I realized this morning how much I really hate my dog. Now, she USED to be my ‘baby girl’, before our first child came. Actually, before I got pregnant. Here’s a little background.
My husband was a fan of the boxer breed. He had mentioned in passing that he would like to get a dog at some point. We weren’t even engaged yet, but we were living together (the horror!!). He had a birthday coming up, and I thought it would be an excellent surprise. A co-worker had 2 boxers, and gave me the name of his breeder. Well, before you knew it, a boxer puppy was picked out and in the arms of my VERY stunned husband. It was love at first sight for both of us. We named her Kuma (any Tekken fans out there?) and she was our pride and joy. We loved her as if she were a real baby, not just a furbaby. That was September of 2005.
We were living in an apartment at the time, but then we got engaged, married, and bought a house. We HAD to have a house with a large yard that could be fenced if it wasn’t already. Everything revolved around our ‘little girl’. Then in April of 2007, I got pregnant with Wyatt. All of a sudden, she was a smelly pain in the ass that needed to just go away. I was constantly worried that she would knock me down (she’s 72 lbs and still thinks she’s a puppy) or just jump on my belly, which she did at least twice that I remember.
Then the baby came. I remember driving home from the hospital with my little bundle of joy, repeatedly asking my husband if Kuma was going to be ok with him. We had brought a blanket home that Wyatt had been swaddled in days before (he was in the NICU for 6 days) and made sure she sniffed it and all that good stuff. However, being a new mom, I was already a wreck. We brought him in, put his carrier on the floor, and let Kuma out of her crate. Well wouldn’t you know, Kuma was and ANGEL with him. Never jumped, was very gentle, and to be honest, it was love at first sight for her. They have been best friends ever since.
So every morning, when we let her outside and her incessant barking at the wind starts to get on my nerves and raise my blood pressure, I try to remember the times when Wyatt wraps his little arms around her neck and says ‘I love you, Kuma!’ just so I won’t bang my head against the wall to drown out the noise.
Apparently the recession has forced half a million adults between the ages of 35 and 44 to return to live with parents in 2009 due to debt, unemployment, property prices and rising numbers of relationships breaking up.
The bank Abbey, which carried out the research, says there are also around 440,000 between the ages of 25 to 34 who have been forced to return home.
The findings aren’t that surprising – being made redundant can have a huge knock-on effect on a person’s self-esteem and subsequently cause relationship problems. But living with your parents when single must make dating more difficult.
Most women look for financial stability in a potential partner, and men tend to look for independence. A first date admitting that they have had to move home due to money problems and/ or redundancy would be a big cross in many people’s eyes, especially those in their mid to late thirties who are most likely looking for a long-term relationship.
Let’s hope the economy bounces back in 2010 or there will be even more relationship break-ups – those of parents whose money runs out after their children move back home!
Free Autism Screening for Toddlers At The Outpatient Center at the Sanctuary The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southwest Florida, offers a free monthly autism spectrum disorder screening for toddlers 18 months to 36 months of age. The next screening will be held Jan. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, located in the parking lot of The Outpatient Center at The Sanctuary, 8960 Colonial Center Drive, Fort Myers. This is northwest of the I-75 exit 136 at Colonial Blvd. Additional screenings will be conducted each month at different locations across Lee County. It is estimated that one in every 150 children is diagnosed with some form of ASD, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. Medical consultants for the project stress that an early diagnosis can make a vast difference for toddlers and their families. They say early intensive behavioral intervention can make an immense difference not just in the development of the child, but in their families as well. The ASD screening is conducted by the Neurosciences Center at The Children’s Hospital, under the guidance of pediatric neurologist Jose Colon, MD, MPH, and pediatric psychiatrist Marianne Krouk, DO. The screenings are administered by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, who has extensive training and experience in typical child development and developmental disorders. Screenings: · Jan. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Outpatient Center at the Sanctuary · Feb. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miromar Outlets · Mar. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miromar Outlets A physician referral is not required. To schedule a screening, please call 239-985-3608.
I found this old Calgary Herald article in a box of sentimental items. I love these! Even if you are a non-church goer or don’t follow religion you should still be able to understand the jokes. Brings back the memories! I can’t stop chuckling as I copy this into a post.
Don’t let worry kill you- let the church help
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community
Wednesday, the Ladies’ Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing Put Me in my Little Bed, accompanied by the pastor
Thursday, there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become little mothers, please see the minister in his study.
This being Easter Sunday, we ask that Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be What is Hell? Come early, and listen to our choir practise
The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children
The eight-graders will be performing Shakepeare’s Hamlet in the church basement on Friday. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
There seems to be some overlap but more funny REAL bloopers can be read at:
Our three-part series on recovery efforts following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami continues with an update from Sri Lanka.
In Sri Lanka, ChildFund National Director Guru Naik recalls 70 staff being redeployed and 1,000 community volunteers being mobilized to handle the humanitarian crisis five years ago. In the first three days following the tsunami, assistance was provided to 102,000 children and 12,000 adults who spontaneously gathered in makeshift shelters in the surrounding countryside.
Early childhood development activities, health and nutrition programs and child-centered spaces were top priorities.
In the five intervening years, the effort has shifted to reconstruction and rehabilitation activities, and reassessing the needs of the most vulnerable, still mostly children and women.
ChildFund was among the first responders following the tsunami.
To augment recovery, ChildFund Sri Lanka focused on civic work projects, micro-enterprise development to help communities reestablish their livelihoods and vocational training for youth in high-demand skills such as three-wheeler repair, cell phone repair, electrical wiring installation and pottery and Batik painting.
Today, the areas in which ChildFund Sri Lanka works have regained some degree of normalcy, Guru says. “Communities are happy and carry on their activities freely, and children enjoy the facilities now extended to them in a good environment.”
