Fireproof

Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia (Facing the Giants), has come out with another movie that just opened recently. Fireproof, starring Kirk Cameron as a firefighter who turns to God to save his marriage, premiered in fourth place with $6.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. This looks like a good one, likely to merit the hour long drive I'd have to make to get to the closest theater that it's playing in. Figures that in order to get a quality yet moral movie I have to make a real effort!!!! A little cynical today - sorry....

Heard of this appetite suppressant?

Hey - this goes along with my last posting... just being nosey. (I really am still going on my walk or bike ride!!) Has anyone heard of Fenterdren? I saw a website that advertises this appetite suppressant, and it sounds familiar, but my brain is a little foggy today, and I can't remember if this is one I've heard of or not. I'm not going to run and get it, like I said, I'm just being nosey and can't remember where I've heard the name... Okay, so I'm stalling the exercise too - you caught me!!! :)

I don't want to exercise!

I've yapped on here before about my problem with, well, not wanting to do better at exercising, or at least wanting it enough... I know many of you can relate to just feeling pooped out from chasing kids and the day to day stuff - the thought of climbing on the treadmill just doesn't make me jump up and down!! But, I know, and it's more true each year, that I really do need to! I am so tempted to just go and buy some appetite suppressants and call it good, but the health benefits from getting that heart rate raised are more than just fitting into last year's clothes (although that would be a nice thing!) So, whether I want to or not, today will include either a bike ride or a long walk... I'll let you know how that goes! :)

Fall is really here!

We went for a bike ride yesterday and had to wear sweatshirts. It is almost October, but we have had such a mild fall so far that I've kind of forgotten that Fall is really here. I'm excited. I love the feel of fall, the crisp air. I love stepping on the fallen leaves (much better than raking them!!) and hearing them crackle. I love the smells of fall, apples and pumpkin pie, fireplaces being used for the first time in a long time. Good stuff...

Freedom of Choice Act

Again, just sharing something that was sent on over to me....

It took me probably half a dozen times viewing a speech pro-abortion Sen. Barack Obama gave to PPFA's political arm last year before I finally figured out what was gnawing at me.

At the July 2007, meeting of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Obama was asked how he was going "to make sure that the judicial nominees that you will inevitably be able to pick are true to the core tenets of Roe v. Wade." A softball question, if ever there was one.

Then it dawned on me that the first words out of his mouth had nothing to do with judicial nominees.

"Well, the first thing I'd do as president," Obama said, "is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." That's how important FOCA is to Planned Parenthood and Barack Obama, a co-sponsor.

(You can watch the video at www.imoneinamillion.com/video.php?candidate=obama and you can read the transcript at http://lauraetch.googlepages.com/barackobamabeforeplannedparenthoodaction.)

So, why is the Abortion Establishment so invested in FOCA? You can read a thorough explanation at http://nrlc.org/FOCA/LawmakersProposeFOCA.html. Let me quickly quote some of the key points.

#1. "The lawmakers proposing the legislation, and groups endorsing it, repeatedly emphasized that the bill would, among other things, completely nullify the national ban on partial-birth abortion that the Supreme Court upheld on April 18, zoo7, in Gonzales v. Carhart."

#2. "The heart of the bill is a ban that would nullify all of the major types of pro-life laws that the Supreme Court has said are permissible under Roe v. Wade, including the ban on partial-birth abortions and bans on government funding of abortion."

#3. From a PPFA factsheet, we learn, "FOCA will supercede anti-choice laws that restrict the right to choose, including laws that prohibit the public funding of abortions for poor women or counseling and referrals for abortions. Additionally, FOCA will prohibit onerous restrictions on a woman's right to choose, such as mandated delays and targeted and medically unnecessary regulations. … Parental consent or notification statutes have been used as a tool to deny access to abortion services for minors. When such laws deny or interfere with the ability of minors to access abortion services, they would violate FOCA."

#4. FOCA would obliterate "conscience laws"; ensure that medical personnel other than licensed physicians may perform abortions; and offer a blank check to pro-abortionists to sue government agencies on the grounds that they something/anything it is doing "discriminate[s]" against abortion.

It is worth remembering that when FOCA was first proposed in the 1990s proponents "often tried to deny some of its more radical effects – effects that they have already admitted with respect to the new bill, such as the invalidation of all restrictions on government funding of abortion."

No wonder a "President" Obama would make signing FOCA his first act.

Born-Alive Infants Protection Act and Barack Obama

I came across this today - yikes!

Amidst the sound and fury of an increasingly combative campaign, supporters of pro-abortion Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama are desperately trying to defuse a potential timebomb: Obama's key role in scuttling a bill to protect babies born alive after induced abortions. Were knowledge of Obama's successful efforts to kill the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act (BAIPA) to become well-known, it would be a severe blow to him with all segments of the public, but it would put a huge crimp in his all-out campaign to win over Evangelicals and, particularly, Catholics.

Beliefnet.com is run by Steven Waldman, a pivotal player in Obama's outreach to the faith community. Douglas Kmiec is well-known as a professor and one-time pro-life advocate who, for reasons of his own, argues that it is perfectly acceptable for people of faith to vote for a man with a 100% pro-abortion voting record who has promised to make passage of the "Freedom of Choice Act" his first act as president.

FOCA would have a devastating impact, wiping out every pro-life advance made over the past 35 years and opening the door to a widespread expansion of the killing. (See part two, "The Freedom of Choice Act--a Blank Check for Pro-Abortionists.)

Both Waldman and Kmiec realize the potential of Obama's votes on BAIPA to undermine his outreach to the Christian community. Kmiec has written a book--Can a Catholic Support Him?-- from which Waldman quoted generously on his blog http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman September 16.

To his credit Waldman includes links to NRLC's White Paper, the Obama campaign's latest set of convoluted explanation for Obama's actions as an Illinois state Senator, and the non-partisan Factcheck.org. But for whatever reason Waldman uncritically accepts Kmiec's assertions about BAIPA which are flatly--and demonstratively--wrong.

In posting a response [http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2008/09/does_obama_support_the_killing_comments.html], NRLC Legislative Director Douglas Johnson began by writing this: "The material quoted by Mr. Waldman from the Kmiec book contains so many misstatements regarding the Born-Alive Infant Protection bills, laced together with non sequiturs, that it is difficult to know where to begin."
And because there are so many errors to be addressed, the post is fairly lengthy. But it is essential reading.

Prof. Kmiec simply mischaracterizes the content of the various BAIPAs, the history of what it means to be a "born alive" human being, the medical treatments required (or not required) when a baby's delivery is deliberately induced early but the child survives anyway, to name just a few.

Then there is the issue of the constitutionality of the Illinois BAIPA. To the latter point, Johnson writes,
"Kmiec also asserts that the Illinois state BAIPA was 'very likely unconstitutional in most of its applications.' Kmiec offers no support for this statement, nor is he likely to produce any persuasive support for it. The federal BAIPA has been in law for six years, and it is virtually identical to the state bill that Obama killed. The federal bill has been cited by federal agencies and by at least one federal court. I am unaware of any party or group that has suggested that it is unconstitutional in any specific application, much less 'unconstitutional in most of its applications.'"

