Posts and Responses

It's funny. The things you might expect to get a response on are the ones that no one responds to, like the big, long, philosophical posts. Then you make a one sentence post and that's the one you get loads of responses for. lol. Too funny!

Bar Fight!!!!!

Last night I watched a movie that I haven't seen in FOREVER! It was "Road House" with Sam Elliott, Kelley Lynch(can't look at her without seeing her in "Curly Sue") and Patrick - I'm-so-dreamy-to-look-at - Swayze! They've got the best bar fights in that movie and the bad guy gets it in the end! I love that movie!!!

Pilus Giganticus

Well, the giant pile of clothes that was once stowed in the kitchen is gone. Not all clean mind you, but the pile is out in the garage, where it is being whittled down load by load, by load, by load.... :-)

It's nice to see the kitchen floor again. Now, if I can only keep this up so I can see the bedroom floor again.

Ah, such simple dreams...

Herge, This one's for you Baby!

The Texas Renaissance Festival link. Look, be intrigued, and let me know what you and the group over at Sniffy's think! love ya! Chelle.

Broken Bowl

I feel like I'm a broken bowl.

One of the Pastor's at Paul's memorial talked about how when we are born that God made us into this beautiful bowl. There is a referrence in the Bible ( Isaiah 64:8 "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.") that we are clay and Our Father in Heaven is the potter, thus a bowl. He talked about that over time life cracks and breaks the bowl and God fixes the bowl. The bowl is never perfect again, but will still be useful and hold water.

I know that he was talking about redeption. I know that I am redeemed by Christ through my faith in him. I'm just really sad and have been for quite a while. I'm starting to wonder if this fog will ever lift.

Most people who know me think I'm this super happy person. What they don't know is that I put on a happy face so they can't see "me". I'm so tired all the time from "making happy" for others. The strain is starting to show.

I feel like everybody wants a piece of me. I'm being pulled in a hundred different directions, family, church, life in general. Okay, so that may only be 3, but it FEELS like a hundred.

I guess it all started after Owen was born. My post pardom depression was wicked bad. Not quite "Andrea Yates" bad, but the thought's I had at the time were not pleasant.

A very close and wise friend led me from my darkness and told me that the thoughts were normal and that I wasn't going crazy.

I thought I was a really horrible mother because I didn't have this overwhelming love for my son immediately. It took time to love him, eventhough he was a wonderful baby. I still feel guilty about that. Now, he is the light of my life and I would be as fierce as any wild animal to protect my son.

About a year after Owen was born 9-11 happened. I was traumatized by those images the news kept showing over and over and over. The people jumping out of the windows to their death. It still haunts me to this day. Everytime they showed them I'd cry out, "Noooooo, Don't keep showing that!" It was horrible.

Almost a year later, my MIL Linda got sick from cancer for the third time in 10 years. I love my MIL. She's the best woman I know. I've been quite fortunate to have the PIL's I have. Not only is my husband Fantastic, but his Parents are too!

When she got sick this time, I was staying home with Owen, so I was the only person around to help her with her appointments and recovery. As I've mentioned before on my site, they live around the corner from us, so really the arrangement was ideal. The cancer had settled in her L1 lower lumbar vertibrea.

In January or February, she had the surgery to remove the tumor. It was putting pressure on the spinal cord and she was basically paralized. I remember that she had the surgery on a Sunday morning. The docs said that if they waited until Monday, she'd be paralized for life. They were not able to get the entire mass. It had grown around and in the bone. They did get most of it and would use Chemo for the rest.

She would start to get better, then get really sick again and the docs couldn't figure out what was going wrong, so after another MRI they found that someone had left a staple in the wound. That was July. I waited for her during the second sugery. I remember it was July because I was reading HP#5 for the first time. She came through fine, but would need someone to clean and dress her wound. I said that I'd do it. I was the only one from the family who wasn't working outside of the home and I was just around the corner, so if she needed anything, I could be right there and I was.

Nobody told me that the wound was an open wound, I thought it was closed. So when I saw it for the first time and the nurse showed me how to clean and dress it, I was shocked and a little grossed out. I went home after the nurse showed me and cried and cried. I didn't think I could do it and I knew that I'd need some help. Of course, Dave almost fainted when the nurse showed him the process and Ron (FIL) couldn't look without getting wobbly.

So I didn't have any help, like a rotating schedule. The wound needed to be cleaned, packed and dressed twice a day. I did that for about 10-11 months. Now the wound itself was 5 inches long on the outside and then there was about an inch or two under the skin on either end that I had to dig into and clean and pack it twice a day. It was an uncomfortable process for Linda, no matter how careful I was. She NEVER complained.

After about 5-6 months of doing this for Linda, my sister in law Jean agreed to be trained so that I could get a break. She did it about 10 times. That doesn't sound like alot, but it did help, and no one else was willing/able.

I took care of her for about a year and a half. I'm glad that I did. We have a bond that nothing can break. I took it upon myself to make sure that she got better. I couldn't lose her.

Now 2 1/2 years later she is well and looks fabulous. She went from not being able to walk to bowling in a local league.

All this took it's toll on me mentally. I sank into a deep depression. I didn't want to move off of the couch. I only did just what I had to do. There were times when I had to force myself to take care of Owen. Nothing held any joy anymore. I had no highs, only lows and even lower. I did finally talk to my Pastor for counciling. He told me to go to the doctor and get medicine. That helped, I was on Paxil CR for a little over a year. It saved my life. My friends helped too.

I know that my bowl has many cracks and patch spots on it, but I also know that God can use me as His vessel. Hopefully, one day in the near future, this fog will lift and I'll be back to my jovial old self. Until then, I'm not sure what to do besides "make happy" for others and hope that I can convince myself, while convincing others that everything is fine.

Nothing Ticks Me Off More

Than a poster saying ugly things on someone elses blog and NOT leaving a name. Cowardly Chicken!!!

We Had the Memorial Service Today

Paul's celebration of life was today. It was really nice. They had 2 preachers, one from their old church and one from their current church. I sang my songs, Shannon (my niece) read her poem about Paul and Kathey read Paul's favorite psalm, Psalm 100. I thought it was 23, but I was wrong, it's 100. We had a nice lunch provided by the ladies of the church. We all visited together. Sarah went to hang with her friends, Kathey went home to get some rest, and we headed back to the house.

