Sunday, February 8

Save my ears

I have a small annoyance to share with you. Perhaps it's all my problem and something that doesn't bother others. Though, I don't think so. But, in the spirit of openness and transparency (in case it is only me) I don't allow my family to read magazines within 3 feet of me or open any kind of packaging in "my space". So, here goes....

Why is it that parents think the only kind of child created noise that distracts others, say, in church or a movie theater, is talking or crying etc.? By this I mean... preventing your child from creating any type of verbal noise by giving him a paper bulletin to crinkle or a bible to flip through, page by finger-nail-on-the-chalkboard page is not a good "distraction". It's only distracting me from the reason I'm there!

I spent the entire sermon today clasping my hands together tightly so I didn't rip the Good Lord's Word out of some tiny little paws sitting directly behind me. I'm all for keeping children in the sanctuary to teach them how to sit quietly during the sermon( although, I'm not 100% sure I'm being honest about that). But, ahem... key word there is quietly. While I admire the parent who can totally ignore the whiny child begging for more cookies when we're sitting at a park or playground and keep talking to the adults till the child grows bored and wanders back to the swingset, I don't applaud the fact that a parent can zone out their kid and focus on the preaching while darling toddler is WRINKLING PAPER NONSTOP! If your child cannot sit quietly, can't they be given a stuffed Winnie the Pooh or something?

While I'm at it...if you are opening a pack of mints, cough drops, gum, whatever, in a quiet place, please don't drag out the process. Just rip it open quick and get it over with.

Oh, also, how have so many people not figured out that if you crush a bag or paper up into a ball, when you throw it into the trash it's only going to expand again, doubling the original noise. Unneccesary noise is another form of pollution. Stop the Pollution!

Monday, February 2

word seminars for politicians

I'd like to host a seminar for our politicians on the meaning of words. In particular, these two words...."mistake" and "choice". And here's why.
In the past few weeks, several politicians have been put forth for key positions in our government. Timothy Geithner as head of the IRS (that would be tax collector, no?) and Tom Daschle for reforming our healthcare system, including medicaid. Apparently they both think they've made terrible, innocent "mistakes" in not paying their taxes. Even though in Timothy Geithner's case the IMF ( International Monetary Fund) stapled his tax check to a form, which he then signed 4 times a year for 4 years stating he understood the checks were to be used for paying his taxes. But, he never did pay them.
In Mr. Daschle's case, he thought his friend "gifted" him a car and driver and didn't know he was required to pay taxes ( over $97,000) on them. And then, for the icing on the cake, this week he paid another $6,000 to Medicaid to cover the back taxes on that for the driver, as he hadn't understood he was supposed to pay that either.

These are the only two men in America for these positions?!
Here's my problem with these innocent "mistakes". My children understand the difference between a mistake and a choice. These men made choices, not mistakes. Nothing was innocent about these choices. They thought (think) they're above the law. The sad part is Timothy Geithner has already been shown he is above the law, as he's been appointed into the desired position.
Will Tom Daschle also slide into position?

I cringe each time I hear a politician caught in a compromising position say it was a mistake. A mistake is when a nickle falls into the quarter slot in my cash register. The next time I hand out change and give someone that nickle instead of a quarter for change and they point it out, I apologise and give them the quarter and we move on. I didn't choose to pay them a nickle instead of a quarter, I did it by mistake. It would be innocent and I'd rectify the situation.
Elliot Spitzer getting caught with a hooker in a hotel room far from home where his wife and daughters are? That is NOT a mistake. That is a choice! A bad one!

Please, can we stop allowing these people to get away with bad choices under the guise of the word "mistake"?

Thursday, January 29

Covenant College for my Covenant Child

Days ago, I took Annie to Covenant College. She'd been there twice already and dreams of August, when she can go live there and start life without me. I mean start life afresh as a college student. We loaded up the car and set off into the mash of folks headed home from the Obama Inauguration which took place the day before. It was a bit ugly until we got toward the end of Route 66 west. Once we turned left onto 81 south the real joy began. Several hundred miles of pasture, hills and COWS! I adore COWS! Just when several hundred feet had passed since the last herd, there on the hillside would be troops more of cattle grazing. Bless that Annie. She never snickered. Not once. Oh, to be sure there was some eye rolling, but that was easy to ignore.

