Monday, July 28, 2008

One of ours...


Sgt. Enrique Ramos-Melendez, opens a box that was sent by the morale welfare and recreation center in Katterbach, Germany. The MWR center sent 20 boxes filled with recreational equipment and games to all the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade units from the Katterbach area currently stationed in Iraq.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Hot Chocolate ?


A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate. When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate.

Friday, July 25, 2008

One of my favorite Kitchen Appliances



This is one of my favorite appliances. When the hubby first bought me one years ago I thought it was going to be a waste of money. But since then I have used it on a weekly basis since he got it for me. I buy meat in quantity at Sams and repackage it and put it in the freezer. I also use this for marinating meat quickly. Believe it or not ... my 1st machine got worn out and I am on my second machine. I love this little appliance!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

A Journey

This is a woman's journey who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.



Signs... will you be ready?

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I Can...

Stop the music and the right before starting...

Monday, July 14, 2008

Great Article ~Homeschooling's socialization snobs


I found this on my friend Kim's blog who got it off another home schooling mom's blog. The direct link to the article is here.

It is amazing how many people think because you home school that your children are deprived of socializing with other kids. With being a home school parent and having friends that have children in the public school system it is amazes me the difference in how the children act. Yes that is one of the reasons we home school. People are still in the dark ages in their thinking that just because a child is home schooled they do not socialize with others. This lady who wrote this article hit the nail right on the head why some of choose to home school.

Other great articles on this subject:
Social Skills and Homeschooling: Myths and Facts
Homeschool Kids are "Socially Challenged"
Another myth

The list could go on and on and on...

Funny joke...

Strangers on a train
Four strangers traveled together in the same compartment of a European train. Two men and two women faced each other. One woman was a very wealthy and sophisticated 70 year old lady who was decked out in the finest of furs and jewelry. Next to her Sat a beautiful young woman, nineteen years old--who looked like something right off the cover of a fashion magazine. Across from the older lady was a very mature looking man in his mid-forties who was a highly decorated Sergeant Major in the Army. Next to the Sergeant Major sat a young private fresh out of boot camp.
As these four strangers traveled, they talked and chatted about trivial things until they entered an unlighted tunnel, and there they sat in complete darkness and total silence, until the sound of a distinct kiss broke the silence; following the kiss a loud slap could be heard throughout the cabin.
In the ensuing period of silence the four strangers sat quietly with their own thoughts.
The older lady was thinking, "Isn't it wonderful that even in this permissive day and age there are still young women who have a little self-respect and dignity?"
The young woman, shaking her head and greatly puzzled, asked herself, "Why in the world would any man in his right mind want to kiss an old fossil like that when I'm sitting here?"
The Sergeant Major, rubbing his sore face, was outraged that any woman could ever think that a man in his position would try to sneak a kiss in the dark.
The private, grinning from ear to ear, was thinking, "What a wonderful world this is when a private can kiss the back of his hand and then smack a Sergeant Major in the face and get away with it!"

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Experiment ~ Measuring Oxygen


Warning! This experiment uses fire. Be very careful and be sure an adult is around to help.

For this experiment, you will need:

- a pie pan or shallow bowl

- a candle

- a glass jar large enough to hold the lit candle

- water

Light the candle and let a few drops of melted wax fall on the middle of the pan. Place the bottom of the candle into this wax to secure it in place. Carefully add about an inch of water to the pan. Relight the candle if it has gone out, and place the jar over it. Watch carefully. After a minute or so, the candle will go out, and the water will rise up into the jar.

This shows that the candle has burned up the oxygen, and the water has risen into the jar to take its place, right? WRONG!!!!! If you watch carefully, you will see why is it wrong. When you first place the jar over the candle, air bubbles OUT of the jar. If you are slow about placing the jar over the candle, you might not notice this, but if you cover the candle in one quick motion, you will see the air bubbling out. Once the candle goes out, the water begins to rise in jar.

Now, lets think about that. If the water was rising because the oxygen was burned up, it would rise while the candle was burning and stop as soon as the flame went out. Is that what you saw? No. Then what really did happen?

As the candle burns, it is heating the air in the jar, causing it to expand. This causes the bubbles that leave the jar. The candle is burning oxygen, but the oxygen does not vanish. It combines with carbon from the burning wax to form carbon dioxide, another gas that also takes up space.

When the candle goes out, the air begins to cool, which causes it to contract. As the air gets smaller, the water rises into the jar.


Taken From here

Friday, July 11, 2008

Saturday, July 5, 2008

If I die before you wake...

Someone from our home school group sent a link to this video but it did not have a way to embed it on my blog so I searched for it on youtube. Here it is... Turn off my blog music before starting this.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Ruben's Climb To Mount Shasta

Our friend Ruben climbs mountains. He climbed his first 14,000 foot mountain the weekend of June 27-29. Mt. Shasta in northern California stands at 14,162 feet. It is a volcano and part of the Cascade Range ( think Mt. Rainier, near Seattle) stretching from Washington through Oregon into California. (Info taken from Ruben's email) Here are a few pictures of his climb.









