Archive for November, 2006
November 29, 2006 at 7:05 pm Filed under General
Living in an acre with a lot of trees just can be intimidating at best this time of year.
Fortunately, with only a few leaves still hanging on to the branches, we got a lot of help today.
Crazy Andrew came and started helping us and the Nutwell family followed. There was a lot of hard work done today, but, a lot of craziness too.
Like this “rake fight”
The job was made so much easier as Mr. John brought this huge blue tarp.
It had to happen, Miquel and Andrew buried in leaves. Laura got dunked a few times, too.
Andrew said…”Who needs modern electrical game toys when we have a tarp with some leaves?” And proceded to make a jumping game out of it all. Miquel of course did too.
Running down hill over leaves, who knew it could be so much fun?
The boys will be treated after prayer meeting tonight with a nice ham dinner and brownies for dessert!
This likely ends the saga of the leaves.
Now we’re ready for ……………
…….the snow!
November 28, 2006 at 12:24 pm Filed under General
If the words, “My mommy comes back”, “Don’t wash my blanket, don’t take it away”, or “Daddy be a Horsie” sounds familiar to you, then you either raised your children as I did with Hap Palmer’s Baby Songs, or you are doing so now.
I am truly excited about taking on this new client, as he was a hero to me while raising my children.
The songs are simple, yet brilliant and my children would stop all to watch and learn through Hap Palmer’s wonderful music, about growing up, any fears they might have, such as potty training, or Mommy going away, or Crazy Monsters under their beds. Also, his music rejoices in the joys of growing up, like learning to walk, getting a horse back ride, and being with your family. We didn’t just play the video tapes, we had the songs to sing together in the car driving places too!
I was not only excited, but my children are now suitably impressed, too. 
Visit Hap Palmer!
November 27, 2006 at 6:12 pm Filed under General
All these years concerned about Black Friday, I didn’t even know there was a “Cyber Monday” till a recent news report.
It made sense the news report, stating that Cyber Monday was referring to those who got on the internet at lunch break to start their Christmas Shopping.
Just as I get used to the idea and think I better spiff up my own shopping page, I read at MSNBC,
They seemed to think that it should be termed, Cyber Friday.
“According to comScore Networks, online shopping traffic spiked 42% higher on Friday than during last year’s Black Friday. Most of those gains came from the bricks and mortar chains that are now offering many — though clearly not all — of their holiday deals online.”
Just the same, stop by Shop with Xerraire, see if I can help make your shopping for the holidays easier.
November 24, 2006 at 9:22 pm Filed under General
Through the years, unless I had to go out and work on this day, I avoided leaving the cozy comfort of my house. This year was different, as Laura was armed with gift cards and birthday money and wanted to go to the mall.
So, I braved traffic, crowded parking lots, long lines, and the multitude and took Laura and her friend shopping. I also got an early start on my Christmas shopping.
Oh well, I got to see Santa. And he got to see me.
He didn’t seem to mind that I was taking his picture.
Hey Santa! » Here is my wish list.
November 23, 2006 at 5:45 am Filed under General
I am very grateful that I live in a nation that has set aside one day a year for giving thanks.
I did a search in Bible.com to see how often the word Thanksgiving would come up, I found 29 instances, and this would not include of course, the words thanks or thank, just Thanksgiving.
Leviticus 7:12
If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
Leviticus 7:13
Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.
Leviticus 7:15
And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.
Leviticus 22:29
And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.
Nehemiah 11:17
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Nehemiah 12:8
Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.
Nehemiah 12:27
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.
Nehemiah 12:46
For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.
Psalm 26:7
That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Psalm 50:14
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
Psalm 69:30
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
Psalm 107:22
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
Psalm 116:17
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
Psalm 147:7
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
Isaiah 51:3
For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Jeremiah 30:19
And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.
Amos 4:5
And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Jonah 2:9
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.
