Hannah & 'The Arnold'

That's the song I have sung to both of my kids. I even have a made up second verse for them ;) So the other night before Hannah went to bed we were "loving" on my bed- talking, snuggling, etc.. I proceeded to sing it to her. It's been a while since I have. She sat there and listened real sweetly, then said when I was done-

"But mom it'll be ok."

"what will be ok babe?"

"it's ok if I run away"

"what?!"

"if I run away I'll be right back ...."

"Hannah what are you talking about?"

"If I run away. I'm your sunshine, I won't take it away. I'll be back"

The Davinci Code

Everyone is buzzing over the code these days because of the new movie that is premiering this weekend. I was so bummed when I heard that not only Tom Hanks was starring, but Ron Howard directored it! I was bummed because I knew I would have nothing to do with it myself.

I personally will not be seeing it because I am not going to allow my dollars to support such apostasy (this is a direct attack on Christianity and nothing less) - even though I love Hank's work, and Ron Howard. My personal conviction is, my loyalty to Christ is more than my love of Hanks, Howard, and well-made movies (because there's no doubt the movie could be entertaining because, well, Ron Howard made it and Hanks is the star!; in this case that's not the point...)

I know enough about my faith, and what the book claims, to be able to answer any questions that come up.

Did Jesus and Mary Magdelene (sp?) have a child? Well shoot no!
Was she pregnant at the cross? No!
Was she supposed to be the head of the church and Peter bumped her out? No!
Did Jesus stay dead and not rise again? NNNNOOOOOO!!!

With the above answers being no, then-
Did the Catholic church cover all this up to push forward Christianity, just another religion? Nope!

See what I mean? We know the answers, the movie really does not need to be seen to counsel a confused one about the issues. The idea would be to know enough about our faith, not about the movie IMO :O) But if one REALLY is curious, to not support the Code, they could read "BREAKING the DaVinci Code", a book that was out last year or so.

Update on me

Lets see .... we'll start with Mother's Day:
my Mother's Day Blessing:

Ponderings from a mom to a "non-picky"
Reading the chef thread made me think again how blessed I am with Jackson. We went to a chinese buffet on sunday and we realized we'd never taken the kids to one- well, a good one. That day my son ate cold-peel-it-yourself shrimp, hot of the same, two oysters in shell, two frog legs, sushi with tuna, salmon, and a california roll (3 pieces all together), fish eggs (is that caviar? duh I dunno), garlic green beans, among other 'regular' things. He had nothing fried. How about that for a 7 yo? even Hannah liked the fish eggs, that was her 'new' thing :)


I started my summer semester today. In the next 8-10 weeks, I will be taking 16 week's worth of:

Introduction to Computers
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Sociology
Expository Writing

I didn't fail my last computer class, but it was not transfer. It's a carbon copy of this one, except this one has one additional project per chapter. The professor told me to save all my work on my pin drive and turn it in when it was due, I say kewl

I had Expository writing today. We are working towards writing out the research sources and thesis for a research paper, but not writing the actual paper. Okkaaayyy, I can handle that. But what do I want to research?

The other thing we will be graded on is, one more topic. We pick our topic- write a rough draft. Turn it in for grade, receive tips. Implement tips, turn in for next grade. Then receve more tips, and turn it in for final grade on paper. What's cool is, I already have a paper ready for this!! When I went to get my GED the one who implemented my practice test said that she'd never had a perfectly written paper before- mine! That she' seen college graduates' papers that were not as good as that one. So I asked that she xerox me a copy. Yep, it's sitting right over there ----------> Woo-Hooo!!!

Last but not least- I got my report card this week- I have a 4.0 average!

DYKs and a funny

I know I need to catch up my blog!! I am out for the rest of the week so this is possible. Maybe tomorrow I'll do a detailed rundown. Are y'all still out there? Gimme a comment so I know!! I'm wondering how A & Carson & Ruth are doing!!

Now onto my DYKs....

DYK I think I made As in all my classes this semester?

DYK my group done our symposium speech on sex yesterday? (lol)

DYK that I got cyber-jumped on by someone in my Christian Graphics group this weekend?
That was weird as all get out. I need to pray for this person. She left the group.

DYK I never type with center alignment so this feels weird?

DYK I need to go separate all our dirty cloths so we can do the laundromat tonight? lol

I come across this video earlier today and I think I burned 500 calories laughing so hard- The funniest 6 minutes you will ever see! Remember how many of these you have done!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

How behind am I?

Pretty behind!! Actually, a post from last week's "I wonder..." post on the 18th from CFL may update better than I can right now:

Wendy made an A on her Dramatic reading presentation for Public Speaking today!! I done the first chapter of "Dinosaurs Before Dark", the first book in the Magic Treehouse series (5th grade'ish level, lol) I ended the chapter and everyone was like "maaannnn! Were there really books? ... (etc..)". She's sort of nervous with her assignment for Friday- a two minete Eulogy- she's wondering if the Lord done this on purpose with her friend dieing last week?

Wendy forgot to turn in both of her Psychology projects before spring break- 20 points of her overall grade. Her professor said she could still turn them in with a 5 pt penalty- so she'll finish the semester with a 95 ;o)

Wendy's ready for a week off between semesters- 13 more days left of school!! Woo-Hoo! She has four classes for summer, two of them are online. (She plans on boosting her MK business in a big way starting in May.) As for work, the other hostess is still not speaking to her unless completely neccessary. It's tense but she's learning to deal with it.

Does her blog take long to load on dialup? Did you know when you join her group you get an email with every blog post (so you don't have to go TO the blog unless you want to comment!) :p

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I done a powerpoint presentation on the World's Finest Chocolate sale for Jackson's school this past fall, today. I believe I done good but I forgot to put transitions in the PP so I know points got taken off for that. We had special occassion speeches this week. We drew from a "hat" what we were doing, and I picked eulogy. Which was bad enough, but one of my friends died on Good Friday, and her memorial service was on Easter night!! I done a eulogy for her, and got an A. I hope it made her smile, it was hard. I could have cried when I sat down. She found out she had cancer and died about 1.5 weeks later. The last time I saw her, she was asking how I was doing with school, was I feeling better, etc ... she knew then she had cancer but was too concerned about me. I can only hope to leave behind the legacy and witness she has!!

I'm still alive ...

Warning: Graphic Intense

We had Spring break last week. I slept, lol We only have 14 more days to go before Spring semester is over and we start summer semester the second week in May. Err- the third. I have a whole week off between semesters- YAY! I'm taking four classes this summer, two of them are online. I decided to change to the college transfer- Business Administration curriculum, instead of going for a straight BA Associate's degree. Now my degree with be an Associate in Arts & Sciences, Pre Major- BA. That way I will have the option of transferring to a four year college if I choose to.

So, doing that, I am having to redo my computer course this summer. The transfer class has one more project per chapter than we have right now. The professor told me to save all of my work from this semester fo the summer on my pin drive so I don't have to repeat all the work. He's cool. He subbed one day for us, and I enjoyed that class enough I just might have switched curriculums to Computer Science, LOL The geek in me was having a good ol time :p

So online I'm doing "Intro to Computers" (lol); and "Intro to Business". On campus I'm taking Intro to Sociology on M●W●F, and Expository Writing on T●TH. So three days I'll be home by 10 and the other two I'll be home by 11:30. Not bad :)

Today is "Slime Day" at Jackson's school. Last fall when we sold $2400 in World's Finest Chocolate $1 candy bars, after they sold ... hmmmm .... I believe it was $200, for every case they sold, they got 1 cup of slime to pour on the Principal's head. Jackson said they told him yesterday that he will have an introductory BUCKET to pour on his head FIRST, lol I'd say so, we sold 44 cups worth! LOL- that's almost three GALLONS! I'm so proud of him *g*

My CTS has been giving me a FIT the past couple of weeks. Usually it doesn't bother me unless I am sick, and even then, it's not every time. Usually when there's infection. But it's really aggrivating me now. I've been wearing my brace more than less for two whole weeks now. This is a first.

However, I cannot stay away from my mouse. During Spring break I decided I was gonna brush up on my siggie making because I had not been able to spend a lot of time on it for the past month or so. So I put out an offer for everyone. I took advantage of the opportunity and honed in some new skills, too. It paid off, I think. I'm pretty proud of these! :) {originally there were eight sigs shown}

Off to class now :)

the headache is here ...

