May. 6, 2008 - Because who doesn't like to win stuff...
My husband laughs, but you know, you can't win if you don't enter. =) So do you see in my sidebar those two buttons for a great blog called Five Minutes for Mom? Check them out, because the giveaways there are just fab-u-lous!!
There are lots of other great give-aways out there. One of my favorite ways to find new blogs to read is to participate in blog carnivals and one of the most fun carnivals is Bloggy Giveaways. It is a great blog because they are always hosting a giveaway of some sort, but then when the bloggy giveaway carnival kicks in...there are so many contributors and it is just so fun!
You should check these out...and leave me a note in the comments section of your favorite give-away blogs or spots. Or your best hauls...you know, the best prizes you have won. I would love to hear about it. =)
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Apr. 30, 2008 - Why I Love the UFC
What, you don't know what UFC is? It stands for Ultimate Fighting Challenge or Championship...maybe Club? It doesn't really matter in the whole scheme of things because I don't really love it, but my husband does. He loves all things martial arts. Since he was a wee one, he has wanted to be Bruce Lee. So back to UFC... naturally, what looks to me as two men beating the living snot out of each other is really a mixed martial arts competition. I am learning to have an appreciation for it, partly to enjoy something my husband enjoys...but there has been a side benefit as well. One I could not have anticipated.
Hang with me here. We are the proud parents of three boys (and one princess...but we are talking about the boys now) and anyone who has boys knows...boys like to roughhouse. It is just how God made them. I remember when they were much younger and they were horsing around in our schoolroom. Ian (who was 5 at the time) was spinning Reagan (3 yr old) around and around and got the bright idea to let him go and see what happened. Well, I am sure you can imagine what happened next. That's right. Reagan was propelled across the room with such super-sonic force that even though he hit our cushy upholstered couch, he hit with such force it split his head open. Who knew that even a somewhat soft surface could do such damage?
It's worth noting here that my husband gets freaked out by blood... especially if it comes from his family. And head wounds bleed. Profusely. So, after hearing not-your-normal screams from the other part of the house, we both rushed to the scene. Hubby arrived first. and FREAKED OUT. He wanted someone to call 9-1-1. I arrived just seconds later. Reagan was already holding a wad of paper towels over the gash so I could not appraise it, but I felt that 9-1-1 might be overkill. So, while my spousal unit hyperventilated, I called a paramedic friend of ours. He gave me specific instructions to tell if the wound needed stitches and a trip to the ER would be in order. I removed the paper towel to assess the site and almost passed out myself. I could see the BONE girls. I get shivers now, just thinking about it.
Well, long story short, boys usually equal roughhousing which could equal blood and in our case, six stitches (so far). As I mentioned, my husband has been pretty freaked out at the sight of blood in the past. Here is the UFC connection. After a couple years watching these guys in the octagon beat the living daylights out of each other, he is a lot calmer. He has seen that it is possible to get hurt and live to tell about it. You can actually bleed, from the face/head and after a little superglue, be good as new. I know it seems to be an oxymoron, but it is true. Used to be, at the very sound of boys thumping and yelping, hubby would be like those dogs on linoleum who can not get traction. He could not get there fast enough. Now, it's more of a holler in their general direction. "Everything okay?"
Yep, it's all good. And that's why I like the UFC. Which, by the way, stands for Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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Apr. 22, 2008 - Outsourcing. Is it really worth it?
Ummm. Where to start. Outsourcing supposedly saves money...what it boils down to though is that big corporations are more concerned with their bottom line than customer service. Take what happened to us since we have moved here.
We are serviced by both the gas and the electric company. The local utilities are truly local, I drive by and drop off my payment there periodically. I have met the sweet receptionist there. I like them. On the other hand, the gas is serviced by a huge conglomerate based in Atlanta, GA. There are no local numbers or contacts listed in the phone book or on the website and when I call customer service, I am really calling INDIA!
And I have needed to call customer service because they have not been able to get my bill correct from the moment we moved in! My first bill reflected the deposit and connection charges. I paid it promptly. the next bill I received was almost $500! At this point I called the number on the back of my bill, not so much to dispute the charges, but rather to clarify what caused it to be so high and is this the kind of bill I was to expect every month. If so, I could see making everyone bundle up since I would be keeping the thermostat at a chilly 65* to save money.
