Simple Woman's Daybook - January 2017

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for January 2017.

Outside my Window...it is overcast with a slight breeze today and a bit cold.  Our dog cries when she sees our neighbor's dog running in her yard inside the electric fenced in area.  Our dog is put on a leash.  I've been asking my husband if we can get an electric fence for our back yard so that we can let Bella run around and get some exercise.  He thinks it is a waste of money.  Say some prayers that my husband will understand that our dog, Bella, needs to get exercise too.

I am Thinking...that this month will be a joyful month since all five of our children will be home with us.  I never get to see my oldest son who will soon have his Ph.D. in engineering.  His lease is up on his house and he will be staying with us during part of his last six months of research at college for his Ph.D.  I've been making him some chicken fried rice so that he has something healthy to eat when he gets hungry.  My second oldest son, who is a good cook, gave me the idea to cook with soy sauce.  It worked out quite well.  In fact, he is going to make dinner tonight for our family since he is on break from college.  Here is his meal:  

Brandyn's yummy dinner

I was able to have lunch with my oldest daughter yesterday and she filled me in on all her friendships in college.  She met a nice boy recently and he sounds like a real sweetheart.  She just returned from a Focus Mission Trip to San Antonio.  

My son and his girlfriend are so cute together.  Here they are working together to make sushi.  They have their college education to finish before they settle down together.  Please say a prayer so that their relationship continues to grow with the blessings of Christ.

Cute couple!

I am Thankful...for the relationships my children have established as siblings.  It is so good to see my youngest and oldest bond together as I know they are very good for each other...especially at this time.  My two daughters fill our home with tons of giggling and laughter.  It is wonderful to see their relationship develop.  My second oldest's girlfriend fits right in with them too.  I am also thankful for scouting for my son and husband.  Here is some recent pics:

Husband as cub master in same troop my father began years ago.

In the Kitchen...Last night I made pork chops, potatoes, and broccoli with cheese.  Tonight my son is cooking dinner.  We will all be pleasantly surprised.  This luxury can take place while he is on break from school.  He returns to college classes on the 25th of January.

My little scout!

 I am Wearing...gray sweat pants and a black long sleeved shirt.

I am Creating...A craft for my journal writing homeschool class.

I am Looking Forward to...not having to go to the doctor because I'm not feeling well anymore.  I've been having a lot of fatigue and some shortness of breath that has greatly worried me.  I've been able to receive doctor reports that are positive about my health.  I'm taking vitamins, exercising more, and quitting unhealthy habits.  I hope to be healthier and have more energy to do things this year.

I am Hearing...my 5th grader, who is the last child homeschooled, do research on the thickness of ice and when it is safe to walk on it.  We have a pond behind our back yard and he threw a heavy stick on it to see if it would sink.  The pond is frozen.  We told him he can not go on it.  He is also talking to me about building a tree fort in our back yard.  He comes up with ideas between his subjects during the day all the time.

Around the House...We finally have a handy man coming to fix odd jobs we have to take care of around the house.  We need two new toilets, better lighting, closet doors, book shelves, new faucets, new sink basin, towel racks installed, t.v. mounted on wall, etc.  Also, we've been able to declutter a bit since my oldest moved back in for a short duration until he receives his Ph.D.

I am Praying...for my husband to find where the mice are getting in our house.  They get in our utensil drawers in the kitchen and leave their droppings everywhere.  Right now, all our knives, spoons, and forks are out of their drawers and on top of the counters.  It is a pain in the neck.

One of My Favorite Things...was being able to watch some football games together as a family this month.  We all seem to like the Green Bay Packers.  My oldest son has the same smile as Aaron Rodgers - their quarterback. My oldest son is the one who got our family hooked as official 'cheese heads.' 

A Few Plans for Next Week...attend a wedding in Missouri with my husband.  Our good friend's son is getting married. Also, meet my friend at the local mall to walk together for some exercise.