The immortal heavyweight champion Joe Louis once famously said of an opponent, "He can run, but he can't hide." Obama is running like mad from his votes on the Illinois Born-Alive Infants Protection Act.

It's up to all of us to make sure he can't hide from it.

Good stewards

One of the fun things that we did for school over the Spring, Summer and into the Fall was our garden. It wasn't huge, and it wasn't spectacularly plentiful, but it gave us lots of opportunities to talk about being good stewards of the world that God's placed us in. The garden is tucked in for the winter, but hopefully our conversations will continue. There is still much to talk about. Each trip to the gas station, or even to the local store, where energy efficients are labeled out separately from traditional products, gives us another chance to chat... It's easy to take for granted that which you've been given. I'm hoping that we don't.

Faithfulness

The following devotional was shared with me via email, and was written by Margaret D. Mitchell, the founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. It's about faithfulness, which isn't a real popular topic in our me first culture. It's not an easy read, but a good read.

". . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." ~Joshua 24:15

Joshua understood well the personal choices involved in serving God faithfully to the end. He had seen much life and death come to his forefathers as a result of their ungodly choices. He reminded the leaders of Israel, with great assurance, to serve God with a clean heart. He knew that God desired to continue to bless Israel but that they would not be positioned to receive God's blessings unless they surrendered their whole heart, even in the little things.

The bar is high for leaders. And Joshua warned them to not fall into the sins of their past. Oh how the enemy enjoys enticing and ensnaring us by using familiar behavior patterns and people from our past to bring destruction into our present and future, to prevent God's promises, plans and purposes from coming to fruition.

Is there a god that you need to lay down? A god that will prevent you from living out your God-given potential and destiny? Are there any idols that lurk in your heart?

God will be faithful to us if we are faithful to Him and His ways. Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Is God truly our first love? Are we willing to lay everything that is important and valuable to us down at the foot of the cross to serve Him?

If our answer is "yes," then we exchange our ways for His, which are much higher and which include rewards far greater than we can earn on our own. The question then becomes, "Do we truly trust God to deliver?"

If the answer is again "yes," then we will embark on an adventure of loving and serving Him on a whole new level that will result in fresh assignments, fresh revelation, fresh opportunities for trusting Him in new areas, fresh opportunities to overcome obstacles and greater measures of blessings to receive, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38). Is this not life worth living? This is indeed God's finest for us, and it is anything but boring!

Faithfulness requires discipline in the journey, and it requires a cleansing of the heart at the outset. Anything less will harbor a contamination that will ultimately lead us to stumble and fall and possibly to not even finish the race God has set before us. At the very least, the journey will be rocky.

Faithfulness is obedience that builds trust in relationships. "Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped . . . and serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:14).

Outdoor gear

Fall is upon us and that's hiking season in the Adirondacks. Maybe time for one last camping trip too.... I found a neat website that has a lot of outdoor gear for decent prices: 5.11. It's marketed as a police gear website, but it has tons more. If you or someone that you shop for is in need of some stuff that looks very durable and practical, check it out! I might be browsing around at the same time :).

Free Curriculum Contest!

I don't know about you, but I'm always a little torn when it comes to choosing my homeschool curriculum. I want to buy good stuff, but I need to spend my money wisely. I always have a long list of all of best stuff, that gets whittled down a bit to a medium size list of necessities, that gets whittled down even further to what necessities must we buy and what can we get from the library. It's not a bad thing, just a time and mind consuming thing... Wouldn't it be cool to find out that all of your curriculum would be free next year? Covered by someone else? Check out the link to the contest below. :)

Would you spend two minutes to win an entire year's worth of curriculum? That's all the time it took Rebecca Day from Amarillo, Texas, to register in last year's spectacular homeschool giveaway at Alpha Omega Publications® (AOP). After winning the grand prize of $500 in homeschool curriculum, Rebecca wrote, "It was such a blessing to get your phone call about the prize! This is going to help our family out tremendously!" Now, here's your opportunity! Register to win in this year's giveaway at AOP. From now until February 28, 2009, enter for your shot at the grand prize of $500 in award-winning homeschool curriculum, or other prizes like a complete, 5-subject set of Switched-On Schoolhouse® computer-based curriculum, the fully animated Character Builders™ 8-DVD set, or a complimentary copy of the uplifting and encouraging Daily Focus® devotional book. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to gain outstanding curriculum and products for your homeschooling family. It's easy to enter. Simply click REGISTER NOW below and fill in your information. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age, and there is a limit of one entry per household. For more details, check out AOP's contest rules when you enter and remember that no purchase is necessary. Don't delay. Register to win today! Who should enter AOP's Homeschool Giveaway? EVERYONE!

AOP's Giveaway Prizes: Grand Prize: $500 in Homeschool Curriculum 1st Prize: Switched-On 5-Subject Set 2nd Prize: Character Builders 8 DVD Set 3rd Prize: Daily Focus Devotional Book

Is our country on thin ice?

I came across this devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley tonight, and it is especially fitting after watching tonight's presidential debate. I am worried about what kind of country my kids will be growing up in....

Romans 2:1-8

Our country was founded on the premise that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are "unalienable rights," endowed by the Creator. In the mid-1900s, the Pledge of Allegiance was amended to convey a similar idea--that we are "one nation under God."

Soon, however, morality in our land took a downward turn, and over the past 50 years, the Founders' vision has become clouded. One indicator is the media--if a citizen in 1950 could have seen some of our current TV programs, he no doubt would have been shocked by the language, dress, and content.

Can the attempt to remove Jesus from the public square have anything to do with our crumbling values? Perhaps. A country that takes prayer out of schools and government meetings can easily drift from godly ways. We have even debated removing "In God We Trust" from our currency and "one nation under God" from the Pledge. What's more, our nation is sometimes so accepting of "all religions" that Christians are persecuted for believing Jesus is the only way (John 14:6).

God is holy, so surely He doesn't approve of all the actions sanctioned by our laws. Yet He has been patient--and we've been blessed beyond measure. But the Father's patience won't last forever (Neh. 9:30). America must repent of its choice to disregard His precepts.

Have you sat back and allowed ungodly values to infiltrate this land? As citizens, Christians have a responsibility to influence government decisions in the direction of righteousness. Ask for God's guidance as you determine how to stand up for Him.

Getting ready for next year's garden

Well, our garden this year had a great crop of green beans, but that really was about it. I guess these novice gardeners still need to do a little more research before we perfect it! It's good though - lots of opportunities to learn, and we're already planning for next year. I got this neat email from Lowe's with ideas of ways to get ready for next year's garden:

Fast Forward : Digging In

Autumn's cooler days are ideal for tackling heavier tasks such as planting and building, or simpler jobs that take only a few minutes. Instead of winding down with the weather, these homeowners set the foundation for a fabulous spring landscape. They built raised beds and planted bulbs, trees, and shrubs. Not sure how to get started on your space? Let this checklist inspire you. Try one idea, or complete them all. Come springtime, you'll be glad you did.

To Do List:

1. Design

   Disguise a fence or add some privacy to your yard with a shrub border. Choose selections based on light requirements and your goals. Space shrubs according to plant-tag directions; add mulch to conserve the soil's moisture. Consider skirting shrubs with perennial ground covers, such as dianthus, ajuga, or lily-of-the-valley.

