Sky Watch Friday - sPoOkY

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Friday Fill-ins # 5

1. My favorite food seasoning is garlic (Now, isn't that appropriate for Halloween).

2. The word vacation is music to my ears.

3. Lucky is something I have never been (blessed, yes-lucky, no).

4. My faith is something I take very seriously.

5. Many people are clueless.

6. A birthday card and Halloween candy were the last things I bought at the store.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to I don't know what, tomorrow my plans include trading vehicles and celebrating my wonderful daughter-in-law's birthday and Sunday, I want to go to church and then do NOTHING!

THIS CHAIR IS CALLING MY NAME!

Thursday Thirteen - I Wanna Be Peter Pan

"I'll never grow up."

Okay, I realized after I titled this that is sounds like it is going to be a list of Halloween costumes or pictures. If that is what you were hoping to find, I'm sorry I misled you. What this is, however, is a list of the reasons I don't want to be a grown-up any more. Being that it is October 30th - I will start with an obvious reason...

1. On Halloween you can dress up and be whoever you want to be. People give you candy for no real reason and you can eat as much as you want without worrying about your weight.



2. You don't have to go to work- just school, once you're old enough, and even then there is Fall break, Christmas break, Spring break, and Summer break. (I could use a break!) There may be the added bonus of snow days which are the best bonus of all because there really isn't anything you can be doing besides staying home playing, reading, or watching TV.



3. You don't have to try to figure out when you are too sick to go to work - your Mom will decide if you should stay home from school to get well or to avoid spreading whatever you have to the rest of your class. Then she'll call and let them know - you don't have to do it between bouts of cold chills or while in a totally dark, silent room because you have a migraine. You don't have to worry that if you get sick too often they will give your desk to some other student.



4. You don't have to pay bills, just remember to take your lunch money or turn in your field trip form.



5. Which leads to field trips - you get to visit new places and learn new things, usually in some fun and interesting way.



6. You have very limited physical responsibilities - someone else is in charge of feeding you healthy food, making sure you get enough exercise, and that you get regular doctor, eye, and dental check-ups.



7. You have very limited household responsibilities - picking up your toys, making your bed, maybe carrying your dinner dished to the sink. Later there may be the added responsibility or doing the dishes (or loading the dishwasher), mowing the yard, or doing your own laundry but you share those with others and don't have to do their laundry.



8. You have limited social responsibilities - you are only expected to show up wherever your parents are willing to take you and if it gets late in the evening and you fall asleep in the middle of an event or get cranky because you're too tired no one wakes you up or is personally offended by your sleeping or your crankiness.



9. You have very limited societal responsibilities - you don't have to decide who would be the best person to be president and fairly govern the whole country, or even who should be on the school board. You don't have to file or pay taxes.



10. You typically are not expected to control things that are completely out of your control- things like the economy being in the toilet but your sales figures should remain steady, things like your spouse being mad at you because the two year old spilled fruit juice on the remote, the ten year old forgot to do what he was asked to, or the teenager dinged the car.



11. You can sometimes go an entire day and the only decisions you have to make are what you want to wear, if you want catsup on your fries, and which jigsaw puzzle you want to work or game you want to play.



12. You have all kinds of things to look forward to and you can still grow up to be anything you want to be and go anywhere you want to go. There are new, undiscovered things around every corner and you still have the time and energy to discover them.



13. You can still enjoy all the aspects of Christmas completely. You can be caught up in the wonder of Christ's birth without worry about those who don't know Him. You can still believe in the magic of Santa Claus and a bright shiny fun-filled Christmas morning provided by him, his elves, and his reindeer without the worry "hangover" of the credit card bills that will come in January or the depleted savings account.

Here's wishing you a few days each year when you can truly feel like a child again...

Wordless Wednesday-Final Harvest

Gracie decided to help with the final harvesting of the garden. She did decided, however, that playing with the green tomato was much more fun than eating it.