2 Corinthians 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2 Corinthians 9:11
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Colossians 2:7
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
1 Timothy 4:3
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1 Timothy 4:4
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
Revelation 7:12
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
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I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, we have so much to be thankful for. |
[Edit] I also decided to add here Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation:
The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well as the iron and coal as of our precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the imposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the divine purpose, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 3d day of October, A.D. 1863, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
November 22, 2006 at 6:59 pm Filed under General
Tomorrow is Laura’s official birthday, and because it falls on Thanksgiving, we seemed to have started way ahead of the actual day with her party on the 4th, and it still carries on.
Today, we had a small family get-together at Olive Tree, where I gave her part two in her round of presents from her mama, a Nikon Camera.
Tomorrow we will continue the birthday celebrations with even more of the family, and then we will extend even more on the birthday with a day of shopping on ‘black Friday.’
After that, honey, can we call it quits on the birthday??
After all, only 33 days till Christmas!
Love you, my birthday girl!
November 22, 2006 at 12:08 pm Filed under General
The first remarkable images of animals in the womb… An unborn elephant, tiny but perfect in every way. A dolphin swimming in the womb, just as it will have to swim in the ocean the moment it is born. An unborn dog panting.Each one amazing and now, thanks to these remarkable pictures, they can be seen for the first time.
Click here to read the rest of the article and to see the gallery
November 19, 2006 at 6:11 pm Filed under General
Not completely sure I have identified this surprise early morning visitor to our backyard cherry tree this morning, but I think it is a red tailed hawk.
Larger image here
[Edit] I am thankful for all the emails and input I have received. Although there doesn’t seem to be a grand agreement, I do seem to have it narrowed down to a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk, or a juvenile Red-tailed hawk. Now, my dear sweet aussie, gumnut, who has never been to North America, has no clue to our raptors here, but, I will give him some credit as he does volunteer at his local zoo, is adament that it is a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk.
November 15, 2006 at 9:59 pm Filed under General
November is often just thought to be about Thanksgiving…but here in Maryland, it’s also about the LEAVES. We’re still trying to keep up with the falling leaves.
Here Laura demonstrates the yard we raked clean only a few days ago, being done AGAIN.
From a point of the yard looking up to the house.
From that same point, looking down to the pool.
Laura didn’t want me aiming the webcam at her like I did my poor mom, but she agreed to pose for my Fuji camera.
Here, our cat has a lazy stretch as we put our rakes down for a day, as if he had worked too. Yeah, right!
One thing is for sure, come visit us at your own peril, we might just hand you a rake. Or better still, bring your own.
November 13, 2006 at 8:25 pm Filed under News Items
…religion would be banned.
Quoted from Elton recently, “From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn’t seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it’s not really compassionate.”
I sure hope this doesn’t stop religious organizations all around the world, with their peoples selflessly sacrificing and showing compassion to keep on what they are doing. If they did, how many Live Aids would rock and roll have to do? Surely more than once every 10 years.
November 13, 2006 at 8:10 pm Filed under News Items
Quoted recently in Ynet news, Ahmadinejad, Iran’s leader says, “…but since this regime is against nature, we will soon witness its disappearance and destruction.”
I don’t know, but does this sound like a kind soul that only wants nukes for peaceful nuclear power generation? Call me crazy, but I don’t think so.
Links:
Ynet
CNN
NTI
November 13, 2006 at 8:00 pm Filed under Personal
1978 was a very busy year for me. It started with a trip to the Carolinas and a chance to see Biltmore House. I had paintings in an art exhibit, was Spanish Aide at school, had my prom (went with Michael Jordan - no kidding), graduated from high school, got my first real job at K-Mart, and the exchange students who occupied the room Laura is in now was Flavio from Brazil, Rene from Denmark, and Nuria from Spain.
