We've all gotten and dialed the "wrong number." But what is usually a rare occurrence, is the norm at our house - receiving them that is. There is a doctors office in town that has the last 4 digits of our phone number and the first three digits are the same except the last digit. Ours is 533. The doctors office is 535.
We receive, on average, 5 "wrong numbers" a week. After assessing that I do not know the phone number and/or person calling from the caller ID, I sometimes answer and other times I just let the answering machine get it. I figure that the person calling will soon figure it out they called the wrong number once they hear my voice on the answering machine. If I do answer, I make sure that the person calling is corrected on their mistake and I hope and pray they will not repeat their careless error. After I correct the person calling, I immediately get, "You must get this a lot." Yeah. A LOT!
I've thought about calling the doctors office to please ask them to make sure their clients dial the right number, but it's really not their fault is it. I can see how people do dial the wrong number, but the frequency in which receive them makes me think that people are downright off in space half the time.
All the wrong numbers are really not too much a nuisance, except for the one day we had 7. It's more of a mild annoyance. I am thankful for caller ID so I can "screen" the wrong numbers. If I was answering all the wrong numbers, that would be a MAJOR annoyance!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
voter guide
In just one week, America will choose a new President. If you are unsure of where the candidates stand, you can go to this website, http://www.frcaction.org/ , and click on the voter guide link.
And...be sure to get out and vote next Tuesday! If you don't, don't complain, and don't leave your choice to someone else.
And...be sure to get out and vote next Tuesday! If you don't, don't complain, and don't leave your choice to someone else.
Friday, October 24, 2008
choice or conviction
Continuing on with my conscience vs. compelled voting analysis, there are people who will vote for a candidate by choice rather than conviction. The 2008 election will be seen as an historic election - we will either elect the first black President or the first women vice-president.
After listening to hours of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Neil Bortz, I have heard that there are those who are CHOOSING to vote for a candidate simply because they want to be in on possible "history making." Those people have thrown out CONVICTIONS and principles and have CHOSEN to vote in order to be popular.
There are also those who are blinded by race. They are going to vote either for their race or against a race.
How sad we as a democratic nation have become when we vote to be popular over what we may believe. And how sad, to simply choose to vote for a candidate of the same race as you.
After listening to hours of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Neil Bortz, I have heard that there are those who are CHOOSING to vote for a candidate simply because they want to be in on possible "history making." Those people have thrown out CONVICTIONS and principles and have CHOSEN to vote in order to be popular.
There are also those who are blinded by race. They are going to vote either for their race or against a race.
How sad we as a democratic nation have become when we vote to be popular over what we may believe. And how sad, to simply choose to vote for a candidate of the same race as you.
conscience or compelled
The right to vote is one of the fundamental rights in our society. It's our duty as citizens to get out and vote, EVERY time there is an election.
I also believe that each individual should be informed on the candidates which should result in an individual voting their conscience. Did you catch the "should?" This election, I can't vote my conscience, at least not 100% of it. I like Palin, but dislike McCain; however, McCain is the lesser of two evils. It's unfortunate that we are bound by the monopoly of a two party system giving us only two viable candidates.
I am COMPELLED to vote for McCain even though my CONSCIENCE does not like or approve of many of the policies he has backed in the past. I KNOW that an Obama Presidency would weaken, if not destroy, the basic foundations our country and weaken our standing in the world.
I have friends who plan to vote their conscience. I also know their consciences do not fall in line with McCain or Obama. But consider this, every vote NOT for McCain is a vote FOR Obama. Do you really want a socialistic President who will "spread the wealth around," or a President who has sat under a pastor spewing hate for America and is friends with terrorists?
I believe if you do not want our country to be weakened to it's very core, you will find yourself COMPELLED to vote for McCain. He's not perfect. But let's be honest, has there ever been a candidate you have agreed with 100%?
I also believe that each individual should be informed on the candidates which should result in an individual voting their conscience. Did you catch the "should?" This election, I can't vote my conscience, at least not 100% of it. I like Palin, but dislike McCain; however, McCain is the lesser of two evils. It's unfortunate that we are bound by the monopoly of a two party system giving us only two viable candidates.
