For a 60's baby like me, this montage brought back a ton of memories and provided some useful information.
Enjoy!
June 24, 2008
June 20, 2008
Substantiated by Intelligence Community Estimates
The Washington Post editor Fred Hiatt had an interesting editorial on Monday, June 9.
He describes how the Senate Intelligence Committee, populated by mostly Democrats, found that the recent mantra that says that Bush and his administration lied to get us into a war with terrorists in Iraq is not supported by the FACTS.
In fact, when considering that officials were lying about weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons, biological weapons and chemical weapons, the Senate Intelligence report states time and again that the statements from the Bush administration "were generally substantiated by intelligence community estimates."
Hmmm.... so who has been lying? Growing up, if we kids were mean to somebody, or lied about somebody, my parents made us apologize to them.
Don't hold your breath folks!
He describes how the Senate Intelligence Committee, populated by mostly Democrats, found that the recent mantra that says that Bush and his administration lied to get us into a war with terrorists in Iraq is not supported by the FACTS.
In fact, when considering that officials were lying about weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons, biological weapons and chemical weapons, the Senate Intelligence report states time and again that the statements from the Bush administration "were generally substantiated by intelligence community estimates."
Hmmm.... so who has been lying? Growing up, if we kids were mean to somebody, or lied about somebody, my parents made us apologize to them.
Don't hold your breath folks!
June 18, 2008
It Matters!
I have been feeling rather ambivalent about politics at a national level lately.
Part of that comes from the lack of support for candidates such as Ron Paul simply because people felt he couldn't win. Well, with an attitude like that it's a wonder anyone gets elected. And then there was the way that the leadership of the GOP in Colorado decided that they wouldn't allow Ron Paul supporters to speak at the state convention. Also, the entire convention was conducted as if all the decisions were made behind smoke-encircled doors and the delegates were simply there to rubber-stamp what had been decided in those smoke-filled rooms. It's left a bad taste in my mouth and I'm completely cynically about the entire process now.
But, I had just come to a point in my life that I no longer accepted the reasoning of voting for a winner only. I felt that if everyone just voted their conscience, then the political landscape might change significantly. And I do believe that the political landscape is in need of change or it may collapse sooner than we think.
I know that when Ross Perot was running in the early 90's I felt he was a distraction and pulled votes away from the first Bush president and then from Senator Dole. That resulted in President Clinton winning twice.
I've often wondered what my ancestors would have thought of the candidates currently running to become our next President.
I am a descendant of Presidents Benjamin Harrison and William Henry Harrison and Declaration of Independence signer Benjamin Harrison. We are privileged to have been aloud to read some of the second Benjamin's diaries. He wanted to impart to his children a sense of responsibility to be involved in the civic government in our country which would include being an informed voter. To that end, he wrote a book about American History so that his children and grandchildren would know the importance of their civic involvement.
So as all this has rattled around in my noggin I've been wondering how I might create some enthusiasm within my own ponderings about which candidate I would support.
My leaning, of course, was towards McCain, but not because I was in favor of some of his proposed policies or stance on certain issues.
And then, Indiana Jane posted some thoughtful remarks about McCain and Obama in relationship to their views on abortion. And today, Cheryl posted about a Supreme Court decision that set a new precedent and will affect our citizens forever as our enemies have been given the same rights as citizens. The ramifications of this decision are quite far reaching and it should be noted that although the court has twice tried to do this in the past, Congress and President Bush have both come together -- yes, you read that right -- President Bush and Congress have come together to oppose the decision as they see the danger in allowing enemies the same rights as citizens.
Candidates McCain and Obama differ greatly in their opinion of this court decision. Senator McCain opposes it and Senator Obama praises it. Now whom do you suppose has the interests of our national sovereignty uppermost in his mind? Which candidate is going to support, protect and defend our Constitutional rights?
These are issues I can be passionate about and finally have found conviction that I can vote for the candidate not as the "lesser of two evils" but for the candidate who will oppose evil, both within our country as in the issue of abortion, and without our country as in the issue of national sovereignty such as extending the rule of habeas corpus to our enemies!
Part of that comes from the lack of support for candidates such as Ron Paul simply because people felt he couldn't win. Well, with an attitude like that it's a wonder anyone gets elected. And then there was the way that the leadership of the GOP in Colorado decided that they wouldn't allow Ron Paul supporters to speak at the state convention. Also, the entire convention was conducted as if all the decisions were made behind smoke-encircled doors and the delegates were simply there to rubber-stamp what had been decided in those smoke-filled rooms. It's left a bad taste in my mouth and I'm completely cynically about the entire process now.
But, I had just come to a point in my life that I no longer accepted the reasoning of voting for a winner only. I felt that if everyone just voted their conscience, then the political landscape might change significantly. And I do believe that the political landscape is in need of change or it may collapse sooner than we think.
