Archive for June, 2007
June 30, 2007 at 11:20 am Filed under General, Personal
There are moments and times that one remembers and stays with you. One such time for me was holding my newborn son, Enric, and thinking he was the most beautiful baby in the world and wished that I could have that time forever.
It was that very instant that a news program featured a woman in Maryland who made dolls. Not just any kind of doll, but dolls that were especially made to look like your newborn. Naturally, a new mom holding her first born, with all the emotions of a new mother, thought that this doll creation had to be the most fantastic product on earth! However the price was dear, and I resigned myself to think that this was only something I could dream of.
Now, years later, I find on the web G.I.P.L. Babies (God Is Pro-Life Babies). Lovingly handcrafted reborn dolls celebrating the beauty and sanctity of life. Melinda creates, in this unique art form, ordinary vinyl and silicone dolls and lovingly transforms them into gorgeous and lifelike works of art.
With names like Joel, Jonah and Benjamin, I looked at her site and fell in love with each of them.
The first post on showing on her site when I logged in described a mishap with one of her dolls, and I have to say, I felt an immediate sense of loss for her, so much so, I had to comment and hope she would email me. She did.
Please visit: God is ProLife Babies
June 29, 2007 at 4:09 pm Filed under General
In these confusing times on what some are calling global warming, there exists, I found out, concerns about the state of the climate measuring network. Apparently the data received is in question.
Now since a day doesn’t go by that we don’t hear about how the earth is warming up, it would be a good idea to at least make sure the information they are feeding us is accurate. Even though doubts as to the purity of the data was suspect in 1997, now, ten years later, this has not been investigated nor acted on.
Enter this site, SurfaceStations.org, volunteering time to take photographs, measuring, and taking of notes to see if this task could be done by individuals, when our bloated government couldn’t. Their goal?
“To do a hands on site survey to photograph and document all 1221 USHCN climate stations in the USA. No photographic database of these stations existed, hence the need for this project.”
As of this blog, the sites they have surveyed so far are 63 with 1158 remaining. Some findings have been interesting.
On it’s very front page, automatically there was enough to peek my curiosity and lift one brow - one station showing to be very well maintained, not really showing any warming trend. But another, that is still in the same place as when it began, but over the years a lot of growth around it, compromising the data.
Some had been built in odd places, such as near BBQs, exhaust from airconditioners, sewage treatment plant, and fireplace chimneys! » http://www.surfacestations.org/odd_sites.htm
I usually blog about sites that I want to remember to go back to, this is certainly one of them. I will be interested in their findings.
June 28, 2007 at 3:27 pm Filed under Personal
In the grand scheme of life’s problems, whether my Last.fm works or not is not a huge deal. I did think though to mention that for as mysterious a reason that it stopped working, it now seems to be functioning normally.
I can’t imagine what needs to happen from my winamp player to their plug-in then to their website and finally to my blog. For all I know, Jupiter has to align with Mars and everything works. However it happens, it would have been nice to learn of the issue in a nice way, and I did try on my own to find out.
I never did get a reply from Last.fm, but after the way I was treated, I didn’t expect one.
I know I won’t donate money again to them, but they don’t need it, CBS purchased it for $280 million.
I will remember my incident with them. If I am EVER part of a project that starts with me having to ask my new users for a few dollars to help my idea going to selling the idea for $280 million, I should remember to keep in a clause in the contract, that members should always be treated nicely.
June 27, 2007 at 12:59 pm Filed under Personal
As many of my visitors already know, my children are at the Wilds for the week.
Today, my friend Debbie called me to tell me she and her husband, John, had been on the Wild’s website and spotted a photo gallery and that their son Ross and my Miquel showed up on the gallery!
Well, Miquel is in black with the cap and Ross is in front of him.
Looks like a game of passing the ball without touching it with the hands? I don’t know - they have so many wild and crazy games there!
Want to see how the week is going for the Anchor teens and hundreds of others? Look HERE!
June 25, 2007 at 7:04 pm Filed under Personal
Disclaimer: This is a bit of a vent from something that happened to me today at Last.fm
I am a people person. My mom used to say about me, even when I was younger, "Barb never knows a stranger."
However I have come to realize that for me, getting to know and communicate with others is best one on one. I thrive being with someone, learning about them, sharing my own experiences. Everyone has a story to tell. Most say I am easy to talk to, and would tell me things they felt they would rarely say to anyone else. Obviously, trust is something that is built rather soon, and I like that.
The net changed this one on one experience a little, but mostly has been a good outlet for my love of knowing others.
The one place I find that I am not so great at though is forums. I understand the need for them, heck, I even own one myself . They are just not my forté. Apparently something about a ‘group’ in a forum format that confuses me.
