Posted in Rantings

This is an email I sent out to friends and family today, as well as the local homeschool group.
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Posted in Rantings

I'm incredibly fired up, and not necessarily in a happy way.

Let me lay a little background for you. I grew up Republican. I was active on campus in college as a Republican. My family members are Republican. I think I currently hold an office as a Republican (I haven't heard from them on the election yet).

Last election, though, I became an independent, in position if not party. I felt betrayed by Bush, a supposed Christian who made a lot of anti-Christian decisions and clearly departed from Republican foundations. I started looking at the Constitution party, simply because they claimed to want to return to the Constitution. Lately, though, I've decided not to follow them either; their party platform says only Christians are qualified for office -- while I'd rather vote for a Christian, that particular stance nullifies the freedoms our country is founded on and tells me that Christians are more willing to vote for "one of our own" than someone who is truly qualified for office. You want to vote for a Christian? Become a Christian candidate we can vote for.

Anyway, someone at my former office told me about Ron Paul. He ended up being the co-chair of our local Meet Up group, and once dh and I decided to put our support behind Paul, he was the one to supply us with the 4x8 sign we nailed to the highway end of our house.

We found that Paul was the only candidate out there who actually voted according to the Constitution. When the federal government was going to be granted powers held by the states, he consistently voted against it. He's adamantly against abortion, but voted down measures limiting it because, according to our Constitution, those are states' rights -- not something the federal government is supposed to be meddling in.

We knew some of his plans were shocking and unconventional -- like destroying the IRS -- but I seem to remember that our country was founded on the idea that no government had control over our lives, that we should have a say in any government we created, and that war against an oppressive government was sometimes warranted. I acknowledged that voting Paul into office may have led to civil war, but if that was what it took to get my freedom back, I was willing to enlist myself. (They'd never take me with my health issues, but I'd sign up anyway -- just give me or let me use my gun like in the revolutionary war.) I was 100% behind this man, as were a decent number of our friends and family, including my 87yo grandmother and my 8yo daughter.

At the county caucus, the Ron Paulers stole the show. Two-thirds of our delegates were RPs, and we were hearing the same from the rest of Eastern Washington. But when our delegates got to the state level. the head of the state Repub party pulled some pretty blatant illegal stunts, allowing in appointed delegates from other counties (illegal in our state) and hijacking our state caucus. There's actually a lawsuit going on over this.

So we were devastated to hear Paul was pulling out of the race. We didn't know who to vote for now; we didn't like any of the voting records of the other candidates -- and yes, we looked up the records ourselves! I know how McCain has voted, and I knew we didn't want him leading (or waffling over leading) our country.

A few days later, a former congressman from our area called me and asked if I'd run for PCO in my neighborhood. As a RPer himself, he asked if I would work to reinvent the Repub party from the inside out. My goal became to get on the platform committee for our county caucus, and to get to the state caucus next time around to stop the illegal moves (I'm just slightly vocal when I'm upset!). Paul had told his followers that this was the only way to return the Repub party to its foundations of small government and big freedom.

So I watched the convention closely tonight, knowing that Palin really seemed like my kind of gal. We turned on CSPAN two hours before she spoke, and were disgusted by what we saw and heard. Every speaker leading up to the big wigs praised McCain for his lengthy track record voting for us conservatives. I screamed "No, he doesn't!" at my TV too many times to count. I've read his record! He's a liberal! We don't have liberal and conservative parties in the two main ones anymore -- we have Marxist and liberal! I was pretty upset by this time.

Finally, Palin took the platform. I love her! She has a sweeter version of my sassiness! While she debunked the left's and the media's lies about her with a modicum of grace and a slight smirk, I would have levelled the place with a smug glare. She did it with humor and eloquence. DH and I purely enjoyed her speech ... all except the parts where she praised McCain. I would love to have her as President instead of him, or better yet, Palin and Paul in some order as our ticket. I pray McCain doesn't bring her down, because her record of bucking the system is what this country needs. I hope that someday she wakes up and realizes that she can get a better co-candidate next time. But in all, I was happy with what I saw of her.

Then came the roll call vote. Being a devout RPer in mourning, I counted the votes for my favorite candidate. Paul received 15 votes, four from my own state. At the end of McCain's overwhelming victory, the final tally was declared -- and they messed it all up! They gave Paul only five, got Romney's two right, and even understated the total for McCain by one. Plus, there were about forty votes (I think that was the total) from N. Carolina that weren't even allocated to a candidate.

That's when I nearly lost it. I know the liberal Repubs chose McCain months ago, and they would do anything (as we saw in our state) to get him on the platform, but ignoring us RPers is not a good tactic. Yes, Paul is out of the race, but the point was to send a message to the Repub party that they need to make some serious changes. Yes, Palin is a step in the right direction, but she's tied to someone who can't seem to make a consistent stand, who consistently votes against our Constitution, and who IS Washington-as-usual.

Did you know that the Repub party did not invite Paul, a Republican senator, to the convention? That he was told he could come -- but alone -- and they might be able to swing a temporary pass for him? And then they miscount his votes? And the CSPAN anchor has the gall to say, "And why does that even matter?"

I'm upset, frustrated, and heartbroken tonight. I want so much for my country, and I'm so worried for it. Obama will literally destroy this country in four years, but McCain will surely severely cripple it in the same time. Pray, people -- only the grace of God will save this country. So much is so severely wrong, and the people around us -- maybe even you -- don't know or don't care. Pray and vote, though I can't suggest who to vote for now.

