Friday, February 27, 2009
February
Earlier this month: He's sporting Daddy's work shoes.
I don't know. He only asked if he could take off his shoes, and that sounded innocent enough...
My cilantro, chives and parsley sprouted! Green feeds my soul!
I love tulips, too.
And Joseph gave me some for Valentine's Day! I also got some beautiful daisies, carnations and roses from my wonderful Aaron.
Sorry there aren't more pics from our trip to FTW, but this is what intrigued me: Have you ever wondered about grass? In the springtime, does new grass grow out of the ground, or does the old grass become green? It may be obvious, but I don't know. This is Exhibit A, though.
For Chrystoval.
The best dinner I've had in a long time. I marinated chicken breasts overnight in a mixture of olive oil, fresh lime, the zest from the lime, cilantro, salt, pepper and garlic. Aaron grilled it just right and we served it with black beans and Keely's Perfectly Cooked Brown Rice, adding a good amount of butter and salt to taste.Monday, February 16, 2009
I Email Aaron
"My knight in shining armor doesn't rescue me from dragons, or even bad guys with guns. My knight in shining armor barges through the door valiantly bearing a huge smile, dinner, and endless patience and optimism. He only cringes slightly at, but recovers quickly from, hearing the grim stories his fair lady tells him of her perils: a baby who cries for 2 hours, poops, and then pees so much that the poop seeps out the diaper and onto every surface in or near the crib; a little boy who can't understand "no" (and instead throws huge fits or cries terribly from disappointment), but is still so good-hearted that he gives his little sister her stuffed animals to play with...while she's in the bath tub; a leaky poopy diaper that drips onto the rug that now needs to be cleaned; and fingers that still smell like poop even after a good scrubbing.
This is what my Knight in shining armor is coming up against. Anyone want the job??"
This is what my Knight in shining armor is coming up against. Anyone want the job??"
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Remember, Remember
I want (need) to remember the best day of motherhood so far. It happened last Friday and it was glorious.
I got home that morning, from working out, and Aaron and I were chatting. We always recap the previous night, and so I asked, "Did you get up with Emma at all last night?", because (miraculously) I hadn't. "No", he answered. Shock hit my face, and then tears welled up in my eyes. I promise I'm not this emotional normally. Really.
But Emma had just slept her first full night of sleep. 12 hours of gracious rest.
I'd been waiting 14 months for her to sleep more than 6 hours at a time (she often only slept 4 hours at a time). And we got 12 hours! It's cheesy to blog about how relieved and excited I was to realize she'd slept so long, but this was a mile-marker that was months and months overdue, and it felt life-changing. Don't blame me for being so dramatic about this - sleep is powerful, and a lack of it is even more powerful.
Joseph also contributed on The Best Day of Motherhood.
You need to know that, on a whim, I've been working on a few sight words with Joseph. I'm not pushing him, or expecting him to read before he's 3 or anything; just some fun to see how he does and to get him in the habit of learning. So, written on his index cards are the words "God", "the", "Daddy", "Mama", "Emma" and "Joseph" - words I thought he'd see often enough to have them stick. We try to practice everyday, around the same time we practice his catechism questions.
Well, later the same morning we discovered Emma had found Rest, Joseph was eating a snack in his booster seat, facing the refrigerator. I was washing dishes. He said, "Mama! 'The'! 'The', Mama!" Huh? I asked him to explain and he said the same thing, pointing to the refrigerator. I couldn't believe he might be pointing to an actual word, so I picked him up, and asked him to show me what he meant. Sure enough, right there on a piece of paper on the refrigerator was the word "The", and he pointed to it again and said "'The', Mama!"
He read his first word!!!
I'm not one to sit around gloating about my children, holding strangers captive with pictures and stories of their excellence, beauty and superiority. I try to be realistic. I know I'm biased, after all.
But my little boy read his first word all by himself at 2 1/2!!! I'm so proud I could just burst. I was beaming at Joseph! He made me full of a joy that I couldn't explain. I know it was just a word, but I was awe-struck by him.
After that, I thought about God, and wondered if He delights in His children the same way. Does He beam at our successes and our victories? Does He celebrate with us those tiny things we accomplish, as if we'd just conquered the whole world? Is He proud of our efforts, and rejoicing over our progress?
I had a great day on Friday. I really felt like a Mama. Not a new Mama. But a Mama whose whole life has always been about her children: offering her soft body for hugs, her time for their learning, and reserving her special smiles for them. The rest of my long life will be about their successes, their efforts and failures.