The answer I first received should have tipped me off that I was not dealing with anyone local. Her answer to "Why is my bill so high?" ~ "Well, it's cold where you live." Uh, duh!! She then asked what appliances we have that are serviced by gas (pay attention, this will be important later). Not only is our home heated by gas, but we have a gas fireplace, gas stove/range, and gas water heater. She suggested that the size of my family could be a cause as that's a lot of hot water. HUH? While I am certain that the hot water heater gets a lot of use, I can say with some certainty that we did not work it that hard!!
It was only after going round and round with her that I finally got the answer I needed. We moved into this house in October, I had the gas switched over in November, paid the first bill in December and received the astronomical one in January. The bill in January was for two and half month of service. For some reason, they could not read the meter one month, so I was billed for the first two readings at once. Well, I suggested a reasonable solution. Since I was being billed for more than two months of service, it seemed only fair that I would have two months or more to pay it. I was told this was not an option, however I could sign up for budget billing so that I wouldn't have an excessively high bill again.
Even though I pushed back, she was pretty adamant that there was nothing she could do about my bill. So I agreed to the budget billing and made it very clear that even though she wasn't making arrangements with me, I was only able to make a partial payment. I did pay a partial payment and she assured me that my gas should be fine. As long as I paid towards the balance each month.
I have called every billing cycle since to clarify why I have a past due balance, to have them make note that I am making my payments in a timely manner and to remind them that this whole mess is their fault in the first place. I would have been caught up this month...
We went to a friends home for dinner Thursday (April 9th) night, came home and gave the toddler a bath and told my boys to take showers. When they were complaining of it being too cold, I figured that we had overloaded the hot water heater...but when hubby got up the next morning to shower, there was still not any hot water. That's when I figured out...THEY'VE TURNED OFF OUR GAS!!!
I called the same number. Again I talked to someone in India, I should have just asked to immediately be connected to someone on this side of the ocean because the next hour was almost enough to make me spit fire and curse like a sailor. Although he had my account pulled up in front of him, he told me that my gas was shut off for non-payment (I have been paying every month) and that to reconnect I would have to immediately pay the past-due balance (remember I was going to be caught up this month anyways, I was just waiting to pay in the second half of the month due to hubbys pay schedule) as well as a $50 reconnection fee AND an additional deposit of $270 since I don't pay my bills and they would need a reserve to draw from when this happened again.
AFTER I agreed to those ridiculous terms, I got to talk to someone in AMERICA. She asked for clarification as to why I was transferred to the "escalation center." The reason that she was given was that I did not want to agree to the additional $270. Which was only partially true! The rest is of course that my bill has not been correct since the beginning and that I have never missed a payment (I just haven't paid as much as they have asked for as I was stretching out the initial $500 over a few months).
Although she was gracious enough to recognize my problem (it was about time) and reverse all the extra charges, we were still with out gas all weekend...which meant no hot water, no cooking except in the microwave, and no heat. The heat shouldn't have been a problem as it is spring-time, but of course, we had a cold snap that weekend and my house stayed at a chilly 64*.
I have a feeling that if I had been able to call someone local in the first place, this could all have been avoided. What do you think?!
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Apr. 12, 2008 - TOYS!
Those girls over at 5 Minutes for Mom are at it again. I participated in the Ultimate blog party and have been both blessed and inspired by many of the new blogs I have found. =) I have also enjoyed all the new traffic thats been through here. I love having new comments...it's all about the comments girls.
Anyhow, they are hosting a great giveaway right now. Two weeks of toys has some terrific prizes and my mantra has always been, "You can't win if you don't enter!" So head on over and take a look. They will be closing the contest on May 7th, so make sure you visit and take a look soon. This month will pass before you know it. You know how allergy meds make you sleep forever....haha. (Get it? the month will pass cause you'll sleep through it? Oh, maybe that's just me. Spring is beautiful, but pollen is evil.)
Happy Spring!
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Mar. 31, 2008 - Handy Answers to "Fitness Sermons" Just in time for Summer
Okay, okay, we all know that for optimal health we should exercise and watch what we eat. But over the past 20 years, the “healthy lifestyle” issue has taken on a distinct patina of MORALITY. Do you walk a mile a day? Guaranteed, you know someone who will smirk at that—they walk two. And someone else gives them a pitying stare: They run two miles a day, not counting the 15-minute warming up and cooling down periods. And so it goes. Never before has virtuous action been so guilt-laden. (Note to my Catholic and Jewish friends: Don’t start.) That’s not particularly healthy, now, is it?
