Jul. 24, 2008 - Clarification-- overcoming shyness

Good grief!  I guess I did not make myself clear in the post about Mercola's article on shyness and the comment made by one of his readers.   I was specifically addressing the commenter's quote supposedly written by the author of the book about the "alexander technique" stating that we "just don't do bad things." 

The passage highlighted in black in the previous post about shyness is by the author of the comment on Mercola's blog--not my comment.  The passage highlighted in red was the specific part of the comment that I was making observations about.  My thoughts are in green.  The specific issue I have, is with the comment about ""assuming we are bad," and that we have been "made correctly and just don't do bad things." I believe that taking the complete comment alone, without any clarification (which the author of the comment did not do) to the logical conclusion leads one to believe that "all people are made good" and that is not true.  If all people are made good, then none of us need a Savior and Christ died for nothing.  If all people are good, then the logical conclusion is that their actions are good as well, and it leads us to the conclusion of humanism, and the belief that there is no absolute truth, which leads to the "I'm Okay, You're Okay" mentality--which is not true.  It would also lead to murder, stealing, rape, abortion, etc, etc. being okay. 

I know nothing about this book or the Alexander technique"  I have no idea how the "alexander technique" relates to back pain or anything else. Although I do believe stress can lead to backpain and an assortment of other problems as well. 

Personally, I am not a shy person by nature, so I wasn't reading the article to find out how to overcome my shyness, but I thought it sounded interesting, so I read it.   I was soley commenting on the comment quoted in the original post in red--if this quote is in fact written in the book, it is an untrue statement and is humanistic in nature.  That is all.

Anonymous,  what you describe is different than what the commenter on Mercola stated.  Or maybe the commenter on Mercola's site didn't explain themselves thouroughly. 

BTW,. it would be nice if you identified yourself  because it gives your comment more credibility.

Jul. 22, 2008 - Overcoming Shyness the Humanistic Way

I have been getting Dr. Mercola's newsletter for a while.  Sometimes it is  weird.  And the comments can be even weirder.  Today, he had an article on how to overcome shyness.  The ideas he had weren't bad, but this one comment... ugh!

Jul. 22, 2008 - Messenger of God

Little Bit's name means "messenger of God"  Yesterday afternoon the  neighbor boy that speaks to us wanted to come play.  He hadn't been over in a while.  Usually, he comes later in the afternoon, and stays for about an hour, until Shane gets home.   A few minutes later, LB comes in for his Bible and says he's going to tell "boy" about God. 

At the dinner table, the discussion is all about how this boy doesn't know anything about Jesus.  And how LB was "preaching" to him. 

Guess the conference rubbed off and God is raising LB up to his namesake...

Jul. 20, 2008 - Pray Please

A couple of weeks ago, I asked for prayer for our dear friend that found out that she was pregnant just after her husband left for Ft. Benning, GA.  They have had a roller coaster ride and I covet your prayers on their behalf. 

Donna had bloodwork a couple of weeks ago, the numbers didn't look promising, but they scheduled a sonogram, and there was "nothing there" she wasn't terribly surprised as this has happened a few times before.  She had more bloodwork, and the numbers still didn't look good and went in or another sonogram, becuse she wanted to make certain before scheduling a D&C.  Neither her or the technician was expecting to see anything.  But low and behold, there was a heartbeat!  She called us in Branson and we were all extremely surprised and excited!!!!! 

Then she called this morning and told me that she had started bleeding.  Drats!  We were hoping for God's mercy on this family and a healthy pregnancy.  They've been through so much lately. 

Please pray that God will allow this process to move quickly without the need for a D&C.  And that the family will continue to take comfort in the Lord. 

Jul. 20, 2008 - Do Not be Unequally Yoked

We love Jonathon Park.  We’ve listened to them over and over and over and over and over and over again.  We LOVE Jonathon Park. (In fact when Bubba saw the VF table at the conference, he HAD to go ask when the next one was coming out, although he had emailed them just a couple of months ago).  