I took tonight off of work so I could go to revival, and I am sitting here with what wants to be a massive headache. It's just sitting here, on the verge of migraine-ville. I've had that eye pressure on my right side (I call it 'droopy eye') all afternoon. Jay again wont make it home in time, and the kids are crying cause they want to go to church. I'm rather upset with J- simply because I feel like he's bailed on church all week :( I'd made plans for my parents to take the kids tomorrow night, but now they still won't have perfect attendance. Not that that's most important, but still, kwim? I'm just frustrated. and this crud isn't going away, either. Just going down to my chest. bleh

Oh I am so not believing what just ...

happened!

Both kids (Jackson, 7 & Hannah, 4) were outside riding their bikes. It had been a few minutes since I checke don them though I was hearing Hannah's little bell on hers, and I heard a car horn. So I stepped outside and there was a car sitting in front of our building, and a woman yells up to me "Is that your little girl?" and I said "Yes" and she says "She just rode out in front of me" and I said "Thank you for being cautious in the parking lot" and she said "she done it on purpose" (huh?)

and I said "She didn't do it to be spiteful, thank you for watching out for the kids riding bikes" and she cocked her head to the side and said "yes she DID do it to be spiteful" and I then looked at her like she was crazy and said "She is four years old and does not have the forethought to do something like that with the intent of being spiteful. Thank you AGAIN for stopping, we really appreciate it" and she hit the gas enough to move to the other end of our building.

It was our new neighbor being dropped off :o/ Lets just hope that woman isn't their ride often!

Sick, Revival

Revival Update- none of my visitors have come so far. Revival is going GREAT. The Evangelist doing it was raised Roman Catholic, and he gave his (hilarious) testimony last night. I've never laughed so hard in church, LOL!!! He's very animated. The Lord is working, you can just tell it. and what's so awesome is we're all having such a GOOD time, too! PTL, he's so good. I have notes I want to type up.

But here's the quote for the week so far:

"Perhaps the reason we see so less of answered prayer is because the average Christian has the average faith of the average athiest"

WOW!!! I mean really! Sit on that a second, how much faith do we REALLY have when we pray for things? I mean, we know God can, but do we pray like he WILL? Whoa~~

I'm still sick. Achey. I don't believe it's strep, maybe more sinus than anything. With that being said, I'm going to bed ...

I'm sick and sore

We went with Jackson to the zoo on his school field trip yesterday. We walked for what felt like forever- uneven ground, too. We were there for five hours. I honestly didn't get a lot out of it- I had more fun on our last field trip in the fall, to this lil ranch where you rode on a horse drawn wagon through the place and the animals come up to you! But Jackson had a lot of fun :)

Anyways, my sinus' seem to be acting up, my throat is hurting, and I'm achey. Last night I thought I was gonna die. Today's not much better. I think Hannah's passing her strep / virus on to me. Jackson has a cough. Hannah's doing better, no fever for 12 hours- first time this week! PTL!!

While I have ya reading I'm gonna mention our revival this week. It starts tomorrow and ends next Friday (yes, I'll be busy). I'll be going through Thursday and I have to work Friday night. Anyways, I've asked a couple of girls from work if they'd come. One doesn't have a ca but gave me her number, I'd be picking her up. Another one hasn't been to church in a long time. Then another I'd like to invite, started talking to m Thursday about her starting to "become Catholic". She's really into this "be a good person" thing. I'd REALLY like to talk to her, so please pray for open hearts and open doors in the time to come! :)

Thanks

Update on Hannah (and an OT joke)

I got Hannah to lay down on the couch with me about 5:30 this morning. My plan was to doze a few minutes, til around 6:15 when I'd get up, get myself and the kids ready and take Jackson to school early then Hannah to the dr. Our dr office is 1 mile from the school, which is 11 miles from home. I fell asleep and woke to Jay about 7:10. So he zipped and got Jackson ready and left me still out of it sorta after Hannah and I crawled in bed.

He come home and made an appointment for Hannah, they should be there now (11:30). I'm posting this from school- he's supposed to leave me a voice mail when they get done. I have one more class today at 12pm. He said her fever went back up after I left, at 7 it as actualy 4/10 from being normal. She's never run a fever like this. She also started up with some diarreah, too. Poor baby. But she's so cheerful, it's amazing.

Okay so a little joke for the day. B (our neice) sent it to me, guess she knew I'd appreciate the candor in it since I teach preschoolers at church. Kids can say the oddest things, but this would definitely be a "bus kid" moment in my class (not meant to be derrogatory to bus kids now!!)

A Sunday school teacher of pre-schoolers was concerned that his students might be a little confused about Jesus Christ. He wanted to make sure they understood that the birth of Jesus occurred a long time ago, that he grew up, etc. So he asked his class, "Where is Jesus today?"Steven raised his hand and said, "He's in heaven!"Mary was called on and answered, "He's in my heart!"Little Johnny, waving his hand furiously, blurted out, "I know! I know! He's in our bathroom!"The whole class got very quiet, looked at the teacher, and waited for a response. The teacher was completely at a loss for a few very long seconds. He finally gathered his wits and asked Little Johnny how he knew this.Little Johnny replied, "Well, every morning my father gets up, bangs on the bathroom door, and yells: 'Jesus Christ, are you still in there?'"

Titled: "Jesus in the bathroom"

5am, Tuesday (re: Hannah)

She's up, fever's back up (103.5), along with the contents from her belly :( I'm gonna take her into the walkin clinic in a couple of hours. For now she's watching Spongebob in the dark. Jackson has now picke dup her cough :(

Update on Hannah

Well, she woke up this morning, fever back, along with vomiting. She spent the day at moms, this afternoon fever was broken. By 8pm, the fever and comiting was back, and she had complained with her throat hurting all day. It got up to 104 since 8, she just got out of the bath and it's down again. Jay is gonna take her to the dr tomorrow.
Please keep praying

Tired of all the profanity on TV?

A guy in speaking today, done his exository speech on the effects of what kids see on TV these days- he spoke of 'cable' in specific. He explained his strict Catholic upbringing, his parents strong moral convictions, and how he some times felt like he was missing out. He then went on to say that as an adult, he grew to realize he did not miss out on anything. That as an adult who at one time cared for other's children in an after school program, how astounded he was at the lack of respect the children had for adults in charge, and the things they said their parents let them watch on TV. It was an interesting speech and he ended it with a challenge to consider what we allow our children to be exposed to, and make neccessary changes in our kid's viewing habits before it's too late.

Seeing him as a single twenty something, I applaud him for seeing the neccessity of this.

We take great concern in watching after what shows Jackson and Hannah watch, praise God they are happy with true age apropriate material, although Jackson is seeking educationally stimulating shows that are IMO beyond his years, but he loves them nonetheless. His fav show right now is "The Most Extreme", which amazes me for him to be only 7.

This is why I was shocked when I got an email from the AFA concerning Fox not using a delay on the live broadcast of the NASCAR race yesterday, resulting in the "s" word being said in front of many, many children. I thought after the Janet Jackson thing, nothing was truly live anymore but under the delay, "just in case"!

Here's the email:


File a complaint with the FCC against Fox Network for using the "s" word.

This past Sunday afternoon, Fox network broadcast the NASCAR "Food City 500" race. During the course of the race, driver Martin Truex, Jr. crashed his car after being bumped by another driver.

Fox network aired a conversation between Truex and his crew chief, Kevin Manion. During the course of the conversation, Manion told his driver, "We missed the set-up today. It (the car) was a piece of s**t.

Fox had been warned about allowing the "s" word on the air. The network could have used a delay and bleeped the profanity. But they chose not to. The network chose to air the segment live. Millions of viewers, including children, were offended by the crude profanity.

Also, please forward this to your family and friends. Together, we can make a difference!

Take Action
Here is your opportunity to make the networks more sensitive to your concern. The FCC is willing to fine the stations, but viewers must complain! Please file a complaint with the FCC against Fox stations for the broadcast of indecent language.

Click Here to File Your Formal Complaint to the FCC Now!

My digital artwork for the night

I made some new siggies today-

I am in awe

Hannah and Jackson spent the night with MIL last night. When they got home this afternoon, as J was taking Hannah's shirt off changing clothes for her nap, I noticed a few marks on her back. They had been playing with MILs cat / kitten, and had just moved onto playing with bubbles. Hannah had jerked her bubble wand back like she did the little stick-with-the-feather on the end thingy, and Miss Kitty jumped for it. Miss Kitty has claws. Yep.