Posted in Rantings

I recently joined Facebook, just so I could access the blog of a young friend of mine.

I have to say I hate it. And not just because I detest things I have to join just to read, including news sites.

Mostly because it is so blatantly filled with the anti-God crowd.

In the profiles section, you have the option of stating whether you're in an exclusive relationship or, one of many choices, are looking for "random play." It also asks not just your own sex, but which of the sexes you're pursuing. Hello? This is what is offered to our kids?

Just as we do here, we can join a group based on any topic, but there the topics cover the spectrum from belief in God (or a claim to, anyway) to some of the most raunchy titles.

I just have to say that I'm so grateful for a blogspot that is fairly-well shielded from the gross side of life. I'm not perfect -- I've never claimed to be -- but I can't handle some of the filth out there anymore, I guess. And I'm spoiled to have a place to go where I can be encouraged and edified, instead of appalled and disappointed.

Thanks to TOS and all you homeschool mamas (and daddies, too). You bless me immensely.

Posted in Rantings

I just caught JenIg's post for today. You MUST go see it -- this is the essence of homeschooling! Teach them to learn, and the creative streak in them eventually comes out. Somehow we end up in the middle of it all, though ... gotta prepare for that, I do. My dh and dd can so easily put me in a situation I didn't ask for, like this poor woman!

Worth a minute or three, especially if you need a laugh!

You'll find her link at the top of my friends list to the right. Happy giggles.

Posted in Rantings

For those of you who haven't caught on, I live in a unique area. I'm sure you're all aware that Washington is the evergreen state, and we're known for our vast amount of precipitation.

I don't live there.

That description fits only about 1/2 of the state; the rest (namely, the eastern half) is more scrub/steppe plateau. The Spokane area does have evergreens, so maybe that part is a bit more common, but it has much less precip.

The area I live in is called the Columbia Basin, formed by lava exuded from shield volcanoes around Spokane and Northern Idaho. It's very flat, filled with sagebrush, tumbleweed and rattlesnakes, and has more desert-like weather conditions. Then add deep coulees (think, slightly shallower versions of the Grand Canyon), and you have my neck of the woods.

Our weather out here can reach up to 110 in the summer, and 0 in the winter. That's usually an extreme, but this year it's been real. With the cold winds out here over the last month, we've actually been down to -20. Lots of fun, I tell ya. I HATE being cold. The nice part about the summer heat is that, while it still curdles your milk on the way home from the store, there's no humidity; unfortunately, it all waits until winter to show up. I can't win.

Precip's been good, though. The last time we had a severe cold snap like this, we also had three feet of snow. This time we have about two inches. Makes for much less work when you dare to leave your house.

I was just reading a geological/climate report on the area; it said that our region gets 7-9 inches of precip a year (does that sound like your image of Washington? I think not.). Now compare that to the Cascade mountains, only an hour and a half away ("over the river, and through the" ... plains?) -- they get 75-90 inches. Slight difference.

Come visit us over here, if you like seeing a wide variety of environments in a short span of time. I'd say late spring or early fall would be the easiest, but mid-summer and mid-winter are the most exciting. That is, if you like drama.

Did I mention Seattle (3 1/2 hours away) has had a couple feet of snow in areas? Remember that these are regions where school gets shut down when they get an inch of snow. It was so bad Thanksgiving week and just after that, I-5 was a skating rink. There were so many accidents that all traffic stopped to accommodate clean-up. Then, just as everyone left their vehicles to go find gas (these people don't know how to prepare for winter by filling up their tanks), the Seahawks game let out and created even more of a disaster. I saw a news article last week which mentioned that some proceeding had to wait for its leader because she was stuck in this zoo somewhere over there. What a mess.

Anyway, that's the update on conditions out here in the desert. BTW, it's about 25 degrees, overcast skies, no breeze (wait til nightfall -- that'll change), and very, very bright (did I mention I'm not fond of snow and cold?). How is it in your neck of the woods?

Posted in Rantings

Have you ever found that using a specific dish or cup is the only way you really enjoy a certain food or drink? Odd question, I know, but that was my thought this morning.

I love oatmeal in a ceramic bowl. Soup, cold cereal, ice cream -- I could care less, but I have to have my oatmeal in a ceramic bowl. The ones I generally use are wide, forest green ones that hold probably three cups of liquid, small at the base and huge around the top edge. There's something about the "clink" when the spoon hits the side, I think. And, of course, the warmth it exudes when it's filled straight from the pan. Oddly soothing.

I'm about as picky with my chai tea. It has to be in a soup mug, one I can cup in both hands and sip from slowly. The only exception to this is the square mugs from Pampered Chef; the shape lends itself nicely to the spices in the chai.

I guess I learned that from the drinking world -- brandy snifters, champagne flutes, martini glasses, shots, pints -- every drink has a specific glass that shows off its flavors or other qualities best.

I would never dream of drinking eggnog in a plastic cup; only glass or china will do. And tamales must be served on a plate with a shallow basin at the center; otherwise all the sauce goes all over the table. Sometimes it's a bit utilitarian, I guess, but these things can't be overlooked.

Just thought I'd share ....

Posted in Rantings

While out reading on the Company Porch (see the previous post), I came across DonnaC, the dear mom of one who was featured in TOS sometime in the last year for her new book, Homeschooling Only One. I liked her then, and I like her even better now. Great info.

Anyway, she had a tag that I thought would be fun. I'll tell you why at the end. Here goes:

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.