Tomorrow: Working in 35 villages, ChildFund India set up child-centered spaces, where children were given health care, nutrition and other creative activities to provide psychosocial support.
Today begins a three-part series on ChildFund’s recovery efforts in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India following the 2004 tsunami.
More than 200,000 people lost their lives on Dec. 26, 2004, when, without warning, a tsunami hit countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. ChildFund was among the first responders, attending to children’s needs, distributing emergency supplies and helping families and communities organize for survival and recovery.
Like most of you, I watched the catastrophe play out on television, shocked by the devastation across Asia, and moved to make a modest contribution to disaster relief. But as is often the case in the U.S., the media cycle moves on to keep pace with Americans’ notoriously short attention spans.
Since joining the staff of ChildFund this past year, I’ve happily come to realize that our organization has a long attention span in the wake of disasters. Our field staff in Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka recently updated me on the significant progress since the tsunami—and the continuing need to support children in the region.
Restarting sustainable livelihoods for devastated communities and helping children cope were the top priorities for ChildFund Indonesia in 2004. Immediate focus was placed on helping communities provide safe and healthy spaces for children, with special attention to orphans, children separated from their families and households headed by one parent or grandparents.
ChildFund Indonesia was able to assist communities with income-generating skills and improve educational opportunities for children with no access to schools. As schools were rebuilt, ChildFund established a mobile library to put books in the hands of children on a regular basis. Another program provided families with gardening tools, vegetable seeds and fertilizer. ChildFund also helped with the formation of “Self Help Groups” to start up small businesses and microenterprises within communities.
Today, community-based organizations and youth clubs continue to pave the way for improvements in education, child protection, nutrition and employment skills.
Tomorrow: Much work remains in a country still recovering from a 30-year military conflict and the deadly tsunami of 2004 — Sri Lanka.
These last few years I’ve been less and less organized. The result is last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve in search of one last doo-dad for stockings and boxes that realistically won’t be mailed until after the new year.
And each year I pledge to change. Stockpile little things early. Wrap gifts as I get them. Help the kids pick gifts when they aren’t arguing because one looked at the other.
(Seriously. What is it with siblings and looking at each other being a criminal offense?!)
Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get in the Christmas spirit.
I can’t say what finally triggered it, but driving down I-64 with Super G serenading me with Christmas songs probably worked in my favor.
She and JM3, in contrast, are always thrilled to pieces.
They pout if we don’t put up the tree on schedule (Thanksgiving weekend) or stop by the house with the millions of tacky lights.
They still leave cookies for Santa and smile with bugged eyes when the treats are gone Christmas Day. It’s magic that.
It seems that every day in the news, because our children are not employed, and that those who are overweight and unhealthy. There are discussed after the other, how much more difficult, our children are now compared with 20 or 30 years. Childhood diabetes is on the rise, and our children are the future risk of heart disease and other diseases due to overweight as a child.
Yes, things have changed greatly over the past 30 years. And thirty years before,People said the same thing. Our lives are evolving and technology play an important role in this development. Many families today are two income families both choice and as necessity.
Children today have a wealth of opportunities to them either now, were not available even 10 years ago, let alone 30 years ago. Is it bad? Of course not! Children love the Xbox and PS2 and challenging games that accompany it. How do you want your child to bemore active? They offer a choice of entertainment other than video games and television programs, which often pick up when going to the door.
It is easy to provide their children with activities in the summer – the days are longer, so more time to get home from work and outside with them. Pedal car is a return to a simpler time, children find that they look so cool, because many large, old old boxes that most children do not see in those days. Another way to ensure that yourChildren in motion is a ride on the toy that mom or dad Escalade or Hummer duplicates. Well, what a child does not love a ride on the way to a large baby lobster? Pretty cool stuff.
If you are lucky that the pool in the garden, your children probably beg her head out – whether it is warm enough or not. I remember when I was a little boy jumped into the pool and 60 degrees loved every minute. There are many pool toys available guaranteed to obtain and maintainTheir children in the pool for hours, clean, healthy fun. Please note, sunscreen often to avoid sun burns.
I bet that you can use a break. A good way to unwind and relax in the tent movement. It's a great activity for the whole family and really cheap. I know what it is – do you think that your idea of camping, Holiday Inn, right? To be a few dollars well spent to ensure that they are as comfortable as if you are camping in the hotel. My number oneRecommendation – pick up an inflatable mattress. They are actually very cheap to make a large difference in the level of comfort.
Get a tent large enough for the whole family. Camp is one of the safest places your children will always play. Let them enjoy their freedom and frying, the last marshmallows over the fire, they sleep in a tent and had to crawl like you do not see how sleeping after a long time. How happy the next morning, whenwake up and see mom or dad in their vicinity. Even one night camping can make a difference – for your children and you as well.
My parents took me camping when I was a kid, and I did with my daughters. Spend quality time with their children, can never be replaced and your children memories to last a lifetime.
Also there are video games in order. It's just a matter of considering all options to their children, and ensuring that allChoose to enjoy outdoor activities.
Josie has come down with a very rare disease called dermatomyositis which is an autoimmune disorder where her body attacks the capillary blood vessels of the skin and muscles. Her parents started a blog of updates on her…Stay updated at http://www.deebers.com/blog/josie_blog.html
My son was born a seventy-five year old man in a diaper. For this reason, he has never bought into the entire fat man in a red suit swishing down the chimney with a bag of elf-made presents; however, my daughter is a believer and will be until she’s well into adulthood. It’s not that she hasn’t been told the truth, she does live with the old man in footy pajamas, she just refuses to entertain the truth. I can’t blame her, the truth is boring. Besides it’s obviously beyond imagination that FringeMan and I could become jolly enough to buy a trunk load full of presents.
