We're All Wisconsinites

It's my opinion that union membership should be optional. Maybe that's why I agree with this op-ed on the Wisconsin situation.

Frogger

Rachel needs some more driving confidence after an experience that more closely resembled the 1980s video game "Frogger" than a ride in the park.

Actually, it was a spin through a college campus in the dark. You'd think kids would wear reflective clothing if they were not going to cross at the lighted crosswalks! Then there was the raccoon seemingly in chase of the car down the main drag. Is that even possible?!

Budgets

In order to cut expenses of a bankrupt state, the Governor announced that he would have to personally approve any out-of-state travel for state employees. That even includes my friend's travel to a national conference where she was presenting time-sensitive information to others beginning a grant-funded tele-medicine program like hers. The non-refundable airline tickets were already purchased with this grant money. The conference registration was already paid for by this grant funding. It's too late to request a refund. The grant requires all professionals working on this grant to attend the national conference (expenses paid by the grant). The bankrupt governor says only one person can travel to the national conference. My friend is now awaiting approval to travel on this trip that is already paid for with non-state monies. If not allowed to attend, my friend and her colleagues will find themselves in non-compliance with the grant funding conditions.

Can anyone explain to me why we need more government intervention in our lives?

Language

I work with children who have language disorders. Today, one of these third graders told me, "I need to go to the nurse. Everything looks small."

I did take her to the nurse after her insistence, but I still never figured out what she meant. Any ideas?

Spot On

I probably spend too much time trying to understand the man, but this is the first theory I've heard about that actually seems to capture Obama's worldview. Ever wonder why in the world our president banished Churchill's bust from the oval office? Obama's life experiences have been nothing like the typical American's. Read this book and decide for yourself how much the dreams of Obama Sr. really have become the dreams of his son.

Fifteen

It was fifteen years ago this morning that I was negotiating with the OB/GYN nurse to allow me to keep my underwear on. "Honey," she asked, "Do you know how this is all going to happen?!"

Actually, we had no idea how much this little girl would change our lives. Who knew how much a human heart is capable of loving? And life is about to change again as we take her to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles tomorrow to obtain her driver's permit.

Happy Birthday, Rachel! I love you very much.

Truth

The middle school youth are studying truth (rhyme unintentional). Did you know that the Bible speaks about truth over 200 times? Over 30 times in the book of Matthew alone!

Funny thing . . .
Today I asked the kids to tell me a time they have been caught in a lie. One of them started in on this fantastical story about himself and Santa Claus. Evidently, he was demonstrating to the class how to tell a lie. I called him on it.

I'm going to have a to do a little more praying to prepare for this class.

Not Much Laundry

Quinn has been wearing the same pajama bottoms for the last four snow days. I encouraged him to take an extra sudsy shower.

Three Snow Days

And all we got to show for it is a slippery, sparkling, spectacular landscape.

My sister Jodie got snow-pounded (top photo).

Rain, Snow, Sleet

Yeah, we got that.

For fun, between power brown outs, Rachel is filling out an online questionnaire to determine the severity of my OCD. I told her that freaking out about dirty kleenexes sprinkled all over an avalanche of clean clothing in her room where floor space is at a premium is not a sign of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Mail

I found a letter from an attorney in our mailbox today addressed to Mr. Rellim. I hypothesized that it must be from his estranged wife, finally requesting a divorce. I wondered how he had kept this from me all these years. I didn't realize that I had said it so loudly, until at dinner time when Quinn asked if he was going to get to meet any step-brother soon.

We had to explain to him that I was joking (a bad joke, mind you) and that his father does not have any other wife.

(Oh! The letter actually had to do with a family member's estate planning!)

Electric Lingo

You know that multi-outlet surge protector thingy? I call it an "octopus plug." Quinn asked me if I had any "sloth plugs." You know, an octopus plug with only three outlets? Like a three-toed sloth? I had to laugh. Neither of us is much of an electrician.

Replace, Repeal, Restore

We've replaced some lawmakers who do not represent their constituents. (check!)

Today, the House of Representatives voted to repeal Obamacare. (check!)

Next on the agenda - restore this great nation to her traditional roots.

Just Call Me "Chopper"

I stood on tip-toes to peek into Quinn's middle school musical rehearsal just before pick-up this evening. A young grade schooler (whom I did not know) walked up behind me and said, "Helicopter-parent much?"

Seriously?!

Actions and Consequences

Kicking one's foot through the wall in protest of having one's cell phone privileges suspended does not help one's case for the early reinstatement of said privileges.

Flame Weeding

Who says gardening can't be fun? Check this out! I'm gonna get me one.

Senseless

The reality of dead and wounded in Tucson is nearly being overshadowed by a bickering, politically motivated media. I hope that America learns that its citizens have individual responsibility - that governance from within is greater than any laws that can be made. "Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them, or a power without them; either by the word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or by the bayonet" (Bill Federer, American Quotations, 2001). But can America come to her senses?

"In the end, the gunman has something in common with all us: he's a fallen human being. And that won't be cured by peace rallies or kinder dialogue. The only thing that can save this man is the only thing that can save any of us: God's grace. Today, we pray for that grace for our nation. By that, I don't mean a moment of silence. I mean earnest prayers to the Creator and Sustainer of humanity. We ask for God's physical healing for the hurting, emotional healing for the grieving, and spiritual healing for this, a deeply conflicted America."
--Family Research Council President Tony Perkins

Outlive Your Life

Want your life to be more meaningful than your possessions? Care to bring some positive change to the world? Max has some great ideas for us in this book.

Tip for the Terrible Snooper

If you are going to snoop through your daughter's text messages, don't quote one of them in front of her. Especially don't do this when your wife is almost asleep.

New Year

It's a new year and we are dealing with addictions - texting, video gaming, computer gaming and shouting. Mine is the shouting. I think if people would stop being addicted to annoying activities, then I could stop shouting about it.