"The railroad on which I left Seattle is a narrow-gauge coal road." Taken from A Report on Washington Territory, copyrighted 1889; my hubby, the train history buff, bought this one a year or so ago because (1) he loves railroad history (especially from our area), and (2) he's planning on writing a history book on a long-lost railroad line here in the middle of nowhere, that started over in Seattle.

The reason I couldn't quote from any of my cool books, is because the computer isn't near the classroom, or my nightstand, or the couch, or the rocking chair, or the arm chair, or .... Oh, well.

 

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch?

The extra freezer where we store all of our pastries and breads for the farmer's market during the summer. Right now it holds lots of beautiful steaks; did I also mention my dh has experience in meat cutting too? I'm so spoiled!

 

3. What was the last thing you watched on TV?

Actually, it's on right now. Since our dish is currently malfunctioning, I can only get some really obscure channels. So, it's on some channel up in the 9400s, called Classic Arts; it features opera, ballet, music pieces, documentaries -- much like MTV or CMT, but classical in nature.

Before my dh went to bed, we were watching a remake of Sabrina (no, not the teenage witch, of course), the one with Harrison Ford. Hysterical! We just love sarcasm.

 

4. Without looking, guess what time it is.

11 pm -- only because it was about half an hour ago that it was 10:30. Redundant, I know -- but it made sense to me.

 

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?

11:26 pm -- okay, so I'm off half an hour. That's what computers do to me. And lack of sleep, and not enough caffeine, and ....

 

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

Some soprano opera singer (not a screechy one, thank goodness); the freezer's hum; the water filter on the fish tank behind me ... hey, there's no wind tonight! How often does that happen?!

 

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

This evening -- I came in the house at about 6 pm. I had been to the next town for a chiropractor appointment, and to pick up the best pizza in the region for dinner -- Chico's!

 

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?

The HSB Company Porch, and DonnaC's blog.

9. What are you wearing?

A maroon "thermal-underwear" style shirt, grey running pants, and thick winter socks.

 

10. Did you dream last night?

I did, but considering it involved my darling husband, you don't get to hear any of it!

 

11. When did you last laugh?

Tonight, watching the movie. Harrison Ford can deliver hysterical lines with absolutely no expression. My fav? "What was Linus like as a child?" "Shorter." (Although that was technically not Ford saying that -- it was actually about his character -- that exemplifies the very subtle comedy of the whole thing. But I digress ...

 

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?

Oh, my ... you have to understand -- our double-wide has an open floorplan. On this wall, nothing really -- the freezer, shredder, computer desk, and entertainment center are all on this wall. The E and S walls have three giant windows each, with window boxes above -- these hold my dd's ceramic dolls, candles, and other trinkets. There's a plant stand up against the far corner beside the couch -- that takes up wall room. The S wall behind me has the fishtank and cookbook bookcases (yes, there are more cookbooks in this house than schoolbooks -- the chef reigns), so not much there either. To the W is the dining room and kitchen. I do have to say that, since I'm planning on painting all this, I purposely have not put much up on the walls. The dining room and the classroom are the only ones in the house that have anything decorative on them. Sorry to bore you.

 

13. Seen anything weird lately?

All the time. From the geese chasing each other around, fighting for dominance, to the dog rubbing his eyes (possibly dust from the windstorm), to my daughter trying to take english muffins out of the toaster with a paper towel, to my 1yo nephew who has to have matching pairs of everything. This is just my life.

 

14. What do you think of this quiz?

It's always fascinatine to think about your surroundings and the common activities of your day -- too often we overlook them.

15. What was the last film you saw?

Again, Sabrina.

16. If you became a multi-millionaire over night, what would you buy?

My freedom! I have massive school debt (degrees are not cheap these days -- well, those days. I'm sure they're not any better now). Then a home (I'm so tired of renting), a bakery for my hubby and all the expensive equipment to go in it, anything my church needs, all new stuff around here (I can't believe how many things have totally broken down or exploded in the last month!), and then the rest goes into savings and the bank account, to be used for necessities, tithes and charities, and some sort of emergency fund (which we don't currently have).

 

17. Tell me something about you that I don't know.

Considering my life is pretty much an open book, and most of my readers know very little about me, this is more difficult than it seems. Oh! I was involved in tactical pistol competitions for about three years. I started out competing with a 9mm SigSauer -- best weapon in the world, perfect out of the box! By the time I had to give it up, I was shooting a tricked-out .45 with a 3-lb trigger pull. Nice. I miss those days. I'm stuck with a tacky old .22 revolver. But I still have great aim -- especially when my flock is being attacked!

 

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?

Do away with Islam. That one religion is causing the majority of the violence in our world today. I know that Scripture said this would happen, and that it must happen in order for prophecy to be fulfilled, but it doesn't break my heart any less.

 

19. Imagine your first child is a girl, what would you name her?

I already did -- her name is Danika Grace. Danika is similar to Daniel, thus "God is my judge." Since Dan and I both have that heritage, we wanted her to share it with us. But we added grace so that she would know that, even in judgement, He extends to us unmerited favor through His Son.

 

20. Imagine your first child is a boy what would you name him?

I've always said Danovan -- gotta stick with the theme. Dan's not so sure.

21. Would you ever consider living abroad?

Yes. I actually lived in London for a semester, and would love to go back. Israel is, of course, a desire too. And Wales or Scotland is another. On the other hand, I don't believe that's what God would have me do these days. Alas, sometimes dreams are  meant to be only dreams.

 

22. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate?