Recently, we were listening to one of the earlier episodes again.  It is the episode where they decide to let Miles Morgan go as the leader of the Creation Response Team, because they are unequally yoked, Miles is not a believer. This phrase stuck with me.  And throughout this weekend, I have been thinking about it from time to time. 

Do not be unequally yoked.  Usually, we think of this in relation to a marriage relationship.  The authors of Jonathon Park put it in a different light.  And I’ve been thinking about this in relation to some other areas of our lives.   In an indirect way, the speakers from this weekend’s conference confirmed my thoughts on this passage. 

 Some people talk about putting their children in government schools to be “salt and light.” And while I wholeheartedly agree that we need to be salt and light to the world, I cannot agree that sending a child into shark infested waters is a wise thing.  Yes, you read that right, shark infested waters.  In fact, I cannot agree that sending a “Christian teacher” into the shark-infested waters is a right thing either.   The government schools are not safe places for your child!  Or for an adult.  Their ways are subtle.  They will teach your child secular humanism.  They teach that the universe came from a “big bang” not from an Awesome Creator that formed every item in the entire world!   They teach that your child came from a monkey that evolved over millions of years into a superior being to the “rest of the animals.” They do not teach that you are a Created being formed in the inner-most place by The Creator of all things. This is their goal!  Perhaps YOU even believe this!  Even as a Christian, you may believe this.  The majority of born-again Christians do not believe in a literal 6-day creation.  

 Another place that we shouldn't be unequally yoked, is with the foster care system.  I know that some of you that read my blog are foster parents.  Some of you are new foster parents.  Some of you are working on getting your foster care license.  So, you may not like what I have to say.  I believe it is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to work within that system and come out unscathed.  I have seen people that once held strong convictions loosen them.  I have seen this more than once.  These people don’t even KNOW they have been affected but they have.   They say that the people on the lower levels really do care, it’s the bureaucrats up higher that are the problem.  Know what I say?  HOGWASH!!!    They think they can influence the children in their home by taking them to church with them when the doors are open, by having them see a healthy Christian home.   All it takes is one lie by the child, and the influence is gone and they are moved.  Foster parents have no rights where the foster child is concerned.    The Foster care system works to destroy families!!!!!!  They rip children from their homes.  Recently a child was removed when he unknowingly purchased his son "Mike's Hard Lemonade" at a baseball game.   Lest you think this only happens in Michigan, think again! 

 No, I don’t believe one can even be foster parents, in their later years.  God gave grandparents a responsibility.  Doug Phillips reminded us Friday night that the “father’s father” is mentioned more times than parents are in the Scriptures. This command is more important than the command to take care of orphans and widows.  In a "perfect" world, the extended family and then the church would be taking care of the orphans, but this is not a perfect world and the church has allowed the state to take over the responsibility that God gave his church.  Grandparents cannot be grandparents if they are “ministering” to orphans that are wards of the state. 

Dear friends, do not be unequally yoked.

Jul. 19, 2008 - Buddy Davis

Buddy Davis is a dinosaur sculptor, singer, songwriter and speaker for Creation Science and works with Answers in Genesis.  The Creation Museum has several of his dinos on display, and he has several CD's with great messages in music, for adults and children.  He lives in a cabin that is over 100 years old in the town of Henpeck, OH with his wife Kay.  (yes, Ken Ham likes to tease him about that!).  He told us his testimony Friday night and it was really neat.  The short version is that he almost had a recording contract in Nashville many years ago, it fell through and he started sculpting dino's.  Met Ken Ham at a conference, nearly 30 years ago (I think) and invited him home to see his work.  Ken came and the rest is history.  He has travelled the world singing his music now, and loves what he does. 

Why am I telling you about him?  Because if you have children, you need to "meet" Buddy Davis.  They can learn all about creation science  by singing his upbeat songs, like "It's Designed to do What it Does Do" and "The 7 C's of History"And fun, songs about Bible stories, like "Here Kitty, Kitty" and Sampson's Ticked" (in the style of Johnny Cash).   He also plays an assortment of instruments, including the mountain dulcimer.  And is just an overall neat guy! 

