Atlanta - Saturday Morning in America®

Packing for Soldier's Angels this Saturday 5/19

2012-05-17T08:57:00.000-04:00

Ladies, we will be packing baggies of snacks and comfort items for the chaplains in Iraq and Afghanistan. Aside from the regular snack items and personal care items, here are some other things suggested by the chaplain team:
* individual drink mixes
* ice pops for those places that have freezers
* water guns
* cooling scarves
* baby wipes
* medicated foot and body powder
* socks
* fans (personal sized)
* cotton sheets and pillowcases
* Febreeze or other air freshners (not aeorsal)
* sun screen
* bug repellant

Other item we need are: packing tape & scissors.

I have 25 boxes and customs forms. I have baggies.

We'll be in our regular place at the Galleria/285. Email me at everenee@aol.com if you need directions or more information.

PS- as a bonus, we'll be joined by our youngest member, Baby Elsa!

Meeting Next Saturday- packing party

2012-05-07T17:24:00.001-04:00

In honor of mother's day, we are not meeting on Saturday. Rather, we will meet next Saturday at our usual place (Galleria @ 285). Contact Everenee@aol.com for directions.

We will be having a packing party for the troops! Snacks, hygiene items, games, toys, books, magazines (for men, not sexy) puzzle books etc- no chocolate, no aerosol. These items will be packed into grab-n-go goodie bags and kept with the Chaplin. The troops who visit can take a goodie bag or go shopping for free for the comfort items we provide.

We have- baggies, boxes ( I am ordering 20 APO boxes) we need stuff to send & packing tape.
Each box will be about $12.50 to ship and we'll operate on an adopt a box program. We're asking people to take a box and ship it. (I have two under two and a trip the post office with boxes is not possible).

I have asked for more specific items from the chaplains group of soldiers angels. I will post if I get a better list.

Cards are always welcome. DVDs of movies are welcome (they're cheap at Big Lots).
See you then!

New Member- Elsa Naomi Trader, Born on Super Tuesday, 3/6/12

2012-03-12T23:18:00.002-04:00

Meeting on Saturday 2/11

2012-02-10T08:10:00.002-05:00

Greetings all- we have a meeting on Saturday 2/11/ 12 at our usual place at the Galleria (Cumberland and 285). Email me at everenee@aol.com for directions and information. It's a bring your own breakfast meeting and there might be some surprise treats.

This is the last meeting before Georgia's March 6th Presidential Preference primary. The good news is this election is not a done deal so your vote does count! Come for some intelligent conversation as we "caucus" with each other and "stand by our man" or argue for a brokered convention this summer.

Will it be Mitt, Newt, Rick or Ron? Is abstaining a good way to voice your displeasure with the field? Did anyone else see a tweet saying Paul Ryan would be open to being drafted in a brokered convention ( one could only hope!). Anyone else in love with Marco Rubio? Plus did Karen Handel's departure from Komen enhance her political chances in the future? And we'd love to hear what our Catholic friends think about the President's birth control/abortion overreach.

Just some of what's on the table this weekend at Saturday Morning in America- Atlanta chapter.
See you there. (Eve)

South Carolina

2012-01-19T08:30:00.002-05:00

If you tweet, join me (Eve) in tweeting @ReincePriebus asking why Iowa, who can't certify their election results or determine who won their caucus, gets the first, and one of the most impactful says in our primary process. Seriously, I keep asking why and I keep discovering there is no good reason. We need to pressure the RNC to make some big time changes in the process to give more people a say in our nominee. IMHO, Eve

Debate tonight on CNN, "juicy" interview with Newt's 2nd Ex on Nightline following the debate (ABC), if you care about such things.

I was impressed with Newt after the last debate, especially since he touched the 3rd rail of Social Security. Still no one excites me. I am hoping for a brokered convention or that Marco Rubio will join the Romney ticket. I'll force myself to get excited by Mitt Romney if that gets us Marco Rubio in 4 or 8 years. (or Paul Ryan or Bobby Jindal). I could get excited if Nikki Haley joined the Romney ticket too. But right now I am hopeful that we can drag this on and that it's not over on the 31st. I would feel much more engaged if our vote on March 6th mattered.

Meeting this Saturday 1/14

2012-01-13T09:16:00.002-05:00

We have a meeting on Saturday Jan. 14th at 9am in our new usual place at the Galleria/ 285. Please email everenee@aol.com if you need directions or more information.

I won't be able to attend since my parents decided to take advantage of the long weekend and visit. (Since I work in ministry, I don't get the long weekend).
Here are my thoughts- I apologize for sounding like a "Debbie Downer"... at this point, I am not inspired...