I have joined countless forums over the years. The reasons were usually to learn about something I was already interested in, and how better than to communicate with others with the same interests. The thing about forums is, they are all so DIFFERENT. Each one has their own style and each one takes a little while to get used to.
When new people join my forum at Unique, they don’t often know what to do, but there is an "Introduce Yourself" section that they find right away. My trips around other forums hasn’t shown that to be true of others. Many times I have got so lost in forums I never return, things just aren’t marked clear, and even before I knew what to look for as a newbie to them, they still aren’t so clear in their ways as some could be.
Today I spent a good deal of an issue with my Last.fm, audioscrobbler plug in. It wasn’t updating my Last.fm page, nor was it reflecting changes in my own website here. I checked the configuration within the plugin and I could see 52 cached files and a message, "waiting to connect" that never ever connected. I decided to go to the log file to look for any errors and I saw there was one showing a connection issue.
I pressed on the help button and jumped to the part that said "bugs" thinking perhaps there would be an answer for me there. There wasn’t but there was a link for help….sigh, to a forum. Apparently when I signed up for Last.fm, I was requested to give them any information about myself, which I filled the info area as much as I could. I had no idea that this info would be passed into this forum I had already been logged into as a logged-in member of Last.fm.
When I subscribed to the site, I can honestly say, I didn’t even know there was a forum. I was rather impressed with it, and even donated a few dollars as it was just starting and I thought it worthwhile to help them out.
So, baffled with my issue and feeling like I had enough investigating information to give to someone about my problem, I did a search on "cached files" as 52 and counting were piling up as my music was playing. I saw in May several others had the same problem. Even though it looked like it had been solved for them then, I decided to add my issue and give as much information that I could.
I then left for some errands. I came back to a very dry and unhelpful email from Last.fm. They said I had broke a rule. Too many lines in my signature. No mention of my issue, or what I could do for it, or if the issue was on their end. NOTHING. Just that I had dared brake a rule on my first post ever.
I replied that I hadn’t seen the rule, and that quite possibly when I signed up that rule wasn’t so apparent, but that I would make the change right away.
I went back to the very same forum I had posted in and saw that it had been removed and that I had been banned from it.
So, even though I like rules and structure on my own sites, I would never treat a person making their first post that way. Nor do I care to be treated in that manner.
I then emailed Last.fm and repeated my issue to them. No reply.
So if you see my Last.fm account disappear, it will be thanks to a very overzealous and heartless moderator with zero people skills and it’s hard for me to believe he even has a soul to like music.
So with my power of my blog if nothing else, I vent, and let it be known how nice people are treated there.
And if you are a forum owner, no matter what, please remember these are human beings making posts, for heavens sake.
June 24, 2007 at 7:04 pm Filed under Personal
Each year my children look forward to their big summer event and go with our church youth group to the Wilds Camp in North Carolina.
This year the excitement was a little different as Laura wasn’t sure she wasn’t going to be able to go until the last minute. (Her dense mother put the registration a little late and hence she was on the waiting list). The Lord heard our prayers and late Friday the call came that she was off the list and could go.
The morning at church began as usual, putting luggage, overnight bags, pillows, and sleeping bags in the proper places. (Our church is very organized).
Lunch bags and water bottles ready for 44 teens.
Ham or Turkey?
My girls are excited.
Listening to Pastor Caleb’s last instructions.
Laura wants me to know how very happy she is that she got off the waiting list and got to go, and the icing on the cake was Erin was in her van!
The vans lined up to take my babies away.
Have fun Anchor teens! Vaya con Dios.
June 23, 2007 at 4:10 pm Filed under Personal
In the midst of the chaos that it is around here getting my teens ready for Camp The Wilds, I decided on a break and picked up the book Stacey gave me for my birthday.
June 20, 2007 at 3:51 pm Filed under General
Pastor Kevin from church sent this to me. Hee Ah Lee is a young girl that has risen above handicaps. She is also known as the "Four-Fingered Pianist". Definately an inspiration.
Click on the image to see the movie…
June 20, 2007 at 1:25 pm Filed under Personal
A young man from church, Tony, came up to me at the Teen’s Car Wash and mentioned that he had been on my blog. I was flattered that he had paid it a visit, but he was quick to tell me, that the site was missing “star quality” since I had no photos of him on it.
So here you are Tony…your photo. I suppose now my blog is up to par. 
There were a lot of other stars that day. It’s very rewarding to see Teens working hard for something. In this case the car wash was to help earn money for camp. An interesting side note is that some ladies who didn’t even get their car washed gave a donation, and made a mention how rewarding it was to see young people working for a cause and commended all the girls for keeping their clothes on.