On the way home we stopped by our friends house in Richmond and had a really nice visit. Our boys got to play together as we parents sat on the back porch and talked to each other. It was really nice. After, we went to another friends house and played a satisfying game of D & D. I got to kill some specters!! Woo Hoo!

Anyway, today was a good day.

Here is Psalm 100:
¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his ^[a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Amen.

The Answers!

1. The lions, they're dead.
2. She took his photo.
3. Charcoal.
4. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.
5. There are no "E's" in the paragraph.

Thanks to all who played along!! :-)

Push a Button and Zoom!

Just figured out the font and color modes. :-)

It's Late

It's late and I don't want to go to sleep, although I know I need to. I did get Dave's shirt ironed, my music together, all my black clothes washed and hung up; so really, I'm all set.

I haven't cried for Pablo in 2 weeks(cried the last time he was at St. Luke's). I know I'm on the edge. I just hope and pray that I will make it through for Kathey and Sarah. We haven't "laid eyes" on them since a couple of Fridays ago. I know they are relieved that Paul's no longer in pain. We are too. I just need to get there and speak to the Pastor and focus on the business at hand. It's not like I haven't sung at dozens of funerals before. It's that I've never sung at my brother-in-laws' (I've had a few b-i-l's) funeral before. Grandma, Grandpa, Dave's grandparents, lots of people through the years; but not a bro-in-law. Well, I better get to bed, so the voice will be ready. Type to ya later. m.

Testing, testing, Is This Thing On?

Okay, I'm going to try my hand at linking in my posts. So since Martha told me how to do it, I'll link Martha's site. It seems to have worked. Now all I need to figure out is how to change my font and text colors! Yee Haa!

Can you figure out Any of these?

1.A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms.
The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years.
Which room is safest for him?

2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?

3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?

4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is unusual though.
Study it, and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!



Come back tomorrow for the answers to see how well you did. :-)

Tag, I'm it!

I was tagged by Martha. So here goes!

Name 6 of your favorite songs and tag 6 others to do the same.

These are my favorite songs to sing:
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" - Bernie Taupin/Elton John Performed by Oleta Adams <---- she's awesome!
"He Was Despied" Handel from Messiah, Well ANYTHING from Messiah!
"Joy in the Morning" Natilee Sleeth <---- choral song for Easter
"In My Life" - John Lennon performed by Bette Midler
"Come Down in Time" - Bernie Taupin/Elton John Performed by Sting <---- this song turns me to mush. I love it!
"Ave Maria" - Gounod/Bach

There are many others, but they only asked for the top six. Although the "Phantom of the Opera" - Andrew Lloyd Webber could be interchanged for the Natilee Sleeth piece


So I will tag:

Jean -http://miatamaiden.blogspot.com/
Michelle -http://texasivy10.blogspot.com/
Dave -http://scootercommuter.blogspot.com/
Cakesniffer -http://cakesniffers.blogspot.com/
Misty -http://thedrowningpool.blogspot.com/
Cheeseburger Brown -http://mfdh.blogspot.com/

I hope y'all don't mind. Gets more peeps to your blogs though. :-) m.

Something Fun ~ For a change! :-)

Something fun, see how many of these you know:
I recognised quite a few. Although i would have added this as #101
"Halo! My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father! Prepare to DIE!" - The Princess Bride is a classic! How could they have missed it? Quel domage! (French. "Oh well.") Enjoy! m.