Sweet Cheeks loves the "here, kitty, kitty" song.  (That's not the name of it, it's title is "Daniel in the Lion's Den")  She sings "here, kitty, kitty, purr"  and says "uddy avis" "uddy avis"  She's just too cute.  But don't tell her I said that :) As supporters of the museum, we were invited Tuesday to a reception.  After we walked in, Buddy Davis walked up to us and said Hello.  Shane was getting ready to introduce himself and us, and Buddy says "I know who you are"  how cool is that?  Well, I hope it's cool and not because our children, are loud and kind of nutty... but I guess it could be...

All of his music is good, but we particularly like "The Creation Musical Adventures" double CD and "Soar" This CD has the "here, kitty, kitty" song.  And the title track is about the Eagle...   He also has a newer album with romantic music for all us married folk and his newest is an instrumental mountain style hymns CD. 

We are home, I have another entry on the laptop, but it'll wait.  You'll be hearing alot about the conference in the next several posts I imagine. 

"nigh nigh" as Sweet Cheeks says. 

Jul. 18, 2008 - Information Overload!

We had to take a break from the conference.  We are all running on empty and overloaded with information!  We're back at the room for a little downtime before this evening.  They planned free time every afternoon, so we're only missing one lecture. 

Somewhere, I've read that we only use a small percentage of our brains, but right now I feel like every area is used up.  We've heard Dr. Baucham speak of Biblical Manhood, including Biblical submission, we've heard Doug Phillips speak of the problems with Hollywood, and how we have to take back the movie culture and ways we can do that, (I'll have to list them later).  We've heard him speak about there only being two areas of education History and Science.  We've hear Ken Ham speak of the problems with millions of years.  And how we can counter the arguments.  We had the opportunity to see the musical "Noah" Wednesday afternoon.  Incredible.  But as Mr. Ham pointed out there were 2 kinds of every creature on the ark... like kinds, not two different breeds of every kind.  Still pretty amazing when they draw the curtains back and you are surrounded by "ark" This show did not have the normal "don't forget to buy your souveniers, for an incredibly ridiculous amount of money, although they did have souveniers available--that was nice.  We also saw Kirby and Bambi Van Birch... illusionists.  Bubba got chosen to volunteer on stage... he did great!  As a "prize" for helping, he got a backstage pass, so him and Princess went to see their tigers-- tigers would be Princess's favorite animals.  We ate at the "Hard Luck Diner" where the waitresses sing while you're dining... it's a fun place.  Little Bit got his hair played with by one of the ladies.  We've also had the pleasure of hearing Buddy Davis sing for us before the evening's lectures began.  If you have children, his CD's are a must have.  Most of his songs teach creation and many are based on catch phrases that Ken Ham uses in his lectures.    Bubba and Little Bit are signed up for his sculpting workshop this evening.  Should be fun for them. 

Okay, time to go lay down and rest for a while.  I'll try to get some better information up in the next few days. 

Oh and did you know that next year is Darwin's birthday?  And John Calvin's too?  Wonder who will get more media coverage? 

Jul. 14, 2008 - Homemade Windshield Washer Fluid

This was posted in a Mother and Child Reunion area wide paper a while back.  It's easy and cheap to make.   I also make my own diaper wipes too-- much less expensive than store bought. 

3 Cups Isopropyl alcohol

1 Tablespoon liquid detergent (I use my dishwashing soap)

10 cups water

Pour all the ingredients into a clean, gallon size plastic jug. (we've kept the last store bought container for fluid, it has a childproof lid and is marked appropriately)  And shake.  You can also add a couple drops of blue food coloring if you want. 

Jul. 14, 2008 - Leaving on a Jet Plane...

It's been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day and I'm running away to Branson for the week.    Is my nose growin yet?  Yes, it has been a Monday around here.  And yes, I'm going to Branson.  But I'm not runnin awayon a jet plane. 

First thing this morning, the dental school calls to schedule Little Bit's first appointment for to work on his mouth for his next surgery.  When I couldn't drop everything at the drop of a hat and come in when she wanted to schedule me, tommorrow, btw, she lit into me!!!!  I wish we had another choice, but no ortho that takes medicaid will work with a cleft-palate.  I spent the better part of the morning calling any ortho I could find that would.  So a) we either suck up and deal with the UMKC dental school, or b) we pay out of pocket. Since we don't have rich relatives that have left us a million anywhere, we'll suffer with UMKC and hope their service is better. 