FringeKid lives in a world…
- where reindeer eat magic moss that makes them fly
- where Santa knows exactly what she’d love for Christmas, so she doesn’t even need to write him an item specific letter (No pressure Santa!)
- where loosing a tooth is as big an event as your birthday
- where a jolly, fat fella brings toys to all good girls and boys
I’m more than ok with that. She has the rest of her life to be a cynical adult, but right now she needs to enjoy her childhood for both herself and her brother.
Despite his sister’s Christmas excitement, the best ‘Santa’ story I’ve heard this year came from FringeBoy. With his sister out of earshot, FringeBoy began his story. His voice held the “you’re not gonna believe this silly girl, mom” tone of voice. It seems that a girl in his class still believes in Santa. Imagine that? In the FOURTH grade!
“She believes in Santa” he said, “but she doesn’t believe the elves make toys, because she found a price tag.”
Oops!
I’d better check for tags this year. I wouldn’t want to leave any red “CLEARANCE” stickers on a box.
Do you entertain fat men in red suits in your house? Or are you naturally so kind that your children actually believe that you would buy them presents?
Marysville, OH ~ The P family has such a beautifully decorated home especially at Christmastime. I’m probably going to get this wrong, but I think Em has 7 or 8 full trees throughout her home. You can see several of them in all the windows. It’s really a beautiful sight in the evening. I may have to drive by and snap a few shots to share with you.
I love the colors they chose for these holiday photos. Browns worked very well with Em’s decor.
I love this one. They were waiting patiently for me to set up the lights. It’s one of my favorites of the session.
Such a beautiful family!! Thanks for welcoming me into your home. Merry Christmas!!
Marysville, OH ~ I wish I had more clients like Baby M. It’s been so fun to photograph him when he was newly born, at 3 months and, now, at 6 months. Babies really do grow so quickly and I love to be able to get images of this rapidly changing stage of life. (Hint to M’s momma…I am looking forward to his 1st birthday session!)
The set up for this session was to get some Christmas images of his entire family, which I’ll post later on. Then, we would move on to just a one-on-one session with the little guy. He cooperated through 3 wardrobe changes throughout the session and even some “no wardrobe” shots. Personally, those are my favorites. I la la lava me some chubby, soft baby.
Here is Little “M” at 6 months:
Cute baby tush alert!
I tried a new action on this one…love the “milk and honey” look!
We were just about to get an outfit on him and end his “bare bottom” session when this happened.
I love it!!! So classic!!
I CAN.NOT wait until we meet again in 6 months. But, please, don’t grow up too soon, Little M.
yesterday’s k.t. blue art class had us hanging from the rafters! our featured artist was alexander calder (or “sonny” as he liked to be called…who knew?). other little known facts about sonny…he created his first sculpture at the age of 4, he worked for a toy manufacturer when he was young and now you can see those toys on display in a museum in Massachusetts, and he used to make jewelry for his sister’s dolls out of wire he found on the street outside of his house. we discussed calder’s use of different materials in his mobiles as well as his “stabiles” which were rooted to the ground but nevertheless featured movable parts.
to create our own mobiles (and because the spirit of the holidays was thick in the air seeing as it was the last day of school for all of the kids in the class) we made holiday mobiles. i rigged two blue plastic hangers together with silvery wire to make a star-like foundation for the mobile. i strung a piece of string from one end of the classroom to the other so the mobiles could be hanging which the children worked on them. then, the children were free to create their own vision of a holiday mobile from paper, tinsel, victorian santa cut-outs, shiny beads and snowflakes. some children opted to create a “wish mobile” in which they would attach little pieces of paper with their christmas wishes on them, i.e “dog”, “cookies” and, for one delightful child “kimodo dragon.” (mom, are you listening?)
more mobiles
the finished products were delightful and creative and festive. i’m really looking forward to putting together next years’ syllabus and incorporating some classic craft projects in as well, i.e. learning about native american basket weaving, victorian decoupage, etc.
before i forget, thank you to all of the children who have been this years’ k.t. blue art classes so fun and happy and whimsical and fulfilling. you are all my favorite artists…
I used to be quite good at Christmas. Amusing myself by styling my wrapping and decorations, planning a traditional yet seasonally appropriate menu, baking and decorating and making well in advance. Then when I had children, there was less time to think, plan and enjoy fussing with such things. Priorities changed, and I was more interested in creating memories for my son of the magic of Christmas. I would love to do more and actually feel disappointed that I haven’t as I realise with shock that there is less than a week until Christmas. Just because I had organised the tree, cards, wrapping and bought most of the gifts ahead of time, I smugly rested on my laurels. Until now, realising that I have no free days before Christmas (that is, I’m either working or looking after the children) I realise what I haven’t done.
Despite the advice of the carefully laid-out action plans of the lifestyle magazines, I have failed to do ANY Christmas baking or think about what we might need to buy for the day’s meals. I have not obtained gifts for my father or brother. There’s still bits and pieces to be wrapped that I always end up doing sneakily once their intended recipients are already in the house. I haven’t organised a much-needed haircut for goodness sake! And as for the shawl I’m knitting my mother, I just can’t seem to get time to work on it. Since returning to work, I feel that my life is a complete shambles.