I'm pretty frustrated with the whole primary process and feel like a ship without a sail...
I would like to pass along that I read a nice little e-book called "The Right Fights Back" that set up the primary
situation up to the point of the Iowa caucus. It's only in ebook format and I think it was $2.99 or something
like that. It's short, but really interesting if you're looking for a behind the scenes approach. I learned that Rick
Perry was kind of pushed into running for President and that might explain his lack of debate prep and passion.

Also, HBO made Game Change into a movie and it will be premiering in March- if you didn't read that book.

At this point I am a "none of the above" fan and hoping we get a brokered convention this summer (that is the field
is too widespread to get more the 50% of the first vote at the convention, at which point, other people who may not
have even run in the primaries can be submitted for nomination... such as Bobby Jindal, Paul Ryan etc).

If Mitt wins SC and FL it's pretty much over, as I think the money will dry up for everyone else.
It's sad that in GA we don't have much of a say, however, if Mitt ties or doesn't win either of those states,
GA is the top prize on Super Tuesday, so expect to see some media buys. I just can't think of who might
be strong enough to mount a conservative challenge at this point since Newt is imploding and Santorum isn't really
a fiscal conservative (he supports unions- not going to go over in SC) and Perry is off the radar.

There is a debate on Saturday and another one before next Saturday's vote.

PS- I still maintain that Hillary Clinton will be the ticket with Obama and if that's the case, stock up on weapons, ammunition and gold. (I'm starting to sound like Ron Paul!).

Eve

Debate Tonight 12/15

2011-12-15T10:49:00.002-05:00

There is yet another debate tonight (12/15) at 9pm on FOX News Channel. Singing Jenny, Jen from San Marcos, Penny in SoCal and some other ladies get together and chat in our yahoo group. You do have to have a yahoo account (free) to sign in, and Jen has to approve you. If you want to sign up, make sure you mention that you are a SMIA Atlanta member.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saturdaymorninginamerica

If you can't yell at the TV in your house or commiserate with your spouse/friends, this is a fun thing to do during the debates.

Merry Christmas and FYI our next meeting is January 14- after Iowa caucus and NH primary.

2011-08-13T13:12:00.003-04:00

The most important political event on Saturday, August 13 is.....the Saturday Morning in America - Atlanta Chapter Straw Poll. First, we voted for candidates we thought could go all the way and who were already on the ballot in Iowa or Rick Perry:
#1 Rick Perry
#2 Mitt Romney
#3 Herman Cain and undecided

Second, we voted for our dream candidate (or, looking at #1-2, should it be dreamboat candidate, ladies?):
#1 Marco Rubio
#2 Paul Ryan
#3 Michele Bachmann
#4 Tim Pawlenty

Meeting Saturday June 11

2011-06-09T15:03:00.002-04:00

Our meeting is at Judy's house at 9am. Thanks Judy- otherwise we would have been meeting outside near my neighborhood pool!

Lots to talk about, especially with Weiner-gate and Newt's staff quitting.
We need to talk about the Convention this fall too.

Hope you can make it. Also, here is Herman Cain's latest video- Dagny and I are :26 in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbwR7aSTcGY&feature=youtu.be

Meeting Saturday May 14th

2011-05-11T08:15:00.002-04:00

Osama's dead. Newt's running for President. Herman Cain has national attention.... plenty to discuss in our meeting on Saturday. Remember, we're at Janice's office at the Galleria (75 & 285) and it's BYO Breakfast. There's also a hugely contested State GOP race where our own Caroline will be voting for the new chairman(woman). Hope to see you there.

Meeting Saturday

2011-04-07T10:26:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone, after taking a month off for March, I can't wait for our meeting on Saturday. We have so much to discuss and I am dying to know how everyone else reads the chaos going on. What do you think of the line up of potential candidates? Will Hillary Clinton run for President? Is John Edwards better off dead ( he thinks so)? What about the lunacy that always seems to be rampant in our state legislature? We're going to discuss the book "Game Change"- incidentally, Ed Harris will be playing John McCain in the screen version. Glenn Beck's TV show is going away. Katie Couric is going away (hopefully for good) and will you be affected by a (possible) government shutdown? As you can see, we have much to discuss. Hope to see you there, this Saturday at the Galleria (285 & 75 N) 9AM- coffee provided, BYOB(breakfast).
Hello Chick-fil-a :)

2011-01-08T15:36:00.002-05:00

Georgia GOP

Georgia GOP - How to Serve starting 2/12/2011

2011-01-08T15:21:00.004-05:00

Steps to Serving in the Georgia Republican Party 2011 (opens a PDF file)

Your precinct will be your Georgia State Senatorial district. Not sure what yours is? Visit the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page and input your info. You will need to contact your county party office to find the meeting location. That information is published in local newspapers, but can be hard to find.

