Worth Re-Stating Again

This is from a speech given by Nelson Mendella eons ago...
I actually have it as the title page for Bradley's Year 1 or 2 scrapbook. I am listening to Jonathon Roche's No Excuses Weight Loss podcast and he challenged a caller with this.

It is very powerful.
Read it several times, every day.
It's about the way God created us before the fall but he still wants us to know and believe in ourselves.


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'

Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Marianne Williamson, quoted by Nelson Mandela
http://www.worldproutassembly.org/archives/2005/08/who_are_you_not.html

Common Sense 101

I just started reading Common Sense 101/Lessons From GK Chesteron by Dale Ahlquist.

I'll write summary as I go along. In the Preface, Ahlquist questions "How did the world forget such an unforgettable character?"

I agree, I had not heard of GK Chesterton until my apologetics class in graduate school. Our required reading was Baker's Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics which refers to Chesterton numerous times before "C". I was so impressed by the information about Chesterton that I decided to find out who this humerous, witty, intellectual, person that I had never heard of was. I have not been disappointed. I was only dismayed that I had not heard of him sooner and that more of my Christian friends did not know about him also.

Continuing with the summary...Chesterton was a journalist from the early 20th century who wrote hundreds of books and essays about everything, "penned epic poetry but also delighted in detective fiction, that he made everyone laugh, that every who knew him loved him, that he was happily married but unhappily had no children, that he took on all the leading thinkers of his time and challenged them not only on his clear ideas but with the example of his own life..."

Alquist states this book is a look at life through the eyes of Chesteron, a Chestertonian perspective. "Chesteron wrote about everything. An ocean of words poured out of his pen. It is deep, dangerous, it is delightful, it is refreshing, it is full of surprises, it is full of life."

Get ready to swim...

Thanksgiving - One of my favorite holidays

Proclamation of Thanksgiving
Washington, D.C.October 3, 1863

This is the proclamation which set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. During his administration, President Lincoln issued many orders like this. For example, on November 28, 1861, he ordered government departments closed for a local day of thanksgiving.
Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on 28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She wrote, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritive fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution." The document below sets apart the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise."

According to an April 1, 1864, letter from John Nicolay, one of President Lincoln's secretaries, this document was written by Secretary of State William Seward, and the original was in his handwriting. On October 3, 1863, fellow Cabinet member Gideon Welles recorded in his diary that he complimented Seward on his work. A year later the manuscript was sold to benefit Union troops.

By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,Secretary of State

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm

Quote

John Mark Reynolds, PhD

...one reason most people aren't Christians is because most Chritians aren't Christians.

Hmmm...

Contending for the Christian Worldview
Biola University

GK Chesterton quote...gotta love this guy.

"It is terrible to contemplete how few politicians are hanged." - The Cleveland Press, 3/1/21

The Sun'll Come Up Tomorrow...

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." Alice Walker

A dreadful thing happened on November 2...we set our clocks back an hour. This really messes with my sleep but now, instead of going to work in the dark, I get see the sun rise on my way to work...and I have not been disappointed.

I have been looking for the silver lining with this dark cloud of election results...I have found it.

First of all, I am thankful to live in a country where I get the opportunity to select my leaders and representatives. I am also very thankful that "regime change" takes place in this awesome country without violence. There aren't many countries in the world this can happen!

The election results were reported, the sun rose, and I am able to voice my opinion about that! Again, an awesome freedom we enjoy and probably take for granted. We have the right to voice our opinion about our government.

But the silver lining is that this is a tremendous growth opportunity for me. I am challenged to become even more involved in this great Republic, to research more, to discern more, to discuss more, to be more accountable in my own opinions, and to even help others become more involved and almost with a sense of urgency. Perhaps many Christians who have sat complacently by in times past will now be challenged to step forward and take on the challenge of government and "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." (Lincoln)

Also posted on Del Tackett's blog Truth Observed (www.deltackett.com)

Now, what?

The election is over...

The results are final...

Now, what do I do?

Just Keep Praying!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (New American Standard Bible)
A Call to Prayer
1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Quote

The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.

John F. Kennedy, speech at Vanderbilt University, May 18, 196335th president of US 1961-1963 (1917 - 1963)

Our Own Worst Enemies

Elections seasons are great for watching politicians defeat themselves. I have to say that Joe the Plumber is the greatest blooper that I've seen this year and the other party is using it to its advantage. Wisely so, this is a very serious issue.

I hope Joe gets a great position after the election...White House Plumber...The First Plumber!!

I work for Joe the Lawyer and my husband is Joe the Carpenter so I am very interested in what happens to Joe the Plumber.