Tomorrow morning, we leave for the Answers in Genesis Worldview Family conference.  The lineup includes Voddie Bauchum, Ken Ham, Carl Kirby and Doug Phillips.  Buddy Davis is also going to be doing a children's workshop-- oh how fun for our boys.  We're hoping to meet up with a couple of the Patriarch Wives families and my Above Rubies friend Paula and her family.  The nice thing about this is that they have scheduled time in between to be able to see some shows.  So thanks to Bott, we have tickets to Noah, Acrobats of China, and a couple others.  On the way back we hope to hit our favorite MO used bookstore in Springfield. 

If you happen to be there, email me so we can meet... I'll have my new handy, dandly laptop with me.  And if you aren't there, I might give updates along the way of the highlights. 

Have a wonderful week!

Jul. 11, 2008 - 4-H Judging The Cakes

So we went by the 4-H fair today on the way home from town.  Princess got a blue ribbon which means "good."  She got some excellent feedback and is very pleased with her award.  And we are very proud of her.

Bubba received a red ribbon, which is "fair."  He was disappointed, but we are not!  He is a LOT like me, and wears his emotions on his sleeve.  His cake was well above his skill level and he pressed on and completed it.  He admitted that he did his best work.  What more can we ask? 

He used fondont and royal icing.  He also used 2 different tips and had only worked with fondant and royal icing two other times before we started this cake.  He also had his Mom, who has never in her life used either icing, guiding him with this cake...

We reminded him that judging is only one person's opinion.  He did get some good positive feedback. 

We have encouraged both of them to continue on cakes next year, and I even encouraged Bubba to continue for a couple of years and try the castle cake again and see what happens. 

Congratulations to my precious children!!!!  I am proud of you and your hard work and tremendously enjoyed our time together!!!!!

Jul. 8, 2008 - Pictures!

I've figured out Nero's photo program well enough to get some pictures up. First Bubba's baptism. 

Then, the family gathering.  Yep, we're all related by blood, adoption or marriage.

Do you want the run down?  (Lto R, back row) Shane's brother Aaron, his wife Karie, Dad,  Mom, Princess, Aunt Rachel, Sweet Cheeks, Shane, brother Barron, (Lto R front row) cousin Philip, sister Haley, Bubba, Little Bit, me and lastly, the newest addition, brother Joshua.

And now the 4-H cakes

Princess and her Ladybug

And now for the grand finale... hold your applause please .

The Castle Cake

This cake is just under the 13" tall requirement...

Jul. 7, 2008 - They're Done!

Whew! We were able to get BOTH cakes finished today.  I can't believe that we started Bubba's cake over yesterday and it's done today. 

Let me tell ya, I wanted to quit.  But Bubba was the one hangin in there.  He must have spent at least 6 or 7 hours in the kitchen between yesterday and today.  And he worked!  I helped him a little showing him how to roll the fondont, or getting the coloring added, or coaching him as to were to put the stars, but this cake is his cake!  However, it did take all three of us (me, him and Daddy) to get the white fondont layed over the form for the castle yesterday.  Hey, even the Iron Chef has helpers   At one point I even called Shane and told him we were going to have to do something different because things just weren't going well.  But Bubba perservered and we figured out the problem and continued. 

His stars aren't all uniform in size, his fondont isn't perfectly smooth, but it's his work, and I'm so proud of him!  If they gave awards for effort he'd definately qualify for 1st place.  Yes, I have pictures, but it's late, so I'll try to find the time tomorrow to post them. 

Princess's Ladybug cake turned out very cute.  She has blue eyes and big brown dots on her back. 

Both cakes are boxed and waiting to be delivered to the site of the fair in Blue Springs, MO on Wednesday afternoon. 

Have I told ya lately that I have some of the greatest kiddos God ever made?

Jul. 7, 2008 - They're Done!