So here’s an idea. Prepare yourself for "Fitness Sermons" with these handy answers:
FS: Don’t you know that cardiovascular exercise can prolong your life?
A: Careful of media-inspired urban legends! Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it. Don’t waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
FS: You should cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables.
A: Clearly you don’t grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism for delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. And by the way, a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of all food groups.
FS: Fried foods are bad for you.
A: Let’s go over it again. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil—in fact they’re permeated with it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
FS: Sit-ups help prevent you from getting a little soft around the middle.
A: Look how funny you are! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. Ergo, you should only do sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
FS: Well, swimming is definitely good for your figure.
A: (Stifle a laugh) If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me?
FS: Hey, is getting in shape important to you or not?
A: (Explode in affectionate laughter) HELLO! ‘Round’ is a shape!
Taken from the HumorRULES® Gazette
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Mar. 28, 2008 - Singing the praises...
First, Easter has come and gone, and while so many thoughtful bloggers used this lovely technological platform to remind everyone of the great Truth of the spring holiday, my blog did not sing His praises.
So today, I wish to say, Praise the Lord!! We serve a Christ who is not still in the tomb, but has beaten death and is victoriously seated at the right hand of the Father. He is ever interceding for us and has gone ahead to prepare a place for us. I am so grateful to be a part of the Family of God. And I am privileged that He has entrusted to our care, four little souls to look after and to train up. I pray I can do the job well.
On to my other 'sing the praises' news. You may remember that my children were down with a terribly virulent flu bug. For those of you just joining us, the time line went something like this...first boy down for several days w/ fever and general malaise. Checked out mom recommends rest and fluids. Second boy begins complaining of same symptoms four days into first boys illness. Mom begins to suspect something is awry because first boy is not getting better yet and now another one is down. Still, seeing that they are both 'good' patients, mom administers immune system boosters and lots of chicken soup and begins lysoling the entire house. SIX days into first boys sickness (he's still sick), 2yr old begins to run fever as well. Mom snaps to attention because her days are really sunk w/ a pre-schooler strapped to your leg.
So, for the details here, read my last post. The doctor recommended Tamiflu for the little one. However, I prefer more natural alternatives and I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT WE FOUND!!!!! Only a tiny bit of research convinced us that TamiFlu wasn't the best option for our daughter. I still didn't want her strapped to my hip for the next week. The boys were good patients (in that they stayed in thier beds with the portable DVD player/gameboy/book w/a minimum of complaining) but two years olds are not...
SO, we tried (insert drumroll here) Ocillococcinum. It is a homeopathic flu remedy. My daughter went right to bed the day we got home from the doctor. It was early in the evening, but she was feverish and cranky. I went out and picked up some Ocillo that night. I gave it to her the next morning and her fever broke almost immediately. She was her normal cheery self for the better part of the day. She had another dose that evening and the again morning and evening for two more days. Friends, can I tell you, that stuff is nothing short of a miracle medicine. She never suffered from the flu at all. If anything, she may have exhibited mild cold symptoms. It was truly amazing.
If the flu is still in your neck of the woods, run, don't walk, to your nearest drug store (it's even at Wal-Mart and Target!!) and get some TODAY! Bonus, the website has an instant coupon for $1.50 off any package, any size. You won't regret it. And you won't get sick either...
And that's something to sing praises about!
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Mar. 13, 2008 - You should have seen his face...
So, what's a mom to do? After a fever for seven days straight, I gave in and made a Dr. appt. Not just for my sickest child, but for the other two who started exhibiting the same symptoms. Being in a new town, I was not an established patient anywhere and trying to get someone to see three children at once was, shall we say, not an easy task. Fortunately, I know someone with pull 
who made some calls and got us all in.
What she did not know, was that while I am not a full on granola girl, I do not immunize my children. As sick as they were, I decided to risk public flogging and go to the pediatric practice she was able to get us appts at. After a veeeerrryyy long wait in the waiting room, we were ushered back to the smaller waiting room...for another equally long wait. While my two year old daughter entertained herself by drawing all over the paper that is on the examining table (and herself...and her pants), I mentioned to my boys that this must be what hell was like...waiting, being shuffled from room to room with no resolution in sight. They were pretty lucid for fevered children and quickly corrected me. Hell would be much worse they assured me. "It's very hot and you burn up and die," said my younger one. The oldest quickly said, "Nope you don't die. You just burn up, forever." This lead to some interesting theological discussion which we had time for because we were, you know, w.a.i.t.i.n.g....