Here is a recent pic to share of one January evening while watching a football game:

Night of the Green Bay Packer's game

Typical Homeschooling Day

My fifth grader is homeschooled and here is a record of a typical homeschool day from yesterday.  Yes, it was halloween but we still were diligent in doing our work.  Afterwards, my son went out with his big brother for an hour before he got dressed for trick-or-treating with the neighborhood kids.  Neighbors gathered in our court for a potluck and fellowship.

Religion:  Study and discuss two paintings of the Nativity and Coronation

Math:  Converting Units of Weight and Mass (Saxon 65 - second edition)

English:  Exercise on Nouns of Prepositions

Handwriting:  Cursive

History:  Complete chapter review on Andrew Jackson and Map Skills (Latitude and Longitude)

Reading:  Read stories on the Wright Brothers and the Israelites and answer questions

Phonics:  Work on dipthongs

Science:  Complete review quiz on brain and nerves

Spelling:  Spelling Test

Vocabulary:  Exercises on passage containing words and writing the definitions, circling the correct word used in the meaning of a sentence, synonyms and antonyms

Nucleus of Life (Journal)-picture above: Write first draft paragraph of story about a character who displays virtue.

Science Coop work:  Stinging, Crawling, and Squirming Animals - Read chapter, complete worksheet, and make vocabulary cards

Physical Education:  Patrick has his last soccer game this Saturday.  He will be taking an Upward basketball program over the winter.

Art/Music:  He is learning from some wonderful teachers at his Coop.  We attend Coop once a week.

Simple Woman's Daybook - October

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook for October.

Outside my Window...as soon as the first day of October rolled around in Maryland, the temperature dropped and we had some rainy weather. It feels a bit more like autumn suddenly.  The temperature must be in the 60's or 70's rather than the 80's or 90's as it was most of September.  The other day it was a beautiful sunny day though...a bit of Indian Summer coming through (just for a few days) in the 80's for a high. Today was beautiful too:  cooler in the 60's with a strong cool wind, bright blue sky, and puffy white clouds!

I am Thinking...that the month started out a bit rocky in terms of my PTSD but seems to be more under control now.  My daughter did very good visiting three colleges last week:  University of Maryland, Catholic University, and James Madison University.  She is a senior in high school and she is handling the stress of college visits very well.  She is not sure what college is her favorite yet. She visited others as well in neighboring states.  I drove her to a friends party tonight in Virginia.

I am Thankful...for the two coops that my son is in.  One is close to home and the moms and families are all very nice.  He is taking history, science, art, and choir.   Even though he is doubling up on his history and science, he seems to be enjoying his curriculum.  The other is further away and we attend coop less often (There are only 8 classes as opposed to 16 classes this fall semester).  I teach one class and it is going very well.  I'm teaching kindergarten journal writing.

I am also thankful that we found a great used car for my other daughter in college.  She won't have it on campus yet but when she comes home she will be able to use her own car.  She is ecstatic!

In the Kitchen...I made Spicy Buffalo Chicken Bites for the last Maryland football game we attended at the beginning of the month.  I've been making Ruebin Roll-Ups and freezing them in preparation for the next game.  I'll have spicy and horse radish mustard with them.  Here are some pics from the last game.

My son is a ham! Just kidding!

I am Wearing...black sweats, a blue tee, and a grey and pink jacket.

I am Reading...I have seven books I'm busy with:  1) Out From Under: The Impact of Homosexual Parenting by Dawn Stefanowicz; 2) Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst; 3) How to be an Adult in Relationships: The Five Keys to Mindful Loving by David Richo - I'm reading with my hubby; 4) My son's book I'm helping him with a book report - If All the Swords in England: A Story of Thomas Beckett by Barbara Willard; 5) The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian; 6) The Catholic Controversy - A Defense of the Faith by St. Francis De Sales; and continuously a daily devotional to keep me away from vice - 7) Imitation of Mary by Alexander De Rouville

I am Creating...Two potential crafts:  One for my home journal class and the other for my coop journal class. I am also having a flyer made for my class.