When Thom and I used to take the family to Sandy Cove for homeschool week, we always sighed when we drove through the gates. Yes, we'd say to each other, Jesus is here in this place. The peace was thick at Sandy Cove.
Covenant gave me that same feeling.

Sienna spent some time showing me Chatanooga. We went to a great Antique mall. I found some things for the shop (if they don't remain in my home by accident).

I'm going to spend some happy days down there visiting my girl.

Oh! And the food in that cafeteria is so good, I think I may put on the "freshman 15" just visiting Annie!

Thursday, December 18

Tag! I'm not it...sorry...

To the two of you who have tagged me to open my files and show photos, that sounds like an easy enough quest I know. But the sad truth is...I don't have a file to open and share. I would if I did I promise. I am so frustrated with the most basic of these technologies that I have given up. I don't even take pictures with my digital camera anymore because;
a. I can't find it
b. I could never get all the pictures to come off the disc.
c. when I attempted it the disc would get stuck in the computer. Then I would push and pull and ruin the card and have to buy a new one.
d. repeat "c'.
e. I've given up. It's safer for everyone around me.
f. I rely on my children to record my life story in pictorials now.

Go tag my daughters. They're both phenomonal photographers!
Did I mention Annie won first place in the photography show at the Cambridge Art Center? She also sold two of her three photos displayed there. (and not to me or any of our friends... total strangers who loved and appreciated her work bought them!)

Wednesday, December 17

The Loss of Liberty

I've just come to the shocking realization that I must now be living in, perhaps, Nottingham England, where the sheriff is taxing each windowpane. Or perhaps, this is good ole Boston in the 1700's, and that crazy King George is taxing my tea with the stamp act. I wonder this as I've just read that NYC is starting to tax 88 new venues in the coming year, including ipod downloads, non-diet soda, sporting events, radio, cable tv, taxi rides, bus rides (that'll show those poor folks who clean homes or businesses for a living, or wait on tables or behind shop counters and just maybe live above the poverty line and use mass trans!). If it starts there it's just a matter of time before it's here...
Have we gone insane? Or better put, have the people who run our towns, cities, states and country gone insane? Where is that little brain wave known to most as common sense? But then, as a nation, we didn't argue against the politicians when they taxed the rich and the big businesses to give us free everything, because we thought we deserved these riches. I'm really not comfortable with that free use of the word "we". Many Americans have been appalled by the generosity of the government's spreading wealth through programs. But we let political correctness rule the day (again with that "we"). This train isn't stopping. It will be de-railed though; will you be ready to get a new car on the track?
Please, please, stop and think and read and listen. Are you putting goods away now? Maybe you have a bit of savings which can be converted into gold or silver coins....because if devaluation of the dollar hits home (and I believe it will shortly) your savings isn't buying for you then what it could now. Just load up on lightbulbs, shampoo, soup, toothpaste and things you normally use. It's not wasteful if you use it anyway and it's really a comforting way to live. I like never running out of toilet paper and soap. There's always plenty of dish and laundry detergent on hand here. I buy bulk when it's on sale and never need to make emergency runs in a panic. (I actually learned this from my mother-in-law as a new bride. She always had backups of everything. I remember the first time I saw a load of toothpaste and lightbulbs in her hall cupboard. I laughed at it all. Then she took me to my first savings club store in Delaware, I think it was a Costco...Wonder!)
But back to life in America...
This party, I believe, is over. I think the government is stalling the economic collapse as long as possible. President Bush said yesterday he gave up his principles of a free market to save the principles of the free market(?) and the economy, regarding the big three auto-makers. Well, do you really think bailing them out is going to work? Or will they be begging for more in 3-6 months? Their riviters get up to $78.00 an hour with 7 weeks paid vacation and full benefits. For zapping a screw into the side of an auto! How long did they really think that could be sustained? But they have no plans to stop that and start over at $8.00 an hour with one week vacation.
South America just held a global crisis summit where they excluded America and invited Cuba. They have brought Cuba back into their fold; meanwhile Russian warships are now enroute to visit with Cuba. The same warships which just visited Hugo Chavez in Venezuala. Does anyone feel good about this? The Pentagon is giving a show of laughing at the Russians for their antiquated ships. The key word there I think, is "show".
I have a friend who prints money for a living (legally) and he said they printed 331 billion dollars more in the month of November than last year. This is not money connected to the emergency bailout (ha!). This is cash that the Federal Reserve demanded as they had no $100 dollar bills if there were a run on banks, because China is holding $100's. So all printers were on mandatory overtime to print. The printers were all scratching their heads saying, "this ain't good".
Start connecting the dots. Start looking at a big picture. Just think about ways to be prepared if we were to have any sort of monetary collapse to any degree. When the government releases information don't take it a face value. Dig deeper. They have finally admitted we're in a recession and have been since last year. We already knew this! If they're admitting this it is much worse. Just multiply all they tell us. Why are they putting 20,ooo military troops into our cities? They are preparing for something....What?
Wouldn't it be grand if just one politician had read and understood our Constitution and stood up for it. Thomas Jefferson said that within two to three generations if we weren't careful we'd lose our rights. We've lasted a fair bit longer, but it started to deteriorate within those generations. They started giving away our liberties and once that door was opened there was no one strong enough to stand up and close it. Pity.
I'm not putting my faith in our government to fix this. That's just not going to happen. We are living in Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged now. It's here. It is that dire. So my number one suggestion for me and my family and you and yours too.....Get on your knees and PRAY for wisdom and guidance....