When the nice Doctor finally made time for us came into our little room, we had to do a history of each child since he had no records and we were not established patients. We started with my oldest and worked our way down. Because I was a young mom and did not know any different, my oldest received all his vaccinations at least through 18 months, maybe even to two years. My second son had some complications at birth (a 21 day hospital stay from meningitis caused by Strep B. We are very blessed that he is still with us and suffers no long term problems at all) , so his vaccination schedule was not as 'on date' and I suspect I did not keep his shots updated due to switching insurance carriers and a move during his first two years of life.
It was during this time that a friend recommended that I read
A Shot in the Dark.
Since I deeply respected her, I took the time to read it, but dismissed the books message at the time, because this book seemed inflammatory and centered on just one vaccination. There were many others that were helping families? Weren't there?
A seed had been planted. When our next son was born, we were in a new area and I had another friend who challenged me on vaccinating. When I pressed her for answers though, she blithely mentioned that her chiropractor told her not to, so she didn't.
Since I need an answer with substance, I decided to do some research on my own. First, I read The Virus and the Vaccine. This book reads like a medical thriller, but it is all true. (okay, a little slower, but a page turner none-the-less) This book convinced me that researching vaccinations further was worth it. My goodness, the very thought that there was evidence that suggested that some strains of the polio vaccine were contaminated and the government worked to cover it up made me wonder who was looking out for me and my kids? ! The answer, ME!
I read a great deal of other information when we found we were expecting baby number four. There are six years between boy three and baby four. These ideas had begun to take root. I read everything I could get my hands on...Since we were homeschooling I had never needed to get the boys booster shots and we never needed proof of immunizing for our co-op. So, I had kinda relaxed on the subject, but I was up for the challenge now.
There is a LOT of information out there. Much of it is mis-information disseminated to us 'en masse' by the Health Officials...or completely inflammatory anti-establishment rants by the dyed-in-the-wool hippies and granola folks. Since I try to stay balanced, I am not really in either camp...
Probably the BEST book I read, and one I would heartily recommend to you, is Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent's Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives
The author is balanced in her perspective (I liked that) and does not tell you what to do, rather educates the reader on the risks and challenges associated with vaccines as well as the history of the disease and what the options are if you choose NOT to vaccinate.
Which brings me back around to the title of this post...(if you are still reading we are probably already good friends or you are terribly bored. Either way, thanks for hanging out) Back in the Doctor's office yesterday, we got to the history of my daughter, who we have, after a lot of research and prayer, decided not to immunize. You should have seen that Doctor's face...it looked a little like this
. Seriously, he came just shy of covering his mouth in utter horror. I am grateful he treated them yesterday, but I am sure I was fodder for the water cooler today.
BTW~ they all have the flu. The real flu. Influenza, strain B. Oh joy.
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Mar. 11, 2008 - Does anyone else feel this way?
Okay, for those of you just joining me...I have four children. My oldest son just turned 13, the next two will have their birthdays this month and will turn 11 and 9. Our daughter (who is still peeing in her pants people!) will be three in May. I hope she gets the potty training thing by then...
Although I am a rather relaxed person and despise hate loathe am not very consistent with housework and chores, I married a man who likes his home to at least 'appear' clean. To help you understand my relationship with housework...a recent dinner conversation in our home.
Me: I think I was supposed to be a queen.
Hubby: A queen?
One of the boys: What do you mean, mom?
Me: You know. Having people waiting on me, bringing me stuff, doing all the work around here...A queen!
Hubby: (snickers) ...or an invalid.
You see how much I don't like it? I was also thinking of the shopping that must be associated with Queendom. Because they are always well dressed, but I digress.
So keeping the house straight, well, it's the least I can do for him really. He does make sure we have enough funds to feed the children... In an effort to do less, I have worked hard to train them to do more!! It has taken many years of diligence (and we are FAAR from done, friends) but I do see the rewards.
Here is my dilemma and the reason for the title to this post. My kids have been soooo sick. I mean, since Christmas gals, someone has been ill. A couple times, it's even been me! Anyways, when they are sick...they don't work! Am I a bad mom for wishing them well...so I can stop doing the dishes? I never do the dishes anymore...or laundry (theirs) or vacuum or sweep. I delegate as much as possible to them. I miss their help!!
Chime in ladies...do you miss your little ones chipping in when they are down for the count?