How is it that mothers do that? Give up so much for their children? I know my Mom did. She still does. We're grown up and away from home, but I still hear the smile in her voice as she congratulates me on finally folding the laundry, or not losing my temper with the kids. And, of course, my own children have become her life as well. Surely this is the image of God in us? To so love the ones we created, and for whom we've sacrificed so much, that our own happiness disappears and theirs takes its place?
I'm grateful when I can think like this. It's the sane reminder on days, like today, when I'm not just suspicious (but convinced!) that their existence is to make mine difficult. Why do their noses leak soooo much?! Why does he have the urge to hit everything, including his sister?! Why is she hungry (and cranky) every hour today?!
Yes, reminders are good.
I got home that morning, from working out, and Aaron and I were chatting. We always recap the previous night, and so I asked, "Did you get up with Emma at all last night?", because (miraculously) I hadn't. "No", he answered. Shock hit my face, and then tears welled up in my eyes. I promise I'm not this emotional normally. Really.
But Emma had just slept her first full night of sleep. 12 hours of gracious rest.
I'd been waiting 14 months for her to sleep more than 6 hours at a time (she often only slept 4 hours at a time). And we got 12 hours! It's cheesy to blog about how relieved and excited I was to realize she'd slept so long, but this was a mile-marker that was months and months overdue, and it felt life-changing. Don't blame me for being so dramatic about this - sleep is powerful, and a lack of it is even more powerful.
Joseph also contributed on The Best Day of Motherhood.
You need to know that, on a whim, I've been working on a few sight words with Joseph. I'm not pushing him, or expecting him to read before he's 3 or anything; just some fun to see how he does and to get him in the habit of learning. So, written on his index cards are the words "God", "the", "Daddy", "Mama", "Emma" and "Joseph" - words I thought he'd see often enough to have them stick. We try to practice everyday, around the same time we practice his catechism questions.
Well, later the same morning we discovered Emma had found Rest, Joseph was eating a snack in his booster seat, facing the refrigerator. I was washing dishes. He said, "Mama! 'The'! 'The', Mama!" Huh? I asked him to explain and he said the same thing, pointing to the refrigerator. I couldn't believe he might be pointing to an actual word, so I picked him up, and asked him to show me what he meant. Sure enough, right there on a piece of paper on the refrigerator was the word "The", and he pointed to it again and said "'The', Mama!"
He read his first word!!!
I'm not one to sit around gloating about my children, holding strangers captive with pictures and stories of their excellence, beauty and superiority. I try to be realistic. I know I'm biased, after all.
But my little boy read his first word all by himself at 2 1/2!!! I'm so proud I could just burst. I was beaming at Joseph! He made me full of a joy that I couldn't explain. I know it was just a word, but I was awe-struck by him.
After that, I thought about God, and wondered if He delights in His children the same way. Does He beam at our successes and our victories? Does He celebrate with us those tiny things we accomplish, as if we'd just conquered the whole world? Is He proud of our efforts, and rejoicing over our progress?
I had a great day on Friday. I really felt like a Mama. Not a new Mama. But a Mama whose whole life has always been about her children: offering her soft body for hugs, her time for their learning, and reserving her special smiles for them. The rest of my long life will be about their successes, their efforts and failures.
How is it that mothers do that? Give up so much for their children? I know my Mom did. She still does. We're grown up and away from home, but I still hear the smile in her voice as she congratulates me on finally folding the laundry, or not losing my temper with the kids. And, of course, my own children have become her life as well. Surely this is the image of God in us? To so love the ones we created, and for whom we've sacrificed so much, that our own happiness disappears and theirs takes its place?
I'm grateful when I can think like this. It's the sane reminder on days, like today, when I'm not just suspicious (but convinced!) that their existence is to make mine difficult. Why do their noses leak soooo much?! Why does he have the urge to hit everything, including his sister?! Why is she hungry (and cranky) every hour today?!
Yes, reminders are good.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Emma's First Outlasting Session
Poor Emma. The "session" ended because she couldn't stay awake anymore. What caused all this? "Take a drink."
We were eating lunch and Emma signed for a drink. I handed her the sippy cup full of a raspberry-lemon fizzy drink I want her to drink. She pushed it away! A light bulb went off in my head, so I said, "Here, Emma, it's yummy. Take a drink." And she whined/screamed a bit and pushed it away. Aha! She knew what I wanted! I'm all for training a baby to have manners as long as I'm convinced they're able to do what I'm asking. And I'd rather be safe than sorry, so I've waited on this one. But I didn't wait long after that.
So, I settled comfortably into my chair, made a slight grimace toward Aaron (who said, "you're going to do it?"), and I said, "No, no, Emma, take a drink.". My voice was pleasant, but the command alone was negative enough for Emma to start crying her shrill, angry cry.