So Hannah gets up from her nap, and as I'm in here on the computer and she's in the bathroom I hear "the breathing". I knew it was plain as day, she was running a fever. When she come in here, she was burning up, and talking her head off. I mean that kid was rambling oonnn and oonnn ... she was running a 103.7 fever! OMGoodness the first thing I thought was she'd gotten cat scratch fever from Miss Kitty (BIL has had it before, not from that cat, it was about 12-14 years ago...). So I jumped on iVillage and looked it up, and the timing and symptoms weren't matching.

So as I am getting ready to shlep to the hospital, J calls one of the other sound guys at church to tell him we won't be there. Our friend says to stick her in a tub of lukewarm water (we'd heard of that) and pour half a bottle of rubbing alcohol in it (had not heard of that). So J did, and I'll have you know within an hour she was down to 100.5 and holding! :-O God is so good! She has never weathered a fever this good! Yes we missed church but PTL no trip to the hospital tonight!

Our lesson in sunday school this morning was on thankfulness- I have a lot to be thankful for, that's for sure!!

Work Saturday night

I had been pondering whether to approach the OH last night, and something in my gut said to wait. I thought about the fact that we do not need someone to ask for forgiveness for us to give it, so does someone really need to know you've forgiven them? I mean, they might not really care, so why say anything to them? Our ability to forgive is between us and the Lord, right?

I continued to be more on the quiet side, but she did speak a little last night. So I thought things were going to smooth over. Then we were getting ready to leave. Usually when the kitchen manager goes up front to run the register tape, he'll start going through the check list verbally making sure everything is done. When the lights went out I knew that he should be on his way to the back door so I went on to the back hallway (right at the corner next to the kitchen) to wait.

I waited ... and waited ... and waited....

Then I heard a sprayer from the sink. One of the kitchen guys was waiting in the kitchen (limited english). Then I hear her voice, her saying " [head waitress] would be mad if she knew the trash was not emptied", and repeated it two more times, because, she was speaking to a guy, who did not understand half of what she was saying!

I go to peep around the corner, and she is holding the trash can, that is underneath the register. WHY was she rinsing it out? It only had PAPER in it!!! So here it is, the hostess' duties are as follows: empty trash under register, in bathrooms, clean the glass on the doors, change the menus for the next day. I would have done that trash can, but I had to reach AROUND here to get UNDER the counter to get the paper towels and windex- excuse me for thinking she'd get it! So that was the ONLY thing I didn't do, and she's going to try to make a deal over me not getting one trash can, when it is her job, too? I KNEW it was going to happen.

Here's what's worse. Hours were supposed to go in to the accountant last night. Guess who called in the hours? You guessed it. I have a problem with this. If my check is wrong Wednesday you bet I'm going to say something. She should not be doing anything concerning payroll! :o/

Worked concessions today

School's intramural tournament was today, so I worked concessions for a couple of hours. It has been a while since I've worked, the kids were so excited. They like it when I volunteer cause they get to play with all their buddies on the school playground. I enjoy it because of the fellowship. I got to chat with another mom who is interested in digiscrapping, something I've rectnly gotten into. Here's my scrap album so far :)

Work was interesting ...

Thursday night, the head waitress, the "go between" the from employees and the owner, since there's not really a General manager there, and I, were talking about payoutsd on the register. I knew that the hostesses were being paid 'under the table', which I really had not sorted my thoughts out on yet, but what got the conversation about it going was us doing a payout to pay one of the kitchen guys. My question was, simply, "I wonder if he (the owner) knows about any possible penalities if the IRS caught on to this ... (thinking) because you're (employees) supposed to pay taxes on the money they make .... (further wondering) if they caught on that he was not taking out taxes, would they go to the employees next, which would require an audit of the last few years probably. Just thinking aloud, ya know? I followed that up with "I'll ask my accountant friend and see what she says..."

I go into work yesterday and had become the pariah according to the other hostess, the one, in which, my spirit had already forewarned me there was going to be problems with her because if her very nature (critical, conescending, two faced / gossip...). Thehead waitress said that she mentioned what we talked about to the owner, and he said everyone would go on payroll to be safe. Then the other hostess starts reaming me in accusing me of "running my mouth" if I would have "kept my trap shut"; "sticking my nose where it didn't belong"- I mean she was outright HATEFUL.

My first reaction / response was "Why are you yelling at me when I did not say anything to him?" that went to I should have not said anything to the head waitress, in which I followed up with "Wh should I not mention any concerns I have with my job, to the one who tells me when to work, and the one who got me hired in the first place, who makes the schedules, and overall is the owner's spokesperson" ... which she follows with "he is the owner of this restaurant and has been doing that for years and if you didn't come in here and say something he would have kept doing it" ...

That was when I stopped and said "You know, I asked a perfectly ethical question, and I am not sorry I did. If, when it was brought to his attention, that he could GO TO JAIL, and he decided to change things, that was his decision." "It doesn't matter how long he has been doing it, if it's illegal, it's illegal. It's unethical and doing it for a number of years does not make it ethical"

It was just horrible.

I lost the last half of this post :( Basically, she did not speak to me the rest of the night. I need to let this go, forgive her, and move on. Please pray for me.

"I am"

This is just awesome-
talk about positive affirmations!


I am me. I am made in the image of God, just a little lower than the angels. I am unique. In all the world there is no one exactly like me. That means that everything which comes out of me is important. Nothing I say is meaningless. Everything about me is important. My body. My mind. My spirit. My dreams. My ideas and opinions. My talents. My feelings (positive and negative). My words. All my thoughts and actions are important and they make me a unique contribution to life.
I can accept myself because God accepts me. I can ensure myself because God loves me. I know I matter because God lived in Jesus Christ and through Him gave me the chance to love abundantly, eternally.
I do not have to be perfect to be loved, because God has loved me even while I was imperfect. This means that I am important even when I have "rough edges" in my life and when I make mistakes, even big ones.
I can fall. I can stumble. God still says, "I love you!" I don't have to have everything cleaned up for God to accept me. And knowing that, I can live with myself. And I have hope that I can take all that I am and all that I have to God (the good and the bad) and He will keep on improving me.
I can be totally honest. I have something to look forward to. With His help and guidance I will be even more effective in living, loving, and serving than I have been before. Tomorrow will be better than today.
I am not afraid to keep at the task of enriching what is good in me and discarding what is not. I can use God's grace and all of my faculties to work at the task of self-improvement. I am worth spending time on.
So I accept the fact that I am important. I have eternal value. I like myself. It is okay to be me. God has said it! I believe it!

Wow, these are huge numbers (re: abortion)

The Alert:
U.S. taxpayers are being forced to help sustain the leading provider of abortions—Planned Parenthood.

The 2003-2004 Annual Report for Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), reveals that the abortion provider performed 244,628 abortions in 2003 —a 6.1 percent increase from the year before. In 2004, Planned Parenthood performed 255,015, another 4.3 percent increase. In all, Planned Parenthood is responsible for 20 percent of all abortions performed in the U.S.

With abortions on the rise, adoption referrals are in rapid decline. In 2003, just 1,774 pregnant women were referred to adoption agencies—nearly a 10 percent decline over the previous year. In 2004, referral numbers declined to 1,414, a nearly 20 percent decrease. Even more staggering is the fact that Planned Parenthood now performs 180 abortions for every one referral to an adoption agency—and your tax dollars are helping to fund this booming business!

But that’s not all, even as Planned Parenthood’s adoption referrals continue to decline, along with annual breast exams (down 17.9 percent since 1998); midlife services (down 51.2%); and the number of infertility and prenatal clients, the organization is rewarded with a 60 percent increase in government grants and contracts. In fact, over the past 15 years, the federal government has provided Planned Parenthood with roughly $2.76 billion. Enough is enough--death and taxes do not mix!

How Your Tax Dollars Are Fighting
South Dakota’s New Pro-Life Law

Your tax dollars are being used to fight South Dakota's new
pro-life law, and I need your help to stop this outrage.
This is what is happening...

As you know, South Dakota just passed a very strong pro-life
law that bans abortion. This is a significant breakthrough
for pro-life citizens.

Almost immediately after South Dakota's Governor Mike
Rounds signed the bill into law, Planned Parenthood
announced plans to defeat the law--either through court
action or by statewide ballot initiative. We expect
Planned Parenthood to spend hundreds of thousands--
if not millions--of dollars to defeat this new law.

This is where your tax dollars come in...

Over the past three reporting years, Planned Parenthood
has received over $760 million in our tax dollars to
fund its programs. You and I are funding the nation's
largest abortion provider. But it gets even worse...

In those same three years, Planned Parenthood spent over
$110 million on public policy expenditures--fighting
lawsuits, legislation, and other efforts.