But, ’tis not the season to dwell on the negatives. Good things I have done:
took Rex to see Santa. Yes, it was in a local shopping centre, but there was a spark of magic even there as he shyly sat next to the red and white-clad man and shared a whispered conversation.
enjoyed using hand-printed paper and recycled* ribbon to wrap gifts for dear friends. And allowing Rex to dispense and place the stickytape, even though this was bound to be slower and less neat than I would normally tolerate. (*note use of ribbon and bells salvaged from a certain Easter confectionery item).
made time before bedtime to sit on the couch with Rex with the Christmas tree lights on and talk about, at his repeated request, Christmas when I was little. Strangely he seems to fixate on the fact that I did not save any of the lollies I received as a child to share with him.
remembered to buy glace cherries. Not sure what for, but Christmas isn’t Christmas without them.
caught up with a few lovely friends. Morning tea at our place, and a lovely lunch here.
ordered new candles (the proper type) for my German candle pyramid, a Christmas favourite for the last few years since a friend who lived in Berlin at the time sent it to us. (My attempts in the past to substitute candles did not work, evidenced by the charred edges of the wooden windmill.)
actually sent out the Christmas cards
bought a new outfit for me from here. And earrings from this lovely lady. (…well, not sure if this counts as a good thing …)
And still to do:
convince myself that it is OK to purchase gifts for my father and brother at the supermarket
wrap up a stand-by gift for my mum
just get to and wrap up everything else I have got lying in wait
try and finish my granny twinkle garland
plan an antipasto Christmas day lunch to consume with prosecco, and leave the turkey for Boxing Day at my parents’ place.
contribute to our annual Oxfam gift at work, where instead of buying gifts for workmates, we all put in for a goat or such-like.
So some days are high learning days, and others aren’t. I can deal with that. Sounds like … real life.
unstructured play
painted - I introduced the word ‘texture’ for the first time
“name that Christmas tune” from snatches of the melody
went swimming – Lia swam on her back, Amelie floated
Something to add to yesterday’s list – Lia learned about playing games honestly. In their game of go fish, Grandma asked for a Lion and was told to go fish. Then Lia proceeded to ask for a Lion. Grandma told her that she couldn’t do that, that wasn’t following the rules. And then they sat there in silence, letting Lia absorb the situation and its ramifications. (Hey, lesson learned without a long lecture! Good parenting tip!)
It’s also a developmental milestone, for her to think ahead and play some sort of “strategy” (moral value of said strategy notwithstanding). That’s a long ways logically-speaking from Amelie’s current stage of announcing every card she receives.
First Lady Michelle Obama praised the soldiers and volunteers who worked on the Marine Corps program.
First Lady Michelle Obama visits the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toy for Tots warehouse in Stafford, VA to deliver some of the more than 500 toys collected during a White House drive. The program helps make sure needy children have something to unwrap on Christmas morning. The first lady was told about an abundance of toys for younger children. She asked the public to think about needy older children when shopping for toys to donate.
more about "The First Lady Delivers Toys for Tots…", posted with vodpod
Murder, sex and racism - too much for a nine year old?
Last weekend I saw a great production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Second Story Theater in Warren, Rhode Island. In spite of myself, having read the book numerous times, I found myself hoping, even believing, that Tom Robinson would be acquitted. No such luck.
I think the power of “Mockingbird” lies in its point of view – momentous events are seen through the eyes of a child. As such, they have much more power and effect than if they were presented from the point of view of some jaded adult.
But is this a story a kid can understand? Are their really kids like Scout – with so much fortitude and perception? What are they capable of processing?
After the play, I had a discussion with Janice Okoomian, a friend whose son was in the play (the kids were great – kudos to director Mark Peckham) and we talked about what elementary school-aged kids understood about the play. Initially, she watched her son Arek carefully as the play was in rehearsal, wondering how he would process and interpret the events portrayed– events which include murder, rape and the outward expression of a violent racism. She was unsure how much he would understand, and how much she would have to explain. How much should a kid know? Mark, the director, assured her after a couple of weeks of rehearsal that Arek “understood absolutely everything”. But even that presents a question – what does it mean to say he understood everything? Who does?
It left me thinking about what children can handle, and when they can handle it.
Arek is a bright kid, raised by very intelligent parents who treat him with respect. Thre’s a large amount of trust involved in letting a kid be in a play like “Mockingbird”. Still, it’s a lot for a nine or ten year old to handle. In that respect, Arek is a kid like Scout, growing up in the same environment as Scout – Atticus treats the children in his life with respect, dignity, and high expectations. In both cases, the children rise to the occasion, and are better for it.
But I’m thinking that a lot of this has to do with context – you don’t subject kids unnecessarily to gratuitous violence or cruelty, but when it happens, you make sure you’re there for them, helping to place those events and experiences in a broader setting. In the case of theater and story, the moral aspect of the work is incredibly important for a children’s understanding and ability to cope– one reason “Mockingbird” has such resonance with us is its incredible moral dimension. There is no outright victory for justice (a hard lesson for all of us), but there’s never a question of who the heroes are. This is not a cut and dried morality, either, but instead the difficult task of developing a sense of what’s important in life and standing up for it. In the case of “Mockingbird”, it’s Atticus’s explanation that “he couldn’t live with himself” if he didn’t defend Tom Robinson. Kids understand that much, and love Atticus for it – and they see what comes from acting on that belief. Being true to one’s self is no easy road, but Atticus Finch gives us a road map. I know more than one lawyer doing public service work who’s a lawyer because of Atticus Finch.
I also think that Arek and other kids like him (Scout included) will come to understand as much as they need to, and not more. When the pieces of the puzzle don’t fit together, they’ll make a new puzzle. Hopefully, with our help.
Exposing kids to this kind of experience and engaging in the following conversation is challenging and time-consuming. And it’s a totally different approach from that of a mother a librarian friend told me about – the mom was upset that her children were reading Captain Underpants, but willingly took her first grade daughter to see Twilight.
What’s wrong with that picture?