I am COMPELLED to vote for McCain even though my CONSCIENCE does not like or approve of many of the policies he has backed in the past. I KNOW that an Obama Presidency would weaken, if not destroy, the basic foundations our country and weaken our standing in the world.
I have friends who plan to vote their conscience. I also know their consciences do not fall in line with McCain or Obama. But consider this, every vote NOT for McCain is a vote FOR Obama. Do you really want a socialistic President who will "spread the wealth around," or a President who has sat under a pastor spewing hate for America and is friends with terrorists?
I believe if you do not want our country to be weakened to it's very core, you will find yourself COMPELLED to vote for McCain. He's not perfect. But let's be honest, has there ever been a candidate you have agreed with 100%?
Monday, October 20, 2008
My Punkin
Last year, my cup of Joe and I visited a local pumpkin patch. We had just moved to the area and it was something for us to do to get acquainted with the locals and the area. I was 3 months pregnant with our little Espresso and we bought a daddy pumpkin, mommy pumpkin and a pumpkin for our little baby.
We returned this weekend, with our Espresso - I've been calling him my little punkin lately. We, hubby and I, had a lot more fun that our pumpkin, but it was rather sentimental for us returning with our little boy. We helped him pick out his pumpkin all the while pretending HE really picked it out. I just can't wait for him to be old enough to really pick out his own pumpkin and helping him carve his Jack O'Lantern. Oh...so much to look forward too!
We returned this weekend, with our Espresso - I've been calling him my little punkin lately. We, hubby and I, had a lot more fun that our pumpkin, but it was rather sentimental for us returning with our little boy. We helped him pick out his pumpkin all the while pretending HE really picked it out. I just can't wait for him to be old enough to really pick out his own pumpkin and helping him carve his Jack O'Lantern. Oh...so much to look forward too!
Waiting for teeth!
Our little Espresso has been drooling like a dog since he was 2 months old. He's been gnawing and been uncharacteristically fussy since month 4. We are now in month 6 and I'm waiting for teeth! I WANT TO SEE THEM. I've never wanted something SO BAD. And why? I guess I want all the drooling, all the gnawing and all the fussing to mean something. I know it means something, BUT I want to see the results! I keep saying, "2 weeks. We'll see something in 2 weeks." After saying that for 2 months, I guess I should start saying "2 months!"
I know it can't be long, but I'm so impatient.
I know it can't be long, but I'm so impatient.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Brainwashing
I'm a Packer fan. Being born and bred in Wisconsin in a football loving family, it's rather hard NOT to be a Packer fan.
So...naturally, I want to pass on my love of the Packers to my son, right? I have begun brainwashing my little Espresso into being a Packer fan. I have no help from Daddy who could care less about football, so it's all up to me. And thankfully, since Daddy does not have a favorite team, I have a clear road to brainwash our boy into being a Packer fan.
How I'm doing so far?
So...naturally, I want to pass on my love of the Packers to my son, right? I have begun brainwashing my little Espresso into being a Packer fan. I have no help from Daddy who could care less about football, so it's all up to me. And thankfully, since Daddy does not have a favorite team, I have a clear road to brainwash our boy into being a Packer fan.
How I'm doing so far?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What NASA has done for us.
NASA is celebrating 50 years. (Happy Birthday NASA!) Space launches are not big news any more. In fact, can we name the last shuttle launch? Hmmm... However, they still send astronauts into space and we know the main reason they go into space is for research, testing and to learn more about our solar system. Little did WE know that there has been so much more that these trips have provided for us in our every day lives. As printed in the Huntsville Times, here are just a few:
- Air-cushioned running shoes - Using NASA space helmet technology, a former NASA engineer pitched a shoe to Nike with hollow soles filled with shock-absorbing technology. You know it as Nike-Air.
- Better cosmetics - Estee Lauder used similar image-enhancing techniques to better analyze cosmetics. The result? More subtle and effective makeup.
