Carly's rant

So, of course the news all over the country today revolved around the Governor's mysterious trip and his affair. For most of us, we said he was having affair starting Monday when they said he was missing. So, here is my question, why do the men who have fabulous kids, a fabulous wife, a job (it might be stressful but it is better than not having one) and seem to be happy feel the need to have just a little bit more...then a little bit more. In the last few years, I know several guys (we will not call them real men) who seriously had it all, but seemed to think the grass might be a little greener on the other side and decided to stray. These are married adults whose wives are great and overall were happy, but for some reason found someone else to satisfy all their sexual "needs". Yes, most of them were all caught and for most of them their wives have decided to try and make it work. I am just concerned with the loss of old fashion values and morals. No one is perfect and no marriage is perfect, but when you say your vows, aren't you committing to that person forever. Not until things get tough or something better comes along, but forever. Sure it takes work by both parties, sometimes hard work, but a little hard work has never killed anyone. Things are not supposed to come too easy. If after trying everything, then get a divorce. They are costly... and final. No more sorry excuses of why you were there or why you bought this or why there was a "phone number I have never heard of" on your phone. Cut ties and move on. Believe me, it is better for the kids to live apart than live a lie. It took my parents 18 years and years of lies to finally end things and that was after lie after lie was made to make one look better than the other. Such childish drama. I know that I have many faults, but I will always be loyal to the ones I love. But I know sometimes that it is not enough!!

I put a little rant on my facebook and was reminded that he is like all others, a sinner saved by grace. That is great, hopefully he is saved and will walk through the Pearly Gates when he dies. But what happens to him now?? What about his family?? Do people not care because they are so selfish and self absorbed and know they can do now and repent later??

I guess I just need to tell me that this world is truly not going to hell in a handbasket and that there is hope. That all people are not all bad and that there is hope for optimists like me.

Griswald, I mean Lineberry, family Vacation 2009

Every year, we go with Benji's parents to the beach. This year it was extra nice because Angie, my future sister in law, and her fabulous kids went with us. It truly was a week of relaxation. No alarm clocks, no schedules, just doing what we wanted when we wanted.

The view from our porch. We have stayed at this particular house in Ocean Lakes before. We love it because the 2 porches hang over the lake and it is fun to fish and watch the ducks.

Ben and Benji on the golf cart.

Ben loved going to the arcade. Even though, he technically could only play a few games, he thought he was a big kid. Here he is "playing" the shoot the ducks game.

Benji and Ben in the pool

Benji and I at Margaritaville

We had date night on Thursday. Here is my brother in law, Marcus and my future sister in law Angie, at Margaritaville.

We decided to eat a Margaritaville the same night that we were going to Croccodile Rocks, my all time favorite bar. Even though none of us are Jimmy Buffet fans, it seemed like a cool place. We got there at 415 and were told that it would be a 2 hour wait. We knew that we wanted to be at Croccodile Rocks by 7, but we put our name down anyway. We then discovered that the back porch area is first come first served, and walked and waited in that line. We had a table in less than 45 minutes. It was a pretty fun place. There were lots of activities for the kids and Buffet music pouring from the speakers. One of the neat things was this giant Hurricane that came from the ceiling everytime the song "Hurricane" was played. A giant Tequila bottle came from the hurricane and poured into this huge blender. I wanted a picture but there were too may people. The food was okay, but our service and strawberry margueritas were awesome. Pretty sure it would not have been worth the 2 hour wait, but not bad with the 45 minute.

Man on stilts who made balloon creatures

A picture from our seats at Croccodile Rocks. This is a dueling piano bar, that is actually pretty raunchy, but totally fun.

Ben and the kids stayed with Big B and Nana and played putt putt and got ice cream. I will post those pictures as soon as I get them.

One night we all went to Family Kingdom. When I was younger, FK was kinda the baebae Pavillion and we never went there. Well, it has really taken off since the Pavillion has been torn down. There is no admission charge, you only pay to ride rides. The games are affordable, I spent $10.00 and Ben won 4 prizes, and the kids had a blast.

Ben and the Pick a Duck game. He won a frog.

Ben and the fishing game. He won 2 dinosaurs and a lobster.

Benji, Ben and Morgan on the Antique cars. Yes, Benji looks way happy!

Ben and Morgan

Ben and I on the Merry Go Round. Ben said the horses go too fast and he just wanted to sit on the bench. That was fine with me, since apparently I get motion sickness now.

Look out Chad Smith,

You might soon have a replacement.  Our friends, PA and Trevor, own a fabulous music store in Boiling Springs.  If you are ever in need for equipment or supplies, definately see them first.  Today they sponsored a customer appreciation day type celebration and had bands playing in the parking lot.  Our friend, John, (who happens to be the father of one special lady in Ben's life, Sidney) was playing with his new band so we went to check them out.  We had a lot of fun.  Ben wanted to play inside the whole time because he was able to rock out on a great set of drums.  

He liked these first, since they were green.  He practiced a little, but there was no stool.  

He watched Sidney play.

Sidney handing the sticks to Ben

Telling daddy that he can do it by himself

Our own little prodigy

I tried to upload a video, but it takes too long.  Maybe later.

The friendly neighborhood Spiderman

Since Ben is officially potty trained (with no accidents I must add), we told him that he could pick out whatever he wanted.  He said that he wanted a Spiderman bicycle.  Grandma Pat wanted to buy it for him so she was on a mission to find one.  She found one, but it was twice the price as a regular bike.  We decided that since he is growing so fast and is bound to outgrow it soon, we would get the cheaper one, but buy the Spiderman accessories.  

Waiting patiently for Grandma to get it out of the car.  

I told Ben that Grandma was coming home to see him.  She picked him up and had the bike hidden in the back under a blanket.  The first thing he said to her was, "I know you got my bike.  Where is it?"

It took him about 5 minutes to realize that there was no Spiderman on his bike.  He asked where Spiderman was.

We brought out the Spiderman helmet, elbow pads and knee pads.  This made him happy!

Then he told me that he looked like a "Skateboarding guy" and asked if he could have a skateboard.