2. Prepare

   For new planting beds, prep the soil now. Remove existing sod and till the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Layer manure over the tilled soil, and then add chopped leaves and twigs. (Freezing air kills exposed weed seeds and breaks down the layers.) In spring-before planting-lightly mix the layers with a cordless cultivator or a Garden Claw.

3. Build

   Add beauty and reduce back strain when gardening with a raised planting bed. Use retaining-wall blocks (shown here: Flagstone) to construct outer walls with an aged look. Fill the bed with a blend of compost and rich topsoil, and then tuck in tulip bulbs for a spring color show. For visual appeal in the meantime, interplant the bed with cool-season annuals: pansies, ornamental cabbage, or dusty miller.

4. Plant

   Fall weather is perfect for planting trees. Consider selections that bloom in spring, such as dogwood or flowering crabapple. Planting depths depend on where the first roots emerge from the trunk. In nature, these roots are just below the soil's surface.
   
   With containerized trees, remove excess soil above the roots. After planting, water and add mulch. Extend the mulch beneath the branch spread, while not letting it touch the trunk.

5. Winterize

   Continue cutting your grass as long as it's growing. Apply a preemergent herbicide to control spring weeds. For the last mowing in northerly climates, set the blade height 1 inch below normal and use the bag attachment to collect weed seeds. Apply a winterizer to cool-season turf to improve root growth and hardiness. Overseed warm-season lawns with ryegrass for a green winter lawn.

6. Create

   Seating can transform your garden into an outdoor living room. A raised deck offers sturdy, dry footing for furniture. Treat existing or new wooden decks with waterproofing sealants before temperatures drop. And for a patio that's easier to build yourself, position pavers or pour gravel on a large, level bed of sand.

7. Clean

   Early autumn is a great time to add a water garden to your landscape. Check pond-skimmer baskets frequently as leaves start to fall. For ponds that are surrounded by trees, suspend a net across the surface for easy leaf removal. If you don't plan to run your water pump in the winter, wait until late fall to remove and service it. To keep the pond active in the winter, add a heater.

8. Sow

   Plant seeds for biennial bloomers, such as foxglove, larkspur, hollyhock, bachelor's button, English daisy, and dame's rocket, into garden beds. Sprinkle seeds that have formed on summer annuals-cleome, cosmos, or four o'clock-into flowerbeds.

9. Clip

   Reduce spring tasks by snipping perennial stalks after a hard freeze. Cut the stem's height by two-thirds. Leave ornamental grasses with seedheads in place for winter interest. Don't allow invasive perennials, such as goldenrod, joe-pye weed, sweet autumn clematis, or mullein, to set seed. Clip these stalks before their seeds mature.

10. Imagine

    Stand indoors and survey potential winter scenes in your yard. Incorporate ornamental details that will improve the view for winter, and splash decorative accents throughout spring plantings. A birdbath, an arbor, or solar lighting can add interest for every season.

Want to look younger?

Have you ever heard of Chantal Pharmaceuticals? I hadn't either, before today, but I'm sure that you'll be hearing much more about them in the days to come. Dr. Chantal Burnison has come out with a breakthrough skin-rejuvenating molecule, Ethocyn, that is made for helping both men and women reduce the natural effects of aging on their skin’s appearance. I am certainly no scientist, so I won't attempt to explain the details, but would encourage your to check out www.ethocyn.com for yourself. More information and background is given there. Our country certainly places a lot of emphasis on looking young, even though we certainly are all aging. This may be a way to maintain some youthfulness without resorting to the plastic surgeon's knife. Wouldn't hurt to check it out, right?

He Can Do The Impossible

The kingdom of heaven. Its citizens are drunk on wonder.

Consider the case of Sarai. She is in her golden years, but God promises her a son. She gets excited. She visits the maternity shop and buys a few dresses. She plans her shower and remodels her tent ... but no son. She eats a few birthday cakes and blows out a lot of candles ... still no son. She goes through a decade of wall calendars ... still no son.

So Sarai decides to take matters into her own hands. ("Maybe God needs me to take care of this one.")

She convinces Abram that time is running out. ("Face it, Abe, you ain't getting any younger, either.") She commands her maid, Hagar, to go into Abram's tent and see if he needs anything. ("And I mean 'anything'!") Hagar goes in a maid. She comes out a mom. And the problems begin.

Hagar is haughty. Sarai is jealous. Abram is dizzy from the dilemma. And God calls the baby boy a "wild donkey"--an appropriate name for one born out of stubbornness and destined to kick his way into history.

It isn't the cozy family Sarai expected. And it isn't a topic Abram and Sarai bring up very often at dinner.

Finally, fourteen years later, when Abram is pushing a century of years and Sarai ninety ... when Abram has stopped listening to Sarai's advice, and Sarai has stopped giving it ... when the wallpaper in the nursery is faded and the baby furniture is several seasons out of date ... when the topic of the promised child brings sighs and tears and long looks into a silent sky ... God pays them a visit and tells them they had better select a name for their new son.

Abram and Sarai have the same response: laughter. They laugh partly because it is too good to happen and partly because it might. They laugh because they have given up hope, and hope born anew is always funny before it is real.

They laugh at the lunacy of it all.

They laugh because that is what you do when someone says he can do the impossible. They laugh a little at God, and a lot with God--for God is laughing, too. Then, with the smile still on his face, he gets busy doing what he does best--the unbelievable.

He changes a few things--beginning with their names. Abram, the father of one, will now be Abraham, the father of a multitude. Sarai, the barren one, will now be Sarah, the mother.

But their names aren't the only things God changes. He changes their minds. He changes their faith. He changes the number of their tax deductions. He changes the way they define the word impossible.

From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado

How many things in my life do I count as impossible? How many things have I just about given up on? One of the reasons that such care has been taken to preserve the wonderful stories of the people found in the Bible is for us to learn from them, from their failures and from their successes. From their stories we can have hope for ours. Hope for even the impossible.

Free Starbucks coffee!

Starbucks Offers Free Coffee for Homeschool Parents
This coming Monday, September 29, homeschool parents will be able to pick up a complimentary tall size (12 fl. oz.) cup of Pike Place Roast from Starbucks. Read more >>

Carless

Today my husband had to take his truck in for repairs (holding breath to get the call with the dollars needed), took our van for work, and so I am carless. This really shouldn't be a big deal. We homeschool and have no field trips or anything today, no doctor's appointments, nothing. There's something psychologically stressing me out though. I feel like I'm stuck here. Isn't that silly? For times in the past we've worked on one car and we've been fine. Many people have only one car, or no car, and do just fine. We could walk to a little store if need be. I've just gotten spoiled, I guess. Anyway, that's my morning whining... All better now. Off to school! :)

Workout time

Here in New York the temperature is really starting to drop to a Fall-like level, and I've had to put away the shorts and t-shirts and drag out the jeans and long sleeve shirts. I usually like this time of year, but this year I discovered a problem. During the course of the Spring and Summer I've put on about ten pounds. It hasn't been super noticeable, but now, as I try to wedge myself into my jeans, I'm noticing it.

It's time to work out.

I found a neat looking new program called XFLOWSION that I think might be fun to try, and might bring results about a little bit quicker. I don't know about you, but for me that is the most frustrating part - putting effort in and seeing little in the way of results. XFLOWSION™, with its TRIPLE TRAINING, efficiently and effectively gives you three workouts in one convenient workout, combining moves from martial arts, power yoga, and dance.

