We've been married almost eight years so we have passed the proverbial seven year itch. However, I must say that I myself usually got the itch to leave about once a year. Usually due to a nuclear catastrophe that seems to appear yearly in our marriage. However, I remember the things that I learned and stay in for the fight. This is what I have learned:
Husbands don't change their spots. When we were dating my husband had the same flaws that he has now. I chose to ignore them or thought that I could fix them. The flaws are a part of who he is so I just pray about whatever it is that he is doing that I find annoying. I can even pray out loud for the world to hear if I want to.
I am not perfect. I also have my flaws and imperfections. I didn't marry a "yes dear". I married a person and when my ugly shortcomings arise, I hope he prays for me. I have to remember that I am only one person and I cannot do it all or have it all.
When I said I do, it was a Commitment. I made a commitment for better or worse, sickness and in health. This also includes patience, understanding and kindness which I seem to run short of during times of getting ready for work and putting kids to bed. So when my husband disappoints me or hurts my feelings, I will be there for the long haul by forgiving him. True forgiveness never brings it up again and moves on. You don't forget it, you just ignore it.
Just because your married, it doesn't mean the pursuit stops. We have a monthly date night. During the date night, we don't discuss work or children. We actually try to stay connected as a couple so when the kids grow up, I won't wake up and say, Hello. Who are YOU??. Keep talking and its ok to have different opinions and a good debate.
Sex shouldn't be a reward. It should be about romance. Sex should never be about winning a bet. When it becomes a type of reward, it removes the wanting to over to the "have to" side of life. Sex should always stay in the want column.
Its o.k. to have a girls night out or a guys night out. Its important to stay connected to your friends and to have fun with them. Friends should be yours, mine and ours. Trust is what keeps you together and your friends keep you grounded. My friends knew me before I was a mom so they remind me of who I was when I get too judgemental of others.
Most of all, Love should be patient, kind, and understanding especially when you're blogging and you are interrupted by your loving husband who wants to talk about the football game with all the trimmings. Just smile and say that's great. I'm glad you had a good time.
In the eight years that we've been married this is what I have learned. I hope to learn more but more especially, I hope to beat the odds and be married to one guy for hundred years.
Have a great night.
Beamer 319
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wisdom of a 9 year old
When I was in my daughters' room tonight, I came across this carefully folded piece of paper. On it was written 3 things on Love:
1. Love is a Miracle
2. Love is Important
3. Love is a wonderful thing
Wow! Don't we usually take the ones we love for granted. I know I do. I will take B's advice and remember the three things of love.
Here's to love.
Beamer 319
1. Love is a Miracle
2. Love is Important
3. Love is a wonderful thing
Wow! Don't we usually take the ones we love for granted. I know I do. I will take B's advice and remember the three things of love.
Here's to love.
Beamer 319
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Special Needs Kids get Robots to Drive
I was watching Art Fennell tonight and they were speaking of the latest developments for special needs kids. Having a child that didn't walk until he was 3 and being mobility impaired his entire life, it is with such awesome excitement that I learned what the University of Delaware has developed.
The focus of this important and innovative research being conducted at the University of Delaware that could have significant repercussions for the cognitive development of infants with special needs. The University is seeking candidates to use this innovative equipment which is a blessing to those parents who want their children to be independent.
Here is the article that is located on the University of Delaware Website:
"Two UD researchers--James C. (Cole) Galloway, associate professor of physical therapy, and Sunil Agrawal, professor of mechanical engineering--have outfitted kid-size robots to provide mobility to children who are unable to fully explore the world on their own.
The work is important because much of infant development, both of the brain and behavior, emerges from the thousands of experiences each day that arise as babies independently move and explore their world. This is the concept of “embodied development,” Galloway said.
Infants with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and other disorders can have mobility limitations that disconnect them from the ongoing exploration that their peers enjoy.
“If these infants were adults, therapists would have options of assistive technology such as power wheelchairs,” Galloway said. “Currently, children with significant mobility impairments are not offered power mobility until they are 5-6 years of age, or older. This delay in mobility is particularly disturbing when you consider the rapid brain development during infancy. Their actions, feelings and thinking all shape their own brain's development. Babies literally build their own brains through their exploration and learning in the complex world.”
When a baby starts crawling and walking, everything changes for everyone involved. “Now consider the negative impact of a half decade of immobility for an infant with already delayed development,” Galloway said. “When a baby doesn't crawl or walk, everything also changes. Immobility changes the infant, and the family. Given the need, you would think that the barriers to providing power mobility must be insurmountable. In fact, the primary barrier is safety.” Therapists and parents fear a young child in a power wheelchair might mistakenly go the wrong way, end up in a roadway and get hit by a car.
“This is, of course, understandable, and is the same fear that every parent with a newly walking infant faces. It is the solution to the safety problem that is the real barrier. The current clinical practice is to avoid power mobility until the child can follow adult commands,” Galloway said. “Your parents didn't wait until you followed their every command before they let you walk--they held your hand, they required you to stay near them and alerted you to obstacles in your way. This is the way infants learn real world navigation, and it is exactly these safety features that are being built into our mobile robot.”
“Our first prototype, affectionately called UD1, was designed with smart technology that addresses each of these safety issues so that infants have the opportunity to be a part of the real world environment,” Agrawal said.
UD1 robot developers (from left) Sunil Agrawal, professor of mechanical engineering, James (Cole) Galloway, associate professor of physical therapy, and Ji-Chul Ryu, a doctoral candidate in UD’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.The tiny robot is ringed with sensors that can determine the obstacle-free roaming space, and will either allow infants to bump obstacles or will take control from the infant and drive around the obstacle itself. The next prototype, UD2, will build on the current technology to provide additional control to a parent, teacher or other supervising adult.
