Scenic Drive To Town Brought To You By FEMA

As I drive to town (I sound so rural), I pass something that you probably did not know existed and even if you had heard about it, it is something you have to see to believe. The educator that The Park Wife is, I felt today was the day that you were to be enlightened.

Is this a town where snow birds congregate to play bridge and have square dances? Nope.

A village of like-minded gypsies? Nope


This is what is referred to as a staging ground. Ooooh, I love a stage! Even though I would have been hard pressed to come up with a talent for Miss America. I thought about flaming batons, but after the one singed eyebrow episode and the fact that lighting them would be tricky for me (I would be a horrible arsonist) I rethought my Miss America aspirations.

Anyway, back to the lesson at hand (I get a little off track at times). These are travel trailers and mobile homes that are provided to victims of natural disaster for short term use while they make repairs to their damaged homes or find alternate housing.

There are over 10,000 units being housed on one closed runway and one temporarily suspended runway at our local airport. They really should have let this pilot know that he was going to have to land on a sea of tin cans.

FEMA, i.e. your tax dollars, is paying $30,000 a month, yes a month, for 231 acres (according to the main newspaper in the state) to house the homes here. I sure wish I had a big pasture I could have rented.

Now, I am from the South and know many people who live in modular homes, so don't go and get defensive, I am not knocking the trailer homes themselves, I am just sharing a sight that has to be seen to believe.

However, I am not sure moving these to a tornado ravaged area is the best idea. Seems like asking for a repeat performance. There is data that shows that mobile homes are more vulnerable to tornadoes because they are not securely attached to the earth.

A reassuring point is that if tornadoes are spotted in our area, I will feel a bit safer knowing that it will head toward the airport, aka a tornado magnet, than toward my house.

See the arrow, I pray this is something that never has to be used and that I am not ever a guest here, it is definitely not The Ritz. It is a mobile mortuary. Oh my scenic drive.

I understand the need to be prepared, it just looks a bit wasteful.

Well, to lighten the mood and finish strong here, watch this video of one of my idols, Julia Sugarbaker.

Going to practice my baton twirling,

The Park Wife

On the Soapbox Again, 1 Day Before Election

I have treaded lightly on politics on my blog lately, but with only one more day before the biggest election in my lifetime, I feel it necessary to reach my reader's who just might be undecided (is it possible that anyone is still undecided or that anyone is reading my blog???).

We are privileged in this country to elect our leaders. I don't always agree on everything with a candidate, but I don't always agree with my spouse, family, or friends on everything 100% of the time either. So, I look at the big picture, I vote for the person who is most qualified to do the job. And, of the two applicants for the most powerful person in the country, in the world, the choice for me is clear.

Five and a half years ago I was a brand new mother, Little Buckaroo had just been born. Since then, we have watched him grow to an exceptional little boy, full of hope and possibilities. He has learned to walk, talk , ride a bicycle, read, climb, and so much more. So, thinking that his whole time on this earth equals the amount of time that John McCain spent in a North Vietnamese Prisoner of War Camp is overwhelming ~ 2, 000 days, 2,000 nights of sleep. When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first. Did you get that part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down. A regimen of beatings and torture began. Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country with a spouse and children at home, would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? That's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me the character of a person holds A LOT of weight.

Now, being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States, but his demonstrated leadership does. There's a lot of evil in this world and when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country. I want a President who's qualified to lead. Who does not taut change but can not back up what actual change he is promising.

The Park Wife for McCain Palin 2008

Seek Truth, Then Vote on November 4.

"What America needs is spiritual renewal and reconciliation--- first, man with God, and then man with man." - Ronald Reagan, 1976



This is an excellent video about the sacredness of life. It's only about 4 minutes long. Take the time to cut through the rhetoric and seek truth about the character and beliefs of each of the candidates.

The Park Wife

Disclaimer: I am perfectly aware that there are supporters of both candidates that read my blog and I appreciate you stopping by, we can all have our opinions and still be friends. I am happy to debate issues with you, but please stand up for what you believe and not make an "Anonymous" comment. Thanks.
May God Bless America!

Mud Slinging

The Park Wife Political Informer here. Let's just say the debate wore me out, almost made me pick up a Dr. Pepper (I gave them up AGAIN) in frustration.

So, to continue educating you on the ins and outs of the politics that effect our lives, well my life in this instance, let me tell you about mudslinging.

