Seems the Senate made a big boo-boo when they voted to pass the S.510 bill. They jumped the gun, so to speak. Read here to get the update. It's good news, but we've still got to put the pressure on. There's tons of mis-information passing around about this situation, so if you're at all interested, please pressure Congress to vote against it. The House will have to address it first, then the Senate. You'd think the wiseguys up in Washington would've known that, wouldn't you? Huh.
Now you know what really pushes my buttons, don't you? Freedom. Plain and simple.
Monday, December 6, 2010
A fresh, new Monday
'Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.'~Philippians 4:16
Words my husband brought to mind yesterday when we got all het up about the topic in my previous post. We'll little hotheads in this house...and obviously I married the right person, in that respect. Anyway, he said that we need to remember Who is really in control, no matter what the folks in DC think they're going to pull.
So today will let the Lord run the world, and I'll do my tiny bit part. My mom's 82nd birthday is today and we'll drop off a present at some point. The girls are going to make her a card. I have glitter! And will wash mountains of clothes and encourage the kids to hang them out for me. It's darn cold, so using the clothesline is a hilarious undertaking, but one that's necessary. Least it'll get above freezing so they'll sorta dry.
Must get in the Christmas spirit now. Could use more sleep, but will have to settle for a nap. In the meantime, there's stuff to do. Enjoy!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Furious
Please read the linked article here about the Senate's passage of a bill that involves the FDA further in our food supply. Ultimately the goal is to totally control anything grown, putting even homegrown things (including food and herbs) under the authority of the Feds. To write your Representatives and encourage them to vote against this bill (S. 510), please use this link.
And lest any of you think I exaggerate. Bet not.
“If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.”~Thomas Jefferson
And lest any of you think I exaggerate. Bet not.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Late Saturday/early Sunday
The day began with lots of wind but mild temperatures, and the kids spent much of their time outside using the swing Gary rigged up in our old Oak in the backyard. Temps. in the sixties and wonderful. Then, as the day wore on, we've reached the thirties now. Fortunately the house hasn't absorbed the cold air, so the heater's not been turned on quite yet. We're trying to be careful with the utility bills, more than ever, so are being stingy with the heat. You understand, I'm sure.
I'm waiting up for second and third sons to get home from the restaurant where they both work. Late night for them. Usually they're back by now. And second son is helping out with settiing up Communion in the morning for early service at his church, so he'll be tired!
The house isn't asleep yet, though, except for the little girls. They gave it up a few hours ago. Their afternoon was busy making a first double batch of Christmas cookies that they shared with 2 neighbors---one being a favorite across the street who's recovering from a summer spent in chemo. and radiation. She had a bout of throat cancer and is doing wonderfully. Just got the go-ahead to eat things *like* sugar cookies, so the girls' timing with their baking was spot on.
Tomorrow will be spent staying in and resting for most of us. Some boys have to work, but that can't be helped. For me, the day will be quiet and hopefully uneventful. This has been one of those weeks when I've felt as I've been running non-stop. Have a couple of books to read, one for review, and with groceries in the house, should be a peaceful day. Hope yours is as well.
I'm waiting up for second and third sons to get home from the restaurant where they both work. Late night for them. Usually they're back by now. And second son is helping out with settiing up Communion in the morning for early service at his church, so he'll be tired!
The house isn't asleep yet, though, except for the little girls. They gave it up a few hours ago. Their afternoon was busy making a first double batch of Christmas cookies that they shared with 2 neighbors---one being a favorite across the street who's recovering from a summer spent in chemo. and radiation. She had a bout of throat cancer and is doing wonderfully. Just got the go-ahead to eat things *like* sugar cookies, so the girls' timing with their baking was spot on.