I am Looking Forward to...I looked forward to celebrating our 30th anniversary this month. We spent the sunny day hiking Sugarloaf Mountain, drinking wine on the way down, and going out to dinner.  Here is some pics:

I am Hearing...the educational channel my son was watching.  He is restricted from watching too much junk t.v.

Around the House...I have to finish organizing some of my clothes in the bedroom.  I bought baskets to organize outfits on my shelves. I also did a major clean up in my son's bedroom with him today!  Hallelujah!

I am Praying...for our country and for babies in the womb.

One of My Favorite Things...was having my son in an Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) class this year.  He is doing very well.  It is nice to develop numerous ways to write instead of just one way.  Therefore, any new exposures are beneficial for him.

A Few Plans for Next Week...attend my son's evaluation to place him on an Upward basketball team.

Here is a recent pic to share of my daughter and I at the University of Maryland game:

Simple Woman's Daybook - May

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook today - May 9, 2016:

Outside my window...it is overcast and mild in Maryland.  At least it is not raining now.

I am thinking...that it is good that I planned my journal writing class out for next year's coop already.  We will be covering many virtues, such as:

Good decisions

Inviting others

Expressing sorrow

Encouraging others

Admitting mistakes

Sharing

Gratitude (thankfulness)

Generous

Perseverance

Acknowledging Christ

Team work

Not attempting too much at one time (Avoid Vice called greed or selfishness)

Manners at table

Concerned

Helpful

Caring

Good friends

Cheerful

Dependable

Diligent (steady, earnest, energetic application and effort)

Strength in weakness

Hard worker

Good listener

Commitment to serve others

Contentment with what one has (near Thanksgiving)

God’s love lasts forever (John 8:12 “Light of the world”) – near Christmas

Spreading the good news - (near Christmas)

I'm almost totally done planning.  I just have a few more things to do.  Then we will be able to enjoy the year a bit more, including the other coop we are in which will teach history, science, music/art, and writing.

I am thankful...that we had our last coop of the year and the dance and movement class went very well.  All the kindergarteners loved it.  On the last day I used the parachute and we pretended to wash everyone in the 'washing machine.'  The kids loved it.

In the kitchen...We are having pizza tonight because my hubby has a scout meeting.

I am wearing...a blue warm up suit.

I am creating...I traveled to my mother's house in West Virginia to show her how to make a scrapbooking album of some very old pictures.  We went out to lunch at Maria's Garden.  It is such a nice place as it has many beautiful statues that honor Mary.  If your ever in West Virginia, look them up...or better yet...stay there because they are a bed and breakfast.

I am looking forward to...Swim Team starting up this year.  Both of my daughters will be lifeguards and my oldest daughter is an assistant coach for the team.

I am hearing... it is pretty quite right now.  Our dog is playing with a squeaky toy.

Around the house...I have been trying to declutter a bit and organize.  I can do this work best when I can open the windows and get some fresh air cirulating in the house.  When it rains, I am not as motivated for this.

I am praying...for my good friend today as she is having a bilateral mastectomy.  On Saturday, my parish was supposed to dedicate Mass to her but they never said her name at the Mass.  The staff at my parish, along with most of the priests, have always had problems.  They have always been lacking in customer service.

One of my favorite things...was Mother's Day because it seems to have been raining for two weeks straight or so here in Maryland.  On Mother's Day it was beautiful and hubby and I were able to go on our walk together.  I read Mother Angelica's book in the back yard for a couple hours and we ate dinner on the back deck (there are no mosquitoes yet).  We had dessert for a celebration and I received some beautiful cards from the family.  It was extra special when we said the family rosary together.  Three out of the five kiddos were able to be home.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to try and finish or add more to "sharing my story" section in our bible group.  I have the first half of my life done.  Now I need to complete the second half of my life.