- The infrared ear thermometer - Modern moms have no idea how hard it was to get little Cody's temp just a few decades ago. instead of sticking a thermometer heaven knows where and trying to hold it there, today they touch an infrared thermometer to the ear and get a reading.
- Artificial limb technology - NASA funding, combined with NASA innovations in robotics and shock absorption, have now given us prostheses with the look and feel of skin outside and artificial muscles systems underneath
- Solar panels - Green living got easier because NASA in the 1980's grew silicon crystals in a lab that can convert sunlight into electricity Today's solar panels use the same technology.
- Home blood pressure kits - NASA needed a way to monitor the effects of lift off on an astronauts blood pressure. The kids developed for that formed the basis for the personal kids seen everywhere today.
- Better baby food - Commercial baby formula now contains a nutrient enrichment that dates back to NASA-funded research into the potential of algae as a recycling agent. The products life's DHA and life's ARA, which came from this research, are now in 90% of all commercial baby formulas.
- Better sunglasses - As the Belfast Telegraph noted, the special carbon coating NASA invented to protect astronauts helmets from space particle scratches is now a standard feature of modern shades. A modified form has since been used by many manufacturers including Ray-Ban, since 1980.
- Better golf balls - Wilson, the worlds largest golf-ball manufacturer, claims its balls fly farther than other because the company used aerodynamic research developed by NASA to change the dimple pattern.
THANK YOU NASA
- Air-cushioned running shoes - Using NASA space helmet technology, a former NASA engineer pitched a shoe to Nike with hollow soles filled with shock-absorbing technology. You know it as Nike-Air.
- Better cosmetics - Estee Lauder used similar image-enhancing techniques to better analyze cosmetics. The result? More subtle and effective makeup.
- The infrared ear thermometer - Modern moms have no idea how hard it was to get little Cody's temp just a few decades ago. instead of sticking a thermometer heaven knows where and trying to hold it there, today they touch an infrared thermometer to the ear and get a reading.
- Artificial limb technology - NASA funding, combined with NASA innovations in robotics and shock absorption, have now given us prostheses with the look and feel of skin outside and artificial muscles systems underneath
- Solar panels - Green living got easier because NASA in the 1980's grew silicon crystals in a lab that can convert sunlight into electricity Today's solar panels use the same technology.
- Home blood pressure kits - NASA needed a way to monitor the effects of lift off on an astronauts blood pressure. The kids developed for that formed the basis for the personal kids seen everywhere today.
- Better baby food - Commercial baby formula now contains a nutrient enrichment that dates back to NASA-funded research into the potential of algae as a recycling agent. The products life's DHA and life's ARA, which came from this research, are now in 90% of all commercial baby formulas.
- Better sunglasses - As the Belfast Telegraph noted, the special carbon coating NASA invented to protect astronauts helmets from space particle scratches is now a standard feature of modern shades. A modified form has since been used by many manufacturers including Ray-Ban, since 1980.
- Better golf balls - Wilson, the worlds largest golf-ball manufacturer, claims its balls fly farther than other because the company used aerodynamic research developed by NASA to change the dimple pattern.
THANK YOU NASA
Freaking out
I'm not one given to freaking out, but this election has me worried in many ways. Putting aside my conservative beliefs, its my opinion that McCain would be a better President because of this overall service to this country and experience (which does count for something). But with most elections, it is usually "close" between the Republicans and Democrats, so there is no need to freak out because come election day, anything can happen. However, this election year, the media has twisted and distorted the truth that would make you believe McCain has no prayer on earth to be elected. But that is not the case. This election will be close such as the last two have been.
I know McCain is not the dream candidate for Republicans. I have friends, good friends, who have told me that they plan to vote for someone other than McCain and Obama. While I respect their decisions, I cannot help but think that every vote not for McCain is a vote for Obama. There are only two viable candidates and if a vote is cast for someone other than McCain, it's one less person voting against Obama and Obama as President would be far worse than McCain as President. I'm not a McCain fan, but I see that I have no choice but to support McCain, because I'm freaked out by Obama.