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Mar. 10, 2008 - Potty training woes maybe coming to an end....
Oh, everyone said that girls are easier. She'll get it in no time. I'm here to tell you she is smart, but you know, she's just NOT getting it.
With all the boys, I gave them all the necessary information and did NOT push them. Okay, I pushed Nick. But after we both got frustrated I decided I had never seen an adult who wasn't potty trained so I would just lay off. It worked. Within weeks, he asked for big boy underwear and never had an accident since! (He's taller than I am now and will probably be mortified at this info being broadcast into blogdom..)
So with the other two boys, I just took the same relaxed approach. Read the book (you know the Once Upon a Potty book), showed them where and how, bought big boy pants and them just waited it out. Worked beautifully every time.
So, the princess...not so much. First off, she has had an 'awareness' for quite some time. She is the baby who finds a quiet corner to hide in while pooping...as a toddler (almost 3 now) she prefers the "secret clubhouse." (the closet under the stairs) Hubby says she's already potty trained, we just need to direct her to the right room to hide in!
So I have been sharing a lot with her the following things. We put our potty in the potty seat. The potty seat is in the bathroom. She pooped in her pants and then dumped it into the toilet. (did I tell you she was smart?) Today, I said..."NO, take off your panties first, then put your potty RIGHT INTO THE POTTY SEAT!"
You guessed it. She stripped naked, found a quiet place to squat (to mix things up a little, she used the corner of her room behind the rocker) and pooped...right on the carpet. THEN, she came to find me so we could, "put the potty into the potty seat mama." *giggle*
Sigh. I feel like we are one step closer maybe as she didn't poop in her pants this time...
I'll keep you all posted on our progress.
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Mar. 8, 2008 - Ultimate Blog Party!
- I am always lamenting about my lack of readership. I know I need to post more often in order to secure more traffic, but I want more feedback in order to encourage me to post more often! It's a vicious circle...In a shameless self-promotion act, I am blogging for the ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY. Maybe I will net a few more readers, who will grow into friends and who will eventually have me over for coffee or something equally as tasty (chocolate desserts anyone?).
A little about me....
- I've been married to the love of my life for 14 years and I am mother to four great kids (three boys and a princess). I've been homeschooling for 8 years and have used a good mix of different curricula over the years. The core of our learning this year is KONOS, a great unit study guide that I have used off and on since we first started homeschooling.
I love chocolate and coffee and really good books. I am a bit of a resource girl and I can burn up the internet looking for the answer to what ever todays dilemma is. I was a better mom before I got a computer though as I am totally addicted to blogging, shopping, reading recipes, gathering information and often aimless surfing...usually a search gone wrong, probably started with good intentions. I am terribly disorganized and struggle with time and money management. Good thing is, I know that those are my weak spots, so I am not disappointed when I miss the mark. I am always trying to improve...if READING books on organization made you organized, I would have a Better Homes and Gardens model home!
I am generally positive and very outgoing. I like to have fun and laugh (and when I do, you'll hear it!). I like to play games, board games are the best. If there was a way to teach my kids using only board games, we'd be soooo there.... haven't found that yet, but there's still time.
I want to grow up to be a public speaker, probably to moms...definitely women. I adore being in front of a group...it's even better if I have something relevant to share. I have enjoyed sharing encouragement for homeschool moms with regard to Casting a Homeschooling Vision and also on Personality Styles. I hope to expand my speaking repertoire to include more subjects as I get more gigs. (broad hint there! can I come speak for YOUR group?!))
So enough about me...I am hopping around to your posts now! Come back and see me again sooon! I really need the affirmation!
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Feb. 15, 2008 - valentines ruminations...
So Valentines Day has come and gone. I woke up to a nice box of chocolates and a sweet card from my very wonderful husband. He was thoughtful enough to leave little valentines for the children as well. Isn't he just sooo sweet? I hope your day was pleasant as well.
I got to thinking about folks who valentines might now have been so sweet. Maybe they are single...maybe never married, perhaps widowed, or divorced. Or maybe they have had their hearts broken so many times they don't think it will ever be whole again. Maybe they have bought into the message of the culture around us that says you don't need to be married, if it feels good, just do it. And now, after doing...and being with so many partners, they realize just how empty that lifestyle really is and have a heart full of regrets.
And I thought about my own precious children and how very much I want them to have Happy Valentines Day's ahead..and happy and fulfilled marriages, too. And that that effort really, truly starts now, while they are still here at home.
