Elser Family Blog

OK, I know television is a bad influence, but this is rediculous.

This afternoon, Hannah was watching a “thomas the tank engine” video. (A nieghbor had given some to us for some reason)

It was the “thomas and the magic railroad” episode.

I had to turn it off! There were some truely scary scenes in that show! Evil trains, hellish scenes and all. And Hannah’s almost 6 years old… that she was watching it was a fluke, its usually 3 year olds that watch “TTTE”.

Television is the bane of our generation.

Hopefully, I wont have to work in it too much longer.

Please say a prayer for my nephew JoshUA, he is in Africa, and managed to come down with Malaria. His letter is as follows:

> Hello! i know this will be brief. Internet is slow. i am hoping to

> read some of the messages that have filled my box. We are currently in

> Takoradi, Ghana … leaving tomorrow. i have been in bed the past few

> days fighting off malaria. This is my first time out of the mission

> house since we saw the doctor on Monday. Simple advice for you …

> don’t get malaria! i hope all is well at home. May His blessings be

> evident day by day.

>

> Christ’ Love,

> Joshua

>

> ============Luke 24:32=======

> Joshua Vandercar – Cross Fire

> c/o Youth Encounter

> 3490 Lexington Ave N

> St. Paul, MN 55126

>

> ua@vandercar.net

> www.vandercar.net

> =============================

Here is a picture of our pond in the back yard.

Somehow, we figured out how not to kill all the fish. Its really a nice little pond. I am going to install a gate at the other side of the bridge, that will lead into our other yard (our neigbors yard, technically). I tooke the newly running rototiller out for a test run! see the garden blog for details.

Poor little Melinda… She has been miserable lately. We believe she contracted the Norwalk Virus. She has a low grade fever, and was vomiting for a day. So we give her hugs and kisses and plenty of fluids.

Hannah has been doing very well learning to read… she is on the 3rd level of primers. I’m so proud.

Well, Nothing real new, so I will recap some recent events. After canvassing for Howard Dean in Aiken ,SC. the weekend before, I voted in the SC Democratic primary. Melinda came along with me, as you can see….

We were sort of lonely, being the only people there…. Come on people, you can’t complain if you dont vote.

Then, about a week ago, we had a pretty big Ice storm, and a large oak tree across the street from our house broke in three. All three man branches fell off, leaving a tall stump. sorta weird. It was big enough to block all five lanes of the street though!

The storm also took out electric service for the whole area for a day or so. It wreaked havoc at my work. (we dont have a backup generator)

Well, for yall that have not seen a recent picture of the Rock, here is one fresh off the presses, out of the camera an hour ago.

He’s a cutey, Isn’t he!

Well.

So, it appears that Kerry is going to get the nomination for the democratic ticket for the 2004 presidential election.

This was the first year I really had a strong connection with a presidential candidate.

I was a Doctor Dean man.

I took the democratic candidate test at “selectsmart”

(There is also a good quiz HERE If you wonder what party holds your views.)

Anyway, at select smart, my choice was:

1. Dean, Gov. Howard, VT – Democrat (90%)

2. Kucinich, Rep. Dennis, OH – Democrat (83%)

3. Clark, Retired General Wesley K., AR -Democrat (82%)

13. Bush, President George W. – Republican (0%)

As you can see, Im not hot on Bush.

But I’m also not hot on Kerry. Sure, he is a decorated war veteran (good thing) But he did two things that I cannot condone with a vote for the guy.

1) He supported the ironically named “Patriot” act that takes away civil liberties like no other before it.

2) He voted to give bush the right to declare war, a right that never should be in the hands of one human.

What to do, What to do.

Anyone have a third party candidate I should consider?

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to the Elser family “BLOG”. (For the uninitiated, “BLOG” is short for “Web Log”.)

Anyway, since we have family that is far and away all time, we thought this would help Y’all keep up with what is happening down here in sunny South Carolina.

First news for you, we have started our 2004 Garden! Go Here for Garden News.

Second, We have been keeping track of the books Hannah has been reading. Go here for Hannah’s book list.

Yesterday was Hannah’s first “science fair”. I volunteered to help the teacher.

The class experiment was “Will it float or sink” and the kids had to guess if “it”, well, sank or floated!

Things like crayons, cotton balls, paper clips, pencils, rubber bands, etc.

So, do you think you know the answers? I was suprised at a couple of them. Crayola’s floated, but other brands sank. Cotton balls sank. (that suprised me untill I thought about it) Amazingly, for being Kindergarteners, they did amazingly well.

Warning- parental boasting ahead-

Hannah was the second person in her class and about the 7th in the 7 kindergarten classes to reach the first grade level in both Reading and Math. She’s so smart! 🙂

Anyway, thats all for now. Email us and tell us what you think of the site!

Love, Ed and family.