Within fifteen minutes of my relentless but oh-so-pleasant requests, she took a drink! I have gained a tiny bit of wisdom though, and I knew that only half (or less than half) the battle was over. I asked her to take another drink. :) Of course, she absolutely refused and got angry. (We also got to practice "no screaming" quite a bit!)
I think about an hour into it she gave up and took a drink. But she's tricky, and didn't actually drink, just put her lips on the spout. When I said, "No, sweetheart, you need to take a drink.", it started up again, and she refused. It's sweet raspberry-lemon for crying out loud! :) But Emma didn't want it and Emma wasn't going to have it. Period.
About 1 1/2 hours into it, she began getting really sleepy and staring at the wall. Oh no. We called a truce and she's asleep now. I imagine I'll ask her again when she wakes up, and the process will start again.
It's funny that when Joseph was around the same age as Emma is now, he learned the same lesson. It was painful for both of us. I was not quite as practiced or patient; and he was much more stubborn and passionate than Emma. It's all about principles with Joseph: he did not want me telling him what to do - it didn't matter that he was thirsty (with Emma this is just a taste preference, I think). We sat there together for 3 1/2 hours, and then he just. Changed. He took a drink when I asked him. And every time after. And despite all the 2yo things he's going through now, I smile when I notice that he has never once hesitated when I tell him to take a drink. Some things stick, I guess. :)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Commonsense Investing
Aaron and I have big dreams, and we spend a lot of time trying to figure out ways to accomplish them. From what we can tell, it's a good thing to think outside the box. So, in December, Aaron and I began investing in the stock market. (With this economy, don't you think that's outside the box?) We actually don't care much about making money; we want to educate ourselves now so that (hopefully) in the future we could use the stock market to make real money.
I can be candid with the figures, since, come on, who cares about our $500? So, we deposited this $500 into our new account to begin trading. In a little less than two months, we've made an almost 45% profit on that initial investment. Every day or so, I log into our account and see a chart on the home page that graphs the value of our account. I get excited watching it fluctuate up or down, and have been happy to see such a profit in two months, even if it doesn't add up to much money.
So, as of yesterday, our account was valued at $722. Well, Aaron and I had an extra check from work on our hands (which happens twice a year). We decided to go ahead and deposit it into our trading account. Here's what the graph looked like when I logged on this morning:
I can be candid with the figures, since, come on, who cares about our $500? So, we deposited this $500 into our new account to begin trading. In a little less than two months, we've made an almost 45% profit on that initial investment. Every day or so, I log into our account and see a chart on the home page that graphs the value of our account. I get excited watching it fluctuate up or down, and have been happy to see such a profit in two months, even if it doesn't add up to much money.
So, as of yesterday, our account was valued at $722. Well, Aaron and I had an extra check from work on our hands (which happens twice a year). We decided to go ahead and deposit it into our trading account. Here's what the graph looked like when I logged on this morning:
HOLY SMOKE!, I thought. Look at the jump!
Of course, this huge leap in the value of our account is not because of huge gains in our stock positions, but simply because we deposited more money. But that's when it hit me. We increased our assets in this account by 343% just by not spending the extra money.
I make myself dizzy sometimes trying to think of another way to earn more money for our family. But I could never underestimate the value in saving and being frugal. It is amazing how much money you give yourself by not spending $50/month. It's easy to lose the true value of it. But time and time again, I realize that the best and first thing Aaron and I can do to achieve our dreams is to continue to cook from scratch, buy groceries from the sale ad, have Aaron repair our vehicles, say no to luxuries, etc. It saves (earns) us hundreds and hundreds of dollars in one month.
It may not be complex or sophisticated, but it does make sense. :)
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Christmastime
Most recent first:
Getting ready to leave FTW...
It was so beautiful while we were in FTW, we rode the 5 mile Train. J was ecstatic. Emma was hypnotized.
The Train.
Cowboy Joe. (That's the only "Joe" reference I want to give to my son.)
Sweet Emmaline.
Papa gave lawn mower rides to the grandkids.
Uncle Donnie and Aunt Carley gave Emma her first Cabbage Patch Doll: Isabel. Emma loves her.
Just before Christmas, we went to Branson with Aaron's family. We stayed at a really nice condo. On the last day it was 4 degrees! Aaron borrowed this hat, and scared the daylights out of his daughter.
While there, we also dealt with obscene amount of vomit. This is me afraid. Very afraid.
Joseph got sick, and had to sleep on the kitchen floor of the condo. We were consoling him.
Getting ready to leave FTW...
It was so beautiful while we were in FTW, we rode the 5 mile Train. J was ecstatic. Emma was hypnotized.
