From Those Who Have Gone Before

I was looking through some inspirational quotes today and came across some really great ones. I thought I'd share my favorites.
One thing each of these people had in common: They didn't give up. Age didn't stop them. Disabilities didn't slow them down. Neither did political views or lack of education. These people were successful because they didn't lose sight of their goal. A lesson that I am learning....... When it's all said and done will we be able to look back on our lives and say, "I did the very best that I could. I wasn't perfect but I tried with all my heart to do and be my best. I pushed through the difficult times that life threw at me and gained wisdom even from my defeats. My successes were all the more sweet because of my hard work and dedication. I realize that all that I am and all that I have is a blessing from my Heavenly Father."
So many people accept mediocrity in life, trudging through life wondering why they are even here? Expecting no better from their lives. Scared to even try.
Can I just tell you that God has made you and you are unbelievably precious to Him. Your life means something to Him. You matter. A lot. He wouldn't have said it if He didn't mean it. "and even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don't be afraid......" (Matt.10:30-31) If the God of the universe cares about every minute detail of our lives, shouldn't we try to be everything He created us to be?
One day in the future I will meet my Lord face to face, and I long to hear Him say, "Well done my good and faithful servant."


Thomas Alva Edison:
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

Theodore Roosevelt:
It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

From a speech given in Paris at the Sorbonne in 1910

Maya Lin:
To fly, we have to have resistance.

J.C. Penney:
Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk.

Henry David Thoreau:
I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

Helen Keller:
I long to accomplish a great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.

Franklin D. Roosevelt:
It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.

Frank Lloyd Wright:
I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.

Albert Schweitzer:
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

And Finally,

Paul, Missionary (he wrote in his second letter to Timothy)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Stupid Is as Stupid Does

This whole missing child case in Florida is driving me nuts. This little girl's mom is a piece of work. Now these pictures have come out of her partying in a club the day after she said her daughter "went missing". She was supposedly tracking down the person who took the little girl. Yeah, right. That woman is full of poo. She seems awfully calm and collected when talking to her brother from jail. HELLO! Don't you think that if your daughter were missing and you were in jail that you'd at least ACT a little upset??? She comes across as very narcissistic. Besides if she was any kind of mother she'd tell the police everything she knows----IF she wasn't guilty. Now, I suppose if she IS guilty then she wouldn't say much.....which is exactly what she is doing. If the police find proof that she killed her daughter, I guess she better get used to seeing the inside of a cell.
This stinks like 3 day old fish.
AND to make this whole story even more bizarre......the young woman's mom is just as nutty as she is. She is covering for her daughter and I think the general population pretty much knows it! I mean what kind of grandmother doesn't realize that her grand daughter hasn't been around for weeks.......WHEN THEY LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE!!!! Does anyone else find that as kooky as I do?
Sadly, I think we will find out that this little girl is dead and has been for a while. It's just heartbreaking.

Church Shooting

Well, as many of you probably have heard, there was a church shooting here in Knoxville on Sunday. Knoxville has had some terrible tragedies over the past couple of years. ( the Channon Christiansen/Chris Newsome carjacking/murders and now this fatal shooting.)
The thing is, now all the news articles talk about how the shooter was "a conservative that hated the liberal stance of the Unitarian Church". Well, this might be true but obviously there was a lot more going on with him then just that!
I don't like how the media puts "a spin" on things. They make it sound like being conservative is a disease and conservatives themselves are narrow minded. Give me a break. I consider myself a conservative, but this in no way means I'm going to go out and shoot the place up just because I don't agree with a lot of liberals. I just don't like how the media twists issues to suit their own perceptions of things. It's apparent to most of us that this shooter had a lot of issues and really his political bent is the least of his worries. I still don't understand what makes a person snap. What is it that puts an "average" guy over the edge? So over the edge that he walks into a church on a suicide mission--to kill total strangers and then hope the police kill him too? I just don't get it. What is the point of that?

That's It! I'm buying a cow.

I was at Walmart in Knoxville today. Yes, I was back at the refrigerated section again. (I feel like I spend a good portion of my life at the grocery store!) A gallon of milk has gone up to $4.59. That is highway robbery. (remember it was only $2.89 in Ohio) I am going to be forced to buy my own cow if this doesn't stop. Good grief! My children's teeth and bones are at risk!
We are a calcium crazed family and we need our milk. What is the deal anyway? Are the dairy cows made out of gold here in the south? I'm beginning to wonder.