“In this way, we can bind technology and human need together to remove barriers for movement in the environment,” Agrawal said.
Galloway said no one had ever tried using robots with babies--early experiments show that seven-month-olds can learn to operate the simple joystick controls--and he is passionate about the possible benefits to children with special needs of even younger ages.
“Infants with limited mobility play in one location while their peers or siblings go off on distant adventures all over the room or playground,” Galloway said. “With the robot, they become the center of attention because their classmates want to try it. We predict that this increased social interaction alone will provide an important boost in their cognitive development.”
The idea sprang from a parking lot conversation in which Agrawal approached Galloway, who he knew worked with babies with special needs, and said he might have developed something of interest. Agrawal is a robotics expert who had been developing a fleet of small, rounded robots that could work as a unit through a wireless network.
Galloway knew of Agrawal's successes with rehabilitation robotics for adults but admitted to being anti-robot for pediatric rehabilitation at first. Galloway was convinced otherwise within minutes of his first visit to Agrawal's laboratory. “When I saw his little robots, it was easy to envision a baby driving one,” he said. “We knew from our previous work that newly reaching infants could use a joystick to control a distant toy. This and other research strongly suggests that very young infants can be trained in real world navigation. It was a special feeling to see a potential solution to a really serious health-care gap for young kids. There was and still is a special tingle when we think of the not so distant future. “
Thus, UD1 was born. The researchers took their robot to the UD Early Learning Center, which has a wide range of infants, a gymnasium for initial training on the robot and a varied outdoor landscape to use as a test track.
“It was a relief when we saw that the children quickly grasped the use of the joystick,” Agrawal said. “If they had just sat there or cried, it would have been back to the drawing board. But over time we have seen them gradually increase their time with the robot and the amount of distance they cover.”
The tiny robot is ringed with sensors that can determine the obstacle-free roaming space, and will either allow infants to bump obstacles or will take control from the infant and drive around the obstacle itself.The project will now move on to a second generation with more than one robot. The goal is to place multiple mobile robots with special needs infants in communities throughout Delaware and to gather data to analyze how they are used and what the children learn so that the research team can continue to make modifications.
Both note that Delaware, with its mix of urban, rural and suburban communities, is a model state for a clinical project such as this. “For a real world mobility device to emerge, we have to build it for exploring the real world experienced by infants and their families, and then rigorously study its performance in that world,” Galloway said.
Both said the project will significantly expand understanding of young infants' learning capacity and provide a model for tracking the development of real world exploration with laboratory quality data.
They believe the training, robot design and new technology derived from the project will provide the foundation for the first generation of safe, smart vehicles for infants born with mobility impairments.
They want the UD1 product to be light enough for moms to stow in a car trunk, and robust enough for babies to use in the home, yard and playground, and maybe even the beach.
This interdisciplinary project is bringing together students and researchers from fields that have had little or no interaction: engineering, early childhood education and pediatric therapy.
“The research, educational and health care impact is hard to overestimate, given the critical nature of early development, the relatively short time to prepare special needs infants to enter mainstream education and the complete lack of power mobility early in life,” Galloway said. “This project has so many positives, and is of interest to so many in the community. We are encouraging everyone interested in special needs infants to get involved--from parents to policymakers. We are thinking locally and globally at the same time.”
He added, “Although there are special needs kids in every community, you have never seen a special needs child driving themselves down Main Street in Newark, and neither has anyone else in any community anywhere. They, and often their families, are hidden citizens. We predict that very soon that will change in Newark, and then across Delaware, and then who knows. But time is of the essence because there is a baby being born right now who could use this today. That is the race we are in, so back to work.”
The UD1 robot is being developed to be light enough for moms to stow in a car trunk, and robust enough for babies to use in the home, yard and playground.Agrawal, who directs the UD robotics laboratory, received his doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1990 from Stanford University, where he was a research assistant in the university's robotics laboratory. He taught and conducted research at Ohio University from 1990 until 1996, when he joined the UD faculty. He received his bachelor's degree from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur and his master's degree from Ohio State University.
Galloway, who directs the UD Infant Motor Behavior Laboratory, received his doctorate in physiological sciences from the University of Arizona in 1998 and joined the UD faculty in 2000. He received bachelor's degrees in exercise science and biology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1987 and in physical therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1989.
Providing important technical support to the project is Ji-Chul Ryu, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering with expertise in the planning and control of mobile robots.
The UD Early Learning Center is a focal point for interdisciplinary research on early learning and development, prevention, intervention and education. It provides exemplary infant, toddler, preschool and kindergarten care to a diverse population of approximately 180 children, specifically targeting children with risk factors including poverty, foster care and disabilities. ELC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a recognition awarded to only 5-7 percent of all child care centers nationwide. The center, which is part of the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy, received the Governor's Award of Excellence in Early Care and Education in 2006.
Article by Neil ThomasPhotos by Kathy F. Atkinson "
Thank you University of Delaware for helping our children assimilate better in our communities.
Beamer 319
The focus of this important and innovative research being conducted at the University of Delaware that could have significant repercussions for the cognitive development of infants with special needs. The University is seeking candidates to use this innovative equipment which is a blessing to those parents who want their children to be independent.
Here is the article that is located on the University of Delaware Website:
"Two UD researchers--James C. (Cole) Galloway, associate professor of physical therapy, and Sunil Agrawal, professor of mechanical engineering--have outfitted kid-size robots to provide mobility to children who are unable to fully explore the world on their own.