Whew! We were able to get BOTH cakes finished today.  I can't believe that we started Bubba's cake over yesterday and it's done today. 

Let me tell ya, I wanted to quit.  But Bubba was the one hangin in there.  He must have spent at least 6 or 7 hours in the kitchen between yesterday and today.  And he worked!  I helped him a little showing him how to roll the fondont, or getting the coloring added, or coaching him as to were to put the stars, but this cake is his cake!  However, it did take all three of us (me, him and Daddy) to get the white fondont layed over the form for the castle yesterday.  Hey, even the Iron Chef has helpers   At one point I even called Shane and told him we were going to have to do something different because things just weren't going well.  But Bubba perservered and we figured out the problem and continued. 

His stars aren't all uniform in size, his fondont isn't perfectly smooth, but it's his work, and I'm so proud of him!  If they gave awards for effort he'd definately qualify for 1st place.  Yes, I have pictures, but it's late, so I'll try to find the time tomorrow to post them. 

Princess's Ladybug cake turned out very cute.  She has blue eyes and big brown dots on her back. 

Both cakes are boxed and waiting to be delivered to the site of the fair in Blue Springs, MO on Wednesday afternoon. 

Have I told ya lately that I have some of the greatest kiddos God ever made?

Jul. 6, 2008 - Cool 4th of July Celebration / Bubba was Baptized / 4-H Cakes

Bubba was baptized Friday at our 4th of July Celebration!!!!!  I hope to add a pic later, but I'm on my new laptop (Yippee!!!)  and I've got to get familiar with the basic's first.   It's been a while since I've had a laptop...  

We stayed up late Thursday night talking to Bubba about being baptized.  The first time he came to us was over a year ago, and he just wasn't ready.  A few weeks ago, he brought it up again, but then kept putting it off.  Thursday, his day wasn't going so well, much like several in the last few weeks.   I told him point blank that I thought it had to do with his refusal to obey God's calling him to baptism.  So near bedtime Bubba decided to talk to us.  Let me tell ya, there were several times I thought we'd be filling up the bathtub, because I wasn't sure he'd want to wait. (See the baptismal account of the Ethiopian Unich and the Phillipian jailer for his reason).  But he just wasn't sure.  Finally, he decided to go to bed and see if he could sleep.  2 minutes later he came out.  Shane prayed with him and sent him back.  About 10 minutes later he came out again.  Shane was out doing some chores, so I told him I'd send him back when he got in.  By the time Shane got back there, he was asleep.  So the last thing  Shane told him before bed was that if he decided he wanted to be baptized on Friday, that he needed to tell Daddy early enough in the day, so the water in the kiddie pool would be warm.  It was almost the first thing out of his mouth Friday morning. 

The entire day was so much fun and very cool!  Everyone was here by about 12:30 and the children started setting of daytime fireworks... then, we had our annual presentations of patriotic, or historic nature.  One family colored several different flags that our nation has had, and explained them.  Bubba and I read "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" and Princess told everyone what was wrong with it.  Shane's little sister and little brother clogged for us, they even clogged to "Rocky Top" for me.  Shane won a copy of the Politically Incorrect Guide to the History of the South from his oldest younger brother.  And we even learned about Zachary Taylor from another of our younger friends.  

The finale was Shane's next to oldest younger brother played the Army song on the keyboard while our friend got her husband now at Ft. Benning, GA on the phone!  It was a God thing because Tim has never gotten a signal in the barracks!   We finished by singing the Star Spangled Banner and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance  with Tim still on the phone. I almost cried.  He even called us the next morning to tell us how much he enjoyed being able to be with us a few minutes on the 4th, and how touched he was that Shane's BIL had played the army song for him.  He also told us they were feeding him well and that he's eaten steak 3 times in nearly 3 weeks-- so that's were are tax dollars are going   I can't think of a more noble cause than to those who sacrifice so we can live in a free country. 

We had to start Bubba's castle cake for 4-H over this afternoon... it was too wide by about 1 inch.  But we got everything done on the cakes that I wanted to today.  Princess's cake now has a "face"Tomorrow is royal icing day, and hopefully we'll finish them so they can set a couple of days before we take them in on Wednesday.  If we have to, we can take them Thursday, but between you and me, I'd rather be done with them. 

