The Statue of Liberty...

It is one thing to see magnificent creations in pictures...



But quite another to see them in real life.


You don't quite grasp the magnitude of this work, and the time period that it was created, until you see it for yourself.




We were able to see the Statue of Liberty the day before her 120th birthday which was on October 28th.




Engineered without the aid of computers...

Created without power tools...

Amazing and awe-inspiring.





Carrie, Parker and Lady Liberty.




Here is something that I never had realized...

The date that is recognized as Independence Day for the United States is on the tablet, written in Roman Numerals.


Only one of the amazing details in this beautiful statue...

That is weathering the passage of time.



There have been many words written about this statue...

All poignant and beautiful.


Millions of emotions are forever entertwined with this symbol of refuge and freedom.


May she continue to stand for the reasons for which she was built.


May we continue to be the country that we were intended to be.


I pray that God continues to bless our nation...

And that our nation continues to pray.


later...

We'll Be Home Tomorrow...

One more evening here and then we'll catch the plane back home.

It feels really cold here to me...

I hope that it's a lot warmer at home!


I wish that we had had more time while we were here...

But the ultrasound classes were good and I learned a lot of stuff.


It will be back to the school books and work.


And I'll have some catching up to do, that's for sure.


So, even after I get home, I may not be able to post anything.


We'll see how things go.


Have a great week!

later...

Hello from New York!

I just thought that I would stop and write a line or two to let you guys know how things are going.


First of all, we were over three hours late leaving town.

We sat in the OKC airport waiting to leave.

It seems that the weather was bad in Chicago which delayed our flight and several others. A lot of people were waiting on other flights as well, because the weather was bad in Denver too.


We missed our connecting flight in Chicago...

Which made us even later getting in.

~Really Late~


Then... Our luggage didn't make it in with us.

But it arrived okay the next morning.

~whew~


We took the train into New York City and got off at Grand Central Station.

~wow~


We spent about 15 hours in NYC...

Riding the subway everywhere we went.

And of course walking, walking, walking...


*sigh*


Who needs exercise gyms in this city?

~Gee Whiz~

I think I lost 10 pounds.


Of course, we were all 'green horns' getting around town, but we did pretty good.

And by the end of the day/night...

We were getting much better at it.


*smile*


Glad there wasn't too big of a learning curve there.


One incident did take my breath away though.

Parker's male ego/hormones/narcisstic personality took over at one of the subway stops and he jumps up and gets out of the car.

~WHAT THE HECK?~

I realized what he had done and jump up after him to tell him to get back in the car.


But it was too late...

The door shut in his face before he could get in.


So there go Carrie and I...

Still on the train...

Watching my baby boy getting smaller and smaller until we are overtaken by the darkness of the tunnel.


My logical mind started to struggle with the situation...

How was I going to get my kid out of the bowels of this ginormous city?


Panic wasn't going to do me any good.

And I could see that Carrie was about to get physically ill.


We got to the next stop and we couldn't get off and transfer to the other train to go back.

~Lord... Make Parker stay where he is.~

Don't leave Parker.

Stay where you are.


The next stop seemed to be forever away, but we were able to crossover and take a train back.


We got there and searched the station for him.

And there he was...

Looking very small...

At 14 years old, he's still my baby.



He spied us and came running down the terminal.

~Don't tell him that I said this~

But he looked like a very happy lanky Golden Retriever, bounding his way home.


*Thank you Lord for your protection!*


Why did Parker get off the train?

Because, according to his calculations, we were supposed to get off there.


Never mind what Mom had to say about it!


Which makes me wonder about a few things...


Who needs artificial intelligence when you have a teenager or two?


So...

We saw a lot of things...

And had a lot of experiences.


I'll have to share more with you guys, but I don't know when I will have access again.


later...

We're Leaving in the Morning...

We'll be catching our flight out of Oklahoma City in the morning.

And we are very excited about our trip to New York City.



I don't own a laptop computer, and I'm not certain about internet access while we are gone...

So I don't know if you guys will be hearing from me or not.


If I were a blogaholic, I'm sure that I would find a way...

Some where...

Some how...


To at least post a line, a picture...

Or something.

At least once...

Well, maybe twice.


But if I was a true blogaholic...


I would have already hocked the car, or something, by now just so that I would have a laptop.


Right?


This trip will be another ~first~ for me and the kids.