Celebrity trainer ERIC PASKEL, who has worked with many in Hollywood, leads this program, and does something called the PLATEAU BLAST. Everyone knows the frustration of working out and seeing results that then somehow just stop., leaving those last few pounds hanging on. XFLOWSION has fresh, constantly shifting moves that encourage continuous fat burning and muscle toning.

XFLOWSION aims to make you "sweat, sculpt and stretch your body to total transformation, from head to toe, inside and out."

Sounds like it's worth a try, doesn't it? Well, let me know if you've tried this exercise program and what you think. We can compare notes!

For right now I'm off to find a pair of jeans that will fit for today!!

He Can Heal the Hurt

Yet another piece by Max Lucado - I just can't help sharing!!! This one speaks to a topic that we can all relate to - getting hurt. We can't keep from getting hurt, but we can decide on our attitude about it, and how we respond to it.

Grudge is one of those words that defines itself. Its very sound betrays its meaning.

Say it slowly: “Grr-uuuud-ge.”

It starts with a growl. “Grr …” Like a bear with bad breath coming out of hibernation or a mangy mongrel defending his bone in an alley. “Grrr …”

Remove a GR from the word grudge and replace it with SL and you have the junk that grudge bearers trudge through. Sludge. Black, thick, ankle-deep resentment that steals the bounce from the step. No joyful skips through the meadows. No healthy hikes up the mountain. Just day after day of walking into the storm, shoulders bent against the wind, and feet dragging through all the muck life has delivered.

Is this the way you are coping with your hurts? Are you allowing your hurts to turn into hates? If so, ask yourself: Is it working? Has your hatred done you any good? Has your resentment brought you any relief, any peace? Has it granted you any joy?

Let’s say you get even. Let’s say you get him back. Let’s say she gets what she deserves. Let’s say your fantasy of fury runs its ferocious course and you return all your pain with interest. Imagine yourself standing over the corpse of the one you have hated. Will you now be free?

The writer of the following letter thought she would be. She thought her revenge would bring release. But she learned otherwise.

I caught my husband making love to another woman. He swore it would never happen again. He begged me to forgive him, but I could not—would not. I was so bitter and so incapable of swallowing my pride that I could think of nothing but revenge. I was going to make him pay and pay dearly. I’d have my pound of flesh.

I filed for divorce, even though my children begged me not to.

Even after the divorce, my husband tried for two years to win me back. I refused to have anything to do with him. He had struck first; now I was striking back. All I wanted was to make him pay.

Finally he gave up and married a lovely young widow with a couple of small children. He began rebuilding his life—without me.

I see them occasionally, and he looks so happy. They all do. And here I am—a lonely, old, miserable woman who allowed her selfish pride and foolish stubbornness to ruin her life.

Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.

The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a grudge or give grace, seek self-pity or seek Christ, drink human misery or taste God’s mercy.

No wonder, then, the wise man begs, “Above all else, guard your heart.”

David’s prayer should be ours: “Create in me a pure heart, O God.”

Growing up

We measured the girls this morning, and it is amazing how much they have grown in such a very short time!!! I am a little melancholy thinking about how quickly time is marching on. On one hand I am glad that I am almost done with diapers and
baby bedding, but on the other I am mourning the passing of the days of snuggling and afternoon naps. Whether I like it or not, however, they are all growing up, so I better log off of this computer and make the most of today!

Blogging away

So I think I'm doing a little bit better with keeping my blogs up. The only thing is that they really are a reflection of my scattered wandering mind... I'm not sure how helpful this one is, although maybe another overtired mom, or whoever, might find comfort in someone else as babbling as they are.... Hmmm.... Not sure. I'm going to make an effort to really start not only getting on here each day, but really trying to get some helpful info up as well. Novel thought I know, but baby steps!! Thanks for your patience. See you back soon!

Dressing Up

My husband is a carpenter/home inspector, and I am a stay at home mom, so our opportunities for dressing up are few and far between. Every once in a while, however, something does pop up where we need to kick it up a notch and look a little more grown up.

When my sister was married not too long ago, I realized that my husband doesn't own a suit. He just never has gone beyond the khakis, dress shirt, and tie, so I never noticed. It would be a good thing to have on hand, however, for events like this...

I found a store online that offers what look to be high quality suits, custom made, but at very close to off the rack prices. This would be a great fit for us (pardon the pun :)) because my husband is near to impossible to fit off the rack. He has a very long inseam and narrow waist. Anyway, here's the scoop on the store...

MySuit is a global company with over 40 years of manufacturing and retail experience. It is a division of one of the largest suit makers in the world.

I was clicking through their site and looking at the options for the made to measure suits, and just from looking at the site, anyways, I think that I would encourage my husband to go with the four button jacket and single pleat pants in one of the dark colors. I'm not sure on the rest - so many choices!!

So, another thing on the wish list. We'll see when we actually get down to New York to get to the store and do it. Hmmm - do I hear a weekend mom and dad only trip calling? :)

He is near

Funerals, divorces, illness, and stays in the hospital-you can't lie about life at such times. Maybe that's why he's always present at such moments.

The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don't turn up the TV and pretend they aren't there. Instead, stand still, whisper his name, and listen. He is nearer than you think.

- Max Lucado - God Came Near

Max Lucado - I know I quote his stuff a lot, but there are just so many nuggets of truth in his writing that point me right back to HIM. There are so many times that God doesn't feel near, but this is a great reminder, to me, to us all. He is near. He is nearer than we think.

Charge it!

There's been a lot of talk about the economy, finances, savings, and credit in the news the last few days. It's gotten me thinking about my own financial habits. How often do I "charge" things that I don't really have to have? We really stick with a debit card, but even so, that plastic is whipped out lots.... I think most other people that I know are in the same boat. Credit and debit cards are a way of life. I imagine that it is probably very important for a business to accept credit cards at this point in time in order to be competitive. I found a company called Merchant Advisors that has over 20 years experience in the payments processing industry, and
provides what they call "a total payments solution." They offer ACH processing, Credit Card Processing, and alternative small business financing. They label themselves as a good fit for businesses just starting out, as well as established ones, and are definitely worth taking a look at. Let me know what you think...

Success

"Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm."
- Winston Churchill

That's kind of a neat way of looking at things. I guess if you don't want to ever fail, you can just sit and not try anything, but to be brave enough to keep trying after failures, that allows for real possibilities. Attitude definitely is key too - and what shows when things are not going so hot is a true picture of that attitude. Anyway, enough of my rambling... a great quote on its own!

Eating out

I enjoy eating out, but being a mostly single income family we don't do it much, at least not to restaurants that utilize plates and forks. Our primary eat out spots are ones that hand your food to you in a bag. :)

Well, I was gone for a few days, with my mom and one of my sisters, and we ate out a bit, and at restaurants that used real, breakable plates, and silverware. I liked it, but you know what? Those restaurants give you a LOT of food!! Now, settling back into regular life, and trying to squeeze into my jeans, I'm feeling the negative consequences of some of my food choices. I'm not quite to the point yet of running out and buying Lipovox yet, but I gotta say, I'm close!!

