News Media

I get so frustrated with how our News informs us... do you think it's biased, one-sided, has an agenda??

Take this Swine Flu thing for example.
The Center for Disease Control says that each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; 20,000 of those are children younger than 5 years old; and 36,000 people die from the flu. Therefore, it is their recommendation that you get a yearly flu vaccine which protects from 3 main flu strains. They also suggest that you cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze - hey, I think this falls under "good manners" if not common sense. Also - WASH YOUR HANDS folks! You really cannot do this enough, so simple and yet so effective to keep germs from entering your body. The CDC also says to stay away from sick people. Might it be better to have sick people stay away from us? Why do we go to work sick? Why do we send our children to school sick? It is no wonder that sickness spreads to everyone in our midst.

Evidently 36,000 people dying from regular flu is not news worthy, not when you compare it to the panic of swine flu spreading rapidly at our borders. Perhaps the people who are so anxious to allow non-Americans come into our country will change their mind a little bit now. But this is not a note about our borders.

This is a note about politics however.

Today is President Obama's 100th day. I have not seen earth-shattering legislation that is helping me. I have seen my local property taxes increase. I have been watching how a stimulus bill (which was not even READ by our president) was passed, and I have watched him briefly on the news (and some YouTube news) as he "makes nice" with all foreign leaders. I have to tell you that it was a little scary watching him with other world leaders, reminded me of a Left Behind (the movie) scene. I have no doubt that we move closer to the end days. And in the end, the U.S. does fall from its top position as world leader. Did you ever think it would happen? We enjoyed so many days of excess and prosperity, as if it would never end. And we, so much like Israel, seem to always repeat the mistakes of our ancestors.

I have located some good blogs for conservatives, if you want to read any. They are in my blog list. But, if you are like me, you read these things, your blood pressure goes up and you get discouraged, depressed, frustrated... a good way to handle those emotions is to WRITE YOUR POLITICIANS! Let your voice be heard, whether you choose email, snail mail or even your telephone, get involved and get active. The only way that change will happen is if YOU get involved.

Don't just sit back and let someone else do it. You do your little bit too. It is going to take ALL of us.

Tis the season of Proms...

...and graduations... and awards ceremonies... another year ending... and my "baby" is leaving high school.

When they were small, I could never imagine this day. You are so overwhelmed with the constant demands of young children, they are always needing you, wanting you, touching you... and then suddenly, they hit the teenage years, going through hormonal changes and personality changes; oh, they still need you, but they are not as willing to share with you and tell you they need you! and when my first one left the nest, i still had the others, and then the next one, but i still had one at home... and so it goes.

I expected to feel more sadness, but somehow God really does prepare you for this time. And ~ perhaps my sadness is overshadowed by my more natural emotion of anxiety, stress, fear! (okay, that is supposed to be a little funny.) Truth is, when we send them out each day, we have no control over anything. I realize that the truth is: Control of anything is an illusion! But isn't it easy to convince ourselves that we DO have control? It is a daily struggle for me to NOT let my flesh control my emotions, my actions, my feelings.

For the present, we have a prom hair appointment to get to (more money added to all the other pre-prom festivities). You "dads of baby daughters" get prepared for the expenses involved in getting our girls out to their social events! You have a few years so start saving now. lol

Talk to you soon.

Stimulate What Exactly??

know that all of you are probably as sick of this "news" as I, but I get SO frustrated with the double-talk and lies that we hear from people in our government... and yet, even as I say this, I also realize that some of what we hear/see on the news is clips and are usually (always?) cut together in order to sway and slant things.

But... I do not like the way that things are going, have been going... and I'm an old person now, and perhaps did not pay enough attention to Mr. Hoover's or Mr. Allison's history classes at Dobyns-Bennett, so I decided to look up the definitions of these words for myself this morning.

Interesting reading, the dictionary:

com·mu·nism
Etymology:French communisme, from commun common
Date:1840
1 a: a theory advocating elimination of private property b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed
2capitalized a: a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production c: a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably d: communist systems collectively

so·cial·ism
Date: 1837
1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

cap·i·tal·ism
Date: 1877
: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

And, I have to share this video link with Nancy Pelosi, regarding the Pork... and how can our President promote a bill that apparently he has not read? or maybe he supports it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaDtkG6afBc (hopefully this link will work - or go to YouTube and search Pelosi Pork)

I guess I'm frustrated... just consider this a vent...

