The Heymann Family Journal

We just got back from our trip. I am trying to read the reaction to McCain’s VP pick. I love it! As I wrote before, I would love a women, but I also question if she has the experience. Still, I know she does have more experience then Obama. We will have to see how this one is going to play out. People are going to need some time to get use to her because she is so unknown. I personally like the idea! I'm not pro gun but it's impossible to get elected being anti gun (at least if you are Republican). I think there really is going to be a debate in the country about how anyone can question her lack of experience with out also questioning Obamas lack of experience. Sarah is running for VP and he is running for President! My German friend Peter wrote that German's would vote for Obama because they don't want more of Bush. All I can say is McCain really is not Bush. I honestly do not believe German's would vote for Obama as their leader. They would put him under a microsc...

I'm trying to pack the kids and get some laundry and cleaning done. We are visiting Juergen's dad Richard for the weekend. 5 hours with loud kids in the car...well I'm not looking forward to the drive. I do look forward to being with Richard. I'm not sure what we will do. Just visit. I saw clips of Obama's acceptance speech. I think he is a great speaker, but was short on real ideas for "change". John McCain is not George Bush. As they say in the South, that there dog just won't hunt! I'm curious to see how long his bounce in the polls will last. As one person I read wrote, this is not a popularity contest. This is about who is actually qualified for the job. Who has the ideas that will really make a difference. We need more then just a good speaker! This is not an election between Bush and Obama. I also would like both McCain and Obama to stop attacking each other. I want them both to get to a point where they just say...this is who I...

I don't agree with his politics (Obama's politics) and I don't think he has the experience to be the President but I am proud that America has gotten to the place where we can consider an African American as a presidential nominee. I agree with Martin Luther King Jr. when he said , "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." I congratulate Barack Obama on this historic day. I know that this great day represents a dream that many never thought they would see. It truly is a big achievement. I would not want to take anything away from this great event because it is a proud thing for all Americans.

Bill Clinton said in Denver: Suppose for example you're a voter. And you've got candidate X and candidate Y. Candidate X agrees with you on everything, but you don't think that person can deliver on anything. Candidate Y disagrees with you on half the issues, but you believe that on the other half, the candidate will be able to deliver. For whom would you vote?

A few nights ago Juergen and I heard a loud crash. We could not find what fell. Today I found what fell. We have 3 balconies in our house. The concrete from one of the balcony’s fell. I don't know if it’s just a cosmetic problem caused by water damage, or worse. Does anyone know who we should even call to get our balconies inspected? I would not want them to fall! That happened to a family in a city not far from here. They had a house about the same age as our house. The 3rd floor balcony fell and I think 4 people were killed (2 on the balcony and 2 below). Scary!! I'm going to keep off the balconies until they get checked!

I thought Hillary did a great job with her almost impossible speech last night. I think she would make a better President then Obama. I also think there are allot of people who plan to vote for McCain just hoping Hillary will run again in 2012. I'm not sure the Democrats will do anything but blame Hillary if Obama loses the election. I don't honestly think they will forgive her! A house divided against itself will fall...and the Democrats are divided. It is almost sad! I think the women (her supporters) have got a point. They worked so hard for the party, and they have not been given the consideration they earned. It is actually tragic! Someone should have been able to see this coming early on! They should have said to either Hillary or Barack do not run. They should have let Hillary be the candidate because she actually has the experience, then promote Obama in 4 to 8 years after he gained more experience. I even think Obama would be 20 points ahead in the polls now i...

Our dried grapes turned out so sweet and good we decide to make some other dried fruit. I'm making dried apples,peaches, pears, kiwi, and bananas. Nicole helped me do the cutting. Sarah and Jessica were both close at hand to eat the extra fruit. We were entertained by Juergen and Philip who were practising their Viet Vo Dao . Philip just had his first class (it's a Martial art). Juergen was so impressed that he is thinking of taking it too. It's great exercise! Dried fruit is a great snack to put in a lunch box. You know it's healthy if you dry it yourself. Some fruit you buy in the stores add preservatives. You can buy a dryer for about $15. We plan to use the dried raisins for something special like baked apples.