I'm not into the idea of spreading the wealth and I certainly don't have any extra to spread so be careful with and don't vote yourself into poverty.

Book Review

Exerpt from How To Ruin The United States of America by Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth

America The Beautiful: Forgotten

With the eradication of history and its replacement with America-bashing sloganeering, elementary truths once taken for granted throughout our society are perilously close to being forgotten. Consider: How long has it been since citizens began being the arbiters of their own government rather than used a schattel however rulers saw fit? How long has it been since men and women gained the ability to get rid of their leaders through ballots instead of revolution? Perhaps a few hundred years out of tens of thousands.

How long has man been able to have hot baths on demand? A century. How long has he been able to have a safe, delicious food at any time? Maybe 80 or 100 years. How long has he been able to have an air-conditioned room in the desert? Fifty years. How long have Jews had completely equal rights with Christians in America? Perhaps 40 years at most, out of 5,800 years of Jewish life. How long have black men been in high political office in large numbers? Just 10 or 20 years. How long have women had completely equal rights?

In other words, America offers us a golden age on a silver platter - a life that's the envy of the world, a life of comfort, safety, health, and opportunity almost unimaginable to earlier generations.

Most of us have never been prisoners in a concentration camp. We've never been led into a gas chamber and gassed with Zylkon B. We've never been rounded up in a town in Romania and beaten to death by fascist thugs with iron rods. We've never been used for unanesthetized experiments by Dr. Mengele. We've never been on a death march in the Phillipines. We've never gone hungry, never been forced to work outside in the Polish winter in cotton clothing while suffering from typhus. We haven't lived through an economic depression lasting 11 years, where our store of treasure turned to dust an able-bodied members of our family went hungry for lack of work. Yet these were the fates of millions, even in our lifetimes.

We never had to charge against a massed cannon and musket fire in a Fredericksburg, be a prisoner in a gulag, or be shot at the Lubyanka (intelligence headquarters) because some OGPU officer had to make his quota of "wreckers and saboteurs" in order to placate Stalin. We've never had to charge against German machine guns at Ypres or the Somme. We've never suffocated in the hold of a Japanese prison ship. We've never had to charge against Japanese Nambu machine guns at Taraw, Peleliu, or Okinawa. We have never been torpedoed while making the Murmansk run, then thrown overboard and drowned in the icy water while our friends died all around us, or eaten by sharks because our ship was torpedoed in the Pacific by Japanese submarines.

How blessed most of us have been.

But the point of our thanks is that there are millions - tens of millions- who suffered and died to bring us the sunny pleasure that is America today. What's missing from our whole chocolatey-sweet culture is this realization fo just how amazingly thankful we have to be to the men who died so we could bitch and moan about traffic or bad cell-phone service. How will we ever be able to pay these people back? What can we do for the child without a grandfather because that man died assaulting Shuri Castle on Okinawa or defending Corregidor or breaking through to Bastogne or holding off the Chinese Communists at Chosin?

It seems as if the whole country is on the road to forgetting how we got to where we are. If we lose sight of just how precious our nation and our way of life are, we'll lose our purpose and meaning, and we'll be easy prey for our enemies.

This has to be taught. We have everything we do because brave men bled and their wifes, mothers, fathers, and children sobbed and were along. This is what should be on TV- shows that bind the nation together in gratitude. But where do we start when women like Paris Hilton's mother are considered role models?

We aren't worried about America's financial capital. There's plenty of money and plenty of trinkets. We are worried about our moral capital. It's as if it has been loaded onto ships and is sailing out of sight. When it is gone, what will we do?

"Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt lose its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?"

p. 79-82
New Beginnings Press, Carlsbad, CA, USA, 2008

Recommended Reading

God Won't Vote This Year
by Dave Zanotti

Exerpt:

In America, we each have the right to participate in the process of shaping the government. That right is a gift the Founders believed came from God the Creator. We have exactly the kind of elected officials we put into office by our actions. The Bible teaches God governs in the affairs of men. God can veto the results of an election anytime He wishes but there is little evidence in America history that God has ever chosen to do so. Granted, a few vetoes from the Almighty along the way might have saved the nation oa freat deal of grief. The people of americal have the God-ordained right to government based upon the consent of the governed. And like ancient Isreal, we the people are resonsible for the consequences of our collective decision.

Therefore, we cannot blame God if the candidates running ar not to our liking. we cannot blame God if the lesser or the greater of two evils is elected. Gos is not voting this year, next year, or in the years to come. He gave us the right to do that for our selves. In the long term and in the short term we get exactly the kind of government we choose. (pp 58-59)

www.godwontvote.com

My thought: God is not a citizen of the USA and therefore not eligible to register and vote. Cute play on words though. Those of us who are citizens ought to cherish the right and opportunity to vote for our representatives. Once elected, we need to continuously communicate with these representatives so they can do just that, REPRESENT. If they don't know what their constituents' thoughts, beliefs, wants, etc., are, how will they make decisions regarding legislation.