If you are interested in getting involved in county or state party organizations, the Georgia GOP Events page is a good place to start.

Photos from Liz Carter's visit on 1/8/2011

2011-01-08T14:49:00.002-05:00

First Meeting of 2011

2011-01-06T14:10:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year and if you saw our new speaker take over, you know it is a happy new year. We're kicking off 2011 with a great speaker, Liz Carter. Ms. Carter ran against Hank Johnson for congress and is now running for a position in the state political party. She just started a weekly radio talk show about politics and is committed to a grassroots change in our government. You will leave with a new perspective on how we can reinvigorate the Republican party from the ground up. Saturday morning at 9am, O'Terrill's Pub. See you there.

Meeting This Saturday

2010-11-15T09:38:00.003-05:00

Greetings all! We hope to see you at our November meeting this Saturday, 11/20 at O'Terrill's Pub. 510 Piedmont Ave, Atlanta (across from the civic center). Ours will be a time of Thanksgiving for a great election outcome and lots of chatting about what's next for conservatives.
Please RSVP at everenee@aol.com so we can get a head count for food. Breakfast is $5 and includes warm breakfast sandwiches, fruit, yogurt, eggs and coffee.

Did you watch Sarah Palin's TV show?
Do you have George W. Bush's new book? Bobby Jindal? Who do you like for 2012?

Come be a part of our discussion this Saturday at 9am.

Vote Tuesday- if you haven't already

2010-11-01T09:50:00.002-04:00

I know everyone in this group has voted or will vote on Tuesday. These are just my thoughts on everything.
1) Judges- I'm trying to become familiar with them. The one I am familiar with is David Nahmias for State Supreme Court. He was the US Atty who sent Bill Campbell to prison and had many successful federal prosecutions. He's a good guy. Don't boot him out with the other incumbents.

2) Amendments- No, No, Yes on the rest. #1 is a sneaky one written to look like one thing, but does the opposite. #2 A tax that will take another constiutional amendment to repeal #3 & #4 pay for long projects over time, just learned not having this is costing us our federal gas tax money (the money we pay in GA is going to other states because we don't have this provision) #5 pertains only to Savannah.

3) In races where it's not even close I am voting libertarian or opposition party just to express my displeasure with career politicians. I don't dislike Johnny Isakson, but enough is enough already. Make this his last term. Time for some new people. I'm sure he'll win, but I wouldn't mind giving him a little scare.

4) Casey Cagle- I am not voting for this guy. I know he'll win by a landslide, but he's as slimy and corrupt as Nathan Deal.

Just my thoughts, would like to hear yours. -Eve

2010-10-26T07:35:00.002-04:00

15 Boxes packed for Treats for Troops and headed to Afghanistan. Candy, socks, magazines, DVDs, snacks and grooming items all for Chaplain Nevard. Thanks to all the ladies who participated and those with us in spirit. Now go vote on Tuesday 11/2!

Trick or Treat for the Troops this Saturday!

2010-10-21T08:58:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone, don't forget your goodies for the Chaplains serving overseas. I have 25 boxes from the post office. They're requesting: candy, snacks, pens, pencils, stationary, paper, envelopes, blank cards for all occasions, games, playing cards, gum, razors, soap, tooth brush, toothpaste, floss, other hygiene items (don't forget about the ladies), DVDs (guy movies) and anything home made.
Don't worry if you can't bring anything, your presence to fill baggies will be appreciated. I will also bring construction paper and markers to make some cards too. This event is so much fun and you know everything is so greatly appreciated by our deserving troops.

See you all at O'Terrill's pub Saturday at 9am.
PS- Our newest and youngest member, Dagny, wouldn't miss this for the world. She'll be there.

Pictures from the September meeting

2010-09-11T13:09:00.000-04:00

9-11 Meeting

2010-09-11T12:55:00.002-04:00

Greetings all. We had several new guests for our meeting today- including our youngest member, Dagny Trader (5 weeks old). We got updates about the Restoring Honor rally a few people attended and we had a little time to chat about some local races. Of course, we had a moment of silence for those we lost on this day 9 years ago.

Our next meeting will be on October 23rd and we will be packing goodies for the troops. We've learned that peanut M&Ms are the most preferred candy. Also requested are hygiene items for men and women and fun stuff like cards, word finds, DVDs etc. Most of our troops will be located in Afghanistan.

The November meeting will be on 11/20 and we hope it's a celebration of "hope and change".