A ginormous city that we have only seen in pictures and on television.


It made me think a bit about our "big city".


So I thought I would post a couple of pictures from Bricktown...

In downtown OKC.



You know...

As a comparison of sorts.


*grin*


You guys have a great end-of-week...

And a wonderful week-end.


N' ih'l be catchin' ya'll back heah...

later...

Holiday Giving...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner...

And I am sure that everyone is making plans for their holiday family get-togethers.


Have you been blessed?

I surely hope so.


There are many families that will not be able to afford, or enjoy, the same comforts that you and I might.

Comforts that help make our holidays more cheerful.


Things like gas.

Gas that warms our homes and cooks our holiday meals and treats.


Things like electricity.

Electricity that brightens the Christmas tree with colorful and sparkling lights.


And things like water.

Water, the life giving, necessary element of our lives.


Several years ago I was driving down the road, and there was a man sitting in his driveway with a sign saying that he would work for food.

I didn't have a job to give the man...

But I was on my way to the grocery store.


On my way there, I decided that I would buy extra groceries for the man and give it to him and his family.

While I was shopping, the Lord told me that the family didn't have any electricity...

Which meant that they didn't have any way to keep any perishable items from spoiling.


So I bought groceries that were non-perishable and one meal's worth of perishable foods so that they could have something fresh to eat that day.


While I felt good about what I had done...

I hadn't really listened to what the Lord was telling me.


What I should have done...

Was pay their electric bill.


Lord forgive me.


I received a newsletter yesterday from Shepherds of Love Ministry.

They are asking people to do something different this Christmas...

Instead of buying gifts or food...

They're asking if you would adopt a family and pay for part, or all, of their utility bill.


While most of us can't bring a very large past due electric bill current...

We most certainly can pool our money together and accomplish that goal quite easily.


Shepherd's of Love does things like this throughout the entire year.

Not just during Thanksgiving and Christmas.


There are a lot of food and gift ministries during November and December that focus on those things that most of us think about...

But what good is a turkey if you can't cook it?

How much more fun would the gifts be if there was a lit Christmas tree for them to sit under?

And how much better will the entire family be if they are warm during these cold months?


If you would like to donate funds to a worthwhile cause...

Through a ministry that does what they say they will...

Then I ask you to consider Shepherd's of Love Ministry.

If you would like to adopt a family by helping to pay their utility bill:

*Call 405.348.5195 and Shepherds of Love will provide a needy family for you.

*You decide how much you want to pay for their utilities.

*Write your check to Shepherds of Love Ministries and mail by December 3rd to:

Shepherds of Love Ministries
P.O. box 5043
Edmond, OK 73083

*They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your gifts are tax-deductible. A receipt will be mailed back to you.

*A Christmas card will be sent to your "special family" informing them of the amount paid on their utilities. You will be an anonymous donor.

(I know that Shepherds of Love Ministry sends money for utility bills directly to the utility company.)



If you would like to donate money for a food gift card for Thanksgiving you can do that as well.

Shepherds of Love Ministry assists families with their utility bills, gasoline, medicine, food, personal hygiene products, taxi and bus fares, and school clothing for children.


later...

Working Feverishly...Or Feverishly Working?

It gets confusing sometimes.

I am working really hard to get ten days worth of schoolwork completed in about five days.

And I don't feel good.

I can't tell exactly what's wrong with me.

Could it just be stress?


Maybe so.


I have to get all of this schoolwork, and a test, completed early because the kids and I will be out of town.

I'm just so very thankful that the professor is allowing me to take the test early.

I am already totally stressed out about this class.

I think part of it is because the professor, who is teaching the course, is also...

the co-author of the text!


Gee whiz...


Maybe I'm putting too much pressure on myself.

Would you feel more pressure if you found out that your instructor was also the person who wrote the 700+ (13" x 12") pages that you were studying from?


If you wouldn't...

Would you please tell me all the reasons why not.

Maybe I could 'psych' myself out with them...

Tattoo them on my wrists and arms...

Or something.


I have two days of CE (continuing education) classes to take this Saturday and Sunday in New York.


I wanted to go to New York City...

Kind of.

But I definitely didn't want to go there by myself.


God has been good and I have been blessed once again, and so I am able to take my 'last two' kids with me.

Granted, I will be like a fish out of water.

The 'country girl' in the 'big city'.


The kids are excited too.