Tomorrow will be spent staying in and resting for most of us. Some boys have to work, but that can't be helped. For me, the day will be quiet and hopefully uneventful. This has been one of those weeks when I've felt as I've been running non-stop. Have a couple of books to read, one for review, and with groceries in the house, should be a peaceful day. Hope yours is as well.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Quotable
Something I read in a book this past week keeps ringing in my ears and it's so simple. A woman is asked about a quote she mentions:
The part I've highlighted in bold letters is wonderful. With so much reading being full of fuss and bother, it's refreshing to hear someone who embraces humility. I just love it.
And, you know, many folks aren't satisfied to be, what the world calls, ordinary. We want to stand out and be popular. To be looked up to and admired. After reading that book (which I enjoyed very much), I got to thinking and really, raising kids is a proud profession and being the wife of a contented husband is worthy as well. I don't have to publish a book, create a masterpiece or be in the public eye. And I think lots of us on the Internet are just full of ourselves sometimes. Me included. I only need to do my job here at home and that's good enough, 'cause you see---I'm not that profound. :)
~from 'Crossing Oceans' by Gina Holmes
'The true meaning of life is to plant trees whose shade you never expect to sit under. Or something like that.'
I considered it a moment. 'Wow, did you just make that up?'
She shook her head. 'I'm not that profound. Just heard it once or twice and it stuck with me.'
The part I've highlighted in bold letters is wonderful. With so much reading being full of fuss and bother, it's refreshing to hear someone who embraces humility. I just love it.
And, you know, many folks aren't satisfied to be, what the world calls, ordinary. We want to stand out and be popular. To be looked up to and admired. After reading that book (which I enjoyed very much), I got to thinking and really, raising kids is a proud profession and being the wife of a contented husband is worthy as well. I don't have to publish a book, create a masterpiece or be in the public eye. And I think lots of us on the Internet are just full of ourselves sometimes. Me included. I only need to do my job here at home and that's good enough, 'cause you see---I'm not that profound. :)
~from 'Crossing Oceans' by Gina Holmes
Week's end
Considering I was flat broke early yesterday, yet also considering that the poverty didn't last all day---it was a treat to order a book online last night. This one was 'The Heart of England' a Victoria magazine book that came out several years ago. I've been looking for an affordable copy for ages, and happily found one for a buck last night, with shipping only $2.95. Amazing, yes?I need something to look forward to, especially since one of our big dogs, Opal the shepherd, decided to whine for about an hour and a half, wanting to go out in the middle of the night. Well, honestly, is it reasonable to want to play outside at 4am? I think not. Needless to say, she stays out ALL day today (is usually in and out), and the kids are under orders to wear her out. Some of us need our sleep, even if it's not the dog.
Off to drink Lady Grey tea which is my new treat. Have gone off aspartame for good since it was making me feel sick to my stomach. Not good. Have to admit to being pretty addicted to Coke Zero. With stevia as a sweetener in my tea, I figure I'm being more kind to myself. Those artificial sweeteners can be sorta scary.
And my apologies if the comments aren't always working here. There are some Wordpress bugs that pop up from time to time....and had to remove the Tumblr widget since it kept acting wonky. I think when Tumblr is over limit at their site, then any links tend to wig out. Sorry to have to remove that since it was fun to see the variety of photos that would show in my sidebar. Oh well.
Take care, everyone.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Just today
For those of you who take in regular paychecks, maybe you'll be more interested in passing over this post. It's not a grumble, either, but proof of God's care.
It's no secret that my husband is self-employed and that his paychecks fluctuate without any set plan. He builds/repairs furniture and folks pay when he's done. It's as simple as that. But while he doesn't have a regular retail shop, he does have working space behind an antique shop (not owned by us), which has been lucrative for both the owner of that place, and for us as well. She requires no rent. Very generous and special of her.
But when the paychecks become a bit few and far between, I have been known to frequently vent on my blog about how frustrating I find that situation. Sometimes I hate it. Sometimes I'm patient about it, but always I struggle against it.
