November is the month of change...

Hubby and I have sent in our absentee ballots and we feel confident about our decisions. It's sad knowing that who we voted for will NEVER win, but it feels good knowing that we voted for someone we believed in and have similar values as we do. Too bad, so many people have to knock us down for the choice we have made. "You're just throwing away your vote!" is becoming a recurring theme amongst our social circles but you know what? If you vote for McCain, so are you my dear, so are you. If the system depended solely on popular votes then he might actually have a chance. But there's 270 electoral votes to go around and since CA is predominantly a Democratic state and is one of the states that has the highest # of electoral votes (55 electoral votes), Barack is already predicted to win. (More on the Electoral College system: http://www.kqed.org/w/youdecide/electoral_college/). BUT if it's anything like the 2004 election, he might only win by a narrow margin. Polls show that it's still a close race so we will just have to wait and see! I personally have nothing against either 2 of the main candidates, I think they both offer something the other does not. I just didn't feel comfortable filling in the circle next to either one of their names...

We walk around our neighborhood every day and am quite shocked at how many signs are posted in people's yards. I didn't realize that our neighborhood cared so much. So far, if the election was based on signage in this miniscule world we call "our block" then...McCain wins and YES on Prop 8 wins as well. I refuse to talk any more politics so I will stop right here, right now. I love debate but have no desire to argue with anyone other than my husband.

But to all those who are undecided, I urge you to RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH before you vote. It really helps to know who and what you are voting for, especially the propositions that I totally believe are meant to confuse you. I hate to say it but don't vote if you have no idea what anything means. I hate knowing that there are a mass of people out there voting (or not voting) for a candidate just because of his race or what's on his resume or because they believe all the BS people tell them, or because one side of the proposition sounds better than the other (read further into the details of the prop and you'll be surprised that you may not agree with some of the details!). So the message here is learn the right info so you can vote. Now, more than ever, it's important for people to make their voices heard! If you don't vote, you don't have a right to complain!

On a side note, what do you think of this?


November is a very important month, not only because it's election time but because it will be the beginning of what is yet to come. Everything that is going on right now will continue for years...it's not gonna end just because of a new president or certain props passed. Remember, most of economy's problems now are not just the banks' and lenders' fault, it is OUR fault as well. Most people are in financial crisis for reaching & striving for the "American Dream" that was out of reach in the first place. I don't understand why the media focuses so much on banks failing...humans have failed dearly as well. I myself am not excluded from this true catastrophe, as I too wanted to "keep up with the Joneses".

Now 6 months after purchasing a home and living well beyond our means, hubby and I finally realized it's time to take the bull by the horns and STOP everything we've been doing. You see, we never budgeted. I mean, it's one of the things the pastor talked about with us during marriage counseling before sealing the deal, but it wasn't something we thought we needed to do. Surprise surprise, 4 1/2 years later, BAM! Reality check! Up until now, we were eating out 3-4 times a week, buying anything and everything we desired, going on vacations like we were rock stars, and spoiling the hell out of our kids and ourselves. I mean, it's not like we're that deep in debt but we are spending more than we should be!

So yes, November is the month of change. WE ARE ON A BUDGET. :( No more eating out, no more splendid shopping sprees, no more traveling just for fun (visiting family OK), no more going out & waving around the credit cards like rock stars, no more! We are going to focus on NEEDS not wants, paying the bills, keeping the family happy the cheapest way possible (thank goodness we have a huge backyard!) and just spending more quality time with friends & relatives. Because that's all that really matters...having a roof above our heads, food in our tummies, making enough money to survive and being surrounded by people we love.

That means more potlucks! more girls' night ins! renting books & videos from the library! exploring the hills of the central coast! walking anywhere and everywhere a stroller can go! lots more cuddly time with kids and hubby!

We have also vowed to be more involved in the community. Ideally, we would like to find something we can do with the kids. We want the kids to learn to value life and appreciate what God has given them. We've been involved with the Zoo, Loaves & Fishes, AIDS Network, UNICEF, and other organizations in the past so we are looking for something new this year. Any suggestions?

I am really looking forward to November. Here's to living the simple life! :)

*Note to self: this post is to encourage accountability*