Especially since they have permission from the school to "skip class"!

Well, Parker is ~a little concerned~. Especially since he saw that our 'electronic' tickets had *United Airlines* written on them.

He doesn't think it is a good idea to fly to NYC on a plane that says "United" on the side of it.


So we will be praying for our trip too.


If anyone of you guys have ever been there and have some helpful hints, tips, advice, or ~anything~...

It would most certainly be appreciated!


It takes a long time, even by airplane, to get to New York from Oklahoma...

So, we will have two days of travel, two days of CE, and one day for NYC.


We will be able to spend one full day in New York City, and I want to see three of (what I consider to be) the most important things there.

1. The Statue of Liberty
2. The site of the World Trade Center
3. The American Museum of Natural History (the dinosaur fossils)

For the more seasoned travelers...

Do you have any other suggestions?

Or will these three things take up all the time that we will have?

I'm thinking that it probably will.


We will be staying in White Plains, New York.

And I will be finished with my classes at 5 p.m.

Do you guys know of some neat things in White Plains that we can see, or do, on a Saturday or Sunday evening?


Well...

I had best be getting to bed.

I had a lot of trouble this morning with my balance.

So I probably need the rest.


later...

Tired of Getting Beat Over the Head...

There's this organization.

An organization that is threatening churches and church leaders.

This organization says that "they'll be watching" for infractions made by religious leaders this political season.

They say that political statements and moral teachings can't be made from the pulpits.

What the ...?!?


They have a big campaign going on and are trying to use fear tactics to shut the mouths of religious leaders in their own congregations.

I wonder what Martin Luther King would have to say about this if he were still alive today?


hmmm...


I don't think it would go over very well.

Not very well at all.


Especially since he was a "religious leader" that liked to talk...

In fact, he liked to talk a lot.



I'm tired of that weak argument of "separation of church and state".

There's no such thing written in the constitution.

It's something that has been pushed down the public's throat for so long that the public actually believes that it is true.


That in and of itself is irritating enough to say the least...

We've got to think for ourselves, and not be coerced into accepting the thoughts that are orchestrated by others.

Here's a helpful handbook for you to pass on to your church leaders:

Permissable and Impermissable Activities of Non-Profit Organizations and Public Charities Under Federal Campaign and Finance Tax Laws

This way they can read it for themselves...

And not be intimidated by lies.


later...

Facing the Giants... For Real.

I'm Just Different I Guess...

Well, I have spent the day working on my schoolwork.

The weather helped to keep me in without any problems.

Blustery and chilly winds...

Overcast.

Cold.


So I was able to concentrate on my studies without too much trouble...

Especially since I wasn't tempted to be outside at all.


I've been working really hard at exercising my brain.

Trying to recover some of the things that I feel that I have lost.

And I think that I am making some really good headway too.


I think differently than most people do anyway.

I tend to approach problems from a different angle.

I supppose that you could say that I view my world through an uncommon lens.

And what I see isn't necessarily what everyone else sees either.


I always wonder about myself.

Wondering about why I am so unlike other people.

You know, average people.


I ran across this study which seems to have identified a memory gene. The gene's name is Kibra.

Everyone seems to think that this is going to be a really great thing and will lead to helping those with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

If that is true...

That the gene Kibra is a key to finding a cure for those diseases...

Then the next conclusion would be that these, and other memory disorders, are more than likely inheritable traits.


While scientists are busy mapping the human genomes...

I wonder how all of this will actually be applied to our lives in 20 years or so.


It just makes me wonder about a few things.


Things like...

Will this discovery of the memory gene, Kibra, put psychologists and psychiatrists out of business?

I mean, if you were "born thataway"...

What can be done about it?


It's just a thought.

later...

Just Another Day in Hugo, Oklahoma...

Here's an interesting story that I thought some of you may/may not enjoy...

It just depends on which side of the fence you ride on.

A woman in Hugo, Oklahoma, gunned down a would be robber at her liquor store on Thursday. Her 84 year old mother was manning the cash register.

Sheila Almond, 59, first shot the man in the shoulder with a pistol. When that didn’t slow him down, she laid a shotgun on the counter and blasted him in the abdomen.

“She blowed him out the door,” Bob Almond said.

You know...

People shouldn't be trying to take advantage of senior citizens.

It just ain't right...


And a disrespectful attitude has been proven to be bad for your health.

