Fall Festival

I love Drew's preshool! It's just a great place with great people and great teachers and great kids and great parents. :) And, of course, a great Fall Festival. :) The kids got to wear their costumes today and I, of course, take pictures of the whole shin dig. I was up until 1:30 a.m. sewing Drew's costume but by golly, I got 'er dun! :) And the fact that he was SO totally excited and jsut knew that everyone was going to lvoe it too made me so proud that he was excited to ahve something great, made by me, and that he was PROUD to wear it. :) I was beaming when he, so full of pride went up to his teachers and friends to show them his costume. :)

IT was great until I realized the first HOUR's worth of photos didn't come out on the card. It was bad or something?! Grrrr... so who knows what I totally wound up with. :(

They went through trick or treating through the church and did a bunch of stations they'd set up for candy... it was just great fun!

Poor Josh, he had a BUSY day. School. Got out at 3. Tutoring from 3:30 to 4:30. I picked him up at 4:30 and took him home to get ready for baseball. Left for baseball practice at 4:45... he was there until 6:20. Andy picked Josh up from practice and brought him to me. He then got Drew and I took Josh with me to the October pack meeting. That was 6:40 to 8:40.

I think I just am loving this whole Cubmaster shin dig. It was a great pack meeting... we actually had a working microphone. The kids had a great time. The meeting ran on time. The ceremony was fun... we got 3 new Scouts... two new volunteers... so I couldn't be happier! :) Well, my den's skits could have been received a little better. They were SO excited to be on stage that they don't know WHERE their audience nor do they project their voices loud enough for people to catch the punch lines... Oh well.. live and learn --;)

I'm forgettable

I will be the first to admit that I am NOT good with names. I never have been. I am, however, great with faces. I seem to run into people all over the place and instantly I recognize them -- the when's and where's of our encounters. Now, I'm not talking people that I meet in a grocery store line, but people that I've seen routinely. But people don't seem to remember me... makes me feel quite forgettable. Isn't that sad?

For instance, today, in Wal-Mart, there is a woman whom I attended MOPS with for THREE YEARS... twice a month for THREE YEARS... projects, prayers, playgroups. She just looked through me as if I were glass. Humph.. oh well.

Good-O-Meter

My friend Dee shared this with me... it's awesome. Check it out!

The Jihad Candidate: by Rich Carroll

Imagine for a few moments that you are the human resources director of a major multi-billion dollar corporation. You are sitting in your large, luxurious office when you receive a phone call from the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

He tells you that the board is considering a candidate for a high-level executive position. He advises you to complete a thorough background investigation and have it to him within 10 days.

You immediately call the private detective agency you have used for years and give them the name and address of the prospective candidate, along with the deadline for a high level security clearance.

Your next move is to call your assistant to your office, giving him/her the candidate's personal information along with instructions to 'do your standard beginning background checks.'

Preliminary findings begin landing in your fax machine on the third day.

Your candidate has used more than one name.
His original birth certificate is unavailable, and
he was mentored during his youth by a high level communist in Hawaii .
You receive a 3 page 'dossier' on Frank Marshall Davis.
You also learn the candidate was proctored into an elite Eastern private university by a middle eastern Muslim.
You receive a short dossier on Khalid al-Mansour.
You learn the candidate has terrorist organization 'Nations of Islam' employees on his current staff, and one of his advisors is a member of the global terrorist group 'Muslim Brotherhood.'

On day four, you receive in the mail from the security agency two books the candidate has written.

You read both books, highlighting the anti-American, anti-white racist passages.
You note the admissions of drug use.

You also receive in the packet a copy of the bitter anti-white thesis his wife wrote as a college undergraduate.
You receive a 4 page fax on the candidate's relative, Raila Odinga, who is connected with brutal Muslim politics in Africa, and background information on the candidate's estranged father who was part of Kenya 's most corrupt regime.