I know that when Ross Perot was running in the early 90's I felt he was a distraction and pulled votes away from the first Bush president and then from Senator Dole. That resulted in President Clinton winning twice.
I've often wondered what my ancestors would have thought of the candidates currently running to become our next President.
I am a descendant of Presidents Benjamin Harrison and William Henry Harrison and Declaration of Independence signer Benjamin Harrison. We are privileged to have been aloud to read some of the second Benjamin's diaries. He wanted to impart to his children a sense of responsibility to be involved in the civic government in our country which would include being an informed voter. To that end, he wrote a book about American History so that his children and grandchildren would know the importance of their civic involvement.
So as all this has rattled around in my noggin I've been wondering how I might create some enthusiasm within my own ponderings about which candidate I would support.
My leaning, of course, was towards McCain, but not because I was in favor of some of his proposed policies or stance on certain issues.
And then, Indiana Jane posted some thoughtful remarks about McCain and Obama in relationship to their views on abortion. And today, Cheryl posted about a Supreme Court decision that set a new precedent and will affect our citizens forever as our enemies have been given the same rights as citizens. The ramifications of this decision are quite far reaching and it should be noted that although the court has twice tried to do this in the past, Congress and President Bush have both come together -- yes, you read that right -- President Bush and Congress have come together to oppose the decision as they see the danger in allowing enemies the same rights as citizens.
Candidates McCain and Obama differ greatly in their opinion of this court decision. Senator McCain opposes it and Senator Obama praises it. Now whom do you suppose has the interests of our national sovereignty uppermost in his mind? Which candidate is going to support, protect and defend our Constitutional rights?
These are issues I can be passionate about and finally have found conviction that I can vote for the candidate not as the "lesser of two evils" but for the candidate who will oppose evil, both within our country as in the issue of abortion, and without our country as in the issue of national sovereignty such as extending the rule of habeas corpus to our enemies!
June 17, 2008
Playing and Procrastinating
As I procrastinate doing some work on the web, and watch Elvis in Spinout, I wanted to do this fun thing I saw on several blogs last week, but didn’t have time to do because we were preparing for the homeschool conference.
Indiana Jane’s daughter set this up for her, and I thought it would be fun to do!
IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
Here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...
7. Include commentary
Opening Credits: I’m a Believer by Smash Mouth (well, yes, I am by the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit)
Waking Up: Here, There and Everywhere by John Stevens (does that mean I’m falling asleep wherever I go?)
First Day at School: Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House by Garth Brooks (it started that young?)
Falling in Love: Night Fever by The Bee Gees (hmmm… hubby really hates disco, wonder what this means?)
Fight Song: Call Me the Breeze by Lynard Skynard (fight and then flight anyone?)
Breaking Up: Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw (seems to fit – if it isn’t right, move on, time is short)
Prom: I’ve Got to Get a Message to You by The Bee Gees (seems appropriate here – the answer was “NO, buddy!”)
Life's OK: Lost by Michael Buble (one of my absolute fav’s right now, so it fits in that regard)
Mental Breakdown: It Is Well (With My Soul) by 4Him (well, this song certainly was a salve to my soul after my mother’s death… so why not here?)
Driving: Taking a Chance by Renee Olstead (yuppers, as we discovered the other day with the brakes issue)
Flashback: Like We Never Loved at All by Faith Hill (hmm… this is perfect for this category, wonder how that happened?)
Getting Back Together: All Creatures of our God and King by 4Him (not sure how this fits in… but I like this version of the song and its percussion instrumentations)
Wedding: Someone to Watch Over Me by John Stevens (sweet!)
Birth of Child: Always On My Mind by Michael Buble (this I think hits the nail on the head in that we parents usually have some regrets and wish we’d have done things differently)
Final Battle: Sisters by Rosemary and Betty Clooney (wonder what that means!? My sisters are 9 and 10 years older than me… I always figured they’d be gone before me…)
Death Scene: Freedom by George Michael (well at least the title and some of the lyrics fit)
Funeral Song: Can’t Help Falling in Love with You by Michael Buble (well, my fav artist of all time is Elvis [who originally sang this song] followed by Michael Buble; but this song really doesn’t fit here…)
End Credits: On a Slow Boat to China by Bette Midler and Barry Manilow (Yes! Finally!)
If you care to play, leave me a comment so I can come check yours out!
Have fun!
Indiana Jane’s daughter set this up for her, and I thought it would be fun to do!
IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?
Here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...
7. Include commentary
Opening Credits: I’m a Believer by Smash Mouth (well, yes, I am by the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit)
Waking Up: Here, There and Everywhere by John Stevens (does that mean I’m falling asleep wherever I go?)
First Day at School: Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House by Garth Brooks (it started that young?)
Falling in Love: Night Fever by The Bee Gees (hmmm… hubby really hates disco, wonder what this means?)