She was no Atticus Finch.
I just got this email from one of our former students in Zababdeh. I’m giving $25 and hope you will consider doing the same:
Dear Friends,
The Middle Eastern Student Association at North Park University invites you to share the most joyous time of the year with Palestinian children and their families. We hope that you will be able to put a smile on at least one Palestinian child this coming Christmas.
The most valid description of Palestinian children is that they are sad, and angry. They are also tense and vigilant. Many are without a smile. These children have learned the language and the meaning of the occupation. Not every child is humiliated by Israeli soldiers or told that his or her life is worthless. The environment, however, sends this message loud and clear.
With your help in 2006 and 2007, we were able to provide Christmas gifts for over 400 Christian and Muslim families in the areas of Zababdeh and Jenin, Palestine.
This year, we hope to provide gifts for 500 families. We kindly ask for your donation of $20-25 that would provide a gift for a family. A Palestinian student from North Park University will be traveling to Palestine this December to buy and distribute food and gifts to families in this troubled land.
Sincerely,
Anis Said
Tax-deductible contributions are being accepted now. Checks should be made payable to:
North Park University (with Christmas in Palestine in the memo section)
Box Number 52
North Park University
3225 W. Foster Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60625
To become an effective non-profit organization that is able to be self-supporting, we need to discuss and decide what sorts of initiatives and programs the Council will support. Simply saying that we all want peace is not enough.
Basic idea for the Home Page
About Us page
Our Programs page
Our Mission page
You’ll note that on the Our Programs page that I’ve listed several ideas. The first, the Clean Water Project, would be directed toward obtaining between 10,000 to 100,000 FirstNeed water filters from General Ecology, the best of their kind. Each FirstNeed water filter can effectively remove bacterial pathogens, viruses, chemicals and pesticides from 150 gallons of even the most contaminated water, providing clean water for many people. The filters can then be backwashed with a bleach solution and be used again, before eventually needing to be replaced.
We could distribute these water filters in concert with Phil Sauers’s Water Not Weapons organization, Pierre Leroy’s Haitian People’s Support Project and the Clinton Foundation, to the Haitian communities where potable water is a scarce commodity—and many people die from contaminated water, not just in Haiti, but around the world. Without water, there is no life—nearly 30,000 people die daily because of lack of access to clean water. Without water, there can be no peace. This would be a worthwhile effort for the Council to pursue. A hundred-thousand of these filters could provide clean water for up to 500,000 people for a year.
You’ll also note that the Student Sponsorship Program on the Our Programs page. It would be possible to send an area student abroad in partnership with Cross Cultural Solutions, a non-profit organization working for the benefit of the poor in 12 different countries around the world. We’d need to work out the details in regards to how best promote this, but CSS spends 91 percent of funds on their programs. This is the same ratio I’d like to see for the Woodstock Council.
The Council could get donations for this purpose. CCS volunteers make a meaningful contributions, working side-by-side with local people and sharing in the goals of a community that warmly welcomes them.
The cost to sponsor sending a volunteer abroad (2 to 12 weeks)—ranges from US $2,784 upwards. Volunteers gain college credits through participation in the program.
Cross-Cultural Solutions has volunteer programs in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania and Thailand.
The other programs listed are starting points; I’m sure that you all have ideas about what would be most effective. The World Peace Concerts is Jack’s idea, and he’ll tell you what his plans are in this regard. The main point, though, is that we have to have unique and effective programs if we are to gain people’s interest and donations.
I’ve also sent some banner ads and buttons; these would appear on targeted websites that fit the demographic model for potential donors and members. This is a low-cost and effective means of advertising.
Button Web Ad
The website pages I’ve sent are just a rough idea of how the site might look, obviously, there will be many sub-pages, and hundreds of hours of work required to make this a reality. Please note that anyone can register and sign in, but the Join button at the lower left will take the user to a secure e-commerce page; I suggest that the cost of membership be $10.00; and I think the Council should put this up for a vote tonight.
These are my thoughts, and I thank you for allowing me to share them with you.
The Duggar family in January, 2009 with the 18th child, Jordyn-Grace Makiya. (TLC)
Josie Brooklyn Dugger made her very early arrival on Dec 10th, 2009. She weighed 1lb 6oz and is reported to be doing well in the neonatal unit at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
The family has my thoughts and prayers for both mother and child at this time.
With that said, I have to say I am shocked!!
I have been reading the message boards and blogs about this like most of the world. I am appalled at the HATE directed at this tiny baby and her parents. I’ve read wishes that “this child die so the parents stop popping out kids”. I’ve read where people feel they have the right to say they have enough children. I’ve seen posts about how they are using their religion to justify having more children….and to justify putting rules in place for the children they already have.
Come on people, wake up! They are self supporting and were self supporting before TLC. They are not sitting back and collecting tax dollars and making babies for the raise in checks. They take care of their own. How can anybody have so much HATE for this family, they’d wish this child death? What exactly did this newborn infant do to you? For that matter, what did this family ever do to you?
They is plenty of things I do not “like” that is out there in internetland. Michael Jackson, Tiger Woods are the two top ones I can think of at the moment. Do what I do when I see the headline screaming yet another idiot statement about the life and times of….(fill in the blank)…I DON’T CLICK ON IT! I don’t watch Nancy Grace when she carries on about Tiger and his women, I have a remote and it works! One thing I do not do is wish them or their children death. Honestly!
One word people….Karma. It is horrible when it hits.
You knew it was coming… We’ve seen calls to regulate everything from the energy-efficiency of televisions to what we eat. Now Canadian writer Diane Francis is calling for a planetary one child policy like China’s. From her Financial Post piece:
“China has proven that birth restriction is smart policy. Its middle class grows, all its citizens have housing, health care, education and food, and the one out of five human beings who live there are not overpopulating the planet.”
