Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Queen in Me
Inside Natalie's Closet
It’s no secret that I love to buy my children clothes. So every once in awhile I’ll post an entry with them sporting their latest outfit. It’ll mainly be my daughter since my son usually asks me to take pictures of his butt.
Today Natalie is sporting an outfit from Gymboree's Poppy Love line.
“Natalie! Say ‘please don’t cancel the show Raising Hope because we find it to be hilarious!’
“Okay. Never mind. What would you do if Brobee came to the house?”
Then she pointed out the Crazy Twilight Lady who was walking her dog. Thank goodness she didn’t hound us on the latest ‘RPatz’ gossip. I think she frightens Natalie who is probably all, “Why is this grown adult going on about werewolves and vampires?”
Natalie gave me some smiles because yes, I ran into the side of the house a few times.
I think I’m in trouble. Natalie’s preschool teacher told me that all the boys want to play with her in school and Natalie tells me things like, “Micah made me laugh,” and “DJ is so funny.”
Natalie started rambling about Halloween. She said she wanted to be a witch.
So I reminded her that no, she’s going to be a Peacock Princess and she’s all, “Say what?”
“I can be a witch too?”
“Uh...we’ll see.” (Not really. She’s going to be a Peacock Princess.)
This was Natalie’s reaction to news that there is going to be a Justin Beiber doll. It was mine too, actually.
“Run into the house one more time?”
Oh fine.
Today Natalie is sporting an outfit from Gymboree's Poppy Love line.
“Natalie! Say ‘please don’t cancel the show Raising Hope because we find it to be hilarious!’
“Okay. Never mind. What would you do if Brobee came to the house?”
Then she pointed out the Crazy Twilight Lady who was walking her dog. Thank goodness she didn’t hound us on the latest ‘RPatz’ gossip. I think she frightens Natalie who is probably all, “Why is this grown adult going on about werewolves and vampires?”
Natalie gave me some smiles because yes, I ran into the side of the house a few times.
I think I’m in trouble. Natalie’s preschool teacher told me that all the boys want to play with her in school and Natalie tells me things like, “Micah made me laugh,” and “DJ is so funny.”
Natalie started rambling about Halloween. She said she wanted to be a witch.
So I reminded her that no, she’s going to be a Peacock Princess and she’s all, “Say what?”
“I can be a witch too?”
“Uh...we’ll see.” (Not really. She’s going to be a Peacock Princess.)
This was Natalie’s reaction to news that there is going to be a Justin Beiber doll. It was mine too, actually.
“Run into the house one more time?”
Oh fine.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Conversations with a Cat?
So picture this.
You settle down to have a nice conversation with your husband, who is in Korea.
He appears to be listening.
But then he does this:
“Tom!” I said, annoyed. “Stop it!”
It’s really difficult to have a conversation with someone who has access to all sorts of buttons to jazz up his web cam.
So he turns back into himself and I start saying how Natalie wouldn’t listen to me and how Tommy’s version of cleaning his room was shoving everything into one corner of it.
“And then Glen keeps eating the tree,” I continued with a sigh.
Tom frowned which confirmed that yes, he was following along with what I was saying. Sometimes I’m not always sure.
“Who is Glen?” he wondered and he seemed....jealous?
Um. Seriously? Did he think Glen was a human being? Even though I mentioned that he was eating the tree? I would certainly hope that a person wouldn’t eat my tree. I mean, you do have those people who like, eat nature, but still.
“Glen. The antelope,” I sighed which lead me to believe that he wasn’t even listening whenever I ranted about Glen.
“Oh.” Tom relaxed.
“So anyhow, Natalie barely listens to me and—TOM!”
I yelled because Tom did this:
So I said something that made no sense. “I’m going to take that away from you!” Yeah, how exactly would that work? And plus, if I took it away how would we talk? But I wish I could block those web cam features.
Tom took off the cat and I got the privilege of watching him eat his lunch. Sushi. Yuck. I was impressed with how well he used the chopsticks though.
“My throat was a little sore the other day, I’m getting over a cold,” I said.
“Ahh,” Tom said, but not sympathetically. “I watched the new Robin Hood movie. It was pretty good.”
Sometimes I feel like he’s not LISTENING to me. The only time that I feel that he is, I’m usually naked.
“That’s great but did you hear me? Sore throat? Ouch?”
Tom put his chopsticks on his head like they were his antennae. “That stinks.”
“Tom,” I groaned. “If you don’t pay attention, I’m going to take a picture of you doing that and post it on my blog.”
Tom took the chopsticks down.
“You really ought to be tested for ADD,” I said. “Oh, your Fine Scale Modeler magazine came in, do you want me to mail it?”
Up came the antennae again.
So I kept my promise of posting the photo on my blog.
Enjoy.
You settle down to have a nice conversation with your husband, who is in Korea.
He appears to be listening.
But then he does this:
“Tom!” I said, annoyed. “Stop it!”
It’s really difficult to have a conversation with someone who has access to all sorts of buttons to jazz up his web cam.
So he turns back into himself and I start saying how Natalie wouldn’t listen to me and how Tommy’s version of cleaning his room was shoving everything into one corner of it.
“And then Glen keeps eating the tree,” I continued with a sigh.
Tom frowned which confirmed that yes, he was following along with what I was saying. Sometimes I’m not always sure.
“Who is Glen?” he wondered and he seemed....jealous?
Um. Seriously? Did he think Glen was a human being? Even though I mentioned that he was eating the tree? I would certainly hope that a person wouldn’t eat my tree. I mean, you do have those people who like, eat nature, but still.
“Glen. The antelope,” I sighed which lead me to believe that he wasn’t even listening whenever I ranted about Glen.
“Oh.” Tom relaxed.
“So anyhow, Natalie barely listens to me and—TOM!”
I yelled because Tom did this:
So I said something that made no sense. “I’m going to take that away from you!” Yeah, how exactly would that work? And plus, if I took it away how would we talk? But I wish I could block those web cam features.
Tom took off the cat and I got the privilege of watching him eat his lunch. Sushi. Yuck. I was impressed with how well he used the chopsticks though.
“My throat was a little sore the other day, I’m getting over a cold,” I said.
“Ahh,” Tom said, but not sympathetically. “I watched the new Robin Hood movie. It was pretty good.”
Sometimes I feel like he’s not LISTENING to me. The only time that I feel that he is, I’m usually naked.
“That’s great but did you hear me? Sore throat? Ouch?”
Tom put his chopsticks on his head like they were his antennae. “That stinks.”
“Tom,” I groaned. “If you don’t pay attention, I’m going to take a picture of you doing that and post it on my blog.”
Tom took the chopsticks down.
“You really ought to be tested for ADD,” I said. “Oh, your Fine Scale Modeler magazine came in, do you want me to mail it?”
Up came the antennae again.
So I kept my promise of posting the photo on my blog.
Enjoy.
Talking About Randomness
Well, it is Wednesday and that means that Linda, over at 2nd Cup of Coffee has come up with a dozen more random questions for us to respond to. This weeks are a little different I must say, but feel free to read my responses and laugh at them. Feel free to check out some of the other bloggers responses.
2. Which animal would you most like to observe in its wild habitat? Deer, moose, and elk would be my most favorite.
3. This week the U.N. announced that Dr. Mazlan Othman has been appointed the official "Alien Ambassador," should any extraterrestrials contact us. Have you, or has anyone you know, ever seen a UFO? I live in the South….but not that south. No one I know has ever seen a UFO.
4. Name your favorite Hitchcock film. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Spellbound. I am not a big Hitchcock fan though...when I was a child his movie, "The Birds" scared me enough that even today when I see a large groupage of crows or pigeons I break out into a sweat and look for somewhere to hide.
5. Would you rather spend time at the library, the mall, a craft store or home? I am a multi tasker….I would have to stop by the Library to pick up some good reading materials….and then the craft store to make sure I was stocked up on crafting items….before heading home….to read my book…and do my crafts….with the telephone turned off….sigh! That would be a perfect day!