Sunday, June 29, 2008

Heart Attack Humor

Ken's cousin sent this and I thought it was funny.

Japanese eat little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than we do.
Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than we do.
Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than we do.
Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than we do.
Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than we do.

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you. Our Government is trying to correct this problem.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Catchy and Funny Phrases...

Be ye fishers of men. You catch 'em - He'll clean ' em.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never as
Great as the Power behind us.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

When you get to your wit's end,
You'll find God lives there.

God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until he is dead.
So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete
Thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

A lot of church members singing 'Standing on the Promises'
are just sitting on the premises.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Buyer Beware At The Gas Pump


One-third of the gasoline stations inspected in a recent three-day state sweep were found pumping less gas than motorists paid for, posting wrong prices or pumping low-octane fuel for people buying premium. That pervasive pattern of fraud cries out for increased vigilance, by consumers and by county and state inspectors.

Authorities ticketed 350 gas station owners in the three-day sweep of 1,023 stations in all 21 counties. Among the stations cited were 12 in Monmouth County and eight in Ocean County. The state Division of Consumer Affairs should post the list of violators prominently on its Web site. And the gas stations on the list should receive regular visits from inspectors.

State Attorney General Anne Milgram said she believes most of the violations were intentional. Even in instances when they weren't, gas station operators have an obligation to know the law and to follow it.

Violators face fines of up to $1,500 for first-time offenses and significantly more for repeat violations. Counties process the violations and can suspend a gas station's operating license for five to 30 days. They should impose the toughest penalties allowed by law to send a clear message to gas station owners that fraud will not be tolerated — and fraud will not pay. And consumers should do their part by monitoring prices at the pump and reading their receipts carefully.


Links to this article
Snopes

What keeps you going?

Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Life keeps you Humble,
Success keeps you Glowing,
But only GOD keeps you Going !

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Cool Ties For The Soldiers

Cool Ties have become a very popular method of keeping cool during the summer heat. Each cool tie is made with medium size polymer which is safe and non-toxic. Cool Ties work on the principal of evaporative cooling. Once the polymer is hydrated, the fabric surface of the Cool Tie draws the moisture from the polymer to the fabric surface, which evaporates resulting in an effective body cooler. In areas of high humidity where no wind is present use two or three Cool Ties, keeping one in a refrigerator or ice chest and as soon as the one being worn reaches body temperature, exchange it with the one in the cooler. Wear the Cool Tie around the neck or head and it will bring great relief from the heat!

How to Make Cool Ties or Bandanas

Each pound of MEDIUM size polymer contains about 115 teaspoons of crystals, which will make at least 50 bandanas at 2 teaspoons per tie.

For MSDS click here

There are several ways to make Cool Ties. Cotton fabric will work best, as it has superior wicking properties. Let your imagination be your guide. One method is to take an ordinary bandana and make a Cool Tie by simply folding over the wide edge about an inch or an inch and a half and stitching the “hem” down to create a tube. Complete the bandanas as with the following instructions for the ties:

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Scissors

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Tape measure

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Serger/sewing machine

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4" strip of fabric 45" long (actual length will depend on personal preference)

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One Tablespoon of medium Watersorb polymer granules. order page

DIRECTIONS

  1. Cut one strip of fabric 4" wide from a fabric that is at least 45" wide. If you want to have a bow to tie use a 60" wide fabric.
  2. Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise (the piece should be 4" by 22 1/2"). Mark the fold. This is the center back of the neck band. Open up the fabric and measure and mark 7" on each side of the center back.

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Fold the fabric right sides together the width of the strip (the piece should now be 2" by 45".) Using a 5/8" seam, stitch between the marks. (There should be 14" stitched--7" on either side of center back.)

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  1. The tail ends may be rounded or slanted to give a more finished look. Finish the edges and ends of the rest of the band by serging or turning and stitching. Press.

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  1. Turn tube right side out and press. At one end of the tube, stitch to close, then double stitch for strength. At this point you should have one end of the tube open.

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5. Carefully pour the polymer granules into the tube (1-3 teaspoons). Stitch the tube closed. Reinforce with another row of stitching.

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  1. To use the cool neck band, soak in water for a 15-20 minutes (hot water speeds the hydration process). As the polymer granules soak up the water "mush" them around so the polymer spreads out equally along the tube. Tie around your neck for a "Cool Band."