More stars…
Miranda, who makes a good sign girl.
Miranda with Laura.
Miquel worked so hard, he won a prize for $10 gift certificate at Cool Beans at the Wilds. He and Laura both worked so hard, I about popped my buttons with a mom’s pride and on the way home picked them up the pizza of their very choosing. (a rare event).
My girls…Elise, Erin and Laura
More photos from the Car Wash HERE
June 19, 2007 at 9:40 am Filed under Personal
When my grandmom passed away, it was up to my mom, dad, sister and I to go through her things and figure out what to do with it all. One of the items I picked out for myself was a small tea set. I don’t know why I liked it, but my sister and mom didn’t want the delicate set and I took it. It was neatly put away in a special box.
For years it stayed in that special box until my daughter was born and had her first tea party.
Now I am not any kind of antique expert, so recently I have been curious what the meaning of the writing is under the saucer:
This could well be upside down for all I know. 
One of the freakiest moments we have had though, was during Laura’s little tea parties with her friend Shelby, they both got a little spooked when at the bottom of their cup, at the end of their tea, they both noticed, “Hey, there is a face in my cup!”
Sure enough, closer examination showed a definate image of a Geisha looking lady, inside the bottom of their tea cups!
Now that we’re used to our little lady at the bottom of our teacups we’re not so spooked anymore, just a little curious as to the origins of my grandmom’s little tea set.
June 17, 2007 at 8:10 pm Filed under General
For Father’s Day, our church stuck a tract inside the bulletin. I thought I would share its view of the “Ideal Man”
1.
The man who puts God’s business above any of his own affairs.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
~Romans 14:8
2.
The man who teaches and sets a good example for his children.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
~Deuteronomy 6:6,7
3.
The man who recognizes that anyone who needs him is his neighbor.
~Luke 10:27 . . . Thou shalt love . . . thy neighbour as thyself . . .But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? . . . But a certain Samaritan . . . he had compassion on him . . . ~Luke 10:27, 29, 33
4.
The man who measures his giving by what he has left rather than by what he gives.
. . . He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
~2 Corinthians 9:6
5.
The man who reads the Word of God with as much diligence as he does the daily paper.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
~2 Timothy 2:15
6.
The man who lives for the treasures in heaven rather than the pleasures on earth.
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
~Matthew 6:20, 21
7.
The man who recognizes his obligations to his family, his church, and his community as well as to his business.
And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
~Luke 12:19,20
8.
The man who sees his own faults before he sees the faults of others.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
~Matthew 7:3
9.
The man who wants to help others rather than serve himself.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. ~Philippians 2:3,4
10.
The man who recognizes that all of life should be lived distinctively.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
~1 Corinthians 10:31
Funny they didn’t come out with something like this on Mothers Day.
June 17, 2007 at 7:00 am Filed under Personal
Enric and Miranda have sent me the first baby pics! Needless to say I was overcome with emotion!
It’s obvious that the child is very special, already waving and loaded with personality!
June 16, 2007 at 10:15 am Filed under Personal
Today is my sister Linda’s birthday. We celebrated earlier this month, as she is on her way to Alaska, fullfilling a lifelong dream to visit there. I miss her, but I couldn’t be happier that she is going!
Love you Linda! Happy Birthday!
June 15, 2007 at 5:02 pm Filed under News Items
An 800 page immigration bill was pulled off the Senate floor seven days ago. Some politicians supported it; big business seems to support the chaos that 12 million illegals brings to the U.S. However, most regular folk don’t support it. We actually SEE laws being broken left and right and have few outlets to take our frustrations. So often regular people like you and I will go to talk radio. We can hear the REAL issues on debates like this and vent, share, or come to some sensible conclusions even.
Well, Trent Lott, upset the bill he supports didn’t make it, spoke out recently with this quote, “Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem.”
A problem?????? Us regular folk on the air waves is a problem??????? 12 Million people here illegally isn’t a problem, but people using their 1st amendment right to talk for or against it is? That’s so wrong, Mr Lott. If there was ever a case for term limits, that quote of yours is. I mean, even he sees that the younger guys in the senate are more in touch with the people and vows to ‘rein them in” with his way of thinking. I wonder what deal he will offer them? How sickening.
And what bill needs 800 pages? 800 pages of rubbish.
Bill O’ Reilly (of talk radio and tv, oh my!) recently listed on ONE PAGE on how to fix immigration. This is what he says:
First, the southern border must be protected by at least 700 miles of barrier, backed up by a doubling of the Border Patrol. To assist those federal agents, ten thousand National Guardsmen would be stationed near the border.