Jul. 4, 2008 - Two Recipes Vanilla Ice Cream and Vidalia Onion Spread

Marsha asked for our ice cream recipe... Ya'll this is SO easy and SO good and creamy.  This recipe came from a city newsletter when we were in Abilene, TX and Shane worked in the sweltering heat for the summer... best thing we found there....

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

2 cans sweetened condensed milk

2 large cans evaporated milk

1/2 C sugar

2 tsp vanilla

pinch salt

Beat all ingredients until well mixed.  Pour mixture into electric ice cream freezer (unless you have LOTS of strong arms to help churn an old fashioned ice cream maker).  Add milk to fill line.  Put in dasher, put on lid, turn on freezer and add ice and salt.  Usually makes in 20 -20 minutes. 

* Now if ya want it a little creamier, add a quart of cream and then your milk to the fill line.   We always get rave reviews from this recipe, either way we make it. 

Vidalia Onion Spread  (I almost guarantee that even if you don't like onions, you'll like this dip)

4 cups Vidalia onions, diced

2 cups swiss cheese, grated

2 cups mayonaise

1.8 oz. can diced water chesnuts

1 Tablespoon garlic powder (the recipe actually calls for 1 teaspoon dried dill weed, but we don't like dill and have never tried it that way)

Mix all ingredients together.  Spread mixture into a deep dish pie pan.  ( you need a large dish, it makes ALOT)  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Serve with cocktail pumpernickel, or cocktail crackers. 

I served this today with quarted slices homemade wheat bread and ritz crackers.  Works pretty well as a potato chip dip too. 

Jul. 4, 2008 - Pizza Delivery in 2020

Wow! I've got alot to say today... isn't it funny how it seems to work that way.  I can do days and not post a thing, and then I have 2 or 3 things in one day, or one morning...

My dad sent this link... this may be what ordering a pizza is like in a few years!!! Very SCARY!  Try not to barf, because it is at the ACLU's website, but I promise it will make you think... I can't imagine anyone thinking this is a GOOD thing!

http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf

Jul. 4, 2008 - Happy Birthday America!!!!!!

Yes, I know it's not technically the exact day that the Declaration of Independence was signed, but it is the day we celebrate that important day in history, so

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!!

We will be celebrating in our usual way.  Shane has been smoking ribs for several weekends, and the chicken goes on this morning, we have baked beans ready for the crock pot.  (My Dad bought Shane a new, bigger smoker when he was here a couple of weeks ago, so next year, he'll only smoke once-- Thanks Dad!)  We have several families that join us and bring the sides, watermelon, corn on the cob, home made ice cream, just to name a few.  I make lemonade.  We shoot off various fireworks... daytime and nighttime... no not anything huge, but the children love it anyway.We have a 3 person water balloon launcher (from Vision Forum) that is VERY fun!!!! Etc, etc. etc. 

And we have a patriotic presentation in honor of the freedom's we have and of our country's birthday. 

This has evolved over the years.  I believe the first year involved nothing more than the reading of a Peter Marshall prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Every year it has grown.  This year it may prove to be the best yet!  Bubba and I are going to read "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" Princess is going to tell everyone what is inaccurate about the poem.  Shane is going to be reading excepts from several founding documents... from a great book we found at a used bookstore in Springfield, MO last year (Our Nation's Archives) in case anyone's interested.  Shane's brother is playing several piano pieces, including the Army's theme, in honor of our dear friend, Tim.  He just reinlisted and left 1 1/2 weeks ago, leaving his wife and daughter's here while he faces the heat of Fort Benning, GA this summer.  (shshshsh... it's a secret, but she also found out last week that she's pregnant... she miscarries easily, so please pray for her.  Her name is Donna).   I'm also planning on playing "God Bless America" on the dulcimer, but I haven't had it out in a while, so I'm a little rusty... one of our friends sons, picked out a former President to talk about.  He chose Zachary Taylor (can you guess what this child's first name is?) and another young lady is going to tell us about Bess Truman.  

