Say No to Robots.

Original Artwork by Kaden (drawn at age 10)

Robots find words, and only people can find relevance.

~ Alli Worthington

Hi there. I'm sure if you were listening to the buzz yesterday on Twitter, you heard about the new site: "Blissreads". Blissreads is a project that was put together by Alli Worthington, creator of the Blissdom blog conference that I attended last year in Nashville (and her amazing team of geekish friends).

Blissreads is a site where PEOPLE (not robots or internet 'spiders') share the best of the best on the web - the blog posts they read that make them smile, cry, laugh-out-loud, or exclaim "EUREKA!"

It's like a content blog carnival that goes on every day, all day... a place where you can be sure to find the most interesting things to see and read.

I'm one of those people. I'd love to replace a robot in your life and be your human content filter. I wanna sift through the digital muck for you - and hand you the shiny sea glass of blog posts on the net.

What are you interested in reading about online?

Do you love to HOMESCHOOL? Check out the www.blissreadskids.com site.

Are you a BREASTFEEDING advocate or the mama of a little love bug under 2? There's www.blissreadsbaby.com !

Looking for a recipe? Look no farther than www.blissreadsfood.com to tempt your tastebuds!


There are a bunch of topics you can pick from over there. Just check out the sidebar and see how many fun things you can look through each day! I am "curating" for Alli in these channels if you want to stop by and see the things that I find super-cool on the net:

Blissreads Food
Blissreads Kids
Blissreads Baby
Blissreads Photography
Blissreads Deals

Each post on these sites takes a tiny snip of information and an image off of the original blog post as a teaser - and then sends you on your merry way to the source so that you can read the full article. Blissreads directs you to the author's blog so that you can read the full story and give proper credit (and comment) there.

It's kind of like a blog-post hall of fame.  

{And it's a great way to drive traffic to your site if you have awesome content.}


I would love for you to check out this video about Blissreads - put together by Amy of Taste Like Crazy. Sorry about how it cuts off on the page - you can click over to Amy's site to see the entire view or you can also see it at the Blissreads main page!



And be sure if you find a GREAT post about Food, Kids, Babies, Photography or Frugality that you EMAIL me the link so I can see if it would be a fit for Blissreads! I know my readers have good taste! I trust that you are finding great things on the net - and would love to know what you think is wonderful.

The King that Counts

My heart is too heavy to write about food, travel, gifts and holiday plans. The news of this health care bill passing against the will of the American public - our elected leaders betraying us - has totally thrown me for a wicked loop. I needed a reminder that this country is still worth allegiance; so, I have been re-reading the Declaration of Independence (something all Americans should do every now and again).

It does good to re-read your history - as a Christian and an American. In this particular instance, re-reading it reminded me that this Nation and the principles it was founded upon still count today. There's still hope even when the ugliness of what our leaders are doing threatens to ruin the mood of Christmas once and for all in 2009.

I lingered on the words and thought about what it must have been like to live on principle alone - knowing that the signing of your name would mean the destruction of your property, family and life... the ultimate sacrifice for an uncertain future.

"...to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

"We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

A ragtag band of farmers, fathers, God-fearing patriots, liberty-loving commoners... defeated the worlds most grand army of their time.

Because it was the right thing to do...

...to give their children a chance at freedom and a future of prosperity.

The legacy of our founding fathers live on in the hearts of all those who love freedom and the future of their children.

Miracles still happen.

I'll also be reading the story of the first Christmas in the coming days (God's ultimate sacrifice for a CERTAIN future)... savoring the details. The Romans wanted to make sure everyone was paying taxes, so pregnant Mary traveled to Bethlehem like a good wife and citizen - to be counted. She added one more little person to the world. God used her obedience and the decrees of a Roman Caesar to fulfill his prophecy:

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." ~ Micah 5:2

Jesus was counted. Mary was counted. God's Word still counts today... these some 2,000 years later.

Just one more reminder that the tiny child we celebrate this Christmas season - the true gift to humanity - is still in control. He knows the future. He understands the fears and burdens of our hearts. He knows what the manger smells like (probably much like the inside of the United States Senate chamber - ha!).

Jesus is not phased by the muck and grit of reality - because He has plans to clean up the mess.

We shouldn't be phased, either. He is still on the throne. Whether we put Him there in our lives or not... He's still the King that Counts.




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Texas Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot for Nov 3

Here's your token political post for the 'semester'. You all know by now that I get on a political soap box every six months or so when something crosses my radar. Other than that, I like to live and let live - and feel that our government should do the same. As long as we aren't breaking the laws, they should leave us all alone and go after those who are... instead of coming up with new laws and taxes to suck the life out of everyone who's just trying to survive and thrive in this great land. The less government there is, the better.