The work is important because much of infant development, both of the brain and behavior, emerges from the thousands of experiences each day that arise as babies independently move and explore their world. This is the concept of “embodied development,” Galloway said.
Infants with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and other disorders can have mobility limitations that disconnect them from the ongoing exploration that their peers enjoy.
“If these infants were adults, therapists would have options of assistive technology such as power wheelchairs,” Galloway said. “Currently, children with significant mobility impairments are not offered power mobility until they are 5-6 years of age, or older. This delay in mobility is particularly disturbing when you consider the rapid brain development during infancy. Their actions, feelings and thinking all shape their own brain's development. Babies literally build their own brains through their exploration and learning in the complex world.”
When a baby starts crawling and walking, everything changes for everyone involved. “Now consider the negative impact of a half decade of immobility for an infant with already delayed development,” Galloway said. “When a baby doesn't crawl or walk, everything also changes. Immobility changes the infant, and the family. Given the need, you would think that the barriers to providing power mobility must be insurmountable. In fact, the primary barrier is safety.” Therapists and parents fear a young child in a power wheelchair might mistakenly go the wrong way, end up in a roadway and get hit by a car.
“This is, of course, understandable, and is the same fear that every parent with a newly walking infant faces. It is the solution to the safety problem that is the real barrier. The current clinical practice is to avoid power mobility until the child can follow adult commands,” Galloway said. “Your parents didn't wait until you followed their every command before they let you walk--they held your hand, they required you to stay near them and alerted you to obstacles in your way. This is the way infants learn real world navigation, and it is exactly these safety features that are being built into our mobile robot.”
“Our first prototype, affectionately called UD1, was designed with smart technology that addresses each of these safety issues so that infants have the opportunity to be a part of the real world environment,” Agrawal said.
UD1 robot developers (from left) Sunil Agrawal, professor of mechanical engineering, James (Cole) Galloway, associate professor of physical therapy, and Ji-Chul Ryu, a doctoral candidate in UD’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.The tiny robot is ringed with sensors that can determine the obstacle-free roaming space, and will either allow infants to bump obstacles or will take control from the infant and drive around the obstacle itself. The next prototype, UD2, will build on the current technology to provide additional control to a parent, teacher or other supervising adult.
“In this way, we can bind technology and human need together to remove barriers for movement in the environment,” Agrawal said.
Galloway said no one had ever tried using robots with babies--early experiments show that seven-month-olds can learn to operate the simple joystick controls--and he is passionate about the possible benefits to children with special needs of even younger ages.
“Infants with limited mobility play in one location while their peers or siblings go off on distant adventures all over the room or playground,” Galloway said. “With the robot, they become the center of attention because their classmates want to try it. We predict that this increased social interaction alone will provide an important boost in their cognitive development.”
The idea sprang from a parking lot conversation in which Agrawal approached Galloway, who he knew worked with babies with special needs, and said he might have developed something of interest. Agrawal is a robotics expert who had been developing a fleet of small, rounded robots that could work as a unit through a wireless network.
Galloway knew of Agrawal's successes with rehabilitation robotics for adults but admitted to being anti-robot for pediatric rehabilitation at first. Galloway was convinced otherwise within minutes of his first visit to Agrawal's laboratory. “When I saw his little robots, it was easy to envision a baby driving one,” he said. “We knew from our previous work that newly reaching infants could use a joystick to control a distant toy. This and other research strongly suggests that very young infants can be trained in real world navigation. It was a special feeling to see a potential solution to a really serious health-care gap for young kids. There was and still is a special tingle when we think of the not so distant future. “
Thus, UD1 was born. The researchers took their robot to the UD Early Learning Center, which has a wide range of infants, a gymnasium for initial training on the robot and a varied outdoor landscape to use as a test track.
“It was a relief when we saw that the children quickly grasped the use of the joystick,” Agrawal said. “If they had just sat there or cried, it would have been back to the drawing board. But over time we have seen them gradually increase their time with the robot and the amount of distance they cover.”
The tiny robot is ringed with sensors that can determine the obstacle-free roaming space, and will either allow infants to bump obstacles or will take control from the infant and drive around the obstacle itself.The project will now move on to a second generation with more than one robot. The goal is to place multiple mobile robots with special needs infants in communities throughout Delaware and to gather data to analyze how they are used and what the children learn so that the research team can continue to make modifications.
Both note that Delaware, with its mix of urban, rural and suburban communities, is a model state for a clinical project such as this. “For a real world mobility device to emerge, we have to build it for exploring the real world experienced by infants and their families, and then rigorously study its performance in that world,” Galloway said.
Both said the project will significantly expand understanding of young infants' learning capacity and provide a model for tracking the development of real world exploration with laboratory quality data.
They believe the training, robot design and new technology derived from the project will provide the foundation for the first generation of safe, smart vehicles for infants born with mobility impairments.
They want the UD1 product to be light enough for moms to stow in a car trunk, and robust enough for babies to use in the home, yard and playground, and maybe even the beach.
This interdisciplinary project is bringing together students and researchers from fields that have had little or no interaction: engineering, early childhood education and pediatric therapy.
“The research, educational and health care impact is hard to overestimate, given the critical nature of early development, the relatively short time to prepare special needs infants to enter mainstream education and the complete lack of power mobility early in life,” Galloway said. “This project has so many positives, and is of interest to so many in the community. We are encouraging everyone interested in special needs infants to get involved--from parents to policymakers. We are thinking locally and globally at the same time.”
He added, “Although there are special needs kids in every community, you have never seen a special needs child driving themselves down Main Street in Newark, and neither has anyone else in any community anywhere. They, and often their families, are hidden citizens. We predict that very soon that will change in Newark, and then across Delaware, and then who knows. But time is of the essence because there is a baby being born right now who could use this today. That is the race we are in, so back to work.”