The American Film Institute's list of top 100 quotes from U.S. movies, with film title and year of release:
1. "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," "Gone With the Wind," 1939.
2. "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse," "The Godfather," 1972.
3. "You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am," "On the Waterfront," 1954.
4. "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore," "The Wizard of Oz," 1939.
5. "Here's looking at you, kid," "Casablanca," 1942.
6. "Go ahead, make my day," "Sudden Impact," 1983.
7. "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up," "Sunset Blvd.," 1950.
8. "May the Force be with you," "Star Wars," 1977.
9. "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night," "All About Eve," 1950.
10. "You talking to me?" "Taxi Driver," 1976.
11. "What we've got here is failure to communicate," "Cool Hand Luke," 1967.
12. "I love the smell of napalm in the morning," "Apocalypse Now," 1979.
13. "Love means never having to say you're sorry," "Love Story," 1970.
14. "The stuff that dreams are made of," "The Maltese Falcon," 1941.
15. "E.T. phone home," "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," 1982.
16. "They call me Mister Tibbs!", "In the Heat of the Night," 1967.
17. "Rosebud," "Citizen Kane," 1941.
18. "Made it, Ma! Top of the world!", "White Heat," 1949.
19. "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!", "Network," 1976.
20. "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," "Casablanca," 1942.
21. "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti," "The Silence of the Lambs," 1991.
22. "Bond. James Bond," "Dr. No," 1962.
23. "There's no place like home," "The Wizard of Oz," 1939.
24. "I am big! It's the pictures that got small," "Sunset Blvd.," 1950.
25. "Show me the money!", "Jerry Maguire," 1996.
26. "Why don't you come up sometime and see me?", "She Done Him Wrong," 1933.
27. "I'm walking here! I'm walking here!", "Midnight Cowboy," 1969.
28. "Play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By,'" "Casablanca," 1942.
29. "You can't handle the truth!", "A Few Good Men," 1992.
30. "I want to be alone," "Grand Hotel," 1932.
31. "After all, tomorrow is another day!", "Gone With the Wind," 1939.
32. "Round up the usual suspects," "Casablanca," 1942.
33. "I'll have what she's having," "When Harry Met Sally...," 1989.
34. "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow," "To Have and Have Not," 1944.
35. "You're gonna need a bigger boat," "Jaws," 1975.
36. "Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges! I don't have to show you any stinking badges!", "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," 1948.
37. "I'll be back," "The Terminator," 1984.
38. "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth," "The Pride of the Yankees," 1942.
39. "If you build it, he will come," "Field of Dreams," 1989.
40. "Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get," "Forrest Gump," 1994.
41. "We rob banks," "Bonnie and Clyde," 1967.
42. "Plastics," "The Graduate," 1967.
43. "We'll always have Paris," "Casablanca," 1942.
44. "I see dead people," "The Sixth Sense," 1999.
45. "Stella! Hey, Stella!", "A Streetcar Named Desire," 1951.
46. "Oh, Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars," "Now, Voyager," 1942.
47. "Shane. Shane. Come back!", "Shane," 1953.
48. "Well, nobody's perfect," "Some Like It Hot," 1959.
49. "It's alive! It's alive!", "Frankenstein," 1931.
50. "Houston, we have a problem," "Apollo 13," 1995.
51. "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?", "Dirty Harry," 1971.
52. "You had me at `hello,'" "Jerry Maguire," 1996.
53. "One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know," "Animal Crackers," 1930.
54. "There's no crying in baseball!", "A League of Their Own," 1992.
55. "La-dee-da, la-dee-da," "Annie Hall," 1977.
56. "A boy's best friend is his mother," "Psycho," 1960.
57. "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good," "Wall Street," 1987.
58. "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer," "The Godfather Part II," 1974.
59. "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again," "Gone With the Wind," 1939.
60. "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!", "Sons of the Desert," 1933.
61. "Say `hello' to my little friend!", "Scarface," 1983.
62. "What a dump," "Beyond the Forest," 1949.
63. "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?", "The Graduate," 1967.
64. "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!", "Dr. Strangelove," 1964.
65. "Elementary, my dear Watson," "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," 1929.
66. "Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape," "Planet of the Apes," 1968.
67. "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine," "Casablanca," 1942.
68. "Here's Johnny!", "The Shining," 1980.
69. "They're here!", "Poltergeist," 1982.
70. "Is it safe?", "Marathon Man," 1976.
71. "Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain't heard nothin' yet!", "The Jazz Singer," 1927.
72. "No wire hangers, ever!", "Mommie Dearest," 1981.
73. "Mother of mercy, is this the end of Rico?", "Little Caesar," 1930.
74. "Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown," "Chinatown," 1974.
75. "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers," "A Streetcar Named Desire," 1951.
76. "Hasta la vista, baby," "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," 1991.
77. "Soylent Green is people!", "Soylent Green," 1973.
78. "Open the pod bay doors, HAL," "2001: A Space Odyssey," 1968.
79. Striker: "Surely you can't be serious." Rumack: "I am serious ... and don't call me Shirley," "Airplane!", 1980.
80. "Yo, Adrian!", "Rocky," 1976.
81. "Hello, gorgeous," "Funny Girl," 1968.
82. "Toga! Toga!", "National Lampoon's Animal House," 1978.
83. "Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make," "Dracula," 1931.
84. "Oh, no, it wasn't the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast," "King Kong," 1933.
85. "My precious," "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," 2002.
86. "Attica! Attica!", "Dog Day Afternoon," 1975.
87. "Sawyer, you're going out a youngster, but you've got to come back a star!", "42nd Street," 1933.
88. "Listen to me, mister. You're my knight in shining armor. Don't you forget it. You're going to get back on that horse, and I'm going to be right behind you, holding on tight, and away we're gonna go, go, go!", "On Golden Pond," 1981.
89. "Tell 'em to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Gipper," "Knute Rockne, All American," 1940.
90. "A martini. Shaken, not stirred," "Goldfinger," 1964.
91. "Who's on first," "The Naughty Nineties," 1945.
92. "Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac ... It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!", "Caddyshack," 1980.
93. "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!", "Auntie Mame," 1958.
94. "I feel the need — the need for speed!", "Top Gun," 1986.
95. "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary," "Dead Poets Society," 1989.
96. "Snap out of it!", "Moonstruck," 1987.
97. "My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," 1942.
98. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner," "Dirty Dancing," 1987.
99. "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!", "The Wizard of Oz," 1939.
100. "I'm king of the world!", "Titanic," 1997.

It's Sunk In

I think it has finally sunk in that Paul is gone from this place. I have to concentrate on the songs I'm going to sing for the memorial. For those who are curious they are:

Desperado (Paul's request)
The Tree of Life (I want this one sung at my funeral)
Go Ye Now At Peace

They all have a special meaning. I've always liked Desperado. It was one of the first songs I performed at the Rosenberg Opry. I used to listen to the Linda Ronstadt version as a kid and young adult.

Tree of Life shows God's creation; from the creation, to the fall of man, to the redemption through Christ. When we first learned the song, my mom-in-law, Linda was sick with cancer for the third time. Then when it came around again, Paul was sick.

Go Ye Now At Peace has the message of peace for His creation who feel like they may have been forgotten by Him. One of the lines is: "You'll never be lost and alone in His beloved world. Go ye now in peace, go ye now in peace."

Today is play group for Owen. I've told only one mom on the phone, just to make sure she would be there. The others I updated with a mass e-mail. Everyone has been praying for k,p,& s. That also let the family in other states know what's going on.

So anyway, I just had to get all of this out of my head so I could be a good mom for Owie today. Thanks for the indulgence. m.

New Daily Wisdom

This one is good. Love to you all, M.


Salt and Light
- June 23, 2005

"Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Matthew 9:50

Some of the characteristics of salt are:1) It Enhances flavor, adds richness to a otherwise bland food.2) Preserves. Ever since the time of the Egyptians salt has been used in the mummification process to better preserve the body for the supposed afterlife.3) Restores balance.

When a person is injured, we pump saline (which is a salt water solution) into them in order to restore balance to their system. The body needs sodium and potassium in order to survive. The nervous system conducts electricity by pumping slat in and potassium out of the cells of your body. Salt is an essential nutrient for the survival of the body.

We, as Christians ARE the body, therefore we need salt in order to survive. We are to be the lifeblood of the church. We can only conduct electricity by getting up and actively pursuing people and sharing our faith, the faith of our forefathers; the faith of the leadership of our country today.

As Christians, we are called on the be salt and light to the world. We are called to enhance and enrich the lives of others by bringing the love of Christ into an otherwise bland and drab existence. We are called on to preserve the way of Christ; not only to preserve it, but to live it. If we are not living it, we are casting our salt under the feet of others to be trodden and destroyed. We are called to restore balance to a dying world. We each are not able to find peace and balance by our own accord. The only way we can find peace is to call on the name Jesus, Lord and Savior, price of peace, Emanuel, almighty counselor. It is when we realize our depravity and the need to have salt to enhance our lives, that we can truly taste and partake in the Salt of the world.

My question is this, are you the salt shaker who sits on the table, happy and content to have the salt sitting there, bound up inside, or are you the person who picks up the salt shaker and shakes the salt into the world?

Contributed by Carl Holmes

Paul is With our Father in Heaven

I just spoke with Kathey and she said that Paul passed away this morning. She and Sarah were with him. Kathey was reading his favorite psalm, Psalm 23, when he passed. She said it was a peaceful release. She and Sarah are at peace and with each other. His other daughters are having a very tough time of it. As you know, they are not believers, so they have many fears. Hopefully, God will use this to help bring them one day closer to Him. Please keep Candace and Vanessa in your prayers. Thanks.