If you 'ain't a Texan, you might wanna just mosey on along.

This post is for the November 3rd ballot here in the Lone Star State. Here below is how the Bee will vote after reading a few voter guides (and the non-legalese reasons as to why). I don't much like all that legal-term mumbo-jumbo. If you want to get it done, just put it in plain English and let's talk it over like good cowgirls and cowboys should. No need to two-step a circle around it unless there's a "snake in your boot".

PROP 1 - NO (we don't need any new property taxes in the midst of a recession)

PROP 2 - YES (we should tax homes on current use - not future projected values)

PROP 3 - NO (we don't want to give up local control to state-level)

PROP 4 - NO - (the amendment needs more provision/assessments for later reviews)

PROP 5 - NO (outsiders don't know the property well enough to judge)

PROP 6 - NO (elected officials need to be held accountable)

PROP 7 - YES (Texas State Guard deserves same rights as National Guard)

PROP 8 - NO (We don't need more govt. red tape/constitutional amendments so that state can work with the government to provide better care for veterans)

PROP 9 - NO (the amendment needs wording to protect property owners that had private structures along the coastline prior to hurricane Ike)

PROP 10 - NO (if district boards can levy taxes, they should serve only 2 year terms so we as taxpayers can hold them more accountable)

PROP 11 - YES (eminent domain land seizure is serious and property owners should get all the protection our constitution can afford)


My cheat sheet? "No on everything except 2, 7, and 11"

Want to know where to go to vote? Check out the Texas Secretary of State's website. Hopefully you are already registered from the past presidential election... and hopefully if you voted for the current federal administration, you are regretting it severely. Ha! Thought I would throw that in while free speech is still legal.

My motto: If it 'ain't broke, don't fix it. Texas is in good shape compared to a lot of states - and our constitution seems to be working as well as it can with the current level of Federal interference.

I love living in the land of the 'freer than up there' (even if our property taxes are way too high). And as much as I whine about not getting to wear my sweaters, boots and fur coat long enough each winter... I'm more than glad to let the icy and snowy states keep all that slush for our vacation time. I'd go crazy if I were cooped up in the house for too long. Snow is a Christmas card and once-every-other-few-years treat... and it can stay that way. Although, I might be whistling a different tune come next August.

Smacking of Arrogance

This comic in the Austin paper made me want to go turn every stinkin' halogen light in my house on. I resisted for the sake of my energy bill.

Meanwhile, down the street, despite a surplus, gas went up another ten cents.

Another year goes by and we hunker down - prepared to keep both of our vehicles when they are paid off soon... no new cars for us. I'll be driving mine until the bolts rust and the doors fall off.

We'll need the car note money to pay for the gas price increase and cost of living increase. In case you hadn't noticed, all the goods in the country are more expensive since gas has made the price of transport and shipping go up. Don't know about you, but are you suffering at the grocery store lately? Remember a day when you didn't HAVE to clip coupons?

How these stupid light bulbs and cap & trade taxes are going to help the economy, no-body knows. Sorry, but the economy is a bit more important to me than some rare albino salamander in the Edward's Aquifer. Or the doomsdayist global warming alarmism (that's an incomplete sentence ON PURPOSE). Not to say I don't love nature, I do... but using nature as a tool to suck the food off of my table with extra taxes is just low-down and dirty politics. It's the thing that revolutions are made of. Tea and taxes. Government growing too big for their breeches.

I say 'keep your ugly, unnatural, blue light bulbs and your fingers out of my wallet'.

Let the American people alone so we can get on with the business of living - free from tyranny and oppression... free from insatiable, corrupt Government greed.

That is all.

Sorry for the soap box. I need to get on one at least once every five or six months. Consider yourself lathered.

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Guns and America's Future

I got this email (below in blockquotes) today and it concerns me that it has even been discussed in our nation that the government wants to register fire-arms. It is a known fact that registries have been used already to round up fire arms from citizens. The historical facts behind gun control and weapons bans have led to mass exterminations of peoples around the world. Our constitution explicitly made allowances for us to be armed because of the fallibility of mankind and government. Every day you watch the news and it seems like more and more nonsense - science fiction - freakishness. I don't blog about it much because when you are raising children - nurturing and educating them all day - you just CAN'T be bogged down with dreariness and fear. Kids can tell when things aren't 100% with mom. Even babies.

I suggest that it isn't so scary that 1 in every 3 kids in America is scared that the earth won't exist when they grow up (statistics I heard on the radio yesterday for earth day). I know why they are afraid of that; because the media is bombarding them with environmental extremism - global warming alarmism. I am not against being 'green', but when crazy people start calling for a ban on reproductive sex, a tax on my mileage, and the confiscation of all law-abiding citizens' guns... you have to wonder... is America about to collapse? I can't imagine any true American being OK with much of what is coming out of the liberal Congress these days. A lack of resources is certainly not our biggest problem on this continent, for sure!