Same answer as DonnaC --
Well done, Good and Faithful Servant! Well Done!!

Although I'm sure God will also have enough of a sense of humor to say something like, "Didn't I tell you that, if you'd just do what I say, it would be worth it? Now get in there, and enjoy it." Probably not, but that's my imagination for ya.

Hope that brought out a few interesting details about the mind behind the blog. Goodnight.

Oh, the reason I like this one was stated back in #14.

Posted in Rantings

Now that I've shocked you all by posting more times in one day than I have in the last three months, I'll send you on to a little project.

If you're blogging, you have a writing ability. Suprise! You're actually published on the web for the world to see. So take it a little farther and write a short story for TOS. BTW, your kids can do this too.

I wrote my story the other day in less than three hours, start to finish. You can too. Grab a pen and paper, or pull out the keyboard, and get going.

They just extended the deadline to December 15, so there's still time to get one in. No excuses!

Check out the rules and incredible lineup of prizes at the TOS website (under Magazine, then look for the contest banner); then get to work!

I need competition. ; )

Posted in Rantings

One of my dear friends (and my boss, btw) has just connected with me in the blogosphere, which I must say is funny. Why? Because it was his influence that developed my ability to be sarcastic in writing and to be bold enough to say what needs to be said. I'm suprised it's taken this long to find each other's blogs.

Back when I was the proofreader for the local paper, Joel was one of the paste-up guys (took my corrections and applied them to the paper before sending it back to the press). We spent quite a bit of time (and not necessarily the free kind -- we were constantly being reminded to get stuff done) discussing religion, politics, music (he's really into Welsh music -- my heritage) and anything else that no one else would touch. When I began writing My Turn's (weekly editorials from the staff published on the opinion page), he was my critic (and I his, I guess). The two of us actually wrote an April Fool's Day page with another guy, but the paper refused to print it (our humor is admittedly a little odd).

Anyway, when I had my dd, I quit the paper, and other than an occasional visit to the office to show off the kid, I lost contact with him. Over the years since, I've done advertising for the now-publisher of the same paper and my hubby has continued to write the food column, so my name was still out there.

So, a few years ago now, Joel called and asked if I'd be willing to write for him; he was now the editor for all the special publications (like those inserts you get on special topics). I started by writing three articles for the Habitat for Humanity tab (a prostitorial, as he calls them). Since then, I've continued that line of writing, some fiction for holiday papers, and some other articles at his prompting.

So, if you want to know how I managed to think I could write and be published, blame it on Joel.

If you get a moment, stop by his blog (like I said, it's in the sidebar under "links"). He's incredibly funny, and is also a wonderfully devout Catholic. An odd comment to make, I know, but you have to understand that I'm surrounded (with the exception of my BIL) by Catholics who don't know what they believe or why they believe it. I enjoy Joel's insights and understanding of his faith, and the relationships between us Protestant types and them Catholic types (see his post on what he likes about Protestants).

So please welcome Joel if you get the chance.

Posted in Rantings

Okay, I was going to try to go in a more serious direction with my posts, but I can't help this one.

It's snowing!! And before you rejoice for me, let me tell you that I'm not a fan of winter. It's cold, wet, gloomy and barren -- especially out here in the desert.

And it's only the second day of November. Not a good sign for those of us who are a little more cold-blooded than the general population. The last time I remember it being this cold and snowy this early, there was three feet of snow in early December and a chill factor of -25 degrees. Yes, it gets extremely cold here in the winter.

The only benefits to all this in my eyes are the constantly hot teapot, toe socks and bulky sweaters, and my new personal heater thingamajig.

Thanks for listening to me whine. Happy freezing to you all.

Posted in Rantings

Maybe I should call it a new-life's resolution ... anyway, here it is:

I WILL NEVER BUG-BOMB MY HOUSE AGAIN!!!

Here's the saga. Now keep in mind that, if anything weird or outlandish can happen, it happens to me.

Two years ago, on a late fall night, I sat down to watch TV before heading to bed. At some point, I reached up to stretch, and as I ran my hand up the back of my neck, I felt a huge, hot bump. Long, drawn-out story: I had been bitten by a black widow spider (probably while there on the couch), went into anaphylaxis, and ended up in the ER. I was told that, if I was ever bitten again, I would probably not make it to the hospital.

Fast-forward to about three weeks ago. Again, vegging on the couch (different one, but in the same place in the house), a black widow crawls around me on the floor, up the front of the couch, and across the seat away from me; I only know this because my dear sweet cat was following it intently, while I just assumed it was a fly.

I screamed, and attempted to kill it three times (they seem to shrink into couch material easily) before I finally succeeded. Totally frieked out, I go screaming to my bedroom, where my dearest love has only been asleep for half an hour (he had to be up for work in less than four more). As he scrapes himself off the ceiling, I shake and gesture all over about how near to death I was. In the middle of this rant, I feel something poke my behind. Thinking it was another spider (amazing how unrealistic we can get when panicking), I flung my hands backwards to remove the monster that could bite me through jeans. Instead, I impale my left hand on the three-foot cactus in the corner of my room (I had just moved it to that location earlier that day)!

Now, instead of worrying about giant, black, woman-eating menaces, I'm trying to pull a two-inch spine out of my ring finger. The horrid thing had a tiny barb in the end, and after 30 minutes, I still had not freed myself. So, being the natural-medicine type, I decided to let it fester until the infection pushed out the now-broken-off splinter still lodged in my fingertip.