On The Road Again......

How many people does it take to drive to Tennessee? In our case 4. I am leaving Ohio today with the 3 kids. I don't really want to leave Scott in Ohio, but I have no choice. He is "left behind" to deal with the house construction getting under way.....I have the kids, and must get serious about packing boxes!
Now that things are getting underway--and hopefully, moving quickly from here on out I need to pack, pack, and pack some more. Not my favorite thing to do, but my mom and sister have offered their services when I need them. (Though I have a sneaking suspicion that my younger sister is seeing big YARD SALE/MOVING SALE signs in our front yard!) Seriously though I do need to think about what is truly important and what I'm just hanging on to for no real reason. It's amazing how much stuff one woman can accumulate over the 14 years I've lived in this house. Ugh.
Well, I better go. It's time to hit the road. Say a prayer for me. Did I mention that I'm road tripping with my 3 kids? (ages 12.13,16) Hey, don't laugh at me. I'm serious. I'll need the prayer:)

Doing The Happy Dance

Scott and I and the kids are back in Ohio. (it will be so nice once we actually are able to move into our house!) We were at Wal-mart the other night picking up some food staples. We knew the kids would want some milk so off to the refrigerated section we went.....
What a pleasant surprise when we look down and see that a gallon of milk was only $2.89!!! Wow!! I was so excited that I broke out into the happy dance. (It is somewhere between a shuffle and a bunny hop) A gallon of milk at our Wal-mart in Knoxville had shot up to $4.23! We drink a lot of milk in our family so you can imagine that it was expensive. So, the other night I was pleasantly surprised. There were several other items that were noticeably reduced. It was a good shopping trip. (Yes people, I can even get excited over lower priced groceries!----Hey, I'm being a "glass half full" person.)
We also noticed the gas prices going back down. We stopped in Springfield, OH on the way up here and we only paid $3.65. Scott and I couldn't believe it. ( Really though, how sad is that, that we are excited over $3.65/gallon?) If it ever (and I know I'm dreaming) got back down to $2 something a gallon there would be a lot of passing out at the pump.

Savage Ideas About Autism

The other day I read an article in the paper that conservative radio talk show host, Michael Savage, had said some things to make parents of autistic children upset. Then yesterday, on the way to Ohio, I was flipping radio channels and came across his show. Scott and I were both listening and we could hardly contain ourselves!
First of all Mr. Savage appears to have a lot of hot air and freely gave out his personal opinion with what appeared to be not much research. It was very aggravating. For years parents of autistic children have worked to educate the public about autism. They have made people aware that there is an autism spectrum. That autism is more than the most severe case. With all his spewing of misinformation he seems to be peddling backwards.
These were his claims:
#1 That it cannot possibly be true that 1 out of every 150 kids is now somewhere on the autism spectrum. ( Okay, I will not say much about this....except to say that YES there are increasing numbers of children afflicted with autism-like symptoms. If it's not autism, then it is something that certainly mimics autism!) The real question we need to ask, why is this? What has changed in the past 15 or so years? Better, more accurate diagnosis could account for some of this BUT maybe it is environmental. AND if it is some sort of environmental factor then what? AND what can we do about it?
#2 He made the comment that certain parents are allowing their children to be diagnosed as autistic for financial reasons.
GIVE ME A BREAK! In all my years of teaching (as a special educator) I NEVER came across a parent who wanted their child to get the autism diagnosis. It is a devastating diagnosis. The anguish that parents go through is heart breaking. NO ONE wants their children to have to live with autism.....I don't care if you paid them 10 million dollars--they would turn it down and opt for a healthy child. I know it's his opinion....but this is just the most ridiculous piece of junk I've ever heard.
#3 Mr. Savage seemed fixated on one or two things that might be on a screening for autism. He kept mentioning that children who put blocks in a row are not necessarily autistic. OR children that count all the tiles in the ceiling are not autistic. Well, duh. Sure those might be some things that some autistic children do. BUT for goodness sake there is a long list of things that are looked at in order to form a diagnosis. Overall autism is a communication disorder. These children have a difficult time communicating. Social behaviors are a challenge for them. Many children with autism have other health/medical issues and spend a lot of time with various doctors and therapists.
#4 He didn't seem to get that autism IS a spectrum disorder. Yes, there are some kids that sit and rock and don't appear to know anything that is going on around them. That is definitely a severe case of autism. BUT that is NOT the only type of autistic behavior. Then there are some cases of children/adults with autism that are able to function in society, with the communication difficulties....people might find them a little "quirky".
Savage was not looking at the big picture.....and he needs to. Children are not neatly wrapped up in a uniform autism "package".
#5 He also made the comment that the educational system (i.e.teachers, psychologists, speech/language therapists) are not medical professionals and they really shouldn't be diagnosing. Well, all I have to say is that any child that is being diagnosed would have MEDICAL doctors making a diagnosis.....the educational system would assist. There is a lot of observation that goes into a diagnosis too. Good educators can give a lot of valuable information. Educators are there to help create individual education plans to assist these children and help them learn.
All in all Scott and I were both left very frustrated after listening to this radio show. Yes, we could have flipped stations but I felt like I needed to listen. It was kind of like a car wreck.....you don't want to look but you do anyway. Same sort of thing.
As someone who considers herself an advocate for people with challenges....and has an especially soft place in my heart for autistic children.....I think we in this country need to get to the bottom of what is going on with autism. More research needs to be done. There is something going on and we need to find out what.....so that the diagnosis of autism becomes something that people only read about in history books.