The UD1 robot is being developed to be light enough for moms to stow in a car trunk, and robust enough for babies to use in the home, yard and playground.Agrawal, who directs the UD robotics laboratory, received his doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1990 from Stanford University, where he was a research assistant in the university's robotics laboratory. He taught and conducted research at Ohio University from 1990 until 1996, when he joined the UD faculty. He received his bachelor's degree from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur and his master's degree from Ohio State University.
Galloway, who directs the UD Infant Motor Behavior Laboratory, received his doctorate in physiological sciences from the University of Arizona in 1998 and joined the UD faculty in 2000. He received bachelor's degrees in exercise science and biology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1987 and in physical therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1989.
Providing important technical support to the project is Ji-Chul Ryu, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering with expertise in the planning and control of mobile robots.
The UD Early Learning Center is a focal point for interdisciplinary research on early learning and development, prevention, intervention and education. It provides exemplary infant, toddler, preschool and kindergarten care to a diverse population of approximately 180 children, specifically targeting children with risk factors including poverty, foster care and disabilities. ELC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a recognition awarded to only 5-7 percent of all child care centers nationwide. The center, which is part of the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy, received the Governor's Award of Excellence in Early Care and Education in 2006.
Article by Neil ThomasPhotos by Kathy F. Atkinson "
Thank you University of Delaware for helping our children assimilate better in our communities.
Beamer 319
Monday, November 19, 2007
Redskins Lost, 911 called and Crabs in FEMA Trailer
And that's how our Sunday ended. The Redskins lost a close game. Dallas actually earned the win as the Skins did give it their all. Shortly after the game, we had to call 911 as my husband injured his hand while doing a "honey do" list item. The crabs are in a FEMA Container as they lost their home due to the accident.
I had asked my husband to dump the sand out of the terranium so we can put in fresh sand and make the crabs happy as they have been kind of crabbie (no pun intended). While dumping the sand, he lost control of the terranium and it cut his hand. He came into the house saying "Help me, I'm bleeding". It was a mess. I couldn't tell where the cut was and Chris couldn't elaborate so I called 911. The ambulance came along with a Police Officer. The Officer showed up to make sure that I didn't do willful harm to him or he didn't try to kill himself. I told the Officer that the Redskins had lost but it wasn't worth dying over. He saw Chris and said "Hey aren't you K's dad?" You gotta love a small town. Anyway, once he verified that this was indeed an accident, he went off his merry way. The ambulance bandaged him up and off they went. Since the ambulance was there, we had one spectator and he was wearing Dallas from head to toe. I guess he wanted to make sure that it wasn't a game related injury.
The crabs lost their home so they are in a temporary container without food or water. They should be fine for today. We are getting a bigger and better home for them. Hopefully, they will enjoy their new digs since we are responding quicker than the big guys.
Chris went to Patient First and got his tetanus shot and was reprimanded for not getting stitches. The doctor loved my wrapping job since I had to rewrap his wound after putting peroxide on hit. Needless to say the One Handed Chris needs to make friends real soon so he can go to the restroom. He also golfless for awhile.
So that is how our weekend ended. Hope you had a great weekend.
Beamer 319
I had asked my husband to dump the sand out of the terranium so we can put in fresh sand and make the crabs happy as they have been kind of crabbie (no pun intended). While dumping the sand, he lost control of the terranium and it cut his hand. He came into the house saying "Help me, I'm bleeding". It was a mess. I couldn't tell where the cut was and Chris couldn't elaborate so I called 911. The ambulance came along with a Police Officer. The Officer showed up to make sure that I didn't do willful harm to him or he didn't try to kill himself. I told the Officer that the Redskins had lost but it wasn't worth dying over. He saw Chris and said "Hey aren't you K's dad?" You gotta love a small town. Anyway, once he verified that this was indeed an accident, he went off his merry way. The ambulance bandaged him up and off they went. Since the ambulance was there, we had one spectator and he was wearing Dallas from head to toe. I guess he wanted to make sure that it wasn't a game related injury.
The crabs lost their home so they are in a temporary container without food or water. They should be fine for today. We are getting a bigger and better home for them. Hopefully, they will enjoy their new digs since we are responding quicker than the big guys.
Chris went to Patient First and got his tetanus shot and was reprimanded for not getting stitches. The doctor loved my wrapping job since I had to rewrap his wound after putting peroxide on hit. Needless to say the One Handed Chris needs to make friends real soon so he can go to the restroom. He also golfless for awhile.
So that is how our weekend ended. Hope you had a great weekend.
Beamer 319
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Women don't have rights in Saudi Arabia
I was reading CNN this morning before church and came across an article regarding a rape victim in Saudia Arabia is being punished by 200 lashes and 6 months in jail. It seems the 19 year old female met with a male without an escort. Both of them were abducted and raped. The male rape victim isn't getting in sort of punishment because after all he is a male.
Her lawyer now has been barred from representing her because her case has gone public in an attempt to influence the judiciary process. As the rapists prison center increases so does the female victim.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/17/saudi.rape.victim/index.html
You thought the US has issues. Saudi Arabia is supposedly one of our allies but you don't hear much about how they treat their female citizens. What are your thoughts?
Happy Sunday!
Beamer 319
Her lawyer now has been barred from representing her because her case has gone public in an attempt to influence the judiciary process. As the rapists prison center increases so does the female victim.
Here is the link to the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/11/17/saudi.rape.victim/index.html
You thought the US has issues. Saudi Arabia is supposedly one of our allies but you don't hear much about how they treat their female citizens. What are your thoughts?