And why the freaking out? In no particular order:
1. The cult-like following of Obama. There are followers of candidates every year that get "excited" about their candidate and go down right plum crazy with enthusiasm. I think that's great. But never in our history has a candidate, like Obama, been elevated to a God, Messiah level.
Recently, there was a video showing students dressed in army fatigue pants marching and chanting "Alpha. Omega. Alpha. Omega." While I have no idea what they are conveying with the "Alpha Omega" chant, it does make me wonder if they are looking to Obama as their savior, leader, messiah. Jesus, the TRUE Messiah, said he was the Alpha and Omega. These students also began to pronounce that it was Barack who inspired them to the next lawyer, engineer etc. I'm all for inspiration, but most people who inspire do not cause students to march around chanting mantra's. That's what socialist dictators demand from their followers.
Also, children in California are singing ballads about Obama and how he will change the world and make it a better place. I find this very eerie. Many people probably do not know this, but children in Germany were forced to sing similar songs about Hitler. It's called brainwashing and brainwashing children whose brains aren't fully capable of discerning right from wrong. Mr. Obama, while not inciting this personally, has created a cult. Thinking off the top of my head, I don't believe George Washington has a song written about him and his fearless leadership.
These two examples above are what socialist, communist and totalitarian leaders invoke on the people to keep their power.
2. The downright fawning and fascination the media has with Obama. The media (MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS) salivates over Obama's words as if it a new gospel to save all mankind from the ills of this world. A negative tone is rarely taken in opinion about him nor is criticism directed toward him in a harsh manor. They do some just to make it look like they are being fair. More than in any other election, the media wants their candidate, Obama, to be elected President. This is partly because they hate Bush and hate that they have narrowly lost the past two elections. Listen to the comments and remarks made about each candidate. You will see that when McCain is being talked about the media will either end their statements with a negative remark or question to leave doubt in your mind.
3. The quick rise of a man who has little or no experience. What has Obama done? He talks about change, but where is the proof of that change? He can say all he wants, but the talk and the walk do not coincide with one another. It should SCARE us that Obama has been able to get to the point of running for President with little or no qualifications whatsoever and that he has a shot at winning. This goes back to my first point. He is being treated like he is more than what he is. He has done nothing, but wants everything. His quick rise takes my mind back to Revelation and the rise of the anti-Christ. Out of no where he'll come and people will be flocking to him as if he's the savior. I find is scary that so many have become cult-like followers of Obama and know little or nothing about him. Oh, except that he wants change. He also wants power. He sees the power within his grasp and he wants it. But...he has done nothing to warrant or deserve power. If a man has little experience handling power, that man easily begins to abuse the power.
4. Obama has dangerous friends and associates. We've all heard the rantings of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Need I really say more on that? For Obama to sit in a church where the preacher preaches hate against his own country, is beyond me. I don't by the fact that Obama never heard this rhetoric from Wright. A man like the Rev. Jeremiah Wright does not isolate these statements one Sunday out of the year. That much hate spewing from his mouth indicates that it's been their a long time and that he is filled with hate.
And let's not forget William Ayers - a known terrorist with whom Obama claimed to know and have an association with, even though Obama claims he didn't know he was a terrorist. Sorry. That doesn't fly Mr. Obama. If you want people to believe you didn't know, come out and denounce him, but you won't.
Mr. Obama, you are guilty by association. I wonder how many other "questionable" friends you have.
If elected, Obama will set about changing our country, but it will be change that will have a dramatic and devastating affect. It's more than his policies. He will appoint leftist, activist judges who will strip the meaning of our constitution and makes laws based upon international law. I believe this would set in place a foundation for our liberties to be slowly taken away and Christians, ours will be the first go.
As the mother of a 6 month old, I am afraid of the future of our country if Obama is elected. That's not to say McCain will make it perfect, but he won't set our country down a course of ulitmate destruction. I want my son to enjoy the opportunities and life I have enjoyed being an American.