The fifth day brings to your special delivery mail

the complete background on Bill Ayers; his association with your candidate, his FBI criminal record, and
a copy of the book 'Rules for Radicals' written by communist Saul Alinsky.
You are advised your candidate used tactics from 'Rules for Radicals' at his previous employment.
You are advised the candidate's wife used an excerpt from this book during a recent speech

You receive by fax, a background on A.C.O.R.N. and an alert

that this group is being watched by the U.S. Department of Justice and other state and local law enforcement agencies.
You learn your candidate is endorsed by every Muslim terrorist organization on Earth; that he holds Muslim beliefs.
His friend, Louis Farrakhan, is head of Nations of Islam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdtirp4XdGs&feature
You learn that the candidate's pastor met with global terrorist Mohmmar Gaddafi in Libya , along with their mutual friend and anti-American Louis Farrakhan.
You receive printed transcripts of his pastor's anti-White, anti-American 'sermons' and are advised your candidate has been close personal friends with this 'pastor' for two decades.
Your candidate has referred to this radical pastor as his 'personal spiritual advisor,' and in fact, the title of one of your candidates memoirs was inspired by a line from this pastor's 'sermons.'

In your fax machine on the sixth morning is

a file on one Tony Rezko; his friendship, associations and business transactions with your candidate, as well as high level 'people' of middle eastern origin, and his federal conviction.

You will spend most of day seven compiling a file on the candidate, The Obama File , complete with footnotes and cross references.

Additional information is arriving regarding the candidate's friends and acquaintances during college, and you learn that

he did not run with a mainstream crowd, but chose radicals and communist agitators for his social group.

The morning of the eighth day has arrived and you and your assistant have placed a small mountain of background information into manageable 'piles' including

photographs of the candidate's family in Africa ,
he and George Soros (including a brief file on the Soros 'Open Society Institute'),
photos of the candidate and Louis Farrakhan and anti-Israel Arafat advisor Edward Said.

You begin to outline and write your 'Summary Evaluation' to the Chairman of the Board of Directors:

This candidate has a tissue thin work experience resume.
He has not managed large groups of personnel, departments, material, or P&L statements.
This candidate's own writing exhibits a deep-seeded anger and resentment towards people of the Caucasian race over the issue of slavery.
His emotional gravitas is centered upon his African heritage, and his belief that the white man is responsible for global poverty and unequal sharing of wealth.
The candidate's personal associations since childhood have been mostly with radical African Americans, Muslims, and communists; those who harbor anger towards The United States of America.


Particularly disturbing is his lengthy relationship with Bill Ayers, an unrepentant Weatherman radical who bombed government buildings and abdicated the overthrow of the United States .
Given the current global situation of nearly twelve thousand Muslim acts of terrorism since 911, it is disturbing to find his close associations with Muslim groups http://www.mafo2008.com/
I have highlighted passages in both books and find one particularly disturbing: 'Should the political winds shift in an ugly direction I will side with the Muslims.'
The candidate has surrounded himself with anti-American grievance mongers, and appears to manipulate 'typical white people' by appealing to their guilt about slavery.
He is a socialist, and totally disenfranchised from the history of 'root America .'


The candidate refuses to discuss his years at Columbia University , although he lived off campus and made few friends.


He will not release his application to the state bar notes which raises questions on several issues including the use of drugs.


Very little is available about his experience with the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, a foundation that spent $100 million with no discernable benefit for the schools and students that it was putatively designed to help

It is therefore my strongest recommendation this candidate not be considered for any position within the corporation.

WITH THIS RECORD, HE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE CLEARED FOR 'UNCLASSIFIED'. SO HOW CAN HE POSSIBLY BE COMMANDER IN CHIEF?

We're baaaaack!

We are back from a great long weekend at Pine Meadows Cabins in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. :) Beautiful weather, beautiful cabin, beautiful area, beautiful lake... and the stars... it's amazing to think God selected each individual beautiful celestial body to be present in that night sky just for us to see how spectatcular a show he could put on if you will just get out there to see it. I will have more to post about that and about today (pumpkin patch with Drew) but thought, for now, I'd put this on there as a reminder so I didn't forget to come back and post all my pictures!