Fight Song: Call Me the Breeze by Lynard Skynard (fight and then flight anyone?)
Breaking Up: Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw (seems to fit – if it isn’t right, move on, time is short)
Prom: I’ve Got to Get a Message to You by The Bee Gees (seems appropriate here – the answer was “NO, buddy!”)
Life's OK: Lost by Michael Buble (one of my absolute fav’s right now, so it fits in that regard)
Mental Breakdown: It Is Well (With My Soul) by 4Him (well, this song certainly was a salve to my soul after my mother’s death… so why not here?)
Driving: Taking a Chance by Renee Olstead (yuppers, as we discovered the other day with the brakes issue)
Flashback: Like We Never Loved at All by Faith Hill (hmm… this is perfect for this category, wonder how that happened?)
Getting Back Together: All Creatures of our God and King by 4Him (not sure how this fits in… but I like this version of the song and its percussion instrumentations)
Wedding: Someone to Watch Over Me by John Stevens (sweet!)
Birth of Child: Always On My Mind by Michael Buble (this I think hits the nail on the head in that we parents usually have some regrets and wish we’d have done things differently)
Final Battle: Sisters by Rosemary and Betty Clooney (wonder what that means!? My sisters are 9 and 10 years older than me… I always figured they’d be gone before me…)
Death Scene: Freedom by George Michael (well at least the title and some of the lyrics fit)
Funeral Song: Can’t Help Falling in Love with You by Michael Buble (well, my fav artist of all time is Elvis [who originally sang this song] followed by Michael Buble; but this song really doesn’t fit here…)
End Credits: On a Slow Boat to China by Bette Midler and Barry Manilow (Yes! Finally!)
If you care to play, leave me a comment so I can come check yours out!
Have fun!
My Dad, Part I, Hunting
Growing up I thought my dad could do anything. He was a manly man, with many manly friends. They played poker and pinnocle and something called cribbage. They ate hearty manly food whenever they did this and drank a few brewskis. They played softball, and watched most sports on the TV, but especially football, baseball and basketball.
These men also gathered at our house before going on the annual hunting expedition for a deer or antelope. This expedition was planned well in advance with herd reports and weather reports and lists of food and drink and other things (like TP -- they learned to put that on the list when it was forgotten one year). Now the list for food was well planned by my dad, because he was the head cook. And he was a great cook. These men ate well on the hunting trail.
Then, off they'd go, with rifles, food, lots of orange clothing, drinks and cards (for playing poker, etc. in the Colorado Rockies).
A week or two later, they'd return, dirty and smelly and in a variety of moods. For reasons I will never comprehend, I would rush up to my dad, even though I knew what was going to take place next. Hugging your own smelly, dirty dad is one thing. Being rubbed on your babysoft face with his stubble that felt like a prickly pear cactus was endurable because I loved him. But then, all the guys got in on the action and by the time it was done, my face was red, raw and hurtin' from being rubbed by all those guys' stubble. My nose was assaulted and my clothing smelled like theirs -- really bad body odor mixed with campfire and possibly the blood and guts of a killed animal, which were now hanging in our carport or garage by their hind legs. For a prissy, girly girl this was almost unbearable. But I loved my dad, so it was ok.
You could always tell who had gotten an animal because of their mood... those who regaled us with stories of the hunt and eventual kill. Those who hadn't gotten a deer or antelope told stories as well, but they weren't as jubilantly shared.
And then, the "process" would begin. The process whereby an animal is prepared to go to the butchers. The animals had already been gutted in the mountains before bringing the animals to our place. For this I am eternally grateful. After hanging the animals by their hind feet from the rafters, the skinning would begin. The sound of this will forever ring in my ears. It's not a natural sound. But you could at least look at the animals with their skin on. Skinned they were ugly and smelly and exposed. The sounds of breaking bones, ball and joints being seperated, ribs being cracked open... those are things you just can't dismiss easily.
To think that from that came meat our families would eat... yuck! Of course, I never was one for enjoying a very gamey meat (and I've certainly tried many in my growing up years like snake, bear, quail, duck, antelope, deer, moose among others). But, I wonder if I couldn't seperate the meat before me from the sites and sounds that so impressed my mind with its yuckiness. No matter how good a cook my dad was, some things just do not lose their gamey flavor. You can hide it, you can provide more powerful tastes to compete, but it's still there.
My dad enjoyed hunting very much. He always told me that it was because he enjoyed being out in the mountains and being part of the nature that God created for us to enjoy. I believed him, because we went camping every weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day as a family for many years. Dad was different up there in the mountains. You could see how much he enjoyed it.
Now he's in an assisted living facility as life slowly drains from him and he no longer can enjoy the mountains in person. It's difficult to watch a virile man become so helpless. It's difficult, too, that he confuses me with my mom, whose been dead for 7 and a half years.
Still, I love him and try to remember the better times.