While waiting for all this, we tore apart the living room, vacuuming anything that wouldn't clog my machine and spraying orange-oil pesticide on every surface. The next night, though, dh finds another one in the dining room. The following night, there's one on my dd's wall. The next day, there's one behind her door, and there's a baby scorpion crawling across the kitchen floor (my dh had never seen one, and described it as a tiny lobster!). Now my pastor's wife (also severely arachnophobic) calls it the "Fear Factor House."

After nine days, I finally decide to go to the doctor; diabetics, after all, are not supposed to let anything get infected (I know, I know). After telling him that the infection is only getting worse, I can't even locate the splinter now, and I'm losing feeling in that finger (I had already removed the wedding rings because of the swelling), he immediately sets to minor surgery.

Let me explain something else ... I have a severely high pain tolerance. I've known people to drug themselves to sleep over something I leave to a minor inconvenience. That day at the office? They exceeded my pain tolerance. After an hour of debriding the wound (I'm trying to save you queasy ones) and finding .... not much, I calmly asked them to stop. Then I firmly suggested that I might need pain medication before I headed out to drive the 30 minutes to my home. I'm so glad they trust my driving!

I did not, however, drive home. I called my mother to pick me up, take me home, and bring my hubby back to get our only working vehicle. She sent my sister (another twisted angle to the story, caused by a similar propensity to have odd things happen to them as well). The drugs kicked in .... well, in a manner of speaking ... about the time I arrived home and my love left to get the car.

So, fast-forward again to two days ago. I've finally had it and decide -- on the advice of three people, no less -- to bug-bomb the house. We pick out six foggers in two sizes, and figure it will be sufficient to do our entire double-wide mobile with cathedral ceiling, the crawl space under the house, and the shed/well-house. We set them off moments before taking my hubby to work -- another comedy of errors, fit for any Laurel-and-Hardy routine. One hit my dh in the face, another refused to go off (I still expect it to in the middle of the night -- I should move it outside just in case), and it all ends with coming home to find that we didn't set enough of them to fill the cubic footage of our home. Thirty of the little terrorists are hiding at the back door where they can breathe, just waiting for us to open it and let them out!

As we enter, nose masks in place and gloves at the ready, I suddenly realize that this horrid chemical is on every surface of my home. I'm supposed to open all the cupboard doors and move furniture away from the wall, then wash ONLY my dishes and food preparation supplies because it can cause death in humans and animals. Only?! They don't mention that, while the chemical lingers on the wall for two months deterring the spiders, it still lingers on the wall for two months! I can clean all the dishes I want, but if I touch the wall while turning on the kitchen light, I've now transferred that chemical to the cup I'll be drinking from in ten seconds. Not to mention that I can't exactly wash the boxes of cereal and crackers in the cupboard, which creates cross-contamination on a scale unheard of in meat preparation sanitation manuals!

So, tonight, after three days of endless loads of dishes, continual loads of laundry, and unbelievable emotional exhaustion, I have decided that I will never again put myself through this torture. "The vacuum is my friend."

The cactus is outside, and is being relocated to my MIL's garden. Oh, and I killed another black widow today. At least it was on the outside of the front door.

Posted in Rantings

Anybody read the post from my dh yesterday (below a couple of posts)? I keep trying to tell you what a nut he is. He just loves these goofy lists; my email friends actually send them to him instead of me these days.

Hope you enjoyed the laugh!

Posted in Rantings

Here's another episode in the "What Dani does when she's not blogging, homeschooling or doing chores" -- I write freelance for the local newspaper.

I started with the paper eight years ago (trust me, going back this far really is important). I was the proofreader for the Columbia Basin Herald, a paper in the central basin with a readership of about 10,000 (that's pretty big for around here). While there, I also set the weather page and sometimes the events calendar, I wrote editorials (usually funny, but some serious ones -- I'll have to post my one on Clinton's non-impeachment) and several articles, cooperated on a never-published April Fool's Day page, and helped out with side publications now and then.

One of only about five Christians in an office (editorial, circulation, advertising and press all combined) of about 40 people, I made friends with a guy about my age in the cut-and-paste department who was Catholic. We proofed each others' stories, and shared frustrations with the office environment.

Anyway, I ended up leaving when I had my dd, but wrote advertisements for a couple of years for the man who is now the publisher. My husband ended up writing the weekly food column, and the lady who set his pages for him is now the editor. The friend I spoke about is now the special publications editor, covering all the side publications that get inserted into the paper every now and then.

So, after a long reprieve, Joel (my old friend) called over a year ago and asked if I would interview and write articles on the local Habitat for Humanity homeowners. I loved it! Both ladies were Christians, and we visited long after the interviews were over.

Then, last December, Joel and Erin (the editor) asked me to write a five-part Christmas story to be published the week before Christmas. (Those of you who read my rant on Easter know how much of a struggle this was for me, but how do you pass up an opportunity to witness for Him?) People all over the area were gushing about it; what a joy!

Anyway, about two months ago, Joel called back and said that all his other writers had bugged out on him, and I was the only one he'd trust to write the upcoming cancer stories. What a compliment! He's a great writer in his own right.

I ended up interviewing over 30 people in three areas (Moses Lake/Ephrata, Yakima, and Spokane) and writing 23 stories, I believe. Some of the deadlines were three days from first contact list in my hands to submission to the paper -- insane schedule.

Through it all, though, God was blessing me in an unbelievable way. I met some of His most precious children in that time. Their stories of agony, frustration, fear, hope, trust, and survivorship were incredible. My background with diabetes gave me an understanding of their world, though just a touch; sometimes that was a great thing, sometimes it just made me cry. Always I walked away knowing it was a divine appointment.