All I can ask of you, is that you do your homework on each candidate. I'm not specifically talking about policies, I'm talking about the character of each man. Character does count. Character affects how a man will lead and his judgment.
I know McCain is not the dream candidate for Republicans. I have friends, good friends, who have told me that they plan to vote for someone other than McCain and Obama. While I respect their decisions, I cannot help but think that every vote not for McCain is a vote for Obama. There are only two viable candidates and if a vote is cast for someone other than McCain, it's one less person voting against Obama and Obama as President would be far worse than McCain as President. I'm not a McCain fan, but I see that I have no choice but to support McCain, because I'm freaked out by Obama.
And why the freaking out? In no particular order:
1. The cult-like following of Obama. There are followers of candidates every year that get "excited" about their candidate and go down right plum crazy with enthusiasm. I think that's great. But never in our history has a candidate, like Obama, been elevated to a God, Messiah level.
Recently, there was a video showing students dressed in army fatigue pants marching and chanting "Alpha. Omega. Alpha. Omega." While I have no idea what they are conveying with the "Alpha Omega" chant, it does make me wonder if they are looking to Obama as their savior, leader, messiah. Jesus, the TRUE Messiah, said he was the Alpha and Omega. These students also began to pronounce that it was Barack who inspired them to the next lawyer, engineer etc. I'm all for inspiration, but most people who inspire do not cause students to march around chanting mantra's. That's what socialist dictators demand from their followers.
Also, children in California are singing ballads about Obama and how he will change the world and make it a better place. I find this very eerie. Many people probably do not know this, but children in Germany were forced to sing similar songs about Hitler. It's called brainwashing and brainwashing children whose brains aren't fully capable of discerning right from wrong. Mr. Obama, while not inciting this personally, has created a cult. Thinking off the top of my head, I don't believe George Washington has a song written about him and his fearless leadership.
These two examples above are what socialist, communist and totalitarian leaders invoke on the people to keep their power.
2. The downright fawning and fascination the media has with Obama. The media (MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS) salivates over Obama's words as if it a new gospel to save all mankind from the ills of this world. A negative tone is rarely taken in opinion about him nor is criticism directed toward him in a harsh manor. They do some just to make it look like they are being fair. More than in any other election, the media wants their candidate, Obama, to be elected President. This is partly because they hate Bush and hate that they have narrowly lost the past two elections. Listen to the comments and remarks made about each candidate. You will see that when McCain is being talked about the media will either end their statements with a negative remark or question to leave doubt in your mind.
3. The quick rise of a man who has little or no experience. What has Obama done? He talks about change, but where is the proof of that change? He can say all he wants, but the talk and the walk do not coincide with one another. It should SCARE us that Obama has been able to get to the point of running for President with little or no qualifications whatsoever and that he has a shot at winning. This goes back to my first point. He is being treated like he is more than what he is. He has done nothing, but wants everything. His quick rise takes my mind back to Revelation and the rise of the anti-Christ. Out of no where he'll come and people will be flocking to him as if he's the savior. I find is scary that so many have become cult-like followers of Obama and know little or nothing about him. Oh, except that he wants change. He also wants power. He sees the power within his grasp and he wants it. But...he has done nothing to warrant or deserve power. If a man has little experience handling power, that man easily begins to abuse the power.
4. Obama has dangerous friends and associates. We've all heard the rantings of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Need I really say more on that? For Obama to sit in a church where the preacher preaches hate against his own country, is beyond me. I don't by the fact that Obama never heard this rhetoric from Wright. A man like the Rev. Jeremiah Wright does not isolate these statements one Sunday out of the year. That much hate spewing from his mouth indicates that it's been their a long time and that he is filled with hate.
And let's not forget William Ayers - a known terrorist with whom Obama claimed to know and have an association with, even though Obama claims he didn't know he was a terrorist. Sorry. That doesn't fly Mr. Obama. If you want people to believe you didn't know, come out and denounce him, but you won't.
Mr. Obama, you are guilty by association. I wonder how many other "questionable" friends you have.