But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. - John Adams

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. - John Adams

The said constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms. - Samuel Adams

The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed. - Alexander Hamilton

Here's my credo. There are no good guns, There are no bad guns. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a bad thing. Any gun in the hands of a good man is no threat to anyone, except bad people. - Charlton Heston

...and now the email...

A Little Gun History

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated
------------------------------

Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
---- ------------- -------------

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
------------------------------

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
-----------------------------

Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.
------------------------------

It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by their own Government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. The first year results are now in:

List of 7 items:

Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent.

Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent.

Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!

In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!

While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed.

There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the ELDERLY. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort, and expense was expended in successfully ridding Australian society of guns. The Australian experience and the other historical facts above prove it.

You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information.

Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.

Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late!

The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of this history lesson.

With guns, we are 'citizens'. Without them, we are 'subjects'.

During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were ARMED!
-----------------------------------------------------

The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.

SWITZERLAND ISSUES EVERY HOUSEHOLD A GUN! SWITZERLAND'S GOVERNMENT TRAINS EVERY ADULT THEY ISSUE A RIFLE TO. SWITZERLAND HAS THE LOWEST GUN RELATED CRIME RATE OF ANY CIVILIZED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!!!

Sound off! What do you think about gun ownership, gun control, the banning of guns? Do you own a gun? Do you know how to shoot a gun? Are you afraid of an American society where the only people who own guns are the cops/bad guys/military?

I'm not ready to put up a sign in my yard yet that says, "Proudly Unarmed". I figure it would send the wrong message to those who might want to come in and harm us... especially living in a border state where there has been a huge surge in violence over the past decade. Just remembering the Jenny Garcia story makes me shudder.

I heard someone say once, "The reason I carry a gun... is because a police officer is too heavy." Had to laugh at that. I love hearing stories about the good guys outwitting the bad guys. Not long ago I heard about an 11 year girl that shot and killed two illegals in her home who were robbing her family (they were in possession of a stolen weapon). I bet her daddy is thankful that he taught her how to use a gun for self-defense! I would be if she was my daughter.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the issue. So share them with me in the comments below...


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Texas Legislature is in Session

I got an update from HSLDA in my email box today that listed a few bills that Texas is looking at right now in the legislature. I thought I would pass them on to you in case you are a homeschool parent or just a parent trying to make your voice heard so that things don't get WORSE, but BETTER. Apparently we are going to be dealing with a new speaker that isn't very strong in favor of the things we are concerned about. In this current social, political and economic climate, we should all be praying about and for our leaders - even the local ones.

Here it is:
______________

January 23, 2009

Texas--2009 Legislative Session Begins

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

We are beginning a new legislative session in Texas. HSLDA is analyzing many bills that are currently being introduced. We have our legislative counsel Tom Sanders in Austin already visiting legislators and lobbying on your behalf on several pieces of legislation. Using his reports concerning the progress of the legislation and our analysis of the potential harm or benefit, we will alert you to any need for action.

The biggest change for this year is that 11 Democrats joined 64 Republicans to oust House Speaker Tom Craddick. This change will likely result in many different committee chairs. The new speaker is Representative Joe Straus (R) from San Antonio who has a poor record on the social issues that many of us are most concerned about.

Below is a short summary of some of the initial bills we are tracking so that you are aware of them. You can obtain more information at:
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=6011


House Bill 316: Lowers the compulsory school attendance age from 6 to
5 years of age.

House Bill 188: Establishes a list of children's rights and mandates that parents be educated about their duties under the law as the primary protectors of their children.

House Bill 351: Allows students, including homeschoolers, to qualify for a tuition refund for high academic performance at a general academic teaching institution (including, but not limited to the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, and Texas Tech University).


House Bill 319: Allows for an exemption from jury duty for persons who have legal custody of a child younger than 15 years of age when serving on a jury would require leaving the child without adequate supervision. (Effectively allows homeschoolers to obtain an
exemption.)

Senate Bill 466: Allows a parent or guardian to exclude a child from the immunization registry.

Thank you for your willingness to stand ready to act!

Sincerely,

Chris Klicka
Senior Counsel


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The End of Used Books and Toys?

Imagine a world without used books, Handmade goods, small businesses that make quality products, even stuff on Ebay and Craig's List? If you do your research regarding CPSIA, you'll find that this seemingly good law that seeks to stop bad chemicals from harming American children is actually going to change the way we live DRASTICALLY. I don't know about you, but I buy lots of used books on Ebay, at library sales, and even get them donated to me by friends. I also love hand made goods - give aways on blogs - and small businesses who won't be able to afford the extreme fees for CPSIA product testing and certifications.