Sermon in a Sentence

“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” -Dwight Eisenhower

Friday Fill-ins

1. Right now, I'm feeling a little anxious about the lack of business we're doing at work.

2. On a beach somewhere is where I want to be.











3. How does one work, spend time with friends and family, blog, do missions work, and still find time to exercise?

4. My pastor, who always challenges my way of thinking, keeps me on track.

5. Please don't drink the dog's water.










6. A beautiful rainbow or sunset fills me with joy.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to shopping for a new winter coat (I forgot until I went to put it on yesterday morning that mine did not survive the wreck last February), tomorrow my plans include having friends over for dinner and Sunday, I want to go to church and then bring Baby Isaac home to play with! (play with could be interpreted as "take pictures of until my camera battery dies".)

Sky Watch Friday-Morning Has Broken

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Movies I've Watched More Than Once

Here are thirteen movies that I've watched more than once and will likely watch again... and again... and again.

1. The Princess Bride














2. The Big Chill










3. Miracle on 34th Street (the original)










4. Thelma & Louise










5. Alladin










6. The Sound of Music










7. The Ghost and Mrs. Muir










8. The Cowboys
















9. Field of Dreams










10. Ocean's Eleven (Brad Pitt and George Clooney, it doesn't get much better than that.)










11. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Paul Newman and Robert Redford = better than that.)















12. Pretty Woman









13. The Santa Clause

Wordless Wednesday-More Than Corn

This is the final installment of the More Than Corn photos. This is just a couple of days before all the corn was harvested. The now wide open fields will likely be seen in future posts filled with deer.

Some Political Thoughts

WARNING***WARNING***WARNING

The opinions and observations expressed in this blog are purely those of this blogger and are just that, opinions! I will try to abstain from "politics as usual" by trying to claim that my opinions are statements of fact. They are not - they are just my opinion. I will try not to pounce on a politician's vote on any particular bill without having read the entire bill so that I may understand why they voted for or against it. I will try to remember, and I will remind you, that if we all saw things the same way as either political party this country would no longer exist as a democracy at all. Additionally, I am still regularly reading the blogs of people who have very different opinions from mine and hope that you, if your opinion differs from mine, will offer me the same courtesy. After all, in two weeks anything we've said will no longer matter since our obligation as an American and our biblical mandate is to honor and respect whichever leaders have been chosen.

Palin finally figured out her favorite movie when she arrived here in Indiana last week - she said "it's Hoosiers". Seriously? Did anyone buy that?

Further, it's being said that she brings environmental issues to the ticket. Really? I have an interest in environmental issues and I don't recall even knowing her name until McCain selected her. That seems odd since she can see glaciers melting from her house.

Maverick anyone? Interesting that this term has been latched on to as a positive character trait. Where did the term come from and what does it mean? According to Wikipedia the word originated with Samuel Maverick "a Texas lawyer, politician, land baron and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Maverick was considered independent minded by his fellow ranchers because he refused to brand his cattle. In fact, Maverick's failure to brand his cattle had little to do with independent mindedness, but reflected his lack of interest in ranching." (kind of like a lack of interest in changing anything?) Wikipedia further explains that "the word maverick entered the English lexicon, meaning both an unbranded range animal as well as a slang term for someone who exhibits a streak of stubborn independence."

Trickle down economics is not working! It worked for Ronald Reagan (a president who I voted for and respected , by the way) because we really were a "kinder, gentler" America. It worked before Clinton signed NAFTA and before the "Greed is Good" generation got in positions of power. It doesn't work now. Now companies take their tax breaks and bailouts and invest them in bigger bonuses for themselves or exotic retreat meetings or back in their company by building a new plant and creating new jobs - in China or Mexico.

Joe the Plumber - I'm glad you have big dreams of big income when you become a plumber. I wish you luck! At my job I work with plumbers every day - lots of them. I don't know too many who have Joe's particular concern - and even less so with the downturn in the housing market and the economy in general. What does the "Average Joe" really make? Here is an excerpt from an article in The New Yorker:

Income inequality—the gap between the richest and the rest—increased dramatically during the Bush Administration. The main reason was that the rich became very, very rich, while middle- and working-class families saw their incomes stagnate or decline. Long before the Wall Street meltdown, rising gas prices and health-care bills pinched even those American households with incomes that rank squarely in the middle classes. That is where the great majority of actual plumbers live, of course; they don’t make a quarter of a million dollars a year. In 2007, their average annual income was forty-seven thousand dollars, and that figure was buoyed by the recent housing boom. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes an income roll call of other occupations with which McCain, once a modestly paid military officer, has evidently lost touch: kindergarten teachers, $47,750; firefighters, $44,130; roofers, $36,340; dental assistants, $32,280; security guards, $24,480; home health aides, $20,850. At the very bottom of the income ladder, the inflation-adjusted minimum wage—despite two increases in the past two years—remains essentially the same as it was when George W. Bush took office. That wage amounts to less than fifteen thousand dollars a year, before taxes—and, yes, there are taxes to be paid even at that level. The number of Americans living in poverty has grown by more than five million since 2000. And there’s no way to say that ain’t so.

This is me - stepping off of my soapbox now. In two weeks I'll cast my very split ballot for the candidates (not party) of my choosing. No matter who you are supporting at the national or the local levels - please exercise your right to vote.

Sermon in a Sentence

When I demand that people think just like me, criticize their beliefs, and condemn their behavior without understanding them, I'm making a dangerous shift from righteousness to self-righteousness. - Joan Ball

Sky Watch Friday - Shining Through

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Thursday 13 Meme

I'm "borrowing" my Thursday 13 today from one that One Old Green Bus did last week.

#13: Who are all the people you have text messages from in your phone?

Almost all of them are from my son or from my nephew and his wife. I have saved the humorous ones between my son and I back and forth from the delivery room to the waiting room when his sister was delivering baby Isaac.

#12: Last time you laughed?

A few seconds ago when I realized I forgot to answer this question before I originally clicked the publish button...

#11: If you could seek revenge on someone, would you?

A guy once told me that "the best revenge is good living." That has worked out pretty well for me so far. The only people I can think of that I'd be tempted to seek revenge on don't have near as good a life as I do.

#10: Have you ever stripped for money?

Hmmmmmm..... Not that I remember!? (just kidding)

#9: Last nap?

I'm not a nap person - usually wake up feeling worse than before I went to sleep. You, however, are probably yawning by now.

#8: What’s a happy time you’ve had in the past week?

Last night as dear friends renewed their wedding vows and Rocky kicked off the catering business all in the same event.

#7: Who do you feel most comfortable talking about things with?

That completely depends on the topic. Some things with my husband, some my daughter, some my son, some my Mom, some my friends, and some with my bloggy buddies.

#6: How do you handle your hair once you finish washing it?

Not very well... I pretty much just can't handle it anymore and I wish someone would do something before I have to check it into rehab.

#5: Have you ever liked anyone that treated you like crap?

Liked? No, not really - if I feel the need to have someone treat me like a doormat I have a few people I love who can do that.

#4: Has anyone disappointed you recently?

Yep! There have been a couple instances at work lately where I've discovered that people weren't who I thought they were.

#3: What are you listening to?

The radio - country music - and they just made an important PSA to let us know that Johnny Paycheck's Take This Job and Shove It is not a good dedication for Bosses Day. Probably a good reminder - refer to #4.

#2: Have you ever had a difficult relationship?

Is there any other kind? All relationships take work unless they are extremely superficial.

#1: You see a shooting star, do you make a wish?

Yes, as I'm running for the telescope. I still make wishes when I blow out the bonfire candles on my birthday cake too.

Wordless Wednesday - Big Guy & Little Guy

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Just how aware are you? How would you define domestic violence?

Abuse comes in many forms. The following is an accurate definition of domestic violence offered by Paula Silva of Focus Ministries:

“Domestic violence is a repeated pattern of behavior used to gain power and control over another individual. (emphasis mine)
It’s done through various means. Anger is certainly one of the issues , instilling fear, intimidation, manipulation and it involves verbal abuse, emotional abuse ; it can be spiritual abuse, sexual abuse and of course physical abuse is part of it but not necessarily always there. The key thing is that it’s a repeated pattern and the other part is it’s power and control over another individual.”

We often tend to limit our own definition to physical abuse which only perpetrates the idea that other forms of abuse are okay or normal. They are not!