Owning a liquor store, the Almonds have anticipated that someday they would be held up. Sheila Almond wasn’t counting on being the only one in the store who knew how to use a gun when that happened.

After ordering the robber to the other side of the counter, she told an employee to “Bring her ‘Baby,’ - that’s what we call the shotgun,” her husband said.

Sheila Almond, who is blind in her right eye, wanted the robber to think there was a child in the store - maybe he would leave, she said.

“I didn’t want to shoot,” Almond said. “But if I had to shoot, I wanted my shotgun.”

As an employee scrambled for the shotgun, Almond found the pistol.

“I knew if I got my hand on my pistol he was dead,” she said. “When I brought it up, it was ready to fire. He said, ‘Give it to me.’ I shot him. I’m just thankful I didn’t break any bottles. I know that’s callous, but he was wrong.”

Do you remember the lessons that you learned in grade school?

Things like...

Keeping your hands to yourself?

You know...

Common sense kind of stuff.

The robber continued to reach for money and Almond grabbed a shotgun from her co-worker, laid it on the counter and shot him in the stomach.

...The shot sent the robber crashing through the door and into the store’s parking lot, with only his feet still on the front porch, a gun in one hand and a wad of 10-dollar bills in the other.

So there's a few lessons to be learned from this story.


#1. Don't mess with someone's 84 year old mother.

#2. Don't mess with someone who has pet names for their firearms.

#3. Don't mix guns with liquor.

Sheila Almond said she’s taking her liquor store employee out today to teach her how to shoot a gun. They’ll have to do it without “Baby,” though. The shotgun was confiscated by police.

I wonder what the new shotgun's name is going to be?

Junior?


later...

Digital Express International In New York City...

I have to tell everyone I know my opinion about a store that I made a purchase at in New York City.


I did not have a good experience at Digital Express International. I cannot recommend this retail store to anyone.

I have already contacted the Better Business Bureau and they have forwarded my complaint to the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York.


Whether or not my issues will be resolved is yet to be seen, however I have made two telephone calls myself to the establishment without any results. I am still a very dissatisfied customer.


There is more than one Digital Express International, but the store that I am not happy with is located at:

35 W 35th St.
New York, NY 10001

And their telephone number is (212) 967-2005.


I have not been in the other Digital Express International store that is located at:

427 Bedford Rd
Pleasantville, NY
(914) 773-6758
(212) 879-7478


I do not know whether or not these stores are owned by a single individual, a corporation, or what. They may not even be associated with each other.

Looking for Information...

When you're trying to decide who you will vote for in an upcoming election, who do you depend on for your information?


Let's face it.

Most of us are short on time and we sit and watch a 30 minute local news segment in the evening for our current events.

And during the commercial breaks we get indoctrinated with the political ads.


Whoever has the best ad wins.


Gosh...

I hope not.


But it seems that is what happens a lot of the time.


It is a lot easier to make a decision on the candidate you'll support when you have someone who is running for re-election in their current office, or for another position in government.

Because they have a voting record that you can look at.

A candidate's voting record will probably give you enough information to make a decision on the candidate you're going to vote for.

But if the candidate doesn't have a voting record, then you will probably have to listen to him speak and debate with other candidates.


You know, find out where they stand on the issues.


And of course, if he is affiliated with a political party, you have the official party platform to look at as well.


If some of you would take the time to look at some of the voting records of your favorite candidate, you may be surprised at what you will find.

But I hope not.


There are only a handful of Americans who have survived the truest tests of what it is to be an American.

And I hope that you will remember those folks...

Honor them by showing up at the polls.

later...

It's Turned Chilly...

I have just finished working on my schoolwork for the night.

I have been preparing for another exam.


I lit the pilot on the furnace this afternoon.

Blustery winds came in from the north this morning...

Stripping our beautiful 80 degree weather out of the atmosphere.


We have had a few cool nights and cool days here and there...

But today the wind felt bitter to me and quite cold in comparison to the weather that we've been having.

While we have ~suffered~ through those chilly nights without the aid of a furnace, I didn't think that it would be very comfortable in the morning without it...

Especially after dipping down to the 40's with 20 mph winds to boot.


I really hate paying for electricity to stay cool and gas to stay warm.

It's really hard on the budget, if you know what I mean.


ONG (Oklahoma Natural Gas) has a program where you can "speculate" on the natural gas market and lock yourself into a fixed rate for the next 12 months.