I want to thank all of you for your kind words, prayers and support through all of this. It hasn't been easy, of course death never is. Your friendships have been a blessing to me. I only hope and pray that I return the favor. I love you all and again, thank you from me and my sister. She knew you were out there praying for her and their family and appreciated it. God's Blessings to you all. Michelle.

Sharing With Those on the Net...

It's interesting. I share more of my personal private thoughts with people I've never met, than with my own family. They have no idea who I am anymore. I've changed drastically from the person I was to the person I am now. For the better I hope.

I know that unless severely provoked, I'm not the "hot head" I used to be. I don"t get near as upset over the little things as I used to. Now don't misunderstand me, I still get pissed, but not to the extent that I used to.

There are things that have gone posted on this and other blogs that would shock my family and friends. Sometimes it's extremely conservative views on certain matters and pretty forward thoughts on others. Again, that's just who I am. Either way, I'm passionate on all accounts. I think that might be the only way to live. Well, the only way for me to live anyway. :-)

I know some rather personal things about others on the blogosphere that even their own families don't know. We feel comfortable sharing these things about ourselves because of a certain amount of anonymity. It's a powerful feeling. Kind of like Batman or Superman. As long as your identity is secret, then you can do or say anything! Ha!

We have a kind of camaraderie in our openness with each other. It's new and exciting, like a new relationship, and never ending because of the plethora of blogs out there. One blog, leads to another and so on, and so on, etc. Everybody has their own thoughts and feelings on certain subjects, some might call it their own personal "baggage". I say, if it's on your heart, then let it rip baby! You've got to get this stuff out of your head. I kept all kinds of things to myself and all I got from it was major depression, 100 pounds of extra weight and stage 3 cancer of the cervix. It ain't good to hold all that "crap" in.

These blogs allow us to cleanse our systems from all the toxins life throws at us. Now, on occasion, we find truly wonderful people who take you at face value and love you anyway. That's the blessing of the blogosphere. I must admit, I'm hooked! I love all those I've visited. I think they are fabulous people. Some share my values, some don't, I love them just the same! Keep blogging folks! I'll keep reading!

Till next time. :-)

check it out!

Hey, check out my weather pixie! Isn't she a cutie! If I was thin, I'd look like her!! Rock on, Babes!!! lol

Hey!

Dave~ the brilliant computer guru of mine walked me thru blog rolling, whilst trying to watch Rachel Ray in Paris and Iron Chef! Now I have my blog rolling list up and running!
Some of the blogs that I read daily are by folks that I don't share their life style views or choices, but they themselves are very interesting people, and I like them. I have commented on these blogs, as a friendly visitor. As a favor to me, please do not visit their blogs and leave mean notes on the way they are living their life. It's not our job to judge. Just love them where they are at. Thank you for your kind consideration in this matter. I think the best way for me to minister to them, is if they are curious about me, after I've visited them, and left a nice comment. Then they can read what's on my blog and ask questions if they would like to.

The rest of my blogroll consists of Christians who daily uplift me and hopefully, I do the same for them.
:-)
Thanks Again!!! Love you all!!!! Michelle.

Today!

Today was a great day! Hopefully, all the drama is over. That's just way too draining to have to deal with!

I ran errands with my beloved Mom-in-Law, Linda. Had a nice visit. I'm so glad they live around the corner from us. Dave's family is so nice and relatively sane, especially compared to mine! :-D

Love to you all!!! m.

Mom and I are fine now.

For those of you who are my regular readers, to which I say, "Thanks! :-D"; last week I posted the bit about my mom accusing me of stealing from her, which was TOTALLY FALSE.

Well, she finally got me on the phone. I didn't want to call her because I knew we would have a fight; and I didn't want to fight with my mother. Sure enough, just as I expected, she wouldn't listen to me and she started screaming at me, true to my mothers' form. I hung up on her. I'm a grown woman and my hearing is still intact, even after 8 ruptured eardrums and tons of loud music in the 80's and 90's (and occasionally these days when I have the car to myself. :-D) I don't need to be yelled at and I don't have to take it anymore.

Thankfully, I don't live in her house anymore. She'd say the same thing too.

Anyway, I called David. Again, like last time, she cut me to the bone. I told Dave that I wanted to change my phone number so she couldn't get a hold of me. I couldn't take it anymore, that she was breaking my heart. With me being this upset, it made Owen upset to see his mommy crying. In his 4 1/2 year old way, he tried to "fix" it. (He's such a little man.) Dave was wonderful and supportive, as usual. He always knows what to say.

While I was talking to Dave, mom called and left a message. She said she was sorry (which is a huge deal, she almost never apologizes) and to call her back. I took a BIG breath and readied myself for the onslaught. I called her back and like a good girl, I apologized for yelling back (I screamed an unrecognizable word into the phone just before I hung up on her, not proud of that...). She said if I had just called her right back, we could have settled this matter days ago. True. I told her that I didn't want to fight with her and at the time I was so angry and hurt by her that I couldn't speak to her. We settled the details about the silver. I told her that if she would feel better, she could have it back when we come down for Paul's funeral. (David is adamant that we shouldn't have to make a special trip to give her back something that she gave us almost 10 years ago. He said, "If she wants it, She has to come and get it." He's right of course.)

She told me to keep it. She was just really upset that I would take it out of her house when she wasn't there. Now here is where she was totally screwed up in the details. I told her 4 times that she was there and so was Dad, Dave, Kathey, Paul, Sarah, Shannon, she had a full house when she gave us the box; and that she was handing it over so she "wouldn't forget". I told her that I don't go to her house unless she and Daddy are there. (It's a 1 1/2 hour trip, one way.) I told her, what's the use in me coming to her house when they weren't there? She seemed to find the sense in the utterance, Thank you God!

Of course all the time I'm talking to her I'm crying off and on. I told her how bad it hurt me that "My own mother doesn't trust me and accuses me of stealing from her." and "That she is breaking my heart." "The box of silver is just stuff and what I really want is my mother, I love my mother, not the box of stuff."

I think she heard me at last. She told me that I was the only one who did want her around. I told her that she is my mom and I'll always love her, no matter what.

