What's news?

I have missed my Marriage Monday, What's up Wednesday, and Thank GOD it's Friday blogs these past few weeks, so I thought I would take a few minutes to share a few observations with you.

The past two nights Derrick and I have actually stayed up to watch the first 15 minutes of the 11 p.m. news on Channel 17/NBC (because it came on after Revolution and Parenthood).

I never watch the news. I like to live in a bubble. But I've found that the recent local news is a bit Shakespearean - both comical and tragic. Here are my thoughts...

1. Since when is Pam Saulsby on Channel 17 !? Oh, Pam, what happened?

 2. A lot of junk happens in Durham.

3. A man was found dead at the bottom of a river with cinder blocks and chains...but no foul play is suspected. Ummm...?

4. One certain candidate is ahead with "people who are expected to vote", so the other candidate is pushing to get everyone else registered...Personally, I think it's the people who care enough and are responsible enough to register themselves, be involved, and go vote that should be choosing the president - not the random other people who don't care enough to vote except when someone else does all the work for them (including telling them who to vote for).

5. Homeless people vote. That's something I've never really thought about before.

6. Channel 17 news is not very good.

                     ...oh, Pam, what happened?

What's on television?

When we got married, Derrick and I easily decided that we didn't want to spend money on cable. We would much rather save a large chunk of money and get Netflix. And we've never regretted that decision.

The dangerous thing about Netflix is that it causes obsession. Back when we had "normal TV", you had certain shows on certain nights of the week that you looked forward to. The show came on one night and then went off. You had to wait until next week to see the next one. (Unless you were a big fan of Criminal Minds or America's Next Top Model. If that was the case, you could easily find marathons on all the time.)

With Netflix, though, you discover a new show...and you have the ability to watch another episode. And another. And another. And another....Yep, and another.

Right now, Derrick and I are obsessed with Parenthood (the show, not the responsibility) - which we heard about from our awesome friends, Allen and Sara.

The show is simple enough. It's about four siblings in their 30s and 40s and the drama they deal with with their children and their parents.

The thing I love about the show is how real the families are. How real their lives and their conversations and their issues are. They struggle. They make mistakes. They laugh together. They eat together... a lot. And lean on each other a lot. They have to learn to deal with health issues. And they have to learn to discipline their kids.  And sometimes they hate each other - but they always love each other.

And, as we watch it, Derrick and I comment on their parenting skills, what we would have done differently, what they did well...and about ten times a night, I mention that I wish I were a part of their family.

We only have about ten episodes left to watch before we're caught up to "live television"...and we just started watching it a week and a half ago!

So, soon, we're good to need a new Netflix show to discuss and look forward to and laugh at.

Give us suggestions. 

What's your TV obsession? What's your favorite show or a new show you've just discovered?

What's up with Renee?

I am low maintenance in my wants. But I'm high maintenance in the realization of those wants.

I want things to go how I want them to. I want to be in control. I want things to go smoothly. To go off without a hitch. To go like I planned and imagined.

And I pout with that doesn't happen.

What else do I pout about?

Food.

Yesterday morning I woke up early. It was a beautiful morning. Spent a little time talking to God and thanking Him for the day before heading to Bojangles for my breakfast meeting with Bethany. But I really wanted coffee. Not Bojangles.

Frozen coffee with lots of sugar and white chocolate and amazingness. Heaven in a cup. The kind of drink that real coffee drinkers don't consider coffee.

My lunch plans were to meet my mom on campus where we would get free subs at the campus Subway. But when Mom got there for lunch, I wasn't hungry. Bojangles biscuit had filled me up. We headed to Subway any way and were met with a line that could rival the Chick-Fil-A day lines...college students and free food.

So at this point I'm getting moody. I didn't get my coffee. I'm not even hungry. And our Subway date isn't working out. We change our plans, but in the process of plan changing, I hear that my favorite coffee shop is having $1 coffee all day. All coffee.

Inwardly pouting even more at this point.

But we have a nice lunch. I always enjoy my Mom-time...but all day I am still thinking of free Subway and $1 coffee. Pouting.

Finally, after work, I head over. I have a plan. I will use my Subway coupon to get Derrick's lunch for tomorrow. And then reward myself with coffee.

I wait for 15 minutes at Subway, happy to get his sub. Walk over to Creek Coffee. And the line is out the door. I have an appointment I have to get to. So I give up.

No coffee. A long day for Renee.

Yes, it's silly. Yes, I am beyond blessed. Yes, lack of coffee is NOT a real problem. Yes, I knew all of this. But what can I say...I really wanted my coffee.

So what did I do this morning? I paid a good amount more than $1...but I got my heaven in a cup.

What's up? ...Politics

I like alliteration - can you tell? So our theme for Wednesday will be "What's up?" - which pretty much gives me the freedom to write about anything and everything on Wednesday.

Today I'll write on politics. Yep, I'm going there.

First of all, I don't believe either sides' ads. Of course they're going to twist things and turn things and put on a happy face and say what the public wants to hear. They want to win, and both sides are willing to do and say what it takes to get there. A part of me thinks that anyone smart enough and trustworthy enough to be the best president is smart enough to not run for president.

Secondly, I think that both candidates are probably great fathers and great husbands. I am sure that they watch movies and eat dinner and laugh at jokes with their families. I am sure that they are loving and caring and funny. But being a great family man and being a great leader of our country aren't synonymous.

Third, I'll admit that I judge people by the stickers on their car, the status' on their facebooks, the issues that they side with, and the candidate that they support. I walk by a car for a sticker of the candidate that I like, and I respect the driver a little more. I identify with them. They feel how I feel.

I think there are some important things to consider when voting, and it has nothing to do with the color of one's skin or which candidate has picked the winning NCAA team. Here's what I look at:

1. Leadership - First of all, I think a president should be a good leader. I do not want someone who can take care of me or who spends his (or her) time taking care of everyone else.  I DO want someone who can lead the country and take care of the big issues. 
 
2. Spiritual Beliefs - My worldview is completely colored by my relationship with Jesus Christ. Which candidate has a similar spiritual world view as I do? Whose beliefs cause them to support the same issues I support and give glory to the God that America was founded on?

3. Economic Policies - Which candidate deals with taxes and healthcare and business and other economic issues in the best way for our country, for our states, and for individuals?

4. Old Fashion Values - Which candidate stands firm on old-fashioned American values? I believe that this country was founded by a certain set of rights and beliefs and goals - and I want a candidate who understand that and values that and supports that.

5. Experience - Which candidate has the most knowledge, experience and understanding of the task at hand? We need someone with experience and inside-knowledge and management skills and training in what it takes to be a leader in the political field.

6. Hardwork - I want a leader who is a hardworker and who respects my hard work. Yes, I want someone who cares about others and is ready to help when needed, but I also want someone who doesn't give hand outs to those who aren't willing to try.

With this being election year, it's hard not to have thoughts on the subject. It's hard to hold my tongue. It's hard not to let people's political beliefs shape my view of them. But - no matter who wins - I have the responsibility to support my country and pray for our leaders.

One final note:  

Yesterday, I had the privilege of seeing a young lady get commissioned into the army. No older than 20 years old, just a college student, she swore to protect our country and to be willing to give her life for my freedom. In a moment like that you realize, that is what being an American is all about.