This is insane on so many levels I hardly know where to begin.
Is this a liberal female making a statement about the reproductive rights of other women? Shouldn’t someone be taking away her membership card for this transgression? After decades of liberals trumpeting the untouchable rights of women to determine their own reproductive choices? Jonah Goldberg writes in NationalReviewOnline:
Imagine if someone wrote an op-ed saying that we need a planetary ban on abortion. Feminists would get their dresses over their heads in outrage about such a naked assault on “reproductive freedom.”
Indeed. But you have to remember, those staunch abortion rights supporters have never been about “reproductive freedom” — they’re about “abortion freedom”. From the beginning of the abortion fight there have been those who claim to support choice for all women while deriding women whose choice is motherhood. Many of the same feminists who say reproduction should be an individual decision have been beside themselves at Sarah Palin’s decision to have five children – one of them special needs, no less.
When President Obama appointed John Holdren “science czar”, the blogosphere exploded with the news that Holdren was in favor of forced abortions, birth control in the drinking water and mass sterilizations. This was immediately dismissed by the left. “That was in the 70’s! And that’s not what he said!” (Never mind that thanks to Zombie, we can read exactly what he said… And he did say it.)
Now we see what many of us suspected. Some (I’d guess many) on the left do think this is a peachy idea. It’s one more addition to the list of controls they’d like. And of course, a “planetary” one child law would require a “planetary” government to enforce it, another goal many of us have long suspected.
May I make a suggestion to those of you who would support such a disgusting policy? You go first.
That’s right. Go get sterilized. Let’s exercise our “reproductive choice” here. You go get sterilized, and leave the rest of us to make our choice. (I’ve made mine. As a parent of six, I’ll not apologize for a one of them.)
And while we’re talking about choosing, seems Ms. Francis has some choices of her own to make. You see, according to her bio Diane Francis (who claims to be conservative) has TWO children.
Well, Ms. Francis… I hereby request you put your money where your mouth is.
Pick one.
My three-year old daughter is a lot like me, shy and reserved (unlike her older siblings). But when she comes out of her shell she’s very funny. Last Christmas my daughter received a dancing Brobee doll, from the show Yo Gabba Gabba (which even as an adult I love, though we don’t get in on our non-cable TV). Many days Brobee sits in my daughter’s room by her door, just hanging out. She’ll say ‘hi’ to him, pet him on the head, maybe give him the occasional hug. But the real fun begins when Brobee and my daughter start dancing.
Here’s something to get you in the mood for the fun weekend ahead. Happy Friday!
I continue to be devastated when a hear about women that have voluntary cesareans. I’m really struggling to understand what they are thinking when they make the decision to do this. Are they afraid of the pain of natural child birth? Do they think it’s more dangerous to have a child naturally? Do they not want to stretch their “you know what”? Do they want to “fit it in” to their schedule?….I just don’t know and I really don’t get it!!
As a woman we are given a few very special gifts. We are given the gift of growing a brand new human being inside ourselves, the gift of bringing it into this world in a beautiful way and the gift of feeding it from ourselves in it’s earliest life. The woman’s body and the baby itself are all designed to perfectly compliment these… and each of these gifts are the most special and amazing things that we as women can experience in our life!
The process of natural child birth is so right…the excitement and pain of the mother’s contractions stimulate her and get her psychologically ready for the baby(often to the point of “just get this bloody thing out of me!”) with the change from having the baby inside of us to having the baby outside of us, as well as physically ready to feed the baby. The baby itself is stimulated through the process of the birth preparing it physically through the massaging of all parts of it’s body during the birthing process and mentally “waking it up” to the new world. What could be more perfect!
I’ll never forget the incredible sensation of my babies “slipping out of me”. Yes, there was a hell of a lot of pain to get to that point but the final feeling of them coming out I will never forget…it was so beautiful. This is the only time in a humans life when great pain is rewarded with something so, so, so much more! Think about it…if we didn’t need to go through so much pain to receive our child…would we really value it as much?, would we really value ourselves so much?, would we have the right to feel so proud and for our husbands to be proud of us?…even the pain plays a critical role in the whole wondrous experience.
When did women get so weak that we fear a little pain??!!….especially when it’s for a short time only(what’s a day in our life!) and with such an incredible reward.
I really just feel so sorry for those that choose to take the easy way out…they don’t know and will never know what they have missed!
P.S. I am definitely NOT against emergency cesareans. These are needed and we should embrace and be thankful for the medical advancements that enabled such a procedure to save mothers and babies lives.
My husband has taken to churning our own ice cream. He does this both as homage to the fifth food group and in order to provide a treat that all the children can eat. We make it without eggs for the oldest and youngest and with honey instead of sugar for the middle child. It is time consuming and expensive, but it is a labor of love.
The children adore it. Well, the boys adore it. Lilah doesn’t quite see the point. Zachary, on the other hand, takes tiny little bites, making his bowl last at least fifteen minutes. Benjamin, although he takes enormous bites, can make his bowl last that long, too. This is because he gets up in the middle to pee. By the time he returns to the room, he has forgotten why he was coming back to the table. He sees magna tiles on the floor. He gets agitated because his building of two hours before has been destroyed. He decides to build a new one, this time a rocket with some sort of side pod on it. It requires Tinker Toys for scaffolding.
“Benjamin, are you going to finish this ice cream?” I ask him. He completely ignores me. “Benjamin, please answer me. Can I have the rest of your ice cream?”
“No!”
“Then please come finish it.”
“No! I’m building something.”
“Then I am going to take it away.”
“No!”