Here is a recent picture of  me on a walk on Mother's Day:

Simple Woman's Daybook - April 13, 2016 - April 14, 2016

I am participating in a Simple Woman's Daybook:

Outside my window...it was a bright sunny day today and yesterday in Maryland.  It is finally warming up a bit but is still too cool for me.  It is often cool lately for this time in our state...in the 50's or low 60's.  It is more often in the 70's during April in Maryland. 

I am thinking...that I am grateful for the Bible study my hubby and I are attending at our parish.  Some of the questions were:

1)  Identify people and events that God used to help you come to faith in Jesus.

The constant love between my own mother and father greatly greatly assisted me in falling in love with the Lord.

Also, when I broke up with my first serious boyfriend, I finally realized how important family was to me.

After I was assaulted in a woman's restroom, I turned to the Lord more often.

Each of these situations played a huge role in fostering my faith life.

2)  Who cultivated your curiosity?

My religious education classes taught me a lot about Jesus, the Mass drew me in, my parents constant love, and the suffering after the assault all cultivated my curiosity or planted seeds w/in me to explore further into His love. Both words, actions, suffering and His very presence drew me closer to the Lord.

3)  Who explained the Gospel?  

My religious education teachers taught me the parables and sacraments while my parents taught me through virtuous actions and living.

4)  Who invited you to make a personal decision to accept Christ into your life?

It was never a choice.  Christ was always present, and I ran to him.  I've accepted the Lord from the beginning.

I am thankful...that I was able to hold the Journal Writing Class at my house today.  The boys had so much fun.  It was a beautiful day and they were able to play outside often.  I am also grateful that my leg stopped hurting.

In the kitchen...We are having shish kabobs tonight.

I am wearing...a pair of blue warm ups with a grey jacket.

I am creating...I finished my craft and chose some Bible verses for my Journal Writing Class Thursday.  I also chose some books for the Journal Writing Class I'm teaching at our homeschool coop next year too.  I sent out the song with sign language we are going to learn and asked the moms to do a summer prerequisite for the class.  They are to teach their children what the word VIRTUE means, point out examples, and practice the song occasionally.  Friday I am looking at a closer coop to home which means we might do both coops as the one I'm in now only meets every other week and is 50 minutes away.  Here is my Virtue Song:

Virtue Song

(Tune:  Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush)

Help Me See the Virtue

The Virtue

The Virtue

Help Me See the Virtue

In the World Around Me

Help Me Have the Wisdom

The Wisdom

The Wisdom

Help Me have the Wisdom

In Decisions I Make

Help Me Seek the Knowledge

The Knowledge

The Knowledge

Help Me Seek the Knowledge

In People that I Trust

Anchor Thoughts bring Joy

Bring Joy

Bring Joy

Anchor Thoughts bring Joy

To Everyone I Meet

I am going... to check out another coop tomorrow that is closer to home.  They offer History, Science, Art/Music, and IEW course.  It sounds great.  They meet once a week.

I am wondering...how my daughter will enjoy her junior prom tomorrow night.  She is double dating with a friend. I picked her dress up from the cleaners today as it needed to be hemmed.

I am looking forward to... picking up my dog, Bella, from the vet later today.  When I woke up, I noticed a big stain of blood on our white couch.  She kept licking as though she were swallowing the blood.  The vet said, "she had a 3.5 leison under the right side of her tongue and her tooth was loose.  The tooth had to be extracted and she needed stitches.  Nobody knows what she did to herself.

I am hearing...my two sons and I clicking away on computers.

Around the house...I need to organize better.

I am praying...for Ted Cruz and his family.

One of my favorite things...teaching my son how to write and communicate.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to visit the new coop, get my nails done with my daughter, drive my daughter to her friend's house on prom night and take pictures, pick up my dog, and continue to pray for the list of people I wrote down on paper.  It helps me to remember when it is written down.

Here is a recent picture of Journal Writing Class today:

Simple Woman's Day Book - March 29th - March 31st, 2016

I'm participating in a Simple Woman's Day Book.