Last year I signed up for it and started out paying about $2 more per dekatherm before the cost of gas skyrocketed. I was really happy to be locked in when it hit $12 + per dekatherm.

*A Dekatherm is a measurement of energy content. One Dekatherm is the approximate energy content of 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas.

I was paying around $4/dekatherm less than the market rate for most of the winter.


There were a lot of people that had homes smaller than mine who were paying $350/month heating bills.

*yikes*


This year I didn't sign up.


I have thought about it a lot...

And have prayed about it too.


But I don't believe that locking my cost in this year will benefit me and that it will make me pay more than the market price if I did.

I've spent a little time studying the forecasts for the upcoming winter...

And the weather extended forecasts too.


The ~experts~ are expecting lower prices and a milder winter to boot.


If you guys only realized how affected I am physically by the cold weather.

Then you would understand why this is such a big deal for me.

I absolutely can't stand to be cold...


I have one more day to change my mind about the lock in program...

The price of gas for the Voluntary Fixed-Price Plan will be $9.25 per Dekatherm for the 12-month period from November 2006 through October 2007. To participate, you must enroll by October 20, 2006.

I am still paying last year's locked in rate of $8.393 per dekatherm.

Today the cost of natural gas closed at $6.81 per mmbtu.

1 mmbtu = 1 dekatherm (dkt)


Well...

All of this speculating is making my already tired brain feel ~drained~.


You guys have a great Thursday...


later...

Another Reason to Vote...

There's a case that is coming up before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals...

The case is Newdow v. United States Congress.


Michael Newdow is the atheist who fought to get the Pledge of Allegiance out of the California classrooms.

He said that it was bad for his daughter to be forced into reciting the pledge.


They took prayer out of schools when I was a little kid.


And years later, I have wished many times that my Mom and Dad...

And other people like them...

Had fought that decision with everything that they could muster.


But they didn't.


Years ago they legalized abortion.

And there are many times that I wished that my Mom and Dad...

And other people like them...

Had fought that decision with everything that they could muster.


But they didn't...


Today we have cases all across the country that are eroding the foundation that this country was built upon.

From removing the Ten Commandments from courthouses...

Banning nativity scenes from parks and courthouse lawns...

To taking the words "In God We Trust" out of the Pledge of Allegiance...

And eventually moving towards the removal of that phrase from our currency.



There are tens of thousands of people who believe that these actions are wrong...

Yet they won't go and vote for their "voices" in their elected offices and their courthouses.


To sit down and refuse to vote because you aren't 100% happy with the candidates...

As if your refusal to go to the polls will make *your statement* be heard.


You must choose the candidate that will represent your values and your beliefs.

You must realize that unless you are going to run for office yourself, that there is not one candidate that is going to be 100% satisfactory to everyone.


It is not the choice between two evils...

It isn't about choosing between bad and worse.

It is about choosing who will represent *you*.


Who will be your *voice*?


Silence can't be heard.

later...

Now That's My Kind of Classroom...

Most of you guys know that I was born and raised in Texas.

That I am a self-starter...

Independent...

Capable of problem-solving...

A "can do" kind of person...

If I am inclined to do it that is.


Finally, there's a public school that is imparting that same kind of attitude to their students.


Here's an interesting public school program that is probably the only one like it in the country.


We've all heard the stories and have seen the pictures about the school massacres...

Well, the public schools in Burleson, Texas, are teaching their students to fight back.

That's right.

They're telling them to attack their assailant.

Students are also instructed not to comply with a gunman's orders, and to take him down.

Sounds logical to me.

One man.

30 students and a teacher throwing everything they've got at him...


I would rather die fighting than shot dead with my head between my knees.


later...

Beginning Another Week...

I had to take my nice clean 'newer vehicle' out of the garage today and drive to work.

I was called in for one ultrasound, and the one multiplied and became three.

I was working hard on my school work too, and had gotten quite a bit accomplished.

I got home after dark.


I have taken notice that a few rules have been broken from the Time Out that I had called early in the week.


Hmmm...

A record breaking October snowfall (two feet) in the state of New York took two lives.


And today an earthquake in Hawaii.


Of course, there were several other infractions made concerning my time out rule.


Someone at work this evening suggested that North Korea's nuclear testing is what instigated the 6.5 earthquake in Hawaii today. Especially since they haven't had an earthquake of that magnitude in 20 years or so.