This month is about awareness. So what can you do? Realize that this crosses all cultural, racial, religious and economic lines. Please pay attention to those situations around you or within your own home which may be red flags to a domestic violence issue. If someone confides in you about an incident, do not downplay it or assume that it is an isolated occurrence. That is very rarely the case. Do not fool yourself in to believing that it will get better on its own. It will not without some type of outside help. Know what resources are available in your area to help those who are suffering in these relationships so you can offer the information when appropriate.
Finally, if you suspect someone is being abused but they are not saying so understand that, although it may not make sense to you, they are likely embarrassed and/or afraid to confide in anyone. Be a friend, make yourself available and open but do not push unless you feel they are in immediate physical danger. Most importantly, pray! Pray for both the victim and the abuser and any family members or others who may be affected by the relationship.

Sky Watch Friday - Wispy

Did you catch that little spot of rainbow-like light in the center? Here is a closer look.



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Friday Fill-ins

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1. One of the best concerts/plays/movies I ever saw that I really didn't think I'd like was Menopause-The Musical. It was the make your sides and jaws hurt, bring tears to your eyes from laughing kind of funny!

2. Summer Salsa is a recipe I recently made (or meal I recently ordered) that was delicious! It's also a great way to use up your end of the garden tomatoes and peppers.

3. It's time for me to find a different job.

4. The perspective on the trinity given in the book The Shack is quite refreshing.

5. If I never hear the word maverick again, it'll be too soon.

6. To one side of the curving road was a field of wild flowers blowing in the breeze, and on the other was a small creek edged with sapling maple trees whose leaves were bright with the colors of Autumn.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to shopping at Hobby Lobby, tomorrow my plans include a homecoming parade, babysitting for baby Isaac, and attending my son's birthday party, and Sunday, I want to go to church where Isaac will be dedicated and then finally go to the corn maze!

Thursday 13 - Here's to You

A tribute back to the Thursday Thirteen players today - here are the 13 best TT blog posts I visited (in no particular order):

On self analysis...

http://writefromkaren.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/thursday-thirteen-shame-on-me/

This one's for the girls...

http://mielikki-tsm.blogspot.com/2008/10/thursday-13_09.html

Funnies...

http://www.looseleafnotes.com/notes/2008/10/13_only_kidding.html

http://www.fickleminded.net/2008/10/08/thursday-thirteen3-momisms/

http://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com/2008/10/thursday-thirteen_09.html

http://loridjohnson.blogspot.com/2008/10/thursday-thirteen-27.html

http://mariposatells.blogspot.com/2008/10/mottos-to-work-by.html

http://babyandtoddlerproductreviews.blogspot.com/2008/10/thursday-thirteen-48-things-i-ponder.html

http://doubledeckerbuses.org/blog/index.php/2008/10/09/thursday_thirteen_memes_of_the_x_teen_ye

(I'll be doing this meme next week!)

Since I'm all about recycling...

http://randomangie.blogspot.com/2008/10/13-uses-for-leftover-hamburger-buns-tt.html

A first timer with a great list...

http://conqueringbattlesdaily.blogspot.com/2008/10/thursday-thirteen-one.html

File this under sad but true...

http://historyiselementary.blogspot.com/2008/10/bailout-bill-13-examples-of-pork.html

If you haven't seen these, they're amazing...

http://not-so-superwoman.blogspot.com/2008/10/thursday-thirteen-34.html

Quote of the Day

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia. -Charles M. Schulz

Wordless Wednesday - Nap Time

Pet Peeve Tuesday - Underwires

Why can't they make an underwire that doesn't break? Usually they break while you are wearing them so you get to spend the rest of the day being stabbed in the ribs or armpit by the poky thing. You can't just go to the restroom and remove the underwire or you'll be lopsided the rest of the day. If you take both underwires out then you might as well be wearing a sports bra at best or an undershirt at worst.

They are putting fences made of wire in the medians of interstates that will, in case of an accident, keep a semi from crossing into oncoming traffic ( a very good thing) but they can't make an underwire that can withstand regular wear and/or a washing machine...

Sermon in a Sentence

Maybe the reason we don't have time for one another anymore isn't because we work too much, but because we pray too little. How else can God reorder our priorities? -from Front Porch Tales by Philip Gulley

Photo Hunt - Sad

Sky Watch Friday - Fall Skies

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