Outside my window...it is bright and sunny here in Maryland with a cool breeze blowing.  It looks like you can dress for summer but when you walk outside you immediately feel the coolness. I wrote this two days ago and it is still a little cool here in Maryland...in the 50's or so.  I'm posting it now because I couldn't before so you can see what my week is like here.  Today it is a little overcast.  Two days ago it was bright and sunny.

I am thinking...that I should have kept my sneakers on because they gave me more support.  My leg is hurting and I have to go to the doctor.  My daughter told me to change and I put jean capris and flip flops on.  She is on vacation and I'm taking her to look for prom dresses today.  As soon as I started walking in my flip flops, the pain in my leg got worse.  I walked all over the mall with the kids with a funky limp.  The things moms do for their kids.  Anyway, we bought her prom dress and now all we have to do is have a someone hem it soon.  The prom is on April 15th.

I am thankful...that my son can play with some of the neighborhood children today as they are on spring break too.  I hope he is not catching a cold as it looks very warm outside but the cool breeze can fool you...as mentioned previously.  The neighborhood kids are taking a camping trip later so they won't be around to play with all week.

In the kitchen...We will have chicken tonight.  We had a roast that my husband flavored nicely last night on the grill.  Also, the potatoes cooked very nice on the grill too.  They were so soft on the inside and it only took them about 30 minutes to cook.

I am wearing...a pair of jean capris a summer shirt and a spring jacket.  Today I am wearing warm ups and sneakers.  I learned from wearing my flip flops the other day walking in the mall...learning the hard way.  Although, my leg feels a bit better today.  I was able to walk on the treadmill slowly for 30 minutes.

I am creating...I am creating a craft for our NOL Journal Writing Class next month in April (http://www.meetup.com/nucleusoflife-com/events/229728469/) and some books and craft materials for a homeschool coop class I'm teaching next year.  I'm teaching a Dance and Movement class presently and should be able to jump, skip, and gallop.  It is not easy if my leg is bothering me.  Therefore, pray that it can be healed.

I am going... to the doctor and to look for a prom dress.  The doctor said I had shin splints and my daughters prom dress is midnight blue.  Today I was able to get my hair cut and highlighted.  It was badly needed as it was getting very long and dark.

I am wondering...how I'm going to get my dog updated on her vaccines so that we can look at a wonderful college for my daughter this weekend.  She needs her vaccines updated so that we can put the dog in the kennel while we are gone looking at the college for my daughter.  It worked out and tomorrow I bring Bella to the kennel.

I am looking forward to... Teaching my next journal writing class and going to our homeschool coop Spring Planning Meeting.  I'm also looking forward to getting something that supports my leg better.  I did end up getting a wrap for my leg which helps tremendously if it hurts.

I am hearing...my high school daughter listen to the ACT/SAT Training discs from the library.  Today my husband worked from home and I could hear him on the conference calls he has to make.

Around the house...It is a little messy.  I'm not in a good cleaning mode with my leg feeling achy like this.

I am praying...for two of my friends.  One whose husband just passed away and another who is having tests to see if she has breast cancer which runs in her family.  Please lift these two friends of mine up in prayer with me.  Their names are Zina and Simona.  They are both Lebanese and are beautiful people.

One of my favorite things...was teaching my homeschool NOL Journal Writing class.  We focus on virtues of characters in stories.  The last character had to change his ways so he wouldn't grow up to be a horrid man.  The whole moral was to start good habits when one is young.  The next lesson is on spending our time wisely even when we are being disciplined we can pray or read the Bible.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to get my dog updated on her vaccines and schedule her to go into the kennel.