That means our tax dollars are funding Planned Parenthood--
so that Planned Parenthood can fight us in courtrooms and
legislatures across this nation!

+ + Let's stop this outrage

The Action:
The Center for Reclaiming America for Christ has launched a national petition to rally 150,000 pro-life citizens from across the country who are demanding their tax dollars not be used to fund Planned Parenthood’s pro-abortion agenda.

The petition states that Americans, who cherish the sanctity of life, will not allow their tax dollars to fund an organization whose main interest is the elimination, rather than the preservation, of unborn lives.

Furthermore, this petition urges our elected officials to do everything in their power to keep our tax dollars from being used in such a destructive and despicable manner.

The Timing:
Over the next 90 days, the Center is working to mobilize at least 150,000 citizen petitions for an important presentation to Congressional leaders, calling for the defunding of Planned Parenthood.

Click here to sign the petition

So I'm sitting here in class ....

The woman who sits across from me ... she's struggled in Basic PC Literacy all semester. She's at least bi lingual, if not English being her second language. We're halfway through as of today- ending our chapter and projects in Excel. As we have twenty minutes left in class- I hear a big sigh from her end. She looks like she's about to cry. She whispers over to me- she had just accidentally deleted her TEST- without printing it. She had been working on that thing an hour. I'm so sad for her!

My eye is itching a bit this morning. I have a good idea why. Hannah was rubbing at her eye last night and it looked red (to me). This morning it was all goopy, puffy, and red. I told Jay she needed to be seen by a doctor today so she could get "on the drops" or whatever med needed to treat her 'conjunctivitis'. He had better do it, too! If he doesn't, she will not be able to go to church tomorrow night! And see, he won't be the one who has to tell BOTH kids, we won't be going to church- because daddy didn't take Hannah to the dr today! He won't have to hear the wailing and knashing of teeth- *I* will- because he most likely won't be home in time for church. uhg! and that's so not fair to Jackson.

Jackson's in a spiritual stronghold as of recently, I'm not sure what it is, that's between him and God but I have been praying for him. I know all too well how important it is to be at every service when you're under spiritual pressure. and he's so young, of course physically but spiritually, too. His understandng, or should I say, comprehension is wiser than his physical years- that can be good OR bad, kwim?

He's having academic testing this week. His teacher told the kids they needed to eat breakfast and have a healthy snack each day to do better on the tests. He requested his "healthy, low fat snacks" this weekend. The low fat part was his insert :p I'm so proud of him. If he could count points he would. So I got apples and bananas. He comes home yesterday saying he didn't eat the apple because he has a loose tooth- and everytime he has a loose tooth and eats an apple the tooth falls out. Gotta love the reasoning *g*

Update from here

I just realized this morning that it had been a few days since I blogged. The past few days have flown by with my working. I waited tables Tuesday and Thursday, and Friday and Saturday I hosted. Thursday R, the one who was quitting, showed me some main points that really helped out Friday, like, the credit card machine- running tips, how the register worked (extremely basic, but it has ten deparatment codes shown, we only use one dept code, but unless someone told ya, how would ya know?).

The thing is, R was different. She was from Bulagria, and had a heavy accent. Lets throw in, she was beautiful, too. Something a staff full of women typically hold against another woman. It reminds me of Tea Leanoi's character on "Spanglish" when meeting her to-be housekeeper for the first time and she said "Your GORGEOUS", and her mother says "it's more of an accusation than a compliment". There was a lot of that going on.

From what I have observed, with R's thick accent, people did not want to take the time to truly ccommunicate with her, therefore, they basically treated her like an idiot. This woman is NOT an idiot, this was just a part time thing for her while she was between jobs, and she's moving to NJ for a job in marketing. But I caught a load of crap and flack Friday when the other hostess found out R had showed me some things beforehand. Her words were "Just forget everything she showed you". When she didn't show me anything incorrect, but instead of showing me things beforehand, the other hostess showed me as we encountered things. Not very efficient IMO

She also made a couple of comments in front of customers I thought was rude and uncalled for, basically insinuating I had no idea what I was doing because R trained me. This woman is in her 60s with the maturity of a teen. Not to mention, I have heard her cast judgement on B a few times- which, whew! Makes me even more thankful that I have the wisdom to know, she needs my Savior, NOT my standards. There's only one Christian on staff at this place- my work is my mission field.

So that's what brought me to blogging during Sunday School this morning- Teacher S said we deal with two basic groups of people in our life- the saved and the lost. and it's more likely easier to deal with the lost, because we do not hold the lost to the same standards we hold the saved too. Makes PERFECT sense. Made me think about work. However, common decency and respect for others is not a "saved" thing I don't believe! Now, my bussing the servers tables as I have a moment, and getting drinks for their newly seated, can be attributed to my being saved- cause everyone I've worked with has talked about how wonderful it is to work with me, because I lend a hand when they're out of hands. I just remind them of the Golden Rule :o)

Before I was walking with the Lord, being in the workplace brought on real emotional problems for me. I now know why- it was because I did not have the encouragement of the holy spirit, and the wisdom and understanding I have now. PTL for being a SAHM for 7 years! What growth has occured since then!

As far as school- it's going on. I'm facing a BLOCK with my expository speech, I REALLY need prayer for that. Other than that, things are going well!

We're going to the Zoo at the end of the month with Jackson's school. It's a trip he 'won' for seling over $200 in candy bars ... I laugh, we sold $2450 :p

Lets go get ready for church. We are celebrating our Pastor's 30th anniversery today. This morning they presented him with a 2006 Crysler 300 at the end of service- I would have loved to have seen hat but I was in the nursery. After church tonight we're having a fellowship with a "movie" of Pastor and his wife's past 30 years. It's gonna be so sweet. I might as well not do my makeup cause I'll be crryyyiinngg!

You know, I had a pretty good day today

We were out of school today for a technological conference the staff had to attend. Jay let me sleep while he got Jackson ready for school, then brought me McDs coffee back around 8am. I got up around 8:30 after visiting with him for a few minutes (we hadn't really talked in two days with schedule conflicts...). I got a LOT of laundry accomplished (a bit was already washed / dried, just not out up..), cleaned the kitchen, straightened the livingroom, played with Hannah ... then I had work this evening. The Lord even stepped up and took care of a babysitting conflict, too! PTL!! Gotta love best friends ;o) I've been "ill" a lot lately at home, but it was really nice to just hang out here for a day!!

A couple of highlights that's going on:
My BIL was admitted to the hospital again yesterday. He has severe sores on his legs. This is the one who is morbidly obese who lost about 250 lbs down to 400lbs last year. He's back up around 500 again. One of these days he is going to get the help he needs, and understand the premiseof healthier eating!! My sis is just as guilty though.

My "aunt Bonnie" (the one who suprised us and gave us the money to put down on our car, the one I had been tutoring on the computer there fr a while ...); well, Bonnie has not been doing well. A couple of months ago she had an upper GI test done, and since then she's been having sporatic panic attacks. She has never been quite "all there", I just knocked it off as her taking too many pain killers being a real hypochondriac IMO

Increasingly over the past 5 weeks, Bonnie has been exhibiting more and more symptoms, IMO of paranoia schizophrenia but noone listens to me. She had an episode earlier this week, and her SIL come in to visit yesterday. She found her yesterday evening disoriented, lethargic, so she took her to the hospital. They admitted her (again), and as they were doing tests to rule out any physical causes, they found that she has been trying to cut her self on her left arm. None of us have ever seen it cause she *always* wears long sleeve shirts, even in summer. That was a shocker for us.

So the big thing is trying to figure out what to do. She has a grown autistic son that lives in a group home (has his own personal aide that does a LOT with him). If she goes home with her SIL, that's in FL. Mom and my other aunt would still be responsible for caring for the house and visiting with her ds- but then her ds is going to want to know where mom is :( So it's a big mess. I'm so sad for her, but glad they're FINALLY seeing that she REALLY needs help. I've told mom for months something was not quite right- she had 25 medications in her possession that she took for varying things when she went to the hospital last week with a panic attack. Uhg is the word. She needs salvation, too. Her and my BIL.

Brandy is doing ok. She's getting overwhelmed with work and has taken an extra day off each week, NOW that I am officially hired ;o) That's ok though. She done the 24 hour bucket test for pre ecclampsia, and they done bloodwork, I'm guessing since I've heard nothing more about it, that it come back ok. Something that is bugging me is, her dr's are already planning on inducing if she does not go by her due date. My thought is, why even speculate this early on stufflike that? I mean come on!! She's otherwise having a perfectly healthy pregnancy, why mess it up talk about induction!!?? OK mama bear is done ;o)

I'm so tired, I'm gonna go to bed now! :)

Baseball: God's Style

Of all the forwards I've received over the years, I cannot recall this one, and I like it :)


THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME

Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team.