If you don’t understand what political mudslinging is about, all you have to do is compare television ads or watch a debate. It seems that candidates should spend more time expounding on their own principles and platforms, instead of trying to convince voters that they aren’t quite as bad as the opponent. Many candidates attack not only each other’s issues, but also attack each other on a very personal level.

So, in the hopes that I will not be the target of one of my readers who does not agree with me on the Presidential election (McCain-Palin 08), I am going to retreat into my own little Park world and enjoy the mudslinging around here!

Boys + mud = tons of fun
Sling on guys!!!!!

Unfortunately for Lucky, he was not too lucky. I think he is feeling some of the candidates pain.

Please pray for the upcoming election and for all those involved.

May God Bless America,
The Park Wife

Political Education By The Park Wife

The Park Wife strives to be an informed citizen and in this heated election time, I thought I would share with you how some of the rhetoric being thrown around applies to my life while educating all 5 (up from 3) readers.

Definition for the Day:
PORK BARREL POLITICS
The term "pork barrel politics" usually refers to spending that is intended to benefit constituents of a politician in return for their political support, either in the form of campaign contributions or votes.

Here at our home on the state park, this is what pork barrel spending looks like.

Inside, you won't find anti-pork amendments, just corn.

And, here are our constituents.

Unfortunately for them, an amendment to kill four pork-barrel projects has passed. They will go to the packing house this week.

Thankfully for Tonto, earmarks continue and she is able to live for another term.

Stay tuned for more on the issues that are important around our house.
The Park Wife

By the way, if I promise to post more often, will you follow me???? Click on the Follow Me button on the right side of the page!

The Park Wife Gets Political

I know, I know, you guys are used to me writing about living on a state park, pictures of our little Buckaroos and baby pigs, chickens and the occasional horse. And, now I am going to go off and get political with you. Well, be patient with me, or just sit back, have a Dr. Pepper and put up with me because you are my bloggie world friends.

From the beginning, I knew I was going to vote for Senator John McCain, I am a conservative Christian and frankly, the alternative is very scary to me. But, I did not have an enormous amount of gusto about it.

I planned to vote for McCain because he is pro-family, pro-marriage, pro-life and pro-America, wow, we have a lot in common. He is committed to protecting our children and preparing them to succeed ~um, so am I. He supports parental choice regarding education (whew! homeschoolers rock) and has vowed to place parents and students at the center of the education process. That is refreshing/comforting for a homeschool mom because believe me, I am right in the center of my children's education process at the moment.

Then, Kaboom! Exploding on the scene is Sarah Palin....I will wait for the applause to die down...o.k. here we go. I really like her! Did you expect that from a conservative Christian mom who chose to leave the business world behind and focus on raising two little Buckaroos?

Palin appeals to me for many reasons ~ her strength, grace and humility to name a few. I feel like she is one of us ~ she has a real family that isn't perfect, whose husband is a blue collar union member, a hockey mom who has the courage to speak her mind. Change that to a state park ranger and a soccer mom and we have so much in common! Well, except that I don't have an office in a Capitol building nor do I run marathons, nor shoot moose, um, I am not really a "maverick", well, o.k. we don't have a ton in common, but we are both moms who love our kids dearly.

I know everyone is giving her grief about her oldest daughter being pregnant, but all I have to say is be careful judging people. Bottom line is, she, with her newest arrival, and her daughter both chose LIFE. On the flip side, a quote from Obama, "Look, I got two daughters - 9 years old and 6 years old,” [Obama] said. "I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby." Oh my, did he call a baby punishment?

A statement from Gov. Palin released after she gave birth: “Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed.”

Enough said on that topic!

She seems very down to earth, as Governor, she drives herself to work, put the previous Governors jet on e-bay, and fired the chef. Now, I would have kept the chef, but that is just me wanting a night off from cooking for the family. She took out Alaska’s corrupt power structure and is a champion of ethics reform. I think she might have a Superwoman outfit in her closet, if she doesn't, I bet she can sew too.

So, she chose to have a job outside of the home, boy, look what she is doing with that choice. She wants America to be a better place for her kids and for ours.

Vote McCain-Palin 2008!
The Park Wife

I am off my political soapbox for now, but it could happen again. Remember, this is my blog, I respect others opinions, so please respect mine (or at least pretend to by just clicking to another blog rather than leaving me an ugly comment, hehehe.)