Here is a recent picture of Easter 2016:

Easter 2016

It was so nice to have the whole family together on Easter.  I know it is hard for everyone to get together as my older children are so busy with college life.  My oldest is trying to get his Ph.D. in engineering.  He is taking a three week trip out West tomorrow.  Yet he still managed to come and spend the day with us.  It warms my heart just to see him for a little while.  My other son has a beautiful girlfriend.  He is taking college courses in nursing.  I hope they can get married some day.  My daughter is also enrolled in nursing courses.  Both of my daughters will be lifeguards at a local pool this summer.  My two youngest will be on the swim team while my oldest daughter will be an assistant coach for the team.  After Easter dinner, we all came together to pray the rosary.  It is so wonderful to have one's family be united in the Lord!  We all played basketball outside in the cul-de-sac after prayers.  Only I had to watch because my goofy leg was hurting.  I will have to go to the doctor to find out why it has been hurting for over a week.  I teach a dance and movement class at our homeschool coop too.  I need to be able to jump and move good too.  I hope that all of you have had a blessed Easter!  Be thankful that He is Risen and we can join Him in heaven for eternity!

Simple Woman's Daybook-August 19th, 2015

I'm participating in a Simple Woman's Day Book.

Outside my window...it is overcast here in Maryland today and the sun is finally trying to peak through the clouds.  It is overcast in my mind too. I am trying to teach my son how to be a good and respectful student/child when an adult is speaking to him.

I am thinking...that it will be a challenge to utilize Seton Homeschool for my fourth grader next year.  We will be attempting to follow their course materials, but I'm already having doubts about it with the way my son is behaving.

I am thankful...that we are not on welfare and stuck in the welfare trap.  Our welfare system has effectively set up roadblocks to the two main avenues for economic progress: marriage and employment.  The War on Poverty (Lyndon Johnson) has cost nearly $16 trillion since 1965, more than twice the cost of all U.S. military wars combined.

In the kitchen...I made stuffed peppers last night.  My husband and I enjoyed them as the kids were either at their girlfriend's house, at college, at work, ate too many cookies before dinner, or eating at a pizza place with a friend.

I am wearing...black and blue short set and top w/ flip flops.

I am creating...I have created the journal lesson plans and craft for tomorrows coop.  This is a big benefit today as I am tied up with teaching an important lesson at the moment.

I am going...nowhere.  I plan on saying the rosary at home with my son.

I am wondering...how I am going to break my son of feeling he is entitled to too many things.  Last night his little buddy and he squirted each other with the hose (not in their baithing suits but their play clothes) and got soaked head to foot.  Boys will be boys.

I am looking forward to... Teaching my son about the economy.

I am hearing...peace and quiet while my son is being disciplined with a time out in his bedroom and my daughters are at work.

Around the house...I have been decluttering little by little trying to purge old books and materials and make room for the new books and materials.  I also cleaned out the cars.

I am praying...for our homeschool year togther.  The beginning of the year always seems to have some hurdles to overcome.

One of my favorite things...was listening to the EWTN mass today with my son.  "Christ has bore the brunt of the days heat for us."  The reading of the vineyard owner:  "The last shall be first and the first shall be last."

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to have the NOL Journal Writing Coop and go for a Ladies Night Out.

Here is a recent picture to share of our 5 beautiful children at the beach.

Wednesday's Hodgepodge - Mother May I?

I'm joining Wednesday's Hodgepodge.  Just click on the link to participate.

Three Generations

1. Share something you appreciate (or something you appreciated as you were growing up) about your mother.

My mother kept a neat house and always made very good dinners.  She was always there for me.  I wish my house and meals were as good as hers.  What is more important though...is the fact that she was always there for me.  I always had a place to go if I had questions or needed help.  This is the example that I've been able to emulate with my own children and because of this my children are all thriving in life.  

I do remember a time when my mother showed me a newspaper article about a local dance studio while she asked me if I would like to take dancing lessons.  I liked the idea and within the next week I was happily taking dancing lessons.  These lessons gave me a passion for something I enjoyed and kept me out of trouble in my teen years as I was heavily involved in cheer leading and gymnastics with friends.  My brothers were less fortunate because they had the wrong friendships.  I'm so appreciative of this endeavor in my life.  If it wasn't for my active life as a young person, I may have ended up with the wrong friendships as my parents were possibly a bit too lenient with us.


2. A quote most commonly ascribed to Plato reads-"Necessity is the mother of invention." When did this last play out in your own experience?

