Hazardous Duty

I read a great book this afternoon. Not finished, not started, read. Cover to cover.

Okay, yes, I am also snowed in, but still. It's nice to read something that is just plain fun for once. So in case you are inclined to do so, I recommend you pick up Hazardous Duty by Christy Barritt.

It's kind of chick-litty, kinda romantic suspense, whole lotta easy to read sassy.

As typical suspense goes, you'll spend some time telling her "don't go in there!" I'm chicken. I don't go to the grocery store alone at night. Well, not often, anyway.

As good suspense goes, you'll try to make everyone the bad guy at some point, but you only figure it out for sure about a coupla chapter before the reveal. I hate suspense where it is so obvious half a book through who the bad guy is, but they don't get there because there is a word count problem....

Okay, maybe I should have guessed sooner, but I didn't and I consider myself pretty decent at these things.

My two eyebrow raisings took place at the possible deathbed conversion (which was nicely rectified moments later) and that the fact that Einstein was a Christian was raised. I knew he was Jewish...Hubs says he definately believed in God (but can't even back me on the Jewish thing)...but this was a first that someone definitvely called him a Christian. I'm not saying he wasn't, just that it was the first time I'd heard that.

Oh, and the protag is a scientist. You have to know that I'm a sucker for that kind of thing. How many times have I said in my life, "Put me alone in a room with a microscope and I'll be happy...it's the people in life that wear me out." If she weren't such a daredevil, I think we could be friends.

That and she likes iced lattes.

Anyway, you want a fun read. Go here:

What to write, what to write....

Good Heavens, Blogger has been hard for me to get in to. I think it is because they want me to switch to beta and I never have time.

I'm iced in here. I'll love it right up until I find out school isn't closed tomorrow and I'll have to go out in it.

My huge baby brother nearly cut off his finger last night with a table saw. Really.

And had I posted last Friday, I would have said:

A quiet crying headache is NOTHING compared to the agony that hit my stomach shortly after I got myself calmed down Thanksgiving night. I almost wonder if I caused it myself with all my anxiety people pleaser tendencies (which oddly enough leaves no one pleased and is basically worthless except for creating headaches and stomach flu symptoms). And I won't give any more details than that.

If I had blogged on Thanksgiving...

I would have said:

I hate crying quietly. It gives me such a headache.

Wal Mart Got A Clue!

From American Family Association:

Wal-Mart has announced it "will no longer make corporate contributions to support or oppose controversial issues unless they directly relate to their ability to serve their customers." AFA is pleased with this announcement.Wal-Mart made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.

In response to Wal-Mart's statement, AFA has decided to cancel its efforts of encouraging people to not shop at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club this Friday and Saturday.We believe that Wal-Mart will remain neutral in cultural battles.

Click here to see the Wal-Mart announcement.

Please send Wal-Mart a "Thank You" for its statement.
Send Your Letter Now!

Cricket Update

I offered my kids a nickel for each cricket they smash. So far it has been 20 cents well spent.

My husband is awesome, he can get a dozen in about 30 seconds. I try, but screetch more than successfully smash.

The molasses idea has not yet worked.

Vile Creatures

Has anyone ever had an infestation of brown crickets? Is there anything that can possibly be done to rid my home of them?

They have these teeny bodies and gigontomous legs and they climb the wall and they are wrethched and vile and I hate them.

For a while we just had a few. But now I think a nest of eggs must have hatched because they are everywhere.

They used to stay in my basement, but they've made it up to the third story.

Did I mention they climb walls and are wretched and vile cretures?

What do they eat?

I've sprayed.

I am at a loss.

But I carry a shoe with me everywhere I go.

Oh, and they are cannibles. If I leave the carcas, I am assured to find another vile creature feasting when I come back.

Vile.

Scared, but Polite

My three-year-old, Frodo, wanted to wear his Tigger costume today. It is a furry, pull-over vest type thing with a head that is a huge hood and his face peeks out the mouth. I got him all dressed, quite relieved that he wanted to wear anything that WASN'T pajamas. He clomped over to the mirror and announced, "I look redic-ul-lous."

He says the darndest things.

Last night he awakened, as he has done several times lately, terrified. Hubs went up to him and he apparently asked for me. I met them halfway and tried to take him, but he wouldn't move from Daddy's arms to mine so I kinda hugged him over Hub's back. He continued to scream and I eventually asked if he wanted me to rock him.

"YES! SANK YOU!"

In his terror he screamed it. It still makes me giggle. I know it probably shouldn't, but you just have to picture this kid who isn't even really responding to anything, suddenly hears what he wants and screams his confirmation. Not just yes, but yes, thank you.

He settled right down.

I'm Annoying, Again

And oh, how I hate it.

I honestly don't think anything has changed. If anything, my house is cleaner than it has been. The food is still there and ready at mealtimes. The clothes are all laundered. And my personality, which, I admit, has it's annoying traits, has not been especially severe, just normally annoying.

So why can I not open my mouth without creating exasperation?