As parents, we have the opportunity to turn the tide and shape the thinkers and leaders of tomorrow, today. Eric and I have thought a lot about this and it is part of the reason that we are homeschooling. But this effort is more than academic or spiritual, it is moral as well. In order to insure that they will stay pure in body and mind, we have to put effort into what we do and how we communicate items of a 'delicate' nature to them. With this in mind, Eric has put a great deal of planning into our oldest son's "Rite of Passage" year.
They have been meeting on a semi-regular basis for almost a year now and in those meetings they talk about the stuff of transitioning from being a boy to becoming a man. They have covered a lot of different subject material, everything from good hygeine (Praise the Lord, he showers every day without being asked,...his little brothers are still a bit Dennis the Menace-y) to good character and having a good work-ethic. The mystery that is girls...and how to honor them. Future relationships with them and safeguarding his heart in the meantime.
It has been wonderful to see Nick basking in the special attention from his father and blossoming into a truly thoughtful and articulate young person. While he has already turned thirteen, Eric has scheduled a big Rite of Passage weekend ceremony in the spring (when it's warmer, Nick is a January baby) and I anticipate that it will be a highlight of our son's life.
Rather than have our son caught up cultural current of empty relationships and broken promises, I pray that he will guard both his eyes and heart in the pursuit of purity. By doing so, he should have many Happy Valentine's Days ahead.
This post was inspired by a) what was already rolling around in my head =) b) Pastor Rob Singleton's blog. He is a pastor in Charlotte, NC who is doing a series on s*x and encouraging parents to (gulp) talk
to their kids about it. What a revolutionary idea! He is having a contest to give away a date night to bloggers who blog about what they are doing to help stem the cultural tide in their own families and communities (ie, mentoring, etc). You must have a blog and link to his post. He won't draw any names unless at least 20 of us enter so go write...now. One of us needs a date night. (Her blog is pink and has flowers all over it).
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Feb. 13, 2008 - Raising a child prodigy....
Today she brought the DICTIONARY to Ian and asked for him to read it to her. =) Isn't that GREAT!? Haha...Perhaps she actually picked something up.
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Feb. 6, 2008 - "Lost" time
I am a total "Lostie." It's sad but true.
Initially, it was my husband who started watching. His tastes run more to the sci-fi and action end of the spectrum so when he said he liked it, it was a pretty good sign I would NOT! =) But, the writers and creators of the show have done a good job of developing the characters and I personally have enjoyed seeing some of their stories develop.
Lost is fun because of all the 'easter eggs' that are hidden through out the show. It is just creepy to see lives of passengers cross before they even got on the plane. Creepy in a good way...you know. They have woven such an intricate story line that sometimes you want to watch again to get little details you would have missed the first time.
They showed a commercial last week for Oceanic Airlines, the fictional airline of flight 815. In it, in between the pretty girls selling exotic destinations, a guy was trying to hack in and leave his own message. His name is Sam and his site is www.find815.com His fiancee was a flight attendant on the lost flight and he is on a mission to find her. If you go to the site, you can join him on his journey.
It will suck up your time, but in a good way. (Is that even possible?!) I love the folks behind this stuff, it's just smart entertainment.
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Feb. 5, 2008 - Super Tuesday
So, for many of us, tomorrow is the big day. For the guys running, a clear leader may finally emerge. We are voting for Mike Huckabee (no surprise there), and while I still hope that he could win enough delegates to win the nomination, it does look like John McCain has a pretty clear shot at that as well.
I am tired of hearing about how my vote for Huckabee is really a vote for McCain. In my mind, they are nothing at all alike. Of course, my vote is not for McCain, it's for Huck! I do understand the concept of splitting the conservative vote, but I am of the mind that we have three choices (okay, four if you count Paul) that stand for the three different kinds of conservatives. There are fiscal conservatives...the economy is the most important issue to them..they are probably voting for Romney. There are national security conservatives...the war is most important to them...McCain is their man. Then there are social conservatives...moral issues:abortion, family, marriage, gay/lesbian issues are most important to them...Mike Huckabee is the social conservative of the bunch. (Thanks Rush for that clear picture of how conservatives break down)
To me, the social issues trump everything else. I do not like to think of myself as a one issue voter, but all those moral issues are really more important to me than everything else!! I look at the political process like this, I have a chance to vote my conscience now, in the primaries. In the general election, I will consider politics.