Well after that, the conversation turned into how she came to the conclusion that I took it without her knowledge. Come to find out, (dahn,dahn, daaaahhhhnnnn) my nosy ass niece, Shannon, told her I had the silver, but didn't tell mom the whole truth, which was that Mom GAVE it to me forever ago. So of course, that got mom all roiled-up and upset. (Shannon, if you are reading this, you need to stop doing that. It's NOT good for mom's health and NOT good for our relationships with her.) btw: I'm not mad at you Shan, just tired of this repeat behavior. :-I

Mom told me that she didn't even realise that it was out of the house until Shannon told her I had it. I asked mom, if me taking something out of her house sounded right to her, and she said no. I told her to trust her instincts. She told me, "I gotcha. " I could hear her smile through the phone.

Owen wanted to talk to her on the phone, so I told him ok. As soon as he got on the phone he said, " Hi Granny *****. You're being mean to your daughter and that's not nice, so don't do that." I told him to tell her he loves her (because she and I got it all settled and I didn't want her upset again). Then he started talking regular kid talk with her and blew her kisses over the phone and gave it back to me. She didn't understand the first part of what he said, so I went ahead and told her what he said and that he was really upset that momma was crying and almost inconsolable. I think it was then, that she "saw" the ripple effect of her actions. She apologized again. I accepted it.

So everything is better now. I appreciate the prayers. This is a perfect example of people stirring the pot, when they have no business being in the kitchen. hmmm, yet another thing to keep in mind...

Enjoy!

This author has put the point across in a great way, the saving grace that our Father has given us. I hope you enjoy the story and recognize the parallel. love to you all, Michelle.



The Promise
- June 21, 2005

The Dirtpeople despaired of living. Blinded from birth, they toiled in the desert fields, grubbing in the rock-hard soil; harvesting only thorns. Rainstealer stood over them with a whip. If one of the Dirtpeople dared raise his face toward the sun, he felt the brutal lash.

A story circulated among the Dirtpeople. No one knew if it was fable or truth. The story predicted that one day Raingiver would send water from the sky to nourish the soil and produce fruit with curative powers to heal their blindness. Best of all, Rainstealer would dissolve into dust as soon as the drops touched him.

Mercyman believed the story. Whenever he heard Rainstealer go to another part of the field, he lifted his face to the sun and tried to imagine what rain might feel like, how the new fruit might taste, and what it would be like to see. At night, when the Dirtpeople were released from their labor to return to their underground burrows at the edge of the fields, Mercyman lifted his face to the darkness and asked Raingiver to send rain.

"You're crazy! his father said. "I've never seen rain in my entire life."

"But Raingiver has promised." Mercyman said. "I believe."

"How do you know he even exists?"

"I believe."

His wife, Mercywoman, sobbed when she told him the news of her pregnancy. "I hate to even bring a child into this world." she said. "Just knowing how Rainstealer will pierce his eyes with thorns turns my heart to water."

"We won't let him blind this child."

"How do we stop him?" she asked. "He will bring his thorns and prick his eyes just as he has done to all of us."

"Raingiver will stop him."

"Raingiver this, Raingiver that. I'm sick of hearing about Raingiver!"

"But I believe!"

"I'll believe when I see this rain you're always talking about or when he stops Rainstealer from torturing us with thorns."

The Dirtpeople subsisted on thorns. If eaten raw, the thorns tasted sweet, but pierced the soft inner flesh of their mouths, causing aggravating sores that refused to heal. If cooked, they lost their power to wound, but turned slimy and bitter, offering no nourishment to their broken bodies.

Mercyman hated the way the poor food affected his pregnant wife. She grew weaker and sicker by the day. Yet Rainstealer made her labor in the hot fields, using his whip to force her to produce bale after bale of cruel thorns. Her hands bled, along with her open back. Mercyman worked twice as hard, trying to put extra thorns in her basket to spare her from Rainstealers wrath.

One day the sun was especially merciless, beating down on them like a furnace. Mercyman heard his wife utter low moans at regular intervals.

"Are you in labor, my darling?" he whispered.

"Don't say a word!" A sharp intake of breath told him she was in pain. "I will hide this child from Rainstealer."

Mercychild was born that night but Mercywoman, so weak from poor food and maltreatment, barely survived. "I'm too weak to hide him!" Her wails spurred Mercymans desperation into even more fervent prayer. "Rainstealer will surely find him and prick his eyes as he has done to all of us."

Mercyman stumbled out into the night and fell to his knees in desperation. "Raingiver," he prayed. "I believe in you. Help my unbelief."

The drops confused Mercyman. At first, he thought someone had splashed water onto his face from a bucket. But the moisture continued falling, wetting his hair with streams of fresh water that smelled of freedom and blessing.

"Mercywoman!" He jumped to his feet and pulled her out into the rain. "Everyone!" Mercyman shouted in his loudest voice. "It's raining! Raingiver sends rain."

Screams of astonishment filled the burrows as the Dirtpeople scrambled into the open fields and lifted blinded eyes toward heaven, savoring each precious drop. Praises and dancing erupted.

"Whats going on?" Rainstealer roared. "Get back in your burrows or you'll feel my lash!"

"Raingiver has answered our prayers." Mercyman said. He stood on both feet with his head held high, addressing Rainstealer as an equal. "Your reign is over."

They heard choking gasps. "Whats happening?" Rainstealers voice sounded fearful and strangled. "I'm fading away."

The Dirtpeople cautiously crawled toward the place where Rainstealer's voice had last been heard. They felt his whip lying on the ground, but otherwise no evidence that Rainstealer had ever been there. He was gone.

It rained for forty days and nights. The Dirtpeople survived by eating bales of thorns stacked in the storehouse. It seemed the thorns were gentler and less piercing than before; but it may only have been their imagination. At the end of the fortieth night, the rains stopped. The Dirtpeople crawled out to the muddy fields and plucked rounded clusters of fruit off verdant vines. Mercyman bit into the fruit and felt a healing warmth surge through his body. He took another bite and saw colors swarm before his eyes. By the end of his third bite, his vision was perfect.

"Eat!" he shouted. "I can see! Take and eat! Eat all of it!"

Mercywoman, almost too weak to chew, jumped to her feet after only one swallow. "I'm strong again." Her arms clutched Mercychild while she pushed more fruit into her mouth. "I'm young and strong and I can see!"

Mercyman bowed in worship. It was truly a day of resurrection.