I have to say that the thought had crossed my mind too.


I wonder if there is anyone else pondering the same question.

Is it possible to confirm such an assumption?


With North Korea all mad at everyone now...

Especially the United States...

It makes one wonder if they're going to try to lay their head on China's shoulders.

Especially since China has stated that they aren't going to do any searching of the stuff that's going in and out of North Korea.


So another question is formulated in my mind.

Why wouldn't China want to know what is coming in and out of North Korea?

A few possibilities cross my mind:

1. They're shipping similar types of things in and out of their country that maybe they don't want to fall under any sort of scrutiny.

2. They're shipping things in and out of the country that are being used in conjunction with North Korea's "goods". Stuff like spare parts, or integral components of the missiles and things that North Korea makes and sells to Iran. You know, terrorist supporting type of stuff.

3. China has some *plans* that include North Korea, so they really don't want to be on their bad side.

I've talked about China several times in the past.

And one thing that you can be certain of...

Is that China is looking out for her own 'communistic' little a**.


Surely, there are intelligence components around that are keeping an eye on China.

Because I am sure that China is enjoying the distraction that the War on Terror is providing...

And I am certain that they aren't just sitting over there twiddling their thumbs.


China is really interested in a whole lot more than just what they're showing on the outside.


They're also building a defense that is capable of being a formidable force for the United States right now...

Today.

And you had better believe that they have nuclear capabilities too.


They've been pouring a lot of money into their military capabilities and they have acquired a lot of hardware too.

China also has all the manpower they need to operate their equipment. They also have enough people to send armies twice the size of the United States anywhere they want in the world.

You can never forget that China has 1.29533 Billion people.

You must also realize that they are the greatest consumers of oil and energy in the world.

China's oil consumption is growing three times faster than the rest of the world.


And China creates more pollution in the world than anyone.


Why does everyone point their fingers at the United States...

And say things like *we* are consuming all of the world's resources and that *we* are causing global warming?


It isn't true people.


So why do I tell you all of these things?


Because everything isn't as it seems.

And there are those, such as the mainstream media, that have an agenda that they want to promote here in the United States.


All the while, they point out inopportune mishaps in Congress, and other amazing stories that seem to never make the headlines until just a few weeks before an election.


I want to encourage everyone to vote.

I want you to understand the world we live in.

I want you to know that the problems that are attributed to past, or present, presidents aren't always the most important things you should be concerned with today.


Because it's time to look to tomorrow.

And to be prepared for what tomorrow brings.


You have to look past the headlines...

Past the mainstream media...


You have to go to the polls and vote.


It is really, really important.


later...

Searching for Help...

We're needing some rain here again...

The drought continues.


Last night they forecasted that we had a chance of rain tomorrow and Monday.

So I decided that I would wash our newer vehicle.

I was certain that if I scrubbed it real good and wiped it down with a soft cloth that it would be good insurance for some much needed rain.

This evening the 10 o'clock weatherman forecasted that we had 100% chance of rain and that we may have two whole days of it.

He even went so far to say that it would be a "drought breaker", and that we could get as much as 4" here in the Oklahoma City area.

*wow*

I should use that soft ~prayer~ cloth more often.

A nice Sunday rain should also insure that I'll be a 'good girl' and stay home and study.


You guys know how enamored I am with my site counter.

Especially the search engine visitors.


I use the internet every day, and I use search engines tirelessly.


Today I had a visitor that came by through these search terms:

"I'm 85 years old and can't pay my credit card, what can I do?"


Needless to say, my heart went out to this person who was searching for assistance on the internet.


I can only imagine the anxiety that they must feel.


I was saddened however by the thought that they had come to my blog hoping to get an answer...

And then finding that their stop here was of no help to them at all.


I am not a financial advisor, but I certainly understand the pain of what this visitor is experiencing.

One piece of advice that I could give is to not hand any money over to those so-called "credit counseling" services. Much of what they do, you can do yourself.

You can call the credit card companies yourself and negotiate a settlement agreement.

Just make sure that you get them to put it down in writing and send you a copy of it.


The best place that I could possibly send anyone is to Dave Ramsey's website. This man teaches people how to get out of debt. But more importantly, he teaches you Godly principles which helps to keep you out of debt for the rest of your life. He also teaches you how to build financial security in your life.