If elected, Obama will set about changing our country, but it will be change that will have a dramatic and devastating affect. It's more than his policies. He will appoint leftist, activist judges who will strip the meaning of our constitution and makes laws based upon international law. I believe this would set in place a foundation for our liberties to be slowly taken away and Christians, ours will be the first go.
As the mother of a 6 month old, I am afraid of the future of our country if Obama is elected. That's not to say McCain will make it perfect, but he won't set our country down a course of ulitmate destruction. I want my son to enjoy the opportunities and life I have enjoyed being an American.
All I can ask of you, is that you do your homework on each candidate. I'm not specifically talking about policies, I'm talking about the character of each man. Character does count. Character affects how a man will lead and his judgment.
Monday, October 6, 2008
LONG WEEK
It's been a long week. (I'm referring to last Monday night through today). Last week, I got to experience my sons first cold. It was not a joyous or pleasant experience by any means. Tuesday night was the worst night by far. Our poor boy was so stuffy, he was having difficulty breathing. Now you and I know that you compensate by breathing through your mouth, but an almost 6 month baby does not know that yet. I spent most of Tuesday night rocking and singing my boy to sleep or attempting to keep him asleep. I sang every hymn that I could remember. In the GardenI and Victory in Jesus were two songs that seemed to do the trick and my little espresso would calm too. And when I wrote "all night" I meant all night. My hubby and I were going to take shifts, but every time I gave our boy to his daddy, our little boy carried on as if someone were trying to give cut off his toes. This made my cup of joe (hubby) quite upset because he wanted to calm and soothe his little boy. I was able to get a few hours of sleep, but nothing significant.
To make matters worse, our little espresso (boy) thought he'd share is cold with his daddy. Instead of just a little boy with a cold and I had a BIG BOY with a cold too. It's nice to have a little help with a sick baby because they are that more demanding on your time and use up so much more of energy, but with my cup of joe sick as well, I was drained by Thursday.
Thankfully by Thursday, any fever our little espresso was having was long gone and we just had to deal with congestion. Of course, saline drops and aspirating were prescribed. As with most babies, our espresso absolutely HATED having his nose suctioned with an aspirator. However, by Saturday, it was if he knew what we were doing (trying to help) and he stopped fussing and crying whenever we put saline up his nose and then suctioned all the goop out.
We also gave our espresso lots and lots of steamy showers. We would sit in the shower with him and crank up the water as hot as it would go to create steam. That was rather fun, until the last time when it was my turn to give the steamy shower and my little espresso peed all over me. That was gross. At least I was in the shower and could easily cleanse myself.
Today, I think we have rounded the corner. Cup of joe and espresso are back to their normal selves. It's so good to see my happy espresso jump for joy in his jumperoo or wave his arms frantically as I pass by wanting to be picked up.
All I can say is, "here's to happy, cold-free babies!"
To make matters worse, our little espresso (boy) thought he'd share is cold with his daddy. Instead of just a little boy with a cold and I had a BIG BOY with a cold too. It's nice to have a little help with a sick baby because they are that more demanding on your time and use up so much more of energy, but with my cup of joe sick as well, I was drained by Thursday.
Thankfully by Thursday, any fever our little espresso was having was long gone and we just had to deal with congestion. Of course, saline drops and aspirating were prescribed. As with most babies, our espresso absolutely HATED having his nose suctioned with an aspirator. However, by Saturday, it was if he knew what we were doing (trying to help) and he stopped fussing and crying whenever we put saline up his nose and then suctioned all the goop out.
We also gave our espresso lots and lots of steamy showers. We would sit in the shower with him and crank up the water as hot as it would go to create steam. That was rather fun, until the last time when it was my turn to give the steamy shower and my little espresso peed all over me. That was gross. At least I was in the shower and could easily cleanse myself.
Today, I think we have rounded the corner. Cup of joe and espresso are back to their normal selves. It's so good to see my happy espresso jump for joy in his jumperoo or wave his arms frantically as I pass by wanting to be picked up.
All I can say is, "here's to happy, cold-free babies!"
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