Our life

McCain....do you know him?

2008-10-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

This is from www.moveon.org

10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):
1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.
2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."
3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."
5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.
6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.
7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."
8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.
9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."
10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year.
John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be. Please help get the word out—forward this email to your personal network. And if you want us to keep you posted on MoveOn's work to get the truth out about John McCain, sign up here:
http://pol.moveon.org/mccaintruth/

Vote

2008-10-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

So as the day draws near to take a stand and vote, I am saddened to hear that people aren't voting. I hear the excuse "i don't like either" and to me that just sounds crazy. You may not like either as much but this is the man that will be representing our country for the next 4 years! There are people out there that don't even have the choice to decide their next president, why would you waste yours?

I am not saying to vote one way or the other, my husband and I don't agree on it that's for sure, but just VOTE!!!

Now on to my choice for the next President!

I believe that this man will give us the change we so desperatly need. It goes beyond his charisma and charm and right down to his beliefs and his plans for change in our country. I annoy my husband because everytime I leave the house now, I wear my new Obama shirt! I love it!

For all you McCain supporters out there.
This is an article by Phillip Butler, a Vitetnam POW who knows McCain like the rest of us don't.
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,164859_1,00.html.dk

From the Obama website-http://factcheck.barackobama.com/
DEBATE REALITY CHECK: PALIN WRONG ON CLIMATE CHANGE SUB-CABINET POSITION
October 02, 2008

PALIN TONIGHT: “We have got to encourage other nations to come along with us with the impacts of climate change, what we can do about that. As governor I was the first governor to form a climate change subcabinet to start dealing with the impacts.”

FACTS: PALIN WAS NOT THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO ACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE OR REORGANIZE HER CABINET TO DEAL WITH IT

In JANUARY 2007, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Began Sweeping Cabinet Reorganization to Integrate Energy and Environment to Deal With Climate Change. "The challenge of climate change illustrates vividly the need to integrate energy and environmental policy," added Governor Patrick, who has begun a sweeping Cabinet reorganization that combines energy and environmental affairs agencies into a single secretariat." [Gov. Patrick Press Release, 1/8/07 ]

· Nevada Created Climate Committee in April, 2007. On April 10, 2007, “Governor Jim Gibbons today signed an executive order creating the Nevada Climate Change Advisory Committee and named its 13 members. The Committee is tasked with making recommendations to the Governor on reducing Nevada's greenhouse gas emissions." [State of Nevada Press Release , 4/10/07]

· By May of 2007, 29 States had Taken Action On Climate Change. "Among the 29 states that have taken steps to curb their contributions to global warming, some have been more active than others. Massachusetts sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its refusal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and won a victory in the U.S. Supreme Court last month. California, at the urging of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, passed the nation's most stringent emissions control legislation. California also worked with several New England states to set up the carbon registry." [St. Petersburg Times, 5/10/97 ]

Palin Created Subcabinet on Climate Change In SEPTEMBER 2007. According to a press release, “Governor Sarah Palin today signed Administrative Order 238 establishing a sub-cabinet to prepare a climate change strategy. ‘Many scientists note that Alaska’s climate is changing,’ Governor Palin said. ‘We are already seeing the effects. Coastal erosion, thawing permafrost, retreating sea ice and record forest fires affect our communities and our infrastructure. Some scientists tell us to expect more changes in the future. We must begin to prepare for those changes now.’” She also said that the sub-cabinet would look at ways to develop the state’s renewable energy sources. [Palin press release, 9/14/07]

Do you really want a VP with the possibility of taking over as President to be so uninformed that she thinks that because of Russia and Canada's close proximity to Alaska, she has foreign policy experiance??? Really??? The woman can barely explain her idea of what a VP does! Not to mention as an educated woman, why on earth would you vote for someone trying to take your rights away!

Ok I am done for now.

Shopping Shopping and even more

2008-07-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

After going over everything in my head about the decor in our humble abode, I think I ave decided on a style. I am not sure that you can even fit it into one style category but it's a rustic modern sorta thing!! Once we have some more moola, I want to get reclaimed hardwood and put it in the main floor. Either that or some sort of laminate but I really like all the cool rustic barn wood.
I am getting these chairs from CB2. I love that place.

