpkins, holidays, giving, “trick-or-treat”, children, “baby boomers”

I will not post today. Our area is in shock over the death of seven(7) students, from the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, in Ocean Isle Beach, NC after a fire destroyed the beach house where they were enjoying a last weekend at the beach. The AP story my be found here

My heart is aching. My physician’s son was one of the students that did not survive. Today will be a day of mourning.

My blogging neighbor at HOUSEHOLD TIPS talked about fire safety here.

Ocean Isle Beach, NC, USC, Clemson, tragedy, fire, mourning, fire safety, Columbia, SC, Florence, SC

I really can not believe that after promoting BLOG ACTION DAY for the ENVIRONMENT on October 15, 2007 - that I did not get my post posted! It was written; not saved. The black cloud is returning.

Please know my intentions could not have been better. Although I do not have the written post, I do have the URL for the web sites I researched.

They are worth reading.ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

PHONE4LIFE

THE BUSY FAMILY

Each site is filled with good information to help our environment through recycling, going green, teaching by doing, starting early with our children, and how to continue as we move from one stage of our life to another. Good reading for a good cause - ANY and EVERY day of the week!

I read this in Blogger Buzz and I thought you might want to participate. Check it out, then let me know if you are going to sign up!

Blogging for the Environment
Bloggers Unite- Blog Action Day October 15, and the theme this year is the environment. If you have a blog and want to join in, all you have to do is use that day to post something related to the environment, in whatever way, shape, or form you prefer. You can pick an environmental issue that has meaning for you and let us know why it’s important. Organize a beach or neighborhood cleanup and tell us about it. If you’re into fiction writing, give us a story with an environmental theme. Have a podcast, video-blog, or photo-blog? Join the fun! The idea here is to have a mass effect on public awareness by sharing as many ideas in as many ways as possible.

If you’re game for participating, go register your blog with the 7,000+ other blogs (with 5 million readers!) that are already signed up. Also, see the Blog Action Day blog for more on how bloggers can change the world.

Thanks Graham for the heads up.

environment, blogger, October 15

A writing event for the month of November. Check out the details written by Eden Marriott Kennedy here

Welcome to National Blog Posting Month!

Welcome to the new home of NaBloPoMo! I think it’s much more impressive than the old place.

“What the heck is going on here?” you ask. Well, it’s pretty simple. You get yourself a blog, if you don’t have one already — and don’t mind me if I’m stupefied at the idea that there’s someone left in the English speaking world without their own blog. Then you look at the calendar, and when the whole world goes, “Oh, I can’t believe they’re already playing Christmas music in the warden’s office!” you’ll know it’s November and that is the month in which you post something to your blog every day, in accordance with the National Blog Posting Month challenge!

Last year everybody just went for it, posting thirty days in a row and maybe hoping to win a prize in the random drawing. This year, for those of you who suspect you might run out of gas, maybe you’d like to try blogging on a theme. Follow a news story for the month; get deeper into an issue that you want to educate yourself about; keep us abreast of how your yoga practice / daily muffin-eating regime / matchstick Eiffel Tower is progressing.

Or simply use NaBloPoMo as a writing exercise, as an easier-to-accomplish alternative to the marathon that inspired it: National Novel Writing Month.

You can sign yourself up by clicking on the Members tab. Doing so will mean that all the other crazy people who are doing this will be able to find you and your blog.

The Forums tab will take you to a place where you can commiserate with other people who are loving NaBlo, hating NaBlo, tearing their hair out over NaBlo, or cheating by backdating their posts.

The Groups tab will help you find other like-minded individuals. I’m looking at you, knitting bloggers.

By the way, “every day” means Saturday and Sunday, too. Hence the above reference to “cheating.” Not that you would.

You can do your posting here, you can do it on your blog, or you can cross-post in both places, it’s completely up to you.

But post we must … begin those drafts now … November will be here before you know it!

writing, blogs, NaBloPoMo, November