Technically, this is Friday's blog that I did not get around to doing yesterday!!
I am grateful for the schools that my children attend. At times, the sacrifice I make to get them to and from school and manage that schedule overwhelm me. However, when I have concerns or things happen that are 'not so positive', my interactions with the teachers and administrators serve to remind me why I made the choice and why it is so very worth it.
It is more than just going to school. It is the social interactions and the 'non book' stuff that develop character. For the ability to have my children in schools that will help them develop into great adults, I am thankful!!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
40 Days of Gratitude. Day 2.
Today, I am grateful for my grandmother.
She was a strong a spiritual woman. She had a love of family and a strength of character that one can only imagine. Somehow, she managed to make every one of her grandchildren feel like they were the most special.
I remember her garden in the back yard, scaling fish on the back porch and snapping beans on the front porch. These memories make me smile. I really feel that if at the end of my life, it has somehow been fashioned after hers, I will have lived well. She has impacted me in ways I never imagined.
She was a strong a spiritual woman. She had a love of family and a strength of character that one can only imagine. Somehow, she managed to make every one of her grandchildren feel like they were the most special.
I remember her garden in the back yard, scaling fish on the back porch and snapping beans on the front porch. These memories make me smile. I really feel that if at the end of my life, it has somehow been fashioned after hers, I will have lived well. She has impacted me in ways I never imagined.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Lent. 40 Days of Gratitude. Day 1
Today is Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent. I came across this idea through a friend of mine, and have decided to give it a try.
Welcome to 40 Days of Gratitude. 40+ days between today (Ash Wednesday) and Easter. (40+ days because Sundays don't count as part of Lent.)
Here's how it works: pick a person in your life (at home, at work, in the family, God counts too) to thank for something [anything] once a day for the 40 Days of Lent. Be unrelenting in gratitude. Think to thank. Set a low bar so you can clear it everyday. You don't have to bring the person thank to tears of joy. Just a simple thanks for the simple things. At least once a day, every day, catch 'em doing something that a thankful person would be thankful for and pretend you're that person!
Of course, you're free to do it some other way if you like (I'm blogging it). But do something. Lent is the time frame that it takes most of us to form a new habit--roughly six weeks. Wouldn't it be great to have the new habit of daily gratitude? After Easter, you'll be a more thankful person.
So today, I thank God. I thank God for grace and mercy. I thank God for being able to sit here today and be able to share the things I will give thanks for during the Lenten Season. I thank God for giving me strength and clarity of purpose at times where all other avenues of reason failed me.
Welcome to 40 Days of Gratitude. 40+ days between today (Ash Wednesday) and Easter. (40+ days because Sundays don't count as part of Lent.)
Here's how it works: pick a person in your life (at home, at work, in the family, God counts too) to thank for something [anything] once a day for the 40 Days of Lent. Be unrelenting in gratitude. Think to thank. Set a low bar so you can clear it everyday. You don't have to bring the person thank to tears of joy. Just a simple thanks for the simple things. At least once a day, every day, catch 'em doing something that a thankful person would be thankful for and pretend you're that person!
Of course, you're free to do it some other way if you like (I'm blogging it). But do something. Lent is the time frame that it takes most of us to form a new habit--roughly six weeks. Wouldn't it be great to have the new habit of daily gratitude? After Easter, you'll be a more thankful person.
So today, I thank God. I thank God for grace and mercy. I thank God for being able to sit here today and be able to share the things I will give thanks for during the Lenten Season. I thank God for giving me strength and clarity of purpose at times where all other avenues of reason failed me.
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Liberry....
So,
Since I grounded my 13 year old and he needed something to keep him busy for the duration, the family made a trip to the library Sunday.
First of all, the library is right next door to our church. Convenient, no? No. We are done with service around 11:15 and the library does not open until 1:00 pm on Sunday. Anyhow, we made it there around 1:30.
My 13 year old, who is certain that he will acquire a scholarship for football to a division one school checked out about 10 books. Nine of them were football related. The tenth? Are you ready? The Diary of Anne Frank. Go figure.
Baby girl got a stack of Disney related princess tales (no surprise here)like 'The Prince and the Pauper', 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Bambi'..... and my 10 year old, well....he got an interesting selection of military books and football....
My list was small. I checked out 3 books.
Siddhartha. A book I read my senior year in HS and just could not forget. I have been reminded why. It is the tale of a young mans journey through life during the time of Buddha. It is a quick read and in my opinion, highly enjoyable. (It makes me want to read The Pearl again!)