I'm not the sharpest pencil... maybe someone reading this can help?

Ah... the Bookworm

This is definitely me!

I was looking at a cute link on Scrapbook.com and they ask the question, "what kind of scrapbooker are you?"... after reading the descriptions, I am sure that this is me!

Try it...

http://www.scrapbook.com/articles/doc/36199.html

To Vote... or Not to Vote?

Believe me, there have been many times throughout this campaign when I have wavered about even going to the polls.

But I was reading the blog of a friend of mine, who had posted a link to another blog... (you know how that goes!)... and honestly, I cannot imagine ANYONE not standing up to vote after they take 5 minutes to look at this.

http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/2008/10/im-not-voting-for-man-im-voting-for.html

Eternal perspectives... what an awesome name.

I believe that my children have grown up knowing and understanding that these unborn babies are really babies... unlike the women of my generation, the women's lib cosmopolitan super-women who could do it all and be it all, and by Golly it is our choice what we do!! Our generation was fed the lie that this is just tissue, a blob of fetus, nothing alive.

Who remembers the first time they saw an ultrasound of that little blob, and since when do blobs have beating hearts that you can hear?!

Lies are powerful, the devil is a deceiver. Encourage everyone to get out and vote for LIFE! Who here agrees with everything that ANYONE says? Make your vote count for life, whether you can support everything 100% or not, this is a path we do NOT want to take.

Women... ah the drama of it all

I cannot count too many women as friends. Guys usually say what they mean, you know where they stand.

On the other hand, women are catty, competitive, even manipulative.
We women have a whole "language" that we begin learning in grade school designed to CONCEAL what we mean... whether to save face, to hide our insecurities... who knows the myriad reasons for that. (Could it be distrust?) And because of our own language, we are constantly interpreting what others say to us.

Do you think we become addicted to drama? To sharing others' life circumstances that cast US in better light?

There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a close look at herself.
Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, not how unfair life is, or at who made you do it.
She has to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection.

Have you ever admired a woman who has been through some major changes in her life?
Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up. Before you make this mistake, take a closer look.

A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger.

Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up.
Before you wonder, “What's up with her?” ask yourself, “What's up with me?”

That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend, or co-worker.
Hey! That woman could be ME.

But as a Christian woman, I believe my fellow believers are my Sisters in the Lord. And we should be able to support and encourage one another; celebrate in others' success and happiness; weep with those who have experienced loss.

Women have such great strength and compassion; we need to have our hearts softened and our eyes opened so that we can see and love each other the way that God sees and loves us.

Think about it ladies. Doesn't love expand? We do not have to hoard it and be selfish. We have unlimited supplies to give out.
So share the love and share some mercy.

Ask God to send some emotionally healthy women into your life. We all need a few good girlfriends!

***********************************************************
I received this in an email but it is so true:

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They are a Godsend and they are there for the reason you need them to be.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let's build and encourage each other, as did Ruth and Naomi.

Encourage and love,
forgive and forget,
learn to trust,
practice mercy.

Kingsport Animal Shelter... Bring It On

Okay... it has been one week since one of my cats died. We had two cats, Princess and one of her babies from her first litter, Brandy. She was not a baby, she was 6 years old. For an unknown reason, Brandy died. She was our greeter, outgoing and flirtatious with a healthy appetite.

I was dealing with the loss. I, as Mom, am the one who is caretaker of all pets, so I am the one who most missed her coming to greet my car as I returned home after each outing.

For the record, I am not a cat person. Don't get me wrong. I am not an uncaring person, but I am not inclined to get too attached to things - people or animals. My experience has proven that 100% of living people and animals die. The people are hard enough. And I had always hoped to spare myself the pain of losing multiple animals in my lifetime as well. At least, I figure, I have control over that, right?

(yes, i know, i suffer under the delusions of thinking i can control things!)

ANYWAY, I digress.