The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named 'Love.'

Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because "Love never fails."

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch.

Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He was now
going to bring in His starplayer. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Freddy said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"

Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace.
Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by.

He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; the roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence . . for a home run!

The Lord's team won!

The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game. Freddy answered that he didn't know why.

The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you Home:

'For by Grace are you saved, it is a gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

Working tonight- hostessing first time

and it's going to be a crash course cause I was not supposed to start until next week. The one who was supposed to work tonight is sick. Being empathetic, I worked it out where I'm going in around 6 when Jay gets home (he was planning on being later tonight). At least I'll get free dinner ;o) Correct that- B just called, she's gonna hostess and I'm gonna serve. oy. I hope I make some money!

Like my new sig?

"Choice of feelings"

I was just going through some email and ran across this, thought it was good:

Choice of feelings

You create your feelings and you are responsible for them. By controlling those feelings in a positive and purposeful way,
you can profoundly change your life for the better.

If you blame another person for your feelings, what you're really doing is giving that person control over an important
part of your life. If you avoid taking responsibility for your feelings, those feelings can quickly overwhelm you and
leave you powerless.

The way you feel can affect every corner of your life. By taking positive control of your feelings, you put yourself
in a powerful and influential position in your world.

Keep in mind that every feeling you experience is a feeling you have chosen. Though much of what comes your way is
beyond your control, the way you feel about it all is completely up to you.

If your life seems to be stuck, that's a sure sign that you're holding on to feelings that are no longer appropriate. Know that you can let those feelings go and be gloriously free to move quickly ahead.

Feelings are powerful and can bring much richness to life, and the power they have is the power you choose to give them. Choose your feelings wisely, and life will be rich indeed.

Ralph Marston

**SHOUT IT OUT SATURDAY***

I'm shouting out cause I got hired for the hostess job at the restaurant! It will be Thurs - Sat from 4-9, regular schedule, so we'll be able to appropriately plan ofr things. I had initially planned to homeschool Hannah for k4 this fall. Then when I found out about the hostess job I told B to tell them I was interested. That extra income will be enough to cover Jackson AND Hannah's tuition this coming school year, taking that burden off of Jay, Praise God!

So I go to school the other day and tell them I need an enrollment packet for Hannah, and the secretary said that k4 was already maxed and had four already on the list (open enrollment started that day!). Though she said that the odds were high that some kids would drop off, I wasn't feeling well about things, but told the Lord it was in his hands. We got a call the next day, they said they were holding a spot for Hannah to get the registration packet and fee the next chool day. So she's in! PTL!!

What are you shouting about this weekend?

School has been CANCELLED tomorrow (Friday)

I just got a call from Jackson's teacher. Our principal has cancelled school tomorrow because of a growing epidemic of BIRD FLU ("Type A") in the school. Apparently the number of cases reported this week is getting higher and higher. A family doctor of one student apparently said that each family should call their dr and inform them that they'd been exposed and let their dr's decide whether to treat the whole family or not, whether symptoms were present or not. (wow)

Big question is- do I need to go to school tomorrow? I mean, I have already contaminated everyone in my classes if I have it (and looking at the symptoms, uhmm, yep, I'd say I fit the pattern!!). I'd love a day at home in bed but not at the expense of my GPA! Last time I was out I ended up with two zeros! :(

So anyways, if you feel led please pray for the school, and especially the health of our teachers. She said they still had to go in tomorrow to bleach down all the classrooms to get the germs out, etc.. But specifically, there's a boy in Jackson's class, who's brother has a rare heart condition that has left his immune system compromised. Anything, a sniffle, could send him to the hospital. He's 9 years old now I believe. Please pray for extra protection for this fella! He's homeschooled but his brother of course is not, and our class is extra cautious about not sending the kids if they have the least of a fever, etc ...

Thanks

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood ....

It's currently 76o here in Western Piedmont North Carolina. Has to be the most beautiful day we've had this far. Both of the kids are dying to get outside to ride their bikes and skate. (Being sick all I wanna do is crawl in bed...)

It's going to be like this tomorrow, too- then mother nature is going to shift yet again and leave us with a high of 56-56o from Friday thru Sunday, then it will drop to 50 on Monday. We all know what this means- with the flu index being "extreme" as it is now, in the next coming days we can probably expect illnesses to escalate. Yep, having a low grade fever for going on 24 hours is turning me into Eeyore ;-)

So what's the forecast for your neck of the woods?

I am really sick ...

Tuesday I woke up with CTS acting up in my left wrsit / arm. So I was wearing my wrist splint to keep it 'still', all Tuesday andyesterday. Earlier this week I had noticed my throat being scratchy, hurting to a degree, but different than if my sinus were draining, etc .. you know how moms are, I shrugged it off ... until Wednesday talking to some ladies at school. I made the comment- "You know my left arm has not hurt like this since I had strep throat two years ago..." then it hit me.

The dr said that strep can aggrivate existing conditions (don't remember the reason) but that was why they gave me the splint to keep the last time I had strep. I told myself day before yesterday I'd better be careful, but what can ya do? uhg

Yesterday my arthritis in my hips were radiating, my were are all 'stopped up' feeling, I was sneezing my head off, throat hurting, and viola- I started running a fever and acheing all over. The CTS wasn't as bad as it was though, PTL

Today I am not any better. Still sick and feverish. My sore throat isn't as sore as I thought it was compared to the rest of my acheing :( I made it through school today though and made a 100 on my computer test PTL

Moral being, PLEASE pray for me! I so cannot miss any more school! If I do I can't go to our ladies prayer advance in a few weeks! :...o(

Test / Grade results for this week

I got my tests back from Friday- I made a 98 1/3 on my Finance test, and a 99 on my Algebra test (missed a sign...); got my self introduction presentation grade back, and even though I went six minutes OVER the time limit (baptists...)- I STILL (by the grace of God!!) made the highest B!! PTL!! Everything else was "perfect" except for one thing and I got one pt taken off for that. ~whew~ I tell ya! I was sweating that grade big time!

I woke up this morning with great pain in my left wrist / thumb joint. So bad I made Jay find my arm / wrist splint and I wore that all day. Not sure what's going on but boy does it hurt when I move it "just so".

Don't step on the ducks!!

Three women die together in an accident and go to heaven.

When they get there, St. Peter says, "We only have one rule here in heaven: don't step on the ducks!"

So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one.

Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest man she ! ever saw.

St. Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man!"

The next day, the second woman steps accidentally on a duck and along comes St. Peter, who doesn't miss a thing. With him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first woman.

The third woman has observed all this and, not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps.

She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, but one day St. Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on ... very tall, long eyelashes, muscular, and thin.

St. Peter chains them together without saying a word.

The happy woman says, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?"

The guy says, "I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck!"

*::::::Daddy's Poem:::::*

*::::::Daddy's Poem:::::*

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.


But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.


But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back,
for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called
a student from the class.
to introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
for a man who wasn't there.


"Where's her daddy at?"
she heard a boy call out.

"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
too busy to waste his day."


The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
he taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.
"Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
he'll forever be in my heart"


With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far ...

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.

And to her mothers amazement,
she witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.

It could have been here ...

I'm just thinking aloud here, but, part of the reason the President vowed war against terrorism, by being in Iraq ('better there than here'), was to keep the attacks away from our soil. Right? So when I see articles like this, I wonder if the fact, that we are NOT being attacked, on our soil, now, could be, that- the President's plan *is working* at least to a degree?

---

Feb 25, 4:02 PM EST
Al-Qaida Threatens More Saudi Attacks

By DONNA ABU NASR
Associated Press Writer

A statement appeared on a militant Web site saying that Friday's attack was "part of a series of operations that al-Qaida is carrying out against the crusaders and the Jews to stop their plundering of Muslim wealth." It was signed "al-Qaida in the Arab Peninsula" - the name of the Saudi branch of the terror network.

The statement did not acknowledge that the attack was foiled. In fact, it claimed that the two "heroic holy warriors" managed to enter Abqaiq.

"There are more like them who are racing toward martyrdom and eager to fight the enemies of god, the Jews, the crusaders and their stooges, the renegade rulers" of Arab countries, the posting said.