I think they will do just fine with the table that is being painted white.

While I was ordering those I came across this bedding and I LOVE it! I am going to pair the duvet with white sheets instead and give it that nice clean look. I like the idea of painting two walls in the bedroom that lime green color!

Then these pillows

Oh and then these pillows are coming as well. I think they will look good with the brown leather chairs.

Lisa and the SMART thing!!!

2008-06-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

Ok so I cannot call it a car as it is more like a go kart as we decided. Anywhoo....Lisa has her dad's car for the next two weeks while he is out of town. We were going to lunch, as usual, and she says she is driving today so I head out to the side entrance to meet her and I see someone driving a SMART thing...I of course mutter something along the lines of "seriously who the crap drives that thing, really?" I may have added some more colorful words to my version but, you get the point! I keep looking for the green civic flying down the main drive and next thing I know, there is a crazy familiar looking blond waving at me from the SMART thing!!!!

Yes....that means I am now cruising around in a scooter, go kart, hybrid thing. She is amused. How can you not laugh at that though!! I guess if I was getting 45-50 miles to the gallon I wouldn't really be laughing. Aside from being stupidly expensive, I could get two ducati's for the price of that thing, it's relatively cute. I still refuse to call it a car though. It's the SMART thing!

Oh look...cute shoes!!!

Happy Birthday Mommy.....

2008-06-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ok so I am posting these waaaay late but here we are!!

This is to prove that we did not get this crazy on our own!!

Why have children when we have a Schmeezel??

2008-06-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

We Love our doggy.

Some of the photographers pictures

2008-06-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

As you all know we went with Amore Studios for our photography. They were amazing and the pictures came out perfect. Here are just a few.

Also thanks a million to my fab hairstylist Kendall. She works at Gretchen Scott Salon in Woodinville. She did the hair for Ashley, Lisa, Sara, Nick, and I. What would I do without her!!

You can always check out their blog as well http://amorestudios.typepad.com/amorestudios/

Were Married!!!

2008-06-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

First dance

Awww...dancing with my daddy.

Nick thought it would be cute to pull a prank...Yes that is a chicken he's holding up!!

Thank you all for making this an amazing day!!! The wedding went off without a hitch! Ok so we were in the middle of a heat wave, but better than rain right!! The day was perfect and then we left for our honeymoon on Monday morning. After a full day of traveling we finally got to Mexico. It was so warm and humid. We got to our hotel and crashed. 10 days of relaxation later, we returned home! Neither of us got sick, we were all healthy and happy! Here are some pictures from the wedding.

I will have pictures of the honeymoon as soon as I decide to get them loaded on to my computer!! :) Don't hold your breath for that!!

The Shower

2008-04-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

Oh geez...I am starting to freak out!! Heeheehooo. Ok so the Bridal Shower is this weekend. Sunday at 3pm at my mothers place.

Call me if you need the address or directions and I will provide.

I AM GONNA BE A LAMPERT SOON!!!!

Bridesmaids...and men...some of them

2008-04-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hello....

Long time no chat right. Ok so if reading my short novel I just finished wasn't painful enough I will now make you look at my maids. Actually you'll probably skip over my last post and head for the pics. I tend to do that as well so I will forgive!

This would be blonde and spaz. Blonde is Lisa in the yellow( I know the blonde one right???) and Spaz is Sara ( oh and you guessed it...the brunette)

Egad!!! She is gonna kill me if she sees this!! Lovers you my Ashley!! This be my Maid o' Honor!!!!! Really she's normal....just like me!! : )

My little cousin Julia....juju bean as I call her!
Ok had to sneak these guys in here...this is AJ( in red) and Short Stub(aka Sean aka Vin Diesel) They are groomsmen

This would be my crazy brother who is also a groomsmen!!! Hi Adam!As if you didn't think my family was crazy enough...here is sister Ali who is a bridesmaid and then we have the flower girl Amanda...then Adam again!

Blllaaaahhhhh!!!