Happy Sunday!
Beamer 319
Saturday, November 17, 2007
New Zealand doesn't allow FAT IMMIGRANTS!
I was reading Fox News tonight and came across an article where a U.K. couple were seeking residency in New Zealand and the Immigration department denied the wife entry as she was overweight. It seems that their government funded healthcare system can't afford it.
Here is the link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312056,00.html
With all of the discussion regarding immigration reform and universal healthcare, could we be heading toward the New Zealand way of thinking? My stance is clear on universal health care, we shouldn't do it as this will increase our taxes even more than what we pay and will have to wait months to see a doctor or worse yet have to travel out of our way to get medical treatment.
I, however, like the fact that New Zealand has an enforceable immigration law where we can't even protect our borders. What are your thoughts? Do you want to live the New Zealand Way??
Here is the link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312056,00.html
With all of the discussion regarding immigration reform and universal healthcare, could we be heading toward the New Zealand way of thinking? My stance is clear on universal health care, we shouldn't do it as this will increase our taxes even more than what we pay and will have to wait months to see a doctor or worse yet have to travel out of our way to get medical treatment.
I, however, like the fact that New Zealand has an enforceable immigration law where we can't even protect our borders. What are your thoughts? Do you want to live the New Zealand Way??
Thursday, November 15, 2007
BROWNIE TURF WARS!!!
I have been told by my daughter's school teacher that a Brownie Turf War has formed in her classroom. It seems that K and her troop mate M have engaged in a bit of brownie turfdom with 2 other girls in her classroom from another troop. School yard fights now have a new twist.
When Ms. R asked for Brownies to line up, it appears that the other troop insisted that K and M were not Brownies but imitators as they were not a part of their troop. K and M not taking this too kindly told them they were in a Brownie Troop and K said my Mom's the Leader. The argument according to K went something like: Other troop, "My troop is better than your troop". "K and M's response was "My troop is doing Friends are Fun Badge and Yours isn't...NANANANA BOO BOO to YOU!!" The 4 girls are not speaking but giving each other the "look".
Who would have thought that being a Brownie would be like this. I reminded my troop that the Girl Scout Law says that we are sisters to every girl scout so we should always try and get along with them and not engage in turf wars. My troop agreed so we will have to wait to see what happens on World Thinking Day in February or closer still the Christmas Parade.
If you see on TV where Brownie troops were engaged in troop fighting, you knew about it first as you heard it here in the land of Blog. Just so you know Brownies are 1st and 2nd graders so we are not talking middle schoolers.
Hope you have a great night!!
Beamer 319
When Ms. R asked for Brownies to line up, it appears that the other troop insisted that K and M were not Brownies but imitators as they were not a part of their troop. K and M not taking this too kindly told them they were in a Brownie Troop and K said my Mom's the Leader. The argument according to K went something like: Other troop, "My troop is better than your troop". "K and M's response was "My troop is doing Friends are Fun Badge and Yours isn't...NANANANA BOO BOO to YOU!!" The 4 girls are not speaking but giving each other the "look".
Who would have thought that being a Brownie would be like this. I reminded my troop that the Girl Scout Law says that we are sisters to every girl scout so we should always try and get along with them and not engage in turf wars. My troop agreed so we will have to wait to see what happens on World Thinking Day in February or closer still the Christmas Parade.
If you see on TV where Brownie troops were engaged in troop fighting, you knew about it first as you heard it here in the land of Blog. Just so you know Brownies are 1st and 2nd graders so we are not talking middle schoolers.
Hope you have a great night!!
Beamer 319
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
When Acorns Attack!!!
My house has turned into a war zone thanks to the Oak trees and the falling acorns. If you like being pummeled by marble size acorns and walking on acorn marbles, then my house is the place to be.
We love the fall. The leaves change color and the air smells fresh and crisp. We don't love acorns. We have 2 huge Oak trees that shade the front of the house. Its wonderful during the summer time. But during the fall of acorns, we are now required to make a dash.
Acorns fall continuously and you can hear them hit the roof of the house. Its sounds like sleet. The front yard is covered in acorns. When you walk on them, it feels like walking on marbles or worse yet ice. As you strive to keep your balance walking to your car, it is raining acorns. Acorns falling on your head hurts. If you enjoy being pummelled by marbles, rocks and hail, then you would love the feel of the acorns.
The squirrels are smart as they travel from branch to branch avoiding the rain of acorns. I think secretly, this is their way of getting revenge on us for taking back our attic. You know how possessive squirrels can be. Last year they would peer through our bedroom window and give us that look of "You just wait!!"
My truck has dings on it caused by acorns. I don't have acorn coverage on the insurance so I guess I will have to live with acorn dings. Who would have thought acorns would be considered a deadly weapon. So beware when the acorns attack your house.
I hope you have a great night. I am off to sleep to the sound of acorns hitting my roof.
Take Care,
Beamer 319
We love the fall. The leaves change color and the air smells fresh and crisp. We don't love acorns. We have 2 huge Oak trees that shade the front of the house. Its wonderful during the summer time. But during the fall of acorns, we are now required to make a dash.
Acorns fall continuously and you can hear them hit the roof of the house. Its sounds like sleet. The front yard is covered in acorns. When you walk on them, it feels like walking on marbles or worse yet ice. As you strive to keep your balance walking to your car, it is raining acorns. Acorns falling on your head hurts. If you enjoy being pummelled by marbles, rocks and hail, then you would love the feel of the acorns.
The squirrels are smart as they travel from branch to branch avoiding the rain of acorns. I think secretly, this is their way of getting revenge on us for taking back our attic. You know how possessive squirrels can be. Last year they would peer through our bedroom window and give us that look of "You just wait!!"