My guess is John McCain will pick .... I think Governor Tim Pawlenty is the safe bet! I also read that Obama is now behind McCain in the Gallup poll 46/44. This is the first time since Obama clinched the nomination in early June that McCain has held an advantage over Obama. Here is Newsweeks information on Gov. Tim.

I only got to see high lights of Michelle Obama's speech last night. I have always seen her as a smart and graceful, beautiful women. I think she did a super job at the convention! I totally loved their kids! They are really cute! I’m sure the Obamas are great parents! I don't want to vote for her husband, but I think she is an impressive women!

http://notready08.com/

Last night Juergen and I had a date. We went to dinner, went for a walk and then to a movie. I think it's really important for couples to hire a good babysitter and spend time out together! If you can not find a babysitter, try taking a morning off and go out to breakfast together. That's just a tip on keeping your marriage strong and happy. You have to take the time! Sarah went back to kindergarten today. She spends a week in her old kindergarten, then has a 2 week break before she rides the bus to her new kindergarten. She will be attending a school for kids that have language delays. She is pretty excited about the new school, and so are we. She was well loved and cared for at her present school, but she just needs the extra language instruction. Thank God the school is available to her. She will be in a small class with two teachers and two aids. Sarah gets so frustrated not being able to really express herself well. Jessica is a little sick today. She has been sleeping all...

One thing that really bothers me is the idea that all women are "pro choice". I'm a women and I am very strongly "pro life"!!! I hate it when I hear women politicians saying we should not consider anyone but Obama because he is the choice candidate! I've given birth two times. One of my children (Jessica) is considered 100% disabled. Her life has real value!!! I would never want people debating if they should or should not keep a child like Jess. I adopted 3 times, and would adopt again if I had enough money and a green light from Juergen. I am eternally grateful to the birth parents of Sarah, Philip, and Thomas. Perhaps their pregnancy's were not well planed or well timed...but the gave my kids life! How can anyone think they have the wisdom to deem one life more valuable or wanted then another life. Abortion causes all life to diminish in value! NOT ALL WOMEN ARE PRO CHOICE!!! I choose life!!! Yes it's my body, but the baby has a body too. What rig...

Here is a very interesting article about Obama and his not keeping his promises to help the people in Kenya. This was sent to me as a comment from my friend Karen. Obama vs. Baldilocks A blogger's African dad came here on the same airlift as Obama's dad. All similarities end there.

I find myself hoping McCain will select a woman as his VP. I think there are allot of good people he could choose. I really don't like Mitt! I hope he does not choose Mitt! But I have a real desire for a woman to break that glass ceiling. I did not like (or really trust) Hillary. I think that Obama blew it not choosing a woman. I'm not sure how much choosing a woman would help McCain, I would just love to see a women as VP! How about Carly Fiorina? She is already advising McCain on the economy. She is a pro life Christian and the former CEO of HP. I like Codoleezza Rice but she is too close to Bush and that just would not sell! Kay Bailey Hutchison is too old considering McCains age ( she is 60), and Sarah Palin is maybe too young and inexperienced. What do you think of Carly Fiorina?

Who should John McCain pick as his VP? I was reading McCain’s face book and there is a buzz about Colin Powell. Colin Powell is pro choice, and I'm pro life. One thing I love about the man is his integrity and compassion (real and practical compassion). One thing I believe about McCain is he really cares about fixing what is broken in America (even if it's not a popular political thing to do). A person like Colin Powell or Joe Lieberman would really help him correct wrongs. I don't think Colin Powell would run but it sure would be interesting if it happened!

I have very mixed feelings as I watch this video of Obama's brother. He looks like a real intelligent and gracious young man. He does not really know his brother. They only have blood in common. Is Obama obligated to help a brother he does not know? I guess it just does not sit well with me that Obama makes millions of dollars and promises to help the poor and disadvantaged in the USA but does not help his brother. Who knows? Maybe he has offered to help him, and the brother said no? The contrast is so amazing between them.