No homeschooler will be unaffected by this law. Don't kid yourself.

Do some research. Read about it. Watch this funny video by SNL. This is a big, big deal, folks. Imagine all those little businesses going OUT of business. Can't be helpful for our already lagging economy.

They want to prevent you from buying or even being given used books. What would become of all those lonely used books? The thought makes me shiver. Maybe they would end up in places like this abandoned warehouse.

I'm sharing a link to a petition that you can sign, and I highly suggest that you contact your senators. This law will go in to effect as is in early February if we sit back and do nothing. Hardly a senator didn't sign it - it is already speeding it's way to the president's desk. Barak's political platform comparison said, "Barack Obama believes free, quality public education is the heart of the American promise". Will his first few acts in the driver's seat also include making it harder on homeschoolers and homemakers... small businesses and resellers? I guess we'll see.

I hope that this new 'safety' law is not the first step towards Fahrenheit 451.



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Homeschool Video: Lady Liberty & 2004 Election Party

In honor of election day, I thought I would share a video or two. This was my first try at making a clip from a video tape... and it seems that it is taking all night to load... so I'm sorry to those of you on dail-up. Your screen is probably frozen and you aren't likely to read this message anyway. For those of you who are able to view this 10meg goodie... the subject is my then 5 year old daughter (2004 election night) giving her report on Lady Liberty. We did a fabulous unit study on elections, presidents, and government when the kids were 5 and 7. It seems like my videos are making me see double... sorry for whatever is causing them to duplicate! Click the one with the buttons.

Yep, she's a ham. I thought I would never get her to give up that costume. She told me tonight (at 9) that she wants to dress up like that again. We painted her face with blue eyeshadow and glittering blue eyeliner to make her look like the real Lady in Blue. I wish I could share the whole event with you - it was so cute. It was like cuteness that kills.

My son (then 7) was Uncle Sam. We enjoyed his rendition of the true Uncle Sam Story. He isn't quite as talkative in front of the camera (at least he wasn't at 7). He sure was shiny in that disco Uncle Sam hat with his sequined bow-tie.

I know there are a lot of folks who will be sitting in front of the TV tonight. I fell asleep last election before the results were in. What a difference four years can make. 5 year olds grow up, and other stranger than fiction stuff happens when you aren't paying attention. And all that jazz. I know you know what I mean. But I'm not going there and you can't make me. I hope that at least I can make you smile - even if you, like a lot of us out here, have a few knots in your stomach.


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Simple Woman's Daybook 2

Journal notes for Sunday Night, 11/2/08...

The discussion in tonight's small group was very interesting. Candidates weren't really discussed, but politics were. It was good to hear from elders and peers our age to know what other people of faith in our local area had on their minds.

I managed to get my November calendar updated and my desk cleaned off Saturday. It looks like nearly every week is planned out from here until the first of January. I'm working on the December calendar now. I want to be ready when the emails and mail start coming with appointments and parties for the busiest month of the year.

I was really glad to find out that my friend in co-op who had surgery on her 14 week twins (14 weeks pregnant - not twins she has delivered yet) is getting good news on the babies. It seems their hearts are healing and the fluid has gone down. Imagine that! Open heart surgery on two babies no bigger than string beans! I can't wait to meet them in January.

My own little pea is doing well - I'm feeling him move now, though not as often as I would like. In two weeks we will have our full anatomy sonogram. After that, I'll give back the boxes of girl clothes in the garage.

Outside My Window... is a neglected garden and about 30 green tomatoes I need to pick and fry.

I am thinking... that this week will be really fun - we're learning about Texas, which is one of my favorite things. It's our last week of the States and Regions unit! Next week starts the Civil War.

I am thankful for... my homeschool blog friends, my new mechanical pencils, Jesus (certainly not in that order).

We are learning... about cooperation, about politics, about freedom, about state history, about geography, and about priorities. I'll be giving the kids a science test tomorrow, too.

From the kitchen... I think tomorrow's meal will be enchiladas, beans and rice. After that, I'll follow the menu that I'll be making tomorrow at lunch.

I am wearing... maternity clothes - very comfy.

I am creating... lesson plans first thing in the morning... and assignment sheets for the kids.

I am going... to some great field trips this month, Lord willing. And we're looking forward to Thanksgiving with family in a few weeks.

I am reading... What to Expect When You're Expecting, A Charlotte Mason Primer (Cindy Rushton), The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach (Robin Sampson), and my Bible. And with the kids, I'm reading a Little House novel.