It was suggested that we have a book swap, so if you have a book you're willing to lend in exchange for another one, please bring them to the next meeting. We can continue the book swap as long as people want to participate.

As always, we thank Rufus and Linda for a great breakfast and suggest that you visit O'Terrill's Pub when it's open for the best fish and chips in town... no kidding.

See you in October as we "trick or treat for the troops".

January 9th meeting

2010-01-09T16:42:00.002-05:00

SMIA ladies prove that snow or ice or frigid temps won't keep us away from meeting together. We had a great crowd for breakfast and coffee and a wonderful speaker, Dorothy Chandler, director of the Midtown Assistance Center. The center operates to help those who are working but end up in a situation where they need help with rent, utilities or getting a new job. We learned one of their greatest needs is men's work clothing, particularly black pants, black shoes and steel toed boots. If you're thinking of supporting this organization, pants run about $20, Boots $35, shoes $28. Also, if you frequent thrift store and see these items or a tuxedo (banquet servers) think about purchasing those items for Midtown Assistance. It's nice to see how members of the faith community are pooling resources to help those who truly are facing hard times. Also, they'd love more volunteers.

We decided our Feb. meeting will be a regular meeting. Those who are thinking of going to the conference in San Antonio are keeping in touch, looking for a good airfare. If you see a good airfare to San Antonio for March 26-28, let everyone know. They are saying Sarah Palin will be there, but we have no official schedule or word on that yet. As wonderful as it would be to have Gov. Palin, even if she can't make it, you will have a wonderful time at the national convention.

Thank you letters are rolling in from our Christmas projects for Soldiers. If you get one, please share. Also, thanks to everyone for their donations to the MAC food pantry. The generosity of this group is amazing!

December 5th Meeting-One of the Best Yet!

2009-12-14T09:23:00.002-05:00

Well, we didn't have snow on December 5, but we had some wonderful chilly weather, which made the fireplace on the deck all the more inviting and warm. The warmest part of the morning was the cheer and good spirits of all who gathered to kick off the Holiday Season with friends and to contribute to making some little girls in Afghanistan very happy! We had an assortment of just about everything a child could want. Brightly colored paper, folders, pens, pencils, markers, bookbags, and all kinds of things to make school more enjoyable. We also had lots of pretty "hair things", bracelets, lotions and on and on. I lost count of how many boxes we put together. We even ran out of boxes and some stuff had to be mailed separately. It was a joyous occasion and many thanks to all of you who brought items or sent items. Several of you who couldn't attend the meeting went out of your way to get your stuff to somebody who could bring it. That is truly going above and beyond. We have such a wonderful group of ladies, and it just makes the hard times more bearable with friends like this. Once again, our heartfelt thanks go out to Eve for coordinating yet another worthwhile project for us to participate in.

It is time for us to start seriously thinking about the Convention of the Saturday Morning Girls that will be held in San Antonio. It sounds like those ladies have already been hard at work putting plans in place. Please start looking at your calendar and thinking about the possibility of attending the Convention. We will need to start getting some firm commitments fairly soon. I would guess by mid-January, early February. The San Antonio group is still pursing having Sarah Palin attend and be our featured speaker. Wouldn't that be great?? We will be holding the Convention at the Historic Menger Hotel beginning March 26th.
We can now begin making reservations, but make sure to tell the Menger it is for Saturday Morning In America to receive the $105 room rate. That rate is good no matter how many will be staying in the room, so if roommates wish, they can divide the cost. We will soon have a mailing address to remit your conference cost of $150. I will keep you all in touch as the information comes in. Checks can be made out to Saturday Morning San Antonio.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a break from all the hustle and bustle. If you're traveling, be safe. We'll be getting together on January 9 for our next meeting. I will send out a reminder the first of January. Thanks again for a fabulous year with some fabulous people and a special THANKS to Linda and Rufus for hosting us each month! You are the BEST!!!

Keith

A New Christmas Poem

2009-12-04T16:11:00.001-05:00

This poem was written by a Marine.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER IN IRAQ , LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.'

Congressman Mike Rogers' opening statement on Health Care reform in Washington D.C.

2009-11-16T09:55:00.003-05:00

This is an excellent opening speech by Congressman Mike Rogers. Well worth 4 minutes of your time to listen.

VIDEO

Our December meeting will be a week earlier than usual. Please mark you calendars for Saturday, December 5, 2009. If you're not receiving emails with meeting reminders, please let us know. We'll be sending out information about our upcoming project — putting together packages of supplies and sending to an Army Lieutenant in Afghanistan who is supporting a school for girls.