Women Are From Earth

Women are from Earth and men REALLY are from Mars. Women. Men. Females. Males. Girls. Boys.
Now, I must say that I LOVE men. (and yes, my one man in particular:) I've been thinking about the male species this morning.
The really deep questions of life.....how come a man can get up in the morning have beard stubble, hair sticking out at odd angles, and hasn't even had his first cup of coffee yet and still look good? Ladies, you know what I mean. That swarthy look, a la, Pirates of the Carribean.
I on the other hand have hair that looks like something a rat made a nest in, no make up, and am stumbling out of bed in the morning like someone who is just learning to walk.
How fair is that? How come most (real life) women can't wake up cute? How come we have to WORK to look put together? Not fair.
And what is the deal with understanding most electronic equipment and how it works? How to put in surround sound or make the computer work. Or figuring out what the plunk, plunk sound is that the car is making? Is this a genetic thing? Is this kind of knowledge only on the Y chromosome? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Just some random thoughts.......What can I say? This is how my mind works. Scary, huh?
Oh, and by the way, regardless of all the good stuff.....guys, do us all a favor and actually put the dirty clothes in the hamper! Please!? You can look really cute, but be such slobs. Go figure.

Something Fishy Is Going On

Okay, something weird is going on with this young mother (who is now in custody) and her 2 year old daughter that has been missing for over a month. A normal person would have a lot of questions about this....Why did the mom wait for weeks before telling anyone her daughter was missing? Why, once it was found out that the daughter was missing did she lie to the police officers? Why hasn't she said anything since being in jail? I also find it very peculiar that this young woman's mother won't discuss her daughters motives in any of the interviews that she has done. She gets angry if anyone even bothers to broach the subject. What is with that anyway? I watched part of the trial with the grandmother of the little girl on the stand. Just too many loose ends. Why did the mother not seem to care that her mom was calling the police? But she herself wouldn't do it??? Odd. Very Odd.
Now, I'm no police officer and no I don't know all the facts but something fishy is going on. Looks to me like someone is hiding something. Where is this toddler at? I really hope that sweet looking little girl is safe and unharmed.

Been Thinking About It

Now, before I even get started on today's blog I want to say this.....I enjoy receiving comments from people but today's blog will probably be a sticking point with some.....please do not send me anything hateful for bringing this up.....it's just something I've been thinking about.
Over the past several months there has been a lot of press coverage about the "n -word". Everything from the comedian from Seinfeld (Michael what's his name?)using the word in a comedy routine, Imus getting blasted (not for that particular word, but for saying something about the black ladies on the basketball team), Dog,The Bounty Hunter using the n-word and his subsequent heart felt apology, Jesse Jackson's slip of the tongue on FOX last week concerning Obama, and now the discussion of the n- word on The View.
I am 40 years old. I am white (Yes, European descent) I am married and a mother to 3. My family, though not wealthy, lives a comfortable life.
With all that said, I do not use the n-word. Neither does my family. I have always thought that was a hate word used to put black people "in their place". I thought it was a "historical" word used during slavery. It is a derogatory term used to put another person down.
Growing up, I had a grandfather who used that word on occasion. He grew up in the south in the 20's and 30's. Even though he moved out of the south he still referred to black people as the n-word, I guess because that is what he heard as a child.
Even as a very young child I remember questioning my grandfather. That word was foreign to my own young ears.........I remember asking my mom why my grandfather (my dad's dad) said that and she tried to explain---but told me it was not a good word and I was never to say it.
Now, I grew up in the 70's and 80's. I don't personally recall coming across any black/white issues....race honestly wasn't as issue for me. Now, here I am decades later and race relations are weighing heavy on me.
Honestly, I don't understand. Why can the black lady on The View (forgive me, I don't know her name because I don't watch the show---only saw the segment on the News) say it's okay for a black person to use the n-word? That it is a term of affection (in her family)? Another black commentator saying, "just because white people can't say it, doesn't mean black people can't say it." That is what I don't get.....why would anyone WANT to say it? What is the point? Am I missing something? Is that why so many rappers use the word?
I'm sure there are black people out there that would be offended that I would even bring this up. That I just "don't get it." But aren't there other words to use? Words that are edifying? Words that would build others up? Words that are affectionate without any historical connotations?
Words are powerful. Words have meaning. Words should be used carefully.

