Work in progress...

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Here is the beginning of the painting of Corban's room. The lines are being drawn on the wall and what color in each strip is being considered. We may "veto" the rustic-red color and just go with 4 colors.

The colors we have chosen currently are: the reddish color, blue, green, tan, and brown. We may choose a different red or like I said do away with it all together?! More pics will be coming as work moves forward...

Master bedroom pics...

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Just to share...

'Twas the night before elections...

A poem for your reading pleasure...
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'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!

I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys

They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink

He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

" On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi"
He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!

Justice Department sues Calera over new voting districts

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Published Monday, October 27, 2008

The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against the city of Calera in U.S. District Court Friday, alleging the city's new voting districts violate a section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Justice Department maintains Calera's new voting districts eliminates the city's only majority-minority district.

According to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, a city must obtain preclearance from the U.S. Attorney General or the U.S. District Court for any changes with reference to voting. The legislation prevents a city from weakening the strength of minority voters by changing electoral practices.

The Justice Department claims Calera officials did not obtain preclearance for its new voting districts before the Aug. 26 general election. The city has agreed to abandon its new voting districts until preclearance is obtained.

In addition, the city will not swear in Mayor-elect Jon Graham and Councilmembers-elect Chris Bunn, Eric Snyder, Brian Latham, David Bradshaw and Mike Roberson on Nov. 3. The current mayor and city council will remain in office until the lawsuit is resolved.

City Attorney Frank "Butch" Ellis has asked for the Justice Department to reconsider its decision, and the Attorney General has committed to providing a decision no later than Nov. 17.

Four of us guys that should be taking office on Nov. 3 heard this while we were in Montgomery yesterday attending a workshop session for the Alabama League of Municipalities.

Where we stand now is the issue has to go before a 3 panel Judge either in Montgomery or Atlanta, let them hear the case and decide if Calera tried to do away with a minority district. The crazy part is the last survey that was done about a month ago, sent out at the request of the Justice Department, proved that 1) Calera does not have a minority district anymore. 2) We are well diversed in our city. 3) More whites are moving to Calera than Blacks.

Well, I am of course still hoping and praying that they get this mess resolved. Please keep it in your prayers as well. It is still possible that we can hear something before November 3rd but highly unlikely. I am not being negative, just realistic!

Confusing...

Has there ever been something that confused you so much but yet the thing that confused you is probably so simple you were just thinking too hard about it? Are you confused yet by me asking this?

Well, anyway, this is what I am dealing with now. Hopefully the confusion will leave...hopefully...

The meaning of "Redistribution of Wealth"

Email that I received:
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Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on an "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.

Corban Lee Update

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The mom-to-be had her appointment yesterday. Corban is growing very well and so is his mother. Jennifer gained an extra 11 pounds since her last appointment and was told to keep adding them on.

In November she has an appointment where they will do the Sugar test and then in December we are scheduled for the 4D.

To remind you, any appointments where they do an ultrasound test I go to but all the others Jennifer goes to by herself, but if she wants me to attend any other one I would.

So here is your update. I will try and remember to take a "belly shot" again and post it.

An email I received...

I feel very strongly about this election and the importance of your vote. I have my political viewpoints and I am not going to try to push them on you. However, I feel that it is important to point out that the media is trying to make us believe that this election is already a done deal. Don't let anyone discourage you from voting because it is not going to matter. Everyone's vote will matter. Our country's and our children's future depends on it. Please encourage all of your friends and family as well.

Just a reminder to each of you...I won the City Council election by 2 votes!!! EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!

New Spelling of Baby's name...

After much thought, we are going to spell our baby boys name as follows: Corban Lee Snyder.
The definition of Corban below will let you know why.

Corban
a Hebrew word adopted into the Greek of the New Testament and left untranslated

It occurs only once (Mark 7:11). It means a gift or offering consecrated to God. Anything over which this word was once pronounced was irrevocably dedicated to the temple.

Life in the fast lane!

Life has been busy. Here is a recap:

-Work
-Executive Director of Chamber resigned. I have been working with our volunteer that we have at the Chamber office to keep things going
-Chamber meetings and luncheon
-City Council meetings
-House Cleaning
-Church
-Getting things ready for baby. Which reminds me that we have a name for our Baby boy. His name will be: Corbin Lee Snyder
-repeat the above x 1,000!!!

The wife and I are going to a concert tonight; sort of like a date night. Maybe I can get Jennifer to make-out with me? Hmmmmm!!! We are going to the Michael Buble concert. We might as well get as many dates in as possible since it won't be long until Corbin is here. But of course that will bring lots of joy and new adventures of its own.

Pics as promised from our Baby Goodies...

Over already???

My vacation is over. How fast they seem to go by. I do not even feel like I had a vacation. Now when we took the cruise...that was a vacation. I really did get LOTS of rest!

It was good to get away from the everyday stuff I guess. I did have to handle a lot of Chamber stuff while I was gone but that was handled over the phone.

It was great to see my cousin and her family and both sets of my grandparents. While visiting I racked up a lot of baby stuff. Here is what I got:

From my Cousin: a baby tub, play mat with toys, walker with lights and sounds.

From Granny: baby monitors, bib, shirt, outfit, and silky.

From Memaw: Learning blocks.

Maybe I sould go back a few more times before the baby is born? Hmmmmmm...

On Saturday we got our baby bed and I put it together. I will post pics later this week if I remember. It looks really good and it is really putting us in that "nesting mode!" HA!

Well I am signing off. It was a busy day at work today and will be tomorrow and I had Council meeting tonight so I am about to jump in the shower and try to get to bed early; while I still can before Baby boy gets here.

I think we are leaning toward Corban Lee Snyder. What do you think?