"You will see things that will make you happy, god willing," concluded the statement.

Al-Qaida had long threatened to attack Saudi Arabia's oil plants, but Friday was the first time it actually attempted to do so. Previously militants linked to al-Qaida had killed foreigners working in the industry, but not at oil facilities. ---

Al-Qaida is led by the Saudi-born Osama bin Laden, who has long sought to replace the Saudi monarchy with an Islamic government, accusing the royal family of selling out to American "infidels." In late 2004, bin Laden released a video in which he called for attacks on oil facilities to hurt the West. ---

The militants launched a campaign in 2003 to overthrow the U.S.-allied royal family.

"In Washington's God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of Our Country"

has anyone read this book? If so what did you think about it?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/046505126X/ref=dp_proddesc_0/103-9555970-8756627?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155

Point to Ponder- re: Minimum Wage

It has been mentioned that increasing the federal minimum wage would increase low income workers purchasing power. I can see this, and it would probably help the economy as a result. I've read that Congress is working on raising minimum wage by $1.50 over the next few years.

However, Opponents of this say an increase in minimum wage will force some employers to let people go, because they will not be able to afford the wage increase.

Do you believe the overall economical benefit of increase minimum wage will outweigh temporary cutbacks in jobs for smaller businesses?

RECALL NOTICE:

RECALL NOTICE:


The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units
manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect
in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named
Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the
same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically
termed, "Subsequential Internal Non-morality", or more commonly known as
S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish, or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault
for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service
free of charge to correct this SIN defect.

The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously
offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these
repairs. There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once
connected, please upload your burden of SIN through
the REPENTANCE procedure

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician,
Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers Instructions
Before Leaving Earth), for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction
voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and
problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being
permanently impounded. For free emergency service, call on JESUS.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this
recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN
defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Thank you for your immediate attention.

GOD

Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice!!!

I haven't seen this in a long while, IMO it's pretty good!

Question to ponder ...

from some's POV-
"Why is it only greedy to keep what you have but not for people to take from others what they think they deserve?"

Two zeros in one week!

When I was absent last Wednesday and Thursday, I missed a quiz in one class, and a test in another (didn't realize there was one, but low and behold, it was in the syllabus). The quiz I missed is cancelled out by my two 100's on other quizzes; and in the other class she drops the lowest two test grades. That still stinks cause it was a test on WINDOWS. Pulease! I was hoping to drop a real-bad grade, like for stuff I really didn't know about and all!!

Friends I'm really needing some prayer now. I've let some things unravel and now I'm trying to pick up the pieces No my world is not crumbling down, but I'm wearing down a bit mentally and I need to be lifted up. I'd appreciate it.

Yep, I needed to hear that!!

My sweet little boy got a dirtbike for Christmas. Lately, though not having a significant amount of practice in riding his bike, he has gotten rather adventurous. He has tried twice to start at the top of our sidewalk, and ride down the two spaced steps down it to where the parking lot starts ("bump" ... go two feet ... "bump" ... go two more feet ... "bump" - in the lot).

He has been outside for a while now, so I stepped out to check on him. He's about to try his new stunt, so I instrictly say "Don't you run into my car now...", he successfully gets into the parking lot and I say "Well look at you big boy!" and he says as he;s riding off ....

"Oh mom .." (I say yes, and he says-) "You know, it's not YOUR car. It's God's car. He's the one who made it- you didn't"

Thanks for the reminder, son.

Gotta Bloggit- Kellie Pickler

Posted on Wed, Feb. 15, 2006
Albemarle waitress makes the cut on 'Idol'
Four N.C. contestants make Top 24
MARK WASHBURNTV/Radio Writer

"American Idol" reached into familiar territory Wednesday, bringing four Carolinians into the finals.

Kellie Pickler of Albemarle, Heather Cox of Jonesville, Bucky Covington of Rockingham, and Chris Daughtry of McLeansville joined the final 24 singers who will compete this year.

Other Carolinians who have made the cut include 2003 runner-up Clay Aiken of Raleigh, 2004 winner Fantasia Barrino of Charlotte and Sarah Mather of Charlotte, eliminated in 2005.

Pickler, 19, an Albemarle roller-skate waitress, wowed the judges in the Greensboro auditions with "Since U Been Gone" and faced the judges on Wednesday night's show for a thumbs up or down on making the final cut.

Her blond hair falling across her face, Pickler walked the length of a Pasadena ballroom and sat down in front of the judges, bracing for the worst.
Paula Abdul broke the news. "We'll be seeing you," she said with a wink. "You made it through."

Pickler buried her head in her hands and wept. Then regaining composure, she had a cosmetics moment, blurting out that she'd bought waterproof mascara after the Greensboro audition.

"Is it working?" she asked. It was.

"American Idol" on Fox is TV's No. 1 show. Tuesday night's show got nearly three times the rating in Charlotte as the Winter Olympics on NBC.

Pickler's twang-plucky voice made her a favorite of the judges and her hard-scrabble background made her a favorite of "Idol" producers in Greensboro.

Pickler explained to them that she lives with her grandfather, Clyde Pickler, because her mother left when she was 2. Her father has been imprisoned much of her life on a variety of charges ranging from assault to robbery.

Pickler was exposed to Charlotte audiences last year in "Gimme the Mike! Charlotte" on WSOC (Channel 9) in which she advanced to the finals but didn't win.

Other Carolinians got cut in the earlier Hollywood rounds.

Gotta bloggit- Mandisa

I just found an article that records what happened with Mandisa this week (emphasis mine):

In a confrontation that had been promoted in previews, Mandisa Hundley talks to Simon about his comments after her first audition. Mandisa says “Well, you didn’t need a bigger stage but you could have got a bigger chair. Simon, a lot of people want me to say a lot of things to you, but this is what I want to say to you.

It’s that yes, you hurt me, and I cried, and it was painful, it really was, but I want you to know that I’ve forgiven you, and that you don’t need somebody to apologize in order to forgive somebody, and I figure that if Jesus could die so that all of my wrongs could be forgiven, I can certainly extend that same grace to you so I just wanted you to know.” Simon replies “Mandisa, I’m humbled, come here give me a kiss.”

However, the two never actually kiss, but just share a hug instead. After letting Mandisa know that she has made it to the final 24, Simon and Mandisa hug again. Simon claims that “we’re sort of dating,” but Mandisa responds “you’re not my type.” As Mandisa walks away, Simon finally says “I do apologize.”

I'm such a weenie. I'm not sure why that scene has had such an emotional effect on me. The courage it took her to say that ... but how freeing at the same time!! What a mighty work of the holy spirit in her life!! Come to find out she is a popular gospel singer. I can't wait to see her again.

Whatta week

I thought I might have accidentally got a job last week, but turns out not. My neice is a waitress at a nearby locally owned restraurant. She left me a voicemail while I was in school last Friday saying that they were really needing help, would I please come help her, lol I have not waited on tables in 13 years!! But immediately my spirit said "Yes", so mom said she'd watch the kids til Jay got home.

All in all it went pretty well. 90% of my customers were regulars who loved B (my neice) and were happy to have "the next best thing" LOL!!! They started seating me at 5 and I was waiting on my last tables at 8, and I made $31, not including the $10 (total) for the hourly wage. Not bad!!

I thought it was interesting after it occured to me when I got home I had just said Thursday I needed a refill for my med, and the Lord sent me the opportunity to earn the $30 co payment it would cost!! :O)

I went back and worked Saturday, and then Tuesday. B told me tonight they hired two full time servers at the restaurant, said they didn't need me to come in tomorrow night :( She said they REALLY want to hire me, but they're wanting to only hire FT people and I can't work during the day :o/ But one of the new girls "can't" work saturday nights so I told B that would be an ideal thing. Then she said in a few weeks there will be a hostess position open, we could probably work a Thurs-Fri & Sat night deal, that's like $10 an hour, so not too bad. About the same as serving, but guaranteed. Maybe the Lord is throwing me a bone? ;o)

So what do y'all think of this year's American Idol? I'm pathetic. I was a nervous wreck last night. Cried three times. Kellie is from Albemarle, this TINY town Jay and I lived in not long after we got together. He was transferred there for his job. It makes my skin crawl to know just how small that town is, the nearest "city" at least thirty minutes away ... to know the humble "down home" town she grew up in ... ::::snnifff::::: Oh that girl tore me up!!!!

Then Mandisa went and said what she did last night! WHOA!! Please tell me someone saw that beside me!!

Getting to know me

This is gonna turn into my "novel of moi". I need a good title for this, got any ideas?
I'm going to start with seven ....

