Barb’s Blog » Archive for December 2009
Shirts! (and soap and hats too!)
Each Christmas a package arrives from Australia. John, every year, seems to select the nicest gifts. For the two boys, he sent adorable t-shirts from The Perth Zoo where he is a docent. It seemed right to give Cameron the tiger t-shirt, as when John and I took him to the zoo last April, he kept asking to see the tigers. Also, each Wednesday he climbs on my lap asking to see tigers on YouTube. For Silas, John … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Sign of the Times
“You politicians have stayed professionals only because the voters have remained amateurs.” Quote from the Spencer Tracy Movie, “State of the Union” Gene Gartman, a Vietnam veteran, has decided people need to know what’s going on in the world, so he’s using his very own billboard to get the message out. Maybe he wants to help voters not remain amateurs. Gene and his wife are not happy with the way government is spending like it grows on trees, … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Find Your Backbone
The end of the year and the beginning of another should give us all pause to reflect, to plan, and to hope. I came across this book quote on Jeff’s blog and I had to borrow it as it seemed timed perfectly for the end of December. “Gumption” by novelist J.C. Hutchins Most of us settle in, and settle for what we have. Rather than pursue, we accept. Our lives become unwitting celebrations of passivity: we undervalue our work and perceive ourselves as wage slaves (and so we phone it in at the day gig), we consume compulsively (but not create), we pine for better lives (but live vicariously through our televisions). These corners we paint ourselves into, it’s no way to live. There’s no adventure here, no passion, no hunger for change. Remember that relentless optimism you once had? The goals you … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Christmas Day 2009 Highlights
Laura started Christmas Day, relaxing in the chair and a half with Jasper and a book. The 22 pound turkey looked beautiful. Lots of presents around the tree of course. All part of mom’s glory, the dinner table… The kids wait patiently to open presents. Linda and George, as they try to figure out a memory card for George’s phone. Connor and Aiden decide on which cookies to try… And in the tradition started with MY grandmom, after the last dish is … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Christmas Eve 2009 Highlights
This Christmas Eve was special with Enric, Miranda, and Silas here with us. Jenny, back from school, was here too! The evening was sweet starting with our Christmas Eve service at church, and my guess is, that is when the hilarity got its start. Silas didn’t go into the nursery as keeping children with parents in the service is encouraged. He was so funny singing along, imitating the violins, and speaking out loud. Once home, the evening … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Christmas 2009
Our Christmas has been full of love and laughter so far. Merry Christmas, everyone! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
The Boys in the Snow
Wednesday again, and this time, since we got nearly two feet of snow, it was a chance to take Cameron and Silas out to play in the snow. Cameron throws some snow. Silas gets to throw one too. Miranda tries to make it snow again. Laura making a snow angel. Miranda shows Cameron how to make a snow angel. Laura gets Silas with a big chunk of snow. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
It’s Not Too Late!
If you live on the east coast and you’re not finished your Christmas shopping, don’t panic, it’s not too late. In fact, it couldn’t be easier to send that last minute gift with Amazon.com and it couldn’t be easier. Send a gift certificate and it can go right to their email or you can print it to give it to them personally! … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Silas Discovers the Christmas Village
Each year mom sets up a Christmas Village. While I was growing up it was under the tree, these past years, she has set it up on the piano. With Silas in the house, I wondered how long it would be before he would discover the wonders of make believe and in his imagination “put himself” in the village. Today you could see the imagination going as played with Yaya’s Christmas Village. A few scenes from the village… … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Blizzard 2009: Next Day
The day after the storm nearly breaks all December records, the sun came out and it was time to dig out. Glen Burnie received 22.5 inches, it’s safe I think to say that Pasadena got close to that. This is our back deck. Enric and Miranda set out to clean the cars and driveway off. Silas helps! Having a day that I couldn’t do much, gave me a chance to take some time and do something I really like to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Blizzard 2009
I don’t think that our weatherman could have predicted this. They started off saying a chance of snow with some accumulation. Then they began talking inches, and pretty soon, some time later, they were talking FEET! Today, it was a BLIZZARD! Enric decided fairly early to get started on cleaning the driveway and cleaning off the cars. Silas watched his daddy with excited interest. Enric starts cleaning off Yaya’s car. Silas became increasingly excited about to go out in the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Actual Change
From Committee On Ways & Means Nine Months After Stimulus 49 of 50 States Have Lost Jobs America Now Over 6 Million Jobs Shy of Administration’s Projections Is this the “Change” people voted for? Not that I give a fig about Chavez, but even he said he “still” smelled sulfur after President Obama made a keynote speech at the … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Christmas Cookies 2009
This time I missed Jenny, Petra, and Leoni, but this year we had Miranda with us to decorate our Christmas cookies! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Deep and Wide
Ever sang Deep and Wide in Sunday School? It was also a favorite of mine at Vacation Bible School with Rev. South. I’ve been teaching Silas some new songs. One was “This Little Light of Mine” and the one on this video, “Deep and Wide.” This was soon after they both heard it for the first time, so they need a little more practice, but Laura captured them with her new camera. The house is mid getting ready for Christmas, which explains the big box they decided to sing behind. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Wednesdays With the Boys
This Wednesday, Miranda thought it a good idea for the boys to do painting, Laura agreed, and indeed it was. They had a great time. The first bit of fun was putting Enric’s old shirts on inside out to protect their clothes. They ran around the house just enjoying the new shirts to start off. Miranda said if she had known putting them in big shirts was such a happy thing, she would have done it long ago! Next, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Do Re Mi
More than 200 dancers were performing their version of “Do Re Mi”, in the Central Station of Antwerp. with just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23 of march 2009, 08:00 AM. … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Silent Monks Singing the Hallelujah Chorus