I would just climb into the hole of silence, but then I get accused of being upset, or giving the silent treatment and suddenly I'm the one with the problem.

Meanwhile, I'm going to do my best to not be offended, or offensive. I typically become less annoying, eventually. If not, well, maybe I can get a lobotomy.

In an attempt to "get away," I'm reading about the Caribbean.

Generation NeXt Parenting by Tricia Goyer

I read a book recently that gave me a little insight as to why I do what I do in regard to parenting my children. And I thought I was just nuts. Apparently, there is this whole generation of us who want to "do it right" and that doesn't necessarily mean the way our parents did it.

Okay, fess up parents (the 45 and under crowd), you've read at least one parenting book, haven't you? And probably not just one....say 10? At least skimmed. Because we don't want to screw up our kids, do we? I want to get it right. So much responsibility. So many things that can go wrong. So much judgement--or we see it even if it isn't there--if only from ourselves.

So I picked up Generation NeXt Parenting by Tricia Goyer expecting her to tell me how to do it right. And she didn't.

The nerve. The audacity. Ah, the freedom.

What she has done is basically provide a (do I dare say it?) devotional (now don't run screaming!) for parents. It is a spiritual journey to read this book. Yes, she goes into why we do things the way we do them. How we do things. What we try not to do. And, true, there are a few suggestions as to how to be better parents. Like search the Word, dig deeper with God, rely on God, don't wallow in your past. You know, easy stuff (guffaw).

And she brings together so many other sources of insight. Quotes from many of the books I've searched out and read (and been intimidated by). Oh, and applicable 80s music lines that are oh, so apropos.

Here are just a few nuggets:

From Seeing is Believing, by Gregory A. Boyd: "The fruit of the Spirit is not a goal we can and must seek to attain. Indeed, it is called the fruit of the Spirit precisely because it is the fruit of the Spirit and not the product of our own effort."

From Tricia: "If we can focus on what we know about God, and His ways first--above the latest "good parent" advice--we'll have more peace about our decisions concerning our kids."

"Our time with our kids is once-in-a-lifetime. How sad it would be if we missed out on the beauty of this journey by living under a burden of self-imparted guilt and dissatisfaction...especially when we have a God who is offering us grace and loving kindness."

Oh, and right up there in my top ten favorite: "Just as each of our kids is special and unique, we need to accept that the same is true of us as parents, too. We won't do everything well, and we shouldn't expect ourselves to."

A warning to the overstimulated: there are a lot of font changes in this book. But chances are, the fonts will take you on a visit down memory lane. I guess the pubs remember who we are: the TV generation. Keep our minds stimulated to keep us interested...

This is a great book and you too have the opportunity to read it! Just leave a comment before next Friday (that is a week from today) and I'll draw one lucky winner to receive a free copy (I believe it is even autographed). But, you'll have to leave me a way to contact you for your info, so annonymous people should either watch for the winner next Friday or email me about who you are, okay?

And those of you who don't want to wait, get it at your local Christian bookstore or here:

Too Little, Too Late

Last night, Hubs told me that Wal-Mart has decided to buck the Happy Holidays issue and use Merry Christmas. Too little, too late, I say. How about we donate 5% of our proceeds to a Christian organization and THEN I'll consider darkening their doors again.

And an open apology re:puke.

To my Hubs who got pummeled the other day about the puke,

Shoot, anyone who is so good handling freaky nightmares deserves one failing point.

And to the witnesses,

It was only my child's puke. I just ALMOST joined him. We are all well now.

Lovingly yours,

How Many Pennies are Your Beliefs Worth?

I caved this morning. I HAD to go to Sam's because I dropped off film many weeks ago and I can't stand to lose whatever memories were trapped in their photo department. But the photo department had no one manning it when I got in so I crossed over to the dairy section. I'm telling you Sam's prices on cheese can't be beat. Not even with sales and coupons. Since no one has called for an official boycott, I got what I knew would probably be my last cheap cheese for a while. All the while I'm thinking, "How much is your soul worth, Jamie? How cheap does cheese need to be in order for you to go against what you know to be true?" And I bought it anyway since I was picking up pictures.

Meanwhile, I got this email from American Family Association. They aren't even calling for a real boycott. I think they know that we bow down to the almighty dollar. This one was easy to sign. Meanwhile, I'll be searching for other places to shop. How is the whole Target and "holidays" thing going this year?

Okay, and it isn't that I think Wal-Mart shouldn't hire homosexuals or whatever, but if we are going to give donations to special interest groups, why not World Vision, Samaritan's purse, the Gideons? This just went W-a-a-a-a-a-y across the line.

From AFA:
In a show of support to help homosexuals legalize same-sex marriage, Wal-Mart has agreed to automatically donate 5% of online sales directly to the Washington DC Community Center for Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender People. The cash donation will come from online purchases made at Wal-Mart through the homosexual group's Web site. This move follows Wal-Mart's joining the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and agreeing to give generous financial help to that organization also.