1) Have your kids had the chicken pox?
Neither of mine have had chicken pox as of yet. Both have had the vaccine, though. I'm waiting to see how Jackson is going to do today. I feel so bad for him. He's like a radiator!

2) Did you go on a honeymoon? Where? Tell us about it.
My dad paid for our honeymoon. We went to Banner Elk, and stayed in dad's timeshare he has up there. We fished every day in the lake (pic's in that last link). It was awesome because it would be between 72-78oF during the day, then get between 40-50s at night. There's gas logs in the units so we had the best of both worlds, in July!!

3) If you could tour one country all expenses paid, where would you go?
Italy, hands down. If I believed in former lives, I would have to say I was Italian, LOL I love everything about that country as far as the food, land, etc. In Italy they stop in the middle of the day, like whole towns, to take a nap. That's my kind of place!!

4) What is your life verse and why?
Proverbs 3:5-6, self explanatory ;o)

5) What kind of car do you drive? What is your dream car?
I drive a white 2004 Pontiac Grand am, my dream car is a brand new pink Cadillac :p

6) If you work outside the home, what do you do, and do you like it? If you don't, what job would you like if you decided to/had to go to work?
I work in and out- I have a Mary Kay business!

7) What does your family do to celebrate Easter?
Church, dinner, ressurection cookies and biscuits ..

8) Are you naturally a morning person, or do you need "special conditions" to be able to function in the morningtime?
Yes, I require special conditions- an early bedtime, an early wakeup (having the ability to kick around a bit before I have to get ready...) and a good cup of coffee! Otherwise it's just not natural, lol I used to have to be at work at 6am every morning, it was nothing for me to hop out of bed around 4, shower, primp, and be all cheery and such BY 6!

9) Which way do you hang your toilet paper?

I don't, too lazy, lol is that bad? I don't even know where the spindle is :p

10) Do you remember where you were when the space Shuttle Challenger blew up in 1986?

Yes, I do. I was in 5th grade, they had brought a TV into our classroom so we could watch :o( That pretty much turned me off of any hope for a space fascination, really.

11) If money were no object, where would you go on your dream vacation? (I want details--time of year, weather, activities, etc.)

(copied form a previous post-) Italy, hands down. If I believed in former lives, I would have to say I was Italian, LOL I love everything about that country as far as the food, land, etc. In Italy they stop in the middle of the day, like whole towns, to take a nap. That's my kind of place!!

As for what we would do- I would want to go during harvest time and participate in the wine making process; I would want the weather to be fall'ish, I would want to visit the local restaurants, family and gourmet, and follow the chef's around and pick at their brains (hey, money's no object, I could buy that, couldn't I? ;o)

11) When did you first know there was a God?

Wow, what a great question. I truly understood there was a God when I was 14. I knew 'about' God while I was younger, but the understanding was not there. I believed when I was 21.

13) Up to this point what has been the best day of your life?

(copied from another post-) The day I witnessed Jackson being born again. That was priceless. I would dare say that seeing that happen was better than receiving my own salvation, but it is because of my own salvation and relationship with the Lord, that made that event as precious as it was- because I did have a clue. When I got saved I didn't have a clue as to what life would be like, but seeing him get saved, I knew that his life was going to be better than mine was growing up.

14) How to you talk to others to share Christ with them, if they are non saved?

I talk about him whether they're saved or not ;-) My conversation is pretty much a testimony, be it expressing thankfulness for 'whatever' (weather, that I didn't fall on that step, test grades, lol etc). It took me a while to be comfortable with the level of spirituality in my conversation, but the verse "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31) really grabbed a hold of my heart and he would not leave me alone until I started speaking.

I guess he knows me well enough to know that one thing I do-do well is talk to people, and talking is something I do, therefore my conversation should be "to the glory of God". At first I was afraid people would cast me off as "religious", but I've found the opposite (imagine that, lol). I believe there has to be a level of tact, humility, and respect bundled into one when doing this, especially when you don't really KNOW who you're talking to, if that makes sense.

All this to say, my life is an open book with his praises coming off on every page. People tend to bring the spiritual side up them selves; so if they wanna talk, they know I'm all ears. Now, I do invite people to church, and to MK meetings (some meetings are quite spiritual depending on who's speaking- MK's philosophy is God first, family second, career third, and that is alays mentioned when guests are present. Which gives me another way to talk about the Lord- when I talk about MK to people ;-)

Chicken Pox?

When I picked Jackson up this afternoon he immediately started saying how his head was hurting. He was quiet all the way home, with our car pool friends in the car. Usually I can't get him to settle down on the 11 mile ride back from school. Then after we dropped the boys off, and run back to mom's to pick up some stuff, I looked back at him and his color was completely drained. Being a orange haired, fair skinned, blue eyed-child as it is, it doesn't take much, ya know. I felt him when we got to moms and no doubt there was a fever. He was allll quiiieeettt. Not like him at all.

I then called his teacher to let her know and she said at lunch he was complaining with his head hurting which she thought was odd, but there have been a ouple different viruses that has been making their rounds around school the past few weeks. I called her because we have a sibling of a classmate who has a rare heart condition and is immune-compromised. Our teacher stays in contact with the boys' parents with what is going on health-wise in the class so they'll be "extra-informed". Not to mention I wanted to get an idea of what work he could do at home while he was out.

It got to be bedtime and he started winding down after playing with Hannah and his new friend LousMarina (sp?) at the laundromat, and the body aches started. Well, I say body aches, he weathers fevers like I do, and it feels like death to me! There's nothing that is right when I run a fever, he's the same way.

Then I thought about my cousin's dd who just returned to school from having chicken pox. They go to the same school, and are in children's choir together. To say the least they're around each other enough for me to conclude it would be safe to say he was exposed to her when she was contaigous. Uhg. I guess better now than ever, huh?

Does anyone have any good tips on how to help him get through this as painless as possible? poor little guy. I always feel bad when he runs a fever because he is so polite, kind, obedient, loving, and I enjoy it ... and then I feel bad like I'm enjoying him being sick or something!

Catching up on Laundry; Ebay

Laundry has to be my most dreaded chore of all. I have the hardest time keeping up with it. I am hoping since we're getting into more solid routines now that I'll gain the ability to stay diligent with laundry. But for now, I'm behind.

I went to a new laundromat today called "Laundra Bright". It's a really neat system they have there. They have these HUGE washers along with smaller ones. A 2 load, a 4 load, and the huge one is a 5/6 load. I had a regular sized storage tote overflowing with Jackson's clothes that I put in the 5/6 load machine, and an overflowing round basket of Hannah's clothes that went into the 4 load washer. I literally done what would have equivalated to an easy 6 loads, packed in the washer today in the same time as one wash / dry cycle! and I still have a hallway full of clothes to go! LOL! But all that today for the bargain price of $11. Can't beat it.

I'm thinking of opening up a Ebay store. I have tried to find consignment shops that I liked the clothes that would do trades and have been unsuccessful. I figure Ebay would be a good option to sell our gently used items. What do you think? Any Ebay'ers out there?

"The Mischevious Brothers"

Two little boys, ages 8 and 10, are excessively mischievous. They are always getting into trouble and their parents know all about it. If any mischief occurs in their town, the two boys are probably involved.

The boys' mother heard that a preacher in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So the mother sent the 8 year old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the preacher in the afternoon.

The preacher, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, "Do you know where God is, son?" The boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open. So the preacher repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is God?!"

Again, the boy made no attempt to answer. The preacher raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, "Where is God?!" The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him.

When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, "what happened?" The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, "We are in BIG trouble this time.

GOD is missing,
and they think we did it!

The sweetest gift I have ever received

This question was asked on one of my boards today, and thought it was worth a repeat here :)

The sweetest gift I've ever received would be ..... being able to witness Jackson being born again. That was priceless. I would dare say that seeing that happen was better than receiving my own salvation, but it is because of my own salvation and relationship with the Lord, that made that event as precious as it was- because I did have a clue. When I got saved I didn't have a clue as to what life would be like, but seeing him get saved, I knew that his life was going to be better than mine was growing up.

How about you?

NBC cancels 'Book of Daniel'

(Woo-Hoo!!!)

NBC's anti-Christian program The Book of Daniel has been cancelled! Your efforts, combined with those of hundreds of thousands of other AFA Online supporters, had an impact.