Issue two: My Suburban has problems. If I don't have enough gas in the tank (at least 1/4 full all the time), then the check engine light comes on and the transmission doesn't switch into third gear. Yes, the fluids are correct, but with over 230 K miles on the truck, it does have its own peculiarities. And, no, this doesn't make any sense at all. So, I've been low on funds, but with having to take the boys to work each day, have also had to keep an eagle eye on the gas. Even considering that the boys help pay for gas, still, it's not my favorite thing in the world to accept money from them, though I do.
Had a chat with the Lord this morning, complaining about how tight life fits just now, and how stressed I am about it. Shared with Him about how I couldn't ask for anything more from the kids, and would even hesitate if they gifted me any cash.
Fast forward. Took them to my mom's and the truck acted up once, letting me know that I'd have to figure out a way to put more gas in it. Got to my mother's house, and she had a $20 bill waiting for me. I got all teary-eyed, and told her we were waiting for a client to come back in town and pick up some tables that Gary'd repaired, and she said that the Lord was aware of that too. See, she'd been given some money unexpectedly from a neighbor whose house she'd watched recently, and passed a bit of it onto me. She does that sometimes and vice-versa. But for this time, I was blessed.
What I love about this situation is first, how quickly I'm pacified. Twenty bucks makes me smile. Secondly, how the Lord allows us to rant and rave and still He blesses. As second son told me the other day---God isn't so taken with our performance, but with our faithfulness. As my mom calls it, our stick-to-it-ive-ness. For that, I'm grateful, because many times I'm one sorry excuse for a Christian.
It ain't easy, but right this very minute is just fine. Oh, and btw, the folks picked up their tables too. But frankly that was beside the point. I was dandy after the twenty!
It's no secret that my husband is self-employed and that his paychecks fluctuate without any set plan. He builds/repairs furniture and folks pay when he's done. It's as simple as that. But while he doesn't have a regular retail shop, he does have working space behind an antique shop (not owned by us), which has been lucrative for both the owner of that place, and for us as well. She requires no rent. Very generous and special of her.
But when the paychecks become a bit few and far between, I have been known to frequently vent on my blog about how frustrating I find that situation. Sometimes I hate it. Sometimes I'm patient about it, but always I struggle against it.
Issue two: My Suburban has problems. If I don't have enough gas in the tank (at least 1/4 full all the time), then the check engine light comes on and the transmission doesn't switch into third gear. Yes, the fluids are correct, but with over 230 K miles on the truck, it does have its own peculiarities. And, no, this doesn't make any sense at all. So, I've been low on funds, but with having to take the boys to work each day, have also had to keep an eagle eye on the gas. Even considering that the boys help pay for gas, still, it's not my favorite thing in the world to accept money from them, though I do.
Had a chat with the Lord this morning, complaining about how tight life fits just now, and how stressed I am about it. Shared with Him about how I couldn't ask for anything more from the kids, and would even hesitate if they gifted me any cash.
Fast forward. Took them to my mom's and the truck acted up once, letting me know that I'd have to figure out a way to put more gas in it. Got to my mother's house, and she had a $20 bill waiting for me. I got all teary-eyed, and told her we were waiting for a client to come back in town and pick up some tables that Gary'd repaired, and she said that the Lord was aware of that too. See, she'd been given some money unexpectedly from a neighbor whose house she'd watched recently, and passed a bit of it onto me. She does that sometimes and vice-versa. But for this time, I was blessed.
What I love about this situation is first, how quickly I'm pacified. Twenty bucks makes me smile. Secondly, how the Lord allows us to rant and rave and still He blesses. As second son told me the other day---God isn't so taken with our performance, but with our faithfulness. As my mom calls it, our stick-to-it-ive-ness. For that, I'm grateful, because many times I'm one sorry excuse for a Christian.
It ain't easy, but right this very minute is just fine. Oh, and btw, the folks picked up their tables too. But frankly that was beside the point. I was dandy after the twenty!
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