The music was fun and always a backdrop for every event:
1. Alicia Bridges - I Love the Nightlife (Disco ‘Round).mp3
2. Atlanta Rhythm Section - Imaginary Lover.mp3
3. Bonnie Tyler - It’s a Heartache.mp3
4. Carly Simon - You Belong to Me.mp3
5. Chaka Khan - I’m Every Woman.mp3
6. Chic - Le Freak.mp3
7. Eddie Money - Baby Hold On.mp3
8. Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally.mp3
9. Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight.mp3
10. Exile - Kiss You All Over.mp3
11. Firefall - Strange Way.mp3
12. Foreigner - Double Vision.mp3
13. Foreigner - Hot Blooded.mp3
14. Frankie Valli - Grease.mp3
15. Heatwave - The Groove Line (4:17)
16. Joe Walsh - Life’s Been Good.mp3
17. Kansas - Dust in the Wind.mp3
18. Linda Ronstadt - Ooh Baby Baby (3:15)
19. Little River Band - Reminiscing (3:29)
20. Meat Loaf - Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad (5:25)
21. Nick Glider - Hot Child in the City (3:08)
22. Parliament - Flash Light (4:24)
23. Patti Smith Group - Because the Night (3:22)
24. Player - Baby Come Back.mp3
25. Randy Newman - Short People.mp3
26. Raydio - Jack and Jill (3:34)
27. The Bee Gees - Night Fever.mp3
28. The Cars - Just What I Needed (3:44)
29. The Kinks - A Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy (4:59)
30. The O’Jays - Use Ta Be My Girl.mp3
31. The Trammps - Disco Inferno.mp3
32. Todd Rundgren - Can We Still Be Friends-.mp3
33. Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London.mp3
November 10, 2006 at 8:37 pm Filed under Personal
The glory of October and early November ends, and brings us to this task. I swear, today they fell faster than they could be raked up.
November 9, 2006 at 6:53 pm Filed under Personal
Us website owners never get enough of new projects it seems, and apparently I am no exception.
My newest is a weekly photo challenge. If you have a photography site, or a place where you upload photos and you would like to promote yourself, your site, and your photography, weekly photo challenges are a good place to get your name and talent out.
I intend to give a new challenge each weekend, so once one sees the topic they have all week to post a link to their image.
Have a look » UE Weekly Photo Challenge
The other project has to do with the MySpace Layouts that I have been creating. I see a lot downloaded and the visitors to my sites have doubled since I started it, but I never get to see the layouts being used, so I thought to make a directory for those using the layouts to promote their MySpaces, and also by this, giving me a chance to see how the layouts are being used. I do understand that layouts are switched around all the time, so, a permanent layout from SkinsGallery isn’t necesary, but should be benefit everyone to be in the directory. After all, for many of us, MySpace is about networking anyway.
SkinsGallery Add your link » HERE
November 8, 2006 at 2:27 pm Filed under General
For LOST fans, the show seems to have so many plots and subplots that it is getting confusing.
Today I found a place on the ABC site, that tries to help us out. As the LOST story unfolds, we are learning that each of the survivors have had some connection in the past and some don’t even realize it. I do think that is KEY as to what they are doing there on the island.
Did you know that Kate’s picture shows up in Sayid’s flashback when he was an Iraqi soldier?
Did you know that Locke inspected Sayid’s girlfriend’e home long ago in the past?
Did you know that Claire and Eko both share a common bond with the psychic that convinced her to go to California?
To learn how all these people are connected go to the ABC site HERE » LOST CONNECTIONS
November 7, 2006 at 7:35 pm Filed under News Items
Today was election day in the U.S.
Each year, more and more, it seems to be about voting for what seems to be the lesser of the evils, and my whole heart wasn’t truly in it, but I did vote. Along with candidates who are less than appealing, are the credibility of the voting machines and the tactics of some others. Too many stories (one just this morning on C-Span) have been told from those who admittedly tried to fool the system and got away with it.
This has been a particularly aggressive year, perhaps you know what I mean… Did your phone ring at your house, literally off of the hook with recordings from each candidate? Did ugly billboards with strange names litter your roadside and horizon?
One news I thought was interesting was that Hilary Clinton was named this year’s biggest spender, $29.5 Million, and counting. In some cases, she doubled the spending of most candidates.