I am hoping... to get my homeschool records digitized soon in a database, to get a copy of Photoshop someday, to stick to my school schedule this week so we can complete our unit, to pay off all our debt, for answered prayers about election day, that I won't gain more than 30 lbs. with this pregnancy... (I really shouldn't do this before bed when my brain is so random - hey, who am I kidding, my brain is always random).

I am hearing... the hum of my computer and the ceiling fan... the click of my fingers on the keyboard (everyone else is asleep).

Around the house... the dishes need doing and Kaden left his light on. Even the cats are asleep.

One of my favorite things... my camera.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Blog each day, Get polls up on The Post, put up a video on Tuesday, Dentist Thursday, field trip finale Friday, and the HSBA Swap Saturday... not to mention cooking at home all week, paying bills on payday, and getting my records entered in to my database... while homeschooling and keeping the laundry monster at bay.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


Bright shining autumn sunfaces in bloom - happy to start the homeschool week off with a smile.



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How Government SHOULD Feel About Homeschooling

I couldn't pass up this quote from Senator Cornyn and not share it. This is part of a speech he gave to the HSLDA back in March of this year. I think what he has to say is what we should expect from all government leaders; a basic understanding of our freedoms to teach our children and raise our children as we see fit. No American leader should be elected that would seek to interfere with these basic rights that are bestowed by our creator.

I have a bit of personal history on this subject. I heard a similar case in 1994 when I was a member of the Texas Supreme Court. In that case, bureaucrats interpreted the state’s compulsory attendance law to exclude home school instruction as an acceptable substitute for public school attendance. Based on the state agency’s policy statements, school districts and their attendance officers actually began prosecuting parents for the “crime” of teaching their children at home!

The Home School Legal Defense Association was one of the plaintiffs in that case. And I was pleased that we issued a unanimous ruling affirming the rights of parents to teach their children at home, something that parents have done since the beginning of time.

Whether for religious reasons, or just a preference for the parents to be directly in charge of their child's education, the choice to home school must be respected in America as a basic freedom of the family.

While our government should of course endeavor to ensure every child has access to education, we must be careful not to carry that obligation so far as to begin prescribing exactly what that education must be. Independence and flexibility have always been essential aspects of American education, and we must protect parents’ right to decide what type of education is best for their own children.

Above all, we must remember that it is at home, not in the classroom, where education begins. Students whose parents are actively involved in their education have a leg up on others, whether their learning takes place at a school, or in their living room.

- Senator John Cornyn, R TX

Viva la Homeschooling!



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John Adams and American History

But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. - John Adams

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. - John Adams

In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress. - John Adams

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution is designed only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other. - John Adams

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. - John Adams

Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide. - John Adams

I think it always prudent to look back at how our freedoms were forged in times where future choices about our nation are at hand. Studying about American history and the great sacrifices that were made to give us liberty is just what the doctor ordered during elections. Our family rented this wonderful HBO series last night and watched half of it. As I suspected, I did shed some tears. I wish the people of this nation still had the same ideals they once did. I find it totally sad that most Americans don't even know who John Adams was. I hope you will rent this great flick for your homeschool brood and share the legacy of a free country with them. What a treasure we have been given. I pray we will tread lightly and "appeal to heaven" for this next phase we are about to enter. I pray that we are still one Nation UNDER GOD when the counting stops in November. Where is George Washington when you need him?

Stop in at yesterday's post and read the comments. Leave one yourself if you like. I'm enjoying the discussion. I would highly suggest (especially if you are a homeschooler or a parent) reading my brief run-down of the "Convention of the Rights of a Child" (UN Treaty). I broke it down after reading the entire thing and posted the parts that disturb me greatly. I also wrote some commentary there to explain what is so offensive about it. I'm not going to post it in here because I'm done with politics. I'm soon to go to the polls and cast my vote here in Texas for early voting if I haven't missed the window.

I hope you'll have a super weekend filled with autumn goodness despite the cold and gloomy political cloud hovering over American skies. I pray to the God of Heaven that his hand will be guiding each vote, each count, each heart, and ultimately our nation as a whole this voting season and always. It is good to know that no matter what happens - He still has it all in his hands.


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'How Then Shall We Vote?'