“Look, child,” I say. “Either you are eating ice cream or you are building something. The ice cream is turning to soup.” To him, of course, there is no earthly reason why the ice cream should not exist in a state of suspended animation while he pursues his goal of the moment. He will return to the ice cream when he is ready, and it will be just as he left it.
Such is the thought process of a three-year-old.
To him, there is nothing of importance other than whatever is currently of importance. Sometimes, it is endearing, such as when he constructs an imaginary world of boats and dangerous creatures out of the cushions on the couch. Other times, it is life-threatening, as when he turns to comment upon the door of the house we are passing, forgetting the Golden Rule: when riding a bike, always face forward. In fact, we try to encourage facing forward as sort of a goal for him. When walking through a room, face forward to watch for walls instead of looking behind to see where your sister is. When descending the stairs, face forward to gauge the distance to the next step, rather than turning to tell us all about the possible existence of dragons in the attic. When standing at the toilet, well, kiddo, please, please, just face forward.
I clear the melted ice cream, causing him to shriek and run to the table. I give back the ice cream. He sits down. Then, he starts to wail.
“I need more ice cream!” Sometimes, the ice cream is on Eastern Standard Time.
Little Nathan along with Angus McBagpipes or McMillion, his name since the recent accident and racked up vet bills due to his tire bitiong obsession. They two are shown here chillin’ in the studio. Nathan is the youngest brother to Seth, 8 and Hailey, 5 who all came in to get portraits done for Christmas. As soon as I saw this image, I could not help but laugh. The two were the action Jackson’s on the the session and were very fun to work with. I am looking forward to who ever wins the Pet basket at the school, as they will be awarded the gift certificate for a pet photo session. Looking forward to a horse coming into the studio!
While I was driving back from the stables today the children were discussing weighty subjects in the backseat. I overheard the C-Man say to Princess O “you know the future just keeps rolling on ahead of us. It’s weird”.
The Princess replied, “You know what’s really weird about the future? How quickly it becomes the past. For example I’m about to say eggplant”.
Then she pronounced in a very loud voice “EGGPLANT”. ”There” she continued, “now you can only remember me saying eggplant, because I already said it.”
I swear listening to them is like listening to a Salvador Dali painting.
Those who knew Jim Rohn or who had the opportunity to hear him speak were very lucky. I always wanted to meet him because of his way of bringing out the best in a person was my inspiration to become a speaker which I am still trying to accomplish and I know I will. To the best speaker and motivator ever Rest in peace sir.
“The good we want comes to us through recognizable channels, not magic tricks so why try to believe it is magic
Most people want to change, but find that their old conditioning comes back to frustrate them, no matter how hard they try. Well,
affirmations are an excellent way to break that vicious cycle. So if really want to make a difference in your life and those close to you then go to this website and just spend a few minutes.
http://www.tviexpress.com/santini1
Health Insurance, Reform Causing Stress Among Americans
Submitted by Deborah Mitchell on Dec 5th, 2009
If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, and annoyance whenever you think or talk about health insurance or health reform, you are not alone. A new survey from Misericordia University and Braun Research finds that the health care reform debate is a cause of stress and annoyance among most Americans.
The health care reform debate has been going on for much too long for many Americans, and it is affecting their mental and emotional health. To better understand how Americans are feeling about and reacting to these issues, Misericordia University conducted their first Health Care in America Survey. The survey questioned more than 1,000 Americans between November 6 and 16, 2009 on issues around health insurance, the effect of health care debate on their individual relationships and household budgets, as well as who Americans trust the most for information on the topic.
The researchers found that because of their concerns about health care, Americans plan to spend less on holiday gifts and are experiencing an increased amount of tension. Their primary worries around health care reform include the cost to future generations, the impact it will have on the federal deficit, how much out-of-pocket expenses are going to impact them, and the accessibility of quality health care coverage.
Other findings of the survey include that nearly 25 percent of Americans say they would consider withholding information from an insurance company if they feared it might limit their ability to access health care. People who consider their views to be “very liberal” are more likely than others to withhold such information or stretch the truth about their family’s and their personal medical history.
The survey also revealed that families and doctors are the most trusted sources of information about health care reform, that nearly 25 percent of Americans are taking fewer sick days at work, and that more than 90 percent of Americans like the health insurance they have now. However, about one-third of Americans do not take advantage of preventive health testing or screenings even when they are available through their current coverage.
One-third of Americans are afraid they might lose their health insurance, and 10 percent of Americans have been forced to drop their health insurance. All of these issues add up to a majority of Americans feeling either annoyed, stressed, or frustrated by the ongoing health care debate. Adults who are nearing retirement tend to feel more stress, anger, and helplessness than their younger counterparts.
Michael MacDowel, EdD, president of Misericordia University, notes that as the debate continues about health insurance and health care reform, “it is paramount that we keep in mind the impact that this process is having on individual Americans.” It is conceivable that the longer the uncertainties about health reform go on and people are worried about their health insurance coverage, that levels of stress, frustration, and annoyance will rise.
SOURCE:
Misericordia University news release, Dec. 4, 2009
The Passing of a Legend
With great sadness we share that Jim Rohn, our mentor and friend, left us December 5, 2009 for a better place.
Over the past 18 months, in his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis, Jim assured us with a smile that all is good, that he would fight until the last breath, yet he had no fear as to what would be next. Jim’s faith was as much a part of his life as his desire to inspire and challenge us all to be the best we could be and to live our dreams.
Jim’s courage in his final months and days were a testament to his message that we should all fight the good fight. He never gave up and never gave in.