The Train.
Cowboy Joe. (That's the only "Joe" reference I want to give to my son.)
Sweet Emmaline.
Papa gave lawn mower rides to the grandkids.
Uncle Donnie and Aunt Carley gave Emma her first Cabbage Patch Doll: Isabel. Emma loves her.
Just before Christmas, we went to Branson with Aaron's family. We stayed at a really nice condo. On the last day it was 4 degrees! Aaron borrowed this hat, and scared the daylights out of his daughter. 
While there, we also dealt with obscene amount of vomit. This is me afraid. Very afraid.
Joseph got sick, and had to sleep on the kitchen floor of the condo. We were consoling him.We had a lovely time this year, but it was hard. The kids were sick with a stomach thing for over a week (part of which was in Branson). Just after Christmas, while we were in Fort Worth, Aaron and I got sick with a bad respiratory Something. We concluded that 2008 was a year full of sickness for our family, and ended accordingly. :)
But Jesus is still here, still King, and still worth celebrating! Praise God!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Winter takes us inward
I'm bad. I've been looking at houses. Again.
At first I thought, I'll look at land around here. Then I became nostalgic, and looked for homes in Norman. Then homes with land in Norman. Then Broken Arrow. It's never a good idea for me to do this. But I do.
If I knew with all of my heart exactly where I wanted to be, I don't think it would be a negative thing to do (or, as negative). But I don't know where I want to be. I don't like the idea of any of these places, really. Will I ever like ANY place? Or is it some unreal idea I want?
I do know I want to love my life. And that can happen right now. If I break habits and get productive. If I get off the comoputer. If I drink more water. If I hold my tongue and smile more. Talk about a "day of small things"....an entirely different life lies in wait for me. And it's made up of seemingly small decisions which are not nearly as attractive or magnificent as the life I want.
I loathe irony.
At first I thought, I'll look at land around here. Then I became nostalgic, and looked for homes in Norman. Then homes with land in Norman. Then Broken Arrow. It's never a good idea for me to do this. But I do.
If I knew with all of my heart exactly where I wanted to be, I don't think it would be a negative thing to do (or, as negative). But I don't know where I want to be. I don't like the idea of any of these places, really. Will I ever like ANY place? Or is it some unreal idea I want?
I do know I want to love my life. And that can happen right now. If I break habits and get productive. If I get off the comoputer. If I drink more water. If I hold my tongue and smile more. Talk about a "day of small things"....an entirely different life lies in wait for me. And it's made up of seemingly small decisions which are not nearly as attractive or magnificent as the life I want.
I loathe irony.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Why Defaulting on Your Mortgage is an Option
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/why-lenders-might-forgive-your-debt.aspx
Remember, the very first qualification for any of these programs is that you must be defaulting on your mortgage. Catch the irony in all of this?
Remember, the very first qualification for any of these programs is that you must be defaulting on your mortgage. Catch the irony in all of this?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
My Bias is Showing
Poor Starbucks.
Now, McDonald's and Dunkin' Doughnuts are attacking Starbucks. It is understandable for them to make their move now: it's best to get them while they're down.
But I have to go "public" (ha! who reads this?!) and take my stand.
If I'm going to spend my discretionary money on coffee, I want to spend it well. If I want coffee, I do not want to spend $1.50 at McDonald's for a cup of coffee that tastes just as terrible as what I'd make at home. In fact, I've been doing just that. I'm making off-brand vanilla nut coffee (found in the back of the freezer with an '07 date on it), throwing in some milk and sweetener and drinking my utilitarian cup all the way to the bottom.
But if I am going to buy coffee, I want good coffee. I want to go to people whose business it is to make coffee. And Starbucks is good. They're good at what they do. They can ask $3.00 for my tall latte, because that's their expertise. I may be going out less to give them my $3, but they deserve my coffee money. Not McDonald's.
McDonald's and Dunkin' Dougnuts are not appealing to coffee drinkers. They're appealing to Americans who are typical lazy, fast-fooders; they don't care about the quality of food or drink. Just give it to me cheap.
It's a different customer. For that reason, I do think Starbucks will hold out to the end. They may not make it, but they'll die a noble death.
Now, McDonald's and Dunkin' Doughnuts are attacking Starbucks. It is understandable for them to make their move now: it's best to get them while they're down.
But I have to go "public" (ha! who reads this?!) and take my stand.
If I'm going to spend my discretionary money on coffee, I want to spend it well. If I want coffee, I do not want to spend $1.50 at McDonald's for a cup of coffee that tastes just as terrible as what I'd make at home. In fact, I've been doing just that. I'm making off-brand vanilla nut coffee (found in the back of the freezer with an '07 date on it), throwing in some milk and sweetener and drinking my utilitarian cup all the way to the bottom.