Contributed by Candace Simar. Candace is a free lance writer from Pequot Lakes, MN. Her work has appeared in Dust & Fire, Lake Country Journal, Talking Stick, Talking 7th Street Blues, Country Echo, and Home Health Care Nurse Journal.

Non-Christians Don't know why Christians share the Gospel, this is why.

Christians share the Gospel so that non believers will know the saving grace of Christ. When they die, they will have the promise of heaven and not be lost to their Creator for all eternity. If you think waiting at the bank or in a check out line at the grocery store takes along time...imagine eternity in a line that goes no where.

My prayer for all who don't yet know Jesus, is that God will put someone in their lives who can tell them of the wonderful mercy and grace our Father has bestowed upon His creation, that they don't have to earn it, it is a gift, freely given by God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ His son, a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. God is a loving God and Father. He loves His Creation so much that he sent His son to earth to live as a mortal being and have the same temptations as a human, to rise above these trials and have no sin, to be the perfect sacrifice, as we could never be perfect no matter what we do, to die for our sins and be raised again to the Glory of Our Father. So that when we give our lives and hearts to Christ, by faith, we die in Jesus to be raised again with Him and be in Heaven when we die. He has built us a home in heaven. It is just waiting for us, all we need to do is believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. In His most precious name I pray. Amen.




The Will
- June 20, 2005

A close neighbor passed away rather suddenly not long ago. In the following days, it fell to his children to look through their dad's possessions. It was a difficult experience, because of the circumstances. As they searched through the tools, golf stuff, supplies, magazines, and various other things, they were surprised at some of what he had.

No matter how private a person you are, when you die, possessions are no longer under your control. The Bible warns us of getting too attached to this world's things. Jesus said, (Mark 8:36) "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?"

Each of us should consider that question. We have to plan ahead, much like someone might make a will to take care of their affairs when they die. In a sense, we make a will when we tell God that we want Jesus Christ to be a part of our lives. In doing so, make the most important plans that can be made, those that affect our eternal destination.

Have you made plans for your eternal future? If not, why not do something about it right now? The Bible says "Now is the time for salvation!" I urge you to plan for your eternal future right now. You don't know if you will have time to plan later.

Contributed by Michael Ullrich.

Talked to Kathey Last Night

Kathey says that they are "maintaining". Paul's other daughters, Candace and Vanessa are having a hard time with all of this too. I guess that's why they've been acting out towards Sarah and Kathey. Please join me in praying for them to get through this and that God will soften their hearts toward Him. Candace only believes in Science, that there is no God. Vanessa believes in a "higher power". I feel really bad for them. They have no hope for a life everlasting. So when you read this, if you would offer up a prayer for the girls, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

Also, Paul's hospice care is in their house. The hospital bed, oxygen, meds, all that stuff is at the house, so when he passes, he'll be at home with his family. He's refusing his dialysis. I think he's finally ready to go.

Love to you all. m.

We have a Lizard in the Office!

Yep, we have a lizard in the office and the fat cat won't do his job. You know, he's not doing his part as a member of this household! All he does is sleep and eat, pee and poop. At least he's using his litter box again! :-i

When he first came into the house he caught a rat. The thing was bigger than he was by double for sure. I guess he thinks that he's done his duty. I guess we could always ban him from the food bowl, but that would just be mean.

Oh well,maybe Dave can try to catch the lizard, but he's missed it 4 times. That sucker is FAST!

Funding Being cut for Ready to Learn PBS, What no more Big Bird????

I received this e-mail from a friend of mine in N.O.,LA.

Please call your law makers! Even if you don't have kids, someday you may wish that Big Bird, Oscar, the Count and Grover were still around.

http://www.wyes.org/federal%20funding%20help.html

I don't know if any of you saw the information on WYES (the New Orleans Public Broadcasting station) this morning after Sesame Street. Congress is getting ready to vote (approximately on Wednesday, June 22nd) on a bill that would cut funding for PBS by 45%, mainly getting rid of the Ready to Learn funding which funds such shows as Sesame Street.

I don't know about any of ya'll but William and Henry love Sesame Street and I feel that it is a program that I can let them watch and know that there will be nothing for me to be concerned about and that they are learning. This is a show that has been on for over 35 years and is something that I grew up on, I would hate to see programs like this cut.

If you want to voice your opinion you can call your congressman. Just go to http://www.wyes.org/federal%20funding%20help.html and there is a page that explains what is going on and the number to your Congressman.

I contacted Bobby Jindal's office in DC and spoke with Nicole regarding the upcoming vote, not only was she polite but she took down my information and said that my concerned was recorded and thank you for calling.

I am not into chain mails, and I am not going to ask you to forward this to everyone in your address book, but if you would please all your representative, Henry and William would thank you!

Hope that y'all are having a safe and wonderful summer, hope to see you soon!

Mia

I am SO Avoiding Right now

I came to the G5 to pay the bills. Then I (purposefully) get distracted by blogging. I don't want to pay the bills. I'm sure we have enough money to cover them, because Dave has a little OT on this check. but It fills me with dread everytime I go online to pay the suckers. To quote Eliaine "I h8 it!"

Well, I better get it over with, then I can enjoy the rest of my day. Type at ya l8r! :-)

Owl Post, Oh wait - "Blog" Post

I just finished watching HP PoA again for the tenth time and it struck a chord, parallel. Our blog posts are much like the Owl Posts in Harry's world. We put out our message and set it free. Then when you happen by, it's waiting for you to read. Just give Hedwig or Pigwidgeon a snack and a reply and they'll be on their way back to Harry or Ron or even Snuffles.

Something to chew on

The more civilized our society becomes; the more barbaric we are. mhneumann

Paul

Kathey is signing Paul up for hospice tonight. It should be in the next week that he passes.

Something Silly!

I was looking around at one of the other blogs and this person had a quiz on it, so I took the quiz and looked around the site. I found another quiz to take.."What Mythological Creature are you?" I was a DRAGON! Really, I'm not surprised. I love dragons. I think they are wonderful, powerful, special and...they like sparkley things...just like me! :-D I'm also Hermione Granger from the HP series. Dave is Dumbledore. p.s. Dave is a faerie, he he he. :-)

Here is the address: http//quizfarm.com/

Enjoy! Let me know what different things you are.

Today completely SUCKS!

Sorry to use such strong language, but that's just how I feel. Did I get this forum confused or what? Aren't you supposed to put your thoughts and feelings down here as a form of release?