Pride and Prejudice. Why? Because I never actually read it. I have not started it yet. Well, technically I have since I read the introduction, but have no comment at this time. I just need to see what all the hullabaloo is about.
Son of a Witch. The sequel to Wicked. Wicked was engaging, enchanting and a wonderful interpretation of good and evil based on one's perspective. Son of a Witch, for me, was a huge let down. Huge. Ginormous. Gargantuan. Let Down. Once you read it, you can't unread it.
end transmission.
Since I grounded my 13 year old and he needed something to keep him busy for the duration, the family made a trip to the library Sunday.
First of all, the library is right next door to our church. Convenient, no? No. We are done with service around 11:15 and the library does not open until 1:00 pm on Sunday. Anyhow, we made it there around 1:30.
My 13 year old, who is certain that he will acquire a scholarship for football to a division one school checked out about 10 books. Nine of them were football related. The tenth? Are you ready? The Diary of Anne Frank. Go figure.
Baby girl got a stack of Disney related princess tales (no surprise here)like 'The Prince and the Pauper', 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Bambi'..... and my 10 year old, well....he got an interesting selection of military books and football....
My list was small. I checked out 3 books.
Siddhartha. A book I read my senior year in HS and just could not forget. I have been reminded why. It is the tale of a young mans journey through life during the time of Buddha. It is a quick read and in my opinion, highly enjoyable. (It makes me want to read The Pearl again!)
Pride and Prejudice. Why? Because I never actually read it. I have not started it yet. Well, technically I have since I read the introduction, but have no comment at this time. I just need to see what all the hullabaloo is about.
Son of a Witch. The sequel to Wicked. Wicked was engaging, enchanting and a wonderful interpretation of good and evil based on one's perspective. Son of a Witch, for me, was a huge let down. Huge. Ginormous. Gargantuan. Let Down. Once you read it, you can't unread it.
end transmission.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
40
So,
What the hell is up with men when they turn 40? Seriously. I need to know.
My man just walked in the door after spending the last 10-11 hours with his "club" (bka gang) buddies doing God knows what. Prolly drinking and looking at porn. (Ok, so I really don't know what they do, besides drink-cause he comes home drunk, and am merely speculating in regard to porn). He comes in, microwaves some left overs, eats them while staring at me, drinks about 1/4 of a beer (which is sitting here next to me on the table) and goes to bed. The beer is still cold.
So, Mr. Betterbegladhespretty is in the middle of the probationary period of his "club". The other day, I asked him how much his new friends cost him. It's about $30 per month...or at least that is what he said. That doesn't count the "initiation fee". My friends are free!! Well...basically. Cept for "Chamagne Thursdays" and the supersecret club. But I can't talk about that! If I told you, I would have to kill you.
His "club" (bka gang) is different. Mr. Betterbegladhespretty has decided to purchase a motorcycle and join a biker club. Except, oddly enough, he joined the club first. So....joined the biker club, got the vest, bought some gear, paid some money, waiting to get the patches and oh, yeah....still needs to actually purchase a friggen motorcycle.
Boys R Stoopid.
and for my bff......
end transmission.
10:54 Update: I just looked into the kitchen and see he decided to stop at the grocery store and purchase a turkey. It is sitting on the stove defrosting now.
What.The.Fuck!!!
What the hell is up with men when they turn 40? Seriously. I need to know.
My man just walked in the door after spending the last 10-11 hours with his "club" (bka gang) buddies doing God knows what. Prolly drinking and looking at porn. (Ok, so I really don't know what they do, besides drink-cause he comes home drunk, and am merely speculating in regard to porn). He comes in, microwaves some left overs, eats them while staring at me, drinks about 1/4 of a beer (which is sitting here next to me on the table) and goes to bed. The beer is still cold.
So, Mr. Betterbegladhespretty is in the middle of the probationary period of his "club". The other day, I asked him how much his new friends cost him. It's about $30 per month...or at least that is what he said. That doesn't count the "initiation fee". My friends are free!! Well...basically. Cept for "Chamagne Thursdays" and the supersecret club. But I can't talk about that! If I told you, I would have to kill you.
His "club" (bka gang) is different. Mr. Betterbegladhespretty has decided to purchase a motorcycle and join a biker club. Except, oddly enough, he joined the club first. So....joined the biker club, got the vest, bought some gear, paid some money, waiting to get the patches and oh, yeah....still needs to actually purchase a friggen motorcycle.
Boys R Stoopid.
and for my bff......
end transmission.