But if I am going to buy coffee, I want good coffee. I want to go to people whose business it is to make coffee. And Starbucks is good. They're good at what they do. They can ask $3.00 for my tall latte, because that's their expertise. I may be going out less to give them my $3, but they deserve my coffee money. Not McDonald's.
McDonald's and Dunkin' Dougnuts are not appealing to coffee drinkers. They're appealing to Americans who are typical lazy, fast-fooders; they don't care about the quality of food or drink. Just give it to me cheap.
It's a different customer. For that reason, I do think Starbucks will hold out to the end. They may not make it, but they'll die a noble death.
Work Left to Do
I'm working out at the Y, and trying to do my low-carb thing.
But today, Joseph walked up to me, while I was sitting in a chair. He patted my belly and said, "Mama full! Mama belly full!".
Sigh.
But today, Joseph walked up to me, while I was sitting in a chair. He patted my belly and said, "Mama full! Mama belly full!".
Sigh.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Remembering
Today, after we dropped Aaron off at work, Joseph was looking out the window of the van. It is a very windy day.
He said, "Mama, leaves running!"
"The leaves are running?"
"Yes! The leaves are running from the trees!"
He knows better poetry than I do.
He said, "Mama, leaves running!"
"The leaves are running?"
"Yes! The leaves are running from the trees!"
He knows better poetry than I do.
Night, Night Emma
Operation: Exhaustion
Goal: To relieve our family of the miseries associated with a sleepless baby
The Plan: During Emma's morning and afternoon naps, and at bedtime, she will be nursed, rocked and sung to (as usual), then, once relaxed, she will be put in crib. I will lay her down, cover her up, and say "Go night night Emma". Each time her head pops up, or she raises her knees or bottom, I will gently push her head/bottom down and repeat "Go night night Emma". Repeat, repeat, repeat until she is asleep.
We'll continue this as long as it takes, until she will lie still and fall asleep. We'll progress from standing over her, next to the crib, to standing further and further away (closer to the door) each night/naptime.
Updates are below!
Sun. 12/14: Too hyper.
Sat. 12/13: Did not nap well (Meme and Papa here!). Right to bed at 7:40 with Meme. I nursed her (woke HER up) at 12:00 and 3:00, then she's up at 7:30.
Fri. 12/12: PM nap let her move a bit more (bottom wiggling, head turning); took so long! When I made sure to keep her bottom still and head facing same direction, she was out in 5 minutes! Up at 10:00pm, 12:00, 2:00 and 7:00. Ick.
Thurs. 12/11: At naps, nursed her much longer, and did night-night shorter. Worked! Fussed to sleep, woke several times until 12:00. Slept til 5:00. woke a couple times. up at 6:45.
Wed. 12/10: Better naps. Let her fuss for morning nap. Did my night-night strategy for pm nap and bedtime. Went to bed late, woke up at midnight. Slept from 12:00-7:00. woo hoo!
Tues. 12/9: Okay. Going through growth spurt, so short naps, lots of eating, and generally cranky. Woke a LOT that night.
Mon. 12/8: Don't remember. I think it was bad.
Sun. 12/7: Good day! Had a BM and everything better after that. Did not do "night night emma", let her fuss to sleep for naps and bedtime. Asleep at 7:30pm. Woke at 4:30am, only wanted to nurse one side. Right back to sleep. Awake at 7:00am. Progress!
Sat. 12/6: Baaad day. Would not take afternoon nap. Cried, babbled, fought. Went straight to sleep at bedtime, but kept waking every hour. Woke at 3:00, did not go back to sleep until 5:00! Stomach problems.
Fri. 12/5: is getting faster (15-20 minutes til asleep). Slept wonderfully last night! Went to sleep at 8:30 pm. Woke at 4:30am. only wanted to nurse one side, for a short while. Calm, relaxed, straight back to sleep. Woke at 7:30am!!!
Thurs. 12/4: same
Wed. 12/3: same
Tuesday, 12/2: Day one. Takes 30-45 min. of falling asleep. Sometimes she cries. Works every time though!
Goal: To relieve our family of the miseries associated with a sleepless baby
The Plan: During Emma's morning and afternoon naps, and at bedtime, she will be nursed, rocked and sung to (as usual), then, once relaxed, she will be put in crib. I will lay her down, cover her up, and say "Go night night Emma". Each time her head pops up, or she raises her knees or bottom, I will gently push her head/bottom down and repeat "Go night night Emma". Repeat, repeat, repeat until she is asleep.