Back to school - NOT

Our back to school started Monday, September 1. Yeah, I know, that's a holiday but we did a lot of organization stuff and a few math problems and memorized some poetry. Easy stuff. The first week went really well and I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to experience learning with Bradley.

The FREEDOM of homeschooling is one of those things you may not understand until you do it. Organized schools, whether public or private, cover families with RULES. Whether you have a student at your house or not, most citizens don't realize how much of their life schedule is dicatated by school schedules. Not to mention how every taxpayer pays for government schools whether they ever use it or not. In NC, those of us who participate in non-public education pay twice. We pay taxes, and then we either pay private school tuition or we pay for curriculum, co-ops, labs, etc.

With one week under my belt, I am moving forward and adding a subject this week "Analytical Grammar." Interesting curriculum. Written by a school teacher, we study grammar for 10 weeks and then do "refresher/reminder" work once every two weeks for the remainder of the year. I'm really looking forward to 10 weeks of grammar and then being able to move on from that. I'll let you know how it goes.

Where have you been?

Wow! It's been a while since I've blogged. I thought this summer would be calm and I would have much free time to do some things I've been wanting to do. Instead, it was worse busy than before school finished.

Just recently I attended a family reunion in Bryson City, a birthday/slumber party with Bradley in Maggie Valley, and I joined the Y. I have managed to continue doing an exercise class two or three times each week but I haven't finished reading anything. I haven't rode my bicycle or took a walk or spent any down time.

This past weekend and next week I am preparing for homeschool year number 3. I've ordered a new Grammar curriculum, made decisions about which Tapestry of Grace year to use this year and which books and other items I need to order. I've also contacted a family friend who can proctor me in my homeschool and be an accountability person for Bradley. Since she is in fifth grade now, I need to start keeping track of her grades. School starts September 1 so maybe life will return to ???Normal??? If I even know what that is anymore.

Ethical Announcement

I am notorious for borrowing photos and such from other websites. I mean for what other reason is there a website called Google Images anyway? But not just Google Images but "private" websites. I usually try to give credit for these things but occasionally there's something that slips through un-cited. I just want to make that clear that I am not always responsible for the photos on my site. I don't consider it stealing if my computer will let me do it with a couple of key strokes.

DON'T watch this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjcZNR6MiRE&feature=related



So, now that you've watched it, what do you think?

Quote and thought

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke



Someone said this would be a good slogan for Barak Obama's campaign.
Think about it...It took me a minute also.

My Shooting Star

Bradley spent last week in a gymnastics camp at The Shooting Stars gym in Hickory. Vladimir and Ilena are the coaches/owners. There were a total of FIVE gymnasts present for the camp which meant that Bradley shared her three hours of practice with one other Level 5 gymnast. It was like a three hour private lesson with Vladimir and Ilena. We are very thankful that Hannah was there! I've posted a couple of the videos so you can see what Bradley was doing. Vladimire was training her Level 6 on bars.

Today is the 10th anniversary of meeting the coolest person I know...

Today is Bradley's 10th birthday. It's hard to believe it's been ten years.

Ten years ago there was formula and diapers, and I had to change her clothes several time a day. Now there is leotards and tape and she still changes her clothes several times a day.

She still objects to taking a bath and doesn't see the point in sleep, but we've managed to make it work. A lot has changed in those ten years but Bradley is wonderful and being 10 is fun!!!

My New Neighbor

This is my new neighbor. Forrest Benson Tyner. He was born June 13, 2008. He and I "hung out" yesterday for a few minutes. He's really cool. Doesn't talk much yet but he's a good a listener!!!

...and his mom looks really great too!!!

Cool Shot

This is from Dr. Tackett's blog Truth Observed. There's a link to his blog in the right column.

He caught a bumble bee taking a sip in the humming bird feeder. I just thought this was a great shot and wanted to share.

Dude,

I have a Dell Computer and a couple of weeks ago while I was working dilligently I rested my hand on the keyboard. When I moved my hand again, somehow my nail had gotten under the ENTER key and it snapped right off. I had all the parts and could get it back together but it was wobbly and wouldn't stay.

After a couple of weeks of this frustration because I hit the enter key a lot, I decided to see what Dell could do about it. Tuesday night while at gymnastics practice, I did an online chat with a Dell techie, his name was Luis. I explained to Luis what had happened and he said he would send me a new keyboard. He said it would come Tuesday. I was so excited.