I was so encouraged by this Catholic video that I cried. Being nearly 16 weeks pregnant makes this so much more vivid to me. I'm not a Catholic. However, I believe that we serve the SAME God and that we all must stand accountable to Him in the end. I pray and hope that Catholics and Protestants will join hands in a resounding message of unity this November. If only we can stop straining gnats so we can see to the bottom of the real issues. The TRUTH is worth defending. Morality is worth defending. Don't vote this year for anything less than the ISSUES. This is the most crucial election I have ever been alive to witness. America will change after this vote. It will change for the better or the worse. It is up to us to choose LIFE.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 ~ This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

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Buzz Words: elections, family, conservative, abortion, vote, life, America, Catholic, issues, 2008, 2008, change, faith, voting, prolife, Christianity, families, pregnancy, opinion

Picnic at the Pond... and Elementary Economics

This field trip was not from a long time ago like most of my Field Trip Foto Fridays are. This one was just yesterday. [Note to self: Don't walk 2 miles to field trip in Texas until December - 90 degrees does not qualify for autumn weather!] It wasn't so bad on the way to the pond... mostly downhill with a spring in our step. The kids were ambitious thinking we didn't need to take the car. I had my doubts. Each of us took a backpack or bag. Of course, I took the camera bag and some of the food. The kids brought lots of things they didn't need. I let them learn the hard way to pack light. In their defense, Kaden did get out the binoculars and use them once during the picnic.

"It sure is harder going back home uphill with these heavy backpacks," said Kaden on the way back to the house. I tried to not say "I told you so", but it came out anyway. I lack self control when I'm hot, cranky, and pregnant.

The pond made the trip worthy of sweating, nearly loosing a shoe in the mud, and ant bites. Morgan may disagree on the ant bite part. We got to see two ducks, two White Herons (or Great White Egrets), one Great Blue Heron, and teeming masses of frogs and tiny minnows. My camera doesn't have a long-range or macro lens, but I did what I could with what I had.

We learned a few lessons about doing without. I had the economy on my brain anyway, so this was a good object lesson for the children (who have been listening to Daddy and Mommy talk about the evils of bail-out plans and socialism). When we got to the pond with our food sacks I realized that the jelly was missing. I had the spoon for it - and the peanutbutter - and the bread... but no jelly.

"Ick!" said the kids as they imagined a dry peanutbutter sandwich.

"Well, you could put pickles on your sandwich," I offered. I had brought the knife and cheese, so I held out a pickle and began to cut slices for them to use on their peanutbutter sandwiches.

"GROSSSS," said the naysayers.

"Your aunt Amber loves pickle and peanutbutter sandwiches," I said. "It is better than plain peanutbutter, anyway. Maybe you'll like it. You won't know until you try."

The kids thought about it and reluctantly agreed. I sliced the pickles and they took a hesitant bite. Lo and behold, they both loved it. In fact, they said it was their favorite sandwich ever. But they never would have even tried it if we hadn't been in a bind. First we had to learn from going without what we were used to.

That's just like the economy, folks. We'll never learn our lesson if we keep living on credit and bailing out the banks so they can offer more money to people "for free". Things aren't free. We don't need more credit. We need to get back to living purposeful lives built on more than materialism and greed... and live within our means. Sometimes you have to learn lessons painfully. If someone is always there to bail you out - you'll never change. And that's too bad. Because most of the time God is wanting to change us for the BETTER. That's why he allows the hardships in the first place.

And so we had our first economics class for 5th and 6th grade - right there at the pond over our peanutbutter-and-pickle sandwiches. God works in mysterious places. But I bet the kids won't forget the moral behind the story.

"If a path to the better there be, it begins with a full look at the very worst" - Thomas Hardy

Proverbs 22:26-27 ~ "Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts. If you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you."

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Buzz Words: field trips, nature, homeschool, picnic, Texas, economics, bail out, elementary, teaching, motherhood, parenting, pictures

Need a Bail Out?

Graphic of the Month by the Chattanooga Times Free Press:



I was behind the game yesterday after a busy day out and about with the kids. I didn't get a Wordless Wednesday done. Sorry! We went to choir, went to art class, spent a few hours at the library, and came home to cook dinner, do chores, have piano lessons and read. We went to bed at nearly midnight last night! Today has been proof that midnight is too late to go to bed. Attitudes are flaring!

So while we try and reclaim our day (cuz there ain't nobody to "bail us out"), please join me in stopping by the Carnival of Homeschooling this week.

And after that, you just have to go and read Antique Mommy's answers to the bail-out. I would be her Vice President if you chose her to run this November. I'm just sayin'.

If you have some free time after that, they are doing yet another food meme at the Homeschool Post. And I'm still waiting on you people to share your photos of lunch on my linky from yesterday. Come on, don't make me feel like that kid who never got picked for gym teams!

Have a super Wednesday. We're half way through with this week!


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What Really Caused the Economic Crash in America

I said I wasn't going to get political again, but this is a must-see video before voting this November. Sorry, but some of it was news to me. I figured everyone would want to know the truth about why they can hardly afford to get around town and buy groceries. We're coming up on a really ugly tax season with an escrow shortage. I can totally relate to the fear a lot of folks are having about their mortgages. Seems like the only rate that hasn't gone up in the past two years is PAY.