These men also gathered at our house before going on the annual hunting expedition for a deer or antelope. This expedition was planned well in advance with herd reports and weather reports and lists of food and drink and other things (like TP -- they learned to put that on the list when it was forgotten one year). Now the list for food was well planned by my dad, because he was the head cook. And he was a great cook. These men ate well on the hunting trail.
Then, off they'd go, with rifles, food, lots of orange clothing, drinks and cards (for playing poker, etc. in the Colorado Rockies).
A week or two later, they'd return, dirty and smelly and in a variety of moods. For reasons I will never comprehend, I would rush up to my dad, even though I knew what was going to take place next. Hugging your own smelly, dirty dad is one thing. Being rubbed on your babysoft face with his stubble that felt like a prickly pear cactus was endurable because I loved him. But then, all the guys got in on the action and by the time it was done, my face was red, raw and hurtin' from being rubbed by all those guys' stubble. My nose was assaulted and my clothing smelled like theirs -- really bad body odor mixed with campfire and possibly the blood and guts of a killed animal, which were now hanging in our carport or garage by their hind legs. For a prissy, girly girl this was almost unbearable. But I loved my dad, so it was ok.
You could always tell who had gotten an animal because of their mood... those who regaled us with stories of the hunt and eventual kill. Those who hadn't gotten a deer or antelope told stories as well, but they weren't as jubilantly shared.
And then, the "process" would begin. The process whereby an animal is prepared to go to the butchers. The animals had already been gutted in the mountains before bringing the animals to our place. For this I am eternally grateful. After hanging the animals by their hind feet from the rafters, the skinning would begin. The sound of this will forever ring in my ears. It's not a natural sound. But you could at least look at the animals with their skin on. Skinned they were ugly and smelly and exposed. The sounds of breaking bones, ball and joints being seperated, ribs being cracked open... those are things you just can't dismiss easily.
To think that from that came meat our families would eat... yuck! Of course, I never was one for enjoying a very gamey meat (and I've certainly tried many in my growing up years like snake, bear, quail, duck, antelope, deer, moose among others). But, I wonder if I couldn't seperate the meat before me from the sites and sounds that so impressed my mind with its yuckiness. No matter how good a cook my dad was, some things just do not lose their gamey flavor. You can hide it, you can provide more powerful tastes to compete, but it's still there.
My dad enjoyed hunting very much. He always told me that it was because he enjoyed being out in the mountains and being part of the nature that God created for us to enjoy. I believed him, because we went camping every weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day as a family for many years. Dad was different up there in the mountains. You could see how much he enjoyed it.
Now he's in an assisted living facility as life slowly drains from him and he no longer can enjoy the mountains in person. It's difficult to watch a virile man become so helpless. It's difficult, too, that he confuses me with my mom, whose been dead for 7 and a half years.
Still, I love him and try to remember the better times.
My Dad, Part II, Sports
My dad played semi-pro baseball when he and my mom were first married. For a time, he did it exclusively after my two older sisters were born. He played for a farm team of the (then) Philidelphia Athletics. He was a pitcher. He could certainly wing those balls around with accuracy and "heat" as they say.
Dad wanted each of his kids to play a sport. I wanted to do gymnastics, but that was prissy and he didn't think it was sporty enough. So he made me join a softball team between 7th and 8th grades. My idea of sports was watching it when I had to, and perhaps trying to cheer on those I knew who did play sports. So, I displayed my pitiful skills for the coach and was chosen for the right outfield. Practice was just something I endured to be on the team.
Our first game was on a field near the junior high school I attended. Dad was there, pacing as he watched. Mom was calmly in the stands, as was my younger brother. My first time at bat, my coach said we'd psych them out if I took a pitch or two right-handed and then switched to left-handed (which I was, but I was just as lousy either way!) It worked, for the first pitch sent to me left-handed was slow and I hit it! Dropping the bat, I overran first base and was rewarded with a ball to the back of my helmet. It knocked me to the ground mostly from the surprise of it. Suddenly, I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that this sport was going to be more dangerous than I thought. But after a few deep breaths, I was up and then took my base. But I wasn't surrendering my helmet. I wore it all around the bases that inning. The next few batters had us advance a base each and eventually I crossed home plate. (For the one thing I could do well was RUN.)
I survived eight innings because no one hit a ball my way. YEA! This might be ok, I thought. Until a ball came my way. Back, back, back I ran with my eyes forward and my mitt open, up and ready to receive the ball... until I fell into a cement ditch and broke my fall with my right hand, breaking many of the blood vessels in my knuckles. The hand began to swell immediately and my fingers were two, then three times their normal size. I couldn't bend my fingers any longer. Of course, there wasn't the kind of ice packs in those days that we are fortunate to have now. So my hand went into the cold Gatorade. Now it was sticky and sore.
It took weeks for my hand to return to normal. I felt like I had my mitt on (although I wore it on my left hand) because movement was so limited for such a long time. I still cannot make as tight a fist with my right hand as I can with my left hand ever since then.