We'll continue this as long as it takes, until she will lie still and fall asleep. We'll progress from standing over her, next to the crib, to standing further and further away (closer to the door) each night/naptime.
Updates are below!
Sun. 12/14: Too hyper.
Sat. 12/13: Did not nap well (Meme and Papa here!). Right to bed at 7:40 with Meme. I nursed her (woke HER up) at 12:00 and 3:00, then she's up at 7:30.
Fri. 12/12: PM nap let her move a bit more (bottom wiggling, head turning); took so long! When I made sure to keep her bottom still and head facing same direction, she was out in 5 minutes! Up at 10:00pm, 12:00, 2:00 and 7:00. Ick.
Thurs. 12/11: At naps, nursed her much longer, and did night-night shorter. Worked! Fussed to sleep, woke several times until 12:00. Slept til 5:00. woke a couple times. up at 6:45.
Wed. 12/10: Better naps. Let her fuss for morning nap. Did my night-night strategy for pm nap and bedtime. Went to bed late, woke up at midnight. Slept from 12:00-7:00. woo hoo!
Tues. 12/9: Okay. Going through growth spurt, so short naps, lots of eating, and generally cranky. Woke a LOT that night.
Mon. 12/8: Don't remember. I think it was bad.
Sun. 12/7: Good day! Had a BM and everything better after that. Did not do "night night emma", let her fuss to sleep for naps and bedtime. Asleep at 7:30pm. Woke at 4:30am, only wanted to nurse one side. Right back to sleep. Awake at 7:00am. Progress!
Sat. 12/6: Baaad day. Would not take afternoon nap. Cried, babbled, fought. Went straight to sleep at bedtime, but kept waking every hour. Woke at 3:00, did not go back to sleep until 5:00! Stomach problems.
Fri. 12/5: is getting faster (15-20 minutes til asleep). Slept wonderfully last night! Went to sleep at 8:30 pm. Woke at 4:30am. only wanted to nurse one side, for a short while. Calm, relaxed, straight back to sleep. Woke at 7:30am!!!
Thurs. 12/4: same
Wed. 12/3: same
Tuesday, 12/2: Day one. Takes 30-45 min. of falling asleep. Sometimes she cries. Works every time though!
Double Speak
"Wall Street put an upbeat spin Friday on the government's report that the nation lost more than half a million jobs last month. Stocks reversed early losses and closed sharply higher as the data raised hopes that Washington will again step in to help the economy."
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081205/wall_street.html?.v=95
It says what?!
We lost 500,000 jobs last month. Wall Street found this comforting, because they see that as a sign that the government will give out even more money. So stocks went up.
Insanity.
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081205/wall_street.html?.v=95
It says what?!
We lost 500,000 jobs last month. Wall Street found this comforting, because they see that as a sign that the government will give out even more money. So stocks went up.
Insanity.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
I'm getting Orwellian goosebumps!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuAuPXYT8No&eurl=http://www.gcnlive.com/NewsStory/RonPaul.html
Aaron wanted me to post this. It's Ron Paul saying this stuff, for crying out loud!
Aaron wanted me to post this. It's Ron Paul saying this stuff, for crying out loud!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
I'm Thankful for Husbands of the Aaron Variety
Let me tell you about him.
He does a great job. 
to spirited, fiesty Emmaline.
He oos and ahhs over a birthday cake his wife made him.
He even poses for a picture with it!
He doesn't mind that he's only blowing out 10 candles because I ran out of time. (I racked my foggy brain for a good reason for 10 candles and came up blank!)
He goes to the trouble to learn plumbing so that he can install our beautiful, new (huge!) sink. (That's granite, people! Free upgrade. I'm super glad she got my order wrong.)
He does a great job. Even with the kids playing on him while he works.
And he loves our children with all his heart.
From headstrong, sensitive Joseph...
to spirited, fiesty Emmaline.I also have to mention that husbands of the Aaron variety do other, truly amazing things. He doesn't always say what's on his mind ("The house looks the same as it did this morning - messy."); he sends me to bed and he does the dishes; he forgives me when, for the third time in two weeks, I leave the door wide open when I left; he doesn't grimace or groan when, for the umpteenth time, I say "can we go out for dinner?". Now that's love.
Oh. And he's also as handsome as they come. I've got it all.
The System
Healthcare has certainly gone downhill. And I don't mean that it's a shame we don't have Socialistic Universal Healthcare.
I received the bills for our little ER trip a few weeks ago. Sheesh. You'd think I took Joseph in for surgery and went to the spa while I was at it. The hospital charged us $180.95. I will confess that I ignorantly thought this was the total for our visit. A few days later, I received the bill for Dr. Jamil Bitar, charging us $279.00!