Exercise ball, salads, and water - here I come!!

Mommy brain

I am suffering from severe mommy brain today! I am having a hard time just keeping it together and making complete sentences! I was gone for a few days and the plan was for me to come back recharged. I don't feel recharged...

I guess that it didn't help that I didn't get back from the airport until after 1 am, with delays and such. So.... maybe tomorrow I'll feel recharged :).

Still, however, I am amazed at the moms who are able to be good moms and still have fully functional noggins, able to chat intelligently about things like cpm (corporate performance management) and other things that are so important and confusing that they are only referred to in acronyms. Congrats to you ladies!! Perhaps someday I will join you in the world of fully functioning grown up brains. For right now, however, I am enjoying being at home with my little brain drainers :). This is my job for this time...

Created in God's Image

I recently came across this piece from Discover the Book ministries. Whether you believe in the creation of our world or not, why not take a few moments to read it through and just think on it?

The Bible of course indicates that before the Flood man did have a high degree of culture and technology. He was able to build cities (Genesis 4:17), practice agriculture (4:2) and animal husbandry (4:20), fabricate and play musical instruments (4:21) and work in brass and iron (4:22). These few references would certainly imply that he also could read and write and had a system of weights and measures, as well as accomplish many other things (e.g., build a gigantic vessel capable of withstanding the violence of a worldwide flood for a whole year).

All the world that existed before the Flood, The Lost World, perished (2 Peter 3:6) in the Deluge. When the eight ancestors of all post-Flood men emerged from the Ark , they of course had to face a drastically changed environment with only the knowledge they had learned and retained in their own minds, along with whatever records and equipment they may have been able to store on the Ark. It is no wonder that they were forced for some little time to make use of stone and wooden implements, at least until they could discover veins of metallic ores in the rocks of newly formed lands of the world. Many naturally made use of caves for shelter, until they could find time and materials with which to build more suitable dwellings. No doubt a considerable part of their time had to be devoted to the essential task of providing food for their sustenance. It is remarkable that they could survive at all, let alone set about to develop great civilizations once again. No doubt a great many of the evidences of the so-called Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures of early man, when rightly interpreted, are merely commentaries on the difficult struggle to survive by small tribes of post-Flood men in the early centuries following the great Flood.

We live in the brave new world that was founded by Noah after the world that perished in the Genesis flood.

Now ponder the remarkable antiquity of the Bible. What this book records is seldom appreciated as it should be.

·Modern historians often refer back to the Greek writer Herodotus as the "father of history." So when did he live and write? His writings are actually only contemporary with those of Nehemiah and Malachi, the very last of the 27 Old Testament[4] writers!

·The supposed ancient writer of the Illiad and Odessy, Homer, whose works are quite a mixture of mythology and history. Yet they date from the same period as the sober and archaeologically reliable histories of Samuel.

·Most of the other great historians of antiquity--Manetho, Berosus, Josephus and others--all date from much more recent periods. In their writings it is essentially impossible to discern where history ends and legend begins.

And yet the Bible records detailed and accurate histories as far back as Abraham and beyond. Abraham's time was at least a thousand years earlier even than Homer! In all the world, there is no other book like this. The sacred books and the ancient records of other nations fade into dim tradition and sheer mythology only a few hundred years before Christ, but the Hebrew Scriptures incorporate great sections of sober history stretching back to the days before Abraham and, for that matter, back to the very Creation itself! No other writing of such antiquity is at all comparable as a book of history, entirely apart from the question of its divine inspiration.

There is every reason to believe, and no reason to doubt (except for evolutionary bias), that the traditional dates and authors were correct and that we have in the Scriptures what amounts to first-hand, eye-witness, accounts of all these great events at the dawn of human history. Yet from digs across the world come bone fragments, teeth and strange pictures depicting apelike creatures fabricated from a few fragments. Where did modern man come from? Where do cave dwellers, fossils, and cave drawings fit into all this? We can learn of the Descent of Mankind from Genesis 9 and Romans 1.

Conclusion: There is no fossil evidence that man is the product of evolution. The missing links are still missing because they simply do not exist. The Bible clearly states, "then the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7).

Evolutionary Thought Misses the Purpose

We are even here today! In no other historical book do we find so many and such valuable statements of purpose for man as in the Bible. For example:

1. Man was God's target in creation Gen. 1:27-28 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

2. Man was God's target in redemption Isaiah 53:5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

3. Man was God's target in the mission of God's Son 1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

4. Man was God's target of God's inheritance. Titus 3:7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

5. Man was God's target for Heaven's wonders 1 Peter 1:4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.

God Made ALL OF THE Universe:

Isn't that wild to think about?!? Whether you believe it at first read or not, chew on it a bit... Let me know what you think.

Help!!

Once again, for the millionth time I think, I'm feeling a little swamped. I have much work to catch up with for homeschooling, homemaking, parenting, family stuff, our small business - wow!!!

I am grateful for the internet and the advantages and opportunities that it provides to us, but maintaining my websites and other things on it sometimes is just one more thing on my list, and doesn't always get done super well. I have found another resource that might help me simplify my to do list. Network Solutions is a company that focuses on helping small businesses start and market their businesses on the Web, enabling them to realize their dreams of self-reliance, entrepreneurship, creativity, and financial independence. They offer a full range of Web-related services, like domain name registration, Web site design and hosting, e-commerce solutions, online security products, and search engine marketing and optimization. They have network solutions news posted on their website, and just lots of other goodies. It looks like a great resource.

Ok, so I've found something that is going to help me simplify and keep up to date, and now I just need to find a few minutes to really utilize all of these services!!! On the to do list for you...

Years go by...

We celebrated our fourteenth anniversary just recently, and it amazes me how quickly the years have gone by. Fourteen years. One of the cool things is that it seems like we keep getting better together. We are comfortable with each other. Not the taking each other forgranted, bad kind of comfortable, but just comfortable, from knowing each other so well. It's nice to know that you are married to a dear dear friend, who will love you even when life takes you down unexpected paths. It's nice to know that your special someone isn't one who loves you only when things are going well, or when you're looking really good, but also when you're trying to remember if you've even brushed your teeth recently. It's nice to know that it's a forever kind of thing. Thanks for being in this with me, hon!

Transitions

Some neat thoughts about homeschooling, and life, from Alpha Omega Publications...

"And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness" (Isaiah 35:8a).

After the initial excitement wears off, the first year of homeschooling can seem quite challenging. Parents and children adjust to new routines, and things don't always go as smoothly as planned. Gears grind as schedules get interrupted, children misbehave, and new disciplines are learned. During this crucial transition period, many homeschoolers feel overwhelmed and think they made a mistake. Some even give up and say, "Homeschooling is too hard, and it's not for me."

Shifting gears to homeschooling doesn't have to be difficult if God is in control. Like an automatic transmission smoothly brings a car up to speed, God's presence and power provides the finely-tuned peace and patience that keeps your homeschooling successfully cruising down the road. Whether you're facing bad attitudes, deprogramming your children from public education, or simply learning how to use your curriculum effectively, God's wisdom will guide you if you ask for it (James 1:5).