Low and behold on Wednesday, the very next day, before noon, voila! a box from Dell appears at work and there is my new keyboard. Wow, that's impressive customer service and delivery. Less than 24 hours after I notified them of my need, they deliver.

I took the new keyboard to Justin who works next door for Applied Solutions. Guess what? He fixed my ENTER key. No new keyboard needed. So I have an extra keyboard just in case an obsure key I never use wants to come off.

Another funny part of this story. Hannah told me that on Thursday, after getting the messages off the answering machine at work, there were two messages from Dell that they were having problems with my order and that I wouldn't get my replacement part as originally scheduled. Well, yeah, I know that and I don't really need it either, I've got Justin. Sometimes I wonder about large corporations.

Can't wait for this one to come out

This is by Susan Wise Bauer. She has a blog at http://susanwisebauer.com/blog/?p=179

where you can read about book publishing and other aspects of the life of a college professor/homeschool mom/writer.

I don't think her maiden name is a coincidence.

Blog on Intelligent Design

Check out Dr. McGowan's (that's MD, not PhD) blog on intelligent design. There's some good stuff in there.

http://www.aproundtable.org/blog/index2.cfm?AUTHOR_ID=1

Bumper Sticker I saw at lunch today

Come the rapture, we will have the planet to ourselves.

Quote for the day

History is written by the victors. - Winston Churchill

True, but what happens when the victors are evil?

I thought this was so funny...

Kung Fu Guinea Pig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co8maEPe0J0

Favorite Things

Below I have listed 10 of my favorite things.

Color: Blue
Flower: Daisy
Season: Fall
Scent: Ocean
Food: Italian
Beverage: Water
Children's Book: The Cricket in Times Square
Place for vacation: Carribean
Sport to watch: Football
Movie: The Hunt for Red October

Now, post yours in a comment.

David's New Website

David, the trainer, you know, the guy that pulled a bus. He has another webiste and is starting exercise classes in Hendersonville. The website is:

www.realstrengthbootcamp.com

No More Excuses...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA

Yesterday, I started back taking the Fit -n- Fun exercise classes at High Flight Gym. I was dreading it because I had not done this class in several weeks due to hurting my shoulder, a head cold, and the gym being closed for a week. The 'WOD' (workout of the day) was a good one for me to get back in on. It included crunches, dips, and running. Of course, I had left my running shoes at home so I did suicide runs in the gym while the others ran their lap outside. There were four rounds of this with decreasing reps each round but a lap is a lap. I'm not too sore today, yet... I usually get more sore after about 24 hours so I'm trying to take the Arnica Montana and Ibuprophen to keep the pain down. Hopefully, I will have some time later today to do a work out at home which will help with the level of soreness tomorrow.

If you are interested and live in the area, the Fit -n- Fun classes are a modified cross-fit class. This is a high intensity workout that is different every day so you never get bored. There are classes at 8:00 am each day and the evening classes are at 5:30 or 6:30 depending on the day. Come join me!!!

www.highflightgym.com

Piggie Wisdom

Charlotte says,
"I'll have some carrots please!"

Charlotte also says,
"It's a great day to be alive."

Charlotte's favorite TV show is Wonder Pets.

I had a great compliment today...

Kim, at the bank, paid me a great compliment today. She works at the drive thru window at BB&T and we don't usually have time to chit-chat. Somehow we got on the subject of parenting and she said she wanted to be a cool, hip, mom and she felt like she was too old to have a child. I told her that I was 35 when I had Bradley. She said that's how old she is. I told her that Bradley would be 10 in July and she said she couldn't believe I was 45. She thought I was about 33. Thanks Kim, you're awesome and no, you're not too old to have a child. Go for it!!! Have a dozen!!! It's very adverturous and it will keep you young!!!

Cutest Baby Contest

Please vote by comment for the cutest baby. The candidates are listed below:

Contestant #1: Makenna Elizabeth Johnson

Vote early and often!!!

Can Sherriff Joe run for President?

I got this information in an email from a friend. I haven't checked the absolute validity of the info but the Sherriff's website is at the bottom. Whether it's 100% true or not isn't the point here...this is an example of someone I would like to see run for President???
You all remember Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona , who painted the jail cells pink and made the inmates wear pink prison garb. Well.........SHERIFF JOE IS AT IT AGAIN!

Oh, there's MUCH more to know about Sheriff Joe! Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay.
The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows.


The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. Teresa and I adopted a Weimaraner from a Maricopa County shelter two years ago. He was neutered, and current on all shots, in great health, and even had a microchip inserted the day we got him. Cost us $78. The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.