So, after that disaster, it was my idea to give up. Clearly I wasn't talented enough to play this game. My father had other ideas. After recuperating until my hand wasn't swollen and could hold a ball, I spent a week in practice (all of which I complained at and wanted to go home early). When we played on Saturday, we had a light practice on Friday afternoon. This was such a week.
As usual, we outfielders had to catch a certain number of balls batted to us before we could go home. The first ball I caught, I had to jump up for and somehow my legs weren't in the right position and I fell on my hiney -- in the process breaking my tale bone. I cried and carried on, and wanted to go home early. But my coach was having none of that. He just told me I had to catch two more balls before I went home. I have no idea how I did that for the pain was so bad!
When I wasn't better the next morning, my Dad brought me to the hospital where an x-ray confirmed that I had indeed broken my tale bone. Of course, there is no cast for that. One must simply behave like Tim Conway's old man and move exceedingly slow. Changing from a sitting to a standing position was very painful and vice-versa too!
That was the end of my career in softball and sports pretty much. Except, I did much better in swimming as a high school student -- until I got mononucleosis. But that's a story for another day.
Now, my dad cannot watch an entire football game, or baseball game, or hockey game, or basketball game without falling asleep in his chair several times, waking occasionally and then falling back asleep. His stamina is very short, especially because of his congestive heart failure. His world is closing in upon himself and its difficult to see a parent slip away in small increments this way.
I would encourage you to pray for people you know who are on either side of this issue. As I visit my dad I see lots of other folks in similar circumstances and I know they have similar stories of one or more of their parents who were energetic, strong and engaged in life and now are awaiting death.
And even though this sports remembrance was one of showing my lack of talent, I still do like to remember the times spent with my dad doing something HE loved -- throwing the ball around and being outside in the wonderful Colorado sunshine!
Dad wanted each of his kids to play a sport. I wanted to do gymnastics, but that was prissy and he didn't think it was sporty enough. So he made me join a softball team between 7th and 8th grades. My idea of sports was watching it when I had to, and perhaps trying to cheer on those I knew who did play sports. So, I displayed my pitiful skills for the coach and was chosen for the right outfield. Practice was just something I endured to be on the team.
Our first game was on a field near the junior high school I attended. Dad was there, pacing as he watched. Mom was calmly in the stands, as was my younger brother. My first time at bat, my coach said we'd psych them out if I took a pitch or two right-handed and then switched to left-handed (which I was, but I was just as lousy either way!) It worked, for the first pitch sent to me left-handed was slow and I hit it! Dropping the bat, I overran first base and was rewarded with a ball to the back of my helmet. It knocked me to the ground mostly from the surprise of it. Suddenly, I had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that this sport was going to be more dangerous than I thought. But after a few deep breaths, I was up and then took my base. But I wasn't surrendering my helmet. I wore it all around the bases that inning. The next few batters had us advance a base each and eventually I crossed home plate. (For the one thing I could do well was RUN.)
I survived eight innings because no one hit a ball my way. YEA! This might be ok, I thought. Until a ball came my way. Back, back, back I ran with my eyes forward and my mitt open, up and ready to receive the ball... until I fell into a cement ditch and broke my fall with my right hand, breaking many of the blood vessels in my knuckles. The hand began to swell immediately and my fingers were two, then three times their normal size. I couldn't bend my fingers any longer. Of course, there wasn't the kind of ice packs in those days that we are fortunate to have now. So my hand went into the cold Gatorade. Now it was sticky and sore.
It took weeks for my hand to return to normal. I felt like I had my mitt on (although I wore it on my left hand) because movement was so limited for such a long time. I still cannot make as tight a fist with my right hand as I can with my left hand ever since then.
So, after that disaster, it was my idea to give up. Clearly I wasn't talented enough to play this game. My father had other ideas. After recuperating until my hand wasn't swollen and could hold a ball, I spent a week in practice (all of which I complained at and wanted to go home early). When we played on Saturday, we had a light practice on Friday afternoon. This was such a week.
As usual, we outfielders had to catch a certain number of balls batted to us before we could go home. The first ball I caught, I had to jump up for and somehow my legs weren't in the right position and I fell on my hiney -- in the process breaking my tale bone. I cried and carried on, and wanted to go home early. But my coach was having none of that. He just told me I had to catch two more balls before I went home. I have no idea how I did that for the pain was so bad!
When I wasn't better the next morning, my Dad brought me to the hospital where an x-ray confirmed that I had indeed broken my tale bone. Of course, there is no cast for that. One must simply behave like Tim Conway's old man and move exceedingly slow. Changing from a sitting to a standing position was very painful and vice-versa too!
That was the end of my career in softball and sports pretty much. Except, I did much better in swimming as a high school student -- until I got mononucleosis. But that's a story for another day.