What's the status of your homeschooling today? Is your patience blown like a steaming radiator? Is your engine running rough as you power through the day in your own strength? Don't call the tow truck to send your homeschooling to the salvage yard just yet. Give God the wheel and let the Holy Spirit overhaul your homeschooling to start enjoying the ride of your life! "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).

Ouch!

I am not a fan of surgery of any sort, though I've had a few. My husband, however, loves watching surgery on the educational channels on t.v., and isn't daunted by the thought of any surgery. We were chatting the other day about plastic surgery, and
weightloss surgery in specific, and he thinks that if he ever really got heavy he'd go for it. Ouch!! I would be doing lots of research to be sure that we found a lap band physician with excellent credentials before I ever even began thinking about it. Ouch! I can't even chat about it without getting chills.... Enough for me!

Toys into Tools

I just really like some of the email devotionals that I get sent. Today I got a great one by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Faith Editor.

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:48

With the start of football season this month, I've heard the phrase, "to whom much is given, much is required" used a lot... and that's a good thing. A great thing. Athletes, profiled on sports shows, have been given chances to explain how they are using their celebrity and/or money to help mankind and/or spread the gospel. Most notable among them was the piece ESPN aired on University of Florida quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow (click here to view the excellent 4 minute, 34 second piece).

Tebow speaks in the interview about wanting to use what he's been given as a platform to further the Kingdom of God. Which is reminiscient of the parable Jesus told about the difference between faithful and unfaithful servants, stewards of the kingdom. Faithful servants are to be about their master's will, not doing their own thing, not squandering what they've been given, but instead, realizing how much they've been given, and that there are punishments awaiting those who knowingly disobey (and even those - albeit less severely - who unknowingly disobey).

I like verses like our main verse today, where a concept is repeatedly synonymously for effect. Wisdom literature (in Psalms and Proverbs) are ripe with this structure, and Jesus makes use of it here. "Everyone who has been given much" is echoed by "the one who has been entrusted with much," and "much will be demanded" is synonymous with "much more will be asked." It drives the point home.

We often hear the first part of this verse quoted, and it works fine by itself. To whom much is given, much is required. It even works well in the secular world, so much so that non-Christians quote it, perhaps without even knowing it's a biblical concept, and superhero movies use it as a thematic element.

But this week, after seeing and reading several profiles of Christian athletes, I read the verse in its entirety, and it opened up a new level of meaning for me. Generally, when I think of things I've been "given," or "gifts," I tend to think of presents, possessions, toys, even. Things that are mine. Things I can hoard, break, forget about, get tired of, use for personal gain, waste, sell, or lose. Some things we are "given" include salvation, spiritual gifts, genetic gifts, talents, financial blessing, testimonies, family, forgiveness, love, and more.

Now, does your perspective shift at all if you think of those things not merely as "things given," but as "things you are entrusted with"? To me, the ante gets upped. There's a new level of seriousness. The steward who has faith must, by definition, be faithful.

My toys, as I grow up, must become my tools - the things the Master has given that He expects will be used to build and further His Kingdom.

Intersecting Faith & Life: What gift have you been entrusted with that you are still just playing with? Or hiding? Or wasting? Knowing the Master's will, decide what you would say if He returned today to find you not busy at Kingdom work. Then decide one way you can use what you have been entrusted with to edify others this week. You may not have the platform of a Tim Tebow, but you've been given all the requirements necessary to do the job assigned to you.

Wow!! A challenge to chew on for a bit.

Retiring early?

I don't know if you know any more about retirement funds and things than I do.... It wouldn't take much to beat me!! I don't know too much about any of it at all.

We've been reviewing our budget lately and trying to figure out how we can carve out some money for savings. It'd be great to get into some high return investing and really make the most that we can with the smallish amount that we have to work with. I have found some interesting ideas online. At Diamond Bay Investments Inc, real estate trust deed investments produce a high margin of return with a low margin of risk. They have things as high as a 12% return rate on high yield first trust deeds. That sounds like much more than I've seen posted in my local bank. Their services appear to be set up for retirement, income, and IRA investment portfolios. I don't think that we'll be breaking the bank, or even retiring early with what we have planned, but I do want to make the best use of the money that we have been entrusted with. Sounds like a good starting point...

Today's accomplishments

Whoo hoo!!! I feel like I've done pretty well today... It's a little after 2:00 and the girls are done with school, I've cleaned the bathroom, fixed a goofy television connection, mopped all of the floors, vacuumed the rest, and even eaten a meal. Yeah!! No exercise today, but hey, maybe tomorrow!?! Gotta run and see what else I can add to the list :).

Car parts?

As I've jabbered on about before, there is no end to the goodies that can be found online!

Tonight I visited www.swedishparts.net for the first time and saw that they have a huge selection of Volvo Parts and Saab Auto Parts. I don't have a vehicle that needs either of these brands at this time, but I still like looking for bargains :). This site guarantees the lowest prices, which I like. I also like the fact that they always offer free shipping, have full warranties, and also promise high quality customer service. If you are in need of parts for your Volvo or Saab, definitely check 'em out!

Whoops!!!

Well, I had a humbling moment tonight.... I have never claimed to be an excellent housekeeper, but I try to keep our home above the standard of "YUCH!" Tonight however, after having company again for the past week or so, and not having a moment to do too much in the way of cleaning, I had let a whole mess of dishes pile up in the sink - we're talking both sides and over the top (I was cleaning my dishwasher and planning to put them all in after that was done). I also had piles of groceries and other things waiting to be carried downstairs or put away. Well, that's when friends from church decided to pop by. My daughter answered them in and had them waiting right in the midst of the biggest mess while she came to find me...... Whoops! Soooooo, as soon as they left I did a quick and frantic cleaning swoop of the house, at least the parts that everyone can see :). Maybe tomorrow for the rest?

Beach vacation for the family

When I was growing up we went to Wildwood, NJ just about every summer. It was a decent drive from where we were in western NY, enough to feel like a real trip but still do-able for a family with young children. Those vacations were truly highlights of our childhood.

I haven't been back to Wildwood since I've been a grownup, even though I live closer now. I'd love to share the same experiences with my own children, plus more that are there now as well. There are now some incredible looking resorts in Wildwood NJ that would be fun to check out. A family beach vacation could involve even more fun for my kiddos. Morey’s Piers looks like a great place for a “New Jersey Vacation” and their website is the place to find hotels & motels in Wildwood. And me, being unwilling to part with a dollar unneccessarily, was glad to find some specials on their site to make this kind of trip even more affordable.

This summer's travels are done for us, but for next year I think we might be showing the kids where Mommy used to go when she was a little girl :).

Week Two

So tomorrow begins week two of school for most of us. I did fairly well with homeschooling this past week, in spite a lot of out of the ordinary additions to our week. Can I make it a go for two weeks in a row of getting it all done? :) We'll see... How did it go for you?

Taking credit cards

I've mentioned before that I handle the paperwork side of my husband and father in law's business... A few months back we added credit card acceptance, and we do it through paypal. I've been looking around to see what other options are out there, as we lose a lot on fees, but so far no luck. I did come across one that's new to me today - Merchant Advisors provides a total payments solution including ACH processing, credit card processing, and alternative small business financing. They seek to meet the requirements of both medium and enterprise level companies, and make a priority of being affordable. They even mention free merchant accounts. Sounds good, right? Looks like I may have found our new plan...