6. Which Disney princess is your favorite? (Or Disney character, if you are a guy) Pocahontas would be my choice….I am a descendant of the Creeks and Cherokees. My great great grandmother was a Creek princess....she was a real Pocahontas
7. What kind of art is your favorite? Monet is my all time favorite. Pablo Picasso would be my second choice. His Soñar is my favorite piece.
8. How do you feel about viral videos, that is, videos made by amateurs that end up on Youtube receiving thousands of hits? Well….my niece uploads videos of her son…..so that those of us who live a bazillion miles away can be part of his growing up….and I love that. Some of them are silly and are wasting space in my books.
9. Where do you buy your jeans? L.L. Bean, or the Lee factory outlet….or Walmart. It depends on where I am….and how much they cost when I need them.
10. Tell me about your first automobile accident. I was 19 years old, sitting in my Plymouth 383 waiting for a traffic cop so I could turn into my sub-division….when a VW bug topped a hill running 60+ in a 40 mph zone…and rear ended me. She knocked me 182 feet, knocked the gas tank out from under my car, knocked the engine block into the radiator of the car, broke my nose, busted my lip, gave me a concussion, and totaled my car. No one died…it was amazing….then….after rear ending me….she actually tried to sue me. The traffic cop was my only witness. I won….she lost. But, did I really win….my insurance paid for my car….she had none….my insurance went up. Life stinks like that.
11. Have you ever been honest when you knew you would benefit more if you would be dishonest? I am dishonest every single time I go and see my mom. She has dementia and does not live in this world…so I am dishonest with her because if I am not she gets agitated and demands for things to happen. She wants me to take her to Walmart so she can get a job…she hates working at Adams….I tell her Walmart is not hiring right now. I go to a lot of meetings….because that is the only way I can leave without her wanting to go with me.
12. If you were appointed "Ambassador to Aliens," what would you show and tell first about life on Earth? What would be the most difficult thing to explain? Most difficult thing to explain is why we have abused the planet. First about life on Earth – the majesty of the mountains, rivers, forests.
*If you want to play along....then go over to 2nd Cup of Coffee and copy the prompts, post your answers, and post your link on her site. That way all her followers can read your responses.....it can be very enlightening. Happy Wednesday!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Words From A Simply Complex Woman
Outside my window... workmen are building on our gymnasium. I am tired of hearing the beeping of trucks backing up and men shouting at each other.
I am thinking...how aggravating it is be here. It is a beautiful day and I would love to be home working in my yard.
I am thankful for...a job...espcially when there are many who don't have one.
From the kitchen...I see a grove of trees, a pasture that has hay bales scattered about and one huge bull!
I am wearing...one of my most comfortable outfits, navy crop pants, a white peasant blouse, red sequined Yellow Boxes, and a special necklace.
I am creating...today's post.
I am going...home after work and then to church for Bible Study and Choir Practice.
I am reading..."Remembering the Forgotten God" by Francis Chan
I am hoping... I survive the week!
I am hearing...my intern teach my second block class about past tense.
Around the house...Beau is sleeping, Frank is working on a sermon and Bible study for tonight, the TV is on. You can tell I am not home because there is no music filling the air.
One of my favorite things... reading a good book when it is pouring down rain outside.
A few plans for the rest of the week: I am going to get my outdoor fall decor set. I am so excited. I still need a pot of mums and a pumpkin...or two.
Here is a picture I am sharing.......I call it "Coming Out of the Dark."
Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!
I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. I think I’m going to do this every Tuesday now. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your diary. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either.
Hey, It's Okay....
To wish I had a shaman friend like Elizabeth Gilbert did in Eat, Pray, Love.
To have sort of liked Lady Gaga’s meat dress. It made me crave bacon.
To be annoyed that there are people on the forum I write at who insist on putting HUGE photos of their kids as their signature. Look, if I can see all the pores in little Suzy’s face, it’s too big. Re-size, it’s easy to do.
To be irritated that Natalie wakes up at three in the morning just to say hi. She goes back to sleep, thankfully, but still. Three in the morning is not an appropriate time to exchange pleasantries.
To have firmly decided that you could never share your husband like they did on that show Sister Wives. I’m an only child so I’m not a big fan of sharing anyway.
To love the show Little House on the Prairie even if it is ridiculously cheesy. Come on, we’ve all had a Nelly Oleson in our lives. I usually always find a Nelly when a group of women are gathered.
To wonder why people bring their dogs everywhere with them. It startles me when I’m walking in a parking lot and a dog barks at me from the car.
To be on the search for the Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts that I keep hearing about. I MUST try one!
To be a little baffled when people talk about their three-year-olds having homework. Um?
To love peacoats. I have a peacoat. Natalie has a peacoat. I want to get Tommy a peacoat even though he says they’re “not cool.” Tom, it should be noted, would never wear a peacoat.
Hey, It's Okay....
To wish I had a shaman friend like Elizabeth Gilbert did in Eat, Pray, Love.
To have sort of liked Lady Gaga’s meat dress. It made me crave bacon.
To be annoyed that there are people on the forum I write at who insist on putting HUGE photos of their kids as their signature. Look, if I can see all the pores in little Suzy’s face, it’s too big. Re-size, it’s easy to do.
To be irritated that Natalie wakes up at three in the morning just to say hi. She goes back to sleep, thankfully, but still. Three in the morning is not an appropriate time to exchange pleasantries.
To have firmly decided that you could never share your husband like they did on that show Sister Wives. I’m an only child so I’m not a big fan of sharing anyway.
To love the show Little House on the Prairie even if it is ridiculously cheesy. Come on, we’ve all had a Nelly Oleson in our lives. I usually always find a Nelly when a group of women are gathered.
To wonder why people bring their dogs everywhere with them. It startles me when I’m walking in a parking lot and a dog barks at me from the car.
To be on the search for the Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts that I keep hearing about. I MUST try one!
To be a little baffled when people talk about their three-year-olds having homework. Um?
To love peacoats. I have a peacoat. Natalie has a peacoat. I want to get Tommy a peacoat even though he says they’re “not cool.” Tom, it should be noted, would never wear a peacoat.
Monday, September 27, 2010
It is Monday.....All Day Long
What Would Supernanny Do?
“When we get in the store, you are not to run around like a maniac. Do you understand?” I asked Natalie.
“I won’t,” Tommy chimed in.
“I won’t,” Natalie repeated.
I parked the car in front of Once Upon a Child. I had a plastic bin of stuff to sell so I grabbed that and once again told Natalie to behave.
It’s harder to go out with Tom gone. When Tom is around, she’s on her best behavior because she hates upsetting her father. But with me? Well. She doesn’t take me quite as seriously.
I pulled open the front door.
“TOYS!” Natalie shouted and ran for them. Her vow to behave was gone in an instant and I watched in horror as she raced past customers and hopped on a rocking horse.
“Is Natalie being good?” Tommy wondered. Tommy, it should be noted, was standing beside me dutifully.
“No,” I said distractedly as I set the plastic bin on the counter.
“We’ll be done going through this in twenty minutes,” the store worker said.
We could wait for twenty minutes. I hurried over to Natalie and reminded her that we don’t run around a store.
“I’m not,” Natalie said and then scurried to the book section.
Was I not speaking English?
What part of DON’T RUN did she not comprehend?
Okay. Don’t panic. WWSD? (What would Supernanny do?)
She’d probably tell me to remove Natalie from the store. But…then I’d have to drive all the way back and gas wasn’t exactly cheap.
She’d say I was making excuses, that if I didn’t want Natalie behaving like this then I’d have to put a stop to it RIGHT AWAY and remove her from the store.
Well, I wasn’t leaving the store. But I would tell Natalie that her behavior was unacceptable.
“Natalie,” I said in my best Scary Mom and weirdly British-like-Supernanny voice. “What did I just say? We don’t run around a store, it’s rude.”
Natalie had the nerve to run to the clothes and I had the urge to use inappropriate language.
I was all set to march over to her when Tommy stuck something in front of my face.
“I found a Transformer. A big Optimus Prime. Can I get it?” Tommy asked. “I’m being good.”
“Fine, fine,” I said and went over and picked Natalie up. She did not like this and screamed into my ear and called me mean.