My truck has dings on it caused by acorns. I don't have acorn coverage on the insurance so I guess I will have to live with acorn dings. Who would have thought acorns would be considered a deadly weapon. So beware when the acorns attack your house.
I hope you have a great night. I am off to sleep to the sound of acorns hitting my roof.
Take Care,
Beamer 319
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Colonial Heights Gets it Right In Education
Tonight was the 2nd Annual All A Recognition to all of the students who had an all A average in school for last year. Our oldest daughter has made both Recognitions. I think Colonial Heights has a lot of issues just like every where else but where we excel at is recognizing the importance of hard work and giving great award.
The award was a wrist watch. The face of the watch says Colonial Heights All A Award 2007. What a cool thing to give someone as recognition for the time that was spent in doing homework and studying for tests. The Award Ceremony is possible because of the Education Foundation which raises money all year round. We also receive donations from local businesses as well as individuals. Through a group effort, Colonial Heights is able to hold this award ceremony.
There were 479 students recognized from 5 schools. The breakdown is Colonial Heights High School, Colonial Heights Middle School, Lakeview Elementary, North Elementary and Tussing Elementary. The whole ceremony started promptly at 7 and was over by 8:10pm. We stayed for the refreshments and we were on our way home by 8:15pm. It went by efficiently and everyone had a great time.
The one thing that I did notice was that the high schoolers were dressed casual as though this was no big deal. The middle schoolers were dressed in sunday casual. The elementary students would win best dressed as they were dressed to the nines with one wearing a full on suit with tie. Its interesting how the perception of the award as it relates to the students age. B wanted to wear her Christmas dress but I was able to persuade her to save it for her holiday dance at school and she should wear the other dress we purchased that is reminiscent of the 1960s.
All the students were proud as peacocks and I can't wait until the pictures are available for purchase. As I said, Colonial Heights has its problems but when it comes to education they do excel.
PROPS TO COLONIAL HEIGHTS EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM!!!
Have a great night!!
Beamer 319
The award was a wrist watch. The face of the watch says Colonial Heights All A Award 2007. What a cool thing to give someone as recognition for the time that was spent in doing homework and studying for tests. The Award Ceremony is possible because of the Education Foundation which raises money all year round. We also receive donations from local businesses as well as individuals. Through a group effort, Colonial Heights is able to hold this award ceremony.
There were 479 students recognized from 5 schools. The breakdown is Colonial Heights High School, Colonial Heights Middle School, Lakeview Elementary, North Elementary and Tussing Elementary. The whole ceremony started promptly at 7 and was over by 8:10pm. We stayed for the refreshments and we were on our way home by 8:15pm. It went by efficiently and everyone had a great time.
The one thing that I did notice was that the high schoolers were dressed casual as though this was no big deal. The middle schoolers were dressed in sunday casual. The elementary students would win best dressed as they were dressed to the nines with one wearing a full on suit with tie. Its interesting how the perception of the award as it relates to the students age. B wanted to wear her Christmas dress but I was able to persuade her to save it for her holiday dance at school and she should wear the other dress we purchased that is reminiscent of the 1960s.
All the students were proud as peacocks and I can't wait until the pictures are available for purchase. As I said, Colonial Heights has its problems but when it comes to education they do excel.
PROPS TO COLONIAL HEIGHTS EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM!!!
Have a great night!!
Beamer 319
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
I am so Confused
I am so confused on how this blogging works. Yesterday, I was skimming posts and saw a post from the editor to the Richmond Music Journal. She married the son (Bobby) of a great friend of my (Saundra). I left a comment on her blog. Did all of the steps including the keying in the crazy confirmation thing you do. I went back to her blog last night to see if she had responded to what I had written. My comment wasn't there. It was like it never happened.
Last night I started writing my blog and had to save it. My husband hops on the computer and whips out something to write about and posts it. I go back to my writing and post after him but it appears on RVA Blogs as though I had posted way ahead of him. My post appears on the 2nd page instead of the first. I don't understand.
Today at work, I stayed a few minutes late to leave a comment on a fellow bloggers writing "Godless and Proud of It". I left a lengthy comment and went back into it tonight to see if he had a response. Guess What!! No Comments. What is going on....
Am I not doing something right or is this like HEROES where I am locked in my own nightmare. Can't get it to post right.
ARRRGGGGHH!! Please help me by telling me what in the world is going on.. Why won't my comments stay??? Am I that boring or worse yet too controversial for the world?
Your enlightenment would be of great help!!
Beamer 319
Last night I started writing my blog and had to save it. My husband hops on the computer and whips out something to write about and posts it. I go back to my writing and post after him but it appears on RVA Blogs as though I had posted way ahead of him. My post appears on the 2nd page instead of the first. I don't understand.
Today at work, I stayed a few minutes late to leave a comment on a fellow bloggers writing "Godless and Proud of It". I left a lengthy comment and went back into it tonight to see if he had a response. Guess What!! No Comments. What is going on....
Am I not doing something right or is this like HEROES where I am locked in my own nightmare. Can't get it to post right.
ARRRGGGGHH!! Please help me by telling me what in the world is going on.. Why won't my comments stay??? Am I that boring or worse yet too controversial for the world?
Your enlightenment would be of great help!!
Beamer 319
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
This Article Broke My heart on so many levels
I was reading online articles on MSN, Fox News and CNN. I came across an article regarding a girl who was a conjoined twin and one of the twins died. This little girl was born with 4 arms and 4 legs but that's not why my heart broke.