Garage sale time

I'm writing quickly because my girls are manning our garage sale while I steal a few minutes of computer time. It's a slow rainy day, so it's not too much of a job to work the sale, and it's all their goodies anyway, but still, I won't leave them too long. Who knows what kind of reason that might find to squabble and drive the few customers away? Fun fun fun!!!

Turbocharge your ride!

I drive a minivan, so I probably won't be turbocharging it anytime soon, but, if I were a few years younger, or maybe just kidless, I think it would be fun to have a car with a little more oomph. There are websites for just about anything, and I've found one for this too! Turbochargerpros.com has everything you need to make your Audi, VW or any model blow the competition away. They've got an extensive inventory and full warranty, and can hook you up with the turbocharger or supercharger that's just right for you. I guess at this point in the game the only reason that I can think of for getting one is for getting more oomph to pass safely on the highway, but again, at a different point in life I'm sure there's lots of other more fun reasons too!!

Need a mood lift?

Another group of things that you can eat to help, this time with boosting your mood...

• Whole grain cereals have complex carbs that can help stabilize blood sugar and so prevent mood swings.
• Air popped popcorn can raise your levels of serotonin and your mood.
• Flaxseed has omega 3 fatty acids which can reduce depression. You can sprinkle on yogurt or add it to homemade baked goods.

Cool down!

It's so funny, because I never had air conditioning until my current vehicle, but now, if it's over 70 degrees or so, windows are up and the air is on. Even though our summers in New York are a little short, they can get hot, and I love my air conditioning!!! Our van is piling on the miles, and is getting older, so I'm wondering how long the air will hold up for me. I've found a site that sells auto ac parts that I'm noting on here, just in case... They've got compressors for all kinds of different cars. They've even got Mercedes AC Compressors. Free shipping and full warranty - like that... Check it out!

Headache?

I love finding natural ways to help out with things! This one's for fighting headaches...

• Kale and other magnesium rich greens help reduce headaches by fighting inflammation.
• Black beans keeps your blood sugar on level, which helps to reduce headaches.
• Tuna and halibut have healthy omega 3s, which can reduce inflammation and headaches.

Give em a whirl and let me know what you think :).

A trip by myself!

I am very excited!!! I don't think I've taken a trip by myself since we've had kids, but I'm doing one soon!! And I'll be flying besides!! Whoo hoo!!! It's only a weekend, but still, I feel like a big shot :).

I was reading that airlines are continuing to cut back like crazy - did you know that they don't even carry blankets and pillow anymore? I was picturing snuggling up and taking a little snooze, but I guess unless I bring my own I'm out of luck.

Turns out that, as usual, someone else is a few steps ahead of me in their thinking, and came out with a neat product called Cabin Cuddler.
It's a blanket that's contoured to cover you well with a patented pocket to keep your feet warm, in a tote bag that turns into a personal hygienic pillow case, complete with an inflatable pillow. This is really cute! Either for airline flights like the one I have coming up, or for cold offices, or just to keep in your family room for when you and the rest of the family can't agree on the temperature. A handy little idea!! Perhaps I will be logging on and trying to get one here quickly, and then I can still pamper myself :).

Fat burning foods

I have been an eating machine lately, just eating way more junk than I should... Now it's time to start burning up the extra pounds that I've collected!!

I found an article that shares some fat burning foods.... Now I know that just eating these won't solve the problem. It's about increasing activity and decreasing the junk, but if it helps I'll add this too!!

• Chile peppers have capsaicin in them, a compound that can rev up your metabolism. Try adding them into your foods a few times a week (stir fry)
• Soy milk and tofu can help lower your fat by balancing hormones that control appetite
• Green tea - drinking 4-5 cups a day can fire up your metabolism and help you to lose weight faster.\

I'm game - I think I'll go pour a cup of green tea right now - I could use a little energy too!! :)

Back to school shopping

So, school has officially started in our homeschool, and also in the public school down the road here. How about for you? I think most are up and running now....

Did you actually complete all of the back to school shopping you intended to? I have to admit that I only bought two pairs of jeans for one of my kiddos! We don't really do a full fledged back to school shopping thing because we buy as we need, and when we catch deals on
discount clothing, but I usually grab a little more at this time of year. I did find one deal online that I want to share....

Heavenly Couture offers quality clothes with savings of up to 85%. Additionally, EVERYTHING on their site is $17.95 or less. That's about as affordable as you can get. Good, right? Cheap Clothing that is still good stuff makes me happy! :)

Here are a few of my favorites from their site:






Oh, I almost forgot to mention, for a limited time, there is an up to 10% off discount for Back To School Shopping! Enjoy!

Grocery shopping with kids

I went shopping at Aldi's with all both of my girls yesterday. Now Aldis is definitely a money saving store, and my girls can be very helpful kiddos. Yesterday, however, something happened, and well, they ended up helping me spend about twice of what I would have if I was shopping solo. I came home with more silly stuff, and more snacks, than I think I've probably bought in months! They asked about each and every purchase, so nothing was snuck into the cart without me being aware of it. Somehow, little by little, it added up to a crazy amount. There are so many things in life like that, aren't there? Little no big deals adding up to a cartful of YIKES!

Whoooo - almost got to a profound thought level! Too early for that - gotta run get breakfast going :)

Where are you hosted?

The more I dig into this blogging stuff the more I learn... Also, the more the questions I have!

I'm trying to figure out if the website hosting platform I have now is enough for all of the content that's getting piled into this blog. A place that I haven't visited before today is webhostingrating.com. They've got articles on managed dedicated hosting and many other good things that I'm going to wade through to try to sort my questions out.

I know I've rambled on about this stuff before, but does anyone out there have a host that they love? Have you checked these guys out? Share :)

Accidental words

I read this today in Max Lucado's "God Came Near."

Insensitivity makes a wound that heals slowly.

If someone hurts your feelings intentionally you know how to react. You know the source of the pain. But if someone accidentally bruises your soul, it's difficult to know how to respond...

Insensitive comments. Thoughts that should have remained thoughts. Feelings which had no business being expressed. Opinions careless tossed like a grenade into a crowd.

Yikes! I've been tossing some grenades recently. Usually they land unnoticed, but how long can that go on? How much damage will I do? Wow. This really pierced my conscience. I need to learn to zip my mouth shut and really think through my comments before I share them. I don't want to be responsible for this kind of damage....

Go away debt!

Most people that I know at this point in life either owe a bunch of money or have, at some point in the past, been burdened by debt. It's hard to make it through life without borrowing money from someone at some point. It's easy to go from borrowing a bit of money to really being in over your head. Once you're there, it's hard to get out without help.

Perhaps you've got a family member or friend who is financially wise, and can lend a hand. If you're looking for a little wisdom on your own, however, I've found a great resource. Bills.com has a Debt Help page that focuses on Debt Consolidation and talks about ways to consolidate debt. There are also tons of articles and links about all sorts of money stuff. Depending on your situation, different information may jump out at you, as there are many options to help you consolidate debt. If it fits your profile, probably the best is a simple debt consolidation program, that won't goof with your credit rating. If you are in debt a little bit deeper, there are more aggressive programs shared that will help you dig out, but may leave a few scars on your credit rating.