My biggest problem with this is that I never met a Dr. Jamil Bitar.
He sent his Physician's Assistant to take care of it. I want a flippin' discount for letting the rookie treat my child. But no.
I have learned over the last few years that "no" is not such a terrible word to hear, and asking for something that seems ridiculous could pay off. So, I called the hospital to ask if I could pay less than the bill. "Sure", Lily told me. And I paid $162.86. She wouldn't go lower. Then I called Phoenix Physican Services and asked the same thing. "Sure", Stacey told me. I paid $223.20.
I saved $73.89 just by asking.
If anyone has any other tips to save money on high hospital bills, I'm all ears. And don't tell me "Get insurance". I'll laugh like a maniac if you do. We've saved thousands of dollars in 3 years by not having insurance. Puh-lease.
Oh, and don't tempt with me "don't pay". It's working way too well with American homeowners right now!
Edited to add: Let me just say that we actually do have Catastrophic health insurance, which covers incidents that will cost more than (I think) $5,000. But for meeting our health care needs, paying cash has saved us a lot. And we're free to make decisions how we want to make them.
I received the bills for our little ER trip a few weeks ago. Sheesh. You'd think I took Joseph in for surgery and went to the spa while I was at it. The hospital charged us $180.95. I will confess that I ignorantly thought this was the total for our visit. A few days later, I received the bill for Dr. Jamil Bitar, charging us $279.00!
My biggest problem with this is that I never met a Dr. Jamil Bitar.
He sent his Physician's Assistant to take care of it. I want a flippin' discount for letting the rookie treat my child. But no.
I have learned over the last few years that "no" is not such a terrible word to hear, and asking for something that seems ridiculous could pay off. So, I called the hospital to ask if I could pay less than the bill. "Sure", Lily told me. And I paid $162.86. She wouldn't go lower. Then I called Phoenix Physican Services and asked the same thing. "Sure", Stacey told me. I paid $223.20.
I saved $73.89 just by asking.
If anyone has any other tips to save money on high hospital bills, I'm all ears. And don't tell me "Get insurance". I'll laugh like a maniac if you do. We've saved thousands of dollars in 3 years by not having insurance. Puh-lease.
Oh, and don't tempt with me "don't pay". It's working way too well with American homeowners right now!
Edited to add: Let me just say that we actually do have Catastrophic health insurance, which covers incidents that will cost more than (I think) $5,000. But for meeting our health care needs, paying cash has saved us a lot. And we're free to make decisions how we want to make them.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
In Defense of the Three Piece Suit
I can't imagine how often the topic of men's wear will come up, but it's making its appearance today.
Enter: The Three Piece Suit.
It's lovely, isn't it? Crisp and clean, with its perfect symmetry and class, and always smelling of starch. If you happen to be from the South, then you just might imagine what I do: my grandfather his very best three piece suits each Sunday morning to Church, the smell of his after-shave inevitably lingering on the collar and becoming one with the Suit.
I loved Sunday mornings. They were Special. The morning routine was special. We woke up a little later than normal, and went about getting ready and having breakfast a bit more slowly than usual. When we woke, my grandfather would be sitting in his chair, already dressed in his spiffy three piece suit (how did he do that?!), watching PBS; while we played Christian music down in our rooms.
The food was special, too. Breakfast might have been a free for all (cereal, anyone?), but there was always the extra bustle of my mother and grandmother preparing for Sunday Lunch. There was meat to be browned and put into the oven, or hamburger patties to be seasoned by Papa. My mom might have mixed up the baked beans before we left, and Meme might have set out the plates and made the tea.
Of course, what we wore was special, too. Mom was careful to encourage us to wear our nicest dresses and skirts, and the only person who looked better than my lovely Meme was my handsome Papa. I'm telling you - nothing beats a three piece suit.
Why is it, then, that people are knocking the Suit? It's rare to see people wearing them to church nowadays, or anywhere, for that matter. The culture has become overwhelmingly casual in their approach to life. People are casual in their relationships, finances, responsibilities and committments. One day fades into the next. Anything is appropriate. Not very many things are special.
I miss having special things.
I'm defending the notion that the Lord's Day is very special, and that you should make it so. Clothes have always, always been a vehicle for communicating our feelings about an event or occasion. If we believe the event commonplace, we wear common clothes; if we believe the event is celebratory, we wear clothes that are festive; if we believe the event is somber, we wear somber clothes. Likewise, if we believe the event is special, we wear our best clothes.