Now, my dad cannot watch an entire football game, or baseball game, or hockey game, or basketball game without falling asleep in his chair several times, waking occasionally and then falling back asleep. His stamina is very short, especially because of his congestive heart failure. His world is closing in upon himself and its difficult to see a parent slip away in small increments this way.
I would encourage you to pray for people you know who are on either side of this issue. As I visit my dad I see lots of other folks in similar circumstances and I know they have similar stories of one or more of their parents who were energetic, strong and engaged in life and now are awaiting death.
And even though this sports remembrance was one of showing my lack of talent, I still do like to remember the times spent with my dad doing something HE loved -- throwing the ball around and being outside in the wonderful Colorado sunshine!
Addendum to Thank You, Lord!!!
I forgot to mention that Monday morning was also frought with some medical issues.
I work part-time in a doctor's office as a receptionist. I got a call from my oldest daughter telling me she had sliced open her toe on a medal bedframe and it hasn't stopped bleeding in just over an hour.
So, hubby had to cart her into the office, but couldn't stay as he had to get back to work. She was examined, and then her wound was cauterized and we're good to go. We set her to doing busy work while we waited for hubby to return after my shift was over to cart us both home.
We've got the car with the brake issues back and it's working like a charm (which, of course, it should after $600 worth of parts and labor).
I work part-time in a doctor's office as a receptionist. I got a call from my oldest daughter telling me she had sliced open her toe on a medal bedframe and it hasn't stopped bleeding in just over an hour.
So, hubby had to cart her into the office, but couldn't stay as he had to get back to work. She was examined, and then her wound was cauterized and we're good to go. We set her to doing busy work while we waited for hubby to return after my shift was over to cart us both home.
We've got the car with the brake issues back and it's working like a charm (which, of course, it should after $600 worth of parts and labor).
June 16, 2008
Thank You, Lord!!!
Yesterday was an eventful day for us. The homeschool conference ended Saturday evening... and we had a leisurely breakfast, then packed to come home again. Traffic was rather heavy, but no mishaps, accidents or other things to delay our getting home. Heavy traffic makes me feel nervous, however.
Upon arriving home we discovered that my hubby's sister and her new husband drove here from Florida to visit with my in-laws as this weekend marked my mother-in-law's 69th birthday and their 50th wedding anniversary as well as being Father's Day!
So our planned leisurely afternoon and evening were scrapped, but with all the responsibilities we had going this week, we couldn't afford to spend too much time visiting with the surprise visitors.
So, after sharing a deliciously thrown together meal, my youngest daughter and I headed out to accomplish some errands before I ran out of energy. (The conference is always exhilirating, and yet tiring at the same time. I am still recovering...) :-)
As we headed to our fourth, and almost last destination, I hit the brakes in the parking lot just as I was entering a parking spot. The brakes seemed to give way and the pedal went all the way to the floor. Of course, anyone who has experienced this, knows the sickening feeling you get when you realize that you may not have any brakes!
I feel so blessed that we were in a parking lot, that I was going so slow because I was parking and that the car stopped after I pumped the brakes a couple of times and applied them again.
But I was fearful of driving anywhere else on them. So I called hubby, who had just dropped off the older girls at their swing dancing club for the evening. Hubby came to me at the parking lot, and took a look-see at the brakes and brake fluid level.
You'll never guess what happened! The entire left front brake shoe had fallen off! Hubby found it under the car.
Now, providentially, across the street from the parking lot where we were, was a Brakes Plus shop. Hubby drove the car over to the shop using the emergency brake to stop as that just utilizes the back breaks.
So today has been quite a rig-a-ma-roll to get me to my 8 am job, hubby to his job which has flex hours, and our middle daughter to her 2:30 pm job.
We'll pick up the car with the former brake problem later today a lot lighter in the wallet (over $600) but still feeling as if we are so blessed!
This could have happened coming home from Denver in all that traffic going over 65 miles per hour... it could have happened as we traveled to my in-laws to see them and my sister-in-law and her husband... it could have happened as R and I drove around and were not in a parking lot...
Lots of "could haves".
THANK YOU, LORD for taking such good care of us!
Upon arriving home we discovered that my hubby's sister and her new husband drove here from Florida to visit with my in-laws as this weekend marked my mother-in-law's 69th birthday and their 50th wedding anniversary as well as being Father's Day!
So our planned leisurely afternoon and evening were scrapped, but with all the responsibilities we had going this week, we couldn't afford to spend too much time visiting with the surprise visitors.
So, after sharing a deliciously thrown together meal, my youngest daughter and I headed out to accomplish some errands before I ran out of energy. (The conference is always exhilirating, and yet tiring at the same time. I am still recovering...) :-)
As we headed to our fourth, and almost last destination, I hit the brakes in the parking lot just as I was entering a parking spot. The brakes seemed to give way and the pedal went all the way to the floor. Of course, anyone who has experienced this, knows the sickening feeling you get when you realize that you may not have any brakes!