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Buzz Words: elections, Obama, conservative, economy, taxes, economy, America, democrat, republican, 2008, family, housing+bubble, economic crisis, voting, issues, Christianity, families, money, opinion

Taxes, Chicken and Obamacide

I try and steer clear of a lot of political harassment here at my site, but I got an email today that nearly made me fall out of my chair laughing. And I needed a good laugh - considering the tone of this political election and all the mud that has been oozing out of the media. Somebody has to stick their neck out in blogland and take some heat. Why not me?

First the laughs, and then I'll just tell it like I see it? Shall I?



Somebody needs to send that agent a card and thank him for shooting straight. Heaven knows people need to cut to the real issues since Obama only knows how to dance around them and layer it with fluff. Yeah, we all need 'HOPE' - but my version has no Obama leading the American people off a cliff, thankyouverymuch.

I've gotten quite a few hilarious political emails lately, actually. There's the one about the nation coming together - everyone showing support for their candidates... drive with your lights on in the day if you are voting for McCain and drive with them OFF and NIGHT if you are voting for Obama. Enjoyed that one.

Then there was the 2008 Democratic National Convention Schedule of Events. Where Ted Kennedy keeps proposing a toast and they open with a flag burning. That gave me quite a few chuckles and made me scratch my head in wonder at Democrats everywhere.

But the Obama news lately has been really ruffling my feathers. I wouldn't have voted for him anyway - because he's #1 liberal, and #2 inexperienced. He truly is a fence-post-turtle. Not to mention his shady ties to the middle-east and socialism... the fact that the communist party endorses him, and the fact that he has a brother in Kenya that lives in a stick shack and eats on 1$ a day and he doesn't give him a dime. I know a lot of Christian people here in the U.S. who can barely stay out of the red between paychecks and are shipping money overseas to sponsored children in poor neighborhoods. What kind of person is Hussein if he can't help his own kin?

But the latest two things that have come up about Obama have been the icing on the cake, folks. I knew he was a pro-death liberal who aimed to trump states rights to decide if he was elected, but I had no idea he was lying for 4 years about supporting infanticide. Nor that ANY political candidate who had morals that deep in the gutter would ever aspire to be president of this country. I've seen the photos of the babies (BIG BABIES) they let die on the tables at hospitals who are born alive. Infanticide - er - "Obamacide" - is murder. Plain and simple. People go to jail for starving cattle and house-pets, and yet it is OK to starve a baby? How sick.

And then there's the economy. I think everyone would agree that we're not at our apex. Gas prices, food prices, inflation, and the mortgage collapse... unemployment rising and people as tight as ever with their "spending money" (those that have it). Guess what Obama proposes? Higher taxes. Not just that, the end of tax cuts. And then on top of it - a GLOBAL POVERTY TAX. So he can fix America? No - so he can ship another zillion dollars overseas to the U.N. and sign all their treaties (effectively signing over the sovereignty of the United States). Electing Obama makes about as much sense as electing President Acmadinijob (and who cares if I spelled his name right). Everyone ready to say the pledge of allegiance to the U.N.? Fork over their life's savings to combat hunger in a third world country? Who cares if you can hardly afford to buy milk and drive to work? People are starving in Africa!

And it seems Africa is what's on the mind of Obama-bin-Laden. He wants to make sure his brother over seas isn't poor any more. But he isn't going to send him a check, no sir - he's going to send him YOUR money - in the form of rice and cereal - funneled through U.N. "peacekeepers".

I'm sorry, guys... but I just don't see how any God-fearing, tax-paying, law-abiding citizen of this good country could not see through his arrogant, liberal FACADE. He's a liar. A baby killer. And he's going to rob your bank to feed Africa. So don't come crying to me when you have to go on food stamps. We can borrow some more deficit money from China to pay for your kids to eat, I guess.

But hey - go ahead and vote for him. I'll just cancel your vote out for you.

So what if Paul and Huck didn't win. I'm sore about it, too. But you better get off your hiney and get to the polls, conservatives. I'm off the soap box now. This has been your ONE and ONLY friendly warning of the voting season.



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Buzz Words: elections, Obama, conservative, abortion, taxes, economy, America, democrat, republican, 2008, family, global poverty, UN, voting, issues, Christianity, families, money, opinion

Weekend Drivel and Saving America's Economy

We're listening to Lemon Jelly at a hotel... planning the abstract for an energy plan to release us from the evil clutches of foreign oil. Yep. I know the answer. But I'm not sharing it without some demands met by big government, cowgirls and boys. I want a life's supply of chocolate and no income tax for my entire family line. A few billion dollars might be nice, too.

If you are interested in America's economy and the oil crisis, hop over to Sen. Cornyn's blog. He's running a week of "Energy Independence Days" on his public blog headquarters. I like his spunk. If only I could have his ear for a moment - maybe I could talk some sense into congress. One can hope big things.