Janelle posted this in facebook. Very creative and funny stuff! … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Shopping With Silas
A trip to the mall with my children is usually a triangle stop of just a few stores. Going with Silas means a different set of stops. Like the rides! I am also appreciating the camera in my Samsung Impression phone! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Norwegians Not at Peace with Obama
Norwegians are upset at Obama. From the Guardian: Barack Obama’s trip to Oslo to pick up his Nobel peace award is in danger of being overshadowed by a row over the cancellation of a series of events normally attended by the prizewinner. Norwegians are incensed over what they view as his shabby response to the prize by cutting short his visit. The White House has cancelled many of the events peace prize laureates traditionally submit to, including a dinner with the Norwegian Nobel committee, a press conference, a television interview, appearances at a children’s event promoting peace and a music concert, as well as a visit to an exhibition in his honour at the Nobel peace centre. He has also turned down a lunch invitation from the King of Norway. It should also be interesting to … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
It Was My Dad’s
Mom handed Cameron one day a car to play with. I wondered where it came from, as it was obviously old. She told me it was my dad’s. Since it was my dad’s, the very moment Cameron wasn’t interested in playing with it, I put it on my shelf, and there it has been decorating my room. However, it wasn’t until today that I thought to investigate about this little toy car. First thing I did … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Wednesdays
Wednesdays at our house these days, means the pitter patter of little feet. Silas is now living here and weekly has a buddy to play with as Laura babysits Cameron. The two boys are getting along great. Silas here reads a book while Cameron focused on the beach ball. Silas loving on Cameron…or tackling him, not sure. I guess it was loving. This time, Silas is getting some loving correction from mommmy. A favorite toy, the school bus. Boys … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Swine Flu Bribe
From WND World Health Organization scientists are suspected of accepting secret bribes from vaccine manufacturers to influence the U.N. organization’s H1N1 pandemic declaration, according to Danish and Swedish newspapers. While we wait to find out if the TRUTH will ever get out on that one… …Meanwhile, pharmaceutical profits from swine-flu related drugs have soared – with earnings between $10 billion and $15 billion in 2009, investment bank JP Morgan estimates. Danish newspaper Information reported that when Chan raised the level of pandemic alert on June 11, the declaration meant substantial economic benefits for the pharmaceutical industry – especially since many countries have contracts with major drug companies and are required to purchase vaccines in the event of a pandemic. Swedish newspaper SvD echoed Information’s report. “Many of the apparently impartial researchers the WHO uses, however, … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Ravens!
As we watch Monday Night Football (Ravens vs. Packers), I considered Christmas presents for Ravens fans. NFL® Baltimore Ravens Petite Purse From backpacks to business cases to luggage and handbags, eBags has your bag. We carry a complete line of premium and popular brands, including Samsonite, Jansport and Eagle Creek. eBags combines the best selection of products with unrivaled service and extremely competitive prices. Quilted Tote – Baltimore Ravens Quilted Tote with NFL team logo Baltimore Ravens Ravens 1/8 Charm … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
This Morning
I got out early today to take Miquel to work. As I sat in the car, this was my view! So we had our first snow, and it sleeted and iced up too. It didn’t stop Laura’s hopes for a White Christmas. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Copenhagen Climate Summit: Mockable
Perhaps it is them who mock us? I mean in spite of the hacked emails proving that much about global warming is an invented hoax, and in spite of the money trail showing us it will reap heavy financial rewards for those who trumpet and proclaim it, the Copenhagen Climate Summit will take place. Perhaps it is THEM who mock our stupidity in allowing them to strip us of our autonomy and our money. 1,200 limos, 140 private planes and caviar wedges Copenhagen is preparing for the climate change summit that will produce as much carbon dioxide as a town the size of Middlesbrough. “We haven’t got enough limos in the country to fulfil the demand,” she says. “We’re having to drive them in hundreds … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Distraction
Silas showed us how short a child’s attention span can be today. He saw his daddy pull into the driveway, got all excited about greeting him, nearly hurt himself in his anxiousness to meet him at the doorway, goes running to greet him, Enric puts his bottled water down on the table to hug Silas, and that was all that was needed to distract Silas in a big way. “OH” he says. We sure did laugh a long time! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Silas!
Yesterday was Silas and Miranda’s first full day here. They got here late Tuesday night. Silas spent his first day with a buddy, as it was Laura’s babysitting day with Cameron. He has renamed the cats Dante and Jasper to Danti and Basher. Silas is a joy to have around and he has enchanted us all! … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Carbon Gravy Train
From the Australian: …thanks to what now goes by the name of climategate, it turns out the real scandal lies elsewhere. Climategate concerns some of the world’s leading climate scientists working in tandem to block Freedom of Information requests, blackball dissenting scientists, manipulate the peer-review process, and obscure, destroy or massage inconvenient temperature data — facts that were laid bare by last week’s disclosure of thousands of emails from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit.But the deeper question is why the scientists behaved this way to begin with, especially since the science behind man-made global warming is said to be firmly setted. To answer the question, it helps to turn the alarmists’ follow-the-money methods right back at them. The article goes on to give more than a few examples of … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Christmas Gift Ideas: Throws
All under $20! Frosty Winter Friends Throw This warm and comfy throw is designed by the renowned artist Sandra Kuck. Gives your home a dash of old fashioned fun. Polyester fleece trimmed with cranberry red. Machine wash. Imported. 51″ x 63″. Christmas Memories Throw Designed by renowned artist Sandra Kuck, this fleece throw features a heartwarming vignette of brother & sister reading by the Christmas tree. Add a feeling of warmth and create an instant yuletide atmosphere just by … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
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