Today started out ok. Dave was home because his boss asked him to work 3pm-11pm. Great, we got to sleep till 7am, play with the boy, chill out together, it was great. Dave had an appointment with the English Advisor at U of H, got the game plan down for the next 5 years. Then he came back and went to work.

Everything went to crap right about that time. My mom leaves a message on my phone accusing me of stealing the silver that she gave me almost 10 YEARS ago!

Now to give some back history, my mom hasn't been with it mentally for the past 6-7 years. We all make concessions for her, but it still hurts like hell when she accuses you of stealing from her. She expects a call back and I'm not gonna do it.

The last time she accused me of taking the silver I called her back and she didn't even remember that it was out of the house, much less remembering that she called and accused me of taking it. It's not going to do any good to call and she's just gonna get upset because I'll have to tell her that I didn't steal it.

I don't steal stuff damn it! I don't have to, that's what credit cards are for!!!!! If you want something bad enough, just go buy it. That's why the house is full of stuff and we have credit card debt. I'm not complaining, I'm taking responsibility for my actions. Wow, what a concept!

So anyway, instead of calling mom, I tried to call Dave to ask him what I should do. I wanted to call Dad, but she always answers the phone. Not gonna chance that... I couldn't get a hold of Dave, so I called my sister Karen. I hated to bug her, but I knew she'd understand. Mom has accused her of stealing too. Back in the day Karen did drugs and stole to support her habit, but not everything mom accused her of stealing was true.***side note: Karen is clean now and I'm really proud for her!!*** She just suggested that I give it back to her and I'd get it back when mom dies.

In that moment, I could not care if I ever saw the dust catching box ever again! It's a good thing I live an hour and a half away from my parents, because I was so mad that I wanted to dump everything she'd ever given me during my entire lifetime, including the Cinderella watch she bought me when I learned how to tell time, on her front porch and say, "Fine, here's all your crap! I don't have room in my house for it anyway!!!!". Well, Karen talked me down and that helped a lot. I did get a hold of Dave. It always helps to talk to Dave.

Then, after the storm was over (it rained pretty hard today.), I turned the computer back on and I receive an e-mail from a church acquaintance. She's quite offended by my political and general thoughts that I posted on my blog. I apologized for offending her.

No one person in particular, other than Hollywood and the media in general, was in my thoughts when I wrote that post. I can't help the way I feel or what is on my heart. If my political beliefs offend anyone, so sorry. You don't have to agree with me. You don't have to like what is on this blog. These are my opinions, not anyone else's. Just like you get to have your opinions, I get to have mine, whether anyone likes them or not.

Frankly, I have other things on my mind, bigger things, like how are my niece and other sister going to handle Paul's death and everything that comes with it? How are we gonna make the bills over the next few months until I can get some more students? How am I going to get all this blasted laundry done and still give Owen the time he needs?

If something crosses my mind and I feel strongly enough to write a post about it, then I will. I don't expect to change anyone's point of view. I don't even expect it to be read. I sure didn't expect to get so much grief over the thoughts that I transcribed from my head to this blog. Geeze! Give a girl a break!

BTW: I'm not the only one on the blogosphere that thinks the way I do. Take a look around. I did, that's how I found these other blogs; and as soon as I figure out how to blogroll, they'll be on my blog and you can click on them to read them. That is, if you want to...

I hope this post doesn't offend, but if you can't handle honest feelings, then maybe my blog isn't for you.

I've said it once and I'll say it again... Self-Censorship is a wonderful thing.

Working outside the home or inside the home?

I was just reading the reply post of another blog that I read daily (Stillwaters Garden). This person posted anonymously and really bashed this woman for being a stay at home mom and wife.

From the comments it sounds like this person doesn't have kids and is very angry at the thought of staying home and serving God by serving your family. I figure that this person, most likely is an un-married woman. I feel sad for her because she is so angry and belligerent.

It is a very noble thing to be a stay at home mom and wife, if you can afford it. If you can't afford it, then there is nothing wrong with that; circumstances beyond your control, as it were.

There are some moms that know they'd kill their kids if they stayed home with them. That's not a weakness, it's a strength to know your weaknesses.

This war between working moms and stay at home moms is ridiculous. It's just a different choice, no more, no less. No one person is right or wrong, just different. To quote "Robin Hood-Prince of Theives" "Allah likes variety."

It takes all kinds to make the world go round. Let's be nicer to those who are different. You don't have to be mean to get your point across. Ideas presented in a loving manner are more readily accepted than those presented in anger.

Ok. That should be the end of my soap box speech for the day...That is unless I find something else to type about. Love to you all!!!! m.

Daily Wisdom

This is from a list I receive everyday through the e-mail. Just thought I'd share this one. Love to you all. Michelle.

Bonus
- June 13, 2005

Each week, our mail contains at least one solicitation to buy or join something. Almost always included in the sales pitch is a reference to some bonus item. "Respond by (date) and you will also receive... " The ploy is that the bonus item is something free and otherwise not included in the cost of what you're buying.

Negotiating for the sale or purchase of commodities has been around for all of recorded history. The seller doesn't want to give up anymore than he or she has to, and the buyer wants the best deal. Such a tactic is not necessary when it comes to God's offer of grace.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians saying, "in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). That is one of the bonuses of knowing Christ, but it is not to "sweeten the deal." The price has already been paid for your salvation, and the benefits and bonuses are available to all, simply for the asking.

False "religion" offers bonuses for doing certain things. True faith in Jesus Christ is all inclusive. So don't be taken in by the hucksters. Nothing new is or will be added to the "deal" of knowing Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior.

Contributed by Michael Ullrich.

I had a question of clarification on the last post

Here is the question and my answer.

you have a post on your blog that I don't really understand...
is it a commentary of your personal beliefs on the email written?
Are you suggesting that Christians all think alike?
separated by income? higher income different beliefs?


Yes, it's a commentary on the email.

No, I don't think all Christians should think alike. I do think we should stand up for what we do believe in (not let the media or Hollywood speak for us). It's not the popular thing to do, but it just might be the right thing to do.

I personally think that where one is financially, has great bearing on how one prioritizes things in their life (God/church, politics, family, etc.). I have observed that even when Dave & I were making more money than we are now, that our priorities were of a more lofty nature; we were concerned about "the world", "How can we help "the world"?. Now we've had to narrow things and make sure that our child is a good person so that he will be a productive citizen and contribute to the world and not just take from the world.