Juergen wanted to take the new car for a drive. He read about these caves about an hour away, so we were off on a day trip. We don't have GPS (yet) so we got pretty lost. We drove through some really cute villages (remember this is the South of Germany). If I was driving, I would have stopped the car at least a dozen times to take pictures. The old farm gardens, half timber houses and water mills were really charming. I would love to go on a trip by myself, or with a like minded friend and just take pictures. The kids are pretty hyper so we just had no time to take pictures. We got all the typical questions and comments. "Are we there yet, I'm hungry, he's hitting me, I need to go to the toilet"!!! We had a pretty good lunch in a pizza place. There was a glass blowing workshop that sold really beautiful glass works. I didn't buy anything because they were all pretty expensive. Finally we found the cave. It was worth the trip. I took a little video before I fo...

Obama has picked Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his running mate. Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, brings years (36 years in Washington) of experience to the ticket. So even Obama voted for experience instead of change!!! December 11, 2007: Speaking about Obama “If Iowans believe campaign funds and celebrity will fix the debacle in Iraq, put the economy on track, and provide health care and education for America’s children, they should support another candidate,” said Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro. “But I’m confident that Iowans know what I know: our problems will require experience and leadership from Day One. Empty slogans will be no match for proven action on caucus night.” On McCain: Biden, on a post-debate appearance on MSNBC, October 30, 2007: “The only guy on the other side who’s qualified is John McCain.” Biden appearing on The Daily Show, August 2, 2005: “John McCain is a personal friend, a great friend, and I would be honored to r...

Have you ever gone to a corn field labyrinth? This was the first time I've ever gone to one. I took all 5 kids (with out Juergen). That was brave of me. I even came home with all 5 kids. That's right...I did not lose one! It was fun!

The Democratic convention is apon us. Can you feel the love?

Obama's new ad is about how many houses John McCain has. Why is this an issue? The Democrats nominated John Kerry as their man during the last election. He had a rich wife? Is it now wrong to be rich in America? Many of the people now losing their homes were just plain greedy (not all). They tried to buy houses they could not afford. They got in over there heads. Now I know that's a very general statement. Many people lost jobs, and now can not make the house payments. But John McCain wants to help businesses (especially small businesses) create jobs. The problem is not that he is rich; the problem is we are not! Maybe the question to ask is not how many houses does John McCain own, but who is a better man to help with the economy? Should we follow the guy who just paid off his student loan last year, or the one who actually owns a house?

I actually like Joe Lieberman. I'm hoping McCain would pick Mike Huckabee as his VP but I'm pretty sure this isn't going to happen. I personally would rather have Lieberman then Mitt Romney. I just don't trust Romney. Rombey seems fake to me. Lieberman is not pro life. This bothers me. He is also a former Democrat (this actually does not bother me). If you want to draw independents, and create national unity (something we really need) Lieberman would be great! I also love that McCain and Lieberman are real friends! I see this as a "real" ticket! These are two men with very strong experience. Lieberman was good enough for Al Gore...this could get very interesting!!!

Our grapes are looking really great this year. I planted this vine only 3 years ago. Last year we got maybe 3 bunches of sweet table grapes (the grape is called Phoenix). This year the vine was loaded! We gave some to our neighbors. Nicole also helped me clean some for raisins. We of course are eating as many as we can. It's sad that they don't just keep all year. When the harvest is ready, you have to act. My yard is small. We could never live on the small amount of food we grow. We have a few tomatos, cucumbers, and salad. You should see my parent’s yard or my sister Shelley's yard. Shelley's yard is so fruitful I'm sure she could survive on what she grows (and stores). Shelley has a recipe for Lemon Shaker Pie on her blog. This is a pie my mom made when we were growing up. It is the sweetest sourest thing you'll ever eat. It is wonderful! I'm going to give it a try. I'm not much of a baker. I wonder where I can find glass pie pans. Pie is not a ...

We live near some pretty nice spots. Today after Juergen got off work , we took a walk in the Schwetzingen palace garden . Jessica was not in the mood to walk. She cried so much that Juergen finally brought her back to the car. I stayed with the other kids and we had a really nice walk. Jessica is getting too use to being home. It's hard to get her to go anywhere right now. She has her ups and downs. Sometimes you just have to drag her into life! Any way, it was a beautiful walk. If you must stay home rediscover the nice places close to your house.