I feel so blessed that we were in a parking lot, that I was going so slow because I was parking and that the car stopped after I pumped the brakes a couple of times and applied them again.
But I was fearful of driving anywhere else on them. So I called hubby, who had just dropped off the older girls at their swing dancing club for the evening. Hubby came to me at the parking lot, and took a look-see at the brakes and brake fluid level.
You'll never guess what happened! The entire left front brake shoe had fallen off! Hubby found it under the car.
Now, providentially, across the street from the parking lot where we were, was a Brakes Plus shop. Hubby drove the car over to the shop using the emergency brake to stop as that just utilizes the back breaks.
So today has been quite a rig-a-ma-roll to get me to my 8 am job, hubby to his job which has flex hours, and our middle daughter to her 2:30 pm job.
We'll pick up the car with the former brake problem later today a lot lighter in the wallet (over $600) but still feeling as if we are so blessed!
This could have happened coming home from Denver in all that traffic going over 65 miles per hour... it could have happened as we traveled to my in-laws to see them and my sister-in-law and her husband... it could have happened as R and I drove around and were not in a parking lot...
Lots of "could haves".
THANK YOU, LORD for taking such good care of us!
June 13, 2008
At the CHEC Conference
The Best Keynote Address I've Ever Heard!
WOW! After going to homeschooling conferences for over 12 years, both in Colorado and in Arizona, I have to say unequivocally that today's General Session Keynote address by Pastor Voddie Baucham was the absolute best I have ever heard!
Quite simply-- if we want Romans, we'll send our children to Caesar's schools to be indoctrinated. If we want Christians, we'll keep 'em home with us, even though we may be sinners, and don't do things perfectly.
We also won't pass them until they've mastered the concept -- so yes, my children do earn all A's thank you very much!
Seeing Old Friends and Meeting New Ones
We're having fun -- being inspired -- meeting friends old and new and generally being encouraged in our homeschool efforts. The conference committee is upbeat, helpful and in high spirits as they serve each other, the attendees, the speakers and vendors!
von Trapp Children concert tonight!
Tonight, the von Trapp singers will entertain us. As conference committee members we were privileged to hear them sing at our volunteer banquet on Wednesday evening. They opened with a traditional rendition of "Amazing Grace." That was my mom's favorite song, and it was part of her funeral service, and ever since then it is hard for me to hear it, and I certainly cannot sing it for the hug lump it always produces in my throat. After the children completed the song, my hubby leaned over and whispered to me, "Your mom would have really like that." Of course, that made the tears steam down my face more quickly! Even though I miss her so much, I know she's better off with our Lord and Savior in heaven, but she would have really enjoyed hearing them sing that particular song.
More later as we continue to enjoy this conference!
WOW! After going to homeschooling conferences for over 12 years, both in Colorado and in Arizona, I have to say unequivocally that today's General Session Keynote address by Pastor Voddie Baucham was the absolute best I have ever heard!
Quite simply-- if we want Romans, we'll send our children to Caesar's schools to be indoctrinated. If we want Christians, we'll keep 'em home with us, even though we may be sinners, and don't do things perfectly.
We also won't pass them until they've mastered the concept -- so yes, my children do earn all A's thank you very much!
Seeing Old Friends and Meeting New Ones
We're having fun -- being inspired -- meeting friends old and new and generally being encouraged in our homeschool efforts. The conference committee is upbeat, helpful and in high spirits as they serve each other, the attendees, the speakers and vendors!
von Trapp Children concert tonight!
Tonight, the von Trapp singers will entertain us. As conference committee members we were privileged to hear them sing at our volunteer banquet on Wednesday evening. They opened with a traditional rendition of "Amazing Grace." That was my mom's favorite song, and it was part of her funeral service, and ever since then it is hard for me to hear it, and I certainly cannot sing it for the hug lump it always produces in my throat. After the children completed the song, my hubby leaned over and whispered to me, "Your mom would have really like that." Of course, that made the tears steam down my face more quickly! Even though I miss her so much, I know she's better off with our Lord and Savior in heaven, but she would have really enjoyed hearing them sing that particular song.
More later as we continue to enjoy this conference!
June 8, 2008
Curly Girl
There once was a girl, with a curl in the middle of her forehead...
And when she was good, she was very, very good...
But when she was bad, she was horrid!
Now, I'm not saying that this sweet faced young 'un of mine is horrid, even though she has her moments!
Honestly, I just thought of the "girl with the curl" when I saw R's hair this morning after curling it last night with sponge curlers that she slept on. I did a Google search for the author of the "girl with the curl" speel, but couldn't find the author.
Any of you readers know?
The Conference is Coming!
This next week will be the culmination of months of work on our state's family conference (we stopped calling it a homeschool conference last year, even if that's how we refer to it from time to time and most others still refer to it that way).
