Black Panthers.

This summer has been different than others for many various reasons, but there's one in particular with which I wish to focus on tonight: I have been staying updated with the news/government rulings.
Most of the time, what I hear makes me sick and/or angry.
For example, have any of you heard about what the Black Panther case? Let me shed a little light upon the topic for those of you who are in the dark about what has been going on.

During the 2008 Presidential Election, Black Panthers stood outside with night-sticks to intimidate voters that "looked like they wouldn't vote for Obama". These 2 men, shown in the video below, were taking to court for voter intimidation. Things were going well for us (poorly for them) when all the sudden the case was DROPPED. The DOJ claimed that "he would not pursue cases in which the voter is white and the intimidater is black."
Huh...that sounds lawful, right?
It makes me wonder what would have happened if the KKK were the ones standing outside polling places. Gah, that's enough ranting from me. Here's a video of one of the men they dropped the charges against. Watch it if you don't mind being shocked.



Any thoughts about this video?
Please share.

A few thoughts on life.

It's been a relaxed sort of day,
but somehow, I still managed to get a few things done.
One nice perk of holidays is that you generally get to miss either work or school on the following Monday. And hey, I'll take what I can get.
My plan was to sleep in, but my sister Rachael had different plans.
She came over-- bright and early, of course,
and showed me how to work the magic of coupons, rebates and up-rewards at rite-aid. I don't know how she does it, but after buying numerous items, including contact solution, automatic toothbrush, remote?, some allergy meds, and much much more, we MADE money. Isn't that insane??
All the shopping and money saving got me so excited to be a stay at home mom. Rach is so great with her kids. I love her little boys to pieces. Sometimes it can be tough as the youngest. Yes, us youngests get spoiled, but we have to sit among the ranks and wait to grow up as all of our older siblings move into different stages of life. Now, don't get me wrong-- I love my life. Every moment of it is an adventure. I just can't wait to have more new and exciting experiences.
But I digress.
I was going through my day, excited about all the life I have ahead of me. Then, I went and saw Toy Story 3. Umm, I'm gonna be honest here. That movie made me cry. Haha, is there something wrong with me? Seriously, though. That whole movie felt so sentimental. All morning I had the urge to grow up and move on, and then just a few hours later, I was longing for my childhood.
Life is funny, isn't it? We always want to go back, move ahead, rewind, fast forward. It's really kind of silly. The present is so good. At least, that's what I decided on the car ride home. So, I invite you to join in with me and enjoy your current situation, whatever it may be. Find the joy in every moment. In my opinion, that's the only way to live life.

Niagara Falls & Cleveland

Just a few days before memorial day weekend, I turned to my parents and said,

"Let's go somewhere. How about Niagara Falls?"
I was expecting to be shut down, but lucky for me, they agreed.
The weather was the definition of perfection.
The lines weren't too bad.
I got to use my passport! (I didn't get a stamp though...)
And the food was fantastic.
THEN
On our way home we stopped in Cleveland to do three things:
1. See my Grandma Kriechbaum
2. Say goodbye to Mr. Sam DeBaltzo for 2 years
3. Eat at "The Melt": Recommended by Guy Fiere
It was such a fun trip. I really enjoyed getting some time just to hang out with my parents and to see a bit of this country's natural beauty.

Back to the burg.

Packing to leave the beach.
It's been quite the week.
Full of family and fun.
Don't worry.
I'll be posting pictures as soon as I get home.
Til then, folks.

I can't stop reading.

When did reading get so good?

Perhaps it's because I never have time to do it.
Is that why sitting down to read a book is so enticing?

However, this summer is a little different than normal,
cause I'm actually giving myself time to read...
lots of time, really.

I've been on summer vacation for what, 2 months?
In those 8 weeks, I've read 12 books.
In addition to reading at least one book a week,
I've traveled on a majority of the weekends.

I. am. LOVING. it.

I haven't written too much, so hopefully you're still with me,
cause now I want to hear your opinion.

So tell me, what are some of your favorite books?

I think I died.

Getting violently ill was NOT on my lists of things to do this weekend (or the entire summer, really).

Unfortunately,
my body had different plans for me.

Here's to laying in a bed all day because you feel like death.

Dance Party in the Britany.

I was looking through my pictures and I stumbled upon this video. It makes me laugh every time. Please note that Ashley "ruins" the video 3 times, but in so doing, she made the video. Haha. Precious.

p.s. sorry that it's going the wrong way.