Tonight, on my local television news station, I heard this most unbelievable story about how the Animal Shelter needs more funding because Adoptions are DOWN! Imagine my immediate reaction --- fuming anger and disbelief --- and then read my letter to the station, which I also sent to the Asst. City Manager of Kingsport (a fellow D.B. Alumni), and asked him to forward it to the appropriate city personnel.

Really... if they need people to adopt, why are they being so rude and turning away someone who was willing and able to provide a suitable home??

Here is my letter sent 9/22 - and following it is the website link to the article on WJHL's website.
----
Dear WJHL,
I was pretty shocked when I saw the news story regarding how the Kpt. Animal Shelter is needing money.

I went to the Animal Shelter for the first time this past Saturday, 9/20, in order to adopt a cat.

I expected that the folks there would be WELCOMING to me, and would be HAPPY to have me come in to “rescue” one of their cats.

However, that was not the case.

I went with my daughter.
We entered the foyer, and behind the glass were 4 women. After standing there for about 7 minutes, one finally turned toward me and asked, “can I help you”.

I told her that I was there to adopt a cat.
She nodded and said, go through that door, first door on your left.

I paused. I hesitated.
I told her: “This is my first time here.”

Again, she said, go through that door, first door on your left.

So my daughter and I entered the hallway, and we approached the first door on the left, covered with warning labels, and were not sure whether to enter or not.

Taking a big step of faith, I tentatively opened the door, and entered a room with a sink, dishes, and then we saw the rows of cages.

Still unsure about what to do, we started to look at all the cats and kittens that were there.

I began to cry --- I had just lost one of my two cats. It has been one week ago today.
And it made me sad to remember my loss --- and then to see all of these beautiful animals, and to think that we would be having to choose only one.

And so, we spent 30 to 40 minutes in that room, looking at all of them, visiting, even getting a couple of them out.

FINALLY, we made our choice. We would take two of the older ones.

A visiting lady and her grandson were there (she said that she has 2 daughters that worked there) - she told me that she would send someone back to help us.

And so a worker came, and we told her that we had chosen “those 2”. The worker said, oh you cannot have those. They are not available yet.
And I asked her what that meant.
I was told that there is a waiting period for possible strays, so that the owners would have an opportunity to come and rescue them.

(Well, that would have been good to know...)

So we went through the ordeal of making another decision.

And we chose. Again.

And then the worker came back, looked at the card, said okay.
And then when I ask if she gets the cats out now, she also tells me that I will not be able to take a cat home today.
I say Why? And she said that they go to the vet from there, then I go pick them up from the vet.

I go up front. I am given an application.

I fill it all out – completely – drivers license, where I work, my address, am told that I may get a home visit, they want my animal history and where are they now... Along with where my animals will be living.

I filled it all out. I handed it back to the 4 women who were more interested in visiting with each other than in helping me. I stand there, and wait for one to notice me.

And then, am told to sit down and wait.

And then we waited. Again. Another 15 minutes.

And the worker woman sticks her head up and says to me, these are indoor cats you know.
And I answered her. And she could not hear me.
And she turns off a fan or something that was making noise inside the glassed in area.

And she said, what?
And I said to her again, but we have 5 acres, and our other cat lives outside.

And she said, well, these are indoor cats. And I said, how do you know?
And she said, that’s how they came to us.

And then, just like that --- I said thanks, and we left.

TO ENTERTAIN THE IDEA THAT ADOPTIONS ARE DOWN and that is why the shelter needs more money?????!!!!

I am outraged at the rude treatment that I received.
And I had been considering who to contact in order to report that.
When you aired that story today, it was just the push I needed.

You really need to consider another side — if those folks were actually doing their job WHEN A CUSTOMER COMES TO THEM, then perhaps adoptions would NOT be down.

I was in an emotionally down mood when I entered, and someone there should have given me some helpful information before subjecting me to the situation I experienced!

In a fantasy world, I expected that the animal shelter wants to give the animals a good home.
Instead, they are screening two cats from me, a mature and responsible adult, who wants to take two cats home to love and care for...

I hope that the city does NOT give them more money.
It was insulting how I was treated.

----Link to News Story----
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/kingsport_animal_shelter_falls_on_hard_times/14232/