Wednesday, November 26

the joy of technology

The thing I appreciate most about computer technology is the ability to get inside my kids minds to a certain degree. I know there are those who think computers actually suck the life out of teenage minds, but it has opened my girls thoughts and humorous sides to my viewing via blogs. I enjoy going over to their blogsites and seeing their worlds through their eyes.Often I am quite happily surprised by what I read. It gives me a view of their days that would otherwise go unknown to me. A little slice of school or what goes on in photo booths to make them laugh.
When I see how people, across the board of all ages, spell in this day and age, it makes me cringe. Humanity has come to accept, seemingly, the letter "U" as a substitute for the word "you". This is not okay. "R" is not an english shortcut for the word"are". I read through comments after online articles, and see adult writings spelled with words like, "your" instead of "you're", and "a" instead of "an" in front of a vowel-fronted word. This is offensive to my eyes. Are they just not checking or are they truly ignorant of the proper spellings and usage? It happens so often. And how about using "effect" when it should be "affect" or vice-versa? Or using "their" or "there" when it should be "they're"? Don't they teach this in school anymore? The list goes on and on....
But...when I see my girls blogs and their friends blogs, it gives me hope! For the most part, they all get it right. I visit my friends blogs and see emotions and opinions that otherwise would pass-by unknown. It gives an opportunity to get back to our writing abilities and stretch our brains a bit. Think about it. As an adult, when would I write for enjoyment normally? In school I always enjoyed writing. Once out of class there seemed no reason aside from the occasional letter.
So here, finally, I find my joy in technology. But I will never program a VCR. Never. Oh, no worries there are there? Aren't they already obsolete? Whew! That was a close one....

Monday, November 24

Thanksgiving starts today

I am cozied up in my chair by the fireplace this morning. I've had my coffee and seen both my girls out the door. One to school, the other to workout at the YMCA. Frigid temperatures swept over me each time they opened the door to exit. I live in hope for snow. I don't ask for major accumulation. In fact, last Friday's ongoing snowfall was fine with me. It flurried all day long with nary a flake staying on land for more than a nano-second. It was simply the beauty of the falling through air that gave satisfaction.
Mornings like this push back worries of economic woes and college acceptance letters for children. Life is good. I'm not looking for any problems today. Every crackle of fire reminds me of the security I have right now. I'm married to a man who I still adore after being together for more than 20 something years, and he's never made any bones about the fact that he stills loves me! I have three healthy, happy kids who don't give me any worries beyond finding money to send them to college. I have roof over my head, food in the cupboard and clothes on my back(and lots of backup wear in my bulging closet).
None of us are guaranteed this in life and its never been promised to last forever. God has given me so much more than I have deserved. But for today, for right in this moment, I'm going to simply sit in this chair and reflect and give thanks for this. It's, after all, the right week for doing so. I think we shouldn't wait till Thursday and bombard God with insincere thanksgiving all in one day while stuffed with turkey and pumpkin pie. I want to take stock right now and let my heart fill with gratefulness and burst with happiness while I ponder it quietly....

Saturday, October 25

Midnight Ride

Last night, just past midnight, Annie walked into our bedroom and whispered, "Mom, Jedd wants you to pick him up?" Mother instinct kicks in past the 2 Tylenol P.M. I'd taken an hour or so previously and I swing my legs out of bed. He was staying at some friends out in the country. Not far...it's literally a 12 minute drive.
I know there are those who say, let them tough it out and stay. I''m not one of them and my kids have never abused this fact. Jedd didn't call, he texted his sisters to ask them to get me. Emma,more than half asleep, refused to get out of bed and texted back, "no". (I think that's funny)
When I was little, I would get freaked if I spent the night at someone's house and then wanted to come home. I have always told my kids I would always get them no matter where they were. Whether it was a sleep over or if they were at a party that went wrong and they wanted out...
When I pulled into the long driveway and around the corner, there was his shadowy face in the door. I motioned for him to come, but he motioned back for help with all his stuff. He didn't want to wake the house so he was trying to be very quiet. As I pulled the door closed behind him and we tip-toed to the car I heard a voice from the patio doors. It was Maria, the boys' mother. We re-assured her and she smiled understandingly and wished us well. Once in the car, my boy thanked me repeatedly for picking him up at this late hour. He really doesn't understand that in my mind, this is one of the gifts of parenting. To give "rescue" to a child and let them see in action that we are there for him, even in this tiny way. Our time on that ride home through a dark cloudy night was precious. The huge hug I recieved from him was more than payment. I could have let him "tough it out" and there are times (even at sleepovers) where that is appropriate. But my boy had a different lesson last night. That when I tell him I'll get him, without grumpiness, but with happiness, I mean it and I'll follow through. God is constantly rescuing me from decisions I've made and He has taught me flexibility. What I wanted Jedd to see in this was not simply that I followed through with my word, but that I did it with a smile and a happy heart to see him at that hour. That he wasn't a burden, but a delight to my heart!

Monday, October 20

Why I'm voting Democrat

I'm voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending MY MONEY than I would. I think when you spread the wealth around it is good for everybody! It’s Patriotic!
I'm voting Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. All profits are evil and should be confiscated for Government Redistribution.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe that MORE Government regulations and higher taxes on Business will stop Business from exporting their jobs to Countries with LESS Government regulations and lower taxes.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe terrorists should be allowed to have trials in American courts. And be able to subpoena top secret documents, soldiers, government officials, etc. to cross examine for their defense. They should have ACLU lawyers who can help intimidate Americans who serve on the juries!
I'm voting Democrat because I believe Gay Marriage should be the law of the land and will probably produce better children.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe English should not be the official language of the United States. I don’t mind pushing one for English when I use the phone.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe partial birth abortion is okay but water boarding a terrorist is disgusting.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe having a domestic terrorist like Bill Ayers as a close friend is a good thing. It allows for great relations with foreign terrorists.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe in a FREE government health care system. I believe doctors, nurses, hospitals, drug companies, etc. will gladly donate their time, products, services, facilities, etc. for FREE and that will be a better system.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe in and support trial lawyers, frivolous lawsuits and outrageous jury verdicts.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe 9/11 was an inside job to con the American people to go to war for oil.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe social security is solvent and that there is a social security lock box and I don’t believe social security is a Ponzi scheme.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe MOST AMERICANS are bitter and cling to their guns and religion. Let’s rid our country of guns and religion!
I'm voting Democrat because I believe illegal aliens deserve all the rights of ordinary Americans plus some additional rights Americans do not have.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe corporations should pay higher taxes! I believe higher taxes on business will make the price of their products and services LESS EXPENSIVE.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe groups like ACORN who register felons, drug addicts, wino’s, homeless drifters, illegal aliens, dead people, children, fictional Disney characters, etc. makes my vote count more.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe celebrating the winter solstice shows compassion for the small minority of people that do not celebrate Christmas.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe hard core criminal murders and rapists deserve life and that the innocent unborn deserve death. It’s a choice I can live with.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe Bush caused Hurricane Katrina and he blew-up the levies in the ninth ward of New Orleans.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe that any one who is not partaking in one of the many wonderful government programs obviously has too much money and should pay higher taxes.
I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq the terrorists will be happy and now think of us as good people.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe our soldiers are AIR RAIDING villages and killing innocent people.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe sex in the Oval Office with an intern is a private matter and that everybody lies under oath about sex.
I'm votin Demokrat becuse I wus edumkated at a publick sckrool. I lik da Natsionel Edukatshun Assoseeashun!
I'm voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as it does not offend people. Can’t we all just get along?
I'm voting Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits are wrong. I believe higher taxes on oil companies will produce lower prices at the pump.
I'm voting Democrat because I believe we need to rid ourselves of dependency on foreign oil, BUT I AM AGAINST offshore drilling for oil and natural gas, drilling in Anwar, building nuclear power plants and clean coal technology.
And finally, I'm voting Democrat because I believe Reverend Wright when he said “G-DAMN AMERICA” and “OUR CHICKENS ARE COMING HOME TO ROOST”. Hey let’s make a comfortable nest for those chickens!

(I didn't write ,this some mom did on a response I was reading to Joe Biden today. Mr. Biden said that if elected they would be forced into unpopular decisions due to some kind of attack on our country within six months of being sworn into office. He said noone would be happy with the choices they were going to make and that their poll numbers would be down in single digits, but to please remember this day and this warning and stick by them. They know what they're going to have to do even if we don't think it's right). I thought she hit the nail on the head in her sarcasm, so I'm sharing it with you....)

Friday, October 17

A New Day, A New Heart

After days of ridiculous warmth I awoke to a fine chill this morning. Emma was already up and readying herself for school. I remind her to take a cardigan. My morning cup of coffee feels better in my palm today. Like it has real purpose for being there. When I was little we walked about a mile to school every day (can you imagine that today?) Of course we complained about it. Especially on very cold New England mornings. My grandfather, Poppy, used to lovingly scoff at my complaints ( he lived just a few doors away from us) saying he walked at least 3 miles each way. He would tell me that, in the winter, his mother would pull baked potatoes from the oven and wrap them in a cloth and stick them in his pockets where he would stuff his hands for warmth on the long walk. Then at lunchtime he would eat his "handwarmers" for his school meal. The point of this little story is that my hands wrapped around this warm cup of coffee today reminds me of my Poppy's hands wrapped around his baked potato then.
Yesterday, I was having a bit of a freakout day about the economy. I was ordering inventory for the store and stressing about it. We sent in the deposit to Covenant College to save Annie's place there for next year and I was worrying about finding financing for that. My mother called and said 4 people at my brother-in-law's workplace had been laid off and my brother, Chris, called and said there was no work in N.J. (he's an electrician) for him or his friends (plumbers, etc.) and he wondered if Thom had work still. All this together led my mind to melt.
This morning is fresh and new. God has cleared my mind and reminded me that He will provide and protect for all my needs. I have always given donations to everyone who walked through the shop door and asked for them. These past weeks the amount of people asking has multiplied and I've started asking people to leave their "cause's" paperwork and I'd go through them and decide which ones I wanted to give to. Wildlife Turkey Federation, La Leche League, Maryland Charities, local schools, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, every local police department, each local fire department, every church in the county. The list goes on and on. There have been days where I've had more folks ask for donations than I have had sales.
This morning I realize this is not the way. God has given to me and I need to give back to the community as I always have. The economy doesn't make a difference. I'm using that as an excuse not to give abundantly. This has lifted my heart. God promises He will continue to provide for my family as he always has. No matter what happens. It's just that my vision tends to get blurred. Fortunately, neither I, nor you, ever need worry that the Lord's vision will blur...