Something that I am working hard on myself.


I listen to Dave Ramsey's program on the radio whenever I get a chance. It's really good. Sometimes I listen to archived shows on his website.

The amazing thing about it all is that all of this advice is free.

Dave Ramsey also has classes that are available all across the country. And they are very affordable. So are his books.

And of course, there is a subscriber service available as well.


I pray that my 85 year old visitor finds the help that they desperately need.

In fact, I pray that God gives them a miracle.


later...

Still Working Hard...

I'm still at my studies.

Working hard.


But in light of recent somber events...

I thought that I would share with you guys something I found entertaining.


Tonight the local weatherman, Gary England, reminded us about the recent and real threat of global...

*cooling*.


Yes, that real threat in the 1970's...


Our long-term memory seems to be a little on the short side.


It's only a few weeks before important elections for many of us.

I want to urge everyone to go out and vote.



I'll be posting a few reminders here and there for you guys...

In case you forget.


And also to remind you not to believe everything you read between now and election day.


later...

Time Out...

Okay folks...

I'm having to call a time out here.


I am being pushed from too many sides.


This week I have to polish my *gi-normous* paper, finish up some assignments, and take a final exam.


Oh yeah...

I have to go to work, and deal with the kids too.


So...

In light of all of this, I have officially called a world-wide "Time Out".


That means that there can't be any major news events, no catastrophic weather, no earthquakes or floods...

No babies can be born...

And dinner will be microwaveable.


later...

Oh No... That's Okay... You Go First...

Well I have spent hours upon hours on my schoolwork. It is way past time for me to go to bed.

The weather was absolutely beautiful...

Too nice to be inside.

But that is where I was...

a l l ~ d a y ~ l o n g.


Before I go to bed, I just thought I would share something with you guys for your own consideration...

There seems to be quite a bit of thought concerning the possibility of a flu outbreak. Something of a magnitude that hasn't been experienced in many, many years.

And the concern isn't necessarily addressing the bird flu either.

And so an ethical question is presented...

Three gravely ill flu patients -- a 10-year-old with a 30 percent chance of survival, a 40-year-old doctor with a 25 percent chance and a 65-year-old retiree with a 10 percent chance -- all need the only ventilator available to help them breathe. Who would be hooked up to the ventilator and who wouldn't?

I certainly could give up my ventilator for my child if they needed it to survive...

And maybe I could give up my ventilator for someone who would be considered more valuable to society than I am...

Maybe.

But if I were to die...

Who then would take care of my children?

The person who was considered less expendable and survived due to the use of my ventilator?

Somehow I don't think so.


However, putting myself aside, if my children were in need of the ventilator and health care professionals refused to give it to them...

What would I do?


Consider this scenario:

"Let's say I've got a hospital full of 85-year-olds on ventilators and I've got a 20-year-old who needs a ventilator: Do I take an 85-year-old off and give it to the 20-year-old?"

If my grandmother is on a ventilator, would she be asked to give it up?

Or would it just be disconnected and taken from her.


These questions are presented on the premise that there would be a flu outbreak of such a magnitude that there would not be enough ventilators available to treat the influx of patients that could be expected.

"With hospitals across the state already at 85 percent to 90 percent capacity, even a mild pandemic would force doctors and nurses to ration medicine and equipment based on patients' chances of survival..."

If these statistics are true, then the entire health system should be scrutinized and some hard questions asked.

Why are the number of hospital beds not keeping up with the population's needs?

Hospital management has been changing and most hospitals are no longer localized private institutions. They have grown into large national organizations and hospital "chains".

While I recognize their need to survive in the business world, I think they should recognize the business that they are in.

While the "big men in white coats" sit and ponder the answers to these questions, it would seem to me that perhaps they should put themselves in my shoes.

And your shoes too.


Since I am not in the position to discuss and write the policy guidelines for a human health institution, I would like for these "men" to consider the following...

When you make a decision that could have grave consequences for an individual and their families, would you please stop and ask yourself these questions:

Can you deny your child life?

Can you deny your grandmother life?

Are you able to sacrifice your life so that another could live?

If you are not able to answer yes to any of these questions, then I would recommend that you devise an alternative plan.

If your hospital has to buy additional equipment, or even invent new methodogies for severe respiratory illnesses, then I feel that you should be required to do so.


If you can't do that, or lack the will to even try...