Jim Rohn touched millions of lives over the past 46 years through his seminars, books, articles and CDs. He always stayed long after an event to shake hands, take pictures and sign autographs. He loved making a difference in people’s lives, that was his passion and inspiration. Yet he was also a private man who kept a small, loyal and caring inner circle. He was a tremendous friend to those who knew him.
Harold Dyke, long time close friend of Jim’s for over 55 years said it best, “As Jim is ending one life he is simultaneously being birthed into a new life. One that he has talked about over the years and anticipated with great joy in his last remaining days.”
Kyle Wilson, long time colleague and friend of Jim had this to say about his mentor, “Jim Rohn was a great human being. Jim had the rare ability to take any concept or idea and then frame it in such a way that the rest of us could see it more clearly. His wisdom and insights positively affected everyone he touched on some level and to so many of us it was in an extraordinary way. But even more impressive was Jim Rohn the man. He possessed style and charisma, yet was humble, kind and understated to all who knew him. I find myself every day reflecting, benefiting and passing on the wisdom and ideas that are rooted in Jim’s message and wisdom. Jim is irreplaceable on every level. I will miss him beyond words, but am comforted as I know he was, that his message and legacy will live on and positively change millions of lives over the years to come!”
Someone once said “when you are born you enter the world crying while everyone else is rejoicing and when you die hopefully you have lived such a life that everyone will be crying while you are rejoicing”. Jim Rohn lived such a life.
Jim’s family asked us to thank all of you for your concern, prayers and love toward their father and grandfather, which has been so evident during the past 18 months.
Darren Hardy, dedicated student and Jim Rohn protégé for more than 15 years, said of Jim, “He was the most influential man in my life, second only to my father. Jim cemented my philosophical foundation and nourished my mind with ideas and ambitions never before imagined. He chiseled my character seminar by seminar, tape by tape, book by book, then CD by CD, hour by hour. Jim emboldened my belief, in me and in my most daring dreams. When I fell and was bloodied, he was there with encouraging words to help me get back up. When I didn’t think I could go on, Jim convinced me I was stronger than I imagined. When I wanted a shortcut, he reminded me there aren’t any. Even when I got too caught up in trying to achieve and succeed, Jim compelled me to leave room to live, to laugh and to love.”
Stuart Johnson, business associate and long-time admirer, said, “I was first introduced to the philosophies and teachings of Jim Rohn almost 25 years ago. And he made an immediate impression on me. I was amazed by how this modest and unassuming man could communicate such an extraordinarily powerful message in simple and straightforward terms. In person, one-on-one, he was as humble and down-to-earth as he was in front of an audience of thousands. I will treasure my personal memories of Jim and know that I will forever benefit from the wisdom of this remarkable man.”
There will be a private funeral held in the coming days. Plans and details are also being arranged for a Public Memorial Service to be held in the Los Angeles area in the coming weeks. Details will be announced upon final confirmation.
We know Mr. Rohn is looking down on us at this very moment with a smile saying I did it, I gave it my all, I went for it, now it’s your turn. Go for it. Make your life a life worth living well!
View a special tribute to Jim below produced earlier this year and debuted at the March 2009 SUCCESS Symposium. You are also encouraged to post your thoughts and remembrances of Jim on the Memorial Wall below.
Jim fondly closed his programs with the following sentiments: “I go with you in all the experience that we’ve had. But I promise you this as we leave here: I will not leave you behind. I’ll take you with me in my thoughts and in my heart.”
HAPPINESS
Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want.
Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design.
How sad to see a father with money and no joy. The man studied economics, but never studied happiness.
The greatest source of unhappiness comes from inside.
Happiness is the art of learning how to get joy from your substance.
Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.
Most people want to change, but find that their old conditioning comes back to frustrate them, no matter how hard they try. Well,
affirmations are an excellent way to break that vicious cycle. So if really want to make a difference in your life and those close to you then go to this website and just spend a few minutes.
http://www.tviexpress.com/santini1
Your reality is shaped by your beliefs, thoughts, and previous experiences. Your reality is a function of your consciousness. Current experiences, of course, further shape or prove or disprove your thoughts and beliefs that redefine your reality. Thoughts and beliefs work on all levels of your consciousness. Some beliefs you are aware of enough to articulate, others you become aware of as you think or talk, if you listen to yourself. Others are inherited or cultural; many beliefs are taught as facts in school and elsewhere. It is helpful to remember for every thought that exists, its opposite or absence also exists. It can be very empowering to recognize that you choose your thoughts from among the myriad of possibilities.
There is no real barrier keeping you from perceiving some of the aspects of these unknown realities except the limitations you place on yourselves. As you grow and evolve psychically, you will be able to experience more and more phenomenon that is now invisible to you and these other counterparts of your identity will eventually become known to you.
Discover The Greatest Secrets Of The Mind And Reality That Will Get You Anything You Desire, Almost Like Magic! If you want to FINALLY experience the COMPLETE Manifestation of All the Miracles, Success, Wealth, Health, Love and Happiness that you have always dreamed of… then register as member of Mind Reality now!
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New Year’s Eve.
These last few years I’ve been less and less organized. The result is last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve in search of one last doo-dad for stockings and boxes that realistically won’t be mailed until after the new year.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get in the Christmas spirit.
Josie has come down with a very rare disease called dermatomyositis which is an autoimmune disorder where her body attacks the capillary blood vessels of the skin and muscles. Her parents started a blog of updates on her…
Stay updated at http://www.deebers.com/blog/josie_blog.html
Despite his sister’s Christmas excitement, the best ‘Santa’ story I’ve heard this year came from FringeBoy. With his sister out of earshot, FringeBoy began his story. His voice held the “you’re not gonna believe this silly girl, mom” tone of voice. It seems that a girl in his class still believes in Santa. Imagine that? In the FOURTH grade!
To the Council:
