Lisa's Little Slice of Life

Farewell, Steve Jobs

2011-10-05T22:21:00.000-05:00

Apple.

Mac.

iPod. iPhone. iPad. iTunes.

Pixar.

What other revolutionary innovations has the world been deprived of by your untimely demise?

Thank you, Steve Jobs. Well done.

I'm playing a round of Angry Birds on my iPhone in your honor.

Erasing Hell

2011-10-03T09:45:00.000-05:00

So in the interest of being fair and balanced I read Francis Chan's rebuttal to Love Wins titled Erasing Hell.

While I agree with almost all of Chan's theology regarding hell his book was very, um...scholarly. Now I love a good footnote as much as the next person but it doesn't make for compelling reading.

I think I see the problem.

Bell's book reads like a grand story. His style is almost conversational. And if I'm being brutally honest, the God he describes is much more lovable.

Chan's book contains the traditional teaching on hell that I grew up with. Probably a lot of you did too. Hell is a literal place that unbelievers in Christ go when they die and suffer eternal torment as punishment for their unbelief. While I agree with Chan's interpretation of Scripture, I have to admit that to an average person who maybe didn't grow up with this traditional view, his God could come across as harsh and almost vindictive.

And so the question remains...how to explain to a lost world that a loving God can condemn people to eternal punishment. I'm not suggesting that we have to apologize for God or sugar-coat the Gospel. But I'm not sure that focusing on avoidance of hell is the best way to persuade unbelievers that Jesus is for them. And I think maybe that was Bell's point.

There seems to be a lot of "Christians" out there who love condemning people to hell. You should read some of the comments on some of the articles I read about Rob Bell. Many of them are convinced that even though Bell professes Jesus as his Savior and trusts in the redemptive power of the cross Bell is going to bust the gates of hell wide open when he dies because of his differing interpretation of certain Scripture regarding hell. Really? I thought trusting Jesus was enough. You mean we also have to correctly interpret every single Scripture? I mean, have you READ Revelation?! Now there's a daunting study! And who decides which interpretation is correct...the Baptists, the Methodists, the Catholics or, heaven forbid, the Mormons? I'm pretty sure I don't know every thing there is to know about every single Scripture and I've probably gotten some it wrong somewhere along the way. How about you? Is my salvation in jeopardy? Is yours? I choose to believe that Jesus is enough and trust that God will sort out the rest of it in His wisdom and mercy.

I'll just sum it up this way: Bell's book made me want to immediately start trying to better love God and my neighbor. Chan's book made me want to hide under my bed in fear.

Love Wins

2011-09-28T13:00:00.001-05:00

Rob Bell, founder and pastor of Mars Hill Church in Grandeville, Michigan, ignited a firestorm of controversy with the release of his book, Love Wins. It seemed that Rob had the audacity to ask some tough questions about heaven and hell that the evangelical community had determined settled. The response was to immediately condemn not only the book but the author as well. "Universalist!" they cried. One noted theologian even seemed to dismiss Rob out of Christianity altogether with his tweet, "Farewell Rob Bell."

So you know what I did?

I read the book.

And then I read it again.

Because I didn't find anything offensive or shocking about it.

Sure, there are ideas that I'm uncomfortable with. But I don't think it hurts me to have to rethink those things to be sure why I believe what I believe. And Rob brings up some hard questions that I've often wondered about myself. And I like that he doesn't pretend to know all the answers. I like that he believes Jesus is big enough to handle the tough questions. I love the God he describes--expansive, mysterious, creative and loving. A lot of times I think the God the church presents to the world is too small. Sometimes it feels like the church is telling the world that they have God all figured out. "Ok, here's how it works. Do a and don't do b, c, d, and e and God will do x for you." I don't want a God that humans can put into a formula. And I don't think the world does either.

So, the bottom line is this: I liked the book. I liked that it made me think. I liked that it made me want to search out the Truth for myself rather than blindly accepting others' interpretations of truth. Most of all I loved that it made me want to know God better.

Limbo...and not the fun party game

2011-09-26T12:02:00.000-05:00

Well.

It's been a while.

A lot has happened since my last post on MAY 2nd. I'll give you a quick run-down in list form. 'Cuz that's how I roll.

We finished up Hayley's first year of homeschooling (9th grade).
Caitlin finished 5th grade.
Wes and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in Jamaica.
There was a dramatic and painful ending of a relationship that was very important to me but I survived.
I turned 41...and survived that too.
Wes got a fabulous new job that he loves.
We decided to sell our house and move.
We moved half our belongings and are currently living out of boxes but do not have a scheduled closing date on the afore-mentioned house sale.
Since we have not moved yet, Hayley has begun another year of homeschooling.
Caitlin started middle school and much to her dismay she has to do that book report after all since WE. ARE. STILL. HERE.
I agreed to adopt a cat named Toby from the Humane Society but not until we move. Have I mentioned we are STILL HERE?!
I'm still working part-time until...WE MOVE!

So you can see that my life is in limbo...UNTIL WE MOVE.

Justice

2011-05-02T13:00:00.003-05:00

Osama Bin Laden is dead.

It's been almost ten years since 9/11 and justice has finally been served. God bless Navy Seal Team Six. If it exists, which it certainly doesn't. *wink*

Facebook exploded with posts celebrating Bin Laden's death and Caitlin asked, "Who is Bin Laden and why does the US hate him so much?"

I forget that she was only one year old when the towers fell.

Hayley was only five years old at the time but was aware of all the news footage. As her young little mind tried to process all the images of horror that constantly surrounded her, she told me, "Mommy, bad men knocked down those buildings." Yes, baby girl, yes, they did.

And now their leader has paid for it.

I am celebrating justice today. However, I am having trouble celebrating the bloodshed even though it was necessary and just.

I am haunted by the images of the hundreds of people filling the streets in front of the White House and in Times Square last night waving flags and chanting, "USA. USA. USA." Yes, I am so proud of our military. And I give credit where credit is due...Well done, President Obama. He made the hard decision to do the right thing. I also say, "Well done, President Bush" because he promised us that we would have justice and he worked tirelessly for it. However, I am reminded of the words in Ezekiel 18:23: "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Rather am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"

So, today I admire the hard work and sacrifice of so many who worked for so long to see justice done. And I mourn for those who have been lost along the way. And I celebrate that a bad man has met his just reward. But I take no pleasure in it.

A Post-Season Wrap-Up

2011-03-04T20:19:00.000-06:00

Hayley loves basketball. When we were making the decision to homeschool last spring she was really sad about not being able to play anymore. Actually, that was the ONLY thing she was sad about giving up. She loved her middle school team. But she decided homeschooling was worth it. I was very proud of her mature decision but my heart was broken for her to give up the thing she loved.

And then Wes got laid off at work. In retrospect, this turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. You think I'm crazy, right? I'll explain.

I had been looking into homeschool sports options. Unfortunately Arkansas is not one of the "Tim Tebow" states that allow homeschoolers to play sports with their local public schools. Therefore, our only option was to find a homeschool co-op. Unfortunately our town does not have a co-op that offers sports. The nearest one was about a hour away. I also discovered a Christian school that welcomed homeschoolers but it was 45 minutes away. With one child in public school, I knew my schedule wouldn't allow us to commute daily to practices. And so I gave up.

This is where the unemployment kicked in. It wasn't unexpected. Wes has had a long and lucrative career in medical sales but that is becoming an increasingly difficult field to work in. (Thanks, Obamacare!) And then it dawned on us...Wes now had plenty of time to commute! And that's how Hayley wound up playing basketball for Hot Springs Christian. What we could have seen as a great disaster had just turned into the greatest blessing! Wes was able to spend a couple of hours a day driving with Hayley which gave them lots of time to talk and grow their relationship. He was free to spend his time helping out at practice which he really enjoyed.

Hayley had the best year EVER. Her coach, Bill Vining, Jr., was fabulous! He's not only a gifted coach but he's a great educator too. And he really cares about not only building great athletes but also great character. And Hayley made some really great friends. We could not have asked for a better season. The school even invites her to go on their field trips every other week. She's been to play paintball, to a shooting range and on a city-wide scavenger hunt. Good times!

So you wanna see some pictures, right? I should warn you that I have not yet mastered taking sports pictures. These are the best I could do.

There's my Lady Panther, #23!

Oh, look! Who's that ref-ing the game?! Too bad this wasn't a paying gig.

I should probably tell you their record. I don't actually know. It was a winning season. That's all I need to know. I'm a great sports mom.

Strategizing with Coach Vining. The tallest girl is Hayley's good friend Aubree. And that's Aubree's dad, Mr. Foshee, the assistant coach, in the striped shirt.

I wish I had a pictures of the game that Wes and his brother Brad were the referees and Caitlin ran the scoreboard. It was all Sullivans, all the time!

We all hated to see the season come to an end. Although our wallet is glad to see the gas expense go.

Some Thoughts on the Egyptian Revolution

2011-02-11T15:22:00.000-06:00

For eighteen days I've watched the protests in Egypt with a mixture of anticipation and dread. I've studied the modern history of Egypt and its culture in an effort to gain understanding of what was taking place. I've puzzled over bits of information and their meaning. I've pondered it all at great length. I've been hesitant to put into words my perception of these events and the questions that nag at me.  I've been hesitant because I'm unsure that I understand what is happening and I don't know what the ramifications are for the future of the Middle East and even the world. I've been hesitant because I'm not sure I can even adeqately express what I feel is the enormity of these events. However, it has occurred to me that I must document this for my children and grandchildren. For after all, the whole purpose of this blog is to record my thoughts and special memories for my girls and to give them insight into who I am. You're just along for the ride!

These protests turned revolution are being compared to the fall of the Shah in Iran in 1979. That revolution also started as a "democratic" movement but eventually led to tyranny of the worst kind. I have often wondered if people here in America sensed at the time the danger that lay ahead. I was only nine at the time but I rememember that our extended family had gathered for the holidays and we were shooting fireworks. My Uncle Allen had managed to rig several types of fireworks together to produce what we all hoped would be a spectacular blast and he called it the "Ayatollah Khomeini Bang". Of course, I had no idea what that meant at the time but for some reason that has always stuck with me. And so I've found myself wondering what my girls, who are 10 and 14, will remember from this period of their lives.

Today, February 11, 2011, on the 31st anniversary of the overthrow of the Iranian Shah, the president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, resigned under pressure from the protests of the Egyptian people.  I'm watching on Fox News as the people of Egypt are flooding the streets waving the Egyptian flag and shouting with joy that they have won their freedom.  But I can't help but wonder--have they simply exchanged one dictator for another? The protests have been hailed as a pro-democracy movement. We are being told that we are witnessing another revolution for freedom akin to that of America in 1791 which ended in the greatest experiment in freedom the world has ever seen. But I can't help but fear that we are seeing a revolution in the vein of the French revolution which ended in guillotines.

Democracy. It sounds like a good thing. But in its most simple form it is "mob rule". Let us not forget that democracy doesn't equal freedom. For if the people of Egypt, in their new-found democracy, choose to follow the wrong leader they will wind up in bondage to an Islamic state and sharia law.  We should also keep a watchful eye on the rest of the Middle East for the success of this revolution will almost certainly embolden revolutionaries everywhere.

Nothing Clever to Name This Post

2011-01-12T19:32:00.000-06:00

I have been plotting and planning a clever yet introspective blog post to wrap up 2010. And then I took 509872 pictures of the snow we got and I was planning a cute post about that. And then the tragedy happened in AZ and it just didn't feel right to be light-hearted. And then I wanted to tell you my take on the shameful politicization of that tragedy by politcians and media on the left and right. But now I have something serious and close to home that I need to tell you about.

I received news yesterday that a bloggy friend of mine, Joanne aka The Simple Wife, had a stroke. She's 38 and has a husband and two young daughters. If you've been reading my blog for awhile you may remember that I reviewed Joanne's book Misplacing God (and finding Him again). While I've never met her face to face, I know someone who is close to her. And while Joanne and I have only corresponded by email and blog comments I feel like I can call her friend. I know it may seem strange that I can feel connected to someone I've never met but bloggers share a special kind of community. While my blog certainly isn't on the same par as Joanne's she has always been gracious and kind. We've talked about some difficult things that we share in common and we've prayed for each other. But most of all she loves Jesus with all her heart and and that's a GOOD thing we have in common. It makes us sisters.

Could you pray with me for Joanne? For complete healing, for peace and comfort for her husband Toben and their girls, Audrey and Emma. Pray for wisdom for the doctors and nurses. Pray that God will be glorified through this. I've shared on this blog before my reservations about the power of prayer and God's goodness after the loss of my niece. In the last two years I have questioned everything I thought I knew. God and I are still working things out but today, for my friend, I will boldly approach His throne and plead for her. Will you go with me?

Buckle Up

2010-12-09T17:57:00.000-06:00

Hello! I've been wanting to post for a while but our satellite Internet is dead. We are going on Week 4 of being bamboozled, dismissed and abused by various Hughesnet technicians. Today the tech says he can't come because his truck is ON FIRE. Well.

But this post can't wait any longer. I need to clear my conscience. You know my general views on government and economics and I've always half-jokingly promised that I would tell you when I thought it was time to start building a bunker and storing canned goods.

I'm no longer joking. I need you to know that now is the time to prepare for hard times. I believe that my grandchildren will look back at 2010 as the year America ceased being a "superpower".

Our lifestyle is no longer sustainable. America as we knew it or at least as we thought we understood it no longer exists. Economic collapse IS coming and we've brought it on ourselves. I don't know when it will happen or if it will come down with a giant crash or if we will slowly deteriorate into desperation. But it's going to be painful.

Violent Marxist revolutionaries are taking Europe by storm and they will come here. They have been planting the seeds of revolution for decades. The bomb-throwing, America-hating hippies of the '60s are now the establishment. They are running our education system, financial system, political system, industry and healthcare. The only piece remaining that they don't completely control is the media. And they have their sights set on it with "net neutrality" and the FCC. And once we are no longer free to communicate competing ideas with each other it's checkmate. Game over.

But I haven't lost hope. America WILL survive. She won't look quite the same. There will be scars that remain but her principles are indestructible. All men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

So buckle up--it's gonna get dicey. But the good news is I believe the good guys win in the end.

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

Happy Election Day Eve!

2010-11-01T19:53:00.000-05:00

Oh, I am giddy about the Big Day tomorrow! It should be an historic election of gargantuan proportions!

I love a good hyperbole.

I thought I'd share some of the races I'll be keeping my eye on tomorrow night. I know you are all dying to know who I'm rooting for.

Rooting for...it sounds like I'm getting ready to watch a big game. Unfortunately, politics HAS become a game, and I don't actually like the Democrats OR the Republicans. They are all a bunch of big-government, progressive weasels. I'd like to give them all a big, giant foam finger. That being said, I'll be wearing red and rootin' for the Republicans tomorrow since I believe the Democrats have already sold their souls to George Soros. Time will tell if the "Tea Party" Republicans sell out too.

So some of my favorite races to watch tomorrow night are:

Nevada-Senate race: It will be HISTORIC (and hilarious) if Tea-Party favorite Sharron Angle beats Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid is an elitist, arrogant jerk. Go Sharon!

Delaware-Senate race: It would be so awesome if Christine O'Donnell could beat Chris Coons. At first I thought she was a little kooky, and she may well be, but she started to grow on me. And I have to root for anybody who's been treated by the media like she has been. I love an underdog.

Florida-Senate race: I am a HUGE fan of Marco Rubio. Dare I say he seems...presidential?! Meeks seems like a decent fellow but Crist is a shameless dirtbag.

California-Governor: I don't know much about Meg Whitman but she does have one really, REALLY important qualification--she's NOT Jerry Brown.

California-Senate race: I think I like Carly Fiorina. And I know I don't like Barbara "Call Me Senator" Boxer. I'd like to call her "Former Senator Boxer".

Alaska-Senate: Joe Miller seems like a decent guy. Lisa Murkowski seems to be a spoiled brat throwing a temper tantrum over not winning the Republican nomination.

Ohio-Governor: John Kasich. I've always liked him.

Connecticut-Governor: What the h-e- double-hockey stick is wrong with you Connecticut? How is Richard Blumenthal even in the running against Linda McMahon? Not that I'm a big fan of Linda's but HELLO!, Blumenthal is an unprincipaled moron.

Arkansas-House: I'm pulling for Beth Anne Rankin. I went to college with her and she's a lovely person. And Mike Ross is not.

Arkansas-Senate: I can't wait to retire Blanche Lincoln! Woo Hoo! John Boozman!

Colorado-Governor: A win by Tom Tancredo would be amazing.

Kentucky-Senate: I really like Rand Paul.

Pennsylvania-Senate: I hope Pat Toomey can pull out a win over Joe Sestak.

Wisconsin-Senate: I will be so delighted to see Russ Feingold lose.

Arizona-House: Ruth McClung is my choice. She's a physicist. I like physicists. (Head nod to Mr. Rascalraiser.)

Florida-House: Please, please Florida. Go vote for Dan Webster. Alan Grayson is a hate-mongering psycho. Would you like for me to tell you how I really feel?

Massachusetts-House: Mass, what is your deal?! How is Sean Bielat not winning against Barney "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not in a crisis situation" Frank?!

So there you go. I know your life is more complete now that you know where I stand on these races. I've got my race-tracking lists printed and the Hubs and I will be popping some corn and sipping hot cocoa tomorrow night watching the results roll in!

Woo hoo! Go Big Red!

Freedom Of Speech Gets Kicked In The Head

2010-10-22T16:33:00.000-05:00

Hello again. It's been a while. But you KNEW I'd have to come back to talk about this NPR fiasco, didn't you?!

Please, please tell me you have been paying attention to the world around you and you are aware of the fact that NPR fired Juan Williams this week. Just in case, here's a quick explanation: Juan Williams, a liberal news analyst for NPR and also a contributor on Fox News, was abruptly let go from his decade-long employment with NPR this week allegedly because of comments he made on Bill O'Reilly's show regarding Muslims. I say "allegedly" because NPR has tolerated much worse statements than Juan's from the likes of Cokie Roberts and Nina Totenburg and they still have jobs. Oh, but they only insulted conservatives and Christians so it's all good.

I feel like I need to insert right here this disclaimer: I do not like Juan Williams. He is very far-left in his political ideology and when I watch him I usually wind up yelling at my TV. I don't know that I have ever agreed with Juan on anything. However, I grudgingly respect his willingness to come on Fox News and have a reasonable debate unlike so many on the far-left. (Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg come to mind.) Just sayin'.

Ok, back to the summary of the situation. Juan and Bill were discussing the Behar/Goldberg walk-out on the set of The View when Bill said that "Muslim's killed us on 9/11" and that political correctness is running amok these days when Juan decided to use himself as an example. I'm paraphrasing but he said something like, "I'm very involved in the civil rights movement so obviously I am no bigot. But even I get a little nervous when I get on a plane and there's someone in full-on Muslim garb." Ok. Big deal. He didn't say that people in Muslim garb shouldn't be allowed to fly. He didn't say that all Muslims that wear the traditional garb are dangerous or evil. He was simply honest about his personal feelings and about what I suspect many Americans have also thought on many occasions.

Well, you would think that he had called for stripping all Muslims of their citizenship and shipping them all back to the Middle East. NPR promptly fired him, BY PHONE. Yep, wouldn't even let him come in and discuss it in person. In a completely unrelated story, last week far-left progressive billionaire George Soros donated $1.8 million dollars to NPR. Also, in a completely unrelated story, George Soros donated $1 million dollars to Media Matters to "fight against Fox News." But I digress.

Is it just me or does "freedom of speech" not mean what it used to? I thought it used to mean that the answer to speech you didn't like was MORE speech. Apparently now it means if you don't agree with me and I'm in power you should sit down and shut up. Like I said, I almost never agree with Juan but don't you think it's a good idea to have a dialogue? Wouldn't you think the lefties would WANT Juan to reach out to the Fox audience in hopes of persuading them to some of his views? Maybe that would be too reasonable. I guess I'm just too darn reasonable...Juan, I'll stand with you and I champion your right to free speech. You keep on talking and I'll keep on yelling at my TV!

I wonder how Juan feels about so many conservatives standing up for his right to free speech?

I'll leave you with some words from George Washington: "If freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.

Baa, baa, America.

O-U-A-C-H-I-T-A!

2010-09-06T12:36:00.000-05:00

Wow. It's been twenty-two years since my parents tearfully dropped me off in front of the Flippen-Perrin dorm and I waved goodbye uncertainly and began that amazing adventure we call the Ouachita experience. Ínitially when I heard about the first OBU BlogAbout I was hesitant to participate. Not because I don't have many, many great memories from my time at Ouachita but because I didn't know how in the world I could adquately condense those memories into a coherent blog post that would do justice to the experience. But I'm not one to miss out on a party so here goes...

My husband, Wes, says that the most important thing I need to tell you is that I met HIM at OBU. It was right before Christmas break of my sophomore year and his freshman year. For weeks my roommate, Teresa, had been telling me about this really cute, super-friendly guy in one of her classes. One evening they were studying together on the bridge of the Student Center and I happened to drop by and was finally introduced to him. I'm not being overly dramatic when I say that life was never the same!

My first two years at OBU the girls had a curfew. Just the girls. I guess the powers that be figured that if the girls all had to be back in the dorm then the guys wouldn't have anything to do and they'd go home too. Wes just kindly pointed out that the Henderson girls didn't have a curfew. Nice.

Anyhoo, during finals week we would inevitably get the munchies after curfew. That was back during the days of the Taco Bell "Ten Tacos for A Dollar" deal. Ok, it was probably more than a dollar but it was still a GREAT. DEAL! One night Teresa and I called Wes to make an emergency Taco Bell run and he and his roommate, Tom, brought back a box of tacos. There was, conveniently, a hole in the screen of our second story window (I promise it was there when we moved in!) so Teresa and I lowered a rope (why did we have a rope?!) and Wes tied the box of tacos to the end of it and we pulled them up. Best tacos I ever ate!

There was also the time that it snowed and Teresa and I had ordered a pizza but the pizza guy called back and said he couldn't get out of the icy parking lot to deliver said pizza. So who ya gonna call? Wes. He came and got us in his little blue Toyota pickup and we slipped and slid all the way to Pizza Hut and back. Mission accomplished.

We used to study at the Road Runner convenience store in Caddo Valley because they had tables, were open 24 hours and they let us have free refills on our coffee. Then we'd usually wind up at the Waffle House for their $3.99 all-you-can-eat special.

Why do all my memories involve food?

Oh, here's one that doesn't involve food. One time the guys who lived in Conger (the REAL Conger, not that imposter that was recently torn down) ran electrical cords from the lobby to the middle of the campus and set up a TV screen so we could watch the World Series. That was during the time that I was pretending to be interested in baseball. Because Wes played baseball. I didn't miss a single OBU Tiger baseball game that first year we dated. Teresa and I, along with our suitemate, Terri, went to Panama City for spring break that year and we even surprised the team by showing up in Pensacola where they had a tournament.

There are many more un-food-related adventures but most of those probably shouldn't be shared on the World Wide Web, especially since I happen to now work at Ouachita. (Thanks for the health insurance, OBU!) Let's just say that a good time was had by all. :) Oh, and we all received stellar educations in the process.

Happy Founders Day to Ouachita! May all her skies be gay! :)

In Defense of Restoring Honor

2010-08-31T19:58:00.000-05:00

You may have heard of an event called "8/28: Restoring Honor" that was held by Glenn Beck this past weekend at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. However, unless you consistently listen to Glenn on his daily radio program or watch his Fox News program you have probably not heard the truth about it. And if you rely on the mainstream media for your news then you definitely haven't heard the truth about it. And if you didn't see it for yourself you can't understand it.

Prior to the event, the Left was predicting that it would be an angry, racist, hate-filled frenzy of politically-motivated "teabaggers". Al Sharpton even led a counter-rally nearby and accused Glenn of hijacking the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial forty-seven years ago.

We've come to expect this kind of rhetoric and hysteria from the Left. And each time they scream "Racist, hate-monger!" it becomes a little less believable. Think Chicken Little.

What is most distressing to me is the reaction of the so-called Christian Right. Some Christian leaders can't wait to condemn Beck to hell (he's a Mormon) and decry the Restoring Honor event as heresy. This column by Dr. Russell Moore is a perfect example of the judgemental nature and willful ignorance of some Christian leaders. I dare say Dr. Moore probably doesn't regularly watch or listen to Beck for if he did he would know that Glenn is very careful to say that he is not a theologian and that he is aware many Christians do not consider him to be one. He does not attempt to sway his viewers and listeners to his particular faith and in fact, vigorously insists that they search out the truth for themselves and encourages them to be very sure of what they believe. Dr. Moore also seems to be guilty of the very same elitist attitude that we all despise in the Left--that people are too stupid (or gullible) to decide anything for themselves. They must be told what is right and best for them. Apparently Dr. Moore thinks that it's his responsiblity to convict peoples' hearts rather than the Holy Spirit.

Now, if I haven't quite stepped on your toes enough...

I also happen to believe that Glenn Beck IS a Christian. (Gasp!)

I grew up in the Southern Baptist church and in fact I'm the daughter of a minister. I saw all the anti-Mormon propaganda growing up and believed it for many years. Now, don't misunderstand me. I do not subscribe to their theology. I disagree vehemently with many tenets of their faith. But what I have finally come to understand is that it is not my place to judge the effectiveness of someone's faith nor their sincerity. Glenn has very plainly stated on many occasions that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior. That's good enough for me. I also examine the fruit produced in his life just like Jesus says in Matthew 7:18-20. I am greatly encouraged that God can take an alchoholic, self-professed "dirt bag" and turn him into a man of great courage, honor, integrity, love, kindess and generosity. I do agree with Dr. Moore that today's American church presents a warm, fuzzy, watered-down, inoffensive gospel. And isn't it just like God to "choose the foolish things of the world [a Mormon!!!] to shame the wise" ?! (1 Cor 1 :27) And I will also tell you that the Spirit that lives in me recognizes the Spirit that lives in Glenn. Feel free to judge me too. I answer to my Jesus and no one else.

Bottom line, the Restoring Honor event was a multi-faith event that honored our military heroes and encouraged people of all faiths to join together on the issues that we can agree on--faith, hope, charity and honor. It really doesn't matter if you or I believe Beck to be a "true" Christian--that's between him and the Lord.

Cops and Robbers

2010-08-24T21:08:00.000-05:00

So, today I was held hostage in my office by an armed bank robber.

Well, I wasn't held hostage by the actual armed bank robber so much as I was held hostage by the University emergency alert system that warned all faculty, staff and students to go into the nearest building, lock the doors and stay there because there was an armed bank robber loose on campus.

It was very exciting for the first hour. We all took turns inventing descriptions for the robber and by the end of the lockdown he looked something like Rambo with a machete in one hand and shoulder-fired rocket launcher in the other.

Then it was noon, which is when I get off. And I was still in lockdown.

I was no longer amused.

I decided I felt lucky, punk, and took matters into my own hands. Rachel (who also gets off at noon) and I plotted our great escape. We slipped out with a crowd of football coaches and made a mad dash across campus to our cars. (Note: It would be lovely if we had parking closer to our building, you know, in case we're running for our lives. Just sayin'.)

Anyhoo, all's well that ends well. Our very capable local police finally nabbed the guy down by the river which runs along the backside of campus.

Oh, and today was registration day which is, um, a REALLY BIG DEAL. So not only was the robber not a criminal mastermind, he also has really bad timing.

At least the lockdown didn't have anything to do with a sighting of the weird, naked guy that has been breaking into houses and watching people sleep. But that's a story for another day.

I wonder what kind of creepy Google hits this post will get?

So I headed home expecting to spend a relaxing afternoon recovering from this harrowing experience.

Then Wes called.

He had gone out of town to pick up these:

and had managed to...BREAK THE KEY to the Tahoe.

Who does that?!

(By the way, those are deer stands for those who are not in the know.)

So the girls and I had to drive an hour to take him another key.

At least he treated us to dinner at Larry's Pizza so it wasn't a total loss.

And thus ended another exciting day in Lisa's Little Slice of Life.

Smarter Than A Ninth Grader Part 2

2010-07-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

Some of you have expressed an interest in my homeschooling progress, and by "some of you" I mean "one of you." (Shout out to my new favorite lurker, Amanda, who did not leave her email address or else I would have sent a happy little note thanking her for her kind comment. Although I must say Amanda is quite right to be cautious about giving out her email address willy-nilly. There are a lot of kooks ~~around here~~ out there!)

So without further ado, I will tell you what I have accomplished thus far in my homeschooling venture. I will also tell you in list form because that makes me feel organized.

1. First, I researched the homeschool laws in my state. They're pretty flexible as far as required courses, number of credits, etc. There is some standardized testing that will have to be done but that's no biggie. Basically, all I have to do right now is turn in the proper forms (which were helpfully emailed to me by my bestie, Amber) by August 15th. Then we're official.

2. I went to the local school district website and downloaded their graduation policy for an advanced diploma. We'll follow pretty closely so that IF we want to return to public school we'll be on track but we won't be using any of their curriculum. I also downloaded their course catalog so I can make sure that our classes cover the same basic material as theirs does just in case.

3. I found a GREAT website with every kind of printable form you could ever want to use for homeschooling and all kinds of great resources. I even found a schedule for our science curriculum that someone else had prepared and posted.

4. I prepared a course of study using the info I gathered in #2 to be sure that we'd end up with the right courses and number of credits.

5. Then I wrote a four year plan which divided up the required courses into the proper sequence and year.

6. Now the fun part--shopping for curriculum! Here's a list of what we'll be studying this year (and I do mean we as I'm going to have to re-learn this stuff too!)

English 1 - Introduction to Literature by Smarr Publishers . I'll also add some grammar and spelling.
Geometry - Geometry: Seeing, Doing, Understanding by Harold R. Jacobs.
Biology - Exploring Creation Through Biology by Wile and Durnell (Apologia). This is one place I'm deviating from the public school plan which calls for Physcial Science. Since Hayley wants to go to med school eventually we're jumping right into Biology so that we can end up with Anatomy her senior year.
Civics - The 5000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen (National Center for Constitutional Studies) I am SO excited about this one! I'll also supplement with some of the original sources written by the founders and also some of the works that they studied. Next semester we'll do Economics. Another of my FAVES!
Spanish 1- Spanish 1 LifePac by Alpha Omega
Computer Applictions 1 - I'm going to wing it on this one. I'll use my noggin and resources found online. Basically it's just word processing, internet searching skills (what skill, just Google!), citing Internet sources, Powerpoint and simple spreadsheets (Be still, my heart!)
Health - Total Health: Choices For A Winning Lifestyle by Susan Boe. Next semester we'll do a PE credit. Boo!

So that's it in a nutshell. Now my task is to plan a schedule for the year and make lesson plans. We're right on track to begin mid-August. Yippee!

Smarter Than a Ninth Grader

2010-07-21T21:44:00.000-05:00

I have ordered all of Hayley's homeschooling curriculum for this fall.

I couldn't wait to crack open the new books. I LOVE me some new books. The smell of fresh ink, the crisp new paper, the crack of the spine when it's opened for the first time. Sigh.

I was in the midst of new-book-sensory-overload and I happened to look, really look at the actual content.

YIKES!

I know I took Geometry but, HELLO, IT DOES NOT LOOK AT ALL FAMILIAR.

Neither does the Biology. Or the Literature. And do not get me started on Spanish. I didn't even take Spanish. I took French in high school. WHHHHYYYY??? French is not at all useful. But I remember I felt very sophisticated. That and five dollars will buy me a Starbucks coffee.

So...panic is beginning to settle in. But so is excitement.

Why am I homeschooling? I'm so glad you asked!

Although there were many considerations that went into this decision, I think it really boiled down to this:

TIME.

I woke up one day and felt like I'd been punched in the gut with the realization that Hayley is 14 and I only have FOUR MORE YEARS to influence her life decisions. I thought of all the things I want to be sure she knows before she enters the shocking reality of the world. And I realized that public school has made me lazy. I've been passive, even content, to let strangers prepare my child for life. Please, if you are happy with public school, please don't take this as a condemnation of your choice. Just because it's right for us doesn't mean it's right for your family. I just realize that I need to be very intentional about preparing Hayley for life and I know myself too well. I won't make the effort unless I don't give myself a choice.

I also realized that seven hours a day at school plus all the extra-curricular stuff that goes with it doesn't leave much time for anything else...much less quality time sharing life lessons.

So this next year will be about TIME. Time for learning and laughing. Time for living. Because life is just too ding dang short.

Stay tuned this fall and find out if I'm smarter than my ninth grader.

Start Where You Are

2010-07-19T22:09:00.003-05:00

I'm going to just jump right back in to this here blog like I've never been gone.

My wise friend, Krista, once advised me when I was overwhelmed at how behind I was in scrapbooking that I just have to dive in and start where I am and keep it going forward. I can always go back and catch up the other stuff as time allows. I have spent hours to day trying to organize all the pictures on my laptop. I am not nearly done. And once I 'm done, I still have to blog about them. So in the words of my wise friend I will start now. I may get the heebie jeebies from working out of chronological order. If you find me curled up in the corner slowly rocking back and forth and muttering Dates! Dates! The dates are wrong! please ignore me.

This product is NOT the be all to end all adhesive. You may recall I tried to hang my window treatments with velcro. Over time, the treatments keep shedding section by section until the entire thing is in the floor. And they stayed that way for months. And then along came UGlu. It promised it would change my life. I believed you, UGlu.

Somewhere Billy Mays is rolling over in his grave.

He would have never pitched this UGlu product.

They looked lovely when I first put them up. I even UGlued my super-size wooden spoon and fork over the main window. It was FAB and of course, I failed to take a picture. The next morning...half of one window was dangling down. Stuck it bank up and gave it a stern talking to. Later in the day Wes saw it dangling and stuck it back up firmly. Then by that evening I found most of the window treatments just hanging by a thread. And the supe-size fork...had met a bitter end in 1,000 pieces on my kitchen floor.

So, don't believe everything you see on TV even if it is Billy Mays' friend Andrew Sullivan that wants you to buy it. Run away. Run fast.

BlogPress: Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

2010-07-17T13:14:00.000-05:00

Hi there.

Apparently I've been on an unplanned bloggy hiatus.

Although, I haven't been gone as long as it appears I have.

We're down to one laptop in our house right now and with four users that means a lot waiting my turn. Also, you may remember that my previous laptop died and although I have a new one the restoration of my backup files is taking a SWEET FOREVER. (That's a bone I have to pick with Hughesnet. But that's a story for another day.) So a couple of weeks ago I decided that if I was going to update my blog so you people would know I hadn't dropped off the face of the earth I was going to have to use the BlogPress app on my iPhone.

Y'all, I wrote the wittiest, most clever post EVAH about Wes and cantelopes. And super-secret spy codes(Are you intrigued?!) And BlogPress told me it published it.

IT LIED.

It did not publish said clever post. Nor did it even save said clever post as a draft.

It's as though I never wrote it.

I suppose my GREATEST POST EVAH is floating around cyberspace somewhere. How does that work?

Is it like when the dryer eats socks?

Is there a giant, ethereal cyber-world out there filled with orphaned blog posts and emails that never arrive?

It's a mystery that may never be solved.

WWPD?

2010-05-24T18:05:00.000-05:00

On the menu for tonight:

Whole Wheat Penne Rigata with Chicken
Zesty Lemon Steamed Asparagus

I was feeling quite gourmet-y and nearly sprained my arm patting myself on the back. What a great mom I am, I was thinking. Look at this healthy, nutritious, well-balanced and tasty meal I have prepared for my family.

Oh, I was pleased with myself alright.

Then...

I pulled out la piece de resistance of Penne Rigata with Chicken...Parmesan Cheese.

And it was moldy.

I was momentarily stumped as I pondered the age-old question: What Would Paula Do?

Paula would slather it in butter and call you "Shugah."

I am not Paula.

I picked out the blue fuzzy parts and called it bleu cheese.

R.I.P. Shiba

2010-05-16T21:52:00.001-05:00

After several years of web-surfing, social networking and photo editing together, it is with great sadness I must tell you that my trusty Toshiba Satellite laptop, Shiba, has passed on to that Great Computer Lab in the Sky on this sixteenth day of
May in the year 2010.

Her happily blinking LED light display and the cheerful whirring of her fan will be sorely missed.
May she rest in peace. Amen.

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

Finally Friday

2010-05-07T18:16:00.001-05:00

I am so happy that it's finally Friday! It's been a rough week but OH! it just got better!

Look what Jack the UPS guy brought for me:

It's like he read my mind!!!!

I ordered these from Zappos.com (Free Shipping! Free Returns!) and then they sent me an email saying that since I was such a GREAT customer they were upgrading me to faster shipping for FREE! And y'all, dadgummit if I didn't get these puppies in less than 48 hours!!!!

I heart zappos.com, new kicks, UPS and Friday!!

Fun With Geography

2010-05-05T22:11:00.000-05:00

My 14 year-old daughter was telling me the other day about a commercial that she's supposed to make for her Career Orientation class.

Hayley: Hey, Mom, our commercial is going to be really funny. I play a girl with a Cajun accent.

Me: Cajun? Really? I had no idea you even knew what a Cajun sounds like.

Hayley: (begins demonstrating her "accent" which sounded a lot less Paul Prudhomme and a bit more Snookie from Jersey Shores .)

Me: Oh, you mean New Jersey. That's not Cajun.

Hayley: But I thought Cajuns lived in that other New place...

Me: Orleans?

Hayley: Yeah, New Orleans. Whatever, it's close.

Me: No, not close at all . So you're doing the New Jersey accent instead?

Hayley: No, I'm doing the Cajun one.

Me: No, you're not. You're doing a New Jersey accent.

Hayley: But don't Cajuns live in New Jersey?

She soooo needs to be homeschooled.

More Fun With Words

2010-04-19T17:23:00.001-05:00

Conversation with my 14 year-old daughter--

Hayley: Mom! I just saw a headline that says Taylor Lautner likes BOYS!!!

Me: What?! I thought he dated Taylor Swift?

Hayley: I guess he's bilingual.

Me: Si, amigo.

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

What's Cookin'?

2010-04-14T18:18:00.000-05:00

Let us pause for a moment of silence as we bid farewell to my poor, battered Emeril Lagasse saute' pan who has served me faithfully lo, these many years.

My dearest saute' pan, you have performed your duty with honor but I fear you have become a health hazard what with your scorched and flaking Teflon coating. It is with great regret I must ask you to retire.

Sniff. Sniff.

Ok, without further adieu, please welcome the newest member of my kitchen staff:

A shiny, red Paula Deen 5-qt. covered saute' pan!

So, Lisa, what delicious, gourmet treat do you plan to cook first in said new pan?

Coq au Vin? Boeuf Bourguignon?

No, I'll probably brown some ground beef--and not the lean stuff! Woo hoo! I really like to live on the edge.

I'd also like for you to meet the newest member of my housecleaning staff:

Ta Da! My Bissell Little Green Machine.

I love this little guy. I've already shampooed my sofa. I'll probably shampoo everything in this house that's not moving.

Actually, I may shampoo the dog if I can get her to stay still long enough.

Oh, I kid!

Not really.

Don't worry, my bloggy friends, I haven't morphed into a Domestic Diva. I promise I will still regale you with tales of my culinary failures and housekeeping disasters.

Weekend Update

2010-04-11T13:36:00.000-05:00

On Saturday we went to Hayley's soccer game where we tied which is good for us.

Hayley injured her ankle in the first half but rallied in the second half to play goalie.

Then we had to run errands on the way home. A quick stop at Hobby Lobby to get more fringe for my window treatments. I've been working on them for weeks and spent the entire weekend last week finishing them...almost. I ran out of trim with only about 18" to go to finish. Grrr. And we don't have a Hobby Lobby in my town. Double grrr. But now they're done.

Much like sausage-making, my sewing process is not something that should be seen so you only get the final product.

You'll notice that the middle section does not swag. Pretend I did that on purpose, m'kay? Much like carpentry, in sewing you really should measure twice and cut once.

We had a delightful late lunch on Saturday with Wes' brother and his family at The Purple Cow.

Mmmm...Purple Vanilla Pie with Reese's.

We also ran by Lowe's to pick up some more stain for our deck. Wes is on a mission to finish it and of course we don't have a Lowe's in our town either. He was very disappointed to get home with it and discover that he bought semi-transparent stain instead of toner. He then demanded to know what the difference was because in his mind stain is stain. In my mind there's a world of difference. I patiently explained that stain stains the wood but toner tones it. See? Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

He will be exchanging it tomorrow.

And that's our weekend in a nutshell.

Smarty Pants

2010-04-06T21:59:00.000-05:00

More intelligent conversations around our house...

(Hayley, Caitlin and I are all in the kitchen and Hayley is reaching for a glass of water.)

Hayley: My teacher said that drinking water makes you smarter.

Me: He's full of crap.

(Yes, we use the word crap. We also watch Spongebob and occasionally dance to Lady Gaga. Deal with it.)

Hayley: Well, he said it makes your brain think faster or something.

Caitlin: Faster isn't smarter-- you could be thinking dumb things.

(Later Caitlin and I are watching American Idol and a guy appears on stage blowing on a strange, ginormous pipe-like instrument that is painted in bright colors with aboriginal markings on it.)

Caitlin: Hey! That's a didgeridoo!

Me: (thinking to myself) She's full of crap.

Randy Jackson: (to the singer) Hey, dawg! That didgeridoo was hot!

(I look at Caitlin and she rolls her eyes as if to say, "What? You doubted me?!")

I Hope The Easter Bunny Forgives Me

2010-04-03T20:23:00.000-05:00

Hey, you know what happens when you put eggs on to boil and then forget about them?

Yeah, I don't think we'll be coloring these eggs. They don't smell very nice either.

Caitlin was devastated until I reassured her that the Easter Bunny would still come even if we didn't have dyed eggs. And I thought she was so concerned about keeping family traditions. I should have known.

Then she asked if we could still eat them. Um...sure. You go first.

Let's Go Fly A Kite Up To The Highest Height!

2010-03-29T18:59:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was bee-YOO-tee-full as Bert would say so we Wes decided we needed to fly kites.

It was JUST. LIKE. THE. MOVIE.

Except for the kites flying.

And the singing and dancing.

And the girls wearing pinafores and sassy hats.

And the sophisticated English accents.

Otherwise it was EXACTLY the same.

Shockingly, kites purchased from the Dollar Store do not come with instructions and are not self-explanatory like you'd think.

I think we missed that day in science class when aerodynamics was taught. We tried tying the string to the fat end of the kite and then to the skinny end of the kite. Both resulted in said kite dive-bombing its owner before crashing and burning. We tried tying the string in the middle of the kite which, interestingly, resulted in said kite hovering about three feet off the ground and spinning wildly in circles and hilarity ensued. It was great fun but couldn't really be described as kite-flying.

So we gave up. But not before I fondly reminded Hayley of the phase she went through when she was about three and she insisted that we sing "Go Fly A Kite" EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. before bedtime. Good times.

Caitlin carefully documented our weekend and published a Family Newsletter:

Apparently her key take-away from the kite incident was that you get what you pay for which I must admit is a valuable life lesson. Take that, Mary Poppins!

Still The People

2010-03-24T11:03:00.000-05:00

I have to tell you that I have been in quite a funk about the Health Care Bill passing and being signed into law this week. I truly believe that it will be financially devastating and will have a negative impact on our individual freedoms in the years ahead. I'm sure I'll get some vitriolic feedback for that statement. You wouldn't believe the absolute venom that is spewed by some Lefties when someone like little ol' me dares to have an opinion that differs from their own. That being said, I'm thankful that people like that are in the minority and that most Americans are good and decent folks who believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

In fact, that is the reason that I have renewed hope today. I have been reminded that what made this country great are her people. We are the people who left behind everything we had ever known to cross the ocean in search of liberty. We are the people who conquered the wilderness and made it a home. We are the people who despised tyranny and defeated the greatest empire in the world at the time. We are the people who tamed the wild west. We are the people who found it self-evident that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator, not government, with certain inalienable rights. We are the people who throughout our history have been willing to sacrifice everything for liberty's sake.

It's going to be okay, America. We are still the people.

Mourning in America

2010-03-21T21:44:00.000-05:00

Tonight I weep for my country.

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

Tales From Branson

2010-03-20T22:26:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are in Branson for Spring Break--for the third year in a row. However, we are staying at the Hilton downtown by the river and it's very nice. In fact, this is the third year that my salesman hubby managed to sweet talk the girl at the front desk into giving us a free upgrade to one of their beautiful condos (and more importantly, free Wi-Fi). Should I be concerned that my husband is so charming that the girl actually remembers him from last year?

Last night we shopped a bit and dined on the deck of Joe's Crab Shack overlooking the river. It was 72 degrees and we were all in shorts & flip-flops. Today it is 34 degrees and raining. My body temp is confused.

We began the day today at Krispy Kreme. It's the Breakfast of Champions.

Then we saw Alice in Wonderland in 3D and I cannot tell you how much we loved it! It is incredible and amazing. Loved every minute of it even though I'm NOT a Tim Burton fan. I am a huge Johnny Depp fan though and he did not disappoint.

Then we did some serious "spaving" (that's "spending money to save money" for those not in the know). Best buy of the day: Lucky Brand jeans reg. $99 but I paid $4.50! SCORE!!

After exhausting our shopping abililities we headed to Macaroni Grill and it was delish. And Wes had a coupon for a free appetizer so SCORE again!

Then we visited the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Maze of Mirrors. While it was quite interesting it was not $75 worth of interesting.

Of course we had to end the day that started with Krispy Kreme's with a trip for frozen custard. Mmmmmm....good.

Now I feel like bloated road kill but it was so worth it.

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

A Turning Point In History

2010-03-18T20:29:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to decide what to say about Obama's health care plan that the House is probably going to pass (or at least "deem" passed) this weekend. I don't even know where to begin.

Ok, here's a start: THIS IS A HUGE, COLOSSAL, STUPENDOUS MISTAKE, AMERICA!!!!

Why?

Because this bill IS NOT ABOUT HEALTH CARE. It is about putting into place the framework for fundamentally transforming this nation into a Socialist/Marxist utopia. It is about power and control in the hands of a few elite in Washington. It is about the government takeover of one-sixth of the American economy. It's staggering.

The funny thing about total government control is that history proves it doesn't end well. Ever. Never in the history of the world has government been able to deliver on its promises and more often than not it ends up delivering oppression and even bloodshed.

That's why Progressives have tried so hard to rewrite history. I'm not sure if they actually intend to do harm to our country or if they are just arrogant enough to think that they can do total government right this time. Probably a little of both.

In the meantime while we've all been arguing about whether or not health care is a right we have forgotten to ask if this bill actually works. Oh it works alright. Just not in the way we've been promised.

Did you know that the so-called Health Care Bill also includes legislation that eliminates private funding for higher education loans? The government will now be the only source of education loans. Why is that alarming? Because whoever controls the purse strings controls who gets a loan, where they can go to school, and what they can study.

And don't you find it interesting that the same people who have argued for years about a woman's right to choose what to do with her own body now want to legislate what kind of fats and how much salt you can eat?

But America, this is not just Obama's and the Democrats' fault or Bush's and the Republicans' fault. This is OUR fault because we wanted to believe the lies they told us. We wanted to believe that we could have it all and not suffer any consequences. We wanted to believe that America is too big to fail. In our arrogance, we wanted to believe that the natural laws of economics didn't apply to us.

This is a turning point in our Nation's history. Our grandchildren will read about this day in their history books. Make no mistake--you must choose sides. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. This health care bill is a significant battle in the greater war against the usurping of liberty. One day our grandchildren will want to know, "Where were you when America destroyed itself?" I hope to tell mine that I was standing firmly rooted in the principles of liberty and speaking boldly without fear for freedom's sake. What will you tell yours?

.

Train Wrecks and Decision

2010-03-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

First, did you see American Idol tonight?

I am so embarrassed for Ke$ha. Hello, Sitting Bull called and wants his headdress back. She should definitely stick to the studio. Live performances are NOT her friend. It was an absolute train wreck. And yet I couldn't NOT watch it.

I am happy to tell you that I think one of my hamsters has finally been put to rest.

PETA, if you are reading this I don't literally mean "hamster". No animals were harmed in the blogging of this post.

I think we've made our decision regarding homeschooling. It's a GO! It's amazing what a huge burden has been lifted just knowing that we have a plan. And events this past weekend about which I am being purposely vague served as confirmation that we've made a good decision. I am now excitedly researching ninth grade curriculum and thinking about lesson plans. I. AM. SO. GIDDY.

Anybody out there have any suggestions on high school curriculum? I don't want to spend a lot so I've already ixnayed pretty much any of the DVD curricula. A Beka Grammar & Composition comes highly recommended by my bestie. And I have to tell you that grammar and literature are my FAVORITE subjects so I am psyched about finding Literature curriculum that I love. And, yes, I love grammar. I love diagramming sentences. I am a loser. I was an English major for a while and almost had enough hours for a degree in English before I switched to Accounting. I knew I didn't want to teach so I really didn't know what I would do with an English degree. Now accounting--that one is obvious. You do accounting. End of story. Have I mentioned that I am also practical? My accounting degree has served me well, lo these many years, and now my almost-English degree will too!

Oh, and I really need to talk to you about this health care debacle that is taking place this week. More on that later...unless I'm busy building a bunker and stocking it with canned goods.

Hamsters On Wheels

2010-03-08T13:56:00.000-06:00

Remember me? It's been a while.

I'm happy to report that my computer is feeling much better now. Unfortunately, since it no longer takes 10 minutes to open the web browser or load pages my kids have hijacked it. If I want to use my own laptop I have to make an appointment. I know I'm the parent but I try to choose my battles wisely and this is just not one I'm willing to fight right now. I have bigger fish to fry.

***Warning: You are about to experience another one of my brain dumps. ***

I read somewhere that studies show that daily naps greatly strengthen the ability to pay close attention to details and to make critical decisions. Now that's research I can really get behind. Noted nap enthusiasts include Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison. So, obviously I'm in good company and I may be a great world leader or inventor someday.

I also read somewhere that writing down your thoughts helps your brain process them. That's unfortunate for you, my readers.

So here goes...

I am still pondering whether or not to home school my 8th grader next year. There are a few reasons I'm even considering homeschooling. First, our local public high school has a less than desirable learning environment. And when I say "less than desirable" I mean it's a nightmare. (No offense to my teacher-readers.) I won't go into details but suffice it to say that it's out of control. A friend of mine described it really well yesterday when she said that it has an "adversarial atmosphere."

Second, my daughter is afraid of the high school. And not without reason-- One of her best friends was physically assaulted last week.

Third, my dad instilled in me a love of learning that continues to this day and I don't see that same desire in my children. I WANT that desire in my children. Public school is failing to accomplish that in my children. I want to attempt to pass that love of learning on to them while I still have the chance.

Fourth, I think I could do a better job of preparing my children for college. We could work at their own pace instead of having to teach down to the lowest common denominator.

Fifth, I am concerned about what my kids are learning in public school. Man-made global warming is taught as fact rather than a theory and skeptics, like my kids, are openly ridiculed--even by teachers. (I'm not going to debate man-made global warming with you today so don't waste your comments. I'm saving that for another post.) History is being rewritten to cast a favorable light on the progressive movement and to remove the Founding Fathers. Kids are being taught in subtle ways that America is bad and that becoming a "global citizen" is the way of the future. In short, today's children are being indoctrinated. (Again, I'm not going to debate this with you today. That's for another post.) I am burdened by what I want my children to know before it's too late.

So, it sounds like I've already made up my mind, right? Here's the catch: My daughter LOVES basketball and soccer and if I homeschool her she won't be allowed to participate. Some states have what is commonly referred to as a Tim Tebow law which says that homeschool students must be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, Arkansas is not one of them. There was a so-called Tim Tebow Bill brought up before the legislature last year but it was tabled and sent for an interim study. It won't be up for a vote again until the spring of 2011.

We live in a small community so there aren't enough homeschool students to form their own team. Some cities around us do have that option available but it would mean driving at least 45 minutes ONE-WAY for practices. And she LOVES her team here. It's a really great group of girls.

So....I don't know.

Some more thoughts running around in my head like hamsters on wheels have to do with my house. We built a house four years ago that we love. Mostly we love the location. We had a realtor call us recently and ask if we would consider selling it because she was looking for something suitable for some clients. As our friend Chris the banker says, "Everything is for sale for the right price." So we let them come look at it thinking that nothing would come of it. And then they wanted to come look at it again. Uh-oh. So we looked in to buying more land in this same area and building another house. Which was kind of exciting...for a few minutes. And then the thought of moving set in...ugh. We'd have to rent something in the meantime and we've got three dogs and two cats. This is a problem. However, we kept thinking how nice it would be to downsize a little, especially in view of the current economy. And then we thought maybe we would just refinance since rates are so much lower now. But that's a hassle too. And then we'd be committed to staying put for a few years in order to recoup the loan closing costs. But then what if we need to relocate because of jobs or what if we have an offer on the house that just blows us away? So that's all up in the air.

And speaking of the economy, Europe is melting down and I'm afraid we're not far behind. I am wrestling with the best way to prepare. I'm not building a bunker in the back yard yet but I am concentrating on paying down debt, getting out of the stock market, stocking up on canned goods and learning to speak Mandarin.

Oh, I kid.

About learning to speak Mandarin.

That one's way down on my priority list.

You know what? I DO feel better now. Those hamsters can take a break from their exercise in futility for a little while.

I Despise Windows

2010-02-22T13:20:00.000-06:00

Have you noticed that I've been somewhat absent in the blogosphere lately?

I have a laptop running Windows Vista that I used to really like. Notice the past tense usage.

I think I have worms...the electronic kind. As a result, it took 54 MINUTES to start my computer (including restarting twice by removing the battery), open Internet Explorer and log in to the website I wanted to use. I feel like a caveman.

Anyone have any suggestions? Other than buying a Macbook? I've tried three different registry cleaners and three different anti-virus programs.

Blogging from my iPhone is not really practical for anything other than short, plain blogs. Also, if you've noticed that I haven't been leaving comments on your blogs, please know that I miss you but using Google Reader on my phone makes me crazy and leaving comments is even harder.

I think this is electronic payback for my dissing the new Apple iPad. I would dearly LOVE to have one right now.

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

Love, Love Will Keep Us Together

2010-02-14T16:50:00.000-06:00

Now you will have that song stuck in your head.

You're welcome.

We celebrated Valentine's Day by taking the dogs for a run in the woods.

No, not that kind of run because, Hello? Have you met me?

We were riding the four-wheeler and said dogs were running whereupon they spied an armadillo. Maddie the German Shepherd managed to catch the armadillo, who I've named Reuban, by the tail and hilarity ensued. Dazey the Golden Retriever aka Big Chicken was briefly interested until Reuban jumped on her nose whereupon she decided to studiously examine a suspicious mud puddle until Maddie had Reuban safely under control.

Armadillos are amazingly sturdy, feisty creatures and Rueban was no exception. We called a truce, signed the Canine-Armadillo Treaty of 2010 and went on our merry way.

Upon returning home we immediately settled in for some more redneck fun...NASCAR.

No, I am not a fan. Again, Hello? Have you met me? I do not understand the fascination with watching cars go in a circle.

My sweet husband completed my Valentine's Day by gifting me with roses...

and a blueberry bush.

I do hope that the barren condition of my gifts is not symbolic of the state of our marriage.

Actually, he knows my practical nature and gifted me with florals that won't die...at least until I forget to water them this summer.

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day too!

Who's On First

2010-02-11T19:57:00.000-06:00

Mom steps over piles of dirty clothes, blankets, quilts etc. to retrieve clean set of sheets from dryer. Walks into living room where teenage daughter and tween daughter are lounging around watching TV.

Mom: Whose sheets are these?

Girls: (simultaneously) Mine.

Mom: (helpfully) They are off-white.

Girls: (still simultaneously) Mine.

Mom: (patiently to tween) I asked you to take your sheets off your bed and put them in the laundry room. (turning to teen) Did you take yours in there too?

Teen: Yes.

Mom: (surprised because Teen rarely takes the initiative like that) But there was only one set of sheets in the laundry room to be washed.

Tween: (confidently) I put mine in there like you said.

Mom: (to Teen) Are you SURE you put yours in there too?

Teen: (positively) Yes.

Mom and tween go back to the laundry room and wade through the piles of clothes and sundries.

Mom: Where did you put your sheets?

Tween: (pointing to the one empty spot on the floor) There.

Mom decides these MUST be Tween's sheets because a) that's the exact spot the sheets were in when Mom found them and b) Teen rarely does anything without being asked. She heads back into the living room still holding the fresh-from-the-dryer sheet set.

Mom: (to Teen) These are Tween's sheets. Where are yours?

Teen: I put them in the laundry room.

Mom: They aren't there.

Teen: Well, I only had the thin sheet.

Mom: All sheets are thin. Be more specific.

Teen: I never had the other sheet.

Mom: (slightly less patient) Which sheet?

Teen: The one that goes on the bed.

Mom: (deep breath) ALL sheets go on beds. Be more specific.

Teen: You know, the one with the stretchy stuff on it.

Mom: You mean the fitted sheet. So where is it?

Teen: I never had one.

Mom: You never had a fitted sheet?

Teen: No.

Mom: So what have you been sleeping on?

Teen: The thin sheet.

Mom: The flat sheet? (thinking of the laundry room where there are NO sheets) Where is it?

Teen: I don't know, I never had it.

Mom: So you just had a fitted sheet?

Teen: No.

Mom: No, what? No fitted sheet?!

Teen: Right. Just the thin one with the stretchy stuff.

Mom: THAT IS THE FITTED SHEET! And it's NOT in the laundry room!

Teen: Oh. I don't know where it is.

Tween has been observing this whole conversation quietly. Mom turns to go into Tween's room and put the sheets on her bed and Tween follows her.

Mom: (sees fitted sheet ON Tween's bed) Your sheet is still on your bed!!!! Why did you say you took it to the laundry room?

Tween: (shrugging) I thought you just meant the thin sheet.

Mom gives up and tosses sheets on Teen's bed and goes to drown her sorrows in a box of Whitman's Chocolates.

My Modem Hates Me

2010-02-10T18:52:00.000-06:00

If Hughesnet ever offers you a fancy, shmancy, faster "upgraded" replacement modem, RUN.

It is much slower and less reliable than the old modem, no matter what Bob in India says.

I think my Zumba instructor, Kristi, hates me too. She made us use weights tonight and as a result I cannot lift my arms and may need someone to cut me out of my shirt.

Indian Bob and Kristi may be in cahoots to drive me right over the edge of reason.

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

Experiencing More Technical Difficulties...Please Stand By

2010-02-04T19:23:00.000-06:00

We may try installing our upgraded Hughesnet modem tonight.

If you don't hear from me you'll know it was an epic fail.

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

Don't Talk To Strangers And Other Good Advice Your Mom Gave You

2010-02-03T20:30:00.000-06:00

Wes is such a good-hearted person. He always wants to believe the best in people and occasionally it gets him into trouble. Like the other day...

Wes: Hey, did I tell you the other day I saw a guy walking on the interstate with a gas can?

Me: (already wary) Oh?

Wes: Yes, he was such a decent-looking guy, well-dressed, kinda reminded me of my dad.

Me: (knowing where this going) Hmmm.

Wes: So I --

Me: (interrupting) Tell me you didn't stop and talk to him.

Wes: Well...I pulled over to ask him...and uh...uh, you know... his car was probably just a little ways down the road, and uh...

Me: You gave him a ride, didn't you?

Wes: (sheepishly) ....Yeah.

So at this point I'm thinking that, while it was really an unwise thing to do, I understand that Wes tends to run out of gas quite often and would therefore have sympathy for a fellow-traveler.

Wes: (tone becomes indignant) And would you believe that when I asked how far it was to his car he said, "Oh, I don't have a car. I got a DUI and can't drive. I just carry this gas can so people will stop and pick me up."

Me: (Silent but with that I-told-you-that-you-can't-just-go-around-giving-random-strangers-the-benefit-of-the-doubt look on my face)

Wes: (feeling the need to fill in the silence) He was going to Hot Springs...to the races.

Me: (more silence and stern looks)

Wes: Um, he said you wouldn't believe how many people fall for the gas can thing. He said he could get to Hot Springs and back in a day.

Me: (refusing to be impressed by the potential serial killer's travel ingenuity) Have you not seen enough episodes of Criminal Minds and CSI?!?!?!

Wes: (defensively) Well, he looked really nice!

Me: Ted Bundy was nice-looking too.

Wes: Um, so anyway, I told him he really pulled one over on me and then I drove about 85 mph to the next exit and dropped him off.

(About 5 minutes passes in silence with Wes happily thinking the subject has been dropped.)

Me: I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DID THAT!!!

Wes: Well, I really kept my eye on him.

Me: Oh, good. So you would have seen him pull a gun and shoot you between the eyes.

Wes: (knowing when it's best to just give up) Yep.

We Are Currently Experiencing Technical Difficulties

2010-02-01T16:11:00.001-06:00

So the Hubs has been squirreling away money for a while in his TV fund and since tomorrow is his birthday I kicked in enough to help him reach his goal.

He is now the proud owner of a 47-inch LCD flat panel HDTV.

And I'm in hiding in the bedroom. I don't do well with change...the hopeful kind or not.

We had this antique old TV from, like, the 90s. It was the bomb back in the day. Problem is...these new-fangled flat-panel TVs are wider than the old kind. Which means the new one doesn't fit in my lovely entertainment center. Boo.

So now the armoire part of my entertainment center has been moved to the other side of the room and the two bookcases are now flanking my coffee table upon which the Hubs' new toy is perched. And all my knick-knacks that were sitting on said bookcases are now scattered on my fireplace hearth and mantel. And I can see every. speck. of. dust. on them. And the dust bunnies are attacking. Please tell me y'all have monster dust bunnies under your furniture too!

So, I was supposed to read the instructions for Hubs because you know men don't read instructions. I took them out of the box and they unfolded into a sheet as big as my dining room table. And they were covered in color-coded diagrams and technical jargon. At this point I informed Hubs that he did not want my help. For the sake of my sanity. And our marriage.

I hear him on the phone now with Customer Service. That can't be good.

And now he's muttering something about needing a technician. Shhhh. I'm going dark.

Analyze This

2010-01-26T21:41:00.000-06:00

So last night I dreamed that I was shopping with my mom in some kind of outdoor market-type place and we were admiring a display of greeting cards and noticed that Alice from the Brady Bunch was also looking at the same display. I was soooo excited and was gushing that it was so lovely to meet her and I looked over at my mom and realized that, hello, my mom IS Florence Henderson aka Carol Brady! I was very upset with her for not having introduced me to Alice before since obviously she knows her personally.

Wes dreamed that he went to a party with Glenn Beck where Glenn was the featured speaker. Glenn had on a suit and Converse tennis shoes with no laces and he introduced Wes to Jennifer Garner.

I don't know what to tell you about us.

Someday I'm going to surprise you and NOT blog about what I dreamed the night before. Won't that be nice? If you're still here, that is.

Oh! I know. I can tell you how LIVID I am that someone dumped an old sofa right in the middle of the road by my house right in front of the sign that says "No Dumping." What is wrong with some people?!

That's almost as bad as the time someone dumped the ginormous dead pig in the road. And when I say "ginormous" I mean HUGACIOUS. Like the size of a cow. And my neighbor Randy had to tie it to his four-wheeler and drag its putrid, stinking corpse into the woods. That was nice.

People are forever dumping dead deer carcasses there too which isn't too bad since the buzzards make pretty quick work of it but my dogs are forever bringing me body parts that they expect me to play with. And my German Shepherd got food poisoning from a dead deer once and almost died.

My blogs about my dreams are sounding better and better, aren't they?

And then there was the time that I saw a drug dealer hiding in the bushes there in this very same spot. I'm sorry, alleged drug dealer. Oh, and the time that the drug buyer's car broke down, also in this same spot, and I stopped to see if she needed help and let her use my cell phone so I would have the number she called in my cell phone memory and I gave it to the police. And they said, Oh yeah, that's Mary. We know her really well around here. Great.

But really, we LOVE where we live except for this one trouble spot. But it does provide some excitement in our otherwise dull lives where the only thing I can think of to tell you about is what I dreamed.

I Had The Weirdest Dream Last Night

2010-01-22T14:23:00.000-06:00

So, I haven't been sleeping well this week. I let myself run out of Flexaril because I thought it didn't really affect me but as it turns out it must because I have been waking up at 3:00 am EVERY NIGHT THIS WEEK. I am picking up a refill PRONTO.

Of course, it hasn't helped matters that Wes' new wireless printer is POSSESSED. It is stationed in our bedroom behind the TV and occasionally decides to turn itself on and print something that no ones cares about. And it only does this at 3:00 am. Once it printed Wes' pay stub. Last night it printed a receipt for a donation I made to Samaritan's Purse LAST WEEK. And my laptop came on and beeped and its lights got all bright and flashy and I think they are conspiring together to drive me insane. Why do my electronic devices hate me?

So I finally fell back asleep around 5:00-ish and then I had the most bizarre dream. I dreamed that I was at a party with June Gardens of Bye Bye Pie which is weird since I don't actually know her.

Sidenote: If you don't read June you are really missing out because she is the funniest person I don't really know.

Another important note: June is known for having really BIG HAIR. She regales her readers regularly with tales of her hair woes and usually treats us to a picture of her unruly hair too. And as far as I can tell from her blog she and her husband, Marvin, are about the same age.

So we're at this party and June shows up with very short, very straight, very manly hair. And Carpoolqueen was there too, which is also weird but not AS weird because at least I really do know her in real life. So, Carpoolqueen sidles up next to me and looks at June's new man-do and whispers, "Disappointing, isn't it? And didn't I tell you that she is WAY older than Marvin?!" And then I realized that June looked like Ernest Borgnine!

I have no idea what this means.

Oh, and I also dreamed that we had another dog that we forgot about and I found it in the backyard, starving and dehydrated. I was kneeling over it's poor, emaciated body and weeping in despair and completely wracked with guilt.

If you'll excuse me, I need to go do a head count and make sure all the critters are accounted for and then I'm going to pick up my prescription.

Guess Whose Status as Family Pet Is In Jeopardy?

2010-01-21T17:33:00.000-06:00

This used to be a cell phone charger.

When confronted with the evidence, Tess simply replied...

Someone Just Lost Her Pet of the Year Award

2010-01-20T21:49:00.000-06:00

This is Tess.

Tess is a very bad dog.

Don't let her sweet, innocent face fool you. She's diabolical, I tell you. But say, isn't that a lovely collar she's sporting?

You can purchase one of your very own if you are so inclined by visiting the Smithzonian Art Studio downtown.

So, a little while ago I stepped out into the hallway and saw this awful mutt with her ENTIRE head inside a bag of trash that was sitting by the back door. She had managed to chew a hole in it and distribute its contents all over the hallway too. I think she's been working on it for some time. I noticed last night that her ears were crunchy but was unable to locate the source of the crunch-inducing substance. And I know what you're thinking...My word! How long has her trash been sitting there? Don't judge.

Of course, I blame Wes. He wasn't here for trash day and Momma doesn't do trash day.

That's man's work.

Anyhoo, I struck my "YOU ARE SO BUSTED" Mom-pose (hands on the hips, eyes glaring, you know the one) and said very sternly to the scandalous canine, "Excuse me! I KNOW I don't see you in my trash!"

(Yes, I really talk to my dog like that. Sometimes we have rather lengthy, albeit rather one-sided, conversations. She's a great listener.)

Her head jerked up out of the trash bag and she had a deer-in-the-headlights look on her face. She knew EXACTLY who I was talking to and what I was referring to. She may be bad but she's not stupid.

She is currently cowering under my bed where she reeks of eau de garbage. I can smell her from here. I am waiting for an apology.

And thank goodness those lovely collars are machine-washable.

I'm A Geek

2010-01-19T18:04:00.000-06:00

I am GIDDY I tell you about today's special election in Mass. for Teddy Kennedy's old Senate seat, or should I say The People's Seat, ahem. Wes was planning to be out of town tonight but made a special trip home so we could pop some popcorn and watch the election results roll in. 'Cuz we're cool like that.

Today's election stars Republican former nude model Scott Brown and Democrat Martha "Curt Schilling's a Yankee fan and there are no more terrorists in Afghanistan" Coakley. Who says politics is dull?!

But first, we are going to Caitlin's volleyball game.

Don't let the fact that she's the smallest one on her team fool ya, she's scrappy!

That's her wearing the Sullivan number 19 just like her Daddy wore when he played baseball and her Uncle Brad did too. Aunt Sarah wore the number 19 in softball and her big sis, Hayley, wears it for soccer. It's a good number!

Ok, gotta run. The polls are closing!

- Posted using BlogPress from Dixie, my iPhone

A Post in Which I Borrow Material From a Friend's Blog

2010-01-18T22:01:00.000-06:00

I got this from Mer's blog and thought it seemed like fun. She called it a Random Dozen. I like that. It makes me think of cupcakes in all different flavors with various sprinkles.

1. When was the last time you craved a food--what was it, and did you crave?

I guess it was the night I dreamed that I had a big box Cheese Nips. And then i woke up and obsessed all day about whether or not to go get some Cheese Nips. Of course, I did. Well, I sent Wes to pick them up....along with Little Debbie Zebra Cakes.

2. M & M's or Skittles?

M & M's hands down, no contest here/

3. Have you ever read the Bible completely through?
Yep, when I was in about the 5th grade. Our pastor's sermons were so incredibly dull and over my head I used that time to get in a few chapters.

4. How long does it take you to really wake up in the morning?
Two snoozes of the alarm, a cup of coffee while watching Fox & Friends while eating my oatmeal. Then about 15-20 stretching.

5. Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, would you like to?
I have not been on a cruise. I'm not crazy about the idea. I don't like water and I hear the rooms are very small.

6. Who is your favorite actress?

Amy Adams, I guess. And all the girls in "Glee"

7. ______ is something that I will just never understand.

Islamofascism and progressivism

8. How much of a technology junkie are you?

I am so in love with Dixie, my iPhone. She is my constant companion. And I love my laptop. Does that make me a junkie?

9. Do you enjoy selecting greeting cards for people, or is it more of a cultural "have to" for you?

I don't give greetings card for people because I think they're stupid.

10. When was the last time you got a new style/haircut?

I am giddy because I'm getting a new cut and color in the morning at 9:30!!!!

11. What do you enjoy shopping for most?

I love to shop for crafty stuff and home decor stuff.

12. What's the last thing you think of before you leave the house?

Where am I going? Am I supposed to take someone with me? If so, where are they? Do I have my Starbucks Travel mug filled and ready to go? Is Tess barricaded in the laundry room with a roasted pig ear to keep her busy? Where's my purse? Are my keys in it? Where's DIXIE?!?!? Oh, she's in my purse. Let's go.

The Post I've Put Off Long Enough

2010-01-15T14:53:00.000-06:00

I've written this post a million times in my head but I can never seem to get the right words to come out when I start typing. Here it is, the middle of January already, and the rest of the world seems to be truckin' right along and here I am, still stuck reflecting on 2009. I had this grand idea that I would write a clever New Year's post. It would be witty and enlightening. It would inspire you, my faithful readers, and move you to tears.

Not so much.

So I've decided to just keep it real and tell you what's been on my heart.

2009 was not kind to me. I am very glad to see it slink off into the past where it belongs. It was a year in which everything I thought I knew was shattered into a thousand little, jagged pieces. I'll be picking up those pieces one by one for a very long time.

2009 was the year in which I lost my faith in God but found it again or at least something that faintly resembles it. This was the year that I questioned everything I had ever been taught about God and everything I thought I believed to be true about God. 2009 was the year I decided that prayer didn't matter and yet I couldn't stop praying. It was the year that I believed that it might all be some horrible joke and there really is no God and yet I couldn't quite quit believing.

2009 was the year that everything I thought I knew about parenting turned out to be woefully inadequate.

2009 was the year that I no longer recognized the country that I live in. The America I thought I knew didn't exist anymore.

2009 was the year that people I trusted, that I called Friends, betrayed my trust in a painful and shocking way. It was a year in which I would question every relationship I had and everyone I thought I knew. It was the year that I learned the hard way to be guarded with people for fear that while they were smiling at me they were plunging a knife into my back.

2009 was the year every belief I ever held about anything of substance was challenged.

2009 was the first year I have ever been fearful of the coming of the New Year and what it might hold.

And yet...

It was a year that I learned more about myself than I really wanted to know. It was a time of painful pruning by the Gardener. Indeed, my branches still hurt. But I think I'm starting to see some little green shoots of new growth. There may not be any buds yet but they're in there. They'll bloom in time.

And I'll be grateful for the lessons of 2009.

But not today. Today I'm just glad it's in the rear-view mirror.

Answering Life's Questions One Blog Post At A Time

2010-01-13T15:48:00.001-06:00

My bestie Amber over at Raising Rascals posed a question at the end of her post today that may well be one of the most important questions of our time. After much pondering of the enormity of the question before me and much thoughtful consideration and careful study, I believe I can answer said question.

The question posed by the infamous Rascal Raiser was this:

If you were forced to transform into a toy for the rest of your life, which toy would you be? Why?

My immediate thought was "Why, Malibu Barbie, of course!"

Who wouldn't want to be unrealistically, perfectly beautiful and live in a Dream House and drive a cool pink convertible? But then I thought, "Do I really want to try to maintain perfection the rest of my life?"

Nah. And let's face it, Ken is just way to metrosexual for my taste. Now G.I. Joe, there's a manly man!

So then I thought, "Mrs. Potato Head. That's it!" She doesn't have to worry about her figure because, hello, SHE'S A POTATO!" And when Mr. Potato Head gets on her nerves she can don her angry eyes and rip his lips off.

Ok, so maybe that's a little too violent.

And then it hit me...

I'd be a Slinky!

What could be better than that?! No one really expects too much out of a Slinky. It does one thing and does it really well so there's no pressure. AND someone always carries it UPSTAIRS and it only has to go DOWN by itself and even then it just has to let gravity do its thing.

It's the ultimate in laziness.

I love it.

And now you have that obnoxious song stuck in your head.

You're welcome.

Christmas Eve Thoughts

2009-12-24T15:25:00.000-06:00

This Christmas Eve I am not quite sure what to feel. I adore the Christmas season. I love the hustle and bustle, the music, the special time with family and friends and the traditions.

But this year our traditions are different. They will never be the same. You see, this is Hannah's first Christmas in Heaven. Our first Christmas with a huge, jagged hole in our hearts. This is the first year that we are missing a key singer in our family's rendition of Twelve Days of Christmas as we take turns belting out the verses and laughing at Brad's out-of-tune but full of gusto "Five Goooolden Rings!" This is the first year that the cousins are missing their Director as they perform the Christmas Story complete with dogs playing the part of sheep and Caitlin as Baby Jesus.

So while I enjoy the Season and the precious time with my husband and children, there's a part of me that feels guilty. For I know that there is a family, who is also my family, that is missing their beautiful daughter and sister this Season. So while I take great pleasure in the time spent with my family, my heart still hurts for them. My heart hurts for my husband, kids and myself too because we also miss her. But our hurt cannot possibly compare with theirs.

I know that Hannah is with Jesus and I can't even imagine what the Celebration is like in Heaven this time of year! I'm grateful for Jesus' birth because I know it makes the hope we have possible. Hope that we too someday will celebrate Christmas in the very presence of Jesus. And with Hannah.

So, this Season I am all too aware that life is fragile and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I plan to make the most of this time and savor every precious moment. I covet your prayers for our family over the next few joyful but painful and difficult days. I also ask you to join me as I pray for dear friends who are also experiencing their first Christmases without their dads and friends who have loved ones with serious illnesses.

I hope you all have a Blessed Christmas and create some beautiful memories! I'll be back in a few days to share some of ours!

A Reader's Digest Condensed Version of Christmas

2009-12-20T14:57:00.001-06:00

Today I'm hitting the Pause button on the hustling and bustling to jot down some quick thoughts on the Season and share some of the highlights so far.

The last couple of Friday nights we've driven out to the Iron Mountain Lodge & Marina to look at the spectacular light display. This is one of our very favorite family Christmas traditions. It's a fundraiser for the Make A Wish Foundation and the owners of all the fancy-schmancy houseboats decorate their boats, docks and the marina and local businesses sponsor the decorating of all the Lodge buildings and cottages and pretty much anything else that doesn't move.

Here's a view from the top of the hill leading down to one of the docks:

(I would like to apologize for the quality of the pictures or the lack thereof. These pics were taken with my iPhone and she doesn't take good pics at night.)

Here's the family walking across the water to the dock through my personal favorite, the tunnel of lights.

That last sentence made me giggle. I don't mean that my family actually walks on water like Jesus, although they are pretty great if I may say so myself. There's a floating bridge thing-y but you probably figured that out.

Here's one of the fancy-schmancy houseboats:

(Wes is actually having a better time that it appears in this photo!)

Sometimes they even have a real Santa that hands out presents to the kids.

That sentence just made me giggle too. Obviously, he's not a real Santa!

I think he's just an elf.

The houseboat-ers also have a table set up to receive donations for Make A Wish and free hot chocolate and candy canes. One man told us this year that they've raised over $250,000 over the years that they've been doing this. That's a lot of donations from families just looking at some Christmas lights!

Everyone at the marina is so friendly and of course, there's fun Christmas music. It just makes my heart full. Life in a small town is beautiful sometimes.

I also really enjoyed our wonderful Christmas party at church. Have I mentioned how much we love our church, Fellowship Church? It was such fun and heart-warming time. Wes had to miss due to business travel but the girls and I went. We ate some fabulous Christmas goodies...

(See how I ate some carrot sticks to offset the sugar and fat in the rest of it?!)

We ate, laughed, talked and played board games. Then we had a beautiful time of worship singing Christmas songs by the light of the twinkling Chrismond tree. Our four teaching pastors took turns reading the Christmas story. We shared our favorite Christmas memories. I left with my heart full again.

We also had our small group Christmas party at our house this year. I just love our small group! We have the most precious group of college students! We ate ourselves sick, played Phase 10 and exchanged ornaments.

Amber, Jen and I made a marathon shopping trip and I completely finished my Christmas shopping. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard, had so much fun and been so exhausted. Totally worth it.

My friend Jen and I went to the Kari Jobe/Al Denson Christmas concert. Do you remember Al Denson? If you are a child of the 80s you should. I'm sorry to tell you that Jen and I both thought Al was dead. We were very happy to see that he is, in fact, quite alive and still sounds exactly like he did when I used to listen to my bootleg cassette of him. Yes, kids, that was way before CDs.

Kari Jobe. Oh. My. Word.

I thought it just couldn't get any better than Revelation Song. And then she sang "O Holy Night."

And I almost came unglued.

I really don't think someone who can sing like that ought to also be so beautiful. It just doesn't seem fair.

Not that I'm jealous or anything.

Caitlin goes to an after-school kids program on Wednesdays at the local Methodist Church and they had their annual Christmas musical. Caitlin sang "Angels We Have Heard On High" with two other little girls.

So that's our Christmas season so far in a nutshell.

We've had lots of fun and made lots of memories. But this year we're also all too aware that life is fragile and fleeting. So this year I feel a bit like Mary...I'm treasuring up all these things and pondering them in my heart. Thanks for sharing them with me.

Christmas Tour Of Homes 2009

2009-12-14T18:22:00.000-06:00

WELCOME!

I HIGHLY recommend Nester's Garland Tutorial from last year. Dare I say it might be the most helpful and inspiring decorating blog post on the Internet?! If I can do it, anyone can!

This year I decided to get an early start and put my cheap Walmart garland (purchased after Christmas for 50% off) on my fireplace mantel and then I thought...wait, what if I made a THANKSGIVING garland? So, I took a bunch of random fall-ish stuff that I had in my closet and did this...

And then the day after Thanksgiving I simply pulled out all the fall-ish stuff and added a bit more el cheapo garland on each end and VOILA! I had the beginnings of my Christmas garland. Oh, how I heart multi-use items!

So here's the Christmas-y version...

Here's the view from the foyer:

I'm sorry I don't know what to tell you about the golden-ish lighting of my photos. Let's pretend that I used one of the faincy settings on my camera just to be artsy.

This is the view from the kitchen. See how cleverly I disguised the fact that I don't have window treatments?!

And how fun is this garland that I bought last year after Christmas at Hobby Lobby for 66% off?! It's on my tree.

I love me some Hobby Lobby sales!

And speaking of my tree...

That picture really doesn't do it justice. Anybody know a good site with a photography tutorial for dummies?

I'm going to end with some pics of my beautiful Nativity that was a gift from my in-laws a couple of years ago.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you and yours have a Blessed Christmas!

If I Tell You This Post Is About Global Warming Will You Still Read It?

2009-12-08T15:53:00.000-06:00

My apologies in advance to my Dad, who likes for my posts to be happy and uplifting and to my liberal friends, who fully embrace the Cult of Anthropogenic Global Warming and will be deeply offended by this post.

I have been about to bust to tell you what I think about the current scandal of "Climategate." I'm sure you've been on pins and needles too what with wanting to know what I think of it. I still want to tell you about the fun holiday stuff I've been up to but I just can't stand it anymore. I simply MUST TELL YOU. See how excited I am that I'm shouting text at you?

So, if you're new here, let me catch you up to speed on where I stand on man-made global warming. I can tell you in three words:

IT'S A SCAM.

Clear enough?

So right off the bat you're thinking that I am a flat-earther, holocaust-denier and I hate the planet. Let me stop you right there.

I don't hate the planet. It's a lovely planet created by Almighty God (not by the Big Bang Theory..gasp!) I am all for good stewardship of God's Creation and for conservation.

I also think that comparing man-made global warming skeptics to Holocaust deniers is a bit of a hyperbole.

Ok, it's a lot of hyperbole. In fact, it is INSANE and diminishes the horror of the ACTUAL Holocaust and causes most rational people to dismiss your argument out of hand.

The use of Holocaust terminology has drawn the ire of Roger Pielke, Jr. of the University of Colorado's Center for Science and Technology Policy Research. “The phrase ‘climate change denier’ is meant to be evocative of the phrase ‘holocaust denier,’” Pielke, Jr. wrote on October 9, 2006. “Let's be blunt. This allusion is an affront to those who suffered and died in the Holocaust. This allusion has no place in the discourse on climate change. I say this as someone fully convinced of a significant human role in the behavior of the climate system,” Pielke, Jr. explained. (http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/prometheus/archives/author_pielke_jr_r/index.html#000952).

Nor do I think the Earth is flat. Just sayin'.

I am not a scientist but I'm pretty sure there's a difference between scientific LAWS and scientific THEORIES.

Gravity= LAW.
Evolution= THEORY
Big Bang=THEORY
MAN-MADE Global Warming=THEORY

So, my point is that there may or may not be global warming. If there IS global warming, it may or may not be caused by people. If it IS caused by people, we may or may not be able to fix it. And HOW we fix it...well, I'm pretty sure there's plenty to debate right there. There are plenty of reputable scientists who DON'T subscribe to the man-made global warming theory. And there are plenty reputable scientists who DO.

But there's also a whole host of scientists and politicians who are willing to lie, cheat and hide data to make sure the debate is shut down because there's a LOT of money to be made with the global warming alarmism. (NOTE: This is where the SCAM part comes into play.)

"Al Gore, the former US vice president, could become the world's first carbon billionaire after investing heavily in green energy companies." (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/6491195/Al-Gore-could-become-worlds-first-carbon-billionaire.html).

In summary, the DEBATE IS NOT OVER. THE SCIENCE IS NOT SETTLED.

So on to Climategate. If you watch the "mainstream" media you may not even know about this because they aren't reporting on it. (Sidenote: Who owns NBC? General Electric. Who is heavily invested in green energy? General Electric. Who was appointed to President Obama's Economic Advisory Team? Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of General Electric. Hmmm....so that might explain the silence of NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. So what's your excuse CBS, ABC and CNN?)

It seems that thousands of emails were hacked into at the Climate Research Unit at Britain's University of East Anglia (whose research the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change relies heavily upon ).

These e-mails show, among many other things, private admissions of doubt or scientific weakness in the global warming theory. In acknowledging that global temperatures have actually declined for the past decade, one scientist asks, "where the heck is global warming?... The fact is that we can't account for the lack of warming at the moment and it is a travesty that we can't."

More seriously, in one e-mail, a prominent global warming alarmist admits to using a statistical "trick" to "hide the decline" in temperatures. Anthony Watts provides an explanation of this case in technical detail; the "trick" consists of selectively mixing two different kinds of data-temperature "proxies" from tree rings and actual thermometer measurements-in a way designed to produce a graph of global temperatures that ends the way the global warming establishment wants it to: with an upward "hockey stick" slope.

Confirming the earlier scandal about cherry-picked data, the e-mails show CRU scientists conspiring to evade legal requests, under the Freedom of Information Act, for their underlying data. It's a basic rule of science that you don't just get to report your results and ask other people to take you on faith. You also have to report your data and your specific method of analysis, so that others can check it and, yes, even criticize it. Yet that is precisely what the CRU scientists have refused.

But what stood out most for me was extensive evidence of the hijacking of the "peer review" process to enforce global warming dogma. Peer review is the practice of subjecting scientific papers to review by other scientists with relevant expertise before they can be published in professional journals. The idea is to weed out research with obvious flaws or weak arguments, but there is a clear danger that such a process will simply reinforce groupthink. If it is corrupted, peer review can be a mechanism for an entrenched establishment to exclude legitimate challenges by simply refusing to give critics a hearing. (http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/11/24/the_fix_is_in_99280.html)

In summary, these prominent climate researchers conspired to use "tricks" to hide the fact that the Earth is not warming, hijack the peer review process and evade legal requests.

Does this prove that there is no global warming?

NO.

But it does cast some doubt on some of the research that the global community is relying on in claiming that the debate is settled.

And since the global community is poised to make sweeping changes in global energy polices costing our economies trillions of dollars...maybe we should have a little more debate first?

And in other news...

Yesterday, the EPA announced that AIR is a pollutant.

Huh?

Yeah. Take a deep breath with me...

now slowly exhale...

you just polluted the planet...with CO2.

Nevermind that it is naturally-occuring and plants and trees need it.

Plants and trees need CO2 to survive. We exhale it and they use it to produce oxygen which we need to survive. Hmmm...it's almost like somebody intelligent designed it that way.

And now that the EPA has declared CO2 to be a dangerous pollutant...they can regulate it.

You just think we have a lot of government regulations now. Wait until the EPA starts regulating how cool/warm you can keep your house (GE's Smart Grid, anyone?) because that produces CO2 you know. Or what about coal plants, the biggest villain in CO2 production? Also, the biggest supplier of electricity. Could that "necessarily cause electricity rates to skyrocket"? (Barak Obama, San Francisco Chronicle, January, 2008.) The possibilities for regulation in our daily lives are limitless.

So there you have it in a nutshell. Whew!

Ok, now I can think about something holiday-ish. I think I'll go plug in all my Christmas lights and generate a little CO2. And I think I'll turn my thermostat up some...while I still can.

Please Stay Tuned

2009-12-04T18:15:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to pop in and say that I have not abandoned my blog. It's just...OH MY AT THE BUSYNESS GOING ON AROUND HERE!

I want to tell you what we did for Thanksgiving and everything else that's been going on but...OH MY AT THE BUSYNESS.

Did I say that already?

Wes just cooked chili and we're all four about to snuggle up and watch Monsters vs. Aliens. There's a lighted Christmas tree twinkling, a fire in the fireplace and there will be peanut butter blossom cookies involved and perhaps some hot apple cider.

It's Peace on Earth.

It's Solid, Solid As A Rock

2009-11-21T18:26:00.000-06:00

First, I need to give you a little background.

While I'm normally a very devoted rule-follower, in the kitchen I tend to walk on the wild side...much to my family's dismay. I'm infamous for forgetting to purchase necessary ingredients and deciding on a whim to make a substitution. Recipe, shmechipe! That's my motto.

It often gets me into trouble.

Like a few nights ago.

I had a hankerin' for some Pecan Pralines and my favorite cookbook happened to have a MICROWAVE Pecan Praline recipe which sounded like it would be a snap.

Oh, a you need a little more background.

My friend Kim makes a FANTABULOUS microwave fudge. It melts in your mouth like buttah.

I have tried rather comically THREE times to make this delightfully easy fudge.

It did not end well.

Kim says I'm the only person she knows that can screw up microwave fudge.

Ok, back to my story.

So, I skimmed the recipe and perused my pantry...

Here's where the wheels fell off my endeavor.

The recipe called for half-n-half.

I had flavored coffee creamers, fat-free milk and evaporated milk.

Hmmm...what to do, what to do?

I ruled out the Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer for obvious reasons.

I ruled out the fat-free milk because it just seems like fudge should have fat in it.

Which left the evaporated milk.

Why not? It's a dairy product, right?

So I proceeded to mix it all up and pop it in the microwave just like the recipe said.

Everything seemed to be going fine after 4 minutes when I checked it and stirred, as directed.

I popped it back in for 5 minutes like the recipe said but after 3-ish minutes it started to smell...

And not a good smell either.

More like a burnt milk and sugar smell.

I still wasn't ready to give up so I boldy dropped it into blobs on the waxed paper while Wes looked on skeptically and I kept saying optimistically that maybe they were ok.

The smell was overwhelming.

Before I could get it all scooped out...

It set up like concrete.

Ok, no problem. We'll just soak the bowl and spoon in hot soapy water, right?

Not so much.

Wes volunteered to finish cleaning up for me:

He's so helpful.

Not one to be daunted by failure, I pulled out my traditional stove-top praline recipe...which actually DOES call for evaporated milk.

Wes was dubious especially when he heard me muttering about my candy thermometer being broken and having to use the old-fashioned method to determine when it had reached soft-ball stage. (Sidenote: Thanks Mom for teaching me the cup of water method!)

Voila!

Now, THAT'S a praline!

Once again my family is amazed.

And they have banned me from using any more microwave candy recipes.

Today I made Chewy Gingersnaps...except I was out of ginger.

They are actually more like Randomly Available Spices Cookies.

But quite tasty, thank you very much!

Tales from the Deer Woods

2009-11-14T14:53:00.000-06:00

My dad has requested a blog post about my children because it makes him feel lighthearted and apparently my last blog post was a real buzz-killer. So I thought I'd regale you with a cute story involving my younger daughter, a gun and a couple of amused deer.

Last weekend was Youth Hunt here in AR which means that kids can hunt and kill pretty much any deer in any shape or form that they so desire. My girls eagerly look forward to it every year. We have a family place in the middle of nowhere where all the hunter-types in the family go to kill meat. All the grandchildren in the family happen to be girls but that hasn't stopped their daddies from teaching them to do all things redneck.

My baby girl is the only cousin that hasn't killed a deer yet...well, except the baby, Faith. She's just started walking so she's not packin' heat yet. So, this weekend was a big deal.

Caitlin and her Pappaw spent the morning on the deer stand together and Wes was on a stand with Hayley not too far away. He heard some gunshots and was so hopeful that Caitlin had finally gotten a deer. Then the walkie-talkie squawked beside him and Caitlin said, "Dad, I just shot four times at some deer and missed!"

So they talk back and forth a bit and then she says, "And now I'm out of shells....and Dad, those deer are still standing there...and they're laughing at me!"

All I have to say is those deer better laugh while they can 'cuz their days are numbered.

I Don't Hate Poor People or Children

2009-11-12T19:26:00.000-06:00

Content Warning: If you are really into partisan politics, Republican OR Democrat, or if you frighten easily, (Tiff put your fingers in your ears right now and sing La La La La!) you should probably not read this post. I'm probably going to step on your toes or scare the snot out of you.

OK, still with me?

I've had a few requests to explain the health care debate, i.e. "I know the health care bill is bad but I'm not sure why." and "What's all the hub-bub about the government option?"

I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I'm going to attempt to articulate my position which you should take with a grain of salt. Do your own research and form your own opinion based on your core values and principals.

We have actually had this same argument back in the 90s and we decided against universal health care. Hillarycare, anyone?! But if you're like me, you were young and healthy back then and thought you didn't need health care so you didn't really pay attention. But now you've got aging parents and children and suddenly it's a discussion worth having again.

So let's start at the beginning. Politicians in both political parties campaigned on health care reform. During the campaign you heard this said a lot: "America is the richest country in the world! It is unacceptable that 46 million hardworking Americans are uninsured!" It was presupposed that everyone agreed with this statement; the only disagreement was on HOW to fix it.

No one ever challenges the idea that America is the richest country. The claim is made to imply that we are so rich we can afford to pay more. Not so much. Let's say you have a neighbor who has a big, fancy house and a shiny new car in the driveway. You'd probably assume based on appearances that he's the richest guy in the neighborhood. But if you knew that he had a first and second mortgage on that house and he borrowed the money for the car and he couldn't afford to pay his bills, would you still think he was rich? Right. Not so much. That's America. And America paying for universal health care is like your bankrupt neighbor pulling out his Visa and charging a trip to the Bahamas. It's just stupid.

Are there really 46 million uninsured? Not so much. That figure makes a great campaign line or eye-catching headline but it's exaggerated. First, that figure includes approximately 10 million illegal aliens or other non-citizens who likely wouldn't qualify for health care anyway. About 18 million of the remaining 36 million uninsured have a household income greater than $50,000 and over half of them have a household income of more than $75,000 which is more than enough to afford health insurance if it were a priority for them. I'd be willing to bet that a lot of those households don't go without cell phones, cable and high-speed internet. So if we eliminate all those people we're left with the ones who truly need help. And we already help them. Close to 30% of our country's population already lives under some type of government health care. And another estimated 14 million American's qualify for it but haven't bothered to apply for it. The true number of uninsured Americans is somewhere around 3% which is still too many but is vastly different from the number our politicians and media like to toss around.

Our health care system is not perfect. Could we make some improvements? Sure. Do we need a new behemoth government program that we can't even afford? Not so much. If we were really serious about bringing down the cost of health care we could have done that already. No, what we're really talking about is growing the size of government. Because progressives think you are too stupid to manage your own life. Government is their answer to everything.

Frankly, I think the whole debate can be settled by answering one simple question:

Do you want the same people who run the post office to cut your chest open for heart surgery?

Let's say you've decided you're ok with that risky proposition. Let me ask you another question:

You think that a government who has brought us Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, the IRS and the DMV can possibly run an efficient and cost-effective health care program?

Or ask yourself this:

Do you really believe that the government who gave us Amtrak can be expected to run a health care system that pays for itself?

If you're still reading this, by now I'm sure you've figured out that I'm not really in favor of nationalizing health care. It's not because I hate poor people or because I want children to die in the streets. I just happen to think that government is the problem NOT the solution. Everyone complains about our "employer-based" insurance. Do you know why we have that system? Government poked its nose where it didn't belong and ,presto-chango, it created a whole new set of problems in addition to the one they were trying to fix. During the Great Depression, government decided it was a good idea to mess with the free-market system by using wage controls. Employers had to find another way to attract the best employees and since they couldn't lure them with higher wages they started offering fringe benefits like health insurance. Then, in 1943 the IRS further encouraged employer-provided insurance by declaring them tax free.

That's just one example of government creating more problems than it solves. So do you really trust them to get it right this time? Do you really think they won't create a lot of unintended consequences with all the regulations in a health care bill? I hope you're willing to bet your life on it....because you are.

In my next post I'll try to address the things that I think are wrong with the bill that just passed the House. And believe me, there are many, many things. It will take more than one post. You'll need to plan to stay awhile.

Thank You

2009-11-11T12:41:00.005-06:00

Free Gifs and Animations

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."--Thomas Paine

When Thomas Paine penned these words in 1776, he was describing the beginning of the American Revolution. But these words have proven true time and again throughout our nation's history. Each time a crisis has arisen, brave men and women have risen up to answer Freedom's call.

These men and women are no "summer soldiers" or "sunshine patriots" who shrink from service. These are men and women who boldly go without reservation in the name of Liberty. These men and women consider the cost to themselves and their families and count it as gain in the name of defending America and her ideals.

We owe the men and women of America's armed forces a debt of gratitude that we can never hope to fully repay. From the American Revolution to the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, these amazing men and women have served our Great Nation with honor and dignity. They have preserved our rights as individuals to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, often at great personal sacrifice.

Please join me in giving a hearty Thank You to all of those who have served and continue to serve in our armed services this Veterans' Day.

Insert Clever Post Title Here

2009-11-10T12:53:00.002-06:00

So today I went to Walmart (ugh!) and purchased all the items necessary to try Carpoolqueen's Roasted Vegetables and Orzo. It sounds yummy!

I was disappointed that the Tyson Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts were $7.54 for a 3-lb. bag. I can usually find them for $6.00! Which has nothing whatsoever to do with CPQ's recipe but I just thought you should know.

Sweet onions were down $0.40/lb but yellow squash were up $0.50/lb.

Can you tell that I LOVE my iPhone app "Grocery IQ"?

And there were NO eggplants. Just a big empty case where they should be. Was there a run on eggplants this morning? Did everyone read Carpoolqueen's blog and stampede to the produce section? Is there an eggplant shortage I don't know about?

Also, Walmart, I am on to your store brand scam. Del Monte Cut Green Beans and Whole Kernal Corn are $0.20 per can cheaper than the Great Value brand. Hmmmph!

And your Great Value Fruit and Grain bars are NOT the equivalent of Kellogg's Nutrigrain Bars. I don't care how much cheaper they are. They are nasty.

That is all.

Stuff

2009-11-06T18:50:00.003-06:00

My dad pointed out recently that I haven't been blogging much lately and since I'm his favorite blogger he finds that very disappointing. I must confess I've been in something of a bloggy slump. Do you ever just have so many things running around in your brain that you can't form coherent thoughts? That's me. So I'm going to set some of that stuff free by dumping it on you, my bloggy buddies. Here goes...

I am completely freaked out by all the Marxist/Mao-revering/anti-capitalists in the Obama administration.
At night, when I can't sleep, I worry about the Fed's monetary policies and the falling value of the dollar.
There's a pervy kid at my daughter's middle school that is really making her uncomfortable but it seems like no one at school believes her. She's strong and she'll be fine but it makes me wonder if this is a sign that I really do need to homeschool next year. Or would that be running away from our problems?
If I do homeschool her, how will that affect her socially? What about athletics? Will she miss Prom, Homecoming, Graduation or are those things even important? Will she be prepared for college? Can I really do this?
I'm the cash manager of sorts at work and yesterday when I called the bank to order change they told me they were out. Of ones. And won't have any more until Tuesday. Really? The bank is out of cash? Huh.
My family is gone this weekend to the farm because tomorrow is Youth Hunt in these here parts. I. am. so. happy. For them, of course. They love to hunt. I'll just have to suffer through the loneliness and having the remote all to myself and not having to prepare meals and not feeling guilty for laying in bed reading blogs all day instead of doing laundry.
I have lot of tasks to do that I've been putting off for a long time. Not big stuff but I just can't make myself do them.
I don't feel like myself these days. Uncomfortable in my own skin. Not sad. Not happy. Just...brittle. And burdened.
Global warming hysteria makes me CRAZY.
Glenn Beck had an emergency appendectomy this week and I miss him.
My baby girl is growing up and I'm not quite sure what to do with her right now. She's so different from her big sister, who is an open book. She's quiet and private, like me. I'm not even sure I really know her.
I'm beginning to feel a little festive about the upcoming holidays.
Right now I'm into comfort food and nesting. I think I just feel like I need to hunker down with the ones I love.
I'm terrified of the government takeover of health care. HUGE mistake. HUGE.

M'kay. That's enough.

I'll be back.

Out To Pasture

2009-11-04T15:57:00.021-06:00

*****Guest Blogger ALERT!!*****

Well, well, well, hello Lisa’s bloggy friends. Wes, here, the other half of the “smart” friend. Would that make me smart too? Not so much, just lucky to have a CPA/political junkie/marathon reader/wonderful mother/Godly woman in my life.

The time of the year is coming for our girls and me to be sent out to pasture by Lisa. We do all things hunting and riding over the next few months at our family farm.

We leave Lisa alone at home with our 3 dogs and 2 cats feeling sorry for herself that her family has left her. She really misses us…really!!

We were able to ALL go to the farm a couple of weekends ago for a family reunion. We left out Saturday morning after the last soccer game of the year for Caitlin. With the four wheeler loaded and all bags packed we took the hour and a half trip to the farm. We arrived to find out the party had already started.

Meet my Aunt Bessie.

The view from the house is out of a picture book.

Not quite the mountains of the land of

Mer but not bad for Arkansas.

My family was the first of all my brothers' families to get there so I decided we would go on a family four wheeler ride and beaver dam demolition derby.

Here are Caitlin and Hayley on the four wheelers and no, they are not 16... shhhhh! We have very strict rules about those things. It's all very safe, really. So we made it down into the “bottoms” where our first stop was busting out several beaver dams.

The beavers are so cleaver, when they need to sharpen their teeth they do this.

Then they can get back to work and build another dam.

While I was hard at work, Lisa was doing this.

****Comment from Lisa: If I'm going to have to do this again, I demand cuter boots.****

She found one of the only places we get cell coverage on our farm, deep in the bottoms near the river. Leave it to Lisa. She has never met a cell tower she can’t find.

We were getting very hungry so we started to head back to the house, but Lisa couldn’t wait to eat. So being the manly man that I am, I provided the meat for the family, but who knew Lisa was this hungry. Look what she did to my deer!!!

Picked it clean didn’t she? Well she may have had a little help from the vultures in the area. Someone shot this deer from the road, I am guessing, at night. That’s how they roll in Yell County, USA. Enough of the gross stuff.

****Another comment from Lisa: Personally, I think that Boney Stoney, as the girls named him, didn't get the memo tha high-sodium diets are bad for your health.****

The family reunion was about to start.
As all family reunions there is a lot of this.

And this

That is my mom on the right and my Aunt Betty. My family loves to sit around and tell the same stories over and over again. I love it!

Here is my dad with Hayley and Caitlin relaxing on the couch getting read for another adventure chasing cows and visiting Uncle Paul, the Resident Uncle of Yell County.

Here is Lisa with the sister in laws, Maria and Jill. They have a great time together talking about how goofy and alike me and my brothers are.

Hayley loves to have pictures taken of herself. Here she is with my mom.

After the fun had been had at the dinner I took Lisa over to the other house where she got her redneck on. Just call her Sure Shot Lisa. I was impressed with her shooting skills.

After a good night's rest we got ready to head to Hayley’s soccer game in Bryant but we had time for one more picture with Uncle Paul and all the cousins.

So there you have it. Who wouldn’t want to go there every weekend with no TV, cell coverage or fast food within several miles? Oh, that’s right...Lisa wouldn’t. She is not a country girl. I am ok with that. I get to spend some quality time with my daughters and Lisa gets to spend some quality time with…herself!! We are all happy with that.

Thanks for letting me visit!

Wes

Hog Fever and Swine Flu, Day 2

2009-10-27T21:17:00.009-05:00

The big game day was here. We got our game faces on, complete with Razorback tattoos and headed to the stadium.

Side note here: When dressing for the big game, form SHOULD follow function, especially when choosing footwear. Those boots may look mighty fine with that sweater dress but when you have to park at the Oxford Mall, (and I use the term mall VERY loosely here) and hike to the stadium, you WILL regret wearing them. But you will look good. Smile through the pain.

On the way, while sitting in traffic with Wes suffering from a severe case of Game Day Anticipation, we saw a fan with an even worse case of Hog Fever:

We had FAB seats...right smack dab in the Ole Miss end zone next to the student section. Most of the people were very nice (except for the one or two students who had perhaps partaken of a few adult beverages, ahem) and Wes even made a few new friends. Imagine that.

And at half-time I called to check on the swine flu-infested kid and found out the younger kid had also been infected. Nice. So we finagled another Tamiflu prescription during the third quarter which was no small feat considering we were in Mississippi, my kids were at my Mom and Dad's and our pediatrician and pharmacist were back home. But we have connections...shout-out to Dr. Pursuing Pineapple!

Here's the part where we fast forward to the end of the Game That Shall Not Be Spoken Of Ever Again because it was Just. Too. Humiliating.

Anyhoo, on the way out of the stadium we saw Weird Dumpster Lady retrieving her box of Wheat Thins that she had stashed IN THE DUMPSTER. I'm sure she was an Ole Miss fan.

We visited The Grove. Wow, do these Ole Miss people really know how to tailgate. Check out this pink zebra print tent complete with Elle from Legally Blonde, a little dog in a pink carriage, a chandelier, floral arrangements, tulle, monogrammed slipcovers for the folding chairs and a color-coordinated rug.

We then left The Grove and toured the campus reminiscing with Kirk, who was once a Rebel, about days gone by. And visited the bookstore where we felt really outnumbered but oohed and ahhed over some really cute Hotty Toddy t-shirts.

And Wes and I had our picture made in front of a really big old tree.

And then Amber and I hiked back to the car barefooted like true Arkansans because we had blisters the size of Texas from our fashionable footwear.

And then we did something really adventurous but I'll have to tell you later after Amber blogs about it 'cuz friends don't steal friend's bloggy thunder.

Hog Fever and Swine Flu, Day 1

2009-10-26T13:55:00.009-05:00

This weekend featured another road trip with the besties, Kirk and
Amber.

Unfortunately, it started out with my elder child coming down with the swine flu.

Fortunately, there's this stuff called Tamiflu which is a lifesaver!

Doubly fortunately, there's these people called Grandparents who were willing to keep said flu-infested elder child. God bless grandparents, Amen!

We hit the road for Oxford on Friday morning, a little guilt-ridden but still giddy with Hog Fever. Woo Pig Sooie!

Our first stop was for some necessary accessories:

We arrived a few hours later in Mississippi still giddy but slightly less guilt-ridden and we spied this:

And we said, Why yes, Paula. Yes, we are!

And then we stuffed ourselves with hoecakes and cheese biscuits and such and waddled back to the hotel to rest up for the big adventure while visions of the sugar plum fairy danced in our heads.

And thus ended the first day of Hog Fever and Swine Flu.

10.22.09

2009-10-22T21:22:00.003-05:00

Hannah Joy Sullivan

1991-2009

Today would be your 18th birthday. It's your first birthday in Heaven.

I still remember where I was when we got the call that you had arrived. My first niece! You were such a delightful child and you grew up to be a beautiful young lady full of grace. I am so proud of you and so grateful that we got to enjoy you for 17 years.

Today you celebrate in Heaven at the feet of Jesus. I'm praying He'll give you a hug from all of us.

Happy Birthday, Hann.

Miss you like crazy, sweet girl!

Breaking News

2009-10-09T15:43:00.002-05:00

Breaking news...

My public relations manager, Wes, has just notified me that I have been awarded the Heisman Trophy!

When asked for a comment on this prestigious and unexpected honor, my spokesperson said, "Wow."

Now, I know what you're thinking. I don't even play football.

Yes, that's true. But I HAVE been to a football game.

And although I'm certainly no athlete, I do occasionally go to Zumba and Pilates at my local gym.

And I love the IDEA of being an athlete.

And the Heisman Trophy Trust feels pretty sure that if I ever DID play football I would be a huge success.

And let's face it...a woman has never won the Heisman Trophy. Isn't it about time we break that glass ceiling?

And I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

*************************************************************************************

Just when I thought the Nobel Peace Prize couldn't get less relevant (see past winners, Al Gore and Jimmy Carter), they have awarded it to President Obama after only 12 days in office. I'm pretty sure he spent that time celebrating at the Inauguration and trying to figure out where the bathroom is in the West Wing.

At least he's in good company. The only other sitting U.S. Presidents to be awarded the Nobel were those bastions of freedom, Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. In recent years the only criteria for receiving the Nobel seems to be criticizing George W. Bush. (I see your Al Gore and Jimmy Carter and raise you a Mohamed Elbaradei.)

So, all things considered, I guess it was inevitable that President Obama receive the ultimate Participation Award.

Perseverance: True Voices of Cancer Survivors by Carolyn Rubenstein

2009-10-05T18:54:00.003-05:00

Perseverance: True Voices of Cancer Survivors by Carolyn Rubenstein is a compilation of childhood cancer survival stories of twenty young people. While the topic is daunting, Perseverance is an uplifting and inspirational look at the heroic battles of these young people. It provides an intimate look into their journeys with cancer and their unique trials and triumphs. Their stories can teach us a lot about courage and faith. After you read their stories, you will be encouraged to never take life for granted again and to face life’s obstacles with strength and grace.

I imagine that this might be a good read for someone going through cancer treatment since it is full of practical information and real life experiences. I also think this would be a good read for anyone who has a friend or loved one with cancer. It contains a lot of the survivors’ thoughts on the various reactions to their illness of the people in their lives and how those reactions affected them. However, having recently lost my young niece to brain cancer, this was not an easy read. These stories all have “happy” endings which left me wondering, “Why not Hannah?” I don’t think I would recommend this book to anyone who has lost someone to cancer.

*I was provided a free copy of the book by A. Larry Ross Communications in return for posting a review.

Sunday Morning Reflections

2009-09-27T11:35:00.003-05:00

This morning I was reminded of a verse that I have often heard quoted and always thought I understood. But I've recently had an experience that serves as a stark example of the truth behind this verse.

"[Love] is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

Love...keeps no record of wrongs.

I think I've always assumed that the beneficiary of this verse was the one who did the wrong. They were the recipient of forgiveness and were released from their responsibility for the wrongs they committed...whether real or perceived.

It occurs to me that this verse is really intended to benefit the one who was wronged. The one who is hurt the most by the recording of wrongs is the record-keeper. If we hold on to hurts, whether real or perceived, it doesn't hurt the one we're keeping score against. The wound that festers is in us.

So today I choose to wipe the slate clean...to write off the debt. Not to benefit the one who hurt me. Not to say that what they've done is insignificant. Not to relieve them of their responsibility. But because my Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, tells me to let it go for my own good so that He can lovingly stitch up the wound and it can begin to heal.

I have a feeling that this is a choice that must be made daily. We must resist the temptation to rip out those stitches and re-open the wound. Will I give in sometimes to do just that? Probably. But He is faithful to redress the wound when I allow Him to. So for today, I'm allowing Him to wipe my tears, pick me up, and dust me off. And He sings over me with songs of comfort as He gently cleans out the wound.

It IS My First Rodeo

2009-09-22T14:01:00.018-05:00

My hubby has a gift for gab.

It paid off BIG TIME this past week when he ran into Trace Adkins' brother and got free tickets and Meet 'n Greet passes to Trace's and Toby Keith's concert in Southaven, MS.

Here's Wes asking Santa and his elf for instructions about where to go for the Meet & Greet.

Betcha always wondered what they do during the off season.

The elf, who later would become known to us as the infamous John Underwood, proceeded to stalk us. You see, he desperately wanted Meet & Greet passes. And he wanted Wes to ask Trace to let him in. He claimed that he went to high school with Trace and that Trace's mom had given him passes that security refused to honor. It all sounded fairly reasonable until he told us that Carrie Underwood is his niece.

M'kay...run along, weird little man.

We evaded John Underwood and went to find our seats...

...which were AWESOME! Thanks, Trace's brother.

Then we got to go meet Trace. Although we only spent 22.6798 seconds with him, we feel like we really made a lasting connection with him.

And Wes has his manager's cell phone number.

John Underwood may not be the only stalker in this story.

Oh, I kid.

Sorta.

Have I mentioned I'm not really a fan of country music?

Then I saw these guys..

...and I'm converted.

Oh, and also too, I was already a fan of Trace and Toby's politics. They've been on Glenn Beck's show. I met someone who has met Glenn...squeal! (cue angelic harp music)

A good time was had by all.

And the husbands were very tolerant of Amber's and my drooling over Trace and Toby and in general acting like giddy 13 year-old girls.

The besties, encouraged by my willing foray into the country music scene, then dragged me to the rodeo at the county fair.

I'm sorry to tell you that I do not have any photos of said rodeo.

You'll just have to take my word for it that I was there.

And I had fun.

And Danny patiently answered my goofy rodeo-related questions:

"Why are the horses so angry that they buck? Do they pinch them?"

"Why are the cows wearing those funny helmets?

And Caitlin refused to participate in the Mutton-Bustin'.

And thinks rodeos are cruel.

My cute little animal rights' activist.

Danny and JFo were so impressed with my rodeo-ness that they invited us to complete our redneck adventure by going to the Demolition Derby.

I. have. never. seen. such.

It was loud.

It was smoky.

It was riddled with mullets and wife-beater shirts and other fashion faux pas.

It was redneck.

It was great!

And thus my redneck education is complete.

Except for car racing in the dirt or something like that.

Because NASCAR is just too uppity.

Never Forget

2009-09-11T12:34:00.002-05:00

Today's edition of Freedom Friday is dedicated to the victims of 9/11 and their families.

I'm sure that, like me, you remember exactly where you were eight years ago when you first heard the tragic news. At first, we thought it was a tragic accident. Then, as the second plane crashed into the Twin Towers, came the terrible realization that someone had done this deliberately. We watched in horror as the third plane hit the Pentagon and thought to ourselves that terrorism was no longer something that happened overseas...it happens at home. As the fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania, we understood that nothing would ever be the same again. And we reeled from the pain and the terror.

And then we did what Americans do. We hugged and comforted each other and pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps and bravely carried on.

Do you remember how we felt on September 12th that year?

For that brief moment in time, there were no Republicans, no Democrats, no conservatives, no liberals, no black, no white, no Christian, no Atheist.

We were all simply Americans.

What happened to that united American spirit?

As my friend John said today on Facebook, "Strange...eight years ago the country locked arms and lit candles...today the country takes sides and throws barbs...seems the common denominator on both days is fear...strange..."

Today, as I remember 9/11, I pray that we will forget what divides us and that we will NEVER FORGET what holds us together.

2009-09-10T21:17:00.004-05:00

This evening I rode the four-wheeler with the Hubster to go check on his salt lick.

If you're not from around these here parts, that first statement meant nothing to you.

There is this strange manly ritual each fall that involves much strategic planning and time-consuming conversations with other men regarding mysterious sounding things like tree-climbing stands, food plots, and the aforementioned salt lick.

Deer season is right around the corner.

So we did our duty and checked on the block of salt that was sitting in the woods completely unlicked. Apparently, the deer have gotten the memo about high-sodium diets being a danger to your health.

Although, this time of year in the South, they really shouldn't worry about high blood pressure so much as just running for their lives and dodging bullets.

Laundry Room Redo

2009-09-07T16:24:00.004-05:00

My Labor Day Weekend Project.

Before...

Shocking, I know.

After...

Maybe this will inspire me to do more laundry.

Not.

I'm not loving that lamp. I love having a lamp...just not THAT one. I also need some stuff on top of the cabinets and maybe a few pictures on the walls. I'm keeping an eye out for bargains.

So what did you do on the long Labor Day weekend?

Watchdog Alert 09.03.09

2009-09-03T13:47:00.005-05:00

I feel such a burden to share the things that I learn with you. I know some of you couldn't care less about this sort of stuff so I'm going to be calling these types of posts "Watchdog Alerts" so you can skip 'em if you so desire. Don't worry; I'll still be posting all manner of inane and silly stuff. But every so often I'm going to be serious for a bit and share what I think is important stuff with you.

This past Friday I shared with you some concerns I have with Van Jones, Special Advisor to the President for Green Jobs. I've also made no secret of the fact that I think the whole "green" movement is a scam. I'm all for conservation and good stewardship of our natural resources but the green movement has always seemed fanatical to me. Almost like a secular religion. I have believed for some time that the green movement is all about control, power and money.

Please take a few minutes to watch this video of an interview with Van Jones. It's enlightening.

I'm not one to say "I told you so."

But I did.

Thinking Out Loud

2009-09-02T18:40:00.006-05:00

Can we talk?

I need to mull something over with you.

Did you see this headline today?

"PRESIDENT OBAMA DELIVERS NATIONAL ADDRESS TO AMERICA’S SCHOOLCHILDREN "

Seems harmless enough, right?

Think again.

On September 8, President Obama is planning something unprecedented for a sitting President. He will directly address the nation's school children.

In a letter from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, he states "The U.S. Department of Education encourages students of all ages, teachers, and administrators to participate in this historic moment by watching the president deliver the address, which will be broadcast live on the White House Web site (http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/) and on C-SPAN at 12:00 p.m., ET. We also encourage educators to use this moment to help students get focused and inspired to begin the new academic year. The Department of Education offers educators a menu of classroom activities—created by its teachers-in-residence, the Teaching Ambassador Fellows—to help engage students in the address and stimulate classroom discussions about the importance of education." [emphasis added]

Tommy Vietor, a White House spokesman, told FOXNews.com, "This isn't a policy speech. This is a speech designed to encourage kids to stay in school." I actually believe him. I don't think Obama has to actually state any policies or his agenda. In fact, he's very gifted in speaking in generalities while still inspiring unthinking people to blindly follow his lead.

While the stated purpose of the speech seems innocuous enough, the Orwellian"menu of classroom activities" that have been provided for teachers' use before and after the speech contains some rather leading questions. Well, I have some questions for the Department of Education: Will children feel forced to say that they support the President? Will they feel peer pressure to conform to their thoughts to the opinions of those around them? Will some teachers use this as an opportunity to proselytize for the Left? Just who are these "Teachering Ambassador Fellows" who wrote the lesson plans?

Some education experts are troubled by "a suggested lesson plan that calls on school kids to write letters to themselves about what they can do to help President Obama" because it establishes the president as a "superintendent in chief" and "may indoctrinate children to support him politically. " I'm troubled by the fact that my tax dollars may be funding the indoctrination of America's children in a political ideology that I vehemently disagree with.

I don't have a problem with the President using his bully pulpit to encourage kids to study hard and stay in school. Unfortunately, in today's polarized political climate, and knowing what I know of Barak Obama, I suspect he has ulterior motives.

I'm not worried about my own children. We talk frequently about these things and they know what our families' values and beliefs are. I worry about them being ridiculed for their beliefs. (It's happened before--a story for another day.) I worry about the other children whose parents haven't taken the time to discuss these things with them perhaps because they haven't taken the time to educate themselves on the issues. Children are so impressionable and I am extremely uncomfortable with one-sided political discussions in the classroom.

I'm not planning to pull my kids out of school that day as some parents plan to do. I plan to sit down with them before they go and prepare them for what they might hear and the pressures they might face. I will encourage them to stand strong for what they know and believe to be true. I will instruct them to be respectful of others' opinions but I will make sure they understand that it's ok for them to expect to receive that same respect from others.

I also plan to contact my children's schools to find out if they plan to participate. If they do plan to show the speech, I will write letters to the school board members and school administrators to let them know how uncomfortable I am with this situation.

These are just my initial thoughts. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thanks for listening!

Future PETA Lawyer

2009-08-31T19:29:00.002-05:00

Caitlin is taking her role as kitten-caregiver VERY seriously. Take these "contracts" that she asked Hayley and her friend Brittany to sign.

Contract #1:

"Do not hold the kittens unless you ask me!

If I say yes, you'll get to keep the kittens.

Then you will give them back when I want them.

If they are asleep, do not even bother to ask!

And if you're holding them and they fall asleep, put them up or give them to me.

Please sign here."

There are blank lines for their signatures which they signed "No" and "No, m'am."

Not one to be daunted, Caitlin tries again:

Contract #2:

"Don't keep the kittens over 5 minutes.
If you do, I'll tell dad that you're hogging the cats and they are MINE.
So if you agree, sign here

"If you disagree, tell me and we'll work it out."

No dice on that one either.

Contract #3:

"Do not even hold kittens.

Sign here."

Short, sweet and to the point. I like that.

Freedom Friday 08.28.09

2009-08-28T13:39:00.004-05:00

Show me who your friends are and I’ll show you who you are.

"Let me tell you who I associate with. On economic policy, I associate with Warren Buffett and former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker. If I'm interested in figuring out my foreign policy, I associate myself with my running mate, Joe Biden or with Dick Lugar, the Republican ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, or General Jim Jones, the former supreme allied commander of NATO.

Those are the people, Democrats and Republicans, who have shaped my ideas and who will be surrounding me in the White House. "-Barak Obama, Third Presidential Debate, Oct 15, 2008

In his own words, Obama himself recognized that he surrounds himself with the people who have "shaped his ideas." Have you been paying attention to who President Obama is appointing as his special advisors and czars? Just who exactly is he surrounding himself with?

There are nearly three dozen of these special advisors or czars that have been appointed. They don't go through a confirmation process. They answer to no one but the President. They are advising our President. So isn't it fair to ask:

Who are they?

What do they believe?

What are they advising the President to do?

This week we'll look at Czar #1: Van Jones, Special Advisor to the President for Green Jobs.

Attended Yale Law School and has been quoted as saying "If I'd been in another county, I probably would have joined some underground guerilla sect. But as it was, I went on to an Ivy League law school." Although he wanted to drop out, he stayed because he felt that the degree would give him some legitimacy to speak out on civil rights issues.
Was arrested in 1993 as part of the Rodney King riots. In jail he, "met all these young, radical people of color. I mean really radical--communists and anarchists. And it was like, This is what I need to be a part of." The verdict in the King case came down in April of that year and Jones said, "By August, I was a communist."
He spent the next 10 years as a full-fledged radical and even founded a group, STORM, 'Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary Movement', which held study groups in the Marxist and Lenin teachings. In the group's historical pamphlet, "Reclaiming Revolution", they said, "All of STORM's members developed a basic understanding of and committment to revolutionary Marxist policies with a particular emphasis on the historical experiences of third world communist movements." The group revered Mao Tse-Tung, the revolutionary theorist and political leader that history tells us killed 77 million of his own people. STORM specialized in "mobilizing young people of color into militant direct action and combining it with more deeply-rooted organizing in our communities."

So how is it that such a committed revolutionist has made it so high up in the Obama Administration? Isn't it fair to ask how Obama's "ideas are shaped" by this chief advisor?

Yesterday while driving home from school my daughter noticed that the truck in front of us had several "Obama" stickers on the bumper. She remarked, "There goes a stupid person." Trying to give the benefit of the doubt, I replied, "I wonder if perhaps they have changed their mind about him now?"

And she said, "I sure hope so because Obama sure does hang out with some weird people!"

Even my 13 year-old gets it. That right there made my heart sing!

2009-08-27T20:39:00.003-05:00

Yo, wizzup?!

Tonight I made plans with my besties, Amber and Jen to go to the Zumba class at the Health Club. I walked in and Amber had this deer-in-the-headlights look on her face.

"This is NOT Zumba...it's...HIP HOP DANCE!!!!"

Oops.

This should be entertaining.

And it was.

We shook our groove thangs and proceeded to boogeydown.

I think I threw my back out, fo shizzle.

Word to your mother.

Peace out.

This, That and the Other

2009-08-26T20:36:00.003-05:00

Wow! Who would have thought that yesterday's post would generate so much traffic and more comments than you can shake a stick at. Or 13. Whatev.

It generated even more comments than my thought-provoking retail management suggestions . More more than my expert domestic engineering advice and WAY more than my insight into world events.

I'm not sure if this reflects on the quality of my posts or the low-brow humor of my readers. Probably both.

I also owe a lot of my traffic to the shout-out from my bloggy buddy, Carpoolqueen. Thanks, Sus! And all you visitors from CPQ's place, y'all come back now, y'hear?!

Alas, nothing funny happened today. Unless you think my 'having to lap the parking lots on campus for 20 minutes to find a parking place only to have to hike into my office from Timbuktu' is funny. I didn't find it amusing AT ALL.

I also did not find it amusing that I got up at 5:30 AM, that's in the morning!, to go to the gym.

I also did not think it was funny that I spent over an hour at my daughter's physical therapy appointment with a second daughter who was hungry and cranky. Like me.

But a funny strange, not funny ha-ha, thing DID happen on the way to take Hayley to youth tonight. My Tahoe mysteriously steered itself into the parking lot of Pizza Shack. Weird, huh? So of course, since we were already there, we took advantage of the Wednesday night buffet. It was the only reasonable thing to do.

And we topped it off with ice cream.

It was only right.

Great Balls of Fire

2009-08-25T18:59:00.005-05:00

This past Thursday night I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Hubster who had been out of town all week on business.

(phone rings)

Me: Hello?

Hubster: I'm not coming home tonight. My $#%* car broke down! @$%&! $%#%!!!

(I should clarify here that he did not ACTUALLY utter any foul language. It was simply unintelligible sounds of frustration. But we all know what he was thinking, right?)

Me: Huh? Where are you?

Hubster: Hampton Inn in Russellville. %$^&!!! &*#%!!! This is going to be expensive. The right front wheel is smoking.

Me: Well, did you put it out?!

(At this point I'm envisioning that scene from Planes, Trains and Automobiles with John Candy and Steve Martin. Oh, John Candy, how I miss your wacky humor! )

The rest of the conversation basically involved discussions of Cash for Clunkers and other similar fates that Hubster wished upon his poor vehicle.

Fast-forward to Friday morning.

(phone rings)

Me: Hello?

Hubster: Well, come and get me. It's gonna cost %@# $750 to fix.

Me: So what's the deal?

Hubster: The mechanic said my balls melted.

(awkward silence)

Me: BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!

Hubster: Bearings, ball BEARINGS!

Me: (continued hysterical laughter) Are you sure you don't need some ointment for that?!

The plan was for me to drop the kiddos off at school and drive to Russellville and pick up the Hubster and rent a tow-dolly and bring that sucker home because we have a smart friend, Mr. RascalRaiser, who excels at all things engineerical.

I made a small detour in LR for Krispy Kremes to drown our sorrow in and eventually made my way to Russellville, still snickering and guffawing.

Upon my arrival at the Goodyear place, Hubster walks out to greet me and we realize we are both wearing the SAME t-shirt. Could we look any more ridiculous? (The cashier at Burger Boy assured us we were very cute. Oh, good.)

So we scurried down to the local U-Haul rental office and rented a tow dolly from a rather shifty character who informed us that our Tahoe wasn't rated to pull that much weight but he thought Hubster could handle it. His confidence in Hubster's ability and Chevrolet's craftsmanship was inspiring.

We proceed to load the $%^# Expedition onto said tow dolly and found that the front tire was perched on top of the dolly's wheel well. We figured this was probably not acceptable for transporting so we returned said dolly to the shifty character who most helpfully located a larger trailer at another U-Haul location. I say 'helpfully' because our Tahoe still wasn't rated to pull an Expedition so he put in the system that we were driving a Silverado 3500. Well, it IS a Chevy. At this point, I asked the question "So what happens when we show up with a Tahoe instead of a Silverado?" I was shushed.

We drove over to pick up the larger trailer and guess what?

Yep, THIS dude was doing his job and wouldn't let us rent it because my Tahoe isn't rated for it. But I'm not one to say "I told you so."

But I did.

So we finally accepted that there wasn't a way to get the %$^& Expedition home and sucked it up and told Goodyear to go ahead and fix it. And then we told the kids that they wouldn't be able to go to college.

Actually, by this point we were not going to make it in time to pick up the kids from school. Hubster managed to find various and sundry friends to take care of our children for us as we drove home in silence. Occasionally, the silence was broken by uncontrolled giggling on my part.

Long story short, Hubster managed to find a friend with a GINORMOUS trailer and another friend with a GINORMOUS pickup and the %$&* Expedition finally made it's way home on Saturday. Smart friend says he can get us the parts for about $200 and he and Hubster can fix it themselves. We love our smart friend.

(Smart friend had already agreed to replace the radiator. And all of this is AFTER my dog tried to eat him. He's a true friend, is all I can say.)

Fast-forward to Monday afternoon.

I backed my Tahoe into a car in the parking lot at the Health Club.

See? I KNEW I hated gyms.

Fast forward to Tuesday.

(Note: Hubster is driving our 'back-up' vehicle, an old Mitsubishi Montero.)

(phone vibrates indicating I have received a text message.)

Hubster: AC and alternator belts broken. At Firestone this time.

Me: Makes sense.

It is US after all. What else did you expect?

I still think it might be an evil, progressive plot trying unsuccessfully to lure us into Cash for Clunkers.

The No Good Very Bad Dog and Other Tales

2009-08-20T19:40:00.002-05:00

I left the room for ten minutes...TEN MINUTES!

Is it just me or does it look like she's laughing at me?

Speaking of cars, Wes is stranded out of town tonight. (Do you like how I made that completely random segue?) His SUV started smoking and clunking. Pretty sure that's not good. I think it's an evil, progressive plot to lure us into participating in the Cash For Clunkers program. We're standing firm!

And much poorer.

I'm up to my eyeballs in quadrangles. Caitlin had 4 pages of math homework tonight. The first problem said to draw a line segment AB. Caitlin exclaimed happily, " I LOVE line segments!" I'm afraid this enthusiam is going to wear off rather quickly.

I'm also up to my eyeballs in simplifying algebraic expressions. What I used to call order of operations they now have a nifty acronym for...PEMDAS. Huh. Why didn't we think of that? Of course, it took fifteen minutes and a really confusing conversation with Hayley for us to figure out we were talking about the same thing.

I have been to the gym at 5:30 AM two days in a row!

I'll wait while you pick up your jaw from the floor.

But I'm suffering major sleep deprivation which doesn't really help my rusty math skills.

Or my patience with no good very bad dogs.

Night-night, interpeeps.

School House Rocked!

2009-08-19T20:51:00.003-05:00

Happy first day of school!

Hayley is in 8th grade and Caitlin is in 4th grade. I think a good day was had by all. There was an unfortunate incident involving the wrong car rider line and Hayley's afraid of her Algebra teacher but we'll work through it.

Don't you love my attractive umbrella in the background of my keepsake photo that we'll pass down for generations? Someday Hayley's and Caitlin's grandchildren will be admiring their first day of school photos and will laugh at what will be the quaint, antique umbrella behind them. By then they may not even use umbrellas anymore. I'm sure global warming scientists will have figured out how to control the weather.

Also, it is crucial that you know that they did NOT color-coordinate their wardrobe. It was just a happy coincidence for my scrapbook.

At this point, you can consider the school house rocked.

Amen.

And good night.

You're Fired!

2009-08-18T21:35:00.004-05:00

You know how I was bragging last night about not having to buy a new backpack for Hayley because she still liked the one from last year?

Pride goeth before a fall.

Would you look at what that mangy mutt who has the audacity to call herself Man's Best Friend did to said backpack?!

I am firing her as the family pet.

Fast & Furious

2009-08-17T20:04:00.016-05:00

Today we are celebrating 18 years of marriage.

Dude, that's a long time!

We have been so blessed in our life together. Here's to many, many more years!

We interrupt this regularly scheduled anniversary to bring you School Open House.

Yes, this is how we spent our anniversary.

We started at 5:00 pm and finished at 7:30 pm. We did manage to run home and scarf down a quick meal too.

Hayley is studying her schedule while we look for her classrooms.

We found her Literacy teacher, Mrs. W., who also happens to be a dear friend!

Mr. O., who teaches the dreaded, infamous Algebra I, was not there. I have a feeling we'll probably see plenty of him anyway.

Oh, I kid! Hayley always makes great grades and scored Advanced on all three sections of the Benchmark Exam.

But still, she's stressed about Algebra. She's heard horror stories.

I don't know how they do it where you live, but here the middle school kids don't get their supplies lists until the night of open house. Therefore, the entire town is trying to buy the same items at the same time. It's super.

So we made a mad dash to Wal-Mart to score all the needed supplies before the locusts descended on the school supplies aisle.

Can you tell how thrilled Hayley is to have me carefully documenting this event?

Wes is vexed by the self-check line.

Twenty minutes (I KNOW! We're pros. Don't try this at home.) later and this is the damage. And this is JUST Hayley's total. And it doesn't include a new backpack. She said she's willing to use last year's pack. Whew! We bought Caitlin's supplies at a leisurely pace weeks ago when they put out the lists at the front of the store. Hmmm...that worked really nicely.

Here we are at Caitlin's school meeting her two teachers, Mr. H. and Mrs. B.

We also got Caitlin's Benchmark scores tonight and she also scored Advanced on both sections. Woo Hoo!

And now back to our regularly scheduled anniversary.

Except we're too pooped to celebrate.

Good thing we planned ahead and celebrated this past weekend instead. We went to Hot Springs and ate dinner at Doe's (yum) and checked out the NEW Sam's store.

I'm pretty sure it's a sign of a healthy marriage when you're content to spend your anniversary at Sam's just because you're glad to be together.

Without the kids.

Happy Anniversary, Wes!

It's been real.

And it's been fun.

And it's been REAL FUN!

Wrapupapalooza 08.16.09

2009-08-16T20:04:00.011-05:00

I would like to apologize in advance for this post. It will be cluttered with a chance of scattered randomness.

We just recently attended Wes' 20-year high school reunion.

We. are. so. old.

Here's Wes and a few friends at a pre-reunion get-together.

This is Wes with one of best friends, Justin.

These are my girls with Justin's mom, Betty Linda, who was gracious enough to allow us to stay at her beautiful home and who entertained my kids while we were at the reunion. There was some cruisin' at the Sonic involved, need I say more?

This is Ben, the BEST dog in the world. I had to include this picture because it amuses me. To paraphrase Doug from "Up", "I lick because I love you!"

One more pic. I don't know what to say about the why I look so goofy in this one.

In other news...

Farmer Caitlin is very pleased with her tomato harvest this year.

First fruits.

Apparently she is making a wish on this one.

School starts this week. Ugh.

This is the "School Drawer" where I try to corral all the paperwork. This is the cumulative effect from last year.

Purge.

Ahhh! Let school begin!

We also attended a town hall meeting on health care...

but that needs a post all it's own!

In the meantime, may all your drawers be purged and your tomatoes be fruitful!

Freedom Friday 08.14.09

2009-08-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

Welcome to Freedom Friday! If you're new here, check out the Freedom Friday links over there on the right to find out what it's all about.

So unless you're living under a rock you are aware that the hot topic these days is health care. It's a huge subject and we could talk for days about the details of the proposed plans. Let's not.

Here's the really important thing you need to know whether we're discussing health care, cap and trade, auto bailouts, or bank bailouts:

It's time to make a choice.

The time for sitting on the fence is past. It is your right and your responsibility to educate yourself, pay attention to what is going on in our Republic and make a choice. Which side are you on? And I don't mean Democrat v. Republican or conservative v. progressive. I mean, do you believe in the unalienable rights given to us by our Creator and the liberty to exercise those rights as preserved by our Constitution or do you believe in a big government, nanny-state that controls every aspect of your life? Do you believe that the future is best left in the hands of men and women who are free to exercise their God-given talents and ingenuity or do you believe that government is the solution?

You need to know what you believe. Do not take anyone's opinion as gospel, even mine. Educate yourself, question boldy and then stand firm and speak without fear. Exercise your First Amendment rights. Be polite and respectful, but do not be timid. The future of our Republic depends upon YOU. Will your children and grandchildren ask you someday what you were doing while the Constitution was being shredded? Will they ask you what you were paying attention to while America as we know it was on fire? Will they ask you what was more important to you than liberty?

One last thing that you need to do (and it's really the most important):

Get on your knees and pray for our Republic.

May you be encouraged, inspired, educated and bold.

And may God bless America.

Would You Like a Kitten?

2009-08-05T21:27:00.005-05:00

Caitlin has been begging, BEGGING for a kitten ever since the unfortunate incident involving Oliver and a bobcat, may he rest in peace. Every day she asks to go to the Humane Society and JUST LOOK. Right. Do I look that stupid? This has gone on for more than a year.

Today, she worked really hard building a "Cat House." It was a complex structure of cardboard boxes, all the tape that we had in the house, my good towel and a decorative pillow.

She also wrote a long speech in which she campaigned on the promise of taking care of her much-wished-for kitten all by herself. I think maybe she even mentioned getting a job to buy cat food. Not really. But she was pretty serious.

I had to go pick up Hayley from Youth tonight and on the way home look what we found dumped on the side of the road by our house:

Divine Providence?

Caitlin thinks so.

I have assured her, and Wes, that we are most certainly NOT keeping them. I might be persuaded to keep ONE. Maybe.

Three of them have eye infections. Fortunately, I have some antibiotic eye ointment left from the Great Rabbit Debacle. They are so tiny I'm not even sure they are weaned. I suppose I'll wind up bottle feeding them just like I had to do with Oliver.

Is there a sign on the front of my house that says I am a sucker?

Speaking of suckers...

Hey, Mom! You know how I've been telling you that you need to get another cat? I'll make you a really sweet deal on one.

These little guys are really cute and friendly. Very playful. They already have names, which doesn't bode well for my plan of getting rid of them. There will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

They are: Lexie, Chloe, Abby and Sidney.

Any takers?

Common Sense Tracker

2009-08-03T15:44:00.002-05:00

Glenn Beck's book, "Common Sense: The Case Against An Out-of-Control Government" is leaving AR today for the first stop on it's tour around the country, Kendra's house in MO.

Kendra promises to read the book and then pass it on to someone. I'm going to put the link to this post inside the front cover of the book and I ask each person who reads it to come here and leave a comment so we can track the book's journey and then pass it on.

Wrapupapalooza

2009-08-02T21:06:00.002-05:00

I just borrowed my post title from my friend Tiffani because:

A) I'm not feeling particularly creative tonight;

B) It aptly describes what is sure to be a very random and miscellaneous post; and

C) I love the way it just rollllssss off the tongue!

So when we last met here, I was bemoaning the fact that I had 222 visitors to my site but only 4 comments. I think I'm going to start doing shout-outs to the locations I find in my Sitemeter stats.

Hello, Tyler, TX and Pittsburgh, IL! Y'all leave me a comment and tell me about yourselves.

The husband has gone bow-fishing with Mr. Raising Rascals and I have control of the remote. And I have chosen to watch "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel. Weird.