“If anyone is being mean, it’s you. You LIED to me and said you were going to be good,” I answered as she tugged on my hair.
Another mother frowned in my direction as her son, who looked to be around Natalie’s age, waited calmly beside her. I wanted to say, “Well I’m sorry, we can’t all have angels. Just you wait when he goes through a Goth stage and wants to wear long dark skirts to school. It happens. I went to high school with a guy like that.”
“PUT ME DOWN!” Natalie screeched. “PUT ME DOWN!”
“We’re done going through your stuff,” a store worker said. She could probably see that I was close to losing it.
Natalie managed to slide down my body and then planted herself in the middle of the store, arms crossed over her chest.
“I’m MAD!” Natalie informed me. “I’m MAD at you,” she added to make sure I was clear.
“Is Natalie being good?” Tommy asked again.
“Tommy! No! Can you not see her?” I snapped and then I felt bad. I mean, Tommy was the one being good.
I went up to the counter to get my money for the stuff I brought in.
“I’m MAD!” Natalie yelled.
“You just wait till I tell your father about this,” I threatened.
The worker tilted her head sympathetically. “Rough day? Well, at least you can pass her off to Daddy.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Daddy isn’t here.”
The worker looked horrified. She probably figured that he had left us or something and she might have even thought, “And who can blame the guy, that little girl has a set of lungs.”
“I mean,” I corrected, “he’s in Korea. Until next year. So I’m alone. And I’m sorry about my daughter. She’s....well, maybe I should have read more parenting books, and I did try but they bored me to tears so I decided to wing it which is probably a mistake seeing as she’s acted like a crazy person the entire time we’ve been here.”
Yup, I had a case of verbal diarrhea.
And now I think the store worker was debating calling security.
“Um, well,” the store worker stuttered. “Well.” She punched a few buttons on the cash register and practically threw my money at me. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” I pocketed the money and then grabbed Natalie and threw her over my shoulder like she was a bag of sand.
“STILL MAD!” Natalie bellowed. “STILL VERY VERY MAD!”
It was a struggle to get her into the car. When I managed to get her strapped in I felt like I had just finished a long workout.
When we got home Tom was on Skype so I told him how she behaved. He lectured her, of course, but then she went, “I love my Daddy,” and he was all, “Awww, Daddy loves you too,” and I was left going, “The crap kind of lecture was that?”
Oh man. It’s going to be a long year, isn’t it?
“I won’t,” Tommy chimed in.
“I won’t,” Natalie repeated.
I parked the car in front of Once Upon a Child. I had a plastic bin of stuff to sell so I grabbed that and once again told Natalie to behave.
It’s harder to go out with Tom gone. When Tom is around, she’s on her best behavior because she hates upsetting her father. But with me? Well. She doesn’t take me quite as seriously.
I pulled open the front door.
“TOYS!” Natalie shouted and ran for them. Her vow to behave was gone in an instant and I watched in horror as she raced past customers and hopped on a rocking horse.
“Is Natalie being good?” Tommy wondered. Tommy, it should be noted, was standing beside me dutifully.
“No,” I said distractedly as I set the plastic bin on the counter.
“We’ll be done going through this in twenty minutes,” the store worker said.
We could wait for twenty minutes. I hurried over to Natalie and reminded her that we don’t run around a store.
“I’m not,” Natalie said and then scurried to the book section.
Was I not speaking English?
What part of DON’T RUN did she not comprehend?
Okay. Don’t panic. WWSD? (What would Supernanny do?)
She’d probably tell me to remove Natalie from the store. But…then I’d have to drive all the way back and gas wasn’t exactly cheap.
She’d say I was making excuses, that if I didn’t want Natalie behaving like this then I’d have to put a stop to it RIGHT AWAY and remove her from the store.
Well, I wasn’t leaving the store. But I would tell Natalie that her behavior was unacceptable.
“Natalie,” I said in my best Scary Mom and weirdly British-like-Supernanny voice. “What did I just say? We don’t run around a store, it’s rude.”
Natalie had the nerve to run to the clothes and I had the urge to use inappropriate language.
I was all set to march over to her when Tommy stuck something in front of my face.
“I found a Transformer. A big Optimus Prime. Can I get it?” Tommy asked. “I’m being good.”
“Fine, fine,” I said and went over and picked Natalie up. She did not like this and screamed into my ear and called me mean.
“If anyone is being mean, it’s you. You LIED to me and said you were going to be good,” I answered as she tugged on my hair.
Another mother frowned in my direction as her son, who looked to be around Natalie’s age, waited calmly beside her. I wanted to say, “Well I’m sorry, we can’t all have angels. Just you wait when he goes through a Goth stage and wants to wear long dark skirts to school. It happens. I went to high school with a guy like that.”
“PUT ME DOWN!” Natalie screeched. “PUT ME DOWN!”
“We’re done going through your stuff,” a store worker said. She could probably see that I was close to losing it.
Natalie managed to slide down my body and then planted herself in the middle of the store, arms crossed over her chest.
“I’m MAD!” Natalie informed me. “I’m MAD at you,” she added to make sure I was clear.
“Is Natalie being good?” Tommy asked again.
“Tommy! No! Can you not see her?” I snapped and then I felt bad. I mean, Tommy was the one being good.
I went up to the counter to get my money for the stuff I brought in.
“I’m MAD!” Natalie yelled.
“You just wait till I tell your father about this,” I threatened.
The worker tilted her head sympathetically. “Rough day? Well, at least you can pass her off to Daddy.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Daddy isn’t here.”
The worker looked horrified. She probably figured that he had left us or something and she might have even thought, “And who can blame the guy, that little girl has a set of lungs.”
“I mean,” I corrected, “he’s in Korea. Until next year. So I’m alone. And I’m sorry about my daughter. She’s....well, maybe I should have read more parenting books, and I did try but they bored me to tears so I decided to wing it which is probably a mistake seeing as she’s acted like a crazy person the entire time we’ve been here.”
Yup, I had a case of verbal diarrhea.
And now I think the store worker was debating calling security.
“Um, well,” the store worker stuttered. “Well.” She punched a few buttons on the cash register and practically threw my money at me. “Good luck.”
“Thanks.” I pocketed the money and then grabbed Natalie and threw her over my shoulder like she was a bag of sand.
“STILL MAD!” Natalie bellowed. “STILL VERY VERY MAD!”
It was a struggle to get her into the car. When I managed to get her strapped in I felt like I had just finished a long workout.
When we got home Tom was on Skype so I told him how she behaved. He lectured her, of course, but then she went, “I love my Daddy,” and he was all, “Awww, Daddy loves you too,” and I was left going, “The crap kind of lecture was that?”
Oh man. It’s going to be a long year, isn’t it?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Standing Up for What You Believe!
I got an email this morning from my cousin, Gary. In it was a profound statement of faith and I thought I will use this later today as my Sunday post.....but first....I will check it out on SNOPES. I went to SNOPES and it was true....I could not believe it....TRUE! Principal, Jody McLeod had actually done this in Kingston, TN...and so with today being Sunday and all I decided that I would share with you a story about a principal who was not afraid to stand for what he believed in. Thank you Jody McLeod!
"This is the statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee by school Principal, Jody McLeod." "It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."
Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem... I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.." I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.." However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments. Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. " However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM,in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so.. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet." One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD." Somehow, the people at the football game in Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains! JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.." I teach high school.....and my students all know I am a Christian, that I pray before the day starts, and that Jesus is important to me. I believe it is my right as an American....and as a Christian. So, today....as you attend church wherever you are....be thankful that you have that right...and tomorrow....when you are at work, school, home, be thankful you still have that right....and do not be ashamed of God before others. Stand up for Him. WE, Americans, let Him be taken away once by Madolyn O'Hair...let's not let it happen again. Have a blessed Sunday!
"This is the statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee by school Principal, Jody McLeod." "It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."
Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem... I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.." I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.." However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments. Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. " However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM,in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so.. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet." One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD." Somehow, the people at the football game in Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains! JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.." I teach high school.....and my students all know I am a Christian, that I pray before the day starts, and that Jesus is important to me. I believe it is my right as an American....and as a Christian. So, today....as you attend church wherever you are....be thankful that you have that right...and tomorrow....when you are at work, school, home, be thankful you still have that right....and do not be ashamed of God before others. Stand up for Him. WE, Americans, let Him be taken away once by Madolyn O'Hair...let's not let it happen again. Have a blessed Sunday!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
When A Life Message Hits You Square in the Face
Happy Saturday to all!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Women of Faith Conference - Friday
The Headache List
The world can get crazy. Especially with Tom being gone. Granted, I am grateful for all that I have obviously. But I can’t help but get annoyed at times. The following things have been giving me a headache lately:
The stuff that Tommy likes to build around the house. I love his imagination but it gets aggravating when his ‘creations’ take over my living room and he gets upset if I ask if I can move one. “I made that!” he’ll say incredulously. And heaven help my eardrums if Natalie dares to touch one. (This creation was a runway for his airplanes, by the way.)
How commercials and labels such as these always talk about the mothers doing the cleaning and cooking. Hello, it’s 2010. Maybe men would take the initiative to cook and clean more if society wasn’t shoving ‘Mom this’ and ‘Mom that’ down their throats. Maybe MOM wants a break and would love if DAD offered to whip something up for the latest bake sale.
The fact that Tommy always puts his underwear on backwards. He’s beyond the cartoon-ish underwear and wanted boxers. So fine, I got him some, and he doesn’t get that the flap goes in front. This is probably due to the fact that he doesn’t use the flap, that he actually pulls down his underwear when he goes and I’m not about to further explain it to him. That’s an awkward conversation that Tom can have with him on Skype.
How food companies feel the need to explain to me exactly what my kid is eating when I buy their product. They have to do this because of all those uppity moms (probably the same ones who whined that Katy Perry’s outfit was inappropriate when she sang with Elmo on Sesame Street ) out there who just need to learn to relax and enjoy motherhood and not fret about every little thing. So long as my kid likes it, I don’t need to know the protein content, thanks.
Glen’s poop. You remember Glen, the annoying antelope who likes to eat my tree and gets further enjoyment from defecating on my driveway. I have to clean that, by the way. If I don’t, I get a citation from base housing for having animal feces in my yard. MY YARD IS NOT YOUR PERSONAL TOILET, GLEN.
The stuff that Tommy likes to build around the house. I love his imagination but it gets aggravating when his ‘creations’ take over my living room and he gets upset if I ask if I can move one. “I made that!” he’ll say incredulously. And heaven help my eardrums if Natalie dares to touch one. (This creation was a runway for his airplanes, by the way.)
How commercials and labels such as these always talk about the mothers doing the cleaning and cooking. Hello, it’s 2010. Maybe men would take the initiative to cook and clean more if society wasn’t shoving ‘Mom this’ and ‘Mom that’ down their throats. Maybe MOM wants a break and would love if DAD offered to whip something up for the latest bake sale.
The fact that Tommy always puts his underwear on backwards. He’s beyond the cartoon-ish underwear and wanted boxers. So fine, I got him some, and he doesn’t get that the flap goes in front. This is probably due to the fact that he doesn’t use the flap, that he actually pulls down his underwear when he goes and I’m not about to further explain it to him. That’s an awkward conversation that Tom can have with him on Skype.
How food companies feel the need to explain to me exactly what my kid is eating when I buy their product. They have to do this because of all those uppity moms (probably the same ones who whined that Katy Perry’s outfit was inappropriate when she sang with Elmo on Sesame Street ) out there who just need to learn to relax and enjoy motherhood and not fret about every little thing. So long as my kid likes it, I don’t need to know the protein content, thanks.
Glen’s poop. You remember Glen, the annoying antelope who likes to eat my tree and gets further enjoyment from defecating on my driveway. I have to clean that, by the way. If I don’t, I get a citation from base housing for having animal feces in my yard. MY YARD IS NOT YOUR PERSONAL TOILET, GLEN.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
You've Been Owned
My son Tommy loves to swim.
In fact, I didn’t even have to put him in the beginning swimmers class. He skipped right to the middle one where the kids were supposed to be able to swim halfway across the pool on their own. He’s just always been a natural in the water, which is fantastic, because you have to understand that because Tommy has Aspergers, he’s awkward while doing other sports.
He tried the t-ball thing and was upset when he couldn’t catch the ball as well as the other kids. And try as he might, it would take him a few times to hit the ball off the stand.
He tried soccer and would up on his butt more times than he cares to remember.
He had an unfortunate incident with a tennis ball.
So when I saw how free he was in the water, my heart lifted and I thought, “This is something he can do.”
Oh sure, he still has awkward moments. For instance, he can’t dive into the pool as easily as the other kids do. No, he winds up doing a belly flop half the time. And when the teacher throws an object in the middle of the pool for the kids to retrieve, Tommy is able to swim to it but he can’t force his body down to the bottom so he’s able to grab it. This frustrates him greatly. I sometimes hear him say to the teacher, “Just let me keep trying, please!”
What he can do is swim and I’ve watched him glide past older kids, who have asked him a few times, “How do you go so fast?” Tommy usually says, “I don’t know. I just do.”
Usually he hasn’t gloated over the fact that he touches the wall first.
Until this week.
I took him to lessons on Monday and he did the backstroke which is his best stroke. He beat the kids and then I heard him go, “You’ve been owned.”
Um.
I thought I heard him wrong. Certainly my sweet eight-year-old hadn’t just told other kids that they had been owned.
And where did he hear such a thing? I have never once told him that he’s been owned before.
He did the breaststroke and touched the wall first again. “Owned!” he bellowed and the mother of the beaten boys in Tommy’s class shot me a look like, “You need to teach your kid some manners.”
Then it came time for the butterfly, which is Tommy’s least favorite stroke and he’s still awkward at it but he’s getting better. He edged out the oldest boy and then I heard him say, “Owned again!”
“Tommy!” I yelled and shook my head. He looked confused and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “What’s the deal?”
“It’s not polite to say,” I said.
Tommy frowned. “Say what?”
Oh for….
“Owned. Don’t say that,” I lectured. I could feel the eyes of all the parents in the room. And Tommy’s swim teacher just looked amused over the whole thing. One of the older kids went, “It’s cool, everyone says it,” and I went lamely, “Yes, but it’s not polite.”
Tommy didn’t say the word for the rest of the lesson. He almost slipped once and I could hear his tiny voice go, “Own—I mean, nevermind.” When he came over, dripping wet, he said, “Why can’t I say that? Kids say it all the time in school.”
I handed him his towel. “It’s not having good manners. If you hit the wall first, you say nothing. Would you like being told you were owned?”
Tommy cocked his head to the side. “It wouldn’t bug me.”
“Well, it would bug me,” I said. I didn’t add, “And I’d probably call the winner a smug asshole if he told me that.”
“Fine. I won’t say it anymore,” Tommy agreed. “But it’s not a bad word. Fuck is a bad word, but not owned.”
A mother walked past with her kid and nearly fell into the pool from shock.
“Tommy,” I hissed. “Please.”
Tommy slapped a hand over his mouth. “Oh. Sorry. I did say a bad word then. But owned isn’t a bad word,” he muttered.
“Just…don’t ever say it again when you win. Deal?” I asked, gathering up our things.
“Deal.”
In fact, I didn’t even have to put him in the beginning swimmers class. He skipped right to the middle one where the kids were supposed to be able to swim halfway across the pool on their own. He’s just always been a natural in the water, which is fantastic, because you have to understand that because Tommy has Aspergers, he’s awkward while doing other sports.
He tried the t-ball thing and was upset when he couldn’t catch the ball as well as the other kids. And try as he might, it would take him a few times to hit the ball off the stand.
He tried soccer and would up on his butt more times than he cares to remember.
He had an unfortunate incident with a tennis ball.
So when I saw how free he was in the water, my heart lifted and I thought, “This is something he can do.”