I hope you will vote your conscience as well.
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Feb. 1, 2008 - It's a long shot, but...
I never meant for this to become a political blog...and I haven't really posted much else recently, so I decided to mix it up a little. Aren't you glad?
A little background...Anyone who knows me, knows I love an audience. I adore being in front of people. It's just FUN! For many people, it is a serious phobia, but it is positively energizing to me! I had always interpreted this to mean that I liked acting. And I do. I have done my share and it is certainly an exhilarating experience to hear the applause and know it is for you and the other cast members. But it is hard work, my friends. Many hours of rehearsal for a couple of hours on stage. Then, poof, it's over!
On the other hand, I thought I did NOT like public speaking. I always was on the very verge of losing my lunch in Jr. College in my public speaking class. Of course, I was much younger and was giving speeches on topics I was not passionate about (how earthquakes happen is one I remember groaning about). I am a little older now (*grin*) and I have a passion for encouraging and equipping women, specifically moms in the Journey (often Chaos) of Motherhood.
One of my favorite topics to share on is Personality Styles and how whatever our own personality is colors our world. It is so great to see a friends eyes light up when they understand why their husband/child/friend act the way they do. It seems silly to think that people have never considered that everyone does not process things the same way, but often, although many know that, they don't really understand it.
After briefly sharing about Personality Styles with a group of leaders from my local support group over lunch at our last homeschool convention, I was invited to speak at one of our monthly meetings. I jumped at the chance. It was easily one of the most fun events of my entire year!! I did not have hours of rehearsal, just brushing up on a topic I am already passionate about, creating a simple handout and sharing for a little over an hour with about 50 or so women. The feedback I got was so affirming. I am convinced that when I grow up, I want to be a public speaker. 
This brings me to the title of my post. Lysa TerKeurst is having a contest to give away a scholarship to the SheSpeaks conference in NC. I know it's a probably a long shot, there are several other entries, but I do not know how they are deciding who to award this prize to, so I decided to throw my hat in the ring too. I have thought a lot about attending a conference to polish up on my speaking skills and learn how to market myself. I am still a full-time SAHM, but I would love to have a weekend gig now and again..if I only knew how! Attending this would certainly be a great way to start to learn, I have adored the folks at Proverbs31 for many years. Many of their devotions have brought me to tears. Motherhood is just so sweet and it is for such a very short time that we have our children.
The cost of these types of conferences is a little daunting, especially for a single income family. Our finances are still a little off kilter due to our recent move and we have some **really important big events already scheduled for this year that we are putting our extra resources towards...so unless I win, or God provides in another way, I will not be able to attend this. I know He is a big God and He orders our steps. He would not have gifted me this way if he did not intend for me to use it somehow. I will trust His timing...and his provision.
**Really big event being my oldest son's Rite-of-Passage event. He has already turned 13, but hubby is organizing an entire weekend event. It will be very memorable for all of us, I am sure.
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Dec. 27, 2007 - Best Bob Hope Movie Line =)
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Dec. 27, 2007 - Huck-a-UN-bee-tble
David Shuster's has an impressive investigative journalism record and has worked various campaigns in his career including Fox's You Decide 2000.
"Christmas Eve News Roundup"
Posted: 24 Dec 2007 11:54 AM CST
Today on the MSNBC talk show Morning Joe, news media correspondent David Shuster predicted a general election win for Huckabee. This report from News Busters:
MSNBC correspondent David Shuster has predicted that Mike Huckabee will be the next President of the United States.
DAVID SHUSTER: I'm gonna say that John Edwards is gonna win out in Iowa, but Hillary Clinton is going to pick up some steam afterwards and get the nomination. I think Mike Huckabee wins Iowa pretty cleanly and goes on to get the Republican nomination. Here's my big prediction, though: if it is Hillary Clinton against Mike Huckabee, Mike Huckabee will the the next President of the United States.
From 1994 - 1996, Shuster was a political reporter for ABC-affiliate KATV in Little Rock, and thus had a prime perch from which to view Huckabee in action. In the course of his reporting during this electoral season Shuster has often drawn on that experience to extol Huck's political talent. This morning, for example, Shuster related an anecdote from 14 years ago, when Huckabee was Lt. Governor and Governor Jim Guy Tucker got convicted in a Whitewater-related trial but was refusing to resign from office.