What else... oh, yes... we've taken quite a bit of pictures on our trip (like the one above). Smiles and laughs. Pizza and trips to the creek. Cousin Ty even stepped on a snake and lived to tell about it!

I know you have been waiting forever to see who won those free tickets to the HOTM Conference from my earlier contest. I have chosen some winners. Not like you guys gave me much of a choice since I have more tickets to give away than people who entered. So I'm passing on my free passes to Dawn, my Georgia Peach, so she can give them away on her blog. So if you didn't win, hop over to My Home Sweet Home and be watching for her give-away. The HSBA is going to run a give-away, too. We're just generous like that. And who would want to miss hearing Dawn and my Southern accents? Or hearing Andrew Pudewa speak? Heavy on the Andrew Pudewa. Because he's like - a REAL homeschool speaker... who won the best homeschool speaker of the year TWICE (hat tip to TOS magazine).

I'm full of plugs tonight. I know. I had time (for a change) to sit down and actually READ my Spring 2008 TOS magazine this month. BOY, that article on "Is Your Homeschool Ready to Collapse" by Diane Wheeler was lifechanging. I admonish you to pick up a copy and keep that article handy in your dayplanner. I know that's where it will be for me from now on. The rest of the magazine wasn't too shabby, either. Thanks for the encouragement, TOS!

I have so many things rolling around in my brain to post about.

• Who won my HOTM tickets


• My neglected Field Trip Foto Friday series


• A post about scope and sequence


• Menu Plan Monday (if I'm home by then)


• Parental Rights


• A review of some U.S. Constitution curriclum


• A review of some art software we love


• A link to an article about religion and homeschooling


• My long tardy but not forgotten tags by Dawn and Sheila


• The last part of my 2006-7 homeschool series


• The rest of our Michigan Robofest Mega-Field Trip


• The final pictures of those groovy weavings the kids made in art class


• My new photo meme


• Lots of links to Holy Experience because she's such Christian inspiration


• The Carrot Cake Recipe you've been waiting on at GM

Speaking of GM (Gathering Manna)... go check out my daughter's first self-made culinary masterpiece: a cake. Photos are at the site. She's such a sweetie.

I should be home Sunday night, but you just never know. These Texas roads are stretched thin across such a large state and I'm prone to detours and I'm riding with friends. The Lone Star sky has been such a lovely shade of blue these last few days. It is hard to imagine that the world has so many problems when gazing up at the puffy clouds drifting by. Thank the Lord for beautiful sunsets and sunrises despite our imperfections and lack of contemplation and praise. He is merciful and good.

'See' you when I 'see' you.


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Buzz Words: energy, Cornyn, Blogging, HOTM, weekend, life, personal, photos, family, inspiration, happy, oil, photography, pictures, Texas

College: Which Nest for Your Golden Egg?

 

Don't have much time today. We're on our way out of town for the holiday weekend and I had to pop in between packing the suitcase and folding laundry to give you this food for thought:

A guy from India called in on the radio show I was listening to this morning as I was getting dressed. The talk show hosts were discussing odds and ends and mentioned a study about liberal professors which made my ears perk up. The guy was apparently well educated, despite his thick Hindi accent. He told the talk radio news hosts that he went to Engineering school back in India and had hours and hours of classes on the language of Engineering - computer programs and such. Then he comes here and ends up having to hire engineers that are fresh out of US colleges. What he finds is that they haven't even taken the classes they need to be able to perform their jobs after years of college and getting a degree in Engineering. He made the interesting comment that the curriculum in America is defective. His words made me laugh, "changing the curriculum is like pulling out adult teeth without anesthesia".

So the college education we think we are giving our kids may or may not turn out to be academically sound for their future? Fancy that.

The radio talk show hosts had originally made the point that kids who go off to college today are being molded by their professors. They discussed a study done on college professors about their belief system/political ideology. They said that most are Democrats and liberal, but the older ones are the strongest liberals and most considered themselves "activists". Sadly they said that it is the older ones who are hiring all the newer ones. And if I were hiring, I am certain that my ideology would affect my choice of who was qualified to trust young minds with... so I can only assume that most of the younger ones are on their way to becoming as liberal as their predecessors.

There's food for thought for those of you sending your bright minds off to college after a sacrificial life of homeschooling. Makes you really think hard about where to put that golden egg in the future!


Quick Links
College Professors are Socialist Liberals
Furor Over an Email
An Argument Against Moral Relativism
Clever people are athiests. Cleverer ones aren't.


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Buzz Words: education, college, homeschool, professors, higher education, learning, homeschooling, opinion, parenting, Christianity, children, teens, morality, worldview, Christian, America, thought, university, politics, conservative