Oh sure, he still has awkward moments. For instance, he can’t dive into the pool as easily as the other kids do. No, he winds up doing a belly flop half the time. And when the teacher throws an object in the middle of the pool for the kids to retrieve, Tommy is able to swim to it but he can’t force his body down to the bottom so he’s able to grab it. This frustrates him greatly. I sometimes hear him say to the teacher, “Just let me keep trying, please!”
What he can do is swim and I’ve watched him glide past older kids, who have asked him a few times, “How do you go so fast?” Tommy usually says, “I don’t know. I just do.”
Usually he hasn’t gloated over the fact that he touches the wall first.
Until this week.
I took him to lessons on Monday and he did the backstroke which is his best stroke. He beat the kids and then I heard him go, “You’ve been owned.”
Um.
I thought I heard him wrong. Certainly my sweet eight-year-old hadn’t just told other kids that they had been owned.
And where did he hear such a thing? I have never once told him that he’s been owned before.
He did the breaststroke and touched the wall first again. “Owned!” he bellowed and the mother of the beaten boys in Tommy’s class shot me a look like, “You need to teach your kid some manners.”
Then it came time for the butterfly, which is Tommy’s least favorite stroke and he’s still awkward at it but he’s getting better. He edged out the oldest boy and then I heard him say, “Owned again!”
“Tommy!” I yelled and shook my head. He looked confused and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “What’s the deal?”
“It’s not polite to say,” I said.
Tommy frowned. “Say what?”
Oh for….
“Owned. Don’t say that,” I lectured. I could feel the eyes of all the parents in the room. And Tommy’s swim teacher just looked amused over the whole thing. One of the older kids went, “It’s cool, everyone says it,” and I went lamely, “Yes, but it’s not polite.”
Tommy didn’t say the word for the rest of the lesson. He almost slipped once and I could hear his tiny voice go, “Own—I mean, nevermind.” When he came over, dripping wet, he said, “Why can’t I say that? Kids say it all the time in school.”
I handed him his towel. “It’s not having good manners. If you hit the wall first, you say nothing. Would you like being told you were owned?”
Tommy cocked his head to the side. “It wouldn’t bug me.”
“Well, it would bug me,” I said. I didn’t add, “And I’d probably call the winner a smug asshole if he told me that.”
“Fine. I won’t say it anymore,” Tommy agreed. “But it’s not a bad word. Fuck is a bad word, but not owned.”
A mother walked past with her kid and nearly fell into the pool from shock.
“Tommy,” I hissed. “Please.”
Tommy slapped a hand over his mouth. “Oh. Sorry. I did say a bad word then. But owned isn’t a bad word,” he muttered.
“Just…don’t ever say it again when you win. Deal?” I asked, gathering up our things.
“Deal.”
Are You The Hulk Or Nehemiah?
Last night I had youth at church and prepared what I thought was a bang up lesson on anger. I found it on line and modified it to fit Rock Mills and Me. You see, anger is something I don't seem to have the best control of....thanks to my Irish and Native American heritage....but I work on it....all the time. My scripture text for them was rather lengthy and came from the New International Version in Neh. 5:1-13. I want you to read it so I printed the text for you.
"Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers. [2] Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain." [3] Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine." [4] Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. [5] Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others." [6] When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. [7] I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them [8] and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. [9] So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? [10] I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! [11] Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them--the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil." [12] "We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say." Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. [13] I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, "In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!" At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the Lord. And the people did as they had promised.
So now let me ask you.....do you like to shop at Costco or SAMS? Frank and I love to. Where else can you buy 320 rolls of toilet paper, 20 pounds of Doritos and an entire pallet of dog food? As fun as the store is though, something happens when you finish shopping and walk to the front of the store to the checkout counter. Everything changes. Just minutes ago out in the oversized aisles of the store, everyone was happy with big smiles on their faces….sampling stuff…..looking at all the products…but…. Now, as everyone nears the front ... they change. Their smiles disappear and their grip tightens on their cart as the competition begins: "Which is the shortest line?!!" Old ladies that looked like sweet little old grandmothers will run you down, "MOVE IT OR LOSE IT MISTER!" I don't know about you, but I have the gift of choosing when it comes to standing in line… ... the LONGEST LINE POSSIBLE! And to make matters worse, when I finally do near the front, a smiling employee will go to the people behind me, who just arrived in line, and tell them, "I can help you over at checkout number 3!" Well…let me tell you…. all of us have been equipped with an anger meter, a meter that measures just how angry we are. And when it gets in the red ... we blow. When that employee comes over and grabs the customers behind me ... I come really close to the red zone on my anger meter. This doesn't just happen in Costco or SAMS. This happens in my least favorite stores to shop as well, like Office Depot or Home Depot. I'll never forget once last year when my morning at this store had already been a terrible experience- the workers sent me to wrong aisles, gave me bad information, etc. I finally got what I needed and went to stand in line ... and there was only one checkout open...and everyone in Alexander City was in it. It was 8 in the morning….and they only had ONE CHECKOUT open….COME ON! To make matters worse, there was an employee that was standing near the front stapling, NOT HELPING ANYONE, looked up at me, connecting with my eyes ... then went right back to her stapling. My anger meter hit the halfway point. But I just stood there doing what we of Irish and American Indian descent stink at, being patient. Finally she looked up again, looking at me like, "Are you still here?!!" and got on the intercom and said, "customer service up to the front register ... customer service!" It was at that moment that an elderly man waltzes up behind me, glances at an unopened register next to me and goes up to it and puts his purchases down. The checker arrived and started to help the man. My anger meter hit three quarters. My Irish side couldn't just stand there, so I spoke up to the man. "I guess you're first then." Pa Kettle looks at me surprised and said, "Oh ...were you first?" I retorted, "No, I was just comparing the heights of these nail racks here. I think aisle three is the tallest one!" I'm finally helped by a lady who had found her true calling at this helpful store...NOT! She starts to run my purchases through but somehow had trouble with every step and ended up emptying her purse to try to find her glasses. I was buying something for school and myself so I did two transactions. When I gave her my credit card she asked me for my ID...no problem....I have ask for ID on the back of my credit card. For the second transaction she asked me if I was going to use the same card. I told her yes. YES I tell you....and then she asked to check my I.D. again. After pausing in disbelief for a few seconds, I told her "thank you ... because I could be someone else this time." She just looked at me. The only thing sad about both these stories is that when I finished these transactions and left the store, within three minutes I entered my car and began to drive……look out other people on the road….angry woman is on the loose. Anger is a reality. We all have it. The question is simply, "What do we do with this anger?" Is it wrong for us to be this way? Well in three separate verses we see even God, in 3 forms is angry:
• Psalm 7:11 "God is angry with the wicked every day."
• Mark 3:5 "Jesus looked around at them with anger."
• I Samuel 11:6 "The spirit of God came upon Saul ... and he became angry."
Anger itself is not bad/a sin. It's part of being human- part of the emotional structure God put in us when he made us was the capacity for an emotional response. The human body is equipped with an automatic defense system called "fight or flight." When we are confronted seven things happen:
1. Adrenalin is pumped into the bloodstream,
2. Blood pressure increases,
3. Heartbeat accelerates,
4. Eyes dilate for better peripheral vision,
5. Hands sweat,
6. Mouth gets dry,
7. Muscles are supplied with a sudden burst of energy- we are transformed to alarm reaction state.
This is an involuntary response that occurs whether or not we will it- impossible to ignore- like denying a toothache. IT IS OUR RESPONSE TO ANGER IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT. How should we respond? The Media, bless their hearts, gives us the answer: If someone makes us mad, kick their butt! THE HULK is a great object lesson on anger….. when my kids were young we never missed the Friday night TV program THE INCREDIBLE HULK. My son loved it. Do you remember the Hulk? You gotta love this poor guy David Banner who wanders around from town to town ... getting his butt kicked. This guy was like the kid in class who had the sign "KICK ME" taped to his back. Every place he went, a group of guys would say, "Hey, look at that guy, let's kick his butt!" "Yeah, that would be fun!" And so they would begin to beat him up, the whole time while David would say, "Please ... ." Pow, Kick, Punch, " ... Don't" Bam, Pow ... "Stop It" ... Punch, Smack! Until finally he would receive that one blow that would push him too far and he would look up with those green eyes, his shirt would rip, his pants would rip (except for that one pair of cut offs that would happen to stay on, because this was a family show), he would turn green and muscular and KICK SOME BUTT! And we all loved it. Amish people would secretly scream, "Kill 'em Hulk! You show 'em!" Because it's the way we would love to express our anger. By kicking some tail! When I was a teenager there was also this show called Kung Fu? Poor Chinese guy (played by white boy, David Carradine) Kwai Chang Caine wonders around the country beating up people that tried to fight him. Every episode, those same guys that tried to get David Banner would try to beat up Kwai Chang Caine, who, of course, would kick their butts. And we would love it. Well that was back then. Now we have Steven Seagal, who not only kicks their butts, but he breaks them in half. That's even better. That makes our anger feel great... . or does it? Last year a local paper followed a true story of two guys that got in a disagreement on the road. One guy gets out of his car, right in front of his young son, and shoots the other guy. This guy ends up going to jail, and shortly after, kills himself in prison, leaving his son fatherless. That speaks volumes. Movies usually leave that part out of the story. Sure, it might feel good to just explode and hurt someone or something, but ... is that the end result we really want? Eph. 4:26-27 says that "when you're angry, do not sin. Stop being angry before the end of the day. Don't give the Devil a foothold." We already established that anger isn't wrong. I think the question is, how do we take this natural emotion and NOT give the Devil a foothold? How can we control our anger when we get angry? Nehemiah shows us a great example of how to do this. He not only gets angry for good reason, but responds in a way where the end result is positive.
Alright so in the book of Nehemiah we see a group of people who were getting attacked not from the front, but from within. The Jewish nation had been conquered by Babylon over a century ago, and destroyed the city of Jerusalem. This was devastating to the Jewish people. Their temple, their city and their walls were destroyed and their people were exiled and scattered. But half a century later Cyrus, king of Persia conquered all that Babylon had taken, and let the Jewish people return to their city and worship their own God. Cyrus just thought it was a better political move to let the nations under him have more freedom, a good choice as it turned out, because they stayed in power for two centuries, only to be eventually conquered by Alexander the great.So the Jews returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt their temple, and under the leadership of Nehemiah, were rebuilding their walls. During this construction project small local enemies had started causing trouble. They were poking fun at God's people and even threatening harm. Nehemiah actually ended up dividing the workers into two groups, one group standing guard while the other worked with swords at their sides.In addition to all this, times were tough. So many Jews returned to the city at once that this population explosion had caused famine. Many of the Jews were hungry and were barely scraping a living. Through all these hardships, God's people pressed on ... until something happened. They got attacked from within. Their own brothers took advantage of them and that made Nehemiah angry. Nehemiah wasn't a guy whose anger meter was in the red a lot. He was very calm and cool in most situations. That alone was a challenge to me. Nehemiah wasn't just a hot head, but when he saw his people stabbing their brothers in the back, it really ticked him off. We can follow the example of Nehemiah and apply his three steps of how to handle our anger.
STEP ONE: The first thing Nehemiah did was admit that he was angry. Look at the text: In Neh. 5:6
"When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry." Nehemiah was hacked and he didn't hide it. He tells us that he was angry. He didn't try to shove it down or repress it, he acknowledged the fact that he was mad. And that's the place that many of us need to start. Often, people will try to repress their anger and hide it. There's a huge problem with this. Psychologists call this "gunnysacking." This is when someone gathers everything that makes them angry and places it in an emotional "gunnysack" that they carry with them. This sack gets heavier and heavier until finally it can't hold anything else and it explodes. And if you've ever been around someone during one of these episodes it's not a pretty picture.
STEP TWO: Stop and think.(This is where I sometimes fall down). In verse seven Nehemiah says "after thinking through it ..." according to the New Living Translation. The NASB says, "And I consulted with myself ..." Bottom line, Nehemiah took a moment to stop and think. This wasn't new for Nehemiah. In Chapter 1 when Hanani brought him the first bad news, "the walls are in ruins!" he wept (vs.4) and fasted and prayed. Thomas Jefferson once said that we should count to 10 when we get angry. Some of us might have to be more realistic ... I know I have to count to about 23,000. The point is to allow yourself to cool down and gain perspective.
STEP THREE: The last principle we can learn from Nehemiah is also found in the verses following. Nehemiah calls a meeting together and communicates a well thought out proposal. Nehemiah doesn't just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. He doesn't just fly off the handle. He thinks it over. Then acts rationally and thoughtfully. After thinking it over, Nehemiah makes three accusations. The first is in verse 7: 1. You are charging interest to your brothers, fellow Jews. This is wrong. This would be the way someone should treat a strict business relationship like a harsh pawnbroker. What these guys were doing was not only against the Jewish law, but it was harsh. But things got worse, and Nehemiah clarifies this in his second accusation: 2. You are putting your brothers into permanent slavery (verse 8). This is also wrong. Leviticus 25:39-43 speaks specifically about this, instructing Jews to release their fellow Jews who had served as slaves after a certain period of serving. But Nehemiah doesn't just leave it at that. He goes on to make a third accusation that perhaps is the most important: 3. You are looking bad in front of the surrounding nations (verse 9). These people weren't just taking advantage of their brothers, they were being watched. Local enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah might have sat back laughing, watching the Jews destroy themselves from within. It's hard to remove reproach when you can't even get along with your brother. We, as Christians, see the need to be careful how we conduct ourselves in front of non-believers. Paul writes about this to the Philipians in chapter 1:27-28:
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel [28] without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. (NIV) In 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) Paul writes: Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Nehemiah was a living example of how to act in front of others. An example that we can still learn from today. So, "after thinking it over," Nehemiah makes these charges to the Jews. It must have been pretty well presented because in verse eight it says that "They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say." (NIV) That is my new goal....be a Nehemiah....admit I am angry, stop and think, then act rationally. I think I can, I think I can, well....I will start today...I blew it yesterday....we had an inservice...and they blindsided us with a speaker about AFLAC....so a 20 minute meeting turned into a 40 minute one....I was almost late for Youth....griefus!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Noisy Bag
Look, I’m trying really hard to be Greener.
So I bought this since the package said it was compostable:
Does the sound of the bag bother anyone else? It’s seriously like nails on a chalkboard for me.
I’m tempted to pour the chips in a plastic bag which sort of defeats the purpose of buying them in the first place.
I find I slowly stick my hand in the bag, careful not to touch the sides and then I s.l.o.w.l.y pull my hand back out lest I bump against it and cause it to *shudder* CRINKLE.
So I bought this since the package said it was compostable:
Does the sound of the bag bother anyone else? It’s seriously like nails on a chalkboard for me.
I’m tempted to pour the chips in a plastic bag which sort of defeats the purpose of buying them in the first place.
I find I slowly stick my hand in the bag, careful not to touch the sides and then I s.l.o.w.l.y pull my hand back out lest I bump against it and cause it to *shudder* CRINKLE.
A State of Randomness
If this is Tuesday then it is Random Dozen day over at 2nd Cup of Coffee and todays questions were tough. I had several answers I could have used on a number of them....but I was good and did not want to bore you to tears. Enjoy my responses and check out the other participants....or join in.
1. Have you, or has someone close to you, ever won an award for anything? (I just came from my dad's ceremony wherein he was given a medal of honor by the French government for service in France in WWII. Pictures to follow.) My daughter won the John Phillip Sousa band award her senior year in high school….and then followed that up with Most Outstanding Special Ed. Student at college when she was working on her Ed.S. I was named Teacher of the Year for BRHS in 1996.
2. Who is the nearest relative to you who has served in the US Military? My husband served in the Navy during Vietnam, my dad served in the Navy during WWII. My grandfather served in the Navy during WWI.
3. Share something that stirs the patriotic spirit in you. Seeing the American flag waving in the breeze makes me cry. Seeing troups deploying at the airport makes me cry. Singing the National Anthem anywhere…especially at a ball game.