My heart broke because the village where this little girl was born in India thought of this little girl as sacred and did not support the family's wishes to let the 2 year old have surgery to remove the extra limbs. It also broke my heart that in India, the family only makes a $1 a day and couldn't afford the surgery. She is getting the surgery because of the hospital's foundation.
The village is going to build a temple so they can worship her. She is a little girl. She is not God. It saddens me that this little girl who deserves a normal happy life will be looked upon as a God and not the child she is.
It also brings to light how we take things for granted. We have Hollywood writers going on strike for more money. We complain when we have to pay bills and when we can't get a day off of work. We don't consider that we are rich compared to 2/3 of the world. Even our poorest in the United States are richer than people in 3rd world countries.
Here is the link to the CNN story in case you would like to learn more.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/11/06/india.girl/index.html
I hope you have a great night and remember that you are wealthy beyond your dreams.
May God Bless You,
Beamer 319
My heart broke because the village where this little girl was born in India thought of this little girl as sacred and did not support the family's wishes to let the 2 year old have surgery to remove the extra limbs. It also broke my heart that in India, the family only makes a $1 a day and couldn't afford the surgery. She is getting the surgery because of the hospital's foundation.
The village is going to build a temple so they can worship her. She is a little girl. She is not God. It saddens me that this little girl who deserves a normal happy life will be looked upon as a God and not the child she is.
It also brings to light how we take things for granted. We have Hollywood writers going on strike for more money. We complain when we have to pay bills and when we can't get a day off of work. We don't consider that we are rich compared to 2/3 of the world. Even our poorest in the United States are richer than people in 3rd world countries.
Here is the link to the CNN story in case you would like to learn more.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/11/06/india.girl/index.html
I hope you have a great night and remember that you are wealthy beyond your dreams.
May God Bless You,
Beamer 319
Monday, November 5, 2007
Sheetz is NOT Family Friendly
My daughters play Soccer so on a Saturday morning, we stop at Sheetz to pick up a snack and water before my 7 year old's soccer game. The magazine rack is next to the snack aisle and displayed prominently on the upper rack (all 3 rows) were adult magazines. I am talking Playboy, Vixen, Nude of the Year along with the Hunting magazines. The adult oriented magazines ( I call it PORN) were in clear plastic wrap and displayed so my daughter could see it with ease.
I wrote to the corporate office describing what I saw and how dismayed that I was at the "family friendly" atmosphere wasn't so family friendly. Here is the response I got from my email concerning this issue:
"Thank you for your recent email concerning Adult Magazines. We always appreciate our customers taking the time to talk to us. While we understand that you may not care to read some of the magazines we sell, it is important you know that Sheetz does not sell pornography. The adult magazines we sell are not pornographic, as this is illegal. Understand Sheetz is committed to being a responsible retailer. Not only do we abide by the law, we take many extra steps to address the concerns you have about products ending up in the wrong hands. We have taken the utmost care with how magazines are displayed, being sensitive to the fact that families shop in our stores. We require adult magazines to be sealed in a plastic bag with only the title exposed. We also display the magazines only on the highest shelves, in the back, to limit viewing to adults only. We also restrict the sale of adult magazines to customers over the age of 18, and require identification at the point of sale to ensure the age restriction is not violated. We are in the business of providing all our customers with the kinds of quality products and services that they are looking for. It is not our intention to offend any of our customers.
Thank You,
Jim Coleman"
According to Sheetz Playboy, Hustler, Vixen are not pornography. I'm sorry but if you have to be 18 to buy a magazine because it has naked women or men then to me its pornography.
My children and I will now go to WAWA or any number of other gas stations in our area. If you don't mind your children seeing these types of magazines prominently displayed then you should go to sheetz, but, if you agree with me, please take a stand as a parent.
Hope you have a great evening!!
Beamer 319
I wrote to the corporate office describing what I saw and how dismayed that I was at the "family friendly" atmosphere wasn't so family friendly. Here is the response I got from my email concerning this issue:
"Thank you for your recent email concerning Adult Magazines. We always appreciate our customers taking the time to talk to us. While we understand that you may not care to read some of the magazines we sell, it is important you know that Sheetz does not sell pornography. The adult magazines we sell are not pornographic, as this is illegal. Understand Sheetz is committed to being a responsible retailer. Not only do we abide by the law, we take many extra steps to address the concerns you have about products ending up in the wrong hands. We have taken the utmost care with how magazines are displayed, being sensitive to the fact that families shop in our stores. We require adult magazines to be sealed in a plastic bag with only the title exposed. We also display the magazines only on the highest shelves, in the back, to limit viewing to adults only. We also restrict the sale of adult magazines to customers over the age of 18, and require identification at the point of sale to ensure the age restriction is not violated. We are in the business of providing all our customers with the kinds of quality products and services that they are looking for. It is not our intention to offend any of our customers.
Thank You,
Jim Coleman"
According to Sheetz Playboy, Hustler, Vixen are not pornography. I'm sorry but if you have to be 18 to buy a magazine because it has naked women or men then to me its pornography.
My children and I will now go to WAWA or any number of other gas stations in our area. If you don't mind your children seeing these types of magazines prominently displayed then you should go to sheetz, but, if you agree with me, please take a stand as a parent.
Hope you have a great evening!!
Beamer 319
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Richmond is a dark place (Literally)
After a year of watching Miami Ink, I decided that for my husband's and my date night we would go to high end tattoo parlors. I have had friends get work done and he is thinking of getting another one. So after dinner at Sage Brush, we went to downtown Richmond.