Hot As The Blue Blazes

Good grief people I'm melting fast. The heat and humidity in the south is enough to kill me. I don't do well in the extreme heat....I am much more a "crank up the air conditioner" type of girl. I'd rather be turning blue from the cold then passed out from the heat. I had a friend from childhood that was one "of those" people. She would wear a sweater at 90 degrees because she "had a little chill". I personally thought she had some sort of genetic defect:) I, myself am all for the least amount of clothes as possible in the summertime. Well, maybe I should rephrase that and say the least amount of clothes that are LEGALLY and SOCIALLY acceptable.
I've never understood these people that say, "I'd love to live in a state with beautiful, balmy weather year round". Not me. I want the chill. I want some snow. Freeze....Frigid....Cold. Sure, I don't always like the hassle that excess snow or ice can bring, but at least I'm not sweating to death.
All this hot summer talk is causing me to perspire. I think this calls for a tall glass of iced tea.

Finally We're Closing!

We are closing on our construction loan this coming week. It has been a long wait....but it is finally happening and we are so excited! We look forward to getting our house construction underway. There is still so much to do---but at least we are going to be able to start. I cannot wait to actually have the house finished and be able to move in. To actually have space and room to move around...I will be absolutely thrilled! It's sort of like having a baby (without the physical pain of labor of course). We've planned, we've prepared and now we have to wait until the house is "born". If things go well we will be in by the end of the year. IF that is the case then we will have worked on the house for approximately 10 months. A little longer then a pregnancy. haha. At least building a house doesn't cause my feet to swell, have lower back pain, or to be in a hormone induced crying jag. Preparing to build does make me hungry though...maybe I'll go get some pickles and ice cream.

It's Not Looking Good

Does anyone else wonder about all these husbands/boyfriends killing their wives/girlfriends? I watched another press conference this morning about the mother that was killed in Cary, N.C. The police aren't saying much, but it looks like it might be her husband that killed her. Now, he is still innocent until proven guilty....and really I hope he IS innocent. It's just too sad otherwise.
It seems like every month there are similar cases on the news. What is with that?
There are a lot of wonderful men out there. Loving fathers, faithful husbands, dedicated boyfriends...we need to hear more stories about them. There needs to be some balance. It seems like the ones that make the news are the horrible ones. I know it makes for more interesting news, but I for one would like to hear the stories that make my heart happy--at least some of the time. There ARE good men out there.
What makes these men (in the news) snap? Why do they think they can get away with it? How do they live with themselves? They've got to be sociopaths. Honestly. How else could someone go on with "life as usual"? Don't they have to realize that they will be caught? Maybe not right away, but eventually. It WILL happen. And I mean what are the excuses they use? My wife made me mad. I was tired of her. I didn't love her anymore. She wanted to leave me. She wanted the kids. All these things are sad and they hurt...but killing another human being? NO. There is no good reason in cases like this.
If, and I did say IF, this husband in N.C. killed his wife then he will be arrested. Tried. He will lose his two beautiful daughters, his job, his house, his freedom and spend the rest of his life in prison or even face the death penalty. Was it worth losing everything for?
Now this poor woman's life is over way too soon and she has a grieving family that is left behind. This whole thing never had to happen. This whole thing never should have happened.