4. Where are you in the birth order in your family? Do you think your "placement" made a difference in your personality? I was the oldest until I was almost 9, then I became the only…and yes….both placements made a difference in my personality.
5. Name one trait you hope you carry that was evidenced in your parents or grandparents. Generosity- I will give you the shirt off my back if you need it….and so would my parents and grandparents.
6. If female, do you prefer wearing a skirt or pants? If male, shirt and tie or polo? I prefer pants. I can move about more comfortably in them….sometimes at school I find myself in the floor or on the ground outside.
7. Approximately how many times do you wake during the night? What do you do to go back to sleep? Some nights I never wake up and other nights once or twice and I usually just look at the clock, turn over, and I am out again. I have no trouble falling asleep.
8. Share a favorite movie quote. “I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it. (from City of Angels….spoken by Nicholas Cage.)
9. What is your favorite Fall candle scent? Anything spicy, Hazelnut, Vanilla, Pumpkin....I love the smell of candles.
10. What is one Fall activity you're looking forward to? Visiting the pumpkin patch and putting up my outdoor fall arrangement.
11. Tell us about a pleasant surprise that happened to you recently. Frank managed to get us tickets to go to a dinner with Max Lucado as he previews his newest book AND see Third Day and Michael W. Smith in concert after the dinner. I am so excited!
12. What was it like when you first met your in-laws-to-be? Well....my MIL wanted to know what I saw in her son….and if she were me…she would run. I told her I was glad she wasn’t me…cause I was planning to be around for a long time….I made points with her really quick.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I Miss You
Sometimes I feel that I have been orphaned because not only did my dad die....but during this process I have lost my mother's support because of dementia. My mom was a willing helper to me for so many years. She babysat my kids so that I could go to college. She helped me to grade school papers once I had begun teaching, and counseled me when I was angry or hurt. I don't know how I would have gotten through my divorce and empty nest syndrome with the love and support she and my dad gave me. I have not always felt like I measured up in my mom's eyes....but as I am dealing with dementia....I realize....in her own way....she was proud of me....and you know....my momma still expresses approval of me, but it is different. Now I am not even sure she knows who I am. Her responses to my stories are warm and polite, but the spark of parental pride only shines through occassionally and usually that is when I sing for her. She knows I am someone special in her life....but every now and then.....and yesterday was one of those days she still knows that she has a daughter named Karen, a son-in-law named Frank, and a granddaughter named Kathryn. I am not always positive that she knows I am the person who is that daughter. A few weeks ago....Frank and I got there to find her a twitter with anticipation.....she told us to hurry in and claim a seat because, "Karen was coming to sing." I followed her in to the sun-room and sat down excited about hearing another Karen sing....she left Frank and me and began to pace the hallway watching for the expected singer.....when the nurse came to give her her medicine....she asked her why she was not visiting with us....and she told her that she was watching for the singing Karen.....and the nurse told her....Karen was already there.....she peeked around the corner, saw me, and disgustedly said, "Not her...the one who sings."....Well boys and girls....I am the singing Karen. I left the nursing home that day and cried all the way to Rock Mills. I have to be honest with you.....I am fifty-six years-old and I miss my momma. Isaiah 49:15 (below) is full of rich comfort no matter what age we are when we lose our mother's care. Even as my mother fades from view I hear a beloved voice say, "I care. I provided the fall flowers that you arranged on your porch, and I stood by your side as you stepped back to view the work of your hands. I admired the beauty with you, and I am proud of the way My light shines through you." When my mother was there for me, I often turned to her before turning to God....but yet, He waited patiently to become my #1 confidant, and in the meantime He cared for me lovingly. I am so glad because He has been my strength to get through and deal with cancer/dementia. I can't imagine how I would have done this without Him. Sometimes we have to get to a place where there is no one else to turn to before we can recognize that if we have Jesus, and He is all we need. Yes, I miss my mom, but my heart's needs are fed through the Lord. He provides for me and will never leave me. Everytime I go to see her...I feel Him standing right beside me.... Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! Isaiah 49:15 There will come a time when she won't remember me at all.....but God will not forget me....Happy Tuesday!
Hey, It's Okay Tuesday!
I got this idea from Glamour magazine. They have a section called Hey, It’s Okay and will list a bunch of things to be okay about. I think I’m going to do this every Tuesday now. You're welcome to join in and do something like this on your diary. Doesn't have to be on a Tuesday either.
Hey, It's Okay....
To be a little creeped out by all this talk about Bed Bug infestation.
To be annoyed with how long it took to announce the winner of Big Brother.
To be rooting for the old side of Survivor. (For those who don’t know, the teams are split young vs old.)
To still argue with your husband even though he’s all the way in Korea. (I can’t even remember what he said but it pushed my button and I think I told him f you. I promptly apologized but honestly, he needs to watch what he says to a woman that he’s left behind with two crazy children.)
To be ready to read the new Shopaholic book by Sophie Kinsella which comes out today.
To enjoy watching Joseph Fiennes in Shakespeare in Love and be a little bitter that FlashForward, a series he was in, was cancelled.
To not be surprised that Lindsay Lohan failed her drug test. Throw her in jail! To heck with the overcrowding. Maybe the other inmates will snap her into shape. (Literally)
To have listed more stuff on eBay here. (Tom should be proud of me. He’s always like, “You never get rid of stuff, blah blah blah...”)
To have really liked the new show The Event. I miss Lost, maybe this’ll help feel the void.
To prefer this dude,
who played Thomas Culpepper on The Tudors
to the dude who most girls fawn over who played Charles Brandon.
He is attractive, no doubt, but I prefer Thomas Culpepper (who in real life is Canadian and for some reason I have it in my head that all Canadians have been to Prince Edward Island where one of my favorite movies Anne of Green Gables was filmed....and plus, he looks good in orange, which is a hard thing to do.)
Hey, It's Okay....
To be a little creeped out by all this talk about Bed Bug infestation.
To be annoyed with how long it took to announce the winner of Big Brother.
To be rooting for the old side of Survivor. (For those who don’t know, the teams are split young vs old.)
To still argue with your husband even though he’s all the way in Korea. (I can’t even remember what he said but it pushed my button and I think I told him f you. I promptly apologized but honestly, he needs to watch what he says to a woman that he’s left behind with two crazy children.)
To be ready to read the new Shopaholic book by Sophie Kinsella which comes out today.
To enjoy watching Joseph Fiennes in Shakespeare in Love and be a little bitter that FlashForward, a series he was in, was cancelled.
To not be surprised that Lindsay Lohan failed her drug test. Throw her in jail! To heck with the overcrowding. Maybe the other inmates will snap her into shape. (Literally)
To have listed more stuff on eBay here. (Tom should be proud of me. He’s always like, “You never get rid of stuff, blah blah blah...”)
To have really liked the new show The Event. I miss Lost, maybe this’ll help feel the void.
To prefer this dude,
who played Thomas Culpepper on The Tudors
to the dude who most girls fawn over who played Charles Brandon.
He is attractive, no doubt, but I prefer Thomas Culpepper (who in real life is Canadian and for some reason I have it in my head that all Canadians have been to Prince Edward Island where one of my favorite movies Anne of Green Gables was filmed....and plus, he looks good in orange, which is a hard thing to do.)
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Few of My Favorite Things!
One of my favorite appetizers is Pepper Jelly. My grandmother used to make it every year in the fall and I could hardly wait to open a jar and eat some on a cracker....with some cream cheese. My grandmother also made mint jelly, which she used with lamb and mincemeat pies. The smell of these takes me back to a very happy time during my childhood. I decided to share my grandmother's top secret recipes with you all today. Fall is here...and it is time to eat these foods.
1 1/2 cups packed fresh mint leaves and stems
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 1/4 cups boiling water
1 drop green food color
3 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 (6 fluid ounce) container liquid pectin
1.Rinse off the mint leaves, and place them into a large saucepan. Crush with a potato masher or the bottom of a jar or glass. Add water, and bring the mint to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain, and measure out 1 2/3 cups of the mint.