I have long wondered when the rest of the country would take a look at the way he runs the jail system, and copy some of his ideas. He has a huge farm, donated to the county years ago, where inmates can work, and they grow most of their own fresh vegetables and food, doing all the work and harvesting by hand. He has a pretty good sized hog farm, which provides meat, and fertilizer. It fertilizes the Christmas tree nursery, where prisoners work, and you can buy a living Christmas tree for $6 - $8 for the Holidays, and plant it later. We have six trees in our yard from the Prison.

Yup, he was reelected last year with 83% of the vote. Now he's in trouble with the ACLU again. He painted all his buses and vehicles with a mural, that has a special hotline phone number painted on it, where you can call and report suspected illegal aliens. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement wasn't doing enough in his eyes, so he had 40 deputies trained specifically for enforcing immigration laws, started up his hotline, and bought 4 new buses just for hauling folks back to the border. He's kind of a 'Git-R Dun' kind of Sheriff.



Sheriff Joe Arpaio (In Arizona ) who created the ' Tent City Jail': He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.

He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails. Took away their weights Cut off all but 'G' movies.

He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.

Then He Started Chain Gangs For Women So He Wouldn't Get Sued For Discrimination.

He took away cable TV Until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that Required Cable TV For Jails So He Hooked Up The Cable TV Again Only Let In The Disney Channel And The Weather Channel.

When asked why the weather channel He Replied, So They Will Know How Hot It's Gonna Be While They Are Working ON My Chain Gangs.

He Cut Off Coffee Since It Has Zero Nutritional Value.

When the inmates complained, he told them, 'This Isn't The Ritz/Carlton.....If You Don't Like It, Don't Come Back.'

He bought Newt Gingrich's lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jails.

When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.

More On The Arizona Sheriff:

With Temperatures Being Even Hotter Than Usual In Phoenix (116 Degrees Just Set A New Record), the Associated Press Reports: About 2,000 Inmates Living In A Barbed-Wire-Surrounded Tent Encampment At The Maricopa County Jail Have Been Given Permission To Strip Down To Their Government-Issued Pink Boxer Shorts.

On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached 138 Degrees Inside The Week Before.

Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS.

'It Feels Like We Are In A Furnace,' Said James Zanzot, an inmate who has lived in the trents for 1 year. 'It's inhumane.'

Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: 'It's 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear, But They Didn't Commit Any Crimes,So Shut Your Mouths!' Way To Go, Sheriff!

Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves.


http://www.mcso.org/index.php?a=GetModule&mn=Sheriff_Bio

Candidate Calculator

http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html

Have you tried this? It's quite commical. Several months ago it told me that John Cox was my candidate match. I said "Who?"





I had to do a little research but since the NC primary has come and gone and he wasn't on the ballot, it didn't matter. I tried it again today and it told me that Mike Huckabee was my match. Well, at least I recognized the name and he was on the ballot...but I'm not saying who I voted for.
At least I voted, Matt!!!
Have fun!!!

So much fun it hurts...

Bradley spent a lot of time with the Maita and Aiello chidren while we were at the convention. They were able to hang out in groups and because the convention center and the hotel are connected by a tunnel under the road, I let her have her freedom and they were able to hang out as long as they stayed together. Between the four families, there were about ten children and a dad (Mr. Maita) who were hanging out. Sometimes it was the girls together and sometimes it was all of them. Actually, there was usually a mom or dad or aunt or other adult friend nearby. Bradley spent the night with the Maita's in their suite on Friday night. Cole had a friend over too. When I picked her up Saturday morning she had bruises and scratches on both knees. She had so much fun it hurt!!!

Bradley actually attended a couple of sessions at the conference. One was given by storyteller Jim Weiss which she raved about. This is her first taste of convention life and she was astounded by the number of people at the conference and the size of the bookfair. She's ready to come back next year.

Why I Homeschool

"The absolute best way to train children to be a blessing to all nations."

-Jeff Myers, Ph.D.
A Keynote speaker at the NCHE Convention. He is a very dynamic and motivating speaker who also is an Associate Professor of Communication Arts at Bryan College. Check out his website:

www.passingthebaton.org

Something funny happened on the way to the hotel.

While Bradley and I were waiting in line to check into our hotel, there was a lady in line in front of us that was very unhappy because the pool at our hotel was not open. She was complaining that she had missed the homeschool convention rate at another hotel because she booked her reservation at this hotel but the website didn't say anything about their pool being closed. Well, I wasn't happy about the pool being closed either but I took another approach to the situation. I asked for the homeschool convention rate. Because I booked my room online, it didn't say anything about the convention rate but because I asked, I got an additional $9 off each night. Then I explained that I wasn't happy about the pool situation either. I asked if they thought if the Marriott downtown which was across the street from the convention center would allow Bradley to swim in their pool. They gave me a number to call and ask and Tony agreed to let Bradley swim there. I just had to go by the desk and pick up a key to the pool. Funny how things work out. While we had breaks in the schedule, Bradley was able to swim which was a break for me also.