My husband and I organize and put on the Support Group Leaders Brunch. We've had our dining room table taken over in getting ready a little gift we're giving to each family in attendance.
Each year that gift is different. This year it's a little bag with various items inside representing a "Support Group Leader's Survival Kit." My big girls are helping with the sewing and the threading of the ribbon through the casing. Our little girl is helping to load the bags with all the "stuff."
Each bag contains:
Band-Aid – for paper cuts you get from all the paperwork
Bible – to remind you to be governed by His Word in all you do
Candy Kiss – to remind you that somebody loves you
Candle – to remind you that you light up someone’s life with your sacrificial, loving efforts
Eraser – to make mistakes disappear
Marble – for when you are sure you’ve lost all of yours
Mint – to remind you that you are worth a mint to your support group
Penny – so you will never be completely broke
Powder Puff – so you’ll always have a soft spot to fall
Rubber Band – to help you stretch beyond your limits
Safety Pin – to help you hold it all together when it seems to be falling apart
Star – because that is what you are
Bible – to remind you to be governed by His Word in all you do
Candy Kiss – to remind you that somebody loves you
Candle – to remind you that you light up someone’s life with your sacrificial, loving efforts
Eraser – to make mistakes disappear
Marble – for when you are sure you’ve lost all of yours
Mint – to remind you that you are worth a mint to your support group
Penny – so you will never be completely broke
Powder Puff – so you’ll always have a soft spot to fall
Rubber Band – to help you stretch beyond your limits
Safety Pin – to help you hold it all together when it seems to be falling apart
Star – because that is what you are
We're looking forward to a good time at the CHEC Family Conference!
June 7, 2008
Promotion Ceremony
Last night was our homeschool group's Promotion Ceremony. It's a time when we come together for a meal, and have a little ceremony where we present certificates to the children that have been composed by their parents. The certificates need to be 100 words or less per child.
I was the one reading the certificates to all those in attendance as the child whose certificate was being read stood up front and looked back at mom and dad for pictures. Assisting me was my husband, who, some of you may know, is a professional Boy Scout.
One of the 13-year old's certificate discussed the many merit badges that he had earned. This is, of course, something any parent would be proud of.
Too bad I said, "marrige badges" instead!
Later on last evening, I joked with my hubby that perhaps the Boy Scouts should consider adding a marriage merit badge. :-)
I was the one reading the certificates to all those in attendance as the child whose certificate was being read stood up front and looked back at mom and dad for pictures. Assisting me was my husband, who, some of you may know, is a professional Boy Scout.
One of the 13-year old's certificate discussed the many merit badges that he had earned. This is, of course, something any parent would be proud of.
Too bad I said, "marrige badges" instead!
Later on last evening, I joked with my hubby that perhaps the Boy Scouts should consider adding a marriage merit badge. :-)
June 4, 2008
Communicating
I wonder how many of us take for granted our ability to speak to communicate with others?
I know for me, I use a variety of techniques to communicate, but speaking is something I think we take for granted until we no longer have the ability to do so, such as when we are ill, or in my friend's case, when you have a condition known as Spasmodic Dysphonia.
What would you do if you could no longer be understood by others in normal, everyday settings? Imagine not being able to be understood by people over the phone. Or when ordering at a restaurant. Or in the store with a normal, everyday purchase. Or with friends at a picnic, or church. Imagine how difficult life then becomes when you can no longer communicate with others in this fashion.
My friend (IRL = in real life) Kelly has a form of Spasmodic Dysphonia which greatly affects her ability to speak and be understood. For a vivacious, outgoing, personable lady, this has turned her world topsy-turvy and she's learning new ways to reach out and still communicate.
Please visit her blog to learn more. And if you're so inclined and do so before 6 pm (Mountain Time) on June 6th, and leave a comment, you'll be entered into her contest to receive a $20 Starbucks gift card.
I know for me, I use a variety of techniques to communicate, but speaking is something I think we take for granted until we no longer have the ability to do so, such as when we are ill, or in my friend's case, when you have a condition known as Spasmodic Dysphonia.
What would you do if you could no longer be understood by others in normal, everyday settings? Imagine not being able to be understood by people over the phone. Or when ordering at a restaurant. Or in the store with a normal, everyday purchase. Or with friends at a picnic, or church. Imagine how difficult life then becomes when you can no longer communicate with others in this fashion.
My friend (IRL = in real life) Kelly has a form of Spasmodic Dysphonia which greatly affects her ability to speak and be understood. For a vivacious, outgoing, personable lady, this has turned her world topsy-turvy and she's learning new ways to reach out and still communicate.
Please visit her blog to learn more. And if you're so inclined and do so before 6 pm (Mountain Time) on June 6th, and leave a comment, you'll be entered into her contest to receive a $20 Starbucks gift card.
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