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(