Soldiers

For Tom and Ralph and Chris and Matt and Rachel and Eli and anyone else who I may not be thinking about.

It's Convention Week...

This week is the annual convention for the NC Home Educators. It's a three-day conference and book fair. There are lots of great talks about education and families and how that what we're doing is making a difference. This is a large convention held in the Benton Convention Center in Winston Salem. There are lots of large families that attend so Bradley and I are an unusual site at the convention.

I am frequently questioned why I homeschool and there are a thousand reasons and I could get a real attitude about this but most of all, it is what is best for Bradley and second it is what is best for our family. Homeschool is a way of life that revolves around the needs of the family and the child and not around the schedule of a government organization or the artificial social requirements of the community. My child has excelled academically in a safe, peacful environment. She is no longer bullied or locked down and she will never be left behind at the Oak Street Academy. Bradley spends her days with the people who love her most and who are most concerned about her success. Isn't that how all children should grow up?

Here is the link for the NC Home Educators web site:
http://nche/com/

Quote

Walter Williams...

So many Americans graduate high school and college having learned what to think as opposed to acquiring the tools of critical, independent thinking. Likewise, they have learned little about our nation's history. As such, they fall prey to the rhetoric of political charlatans and quacks.


Americans' ignorance of our history and inability to think critically have provided considerable ammunition for those who want to divide us in pursuit of their agenda. I don't usually buy into conspiracy theories, but it's tempting to think America's charlatans, quacks and demagogues are in cahoots with the teaching establishments at our government schools and colleges to dumb down the nation.


http://capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4947

Places to go

The Arches of St. Maarten:

A nice place to visit and I would probably live there. This is a view of The Arches house from Dawn Beach on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. If anyone is looking for a great vacation spot, check out

http://www.stmaarten-arches.com

Call 800-849-4491 for availability and rates.

Awesome!

So I was whining yesterday about the weather. Today, I must say, was a beautiful day. Not too hot. I was able to spend quite a bit of time outside reading. Everything is so green.

But I still wouldn't mind going to St. John, VI.

I wanna go where there ain't any snow...

I wanna go where it's warm!

Borrowed this from the WWW because we can't seem to buy a spring day on the weekend here. I want to wear my spring clothes already.

This is a photo from Caneel Bay resort in St. John, VI.

TODAY I exercised my right to vote!!!

I have a confession. This is the first time I have ever voted in a primary election. One reason is that I didn't realize how important primary elections were. They are really important for state and local races and for judges' races. Today was the last day of Absentee Voting. I really like the way North Carolina has this set up so that for three weeks prior to "Primary Day" or "Election Day" I can vote when I want to. Due to my crazy life the past three weeks, I have found myself waiting till the last day. I went by the voter site this morning and picked up a sample ballot and spent some time perusing the WWW and all the mailers I've gotten this week to see what I could find out about the candidates. After a couple of hours doing that, I drove to Town Hall and (didn't have to wait in line) and cast my ballot!!!!

Now, I am aware of the issues surrounding the electoral college and whether my vote actually makes any difference at all, but TODAY, it mattered to me. I proudly wear my I VOTED sticker!!!

FREEDOM? ...yes, there will soon be Freedom from all that political advertising.

Metaphor of the day...

I try to never say never and always...but it's a metaphor.

NEVER arrive at work before Starbucks is open!

Quotes...

From the Georgia Gymdog Training Facility:

Somewhere behind the athlete you've become, the hours of practice, the coaches who push you, and the fans who cheer for you, is the little girl who fell in love with sport and never looked back.

COMPETE FOR HER!!!

From a t-shirt I saw in the ladies room:

TEAM WORK leads to DREAM WORK.

NCAA Gymnastics Championships

Bradley and I attended the 2008 NCAA Gymnastics Championships this weekend in Athens, Georgia with several other families from High Flight Gymnastics. We were able to attend all sessions. The University of Georgia Gymdogs won first place. This was the fourth year in a row they have won first place. It is very exciting to attend a college sporting event, especially when the home team is competing. There was a lot of energy in Stegeman Collesium and it was great to watch high level gymnastics.

Gymnastics is a very intense sport which requires years of practice to achieve the level of gymnatics we enjoyed this weekend. Many of these girls were seniors and this was their last competition. I think all who achieve any level of gymnastics are winners!!