Oh well, at least I can blog my discontent without fear of arrest, as under Islam, blogging can be a crime.
November 5, 2006 at 6:50 pm Filed under Personal
Although Laura’s true 13th birthday is still some weeks away, we held her party yesterday, this avoiding her friend’s party from her actual birthdate, which will fall exactly on Thanksgiving this year, just like the year she was born.
One activity, was a picture taking session at the park.
Erin, Linda, Ashley, Ashley, Heather, Miranda, Laura, Kristen & Shelby
(Photo taken by Miranda Lee - I have my name on it for those that
Constantly steal my images!)
The next activity, the girls made their own pretzels!
Having a laugh over the punch bowl.
Opening Presents
Silly String fight!
Graceful dancing while Erin played the piano.
Miranda signs Laura’s board, as did everyone.
DDR with Crazy Andrew
In the end, Laura found out that Happiness is a furry hoody from Hollister!
See all the fun images of Laura’s party HERE
November 1, 2006 at 6:49 pm Filed under General
I have never had the stomach for scary movies. I don’t know what it is about me, but they trouble me so much, that I am affected even days afterwards.
Once, I thought I would try a book that was scary instead of the movie, it was even WORSE!
When that happened, I realized I would just have to swear off those kinds of movies forever.
I have to thank a nightly Bill O’ Reilly report for educating me last night on a movie. I used to go to a website that would give rather explicit warnings to parents, but it is no longer free and I had nothing to guide me on SAW III for my children and their friends.
Was that an eye-opener, as he compares it with the fall of Rome:
“Now I’m a libertarian when it comes to censorship, so I don’t like it. I fully support freedom in the marketplace. You alone should decide what you want to consume. But I will say this, sadistic movies are bad for everyone. They are a disgraceful exhibition and the companies that finance them are harming individuals in the country.
There is nothing worthwhile about seeing graphic displays of unspeakable violence. And if you enjoy that, you might want to find out why to protect yourself and others.
Cannibalism, dismemberment and all the other garbage that is featured weekly in the multiplex is worse than gangster rap or dirty movies, far worse. Young children are buying tickets to see PG films and then sneaking into the sadism displays. Young adults are craving more and more barbaric images, all in the name of entertainment.
On the “Oprah” show, she told me that freedom means slasher flicks should be available and Oprah is correct. But freedom also means Americans have the right to condemn these movies and hold the companies who supply them accountable.
The turning point for ancient Rome arrived when the population turned from building their society to consuming whatever the government would give them, including sadistic displays of brutal death in the Coliseum.
In modern America, the culture is definitely on the decline. Just ask any public school teacher how kids behave these days, as opposed to even 10 years ago. Standards of behavior are collapsing everywhere and the media is leading the way.
Vile gangster rappers have hurt millions of at-risk children. And now we have a movie industry that can’t make these sadistic films fast enough. Of course, they all hide behind freedom, but that rationalization is hollow. Those who push base entertainment are villains, no question. All of us need to wise up and jump into the culture war when the No. 1 movie in the country revels in close-upshot of limbs being sawed off, there is a problem.
Enough is enough with this dehumanizing trash. It is wrong, it is evil and it demeans America — period.”
I agree with him, and while he gave this report, a video clip of part of SAW III was playing, with what appeared to be a nude woman being brutally tortured at length. I just can’t understand why someone would pay good money for that.
November 1, 2006 at 12:49 pm Filed under Personal
Lots of wisdom from our pulpit.
I am a bit of a free spirit, and I like spontoneity, and for things to ’happen’ naturally, but what the pastor said recently is pounding my head and recent experiences are teaching me that it is so true…
“Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”
It’s just that simple, and it’s a vital reality. Enric and Miranda are showing me how they talk everything through, and plan, even in steps. Something I would have thought before as too calculating and too difficult for a wacky soul like me, and where it’s not like they don’t leave room for change, they sure do plan, and I like how it’s going for them, and I am sure learning.