Every purchase made online for books, music, videos, clothing and accessories, children's clothing and toys, and electronics at the site will automatically send 5% of the sales to the CCBLBT People. The agreement is an indication that Wal-Mart is totally committed to supporting the homosexual movement.

Wal-Mart also gave a generous cash donation to the Northwest Arkansas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center, helping to provide a place where homosexuals can come together to "socialize."

Many observers feel it would have been a wise business decision for Wal-Mart to remain neutral in the cultural battle over homosexual marriage. But this was an ideological decision by Wal-Mart - not a business decision.

Take Action
1. Sign the petition to Wal-Mart letting them know you will be one of the 1,000,000 families who will not shop at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club on the Friday or Saturday following Thanksgiving.

2. VERY IMPORTANT! Millions of Americans are not aware of Wal-Mart's support for homosexual marriage. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

3. Print out and distribute the Wal-Mart Pass Along Sheet by clicking here. For past Wal-Mart Action Alerts, plus answers to your questions (where to shop?), Click Here.
Click Here to Sign the Petition to Wal-Mart Now!

Trounced at the polls

Yes, all my gents went down in flames last night. My ladies, too. Seriously, besides the judges, etc., those elections I really cared about, flamed.

Crying in my toast this morning.

Plenty of hours left...

GO VOTE!!!!!

An Open Letter to Husbands re. puke

If, after a long day of football, you have fallen asleep in your recliner and you are "rudely" awakened by your half naked wife who is stage whispering, "Hubs, I need your help!" here are a few tips:

1. Please don't act like the awakening is rude. It is after all, after 11 PM and she was sleeping, too.
2. When you do become fully awake twelve minutes later you might clarify with your wife that she did, in fact, say "half the room is covered in puke" and could potentially not be exaggerating.
3. Don't act like she didn't warn you when you step in said puke.
4. After you stand like a zombie and watch her clean up the puke, gagging herself, you could grab your own rag and begin wiping.
5. But if you aren't going to do that, you could at least not comment on how bad the smell is.
6. Thank you, by the way for taking the squirto and putting him in his bed.
7. While your wife is downstairs throwing all the linens and disgusting nightclothes in the washer, now is not the time to begin brushing your teeth so that you can go to bed.
8. When said wife returns and points out that there is still more puke to be cleaned up, you still have the opportunity to do more than say "oh."
9. When wife points out that she was on the bed when child began puking and you have inspected bed and declared it puke free--let's say it together, don't crawl into bed before you clarify that the rest of the room has been wiped up.
10. While wife is in the shower washing the puke out of her hair, you could at least ask if there is anything else to be done before you go to sleep.
11. But if you want to redeem yourself from all wifely wrath, bound out of bed when squirto begins "coughing" again, hold him as he wretches, wet a rag and wash off his face when he is done, and get him settled, then whisper, "Love you" to wife just before she nods off. Oh, and skip your early morning meeting to drive other two children to school. Very well done. Consider yourself redeemed.

Election Week

And man am I sick of the mailings and phone calls. I knew weeks ago whom I am voting for...and not. For anyone interested in Kansas politics or the pro-life movement, this link might interest you.

www.kcprovideo.com/kline

The "choice" chick reminds me of the spin guy in "Thank You for Smoking." A wildly irrelevent and as un-PC as they come hilarious movie that I'm ashamed that I enjoyed (warning, the F-bomb is dropped regularly--watch it with TV guardian (the movie, that is, not the link clips)).

Heartsick

I feel physically ill about the situation in Colorado Springs with Pastor Ted. I've been to his church. They have some amazing people. I've been to their Leadership Conference. It was there I made some lifechanging decisions. I've heard him speak. He has great things to say. I have one of the CDs produced by some of their worship leaders. It's my favorite worship CD. I ache for his family. And his church family. But the truth is, we all knew he was a sinner. The Bible says so. For all have sinned....

It makes me take a step back and look at my own life. What am I doing today that can lead to heartache for those around me tomorrow? This isn't a time to get cynical about the church or the Christian faith. It is a time to seek God and come back to Him. If we aren't going forward, we are probably slipping backward. For me, it is time to turn around and start trudging back up that hill.

Zero Point Two Seconds

Well, okay, 30 minutes....

I spent the entire morning cleaning my basement. It has nasty school tile floors, unfinished sheetrock walls, lightbulbs that don't work as well as my "office," my husband's old "office" (and thus still holding all the "very important info that we wouldn't be albe to find if our lives depended upon it as well as a bunch of stuff that if he would jut look at would probably hit the trash can but he doesn't have to because he has a real office now") and my laundry room which holds its own assortment of stuff. But because I spend time here, so do my kids--and the crickets.

Anyway, today I got serious about cleaning it. Not just picking it up, but sweeping the cobwebs (containing cricket carcases) out of the corners.

I take one lousy phone call. One. And come back into the basement. What do I find?

Trashed. That's all it took them.

Why do I bother?