2.Place 1 2/3 cups mint into a saucepan. Stir in the lemon juice and food coloring. Mix in the sugar, and place the pan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture is boiling, stir in the pectin. Boil the mixture for a full minute while stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and skim foam off the top using a large metal spoon. Transfer the mixture to hot sterile jars, and seal.
3.Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes. I was going through my grandmother's cookbook yesterday and these recipes fell out on the floor. I sat and looked at her handwriting and so wished that I could have felt her arms around me...loving me. Instead I sat at my table and smelled the paper with her familiar script on it....closed my eyes....and felt her standing right beside me. It was a great day! Happy Monday!
Mild Pepper Jelly
Ingredients
3 1/2 c Sugar
1 c Apple Cider vinegar
3/4 c Sweet bell pepper slices (seeded and sliced finely)
1/2 c Hot pepper slices (seeded and sliced finely)
1 Packet (1/2 bottle) Certo or liquid pectin
Directions
Simmer sugar, vinegar and peppers very slowly for 10 minutes stirring to be sure all sugar is well dissolved. Turn off heat and let stand for 30 minutes. Bring to a boil and add Certo. Boil 1 minute. Cool and stir with non-metal spoon 5 minutes. Check that it comes off the spoon in a ribbon or sheet. If not, cook it a bit more. Pour into jars and seal. My grandmother used red and yellow peppers for color, or all green. (The all green is my personal favorite) Mixing red and green isn't pretty... it makes the jelly browner...I know because I have done this....and it was so gross. When you get ready to serve it....take a brick of cream cheese and put it on a plate....top with about half a pint jar of pepper jelly and serve it with crackers....trust me...it is so yummy.
My grandmother made mincemeat tartlets and full pies and they were so good. I loved the tartlets as a kid...I always thought she made them just for the kids. She made her own mincemeat....and I would wait until she was not looking and sample.....a lot. I still love the taste of mincemeat. Yummmmyyyyy!
Mincemeat
2 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and quartered
8 ounces golden raisins
6 ounces dark brown sugar
4 ounces dried figs, coarsely chopped
2 ounces dried cherries
2 ounces beef suet, coarsely chopped
1-ounce crystallized ginger, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup brandy
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground clove
Place all of the ingredients except the crust into the bowl of a food processor and pulse 8 to 10 times (this is what I do......My grandmother finely chopped the apples, dried fruit and suet by hand.) Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for at least 3 days before using. Can be stored for up to 6 months. The longer it sits....the better it is.....when you are ready to make your pie put in to a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients. My grandmother made her pie crusts....I don't. I get one from the refrigerator section of the grocery store and pour the ingredients in.....and top with the other one. Sometimes I get cute and do designs in my crust....other times...it is just plain. If I have any mincemeat left I will make biscuits and serve them with warmed mincemeat and whipped cream for dessert.
The other thing my granny used to make was mint jelly. She always grew her own mint and it smelled so good out in the yard....then she would make the jelly and cook some lamb and serve lamb with mint jelly....oh wow!
Mint Jelly Ingredients
1 1/2 cups packed fresh mint leaves and stems
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 1/4 cups boiling water
1 drop green food color
3 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 (6 fluid ounce) container liquid pectin
1.Rinse off the mint leaves, and place them into a large saucepan. Crush with a potato masher or the bottom of a jar or glass. Add water, and bring the mint to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain, and measure out 1 2/3 cups of the mint.
2.Place 1 2/3 cups mint into a saucepan. Stir in the lemon juice and food coloring. Mix in the sugar, and place the pan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture is boiling, stir in the pectin. Boil the mixture for a full minute while stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and skim foam off the top using a large metal spoon. Transfer the mixture to hot sterile jars, and seal.
3.Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes. I was going through my grandmother's cookbook yesterday and these recipes fell out on the floor. I sat and looked at her handwriting and so wished that I could have felt her arms around me...loving me. Instead I sat at my table and smelled the paper with her familiar script on it....closed my eyes....and felt her standing right beside me. It was a great day! Happy Monday!
Ghost Adventures
I was okay, I swear it.
Watching that Ghost Adventures show on the top Scariest Moments during the day made it okay.
I knew I couldn’t handle watching such a program at night. When I watch things like that at night I start to panic over every little noise. So I was smart and watched it during the day. And really, I was fine when it was over.
I was even fine when it got dark because by then I had watched several happier shows (Gilmore Girls, and the Survivor episode I had recorded...)
I didn’t even think about ghosts as I climbed into bed. I easily shut off the light, closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
But then in the dead of the night I felt it.
I had been snoozing on my stomach and yes, I sleep with only underwear on so my back was naked. And it was on my back where I felt the scratch.
On the ghost show, some evil ghosts were scratching the members of the ghost team.
I immediately thought of this, sat up and screamed, “SCRATCHING!”
Which is a weird thing to shout, I admit it, but when you have been sleeping peacefully for a few hours the mind doesn’t work quite right at first.
I heard a thump on the floor and did what every other self respecting twenty-eight year old would do: I dove under the covers.
Holy crap, a ghost was coming to get me. A ghost had just scratched me. Maybe the evil ghost from the show knew I was watching the program and didn’t like it and had flown to Wyoming TO TEACH ME A LESSON!
Oh God.
I stayed under the covers for a few minutes until I had to get fresh air. I peeked out and forced myself to look around.
Nothing.
But then Max the cat jumped on the bed which caused me to scream and hide under the covers again until I computed that it was just the cat.
Wait.
Just the cat….
Then it all came together.
It was the cat that had jumped up on my back and because of his claws, he probably accidentally scraped me.
And that thump? Well, I probably had inadvertently pushed the cat on the ground. Sorry, Max.
But good news!
There wasn’t an evil ghost out to get me.
I hadn’t been scratched! Well, I sort of had, but it wasn’t anything serious.
Everything was okay!
Everything was…
“Max! Get off my pillow!” I hadn’t realized that the cat had settled down on it until I went to get comfortable.
I scooped him off and put him on Tom’s pillow. He did not look pleased with me.
I’m thinking I might be scratched in the future.
Only this time, it won’t be an accident.
Watching that Ghost Adventures show on the top Scariest Moments during the day made it okay.
I knew I couldn’t handle watching such a program at night. When I watch things like that at night I start to panic over every little noise. So I was smart and watched it during the day. And really, I was fine when it was over.
I was even fine when it got dark because by then I had watched several happier shows (Gilmore Girls, and the Survivor episode I had recorded...)
I didn’t even think about ghosts as I climbed into bed. I easily shut off the light, closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
But then in the dead of the night I felt it.
I had been snoozing on my stomach and yes, I sleep with only underwear on so my back was naked. And it was on my back where I felt the scratch.
On the ghost show, some evil ghosts were scratching the members of the ghost team.
I immediately thought of this, sat up and screamed, “SCRATCHING!”
Which is a weird thing to shout, I admit it, but when you have been sleeping peacefully for a few hours the mind doesn’t work quite right at first.
I heard a thump on the floor and did what every other self respecting twenty-eight year old would do: I dove under the covers.
Holy crap, a ghost was coming to get me. A ghost had just scratched me. Maybe the evil ghost from the show knew I was watching the program and didn’t like it and had flown to Wyoming TO TEACH ME A LESSON!
Oh God.
I stayed under the covers for a few minutes until I had to get fresh air. I peeked out and forced myself to look around.
Nothing.
But then Max the cat jumped on the bed which caused me to scream and hide under the covers again until I computed that it was just the cat.
Wait.
Just the cat….
Then it all came together.
It was the cat that had jumped up on my back and because of his claws, he probably accidentally scraped me.
And that thump? Well, I probably had inadvertently pushed the cat on the ground. Sorry, Max.
But good news!
There wasn’t an evil ghost out to get me.
I hadn’t been scratched! Well, I sort of had, but it wasn’t anything serious.
Everything was okay!
Everything was…
“Max! Get off my pillow!” I hadn’t realized that the cat had settled down on it until I went to get comfortable.
I scooped him off and put him on Tom’s pillow. He did not look pleased with me.
I’m thinking I might be scratched in the future.
Only this time, it won’t be an accident.
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