NBC's decision to pull The Book of Daniel shows the power of the pocketbook. NBC didn't want to eat their economic losses. Had NBC not had to eat millions of dollars each time it aired, NBC would have kept The Book of Daniel on the air. Because of your efforts, the sponsors dropped the program. NBC then decided it didn't want to continue the fight.

Even an impassioned plea by Daniel's producer Jack Kenny could not match your participation. "Ordinarily, I would never ask anyone to do this, but the AFA and bullies like them are hard at work to try and prevent you from seeing these beautiful shows, and that is censorship—pure and simple. And that is both un-Christian and un-American," Kenny wrote. His attitude is typical in today’s society. Non-Christians telling Christians what is Christian.

People like Kenny don't want people like you to have a voice. They want to deny you the right to get involved. You are supposed to sit back and take the trash. And when you do speak up they call you names.

This shows us that we don't have to simply sit back and take the trash, but we can get involved and fight back with our pocketbooks. I want to thank the 678,394 individuals who sent emails to NBC and the thousands who called and emailed their local affiliates.

Thanks for caring enough to get involved!

Sincerely,

Don

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

"Childhood Drug Problems"

I got this email and thought it was good-

"The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place."

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I made a new sig last night, too-

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I've been in bed all day today with a major headache, dare I say, a migraine. My first public speaking presentation is tomorrow, please pray for me! I feel pretty confident, but prayer always helps. I made a 100 on my second quiz in that class Friday. I'll know how I done on my Algebra and Personal Finance test tomorrow. I'm hoping I done good on those, too!!

How was your weekends? Feel free to link me ;o)

Today's Forecast

Turning cloudy, windy and cooler

High Temperature: 50° F
RealFeel®: 41° F

Winds: WNW at 15 mph
Wind Gusts: 34 mph
Maximum UV: Moderate (3)
Thunderstorm Probability: 0%
Amount of Precipitation: 0.00 in
Amount of Rain: 0.00 in
Amount of Snow: 0 in
Hours of Precipitation: 0 hrs

Again! Oh my goodness I got caught in a dust storm in the gravel parking lot today!! I really, really need some good gloves to wear. My hat and scarf my SIL got me for Christmas has been awesome. However, I just noticed a little while ago that I have a layer of fine black fuzz on my neck where my scarf was. I wonder if I had that going on all day and noone told me? Oh well ;o)

Tomorrow is my first PC Lit. test, I sure hope I do good. I have a math test on Friday, and my teacher said if we didn't have any questions Thursday we didn't have to come to class. (God threw me a bone and I'm catching it!!) so as soon as I am done in my PC class I am coming home and dieing (not literally of course).

I have an ear - nose - throat - chest thing going on. Everything is rattling, pressure behind my sinuses, UHG!!

Hey Jay's home, gonna run!!

Quiz results, kids conversation, chugging along

Well, I missed two on my Public Speaking quiz from Friday, that left me with an 85. I have two more, no, three? more tests this week in other classes. I'm also doing my first presentation in my public speaking class on friday, too! Our group is presenting the third chapter in the book. You know what's funny is that there's a girl in my group I already had thought about offering a MK facial to. When she complimented me on my purse (MK hostess gift), I asked if she wanted one- she's a consultant! LOL!! She just signed up in late November under a National Sales Director our in Missouri, so I've invited her to join our unit meetings ("adopt" her in). How cool! and her director is awesome, I got to hear her speak last summer and she really spoke to my heart big time.

So here's a conversation that happened at our table tonight:

Hannah: "Look Jackson, I found my ring! Now you can marry me!"
Jackson: "Hannah, I am not marrying you. It's against the rules."
Me (to Jay): "He's been trying to get out of marrying her for a week now"
Jay: lol
Jackson: "Hannah I am going to pick the woman I am going to marry, I'm not marrying you"
Hannah: "But I'm your siiisstterrrr" (because that qualifies as a woman, right? LOL!!)
Jackson: "That's right! and you don't marry your sister. It's against the rules. If you marry your sister, baaaaadddd things happen .... right mom?"
Me: "Jackson, where did you hear this from?"
Jackson: "I just know. Noone told me. You just don't marry your sister."

WELL, I guess THAT settles it!! :p

Jackson gets his report card tomorrow. I'm really excited!!

I'll tell you what. Mucinex WORKS!! While I still feel sluggish to a degree, I know I could be feeling a LOT worse had I not started taking that last night. My throat still feels constricted, and my chest is still tight when I breathe deeply, but it's keeing me well enough to function, and for that I thank my Lord above!! I had to walk to class in 44o light rain, I was really worried this morning. But a few of my prayer warriors got busy and by the end of my second (of four) class the sky was clearing up :o) PTL!!!

Jackson passed his cooties

He still has a nagging cough, but it's just nagging not as deep as it was a few days ago, and went bacl to school on Thursday. Jay and I have picked up the cough, and mine is getting deeeepp. It's turning into that barking sound. I'm going to take some musinex soon- I just feel my bronchial tubes tightening up. The kids spent the night with MIL last night and Jay went down there for the afternoon. I spoke with him a little while ago and he said Hannah was running a fever now. Now we know what that means. That drama queen never runs a fever and leave sit at that. So we have another dr's visit coming up soon, except it will have to be mom who takes her, because I'll be in school!!! Well, I guess I can make an appointment for later in the afternoon, that would work I guess. Who knows. All I know is I'm SICK and I only have 5 hours for each class I can miss. uhg!!! I told my algebra teacher early last week that I didn't care if I was running a fever- I was coming to class if it killed me, lol

My first quiz is Friday

It's in my public speaking course. I need to go finish reading the chapter. This one snuck up on me. Sheila was right, when I write this stuff down in my calendar, I need to daily refer back to my calendar!!! It does me no good otherwise!!

By the way, I'm feeling a little better today than I did yesterday. Thank you to whoever prayed for me!!

Tried two new recipes today

One was the WW garden veggie soup (0 pts) I forgot the zucchini so I added more cabbage, and cooked the veggies a lot longer (done the riso (sp?) approach- used cooking spray at first then added brother little by little to keep it from burning ... turned out VERY tender veggies!!). Hannah done most of the work what with the stirring and all .... I'll definitely be doing that one again.

The other one was a (4 pt per half cup) southwestern egg salad I done for breakfast tomorrow (for me) but the kids had it tonight for dinner and loved it. Jackson mopped it down. It had finely chopped sweet red bell pepper, a little onion finely chopped, fresh cilantro minced, mayo (not a lot), ff sour cream, salt, pepper and cumin. It was good and I'll do this one again :)

So I have half a red bell pepper sliced and packed for snack tomorrow, as well as a carrot - "sticked", and two carrots "sticked" for Jackson tomorrow, both of us carrying some of that soup for lunch. I love it that my son is such an eager, non picky eater. It's a real blessing.

So do we think I'm on the track? I weighed yesterday-I have my new ticker up :o)

Uht Oh, someone stick me in bed

Here are the weather details for our area today from www.accuweather.com -

Windy and colder with increasing amounts of sunshine

High Temperature: 50° F
RealFeel®: 42° F

Winds: W at 15 mph
Wind Gusts: 34 mph
Maximum UV: Moderate (3)
Thunderstorm Probability: 1%
Amount of Precipitation: 0.01 in
Amount of Rain: 0.01 in
Amount of Snow: 0 in
Hours of Precipitation: 1 hrs
Hours of Rain: 1 hrs

Okay, I had to WALK in that today!! By the time I got to my first class, my fingers were numb, my hot coffee was lukewarm, the pressure behind my left eye was tremendous, I was seeing spots, and gasping for air! That was one major cardio workout there!! and I have to go back tomorrow, but at least the gusts will be down to 4mph and there'll be a high of 64o Praise God.

I'm afraid the damage is done. I "feel" it. Not sure what "it" is, but it's there. Did you ever see the episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where the guy sneezed on him in the airport restroom? I feel like Ray did- you know- "like you feel the day before you get the flu- the day before that" (LOL!! That's a funny episode)

Classes were good today. I have a lot of homework, reading mostly. PTL my Psychology professor stopped on page I quit reading last night with the intentions of finishing it this morning. But Jackson was running another fever this morning so I slept an extra hour. This is his third day out of school. I have all his work here, he just won't do it.

I spoke with Jay last night about my recent struggles with the kids. It's like they've decided NOT to obey! I don't know what's going on with them but my nerves are getting shorter and shorter. Jay will have to ensure Jackson's work is done tonight. He should be getting home any time now. I've decided to assign the kids chores for each day. Just got to figure out what they'll do.

Uhg- I just feel rough. I'm gonna go try to read some, Take care!!