I invented a game that reflects Psalm 23 and I've used it in many of the homeschool and religion classes I've taught for the last five years.  One of them is a journal writing class.  Anyone knows that writing is a challenging subject to teach young ones.  This game made the class so enjoyable for the kids.  I'm so grateful for the Holy Spirit leading me to come up with the idea for my game.

3. Share one of the earliest memories you have from childhood.

My father was in the Navy and we were stationed on a base in Oahu.  I remember going to the Chief's Club with my Dad and all his friends would call me "princess."  Boy did I feel like a princess to have all these awesome military men all around me.  He would order me a Shirley Temple.  I felt like I was in heaven!  I know this isn't about my Mom but I seem to remember more earlier accounts with my Dad.


4. When did you last 'hit the mother lode'? What was it?

When my second oldest son found a new girlfriend.  His breakup with his first girlfriend really hurt him.  I was so happy when he found a smarter girl to date.  He turned to my husband and I to try to get over the hurt.  My own heart was breaking as I saw how much he suffered.  I know it is wrong to get so serious before one is married, but God has turned to him in his hour of need here too.


5. What is/was your favorite dish mom made? Do you make that dish for your family/friends now that you're all grown up?

My favorite dish as a child was spaghetti with my mom's homemade sauce.  Yes, I make it for my own family.  It is very meaty and spicy.  I can not eat pasta like I used to when I was younger.  It puts on the calories for me.


6. Mother May I? was at one time a popular children's game. It required no equipment or parts to play. What was your favorite childhood game to play where you could just turn up and play-no gear needed?

I remember playing hide-and-seek for hours upon end with my neighborhood friends.  Two sisters lived next door to me and we would talk to each other from inside our kitchen windows which faced together.  They actually became like the sisters I never had for myself.


7. Which TV mom (past or present) is your favorite, and why?

I particularly like "I Dream of Jennie."  She didn't have children (I have five) but for some reason I really liked this show.  I think I liked the idea of her lover being so intricately connected to the military as my own father was in his life.  As you can see, my mom cherished my father and let him develop a close relationship with me too.

Will the Real Evildoers Please Stand?

Sometimes God speaks to our hearts in the simplest moments.  The other day I was blessed to be able to sit and talk with a dear friend while our children played at her house.  While we talked, we had a nature channel on while we engaged in a wonderful conversation.  At one point we were enthralled with a polar bear and her young cubs.  They came out from under the snow and her new cubs waddled over to the mother polar bear as she enticed them with her mother's milk.  When we see a mother nursing her child, it is one of the most beautiful sites anyone can ever imagine...whether it is in the animal kingdom or human kingdom.

I remember those holy and peaceful moments as a young mother when I was able to nurse my babies.  I actually felt a life force leaving my body as it nurished my baby.  Being able to give and provide for my children trumps any job or career I've had or could have in life.  It is an experience that is so full of love that only women are able to experience from the designs of our heavenly Father when it comes to nursing.  There is a driving hateful force at odds with this beautiful image that we are encountering in our society today.  Everytime I hear of the legislation our evil president, Barrack Obama, puts forth like abortion and contraception,  this image flashes into my mind and I'm overwhelmed with concern for young women in our society.

When I say evil, I mean it.  We are fighting the devil in our country.  The liberal democrats have put a premium upon equality and sameness rather than upon difference, so that they've become intolerant to the very freedom to be different.  In effect, they've overstepped their bounds by taking advantage of our equalitarian democracy, where men will be prone to be 'lost in the crowd' of their fellows and lose respect for their own freedom and individuality, and so become grossly indifferent to the free expresions of individual thought, taste and desire on the part of all others.  They are engaged in making democracy and equality their great leveler which makes it impossible for minorities to hold any different views.  Unfortunately for them, the majority seems to be waking up to these evil efforts because their strategy is only accomplished by using force and being unethical in their business dealings.