Then I think that perhaps you would be one of the expendable persons and you should give your ventilator up to someone who will come up with a more workable plan.

later...

Stark Contrast...

I just got home a little bit ago.

And I've had a very long and tiring day today, but I could not go to bed without commenting about a concept that I feel is very important for all of us to grasp.

I apologize up front for not putting in links like I usually do. Maybe that will come tomorrow, or the next day?

The tragic shooting of the Amish school children in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is heart rending.

I have been too busy to keep up with all the headlines and stories on this tragedy...

The young girl who asked the shooter to kill her first so that the others may live.

And her younger sister offering her life as well.


How about the forgiveness that they have already extended to the Roberts family?


Or the Amish hugging and offering their condolences to the widow of the shooter.


Money is pouring in from around the world to help pay for the hospital and other related expenses that have stemmed from this horrible, horrible tragedy.

With all of that money pouring in...

What have the Amish asked for?

That another fund be set up for the shooter's widow and his children.


The Amish have certainly opened a window...

A window that the entire world can peer into...

And see the true heart of God.


This is a stark contrast to the reaction of the printing of a couple of cartoons of Mohammed, or maybe reading from an ancient text, in that you receive a barrage of death and destruction for it.

You even get a holy war declared out of it all.

But you don't get any "moderate Muslims" standing up or protesting the actions of the "extremist Muslims".

You don't hear about any moderate Muslims extending any condolences to the families of victms either. Much less sending money to the widows and orphans of the dead that were murdered in the name of Allah.

The Muslims state that they will kill anyone who is an infidel. An infidel being someone who doesn't believe in Islam and refuses to convert to Islam.


The entire Amish community have reached out of their isolation towards the shooter's family. They have stated that the Roberts family has a harder road to travel than they do.

Can you imagine that?

No screaming.

No anger.

No threats.

No hate.

Only concern and extended love towards those whom they could easily shun.


Which religion would I be inclined to embrace...

The one that holds a sword to my throat...

Or the one that extends their heart and their souls through their grief; thinking of me in my time of vulnerability and betrayal?


If I were to have the Muslims and the Koran on one hand, and the Holy Bible and the Amish on the other...

Which would I label as the Religion of Peace?

Which one would you choose?


later...

Beauty Queen...

Norma the English Bulldog wants to be a beauty queen!


She's a little shy folks...



But she is all dressed up and ready to go to her big event!


Who will be the lucky guy that will sweep her off her feet?



Norma has a sparkling tiara with matching earrings, a faux fur pink stole with a satin bow...

And her high heels are at the door ready to be slipped onto her dainty little feet.


It just goes to show that with the right make-up and accessories...

Anybody can become a fairy tale princess.

Just hope that you don't fall asleep while you're waiting for the man of your dreams.



You might not hear the doorbell ring!




Norma the Beauty Queen Series will be added to my online store where her gorgeous likeness will adorn greeting cards and gift items.


So what do you guys think?


Isn't Norma hilarious?

Innocent Blood...

Today more children were killed by insanity.

The insanity of a lost society.


A society that has sought to erase its boundaries...

To become a global community.


The Amish lead a simple life...

Yet it is satisfying to them all the same.


We have lost our vision in our quest to satisfy the desires of ourselves and of others...

A quest to satisfy the craving of flesh and men.


No longer does our society look to the one who can heal us of our afflictions...

No longer does mankind look to his Source.


Man looks to himself...

And how he can satisfy his fleshly passions.


No longer do we look to fill our hearts and minds with what is pure and good.

Prayer has become a distant stranger...


God has been banned from our public streets.


Our souls are wandering and lost...

They are condemned to lustful desires and appetites.


We convince ourselves that it's something we need.


While we fill our hands with gold and earthly treasures...

Our sick hearts leaks its lifeblood onto the earth.

16 There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19 a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV)

Here's Norma the English Bulldog...

Here are two more pictures that I will be putting in my online store on CafePress.

Norma is photogenic in her own 'sort of way'.


One thing about taking pictures of Norma...

When I download them onto my computer...

Most of the time I just crack up laughing!



I have a few more pictures that I will be posting from this last batch that I took.

I'm not sure if I will get them posted tomorrow or not. It depends on how much of my schoolwork I can get completed.


Of course, I have saved the best for last!


I think you guys will really enjoy them.


Believe me...

I'm laughing just thinking about it!


=8+D


later...