Below are the final team scores from the NCAA Championships:

1 Georgia 197.125

2 Utah 196.944

3 Florida 196.893

4 Alabama 196.562

5 Michigan 196.542

Notice the point difference between 1st and 5th place...less than one point!!! .583

TOUGH SPORT!!!!

Voter Guide

Here is the link for the NC Family Policy Counsel's Primary Election Voter Guide.

http://www.ncfamily.org/voterguide2008/

Quote

Most of the problems of this country are not nearly as bad as the "solutions" -- especially the solutions that politicians come up with during election years. -Thomas Sowell

Another GK Chesterton quote:

"These are the days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed except his own." - ILN 8-11-28

That's 1928...sure sounds like the political correctness propaganda of today.

Quote...

It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government. -Thomas Paine

Harder than it has to be...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_qktGrHe-k

A lot of times when I say this phrase it's usually in a negative way because I am making something I am trying to do harder than it really needs to be to get my goal accomplished.

I watched the above video about gymnastics and reconsidered my thinking because there are some things in life that are harder than they have to be and for a reason.

Gymnasts train hour after hour and year after year in order to perform routines that last two minutes or less. However, if they didn't train at that level, they wouldn't be able to do the tricks and skills required. Remember this when you watch those little girls in the Olympics this summer.

Quote

"Making a difference makes sense only if you ... have mastered the subject at hand to the point where any difference you might make would be for the better."
-Thomas Sowell

Check out the full essay: http://capmag.com/article.asp?ID=5051

David pulled a bus...

David Hoffmaster is coaching a nutrition class at Bradley's gym.
He also trains for Strongman Competition.
Here is a web story about his recent achievement.

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20080320/NEWS/116023587/1047/NEWS/NEWS/Strongman_Pulls_School_Bus

There is a link to his website in the list of Websites I Visit...check it out.

BTW: Since the end of January, I've lost over 5 pounds, 7.5 inches, 10 pounds of body fat, and you wouldn't believe how much food I've been eating.

Signs of spring

Two things happened this week that officially represent that spring is here.

1. Major League Baseball.

2. The smell of fresh cut grass.

I once attended a seminar about memory and they said smells were the number one memory trigger. I experienced that this evening when Bradley and I were driving home from gymnastics practice and we turned into our road, we could smell the neighbor's fresh cut grass and for a moment...I was reminded of being a kid in the summer, warm days and nights, staying up late and playing outside until past dark because there was no school. I remember when there used to be an amusement park at the Westgate Shopping Center and they had one of those huge spotlights. We could see the light in Weaverville and would be at our cousins' Pam and Melanie's house. We would play war spies and hide from the light.

Another smell that reminds me is cedar...it reminds me of my Granny. She had a cedar closet amoire and I remember the slight smell of cedar when I was around her.

What smells trigger memories for you?

Public Service Announcement

Absentee voting in NC beings Aprl 17 for the May 6 Primary election. For more information click on the link to the Buncombe County Election Services website. Primary elections are important especially for State and Local elections. Make sure the right candidate is on the ballot in November by voting in the primary election.

http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/Election/

If you are not registered to vote there is information on this site about registering or changing your registration.

Quote

"...all great change in America begins at the dinner table."

Ronald Reagan

Peeps '08

Do you love peeps?


I was listening to a podcast about the upcoming election and the discussion was that the VP candidates will really make a difference in the upcoming election. The VP candidate is often referred to as the "Veep." One thing led to another during this podcast and the subject turned from governmental politics to Peep politics. For a moment the commentators were more interested in talking about Peeps than they were Veeps. I decided to do a little Peep research. Did you know that Peeps have their own website? It's cute and happy and bright. You can order Peeps online anytime so you don't have to wait until a special holiday to enjoy your favorite treat.

http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/

Carolyn's Birthday

Today would have been Carolyn's birthday. Carolyn Smith was a coworker who passed away January 3. She worked for Jack Stewart for almost 20 years and we had worked in the same office building for almost 15 years. Carolyn was the 'mother' at the office and she had a nack for knowing information or getting information so if you wanted to know something just ask Carolyn and if you had a secret you better not talk to Carolyn. So, March 22 isn't going to pass this year as though it's just another day.

It has come to my attention that March has exceeded May in the number of "days" that require celebration. May has six days, five birthdays and Mothers Day. March has six birthdays and one of Bradley's friends has a birthday so I'm at seven in March but I have to include Carolyn especially when her birthday is Resurrection Eve!!! So, counting Carolyn I have eight birthdays to celebrate in March. I have eight opportunities to celebrate the gift of friendship that each of these wonderful friends given me.