There Really Is Only One Way

I saw an interview this morning on the news. The whole story was about a recent episode of Oprah where she and a member of her audience had words. A guest had been talking on stage and somehow the subject came up that there were many ways to God. One lady in the audience addressed Oprah and said that , "no there is only one way to God and that is through His son Jesus Christ." Oprah seemed offended at that statement. She was shaking her head acting like she couldn't believe that this woman was so narrow minded.
Now, I must say that I stopped watching Oprah years ago for just this reason. She feels very free to discuss her "spirituality" on her talk show. In my opinion her spirituality is FAR from any Christianity that I am aware of. Now I appreciate that Oprah desires to help people, that she wants to make the world a better place......but sadly, I think she has missed the boat.
As a Christian I know scripture tells us that Jesus said, " I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. NO ONE comes unto to the Father but by ME." (John 14:6) Now, this leaves some people in a predicament. This verse forces people to make a choice. One has to decide what they think of Jesus.
It comes down to the three L's.
#1 Jesus was a lunatic. He was crazy and was talking nonsense....calling himself the son of God.
#2 Jesus was a liar. He was manipulative and a fake. He lied to gullible people and told them he was the son of God.
#3 Jesus is LORD. He spoke the truth. He IS the Son of God. He was fully man and yet fully God.
Now, people make decisions every day about what which of these they believe. BUT one cannot just say that Jesus was a holy man, a wonderful man, or a great teacher UNLESS they believe the third choice. Jesus boldly proclaimed himself as the one and only Son of the Living God. IF a person believes #1, or #2 then they can't say Jesus was a good teacher or a holy man....not if you really think he was a liar or crazy.
So many times today people want to take " a little bit of this and a little bit of that" and mix it all together and call themselves spiritual. It doesn't work that way. Christianity is exclusive...in that we believe there is only ONE way to God, and his name is JESUS.

Woodpeckers Peck Wood, Right?

We have a crazy woodpecker at our house. Instead of pecking at the trees which most NORMAL woodpeckers do, he pecks on our down spout on the corner of our house. Yes, you heard me. Our METAL downspout. It might not be so bad if it wasn't the corner of the house that has our bedroom in it. This is not a one time event. The bird has been doing this on and off for months..... and evidently woodpeckers are morning birds. The reason I know this is because he likes to attack the down spout around 6:30 to 7:00 in the morning. Who needs an alarm clock when you have Woody to wake you up? Did I mention it is a metal down spout? Well, let me say it again. Pecking on metal at 6:30 in the morning reminds me of a mini jack hammer. To make the whole situation even more pleasant the spout is of course hollow so the jack hammer sound echoes. So much fun. I spotted him on our next door neighbors tree the other day. I gave him a piece of my mind. He didn't appear to be distressed by my reprimanding. I turned on my heel and left in a huff......and he went back to his pecking.

Sometimes You Can Go Home Again

I enjoyed my visit to Maryland this past week. Aunt Dorothy and I had ice cream at Hoffman's. What can be better then eating chocolate peanut butter ice cream sitting out in front of the store on a warm summer day? It is my opinion that ice cream always makes things better. I was transported back in time. Hoffman's looks the same as it did when I was a child. I ate dinner one night with my aunts and uncles at Bullock's. A good meal and good conversation. It was a nice evening. I was able to visit with several of my relatives and I enjoyed it tremendously.
On Friday morning Aunt D. and I went to the Gypsy tearoom for tea and scones. Now, she and I have some tradition going on with tea rooms. Every time she would come to visit me in Tennessee I'd take her to a different tea room. So, she took me this time while I was in Maryland. Gypsy's was an interesting place. It is located in the Winchester House. This house is the oldest house in Westminster. It was built in 1760 by William Winchester. He and his wife raised their 10 children there. It is the only house still standing in Maryland with a central chimney. As I sat in this beautiful old house sipping my green tea, I looked around and thought of all the people that have lived and worked in this house over the past 248 years. Wow. I felt like a part of history. Mr. Winchester was from Westminster, England and had named this new area that he settled in Westminster, Maryland after his hometown.
So much has changed in my hometown over the years that I've been gone. A mall, stores, lots of new subdivisions, and streets I didn't know existed....but so much has stayed the same. I feel blessed. No matter where I go in this world I'll always carry a piece of "home" with me, 'cause memories last forever.