Our First Camping Trip of the 08-09 year

This past weekend, Josh and I went on our first camping trip of the 08-09 Scouting season. We went to Sid Richardson Scout Ranch or SR2 as it's commonly referred to. They were having two events this weekend -- a Fall Festival and Haunted Hay Ride and a Family Adventure Camp. Some of our families accidentally went to the wrong camp site so a few phone calls later and we were all setting up at the correct site. The location couldn't have been more beautiful... there was a little historic building there as well... we were close to the lake and the Canoe Basin, though we couldn't take the canoes out -- some day!

Tent sweet tent


One of the things I've discovered is how much children NEED nature and the outdoors. They can be in the house SURROUNDED with electronics and games and movies and tv shows but inevitably you will hear them bellow how bored they are. Take them outside, however, and give them some dirt, sticks and a few rocks and they're enteretained for HOURS.



The Fall Festival had a station set up for the boys to carve pumpkins.


Sprinkled around they area, they also had setups for them to play ultimate, shoot various balls from mini catapults, practice their aim with marshmallow shooters…

Here is one of the little gaming areas set up in a little pocket throughout the camp area... this is a giant game of lunar golf.


However, the true motherload was that the boys were lucky enough to have the opportunity to pull the pin to launch their jack-o-lanterns from a ginormous trebuchet (pronounced “tray-boo-shay”) brought out this weekend only for the Fall Festival — THAT was a big hit! I’m sure the critters at Sid appreciated dinner too!




See this little spot in the blue? That's Josh's pumpkin!


It was also great fun just watching all the different boys having a great time playing ball.

We went on a haunted hayride and then came back for a campfire, smores and cracker barrel. :) We had NO problem falling asleep this night. It was really a great time.

Public Service Announcement

On the first day, God created the dog and said:

'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'

The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'

So God agreed.


On the second day, God created the monkey and said:

'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'

The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?'

And God agreed.


On the third day, God created the cow and said:

'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'

The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?'

And God agreed again.


On the fourth day, God created man and said:

'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.'

But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'

'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'


So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information,I'm doing it as a public service.

YIKES!

Have you heard about THIS kid? These kids are the ones that grow up to be serial killers... arsonists... How scary to just go on a complete killing spree with NO emotion on your face at this age? His parents should CERTAINLY be held liable for his actions. Heartless little twerp. I hope prayers can save his lost soul...

Spread the wealth

Do you feel that YOU should be required to spread YOUR wealth around to help those that are too lazy to do anything for themselves? No, I'm not saying anyone on any type of assistance is lazy but I do believe that the SYSTEM we have in place today, is more of a hand out than a step up. I would have wanted to PUNCH Obama's ugly mug had he said this to my face. I'm sorry, but I think I know what to do with MY money much more than YOU do... look at your freakin advisors? You think THEY know what's better? They've run several institutions into the ground... yeah, give them free reign on the government... are you truly THAT STUPID MR. O?

Wealth
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I love fall...

I love fall. I love the colors, the warm oranges, the vibrant yellows, the brilliant reds and the earthen browns. I love the chill in the air and I love getting all the winter catalogs with all the fantastic sweaters! I love wearing jeans. I love wearing my flannel pajamas -- I would live in them if I had the choice. :) I love that Halloween is around the corner... I love seeing kids all dressed up going door to door begging for candy. I love Thanksgiving and how this time of year starts to get everyone thinking of how they SHOULD be and feel and act all year long. :) THANKFUL. :)

I also start making my mental lists now... what do I want to do for the holidays... what are my kids going to be for Halloween... what will we do for Christmas... who all is on my list... what do I need to start making NOW so that it's finished in time for the big day... what is the jolly old elf going to bring the boys... What should I cook... will I make cookies this year... how am I ever going to get it all done?! :) So, I've started planning NOW and by the 15th of this month, I will be planned out! WOO HOO!