So many churches are claiming they want people to "come as they are", but I can't recall God speaking that way about His people coming to worship Him. I see it described as a wonderful, special, holy event that required wonderful, special and holy (set apart) clothes to match the spirit of the occasion.
(Please note that I think the New Testament shows how Jesus frees us to fulfill the spirit of the Law instead of only the letter; meaning that wearing one's best is important, but what that may actually look like is not. My best is not Laura Bush's best. And the homeless lady's best is not my best. In that sense, I sincerely believe in coming as you are.)
Now, if that was all I had to say, I wouldn't have gone to the trouble to write about it. After all, the Bible is complicated, and it can be difficult to understand what God means. What binds us together is trusting in Jesus. Not what we wear to church. So, I would have acknowledged my views as just my opinion (because that's just what they are) and spent my 30 minutes another way. (I'll get to folding those clothes, eventually, Aaron!)
But it continues. Not only is it said that we shouldn't have to dress up at church, but, sadly, dressing up can be condemned and discouraged. Because if you dress up you aren't coming as you are.
It's one thing to believe people have freedom to wear what they please. It's quite another to say people only have the freedom to wear what I think they should wear. That's quite inconsistent with the notion of coming as you are. It's true that Jesus sets us free, but humans enslave us.
So, I'm defending the man who wants to wear that three piece suit to church. Whether you're wearing it because you want to wear your best, or just because you know you look so darn handsome. Have at it.
Enter: The Three Piece Suit.
It's lovely, isn't it? Crisp and clean, with its perfect symmetry and class, and always smelling of starch. If you happen to be from the South, then you just might imagine what I do: my grandfather his very best three piece suits each Sunday morning to Church, the smell of his after-shave inevitably lingering on the collar and becoming one with the Suit.
I loved Sunday mornings. They were Special. The morning routine was special. We woke up a little later than normal, and went about getting ready and having breakfast a bit more slowly than usual. When we woke, my grandfather would be sitting in his chair, already dressed in his spiffy three piece suit (how did he do that?!), watching PBS; while we played Christian music down in our rooms.
The food was special, too. Breakfast might have been a free for all (cereal, anyone?), but there was always the extra bustle of my mother and grandmother preparing for Sunday Lunch. There was meat to be browned and put into the oven, or hamburger patties to be seasoned by Papa. My mom might have mixed up the baked beans before we left, and Meme might have set out the plates and made the tea.
Of course, what we wore was special, too. Mom was careful to encourage us to wear our nicest dresses and skirts, and the only person who looked better than my lovely Meme was my handsome Papa. I'm telling you - nothing beats a three piece suit.
Why is it, then, that people are knocking the Suit? It's rare to see people wearing them to church nowadays, or anywhere, for that matter. The culture has become overwhelmingly casual in their approach to life. People are casual in their relationships, finances, responsibilities and committments. One day fades into the next. Anything is appropriate. Not very many things are special.
I miss having special things.
I'm defending the notion that the Lord's Day is very special, and that you should make it so. Clothes have always, always been a vehicle for communicating our feelings about an event or occasion. If we believe the event commonplace, we wear common clothes; if we believe the event is celebratory, we wear clothes that are festive; if we believe the event is somber, we wear somber clothes. Likewise, if we believe the event is special, we wear our best clothes.
So many churches are claiming they want people to "come as they are", but I can't recall God speaking that way about His people coming to worship Him. I see it described as a wonderful, special, holy event that required wonderful, special and holy (set apart) clothes to match the spirit of the occasion.
(Please note that I think the New Testament shows how Jesus frees us to fulfill the spirit of the Law instead of only the letter; meaning that wearing one's best is important, but what that may actually look like is not. My best is not Laura Bush's best. And the homeless lady's best is not my best. In that sense, I sincerely believe in coming as you are.)
Now, if that was all I had to say, I wouldn't have gone to the trouble to write about it. After all, the Bible is complicated, and it can be difficult to understand what God means. What binds us together is trusting in Jesus. Not what we wear to church. So, I would have acknowledged my views as just my opinion (because that's just what they are) and spent my 30 minutes another way. (I'll get to folding those clothes, eventually, Aaron!)
But it continues. Not only is it said that we shouldn't have to dress up at church, but, sadly, dressing up can be condemned and discouraged. Because if you dress up you aren't coming as you are.
It's one thing to believe people have freedom to wear what they please. It's quite another to say people only have the freedom to wear what I think they should wear. That's quite inconsistent with the notion of coming as you are. It's true that Jesus sets us free, but humans enslave us.
So, I'm defending the man who wants to wear that three piece suit to church. Whether you're wearing it because you want to wear your best, or just because you know you look so darn handsome. Have at it.
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