That would effectively close the border to smugglers of humans and drugs. If you oppose that strategy, you do not want a secure border. Period.
Second, all illegal aliens currently in the USA must register with Homeland Security at their local post office. If they do not register, they would be subject to immediate deportation. After processing by the feds, the aliens would then receive a tamper-proof identification card, allowing them to temporarily work here.
Third, any business hiring aliens who do not have the government-issued ID would be criminally charged.
Fourth, all registered illegal aliens would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Those deemed by federal authorities to be self-sufficient, law-abiding people would receive the so called “Z-visas,” giving them resident status, but not automatic citizenship. That would have to be earned over a number of years by complying with a set of obligations including paying fines, back taxes, learning English, and staying employed.
Any alien with a criminal record or who is unemployed would not be eligible for the Z-Visa.
That takes the blanket amnesty issue off the table and shifts responsibility to those who entered the USA illegally. They must prove they are responsible enough for citizenship.
Unfortunately, some on the left object to strenuous regulations for illegal aliens, but that point-of-view has no future. Most Americans, according the polls, will accept new compatriots provided the southern pipeline is shut down, and a fair penalty for illegal behavior is imposed.
My plan is just one page long, not 800 pages like the Senate madness. It can be done.
May us regular folk aways be ‘a problem’ for people like Trent Lott.
June 15, 2007 at 4:11 pm Filed under Personal
Miquel had his graduation party yesterday, and even though the sunshine went away for the day, and we actually had a chill in the air, everyone braved the swimming pool, my cooking, Crazy Andrew’s water balloons, and played lots of DDR and basketball.
Click here to see the photos from the day! (4 pages)
June 14, 2007 at 10:31 pm Filed under General
This story is a parent’s nightmare, yet there is hope. And for those who don’t care for law for the use of bicycle helmets, this story makes the case for them.
“After a year spent in Costa Rica, Skye, who is 26, returned to Asheville, North Carolina, with a new set of goals. One of them was to live without a car. On March 26 of this year she got a bike trailer and tested it, pedaling around a parking lot as her dog Dakota rode inside. It worked.
With the trailer behind, Skye and Ben set off the grocery store. On the way home, though, something caused her to swerve and crash with her heavy, unfamiliar load. She wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time, and it was clear that her spill was a serious one. Ben rushed to a nearby house, dialed 911, and 40 minutes later Skye was in the operating room—well within what surgeons describe as “the golden hour,” the first 60 minutes after a major trauma.”
Read about what happened next and check on Skye’s progress here » A biker’s incredible journey
To help Skye’s medical bills » Reach for the skye dot org
Fundraiser for Skye
June 13, 2007 at 10:06 am Filed under News Items
Well that’s what they plan to do in Iran.
"With a 148-5 vote in favor and four abstentions, lawmakers present at the Wednesday session of the 290-seat parliament approved that "producers of pornographic works and main elements in their production are considered corruptors of the world and could be sentenced to punishment as corruptors of the world."
The term, "corruptor of the world" is taken from the Quran, the Muslims’ holy book, and ranks among the highest on the scale of an individual’s criminal offenses. Under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, it carries a death penalty."
Talk about risky business.
More here at CNN.com » Iran moves to execute porn stars
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June 12, 2007 at 6:21 pm Filed under News Items
The mainstream news media and certain democrats (same difference?) would like to indoctrinate us with what they say is "never is and never was" an Iraq - Terror connection, but yet, thanks to C-Span Archives, we can hear that Al Gore believed differently at one time, and was seen in this particular speech chastising for the first President Bush for supposedly ignoring it.
See the Al Gore Speech HERE
June 11, 2007 at 4:00 pm Filed under Personal
Our assisstant Pastor spoke yesterday in the Sunday morning service. He was discussing worship, and admitting that we ’sacrifice’ in a sense when coming to church and other things we do for the Lord. He compared it to the kind of sacrifice when we love someone romantically.
It was a good sermon, but one quote stands out:
"When you love someone ENOUGH, it’s amazing what you will sacrifice - but in the end, if it’s real, it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice at all - it’s a response."
June 9, 2007 at 10:22 am Filed under News Items
I just read in Drudge Report that Bush has made a big mistake referring to the Pope as “Sir” instead of “His Holiness”
Well, I don’t know. What if it wasn’t a ‘mistake’? What if Bush knew exactly what he was doing? What if he PURPOSELY feels that no one on earth deserves that title?
What if Bush feels that the Pope is just like the rest of us, putting his robe on one arm at a time?
Bush in Holy Gaffe
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