SHUSTER: I witnessed Mike Huckabee go into the newsroom of the station where I was working. He looked into a camera and spoke for 10 minutes, no teleprompter, and gave one of the most dazzling political speeches I've ever seen in which he said "Jim Guy Tucker, you have until noon tomorrow to resign, or we're going to start impeachment proceedings." I mean, this guy had those skills 14 years ago and he's been able to grow ever since.
So struck is Shuster by Huck's skills that he approvingly cited someone who had said "if you consider Ronald Reagan to be the Great Communicator, then Mike Huckabee is the Greatest Communicator."
Pat Buchanan saw Huck as even money to get the Republican nod, with Mitt at 3-2 and McCain at six or seven-to-one. His dark horse: "if you've got two extra bucks, Joe, put 'em on Ron Paul."
Mika Brzezinksi exclaimed "I agree; I second that" to Shuster's prediction of Huck as winner of the nomination, if not the general. Mika fleshed out her thinking a bit later.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: I just think at this point Mike Huckabee knows what he's doing. The religion thing that he's taken care of here; he's strangling Mitt Romney, he's a break from President Bush and he's also the anti-Giuliani.
Steve Chapman from Real Clear Politics analyzes the presidential race and also concludes that if history repeats itself, Mike Huckabee will be our next president:
Every Christmas morning is a shimmering promise of surprise and delight. You never know what it will bring, and you might just get your heart's fondest desire. But in reality, surprises are not the rule. If you want to know what you'll get this Christmas, your best guide is what you got last Christmas.
Likewise for presidential elections. Every campaign raises a host of possibilities, particularly in the imagination of candidates. They may be forgiven for ignoring all evidence that is unfavorable to their dreams, which is usually abundant. History suggests there are mysterious but inflexible constraints on the outcome of these contests.
We already know it's almost impossible to elect people from certain places -- like Massachusetts, which hasn't produced a president (or even a vice president) since John Kennedy in 1960. Ted Kennedy, Michael Dukakis and John Kerry might want to break the news to Mitt Romney.
Americans also don't elect candidates from New York, even though it has a horde of electoral votes. We used to find presidents there quite often, including Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland and both Roosevelts. But not since 1944 has someone from the Empire State (Franklin Roosevelt) been elected. The last New Yorker to make a plausible run for his party's nomination was Nelson Rockefeller in 1968, and he didn't come very close.
That's bad news for Rudy Giuliani, who has something else working against him: He used to be a mayor. Only two former mayors have ever reached the White House -- Grover Cleveland and Calvin Coolidge. But both of them went on to serve as governors before seeking the presidency, a step Giuliani has skipped.
Things are even tougher for House members, such as Ron Paul. His patron saint is James Garfield, the last congressman to jump straight to the presidency, back before the invention of the wheel.
Recent history suggests that to win the presidency, you have to be a white male from the South or West, preferably with experience as a governor. That description fits only one candidate in the race -- Mike Huckabee. So by examining the portents of history, we find that he's the only person who can possibly be elected next year.
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Dec. 14, 2007 - Presidential Quiz~ A teriffic tool!
Okay, for all you out there who would like to do you own research and figure out which candidate lines up most with YOUR views, check this out...
Go to www.MyElectionChoices.com. This site will allow you to select the national issues that are most important to you. For each issue, you will then review a series of statements or opinions made by various candidates and determine which ones you agree with. The candidate identities for each statement is withheld to remove all artificial biases toward specific candidates. After determining the statements you agree with, the site then tells you which candidates you have most in common with.
While my results were not surprising (so far, Huckabee is my top candidate, although I have not yet worked through all the issues), I was surprised to see who made some of the other statements I found I agreed with. (Hilary Clinton?! ~ Relax, it was only two or three).
Give it a try and tell me who you most agree with. I though this site was really well done and since you don't know who made the comments, your prejudices are somewhat removed. See if you really agree with who you are promoting!
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Dec. 10, 2007 - Huckabee for President
Oh yes, it's true...Huck is up in another poll. I think folks are starting to notice him. If you haven't yet, I encourage you to check him out. www.mikehuckabee.com
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Dec. 6, 2007 - Huckabee is a FRONT RUNNER!!
In the race for the Republican Presidential Nomination, Mike Huckabee retains a three-point edge with support from 21% of Likely Republican 
New data released today shows that Huckabee is the new leader in South Carolina’s Presidential Primary. Thompson and Romney are close behind. Huckabee has also moved in front of Hillary Clinton in the state of Arkansas.
For the whole article, click here.
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