Tetelestai

Nailed to the top of Jesus’ cross is a “certificate of debt” to Caesar, a public display of Jesus’ crime: “King of the Jews.” When punishment is complete, Caesar’s court will cancel the debt with a single Greek word stamped upon the parchment’s face: “tetelestai.” Finished. Paid in full.

Being king of the Jews is not the crime Jesus pays for, however. Hidden to all but the Father is another certificate nailed to that cross: ours. In the darkness that shrouds Calvary from the sixth to the ninth hour, God the Father unleashes His fury upon His sinless Son who has taken upon Himself the crimes of the world as if guilty of all.

At the last, it is not the cross that takes Jesus’ life. When the full payment is made, when the last of the sin debt melts away and the justice of God is fully satisfied, Jesus simply dismisses His spirit with a single Greek word that falls from His lips: “Tetelestai.” It is finished.

Colossians 2:13-14

John 19:30

Source: http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6975

Quote

GK Chesteron

"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried." - Chapter 5, What's Wrong With The World, 1910

Just Keep Swimming...

Several weeks ago, Bradley and I were having a discussion, she's 9, you know and sometimes wize beyond her years. I don't exactly remember what we were discussing, but it was probably about gymnastics and how difficult it has been for her to get her kip so she can move up to Level 5. I was attempting to encourage her to be persistent and she came out with this comment: "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..." She was quoting Dori from the Finding Nemo movie. It was very appropriate and I just had to stop and take a moment to take that all in. At 9, she understood persistence. She understood she would get that kip if she just kept trying. It had been so long since I had seen Finding Nemo I had to get her to remind me what she was talking about. Since that day, we adopted "Just keep swimming..." as our motto for 2008. When the days get busy or the work or the laundry piles up, we 'just keep swimming.' She has her kip now and at one practice the coach wanted her to do it 20 times, she did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WVoC_CJbow&feature=related

St. Patti's Day

Today is St. Patrick's Day but my neice-in-law, Patti, has her birthday today too. She is a very cool and very special friend and I think it's quite neat that she has a holiday named after her on her birthday. It has been a joy to get to know her and Tom and Kayla and her mom and her other family members too. Have you ever met someone and it seemed like you have known them forever? Kind of like family? Well that's another story that I'll put on here someday.

Happy Birthday Patti!!!

St. John, VI

One of the most beautiful places I have been is St. John, USVI. We took a cruise a couple of years ago and one of our ports was St. Thomas. We had heard so much about St. John that we took a cab to Red Hook and took the ferry to Cruz Bay. We were not disappointed. Cruz Bay is a neat small town with one-way roads that wind through the shops and restaurants. We took a cab to Trunk Bay. I had seen this on one of those top 10 lists somewhere. Again, no disappointments here. The beach was a little crowded and there was a wild donkey hanging around but it doesn't take long to find a spot to toss your towel and back pack.

The water is crystal clear and because it is a bay it is calmer than ocean beaches. We swam and napped and watched people. Such a beautiful place. We decided this was one place to come back to. And we did...

About a year later, we took another cruise making sure that one of the ports was St. Thomas. Same routine as before but this year we decided to visit Cinnamon Bay. It was less crowded than Trunk Bay and a little more natural. On our walk down to the beach, we saw a very large iguana eating 'something.' Although he was wild, he was apparently accustomed to eating in front of strangers. This time we took Bradley and that is where I took the photo above. She loves the beach and the sand and playing in the clear water. I wonder if she understands the beauty of God's creation. I wonder if I do.

Excited!!

Bradley, Malya, Isabel, Taylor

4 excited gymnasts!

This is Bradley and her High Flight team mates just before their very first Level 5 compulsory gymnastics meet on March 3. You can tell they love gymnastics. They had been practicing their Level 5 skills and routines for about 4 weeks so it was a great challenge for them.

A Rainy Saturday...

Danielle came to visit Bradley today. They are building a Build-A-Bear a house on the Build-A-Bear website. It's a rainy day today so I am thankful for the internet. We have TV, DVDs, Play Station, Nintindo, board games, toys, and puzzles and probably a dozen other things they could play with. They've been on the internet the most today. They have had such a good time. Bradley and Danielle have known each other since Pre-K 3. That's 6 years. More than half their lives.

Trying this one ...

I'm trying out this Blogger thing. I have another blog but it is a little complicated for me. So hopefully this one will be easier and I will be able to post more often.

So, I'm always the one with the camera which means there I have very few photos of myself. Rusty at The Firm took the blog photo of me and Bradley one day while I was training. It's a few years old but I probably look that same.