One other thing I start thinking about is winter prep for the house. YOu gotta take care of the casa. Now while I do have an ongoing "to do" list for the house, I know there are other things less expensive than an entire exterior paint job that need to be done seasonally. :)

• fertilize and put on pre-emergent on the ground
• plant spring bulbs -- I think i actually may just plant some this month!
• get into the garage and start decluttering everything I **SAID** I would put in the spring garage sale. Who wants to be in the attic when it's 150 million degrees
• get the mittens, gloves, scarves and such ready for wear and accessible. I'm putting a clear shoe organizer in the coat closet. This will serve as home to these thigns so that they are always able to be found. I think I actually may put pegs on the wall too so that the boys can hang their backpacks in there as well.
• purge closet. It's a great time to think of those less fortunate and those shelters that always need a little help. Purge things you didn't even touch this season... or last season... or the season before that. Chances are, you aren't going to wear it again.
• I love to buy new pillows for the couch this time of year (they generally don't last that long with 3 dogs and 2 boys) so getting some nice, squishy, soft, cuddly fall colored pillows is a special treat. I check TJ Maxx and places like Tuesday Morning for great deals.
• Get the car ready -- I always keep two no-sew fleece blankets in the car as well as umbrellas. I always double check my stock in my "mom crate" to make sure it's full. What is a mom crate you ask? Why, it's just a milk crate that I've stocked with all kinds of things we always seem to need in the car -- kleenex, hand wipes, germ-x, napkins, straws, snack cups, bottles of water, sunscreen, first aid kit, ketchup packs, etc. You basically stock it with things that you generally will need but never seem to have. I also have a "kit" in my front seat of items that I need more frequently... this, however, goes in the house with me each night because it also contains my portable camera and Palm pilot.
• Stock the kids' activity bag. When we're out the door, I try to bring along the activity bag. It's a black bag iwth pink polkadots that I won't mistake for anything else. It's got activity books, crayons, etc. for the boys to use in the car to keep themselves occupied.
• In my bedroom, I like to get the electric blanket out and clean it... get it on the bed and ready for toasty nights. It's not on there yet but it's out ready to be cleaned. :) I love my electric blanket. :) LOVE IT
• Outdoors -- I need to get a few of the trees trimmed... that's a big one. And I probably SHOULD get the one gutter cleaned out on the back of the house because the neighbors' tree likes to shed into my gutters. :) They're so sweet for sharing.

So, again, me in my ever-going list mode.... making lists of stuff to do... I need to add all this to my list... my ever growing, always changing, reworking list of things to do.

Does anyone else make paper lists or is everyone electronic? I can't decide which I like best... so I have both -- INSANE, I know!

Same Sex Marriage in Public Schools

I guess I should start this with I AM a Christian woman and I AM tolerant of others and their beliefs. If their beliefs are different from mine, that's great. I don't hold anything against them. I feel no angst towards them. I do, however, become a mama bear when people try to force things upon MY CHILD without MY CONSENT. The implications of same-sex marriage is more than just giving someone equal rights... watch THIS video. I think that giving someone the right of a civil union for legal purposes... who cares, seriously. I know in my heart of hearts what is right and what is good and what the way is that God has chosen for man and woman. I also know and understand diversity...but WE as PARENTS have the right to direct our children's moral compass. Every Christian parent needs to see this... it's time we need to stand together and let our voices be heard.

Oh yeah, and I monitor my comments. Send me hate mail it will be deleted. I won't give you the time of day. :) La la la la... la la la la... April's World!

The Ultimate Resource

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities?

Why I'm Voting Democrat

I'm voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.

I'm voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.

I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq I trust that the bad guys will stop what they're doing because they now think we're good people.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that people who can't tell us if it will rain on Friday CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don't start driving a Prius.

I'm voting Democrat because I'm not concerned about the slaughter of millions of babies so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as THEY see fit.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe three or four pointy headed elitist liberals need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would NEVER get their agendas past the voters.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe that when the terrorists don't have to hide from us over there, when they come over here I don't want to have any guns in the house to fight them off with.

I'm voting Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits of 8% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn't.

Makes ya wonder why anyone would EVER vote Republican, now doesn't it?