Liberals say that equality for women comes in the working world to be equal with their male counterparts.  Part of this is true but they overstep their authority by forcing abortion and contraception on everyone...including those that believe it to be unethical and murderous through the HHS mandate.  They get away with not having to state their rationality or goals behind this and become a great threat to motherhood and the virtue of modesty in our young women.  In effect, if a young woman takes the pill...she is saying I want to have sex before marriage.  This is not a worthy goal for our young women to feel they have to uphold to be accepted in society.  Liberals always site medical reasons for taking the pill, but the vast majority who consume it are young women who want to avoid pregnancy when they engage in premarital sex.  This is never mentioned.

I've lived my whole life without having sex as a goal and the Lord protected me.  This is not to say that I was a virgin when I married because I believed the lies of my first boyfriend.  Once I learned he was a liar, I quickly stayed away from him.  I was lucky that I did not get pregnant.  After going through this lustful relationship where I was just used and bringing it before the Lord in sorrow, I quickly became the wiser and chose an honest man for my husband.  I believe this was because I did not have a goal to have sex before marriage in my life.  Sex was something that was fostered only by an honest loving relationship with a man that would take place before sex.  There are too many in powerful positions that promote lewd behavior.

Just look at the pornography that was forced down our throats with the performance from Miley Cyrus.  I'm sorry...but Miley Cyrus is no role model for young women.  We should not want our daughters to be like this.  The president had the gall to run to the aid of Trayvon Martin because he was black.  Why doesn't he run to the aid of women and speak up for modesty and decency when he sees a performance like this from Miley Cyrus?  It is because he approves of this and desires to bring America's values of faith and family down.  Is this what he wants from his daughters?  Obama is promoting the war on women and motherhood.  Anyone who claims to be a liberal associates themselves with the evils of this president now.  The only way to gain any credibility as a liberal, in my mind, is to discredit the evil deeds of this administration.  Some of which are:

Making peaceful religious people violate their own conscience by forcing them to encourage/promote behaviors, participate in activities or provide products that are immoral to their belief system.  This is a direct assault on Religious Freedom gauranteed to citizens in the First Amendment.  This is not equality but oppression.

Discriminating against others for their political beliefs that have always been at opposite reasoning scenarios in a two party system.  Only now, Conservatives are being targeted as though they are terrorists and they are not.  It is the Liberal who has taken on the actions and beliefs of terrorists.  They favor aggressors and violent people.

Making it difficult for peaceful citizens to protect themselves with responsible gun ownership that has always been a hallmark of our Second Amendment rights.

Ramming unjust voluminous ineffective laws (Obamacare)  through Congress while stating that the law must be passed before we can find out what is in it.  Absolutely no transparency or dialogue about the law prior to its passing.  I would never do business with someone so rude!

Telling our military personnel to STAND DOWN while our Embassy in Benghazi is being attacked by terrorists.  Afterwards, lying about the incident to the American people by claiming it was the result of a movie that angered Muslims in the area.  In effect, our embassy was destroyed and Americans were killed.  Why would one favor the aggressor unless they were evil themselves.

Ignoring when blacks attack whites in the 'Knock Out Game' because one is racist against whites.  Only arresting an individual who perpetrates this hanious crime if he is white.  This is racist.

These are a few of the atrosities that come to mind.  I have to tell you, many people in our country are superb liars.  Obama had many believing he was a Christian who believed in traditional marriage before he was elected.  This is obviously not the case.  In fact, those who are opposed to homosexual marriage, in all probability, believe people of the same sex can attain the most beneficial and productive relationship as friends.  It is this friendship that is a peaceful and amicable relationship that promotes virtue in our world.  Therefore, what exactly is this homosexual relationship if it is not friendship or true love/marriage?  It may be that it is the exact opposite of a peaceful relationship indicating that the two homosexuals may be harming eachother by violating any potential friendship that can develop.  Why would one force others to believe that destroying a potential friendship can promote virtue in society.  Where is the data and proof of this?  The liberals do not deal with facts but use equality as their great leveler to bring the righteous down.  Homosexual marriage is proof of this.  Just look at Massachusetts now.