2008-04-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

Seriously, where has the time gone! I am getting married in 22 days!! I am so excited I can hardley contain myself! I am ready for the day to be here already. I am really just excited to dissapear with Nick for 9 whole days in sunny Mexico! Not that I am not looking forward to the actual wedding, but I am one of those people that likes to handle thing myself and that isn't really a good thing when it comes to planning an event like this. It's not like people haven't been offering. I just don't ever ask for help unless it's from my mom, my aunt, or Nick. I don't have an explanation for that type of nonsense, it's just the way I am. I had a moment of weakness when I hired a wedding planner and then realized that would NEVER work so I fired her. Ok we left on good terms, I just want a fun casual day that spends as little money as possible and we weren't seeing eye to eye on that! So instead I have been doing invites and dragging Nick ( not really) to every single bb-q place around Western Washington to find the caterer. By the end of that three month food fest I was in dire need of the gym. : )
Wow...I got off topic there. Ok where was I....oh right....I can't believe it's almost here! We have our engagement session tomorrow. I know, a bit late but better late than never right? Just agree! Now I have to find the perfect outfits....oh Nick is gonna kill me. He just cleaned the house and when I am searching for the perfect outfit or five....I manage to make my closet and all of it's many contents spill out onto the floor of our bedroom and into the bathroom and over the banister. This of course gives my soon to be hubby a nervouse twitch and he just shakes his head and heads downstairs. I have to try on all of the clothes and then mix and match to see what works best! Then I must model this for him, like he can tell the difference between my navy striped shirt with the half sleeve and my Navy short sleeved shirt. All the while he is calculating how many clothes will be strewn all over the floor when he finally manages to make it up stairs and try not to pop a blood vessel!
I promise, I really am not some crazed bridezilla...I just sound like that!! No really....you believe me right...............do not answer that!

The Ring Bearers and the Flower Girl

2008-04-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

These crazy kids are going to be our Ringbearers and the flower girl. Jacob and Camden are my cousins and my little sisters best friends. Amanda is obviously going to be the flower girl.

A bit about us

2008-04-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone:

I am Andrea, hopefully you knew that by now. I work at Costco in the buying department.

I am pretty easy going, my family might be laughing at this point because I am easy going to a certain point. I have my anxious moments. I am loud in front of family and close friends, other than that I can be pretty quiet.

I like to sew and be crafty. Nick's only complaint about that is when my "stuff" is laying out and he has to look at it. Ok so I leave it there for a few days or more. I am waiting for the creativity...you really can't rush these things you know. It's not my fault that he is slightly OCD'ish.

My other hobby is shopping. I have no idea where this came from as my mom and sister are fine with dressing in jeans and a t-shirt with little to no make-up everyday and my dad dresses in slacks and a button up 6 days a week with the exeption of jeans on Sunday. I am in love with shoes and clothes and make-up. My brother is the only really big shopper besides me. He has a shoe collection that rivals mine!! At 14!!!

Moving on to Nick:

He is not a clothes shopper. His closet is mostly black t-shirts, jeans, and sweatshirts! He does like to shop, just not clothing, car parts! He works at Divers Street Rods. They build custom cars.

Nick likes anything that has a motor in it. He rides a Honda 954 when we get the occasional sunny dry day here in Seattle and the rest of the time he can be found in his Nissan 350Z.

If you know Nick you know he likes clean. His car is perfect at all times. I think he washes it by hand (we are NOT aloud to go through a car wash) twice a week and wipes it down in between washes. The house has to be clutter free as well. That is something I am working on. Luckily I have my own closet.....I don't think I have seen the floor since the day we moved in!

Here we are on New Years: That would be my parents dog Gigi in the background....she is attatched to his side when he comes over. I am like chopped liver now.

Registry

2008-04-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

We are registered at Macy's and CB2.

Here are the links:
Macy's
CB2

Attire

2008-04-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Ok so we are not your average couple and decided that we want our guests to be comfortable. Dress in whatever you like and enjoy yourself. Obviously dress respectfully, no super short dresses, no cut offs, no white, etc. Arrive in jeans, cocktail wear, a suit, a full length dress, whatever! We will be in traditional wedding wear but you are free to dress in a style of your own!

Also: We are going to be eating messy food so don't wear something that your worried about getting a stain on!

Craven Farm

2008-04-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

We are getting married at Craven Farm in Snohomish.

Address is:

Craven Farm, Inc.13817 Short School RoadSnohomish, WA 98290(360) 568-2601

Both the ceremony and reception will be held there.