One woman I met is the one helping me with the DSHS paperwork. Two work with my husband, one of whom is his right-hand person in the bakery. Two -- a couple -- I discovered, go to my parents' church and had been praying for me and dd when she was born early. One girl with MS has taken the loss of her brother to cancer and gone on to do incredible things.

I can't tell you how much this experience has affected me. My health issues, though life-threatening, aren't as immediate as what these people face; it just puts it all in perspective. And yet their hope is so profound and so peaceful. It's a great testimony to His power and grace.

So, before I can't see the screen for the tears, I will sign off on this post. Just wanted to give you an insight into the long absences I take here and there.

Posted in Rantings

What is your favorite tv show?   Greenacres. Its the place to be!

 

What's on your mouse pad? Windows XP CD in the computer case. Quite buried.

 

Favorite magazine? PM

 

Favorite smell? Hot creosote from the nearby railroad tracks in the summer

 

Worst feeling in the world:  Sadness. Happiness would be the best feeling in the world.

 

Things I do on the weekends:  "B" schedule at the salt mine. As in "B" there all the time.

 

Favorite Soundtrack: Was there a soundtrack for "Blazing Saddles?"

 

What is the first thing that you thought of when you woke up this morning?  Woohoo!! Another shift at the salt mine!!

Do you get motion sickness? Only when watching motion pictures.

 

Roller Coasters, Exciting or Deadly? Neither. It is an amusement ride that involves a car which rolls along a track. This track incorporated dips and curves so as to provide a rider with the sensation of fun, or the taste of the last meal.

 

Pen or Pencil? SHARPIE!!

 

How many rings till you answer the phone? 
Whose phone should I be answering?

 

Favorite Foods? A limburger and onion on rye.

 

Do you get along with your parents?  They have a hitch in their get-along, so they get along with no one.

 

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?  Does admitting "no" mean that I have never been caught?

 

Chocolate or Vanilla?  Both are laced with dihydrogen monoxide.

 

Croutons or Bacon bits?  Not with my chocolate or vanilla.

 

Do you like to drive?  I would never drive the "DARLING" wife crazy!

 

Do you sleep with stuffed animals?  I've been told I am a stuffed shirt?

 

If you could have any kind of pet, what would it be?  Pet rock. Quite low maintenance. Easily trained. Crime deterrant.

 

Favorite alcoholic beverage? Not with my chocolate or vanilla.

What is your zodiac sign?  I do not know sign language.

 

Do you eat the stems of your broccoli?  Only when peeled.

 

If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be?  Lottery winner.

 

If you could dye your hair any color, what would it be?  Puce.

 

If you could have a tatoo, where would it be?  "De plane! De plane!"

 

Have you ever been in love?  I got over it years ago. Hypnosis.

What is on the walls in your room?  Marks from where I drove the "DARLING" wife up it.

 

Write the first thing that comes to your mind: "Go tell Aunt Rhody the old gray goose is dead."

 

Is your glass half empty or half full?  I prefer to use a plastic tumber as it will likely survive a fall to the floor without shattering. It still would provide a wet cleanup, but there would not be sharp shards on the floor, unless there was ice in the tumbler, which could provide another source of a slip and fall injury.

 

What is your favorite Snapple? Remember "New York Seltzers?"

 

Are you righty, lefty or ambidextrous? None of those are my nickname.

 

Do you type with your fingers on the correct keys? ytsmd;syrf.

 

If you could be any gardening tool what would it be? The "Garden Weasel." Or was it the "Mantis." Both available at fine retailers.

 

What is under your bed?  Multiplying dust bunnies.

 

What is your favorite number?  3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510582097

 

What is your favorite color? Chartreuse.

 

What was your first car?  The AntiChrysler.

 

What is your dream car? Death of the AntiChrysler.

 

Favorite sport to watch? I actually enjoy ferroequinology.

Posted in Rantings

Okay, one last post tonight. Javamamma posted this tag list, then said any of us who needed something to write about could consider ourself tagged. Not like I need anymore to write about, but I liked this one. So here goes....

What is your favorite tv show?   lately, 24 and Num3ers.

 

What's on your mouse pad? we don't have one, just a worn spot on the computer desk

 

Favorite magazine? TOS and the Personal Update from KHouse, if you're talking subscriptions; other than that, any home design mag is right up my alley.

 

Favorite smell? fresh-cut alfalfa in the spring

 

Worst feeling in the world:  Knowing you've royally screwed up, and can never go back to change it

 

Things I do on the weekends:  worship practice, prep for Bible studies, church, general stuff -- our days off are midweek, where I still do general stuff because there's always too much to do

 

Favorite Soundtrack: I agree with Javamamma here -- have I ever heard a soundtrack other than in the movie?

 

What is the first thing that you thought of when you woke up this morning?  "Gotta get my blood tested" -- my pastor's wife is my diabetes accountability caller in the morning. I promptly went back to sleep for another 15 minutes.

 

Do you get motion sickness? Only if I'm reading in the car.

 

Roller Coasters, Exciting or Deadly? Exciting and exhilerating, and my chiropractor loves it too. ; )

 

Pen or Pencil? Pens all the way -- I hate the feel of graphite.

 

How many rings till you answer the phone? 
The fewer the better. I've been known to run over small children and small animals to get to it. What?! Gimme a break -- I don't get out much!