Not that those who make more money than we do, take from the world, it's just with more expendable income, you can put your money towards other things/charities. Whereas, we have to keep what little we have to feed the boy; and teach him to give his time, then someday, when he has it, his money.

I don't think we should put on sheets and start riots because someone is a different nationality or gay (KKK was in Tomball this weekend). Personally, I think that there is no place for that behavior in a civilized society.

I do think that if you have a problem with a certain lifestyle you should use your right to self censorship, but it's pretty tough to censor yourself when certain lifestyle choices of others, persons known to you or strangers, are being crammed down your throat. It's a fine line and mostly subjective. I think that's why most people just stay quiet, they don't want to make waves or offend others. For me, it's not the people; it's the activity. I have several friends and a cousin who is a homosexual and several family members who are or used to live what I call the "Jerry Springer" lifestyle. I didn't stop loving them, but I am sad for them because the lifestyle they are living will eventually cause them additional pain, because they are not in the mainstream. As you know, humans can be very mean to each other.

I know that just like you can't choose the color of your skin or where you were born, you can't choose to be gay. You're just born that way. My mom calls it a dirty trick of Mother Nature. I agree with her. We all, as Christians, need to love our fellow brothers and sisters where they are at in life.

We also need to be the "silent" majority no more. I'm not saying that we should scream it from the top of the Williams Tower, but if someone asks you what you think, don't lie and say you think it's ok, when you don't.

We also, need to vote our beliefs. If the representative is no longer representing us, then we need to vote the person out of office and make known to them why. Pastor Bauer has talked about that in Sunday School several times, even though he doesn't like to get "political".

I think that if we make our beliefs known in a loving manner and why we believe the way we do, then that will be much more effective in the long run. Thanks for asking for the clarification. If you don't mind, I'd like to post your question and my answer on the blog. Thanks Evangeline.

Christians, be silent no more!

This is an e-mail that I've gotten several times since 9-11-01 (the pictures didn't transfer over). Just because it's been around the net a zillion times doesn't make it any less true.

Our country was founded on religious freedoms. So why is it that any other religion can have a holiday or have a public display, but the Christian religion can't??? It infuriates me to no end. In the pretense of "Political Correctness", the Christians are being prejudiced against because of their beliefs. This has been the way it was since Christ, but the early Church was willing to die for the Truth.

We as Christians, in America, are so complacent in our belief that some else will speak up for what is right, that we just keep our mouths shut and let the "Overbearing Minority" speak for the majority. It's the old saying of "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." I've often commented to my husband that the insane idiots are the one's that get the microphone.

Most of the people who are speaking out on issues are so far from the "ordinary folk" of this country, that they have no idea what we are really thinking or what is truly on our hearts. And really, how could they know...they fly all over the world to shoot movies and get paid upwards of $10 million to do so. Even those people who are making $75, 000 per year have a drastically different life style than those who are scraping by on $35k to feed and house 2 adults, 1 child, 1 cat and 9 small fish.

Their reality is so far from our reality that they have no idea of what we want out of our government or society in general. The silent majority who believes in the sanctity of marriage, prayer in the church and home and on the appropriate occasions (high school football games and graduations, etc.) public events, to have our children grow up in a place where they are safe from suicide bombers, and deviants of all kinds; needs to speak up and be bold about what they want out of this government that we elect and this society we live in.

Just because we are Christians and are supposed to turn the other cheek, doesn't mean that God wants us to be oppressed. He commands us to speak out about what is right and good and proper. He wants us to keep our minds on higer things.

Our founding fathers were on fire for God. All you have to do is look up their quotes to see it is true. Then check it with the bible to see if what they wanted for our country matches up with what God wants for His creation. Get out there, get informed. Be bold in your convictions, be bold about your beliefs and Christians, be silent no more!

the e-mail is as follows:

DID YOU KNOW? As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S. Supreme Court you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view ... it is Moses and he is holding the Ten Commandments!

DID YOU KNOW?
As you enter the Supreme Court courtroom, the two huge oak doors have the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion of each door.

DID YOU KNOW?
As you sit inside the courtroom, you can see the wall,
right above where the Supreme Court judges sit,
a display of the Ten Commandments!

DID YOU KNOW?
There are Bible verses etched in stone all over the Federal Buildings and Monuments in Washington, D.C.

DID YOU KNOW?
James Madison, the fourth president, known as "The Father of Our Constitution" made the following statement:
"We have staked the whole of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."

DID YOU KNOW?
Patrick Henry, that patriot and Founding Father of our country said:
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

DID YOU KNOW?
Every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a paid preacher, whose salary has been paid by the taxpayer since 1777.

DID YOU KNOW?
Fifty-two of the 55 founders of the Constitution were members of the established orthodox churches in the colonies.


DID YOU KNOW?
Thomas Jefferson worried that the Courts would overstep their authority and instead of interpreting the law would begin making law . an oligarchy:
the rule of few over many. (sound familiar???)

DID YOU KNOW?
The very first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said:
"Americans should select and prefer Christians as their rulers."


How, then, have we gotten to the point that everything we have done for 220 years in this country is now suddenly wrong and unconstitutional?

I was asked to send this on if I agreed or delete if I didn't. Now it is your turn...
It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, it is very hard to understand why there is such a mess about having the Ten Commandments on display or "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the other 14% to Sit Down and SHUT UP!!!

Update on Paul

We went to the old home town on Friday to visit with my sister and her husband.

The whole family was there. We all went swimming, then gathered back at Kathey's house to visit and have dinner. It was a really nice time together. We all had our chances to tell Paul that we loved him and goodbye.

I pray that God will make his passing as painless and peaceful as possible. I think he's ready to go. He's in so much pain that he isn't comfortable in any position. Kathey and the girls are attending to his needs.

Please join me in praying for them all to have strength and to be comforted by the Holy Spirit to get them through this time of need. Thank you. Michelle.

Names

When I was 14, my sister came back home to live with us and brought her daughter who was 1. She grew up in my parents house. She had this huge white bear she would carry around with her everywhere! The bears' name was Beary. Well, my son has a bear that his God brother gave him when he was born. It's a big bear like my nieces was, and he hardly noticed it until this past week.

Owen was playing with the bear and he said, "Hey Mom, you know what this bears' name is?" I asked, "What?" He said, "This bears' name is "Beary"."

I smiled because I remembered Shannon and her Beary and now, Owen has his own Beary. It's neat how little kids think alike. Did any of you have a Beary???