Mourning A Good Man

Yesterday Tony Snow died. It was a sad day. No, I didn't know this man personally...only saw him on TV...but I've learned an amazing amount about this man from listening to what people have said about him. Yesterday evening I sat crying in front of the television set after listening to Brett Bare on the FOX channel relive the kindness that Mr. Snow showed during the illness of Brett's son. I cried while I watched Tony Snow leave a building in Washington D.C., after deciding that he could no longer do the job of Press Secretary----and as the camera panned out, a huge crowd of people were standing on the steps as a tribute to him. On national TV Mr. Snow said that he didn't need any gifts on Father's Day. The best gift he ever had was hearing his three children yelling, "Daddy!" when he got home. Every person interviewed mentioned how much Tony Snow loved his wife and children. He was not ashamed to talk about his family or how much he loved them.
Tony Snow's faith in God was also talked about and how he mentioned his relationship with Jesus Christ to many....that his faith is what helped him through the illness that his cancer caused. That even though his body was deteriorating, his spirit was still strong.
Even though I never met Tony Snow in person. I think he is the sort of guy I would have liked to have known. He seemed very down to earth--even though he worked in D.C. The kind of guy you'd like to call a friend.
He obviously was a friend to many. Even though his life was cut short by cancer, he left a wonderful legacy behind. One that I'm sure will live on through the lives of those he touched while here on Earth.
It is said that a being a strong man has very little to do with actual physical strength but everything to do with kindness and gentleness. A man of great strength is not afraid to put out his hand to help someone else....to open his heart...and to offer words of encouragement.

Hi, from the lovely state of Maryland

I can't get good internet service at my Aunt's house so I'm sitting in the McDonald's parking lot blogging. I guess this is a true sign of a blog addict. Oh well, I guess there are worse things in life.
I just have a short political comment to make. Okay, maybe two....or three....
#1 Bill Clinton dissing on McCain's military record. Give me a break. Bill needs to shut his mouth. HE is not one who should talk about reputations OR military experience. DUH.
#2 Why should Obama pay off Hillary's HUGE debt she incurred while campaigning AGAINST HIM? Bill makes a LARGE sum of money for his speaking engagements. Why doesn't HE pay off his wife's debt?
#3 I don't know if any of us will make it through to November. It's like a circus. God, please help our country.
P.S. It's getting ready to thunderstorm and here I sit in the parking lot.....time for me to pack it up.
I'll blog when I can.

Life Is A Highway...

Just wanted to let my blog readers know that I am on the road today. I'm traveling to my home state of Maryland for some family time, business, and relaxation. I was last up in Maryland at Christmas. It's really funny that so much has physically changed in the town I grew up in...when I was there it was "small town". Now, it is just as congested and built up as many other places in the north eastern part of the country. Maybe it's my age, but I enjoy picking out the landmarks that are still there. The ones that haven't been torn down or bulldozed over. My aunt said we are going to take a trip to Hoffmans Ice Cream. It's a family owned business and has been there, well, forever. Fond memories. A piece of childhood recovered. Life is sweet.

Not Again!

There has been yet another (dis)honor killing in the news. It was somewhere in Georgia. A man strangled his own daughter because she was planning on leaving her husband. The father thought that was dishonoring to the family so he murdered her. I ask you, how can a father do this to his own flesh and blood? Are females in certain cultures so looked down on by the males that it means nothing to "get rid" of them? If a female makes decisions for herself, is she seen as a threat? I am appalled that this is happening here in our country! Her two brothers were standing in the driveway when the police arrived at the house. They told the officers, "we think our father killed our sister." The dad was smoking in the garage. Would he have killed his sons if he disagreed with them?
I also saw that young college co-ed that was kidnapped and shot to death for her ATM card. All the punk got was $1400 out of her account. It makes me sick. He could have robbed her without killing her. What sense is there to this kind of thing? None. It's really scary that certain individuals have no conscience. No human decency. What is wrong with these people?! It gives me the creeps to think that these predators are walking the streets....and I'm about sick and tired of hearing that these criminals had a "hard life", they didn't get the "opportunities" that others did, they grew up on the streets, no father figure.....waaaaaa, waaaaaa, waaaaaaa. I don't want to hear excuses. THEY HAVE CHOICE. No matter how hard life is. It is my opinion that they are weak and they are cowards.