We entered Richmond from 95 at MCV Hospitals and travelled west on Broad. It was pitch black. There weren't any street lights. I was excited to see a Cold Stone Brewery and several other chain restaurants. When I attended VCU, my mother worked at Pizzini Poster and Printing beside Capital Garage. All that now belongs to VCU. There are loft apartments on the second floor and businesses on the first. Pretty cool. People were out but not to do any type of walking around because there were not any Street Lights. They were double parking there cars and running in and getting what they wanted and coming right back out due to the lack of light.
WHY????? Has Mayor Wilder gone on such a spending spree that he forgot to pay the electric bill. The new street lights are pretty but don't put out any to no light. Richmond is supposed to be revitalizing. How can you capitalize on the new businesses on a weekend night if you don't provide lighted areas for the people to feel safe. I don't get it.
Anyway, we went to 2 tattoo parlors (Red Dragon and River Tattoo). I was not impressed with Red Dragon. They were playing head banging extra loud music. They only had flashes to display and the customer service was not personable.
We went to River City Tattoo next. I loved this place. Not only did you have to get buzzed in but they had the tattoo artists portfolio for you to look through. They also weren't playing any headbanging music and it felt more like a cool place to hang out versus a get in and get out kind of establishment. The artwork was also very good and it left a confident feeling that you would get quality art for your money.
I hope you all had a great weekend and if you get a chance, drive through Richmond on Broad Street at night and see the darkness. It's as scary as any halloween movie.
Take Care,
Beamer 319
We entered Richmond from 95 at MCV Hospitals and travelled west on Broad. It was pitch black. There weren't any street lights. I was excited to see a Cold Stone Brewery and several other chain restaurants. When I attended VCU, my mother worked at Pizzini Poster and Printing beside Capital Garage. All that now belongs to VCU. There are loft apartments on the second floor and businesses on the first. Pretty cool. People were out but not to do any type of walking around because there were not any Street Lights. They were double parking there cars and running in and getting what they wanted and coming right back out due to the lack of light.
WHY????? Has Mayor Wilder gone on such a spending spree that he forgot to pay the electric bill. The new street lights are pretty but don't put out any to no light. Richmond is supposed to be revitalizing. How can you capitalize on the new businesses on a weekend night if you don't provide lighted areas for the people to feel safe. I don't get it.
Anyway, we went to 2 tattoo parlors (Red Dragon and River Tattoo). I was not impressed with Red Dragon. They were playing head banging extra loud music. They only had flashes to display and the customer service was not personable.
We went to River City Tattoo next. I loved this place. Not only did you have to get buzzed in but they had the tattoo artists portfolio for you to look through. They also weren't playing any headbanging music and it felt more like a cool place to hang out versus a get in and get out kind of establishment. The artwork was also very good and it left a confident feeling that you would get quality art for your money.
I hope you all had a great weekend and if you get a chance, drive through Richmond on Broad Street at night and see the darkness. It's as scary as any halloween movie.
Take Care,
Beamer 319
Saturday, November 3, 2007
The Golden Compass is not for my kids!!
You may already know about this, but I just learned about a kids movie coming out in December starring Nicole Kidman. It's called The Golden Compass, and while it will be a watered down version, it is based on a series of children's books about killing God (It is the anti-Narnia). From what I understand, the hope is to get alot of kids to see the movie - which won't seem too bad - and then get the parents to buy the books for their kids for Christmas. The quotes from the author sum it all up.
The author is an avowed atheist. His name is Philip Pullman and there are many quotes on the web regarding his anti christian and anti God beliefs. I usually don't condemn movies until I get the whole story. I went to snopes and it is true that the hope is for kids parents to purchase the book and support his anti christian agenda.
http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
I can't control what people say or do. I can, however, control how I spend my money. I won't support this movie even though it looks pretty good because of the message it sends. I also don't watch any movies that Ian McKellan is in since he announced that the Bible was fiction. I hate to see Nicole Kidman in this kind of movie but sometimes we have to take a stand for the better good.
I hope that you will make a wise choice in your movie selections but as for me and my family, this is one movie that we won't see or add to our movie collection.
Hope you have a great weekend.
The author is an avowed atheist. His name is Philip Pullman and there are many quotes on the web regarding his anti christian and anti God beliefs. I usually don't condemn movies until I get the whole story. I went to snopes and it is true that the hope is for kids parents to purchase the book and support his anti christian agenda.
http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
I can't control what people say or do. I can, however, control how I spend my money. I won't support this movie even though it looks pretty good because of the message it sends. I also don't watch any movies that Ian McKellan is in since he announced that the Bible was fiction. I hate to see Nicole Kidman in this kind of movie but sometimes we have to take a stand for the better good.
I hope that you will make a wise choice in your movie selections but as for me and my family, this is one movie that we won't see or add to our movie collection.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Saturday, November 3rd Goodwill To Others Day!
In case you didn't know, tomorrow is good will to others. If you want to clean out your closets and do your community good, November 3rd is the day.
The Girl Scouts will be at the area Goodwill Stores during the month of November accepting donations. For every pound, the Goodwill Stores will donate 10 cents to families in need through a voucher system. The families can redeem the vouchers for goods that we take for granted on a daily basis like clothes and household items.
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Life is getting busier with soccer, scouts, school, work and church, blogging seems to have become a luxury.
Take Care and get those closets cleaned out. It will do your community good.
God Bless!!
Beamer 319
The Girl Scouts will be at the area Goodwill Stores during the month of November accepting donations. For every pound, the Goodwill Stores will donate 10 cents to families in need through a voucher system. The families can redeem the vouchers for goods that we take for granted on a daily basis like clothes and household items.
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Life is getting busier with soccer, scouts, school, work and church, blogging seems to have become a luxury.
Take Care and get those closets cleaned out. It will do your community good.
God Bless!!
Beamer 319
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