10:54 Update: I just looked into the kitchen and see he decided to stop at the grocery store and purchase a turkey. It is sitting on the stove defrosting now.
What.The.Fuck!!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The economic stimulus...because my opinion matters.
Here is my oipinion on the proposal, which I copied from cnn.com and editied......
It works from the premise that I support some type of action from my government.
Plus, my bff avoids the news, but I figure she will read my blog....
Oh, and if you were not sure, I am a Democrat.
(CNN) -- On Monday, Congressional Republican leaders put out a list of what they call wasteful provisions in the Senate version of the nearly $900 billion stimulus bill that is being debated:
The Senate is currently the nearly $900 billion economic stimulus bill.
• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient. ( I will need to research more, but off the get-go this sound kinda stupid)
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film. (Don’t they already have money just coming out of their asses already?)
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program. (Forget a coupon, ditch the program and keep television free!!)
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). (What.The.Fuck. Isn’t that shit already melting at an alarming rate? Just wait. The icecaps will be gone soon.)
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. (Find a building we are already under utilizing and have them move in there. Better yet, get rid of the department.)
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. (see above)
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees. (no. really. Just drive what the fuck you have for now. Replace as needed (when the fucker won’t start again. Ever.) and be okay with that.)
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities. (in these economic times, we need to focus on the necessities and this is not necessary.)
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. (Though I highly suggest people not live in known flood zones well below sea level. Just sayin')
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service. ( I need to see what repairs, exactly are required. If it isn’t a safety issue, it will be okay).
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property. ( I need to see what repairs, exactly are required. If it isn’t a safety issue, it will be okay).
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service. (is it just me, or does the word volunteer make one think of no pay…and paying them negate the act of volunteering?)
• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies. (***suspicious***)
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations (they need to drive what they have until the wheels fall off!)
Eliminate based on my suggestions and save the taxpayers approximately 3.5-4 billion dollars!!
And as a "symbolic" jesture the Dems dropped the $75 billion smoking thing (okay) and the $400 million for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV-which in my opinion is just plain ignorant.
GOP senators draft stimulus alternative
The House version is two-thirds spending and one-third tax cuts.
For who, exactly, is the question……and I could not find enough details regarding their proposal to comment.
It works from the premise that I support some type of action from my government.
Plus, my bff avoids the news, but I figure she will read my blog....
Oh, and if you were not sure, I am a Democrat.
(CNN) -- On Monday, Congressional Republican leaders put out a list of what they call wasteful provisions in the Senate version of the nearly $900 billion stimulus bill that is being debated:
The Senate is currently the nearly $900 billion economic stimulus bill.
• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient. ( I will need to research more, but off the get-go this sound kinda stupid)
• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film. (Don’t they already have money just coming out of their asses already?)
• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program. (Forget a coupon, ditch the program and keep television free!!)
• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship). (What.The.Fuck. Isn’t that shit already melting at an alarming rate? Just wait. The icecaps will be gone soon.)
• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters. (Find a building we are already under utilizing and have them move in there. Better yet, get rid of the department.)
• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters. (see above)
• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees. (no. really. Just drive what the fuck you have for now. Replace as needed (when the fucker won’t start again. Ever.) and be okay with that.)
• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.
• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs.
• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.
• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities. (in these economic times, we need to focus on the necessities and this is not necessary.)
• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.
• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."
• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.
• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.
• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.
• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River. (Though I highly suggest people not live in known flood zones well below sea level. Just sayin')
• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.
• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.
• $500 million for state and local fire stations.
• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.
• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.
• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service. ( I need to see what repairs, exactly are required. If it isn’t a safety issue, it will be okay).
• $412 million for CDC buildings and property. ( I need to see what repairs, exactly are required. If it isn’t a safety issue, it will be okay).
• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.
• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service. (is it just me, or does the word volunteer make one think of no pay…and paying them negate the act of volunteering?)
• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.
• $850 million for Amtrak.
• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.
• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies. (***suspicious***)
• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.
• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations (they need to drive what they have until the wheels fall off!)
Eliminate based on my suggestions and save the taxpayers approximately 3.5-4 billion dollars!!
And as a "symbolic" jesture the Dems dropped the $75 billion smoking thing (okay) and the $400 million for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV-which in my opinion is just plain ignorant.
GOP senators draft stimulus alternative
The House version is two-thirds spending and one-third tax cuts.
For who, exactly, is the question……and I could not find enough details regarding their proposal to comment.
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