The most critical thing, especially with our economy as confusing as it is right now, is to work on getting out of debt and beginning to save. In a time where many people are losing jobs and paychecks, savings are a must.

Anyway, enough rambling - check 'em out :).

Boost your immune system with what you eat

A few foods that I've recently read about to help your immune system do its job:

• Canataloupe - just 1 cup is more than your days required vitamin C
• Broccoli - packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals (which cause disease and infection)
• Oysters and crab - loaded with zinc, which boosts that immune system and helps your body fight off infections

Easy enough way to maybe keep from getting quite so many bugs this year!

Job hunt

Recently I've been thrown into the world of job hunting, as a bystander of sorts... I've been watching as a family member has been trying to find a job. What a headache!! We live in a small town and there aren't really tons of resources for the job seeker here. I've found things for other towns that would be wonderful if we had them at our disposal here. Chicago jobs are listed in a very easy to find way online, as are other big cities' jobs. We are still relying on the local paper, as far as I know, although we have that posted online now, so we're getting there... Actually, I'm going to run and try to lend a hand helping with the job hunt rather than chatting about it. See you later :).

Copy-worthy

I came across this in a quiet (kind of) moment today...

"A student... who is fully trained will be like his teacher." Luke 6:40, The Bible

Wow!! This is a bit scary - do I really want my girls to be just like me? Am I truly copy-worthy? I guess homeschooling, and parenting, is about getting it right with the kids, but also with me... I've got some work to do!!

Breitling watches to watch

I am not a big shopper, but it is fun to wander around online sometimes and see all of the things that are out there... I came acrossBreitling watches today and had fun looking through their products. On the linked site there are a bunch of different watches that are super high quality and reasonably priced for such upscale products.



This is an example of one of the neatest watches that I found: Breitling's Emergency Men's Watch Chronograph Titanium Orange Dial on Black Leather Strap . A mouthful, isn't it? It's not just the name that's impressive, though. It can time up to 23 hrs 59 mins and 59.99 seconds, has an alarm, shows a second time zone, has a countdown timer, and also a full calendar programmed for 4 year increments. Besides all of this it is also features a built-in transmitter broadcasting on the Aircraft Emergency Frequency, so that you can signal for help in the event of an emergency. I like safety stuff like that :).

Breitling watches are definitely not low end watches, and as such, you do pay for the quality, but The Watchery does offer significant discounts on their products, for example, 25% off the watch I mentioned above!!

At this point in the game, I'm not buying, but it's still fun to look, and someday, should the opportunity present, I may just find myself back at this page making a purchase :).

Soothe your upset stomach naturally

I like finding natural ways to take care of myself, though altogether healthy I am not....

Anyway, I found an article that tells what foods can help to soothe upset stomachs:

• Quinoa is a nutty flavored grain that at about 1/2 cup a day, or as needed, will help your digestive system to behave better
• Peppermint tea calms and relaxes intestinal muscles and alleviates gas and bloating.
• Arugula stimulates production of hormones needed for healthy digestion, at about 2 cups a week in a salad or sandwich.
• Plain yogurt with live active cultures helps aid digestion if taken daily.

Give 'em a try next time the belly's not feeling so well and let me know how it works :).

What's the big deal about breakfast?

I found this on Meals Matter - good stuff!

Benefits of Breakfast for Children

Breakfast provides children with the energy and essential nutrients they need to concentrate on school work and learn. Studies show that it provides as much as ¼ of the recommended daily allowance for key nutrients, such as calcium, protein, vitamins A and B6, magnesium, iron and zinc.

Importance of Breakfast

Research shows that children who eat breakfast have higher achievement scores, lower rates of absence and tardiness, and increased concentration in the classroom.

Another important reason to eat breakfast is that healthful habits learned early in life could stave off many adulthood health problems associated with poor diet, such as diabetes and obesity.

What counts?

Ideally, you want to make a breakfast that consists of protein, fat and carbohydrate. That will prevent drops in blood sugar for several hours, whereas a breakfast of just carbohydrate will sustain a child for only one to two hours.

A drop in blood sugar can mean a decline in energy level and the onset of hunger symptoms like a stomachache or headache, which interfere with learning.

Balanced meals offering foods from several food groups (containing carbohydrate, protein and fat) are designed to sustain children’s energy throughout the morning.

If breakfast is rushed in the morning, eating something is still better than eating nothing. So, if you are getting your child to eat a banana or piece of string cheese on the way to school, that’s better than them starting the day on an empty stomach.

Fast Breakfast Ideas

Breakfasts that include foods from several food groups provide the most benefit to children, both educationally and physically. Simple breakfasts that can be prepared quickly and easily include:

• Juice and cereal with milk
• Toast with peanut butter and a piece of fruit
• A fruit smoothie made with yogurt
• A hard-cooked egg and a bagel
• A cereal bar or a piece of fresh fruit and string cheese are great portable breakfasts
• Leftovers can be breakfast too—soup and crackers, tortillas with melted cheese or chicken drumsticks can all work in a pinch!

We all feel better when we are getting the nutrition our bodies need, and a great way to jump into your day is by starting off with a healthy breakfast.

Healthy Habits Start Early

Your kids look up to you. If mom and dad don’t have to eat breakfast—why should they? By eating breakfast everyday, you are teaching your children that it is important to eat breakfast. Establishing this habit early ensures that they will have healthy eating habits when they grow up.

You can be different than your parents

I received this devotional from Daniel Darling today, and I thought it was a good one. We love to talk about our parents and the way they drove us crazy, don't we? Here's something constructive, spiritually constructive, that you can do, regardless of what your parents have done.

1 Samuel 18:1
A few years ago I heard a popular youth "expert" on Christian radio. He said something that almost made me drive off the road.
"Young people can't achieve great things for God until they confess all of the sins of their parents."
Ouch. I thought about that for a while. The fact is there are some teens who don't even know who their parents are.
His advice was dead wrong, but it tracks with what some teach that sins are "generational" and pass down from father to son, etc. Let's confront that bad teaching right here, right now.
First of all, yes, we do all inherit a sin nature from our parents.
And yes, unchecked sin can be repeated from generation to generation.
But here's the kicker. Those sinful patterns don't have to be repeated. In other words, you as a young person have a choice as to the life you're going to live. Maybe you've come from a pretty messed up home. Don't ever let anyone tell you you're shackled with the same unavoidable choices.
How do I know? Look at Jonathan. His Dad, King Saul, was a jerk. He thumbed his nose at God and was a wimpy warrior. That's why God took the kingdom away from Saul and gave it to David, the courageous shepherd boy.
Jonathan could have been just like his dad. But he chose a different life. A life marked by courage in battle, loyalty to David, his friend and God's man. Sacrifice and humility were hallmarks of Jonathan's life. He willingly stepped aside as prince and honored God's anointing of David as Israel's next king.
Friends, you have a choice. I don't care where you are from or what you're parents are doing. You may have great parents who love God. Awesome--but remember that their faith won't automatically trickle down to you. You have to choose, on your own, to follow god.
You may have parents who don't do church, don't read their Bible, and mock your Christian faith. Maybe this discourages you. I want to let you know that God sees you and has a dramatic plan for your life.
Think:
Can God use me despite of my family background?
How can my life beam God's love into my family?
Have I made family excuses for my lack of faith?