This year, there may be an added bonus.  Bubba has been thinking about being baptized.  Yes, Jesus is his Savior, but we feel this is a very important step in obedience and are very excited.  He has been thinking about it for over a year now.  But has not seemed to be quite ready.  We were up very late last night discussing with him.  And he is ready now, when he decides that his answer is yes.  He really wanted to go ahead last night, but decided to wait until today when Grandma and Grandpa would be here.  All Bubba has to do is tell Daddy and Shane will fill the little pool we have this morning so he can be batized this afternoon in warm water. 

Hey, if you're in the area... come on down!  The more the merrier!  If you can't make it this way (hehe)  then have a wonderful day whereever you are...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!!

Jul. 4, 2008 - The Liberal Dog

Some of you may remember a couple of years ago, not long before Sweet Cheeks came home from Liberia, we brought home this cute little Chinese Crested Powderpuff. 

(Imagine cute little fuzzy red and white ball of puff, with beautiful curly headed girl here) Apparently HSB won't let me insert the pic right now :(

From the very beginning, this dog didn't fit into our family.  He barked incessently, we were told he didn't bark at all.  He was very cat-like in his ways.  He hid out under my desk for 2 weeks, and wouldn't hardly eat.  He didn't like men, or even our boys very much for a while, and they were never his favorite.  We were told he had several playmates at his previous home. He absolutely dispised our choco lab, Ben.  We thought it was a name complex ("Papersack" for such a cute little dog was a very stupid name in my opinion).  We renamed him Sherman and waited for him to adjust, when he left our home several weeks ago, we were STILL waiting for him to adjust. 

The people that came for him actually "rescued" Chinese Crested's.  It was a sad day... Princess and I both cried.  I had not given him up before because we "knew" how hard it would be for him, etc. 

The husband walked in our door wearing a very offensive T-shirt.  It was a play on the movie "The Fockers" (which I know nothing about) and had a pic of several conservative leaders, including President Bush and C. Rice, Dick Cheney, etc.  So, they thought he was cute, could find him a new home, and all that jazz and away he went with them.  (me thinking what in the world have I just done to the poor dog). 

So later in the evening, she calls and says he's doing wonderful!  He's playing with the other dogs, he's eating, he just adores_______ (insert husband's name here, I can't remember it).   I week or so later, I emailed, mainly because I couldn't believe my ears when she had called saying how well he was doing.  In her email, she said that they had decided to keep him.  "Sherman would follow John (that's his name) anywhere!"  "He adores him" And on and on about how well Sherman was doing...

We decided that Sherman must have been a liberal trapped in a conservative home!  And we are all happier. 

BTW, just about a week after Sherman left, we found our new little silver poodle.  He is 8 months old now, and he fits our family perfectly.  He LOVES to play with Ben, and gets along well with all of us.  We named him Ashur.  Princess says we only need 10 more to have the 12 tribes--- hahahaha!!!!!!!

Jul. 2, 2008 - Go Dr. Laura

I know that there are some of you out there that don't think a lot of Dr. Laura.  I haven't listened to her radio show in a long, long time because it makes me crazy how stupid some people can be and then they think they are going to get sympathy from Dr. Laura for "shacking up" with their boyfriend and their 3 kids conceived out of wedlock...

I like Dr. Laura.  She tells it like it is.  I don't like beating around the bush about things.  Just tell me for goodness sake! 

I am a particular fan of 2 of her books.  "The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands" will probably be required reading for our girls as they near the time of betrothal. 

The other is "Bad Childhood, Good Life" great reading if you and your parents (particularly your Mother) did not get along during your childhood. 

All this to say that the above is NOT the reason for this post.  I have recently subscribed to her blog.  And I really just wanted to AMEN her response to the issue she mentions today.  It's about feminists getting up in arms about professional dress codes and particularly one man in Wichita, KS getting hate mail for mentioning that he thought panty hose looked more professional than bare legs.  Here's the link. 

Boy for wanting to be treated like men, they sure are acting like babies!

Jun. 28, 2008 - Pray for Baby Joe