I have a close relative that has had some major health problems this week. (He's on the mend...no worries.) There was some question about whether or not his insurance is valid and let me tell you...I have glimpsed the future of Obamacare and it. is. ugly.

We are all going to die.

My older child has back problems. She had an X-ray this past week and it looked normal and the pain meds they put her on are not helping. We're on Month 3 of this and no progress. Probably gonna have an MRI. Sigh.

I'm just glad we don't have Obamacare...yet. I suppose we'd be waiting about 6 more months for an MRI. And then another 12 months to see a specialist.

Younger child's love of gardening is paying off big-time. She just harvested a yellow squash. Yes, I said "a". That's it. But a delicious squash it was.

Her tomato harvest should yield more. As of today, she had seven tomatoes. We'll have a lovely salad and maybe a BLT.

We have a millipede invasion going on. There are THOUSANDS of them and they are coming inside!! They are immune to all sprays, powders and granules. Mr. Slice of Life called the neighbors and they have the same problem. He says that Mrs. Neighbor called the government about it. I'm guessing he means the county extension agent? I don't know, Obama's appointed so many czars maybe there is one in charge of millipedes. We'll probably find out they're endangered and we can't spray them but then maybe we'd be eligible for stimulus money. We'd probably be required to build a Millipede Museum with it.

Younger daughter just bought school supplies tonight. I love, LOVE new school supplies! I just realized that I don't have to buy crayons this year. Sigh.

In other news...I joined the gym.

Gasp!

I'll wait while you recover from your shock.

Actually, I joined involuntarily when I wasn't looking. Mr. Slice of Life has finished with his personal trainer and joined the local health club. They had a SWEET (according to him) deal for families. So now I'm a proud member too. Yea.

On Friday I finally gave in to Amber's constant pressure and hounding to workout with her, Steph, and Jen. I went to Pilates.

And lived to tell about it.

Although on Saturday living seemed doubtful.

Ok, I guess that pretty much wraps up what's been going on around here.

And The Winner Is...

2009-07-30T21:43:00.002-05:00

Congratulations, Kendra! Your persistance paid off.

Here are your random numbers:

1
Timestamp: 2009-07-31 02:43:18 UTC

Actually, you had a 75% chance so it wasn't that much of an achievment.

How is it that Sitemeter claims I've had 222 visitors but only TWO people commented? And one of them commented 3 times. Sorry Amber . I guess you didn't want it badly enough.

Maybe my two faithful commenters visited 222 times between the two of them. That would be weird.

Maybe 218 of my readers secretly despise Glenn Beck, or maybe just don't like reading in general.

Maybe 218 of my readers are just shy. Come on people, I love my lurkers! Don't be afraid to just say 'Hi' every once in a while.

Well, anyway, Kendra I hope you enjoy Glenn's book. I'm really glad you won it because A) you seemed desperate and B) you confided that you think Glenn's a cutie.

I hope you enjoy. I think I have your address. Didn't I send you a Christmas card? Your prize will be on its way. I will miss it. Please take care of it and make sure it finds another good home after you're done with it.

Amen and Godspeed.

Reminder

2009-07-26T22:12:00.003-05:00

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! It's open until Thursday at 9:00pm Central time. You can click here and leave a comment to enter.

Even if you aren't interested in the prize, I'd encourage you to enter to win it for someone you may know that would be interested.

I'm so excited about my first giveaway! I can see on my Sitemeter stats that I've had lots of visitors but only 3 entries. What gives?! Come on people, it's a free book!!

Once Upon A Time

2009-07-25T21:12:00.007-05:00

Once upon a time there was a little dog named Tess who thought she was a big dog. This little dog was doted on by her entire family. Tess was spoiled rotten and got too big for her britches.

One of Tess' very favorite activities, other than chewing up her Mommy's favorite flip flops, was to pretend that she was a very fierce watchdog.

"Ding-dong!" went the doorbell.

"Arf! Arf!" said Tess.

"Whirrrr!" went the Swiffer mop.

"Ruff!" said Tess.

"Swoosh" went the dust mop.

"Grrr!" said Tess.

Of all the household items that Tess hated most, the vacuum cleaner was the one appliance that refused to cower in her presence.

One day, Tess' daddy decided to vacuum. This made Tess' mommy very happy.

This made Tess very angry.

"Bark! Bark! Growl!" said Tess to the vacuum cleaner.

"Zoom! Zoom!" went the vacuum cleaner as it chased Tess.

"ArfArfArfArfARF!" shrieked Tess as the vacuum cleaner sucked up the end of her tail.

"Bwahahahaha!" laughed Tess' daddy.

Thus ends the tale (or tail) of how a little dog named Tess developed a healthy respect for the vacuum cleaner and they all lived happily ever after.

THE END

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway.

Freedom Friday 07.24.09

2009-07-24T11:52:00.009-05:00

Welcome to Freedom Friday!

Today we're going to do something fun. I'm having a Freedom Friday Giveaway!

I'm giving away a copy of Glenn Beck's new book "Common Sense."

It's a quick, easy read that really lays out out the case against an out-of-control government...which is handy since that's the title of the book. See? How's that for common sense? Make the title of the book relevant to the subject.

Here's the catch. You knew there had to be one right?

If you win the book, you have to promise:

1) You'll actually read it or give it to someone who will actually read it; and

2) After you read it (or the person you gave it to reads it) you(they) will give it to someone else and ask them to actually read it or give it to someone who will...who will promise to pass it on and on and on; and

3) After each person reads it they will log onto my blog and leave a comment about the book and let me know where they live. Won't it be fun to see how far the book travels?!

I'll put the link to the specific post where comments about the book can be made inside the front cover of the book and my location to get it started. Feel free to be vague about your exact location. This is the world wide web, after all. For example, I'm going to use the closest major city to my actual home town.

Ok, here's how to win:

Leave a comment below and tell me what topic you would like to hear more about here on Freedom Friday. I will use the infamous random number generator to choose a winner from the comments. This contest will close on Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 9:00 pm Central. You do not have to be a blogger to win. However, please make sure you leave me your email address in your comment or enter your email address in your Blogger profile so I can contact you if you win. To avoid spam when leaving your email in your comment, you can type "(at)" instead of "@" and "dot" instead of "." I'll use my common sense to figure it out.

Beach Getaway Day 1 and 2

2009-07-21T11:32:00.014-05:00

This is the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort where Wes has a conference.

This is Wes and me being giddy.

Ok, so that's not really us. Those people are much younger and thinner...but not happier, I can tell you that!

This is the view from where we're sitting.

Do you know what you CAN'T see in any of these pictures?

My kids.

What a shame.

Oh, don't worry. They're having a blast at G & G (Grandma & Grandpa) Camp with all the cousins.

This is the dive where we ate like the locals.

Would you look at the view I had to look at

while I ate this

And lest you think this vacation is all about eating...

well, yeah. It is.

We ate here last night.

Do not judge a restaurant by it's name.

I had Blue Crab Stuffed Squash Gratin to start.

Peeps, I have never had anything this tasty before. Wow.

Then, Wes and I shared the Surf 'n Turf, which was short ribs and Catfish Meuniere. If you've never had Catfish Meuniere, your life is incomplete. It is lightly battered and fried catfish with a brown butter sauce. You must have it. Now.

Anyhoo, the ribs and fish were served on a bed of the creamiest, most perfectly seasoned cheese grits I've ever had. And don't even get me started on the perfectly browned potatoes and steamed green beans with the most delicious smoky grilled tomatoes. Oh. My. Word.

And that's just my half.

So we rolled out of Stinky's, literally, and headed home to get rested up for another tough day at the beach. It's a hard job, but somebody's gotta do it.

Freedom Friday 07.17.09

2009-07-17T11:55:00.007-05:00

Welcome to Freedom Friday!

Today I am incapable of writing a coherent post since my head is swirling with the health care debacle, the cap and trade fiasco, anthropogenic global warming hysteria, the Goldman Sachs oligarchy that is taking control of our government, GE's plan to rule the world through carbon credits and "green" energy, and China's growing economic stranglehold on us.

Let's clear our muddled brains for a minute and take a deep breath.

OK, that's better.

Now. In times like these when our country, nay, the whole world is burning down around us it's crucial to know what your values are and what you believe.

What do you believe?

I believe in God first. I believe in the Constitution second.

Not the "living, breathing," constantly "evolving" Constitution that Progressives talk about. I believe in the original intent of the Founding Fathers. Progressives want you to believe that the Constitution is outdated and that it has to change as society changes. No, no, NO! The Constitution is still as relevant today as it was 200 years ago. Truth doesn't change. Core values do not change.

If you don't know what you believe, EDUCATE yourself. We are in the midst of a sea change. I believe that the times we are living in will be written about and studied for years to come. The decisions we make today will be analyzed and second-guessed for generations to come. Please don't blindly accept what you are being spoon-fed by the media and politicians. Don't be afraid to ask "Why?" and "Does this make sense?" And above all else, REMEMBER: Everyone has an agenda.

No country or society has ever done what we are currently doing and survived intact. We cannot continue to borrow and print money. In the words of our illustrious Vice-President Biden, "We have to go spend money to keep from going bankrupt." Ask yourself if that even makes sense?! IT IS UNSUSTAINABLE. Study the Weimar Republic. Be a student of history. Because history DOES repeat itself. Don't think that you can continue to go about your daily lives in ignorant bliss with your head in the sand.

If you aren't sure what you believe, here are a few books that I've found helpful in understanding where we've come from and the dangers of where we might be going:

Common Sense by Glenn Beck.

The Five Thousand Year Leap: A Miracle That Changed The World by W. Cleon Skousen

The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression by Amity Schlaes

American Progressivism: A Reader by Ronald J. Pestritto

Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg

If you aren't sure where to start, I'd recommend starting with The 5,000 Year Leap. Skousen draws heavily from original source materials to show how and why our system was founded.

And I don't want to hear any of this, "But I'm not smart enough to read this stuff." or "History is boring." or "I'm just gonna let the people who know these things take care of the decision-making." It is absolutely vital that we pay attention!

In the words of John Adams in his Dissertation on Canon and Feudal Law in 1765, "Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know; but besides this, they have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge; I mean, of the characters and conduct of their rulers. "

So go read, go study, go listen and God speed.

And God Bless America.

In Which I Confess My Lowbrow Sense of Humor

2009-07-15T20:18:00.003-05:00

Subtitle: In Defense of Spongebob Squarepants

I've had blogger's block today. And lo and behold, Twitter has provided some bloggy fodder.

I discovered today that apparently I am the only mom on the planet that lets her kids watch Spongebob Squarepants.

Hello?! He's a sea sponge that looks like a kitchen sponge.

That's hilarious!

He lives in a pineapple under the sea.

What's not to love?!

I've been told by several friends who shall remain nameless(you know who you are), that ye old Sponge is crude. Say what? Maybe I don't know what crude is. I usually define it as involving foul language, bodily function humor or sexual innuendo. To my knowledge, Bob the Sponge with the Pants That Are Square is not guilty of any of the above-referenced behavior.

I've also been told by the same nameless friends that said Sponge and friends don't talk nice to each other. While this may be true of Squidward, that's his job. He is the antagonist. Every great work of literary genius has one, right?

Sometimes Patrick and Bob the Sponge disagree and use cross words with each other. But they always work things out in the end which I think is a good lesson in forgiveness.

As you can tell, we love the Square-panted Spongebob around here. Wes and I have been known to watch even when the kids aren't here. While I would never hold Spongebob up as a great moral teacher, he IS loyal, a hard worker and strives for excellence in everything he does. He is forgiving and honest. He's a good friend. He's an optimist.

Spongebob for President 2012!!

And absorbent, yellow and porous is he, for Pete's sake!

A Pantry Redo

2009-07-13T18:43:00.004-05:00

Do you remember lo, these many posts ago, that I told you how sad my pantry makes me?

Well, I finally hired a painter.

She worked for ~~peanuts~~ cookies.

A little paint, spray adhesive and cutie patootie scrapbook paper later...

Voilà!

I still want some more containers, baskets, bins and such but it's such an improvement already. It makes me smile...until I realize that it has to be restocked and that means a trip to my nemesis, Wal-Mart.

I wonder if I can hire a personal shopper?

Freedom Friday 07.10.09

2009-07-10T10:24:00.003-05:00

Freedom Friday is back! Welcome.

If you're new here, you can check out the Freedom Friday links over there in the sidebar to read how it got started and what it's all about.

Today's topic is...

Health Care.

*groan*

I've been reading about the history of the American health insurance industry but before you stop reading, I am NOT going to bore you with it. I would just like to say that I think the problem with today's health system was created by the unintended consequences of excessive government regulation.

Say what?!

In a nutshell, during World War II, wage freezes imposed by the government actually accelerated the spread of group health care. Unable by law to attract workers by paying more, employers instead began adding health care to their benefit packages, resulting in our current employer-based health insurance system. This also proves once again that despite government's good intentions, they more often than not create more problems than they solve.

Government programs to cover health care costs began to expand during the 1950s and 1960s. When the government created Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965, private sources still paid 75 percent of all of the health care costs. By 1995, individuals and companies only paid for about half of the health care with the government responsible for the other half. I think that this government intervention contributed to the notion that health insurance is a "right" and also contributed to increased health care costs to the insured. Once again...say it with me...Government's good intentions created more problems than they solved.

So, what makes us think that government can fix it this time?

No, really. THIS time they'll get it right.

I believe that the health care plan(s) being discussed in Washington will lead to lower-quality health care, fewer medical personnel entering the profession, and more government control of what should be personal decisions between you and your doctor. In a word, DISASTER!

So, Lisa, what's YOUR solution?

I think ideally the solution would be market-based where individuals are responsible for purchasing their own insurance. Elimination of government intervention and meddling in health care would lead to greater competition which would lead to lower costs.

*gasp!*

I know, the idea of individuals actually being responsible for themselves is shocking. But you know, I pay for my own auto and homeowner's insurance. If I chose not to and I crashed my car or my house burned down...well, it would suck to be me. Why should health insurance be any different?

How do we get there in today's political climate?

I don't think we can.

Which is one great reason to get actively involved in changing the political climate! Government IS the problem. Or more to the point, the two-party system IS the problem.

I know, I KNOW, I've just greatly over-simplified a very complex subject. But hopefully this will serve as a starting point for you to begin thinking about government's role in health care.

An Open Letter of Apology

2009-07-06T10:23:00.002-05:00

Dear Mr. Kirk:

I would like to offer you my sincerest, most humble apologies for the ingratitude I showed you when you graciously agreed to feed me while my family was gone. I have been severely reprimanded.

While I do not try to excuse my behavior, I would like to offer an explanation. You see, when my family left for vacation my Mama told me I was in charge and was to keep an eye on the house. She failed to mention that you would be coming to feed me and my sister Dazey so you caught me off guard.

Perhaps I would have been ok with you just feeding us but when you attempted to turn on the sprinklers I immediately went on high alert status because only my Daddy is allowed to operate said sprinklers. And you were dangerously close to my family's house which, I remind you, I was charged with protecting.

I would like to suggest that perhaps the next time you come to visit, assuming you have not already terminated your friendship with my family, you should bring with you two forms of picture i.d. and proper authorization. I have an agreement with the Fedex man that seems to work satisfactorily. However, I do search all packages and if something seems suspicious I feel obligated to shred said package. If you do come back to visit, please be prepared to empty your pockets and please put all liquids in 3 oz. or smaller, clear containers.

I understand that you may come over tonight to shoot some fireworks. Please know that I expect you to abide by all applicable fire codes and I have assessed the current threat level at Orange.

Again, I offer my deepest apologies for the misunderstanding.

Sincerely,

Maddie "Bebo", the German Shepherd

Surrender All by Joni Lamb - A Review

2009-07-05T22:08:00.002-05:00

“Surrender All: Your Answer To Living with Peace, Power & Purpose” by Joni Lamb is a fairly quick, easy read that at times can come across as a little trite especially if you have recently suffered a type of crisis or tragedy in your life that she addresses in the book. However, just when you decide that she is oversimplifying some of life’s greatest struggles, Mrs. Lamb will surprise you with a thought-provoking statement.

She discusses surrender in several areas of our lives such as marriage, children, career, and loss. Joni recounts dramatic, almost unbelievable at times, stories of extraordinary people who have had to surrender to God in the most difficult of circumstances. In fact, some of the stories she shares could have entire books written about them and really couldn’t be covered in depth enough in this book which left me feeling as though she were a little bit flippant with them.

She also uses her own personal experience to share her uplifting, encouraging message of surrendering your all to God. Joni constantly reassures us that God will mend and restore all aspects of our lives including finances, health and relationships if we will just surrender them to Him. However, she is also very careful to make sure we understand that God hasn’t promised us a life of ease as His children and that surrender doesn’t guarantee a worry-free existence. Sometimes she flirts a little with the “prosperity gospel” or “name it and claim it theology” but mostly her advice seems to be grounded in Scripture. Most importantly, she makes sure to share the most significant story of surrender: Jesus.

Overall, Mrs. Lamb’s book is an interesting read that should encourage you to examine your own life for areas that need surrender in order to bring about the peace you are longing for.

Great American Road Trip 2009 Days 9 and 10

2009-07-05T20:30:00.003-05:00

There's no place like home.

There's no place like home.

There's no place like home.

Yesterday was the Fourth and we spent it just outside of Nashville, TN in Franklin with a good friend of Wes' that I had never met. He and his family were super nice and they had also invited over some other friends and we enjoyed getting to know them too. We grilled out and then had planned on going to see the fireworks. Due to some rain that was expected, the city decided to move up the fireworks by 30 minutes...but we didn't get the memo. So we missed them.

We headed into the last stretch of our trip today. The stretch home!

We've had a great time and made a lot of memories but I don't mind tellin' you that we're all glad to be home. I missed my dogs something fierce.

2,835...the number of miles driven.

240...the number of hours spent together.

50 bazillion...the number of puppy kisses when we got home.

10 day road trip with the fam...priceless!

Independence Day 2009

2009-07-03T19:31:00.002-05:00

Today you are probably planning to enjoy a long weekend with family, friends, food and fireworks. I am too.

But I want to take a moment to reflect on what Independence Day really means. I think this year is more meaningful to me since we've just visited some places our founders lived and worked. I've stood in the very spots that they walked on. And I am amazed beyond words at the enormity of their undertaking.

Those fifty-six brave men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew that by signing they were committing treason against the king and were therefore effectively signing their own death warrants. And yet, spurred on by strength of their convictions and an uncommon courage, they did sign and in so doing started the Revolution that would birth a new nation. Our nation.

These were ordinary men. Men with jobs and families and responsibilities. Men who wanted nothing more than to be left alone to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Men like you and me.

And yet they were men of extraordinary courage. Men who, when faced with difficult choices, chose to do the hard thing. The right thing. Men who were forced by their core values to not keep silent in the face of evil, oppression and tyranny. They were men of vision who foresaw the endless possibilities of a people who were free to pursue their dreams.

These fifty-six men were willing to sacrifice everything in the name of freedom. With "a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence," they "mutually pledge[d] to each other [their] Lives, [their] Fortunes, and [their] sacred Honor." And many of them eventually sacrificed their livelihood, the lives of sons who felt called to join their fight, and even their own lives. They gave all that they had so that we could be all that we are.

Today, I would ask you to consider for a moment how easy it would have been for these men to keep silent, to go about their business and to continue to live under the rule of an unjust king. And then thank Our God Almighty that they did not.

I would also ask you to consider how easy it is for us today to take for granted the freedom we have and how easy it is to remain silent when we see our out-of-control government becoming the very thing our founders hated and despised, the very thing they were willing to die to escape. Yes, it would be easier to bury our heads in the sand, to go on about our daily lives. But someday will our children's children wonder what it was like to live in freedom?

May we remember the cost of freedom and may we not be quick to give it away.

May we be worthy of their sacrifice.