I Don't Get It

Michelle Obama tells us that she wasn't proud of her country until recently. The other day a lady in Colorado didn't sing the National Anthem as she was asked to do, but instead chose to sing a black anthem. Later when discussing the bru ha ha that she stirred up, made a comment about not feeling a part of this country. What is it with these ladies?
Now, I have to be honest...I get sick of hearing this sort of thing. I mean it. It really gets on my nerves.
People can say what they want, but this country is a great country and I am PROUD to be a citizen of the United States. No, this country is not perfect. I don't think a perfect country even exists, BUT the freedoms and rights we have in this country are second to NONE.
It just angers me when I hear about citizens bashing the U.S.A These comments come from people who have never had to stand in line to get food staples that their government deems acceptable, never have had to worry about being thrown in jail for their political or religious beliefs, have never had to live in fear under a cruel, power hungry dictator, or worried that their children might not make it to 5 years old because their government doesn't allow in the needed medical supplies. We haven't had to worry (so far) about suicide bombers, or our buses or shopping areas being blown up. We can sleep at night knowing we live in a country where there is OPPORTUNITY. No, not everything is going to be given to you on a silver platter. Sometimes life IS difficult. That is just life. Stop blasting America for all her perceived faults.
You know if you really feel strongly about how horrible it is to live here in the United States you always have CHOICE. That is the great thing about this country! If it bothers you so much you could always leave and go to another country. You have that freedom.

OUCH!

This morning I woke up to a swift kick to the leg. Yes, you heard me. I let out a very disgruntled, "hey, what was that for?" I punched my husband in the arm. He wasn't quite with me yet...still somewhere between sleep and being fully awake. He apologized to me several times and explained that he was dreaming that he was fighting with his older brother, Dan. So there you go, I took a hit for Dan. He owes me:) The last time this sort of thing happened Scott was "playing" soccer. Ouch! I guess I was the ball that time. I might need to start wearing protective gear to bed..... Shin guards, anyone?

Snap, Crackle, Pop

Well, I went to the chiropractor two different times this week. I feel like I turned 40 and all the sudden I went down hill. What's next? Gray hair? Memory Loss?
Seriously, my lower back started hurting and Sunday morning it hurt so much that it nearly brought tears to my eyes. Scott said, "you are going to the chiropractor!" I wasn't going to argue.
My neck and upper spine will require several adjustments...I'm pretty out of whack. My lumbar region is a whole different story. First of all the chiropractor and I were looking at my X-rays and he told me that I have 6 lumbar vertebrae. That didn't mean a whole lot to me until he informs me that most people only have 5. A small percentage of us have a 6th. Yeah, that's me. It doesn't really do anything one way or the other, just weird. But would you expect anything less from me? Evidently, my bottom vertebrae has some issues. I might have some arthritis there in years to come. Good grief! I was planning on aging gracefully--I guess I forgot to give my body the memo.
I have to say though, that I really enjoyed the electrical stim on my back and the therapeutic massage. I was about to fall asleep during the massage...but thought better of it. It would have been extremely embarrassing to fall asleep and leave drool all over the face rest. Don't laugh! I think about those things:)

Israel vs. Iran

I woke this morning to a story on the news about a Palestinian man who drove a heavy piece of construction equipment through a crowd in Jerusalem, killing 4 people. The news people are talking about the continuing strain between Israel and Iran. Iran is perfecting their nuclear weapons and Israel is fighting to keep its nation. I don't know what will happen with these 2 countries, but it doesn't look good. I'm afraid that the world will be forced to take sides and it is scary what that could mean.

Neighborhood Under Siege

The trucks have moved in. They are barreling down the streets in my subdivision. No, this is not a war zone. It's the streets being repaved. Late yesterday afternoon they scraped all the old stuff off the street which made for a real smooth ride. NOT! This morning at 7am they started the paving. It is loud with all these trucks, it is hot and it stinks. What really gets me is that there was no notice that this was going to take place (before late yesterday) Scott and I got a phone call this morning, a little after 7, informing us that our van needed to be moved from in front of our house (parked on the street). If it wasn't moved it would be towed. Now, my question is this....if they didn't inform people ahead of time and no one had been here to move it and it got towed---who would have paid for that? We are allowed to park on the street--we never got notice of this from the city--so would the towing have been our expense? That doesn't sound right to me. While I'm at it, I have a doctors appt. this afternoon. I will have to leave here around 2 o'clock. Will that fresh asphalt (or whatever it is) be dried enough to drive on? Or am I going to end up with it all over my tires and have it thrown up on my car? I can't be trapped in my own house all day! I've got places to go. The whole thing is aggravating. UGH.