 

Favorite Foods? Cheese of any and all kinds! Then nuts, potatoes, pasta, fruit -- OK, so not much escapes my fancy.

 

Do you get along with your parents?  For the most part. We spend so much time with them that there are bound to be problems now and then.

 

Have you ever been convicted of a crime?  No

 

Chocolate or Vanilla?  Vanilla. I seem to be allergic to chocolate solids (which means I can and do eat white chocolate, though).

 

Croutons or Bacon bits?  Croutons, and bits if they're not real bacon -- another allergy.

 

Do you like to drive?  Yes! My hubby calls me Mario (Andretti, that is!)

 

Do you sleep with stuffed animals?  Does the dh count? I wrote a poem on that once -- I'll have to post it.

 

If you could have any kind of pet, what would it be?  A white tiger. I know they're dangerous, but big cats look like a good cuddle. I guess my little "tigers" will have to do.

 

Favorite alcoholic beverage?  Godmother (Vodka and Amaretto) for a specific drink, anything rum for a general category.

 

What is your zodiac sign?  Aries, which in the ancient Hebrew Mazzaroth stood for the sacrificial ram, I believe. I'll have to report back on that reference later.

 

Do you eat the stems of your broccoli?  Of course.

 

If you could have any job you wanted, what would it be?  As far as interest and talent go, architectural and interior design, but that's a high-stress job that I'd eventually hate. Actually, I'm enjoying writing freelance for the local paper right now; as long as I can keep an open schedule, I'd do this forever.

 

If you could dye your hair any color, what would it be?  At the moment, I'm a bright golden blonde, but I think I'll save it for summers only. Otherwise, I'll stick with my natural, a dark blonde/light brown. Anything else washes out my lovely ghost-like features!

 

If you could have a tatoo, where would it be?  Maybe someplace only my hubby would see, but I really don't want to do that -- something about identifying marks if I ever don't want to be found.

 

Have you ever been in love?  Of course! Many times and in different ways -- thank goodness God's plan won out.

 

What is on the walls in your room?  Nothing at the moment other than tacky mobile-home wallboard, spider guts and bad trim -- I'm hoping to paint someday.

 

Write the first thing that comes to your mind: My back is starting to hurt -- I need to go to bed.

 

Is your glass half empty or half full?  Depends on the day. Today started out as a half-full day, but ended as a half-empty day. I'm not bipolar, if that's what you're thinking -- I just have some days of relative ease, and other days that are stress-city.

 

What is your favorite Snapple? I don't like Snapple -- too sticky sweet, or too "artificially sweetened." If I had to choose, though, I'd go for a SF tea.

 

Are you righty, lefty or ambidextrous? Righty.

 

Do you type with your fingers on the correct keys? I second JavaMamma's answer -- "Yes, and my fingernails click when I type and it drives My Beloved nutty." I do the same thing with my flute -- drives the cats nutty too.

 

If you could be any gardening tool what would it be? Probably the stirrup hoe -- I'm not real compassionate (at least I don't think so) and I'm not real patient with stupid people. Sorta one of those "rip-it-out-by-the-roots" kinda people.

 

What is under your bed?  Emply luggage and my hubby's train magazines.

 

What is your favorite number?  Seven, the number of completion. Design thing, I guess -- gotta have it complete.

 

What is your favorite color? Green and salmon. Not together, of course.

 

What was your first car?  Seems like it was a brown Colt, but I might be wrong on the model. Automatic, but the gearshift on the floor made it feel cool. Center console on the floor and the ceiling, sunroof of sorts. Cheap old used thing, but ran good and fast.

 

What is your dream car? An extended-cab Dodge truck, full bed, step-sides, maybe in a deep but shimmery green. Canopy optional. Love the "face" on those things. I hope they're manual transmission.

 

Favorite sport to watch? Football, followed by Indy/Nascar and basketball. After this last Olympics, though, I might include curling too.

Okay. That was fun. Goodnight.

Posted in Rantings

I'm sure it's not really rigged; we just like to tell her it is!

Anyway, I thought I'd post here what I posted there so I don't have to think it all up again later. She wanted to know what our nicknames were as kids. So far, I think I've got everyone beat. Here's my post:

"Hey, I loved Jaybird's tips! Unfortunately I won't be using them, because I've got you all beat on this one!

My real name is Dannette, and Dani was the official nickname in the baby book, but after that it got nasty.

Dead-ant stuck around for a while; in junior high, I even signed my notes with an ant on its back and legs in the air. D, Dweeb, Dork, Dingbat, Drip, Dingle-fritz, etc were used interchangeably every day. And mostly by my mother.

Then there was the time I bleached my hair real blonde (kinda like it is right now, actually) and the family wrote a song for me. How sweet, right? Wrong. To the tune of the Flintstones -- "Lightbulb, meet the Lightbulb, she's the brightest hair in history..." Yeah. That one made a comeback recently.

Gotta add in Shimmy (I guess more girls were paying attention to that dance in the locker room than I thought), Legs (Mom used to say my legs were 80% of my height), Fred (I was the only woman in the male-dominated gun club in college), Dude (my daughter and hubby call me this because Dudette sounds and looks wrong), and Late-by-a-ton (derived from Leighton, my maiden name, and actually had more to do with my parents than me).