TIPS

  • The polymer granules are used in gardening soil for water retention. (Use Watersorb Medium 1-3 tsp) Each pound of polymer has about 115 tsp.
  • The cool band can be refrigerated so it is more refreshing on a hot day.
  • It can be soaked in cold water and used over and over.
  • If too many polymer granules are used in the tube, the polymer will ooze through the fabric tube. Generally two teaspoons is all that is needed.
.... · Store in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator, or hang dry. The polymer will rehydrate again using instructions in step 6.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Daily Journal Article:Home-schoolers threaten our cultural comfort...


6/8/2008 9:39:01 AM
Daily Journal
Article by: Sonny Scott




You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.

It's a big family by today’s standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.

There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no threats from mom. The older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about her task.

You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children being home schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their reputation for academic achievement has caused colleges to begin aggressively recruiting them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are conservatively estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high as $9 billion. When you consider that these families pay taxes to support public schools, but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the public.

Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the norm, and are more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are many and varied. Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse speech, suggestive behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular schools. Others are concerned for their children’s safety. Some want their children to be challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public schools. Concern for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.

Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.

Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?

Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.

Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar’s be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.

Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state’s bureaucrats on these “trouble makers.” Their implicit rejection of America’s most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. “Individualism”) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.

Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter’s wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square-foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim “our right” to pursue a career for our own
"self-fulfillment."

Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k’s. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work … and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn’t you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?

Is it any wonder we hate her so?

Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in Chickasaw County and his e-mail address is sonnyscott@yahoo.com.

Appeared originally in the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, 6/8/2008, section 0 , page 0

This article taken from here.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes

Red Plum/Red Roma tomatoes implicated in outbreak Round red tomato implicated in outbreak

FDA has issued a warning to consumers nationwide that an outbreak of Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella, has been linked to consumption of raw red plum, red Roma, round red tomatoes, and products containing these raw tomatoes.

June 11, 2008: At this time, FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the following areas that HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK:

1-40 Cav Mortars

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Obama Post Turtle


Couldn't resist posting this joke sent to me...


While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old Texas rancher, whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man.

Eventually the topic got around to Barack Obama and his bid to be our President. The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Obama is a 'post turtle'.

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was.

The old rancher said, 'Kids in the country find a turtle when they are out and about, they sometimes put him on the top of a fence post.When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'.The old man saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain. 'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, he doesn't know what to do while he is up there, and you just want to help the poor thing get down.'

One Minute Each Night

This is the scariest election We as Christians have ever faced. From the looks of the polls, the Christians aren't voting Christian values. We all need to be on our knees. Do you believe we can take God at His word? Call upon His name, then stand back and watch His wonders to behold. His scripture gives us, as Christians, ownership of this land and the ability to call upon God to heal it. I challenge you to do so. We have never been more desperate than now for God to heal our land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 : If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America.The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever !!!

If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time, 8:00 PM Central , 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, for wisdom and courage for our leaders, the up-coming election, and that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U.S.

If you know anyone who would like to participate, please pass this along. Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Thank You.

Please pass this onto anyone who you think will want to join us. God Bless You!!!

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Nick's Testimony

This is an awesome testimony... PAUSE THE MUSIC ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS BLOG BEFORE YOU START THE VIDEO.




Find out more information at the Life Without Limbs Organization
or Attitude is Altitude
Thanks to Kim T. for sending this.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Baker Co. 9/11 We Remember...




The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute To our fallen comrades. So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could think of doing that is By taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen. I was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that "WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN" and are proud to serve our country.

Semper Fi
1stSgt Dave Jobe

The attached photo was forwarded from one of the last U.S. Marine companies in Iraq. They would like to have it passed to as many people as possible, to let the folks back home know that they remember why they're there and that they remember those who've been lost.


It is true check it here

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Meet Maria


Maria Sue Chapman 2003 - 2008
Photo by Mary Beth Chapman

Last night Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter of Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed in a tragic accident in the family driveway. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him... not back to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.


We are all humbled by the incredible outpouring of love and support at this difficult time. I have watched you, the Chapman friends, overwhelm website servers and jam phone lines with your gracious words and heartfelt prayers. The Chapman family is so grateful. Obviously, we cherish your prayers for all in the Chapman family, and we welcome you passing this along to others to pray and encouraging them to sign up for Steven's e-mail list to receive continuing updates.

  • If you'd like to express your condolences and get a glimpse of this beautiful little girl through a short video clip, click here.
  • Mail to PO Box 150156 Nashville, TN 37215.
  • In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah's Hope, click here.

In closing, as many of you know, the song "Cinderella" was written by Steven to help him (and us all) grab a hold of the special moments with those we love we might otherwise rush by. It was inspired by a bath time that Steven tried to "hurry," Maria and her sister Stevey Joy were not exactly cooperating. : ) Let us all be reminded again today what Steven compels us to with the lyric of this special song.

Maria, we already miss you so much, and we only take comfort in The Hope that assures us we'll see you again soon.

On behalf of the Chapman team and family,

Jim Houser (Manager)








"Cinderella"