But the best (as far as Mom was -- and is -- concerned) was Diaperhead. She heard it on an old after-school special with Alyssa Milano about a Driver's Ed class. Meant as a derogatory term, my dear mother of course picked it up and has now been using it for around 20-some years .... which also means my hubby, sisters and friends are all familiar with it too. Hard to live that one down in high school ... and written all over the envelopes at camp mail call .... and left on notes at my studio desk in college .... and all over every birthday card .... and ..... and ....."

So there it is for all the blogosphere to read. I hope you all enjoyed a good laugh at my expense!

Posted in Rantings

Okay, here's the first in my series of "what I've been doing instead of blogging" -- filling out DSHS paperwork. Not on my list of "things I want to do."

When my dh had his surgery two months ago, we had just received insurance coverage, but the company is taking a one-year pre-existing conditions clause. I've never seen a company this bad; oh, wait -- WalMart did that too, and worse. Anyway, they refuse to cover his surgery.

So, in order to be able to pay for this procedure, we have to jump through all sorts of hoops. The hospital is doing all they can to drive down the cost for us (by my calculations, they have it jacked up over 300%). This includes a low-income discount, and then another discount on top of that if we can't get DSHS coverage ... or is that, if we do get coverage? I can't remember now. The point is, we're required to sign up for public assistance in order to get the help we need to pay this bill.

I have problems with this because (1) I'm not a big fan of Welfare programs -- too broad-based, corrupted, invasive, and way too easily abused, and (2) if I only need help with this one surgery (actually two, since the doc wants him back to do it again), why can't the hospital just use its charity fund to help us (they are required by law to do so for so many cases a year, and specifically for cases like this)? I don't want medical coverage forever, and definitely not any of their other "services." I just need help with this procedure and the next!

Anyway, I tried to apply online, but the computer wouldn't let me go back to change information (I guess you're supposed to include all your family members in the application, and then they decide who gets help and who doesn't -- I just assumed we were only applying for dh). So I waited for people to contact me back; bad choice -- after two sessions of weeklong waits, I gave up.

When it came to the actual paperwork, they ask about everything. I understand they have to because some criminal out there abused the system, but this is insane. After I write down every piece of personal info we have (I thought social security numbers were only for tax purposes, and technically only for government employees to boot?), I've discovered that we are actually destitute, despite my middle-class impression to the contrary. How did my parents ever survive with four kids on less income than we have with two?!

Keep in mind, too, that we had that lovely fiasco with the restaurant/BnB so all of our income info is all screwed up and makes no sense to anyone. It's also very difficult to find. DH's current job, too, keeps switching him from union to non-union and back again, so there is no set income we expect -- yet we're supposed to list what we expect.

This is so depressing.

So, tomorrow I get to send off all this stuff. Let's hope someone down there can make sense of it all, and quick -- the hospital is getting irritable.

The blessing in all of this is the new friend I made. While interviewing cancer survivors (another story), I interviewed a sweet Christian woman who works in the local DSHS call center. She gave me her direct line so that I could be assured of getting help (even she says that most of them could care less whether you need assistance or not, just get off the phone); I've called her multiple times already.

God is so faithful, even when I'm angry and bitter. I know He has a reason for us doing this, and I trust Him; I'm just hoping I get to see the full picture soon.

Posted in Rantings

I know, I know ... I keep disappearing and reappearing, like a bad magic trick. I'll try to work on that.

In the last month, I have had so many things happen that I don't know where to begin. I'll mention a few of them and then if I don't write about them, hold me accountable and ask me questions. Some incredible lessons have been learned in all these areas.

Let's see .... I had the wonderful priviledge of interviewing cancer survivors and writing their stories for the Relay for Life publications in three towns. I have been asked (appointed?) to lead two women's bible studies. I have found out that I have both liver and kidney issues from diabetic complications. I am enduring the torture of applying for DSHS help for my husband's surgery two months ago, and the second one they want him to endure within another month. My 6yo is wearing bras. She's also discovered mad libs and borrowing. I changed my haircolor (sorta by default -- long story) back to blonde.

I'm sure I'll remember more later. Seems to not be so much in words, but it's been a hard, busy month for me. Exciting too, though.

For now, the hour is late and I have to get up sometime before noon tomorrow, so I will attempt to write more later. Goodnight, all.

Posted in Rantings

I'm always looking for a good deal.

After discovering we took a $10,000-a-year hit to our paycheck over the whole restaurant/B&B fiasco, I am learning to budget as never before. This is a good thing, I know, but also very humbling.

So I've become a regular at Grocery Outlet, Dairy Mart, the Dollar Store and others. I may enter a Safeway once a quarter, and even my trips to WalMart have slowed.

At the very back of the local Grocery Outlet, I found a treasure trove of the best cheeses in the area. I'm not kidding -- it has the best selection in the central Basin. There are probably 40-50 different cheeses. Oh, Heaven! (Honestly, I prayed tonight that God would allow me this variety in my Heavenly palace. He'd grant me that, right?)

Tonight, my hubby picked up two crusty baguettes, and paired with some cheap smoked salmon (also from the same section of Grocery Outlet), made a European feast. The wonderful simplicity of fresh bread, salty fish, and warm, sweet cheese is so comforting.

Not that anyone else gets a kick out of this besides me ... Anyone else out there understand how happy this made me? Am I just crazy? Hello ... Buehler? (Sorry -- bad reference to my teenage years.)

Posted in Rantings

My daffodils and tulips are blooming! And I think the big white hyacinths. And two large bushes we haven't identified yet (after five years, you'd think I'd get that done). And the fruit trees are budding out, the lilacs are nearly leafing out, and the shallots and chives are tall and green.

"The hills are alive ...."

; )