Did you think I meant weight loss? lol. I cut my hair for locks of love early this week. I think it was Wednesday.
BEFORE PICTURES:
Since Wednesday night Jim and I have been sick. Really sick. I had Friday off from work, so I stayed asleep in bed until 2pm, and then just moved to the sofa for a few hours before returning to bed. Today I went all day without a fever. :) I'm about to go to bed now.
Elaine told me on Friday that at school Miss Monroe told the class that one of her classmates was moved to another class because his Mommy wanted him moved. We need to sign up for our parent/teacher meeting for next week. Jim is very interested to see how the meeting goes. I told him that if I can't go, he needs to take notes.
I taught Allan to spell his name on Friday when I was vegging on the sofa.
I scrapbooked the other night in my office and then went to a scrapbooking Crop on Friday night and got more scrapping done. The crop was hosted by Rick's sister, Deanna, at her church in Denton. Rick let me off of work to go to the crop, since I wont be able to go to the one in October, due to the store's boom in business every October.
If you click on any of the photos, they become larger, for a better look.
SCRAPPED AT HOME: Hope -Please let me know if you have any ideas about what to write on the paper tag.
This one needs one more photo to get developed. I left a space for it. I need to print a picture of Elaine that shows the full dress.
SCRAPPED AT THE CROP:
Hope - Do you have any thoughts about what I can write on the paper tag about the photos of JImmy with that other baby?
some times simple layouts keep the attention on the photos. :)
I good parent never sleeps. Well, figuratively of course. I was checking the Registered Sex Offenders list for my county, as I do every couple of months, and found that one has moved *VERY* close to my house. His offense was 25 years ago with a girl Elaine's age. ( http://tinyurl.com/4j2ebv ) So, for any of Elaine's aunts or uncles, grandmas or grandpas that usually read this: keep an eye open the next time we play with the kids at the park or backyard.
I got a short email from my mom the other day, just to let me know she's alive.
Jim made Tuscan chicken for dinner tonight and we had apple pie. :) Yesterday he made granola bars from scratch. We had almost all the ingredients we'd need already in the pantry. He just had to pick up some wheat germ the other day. We already had peanuts, almonds, oatmeal and whatnot. They were good. Jim is gonna make them without peanuts next time to see the difference.
WASILLA, Alaska (CNN) -- For more than two decades, vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin was a practicing Pentecostal.
Sarah Palin asked church members to pray for $30 billion natural gas pipeline in Alaska.
She belonged to the Wasilla Assembly of God church in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska. But though she attended the church from her teenage years to 2002, the Alaska governor hasn't talked much about her religion since joining the Republican ticket.
Palin's former pastor, Tim McGraw, says that like many Pentecostal churches, some members speak in tongues, although he says he's never seen Palin do so. Church member Caroline Spangler told CNN, "When the spirit comes on you, you utter things that nobody else can understand ... only God can understand what is coming out of our mouths."
Some Pentecostals from Assembly of God also believe in "faith healing" and the "end times" -- a violent upheaval that they believe will deliver Jesus Christ's second coming.
"Our basic belief is that God is God and he knows where history is going and he has a purposeful plan and within the middle of that plan we live in an environment in our world where certain events would take place," says McGraw. "Sarah wasn't taught to look for one particular sign -- a cataclysmic sign. She knew as every Christian does ... that God is sovereign and he is in control."
McGraw says Palin's Pentecostal roots may be being downplayed for a reason: "I think there may be issues of belief that could be misunderstood or played upon by people that don't know."
When asked by CNN about Palin's beliefs, campaign spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton would only say the Republican vice presidential candidate has "deep religious convictions." Watch how Palin's religious roots formed »
But how might her religious beliefs impact policy in Washington if the Republican ticket is successful?
Palin's former pastor says he has no doubt her religious beliefs will influence her decision making when it comes to government policy. Regarding her desire to build an Alaskan pipeline and explore for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, McGraw told CNN, "Sarah knows that in Genesis, God creates the world and it's very good and that we're supposed to be caretakers in terms of not destroying the environment, so there's no way that Sarah is going to exploit or damage the Alaska tundra in the name of getting gas if she doesn't have to." Palin's neighbors react to her swift rise
Six years ago, Palin left Assembly of God to join the non-denominational Wasilla Bible Church. But the Assembly of God says she still returns for special conferences and events, such as the graduation of ministry students in June. Video of a speech she gave at the church just two months before joining the Republican ticket is making the rounds on the Internet.
Speaking of the troops in Iraq, Palin says on the video, "Pray for our military men and women who are striving do to what is right. Also for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending them out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for -- that there is a plan, and that plan is God's plan." Watch Palin speak at her former church »
Her campaign says she doesn't mix her faith with government business. But Palin did ask her audience to pray for a $30 billion natural gas pipeline she is on a mission to build in Alaska. In the video Palin says, "I think God's will has to be done in unifying people and companies to get that gas pipeline built. So pray for that ... I can do my job there in developing my natural resources. But all of that doesn't do any good if the people of Alaska's heart is not good with God."
McGraw, who was her pastor until 1998 and while she was mayor of Wasilla, says that Palin attended discipleship classes to strengthen her Pentecostal faith and that he counseled her on how to become a better leader.
"Everyone has a way of viewing the world and Sarah does too and hers would be shaped by the common-sense practicality of how she's been shaped by the Bible -- which is basically the world view that says God loves people, people can access him and he's given us wisdom for living," McGraw says.
He says Alaska has seen Palin's faith play out. As governor she passed ethics reform and took on what she's referred to as a "good-ol'-boys network." However, she has said she would not seek to impose her religious views on others. iReport.com: Share your thoughts on Sarah Palin
"I think one of the most obvious ways it plays out is what you've seen -- is being courageous enough to deal with deception and corruption," McGraw says.
Palin now attends the Wasilla Bible Church. She was there on August 17, just days before entering the national spotlight. David Brickner, the founder of Jews for Jesus, was a speaker. He told congregants that terrorist attacks on Israel were God's "judgment" of Jews who haven't embraced Christianity. Brickner said, "Judgment is very real and we see it played out on the pages of the newspapers and on the television. When a Palestinian from East Jerusalem took a bulldozer and went plowing through a score of cars, killing numbers of people. Judgment -- you can't miss it."
The McCain campaign says Brickner's comments do not reflect her religious views. Palin's spokeswoman says she is pro-Israel.
Pastor Ed Kalnin, the senior pastor of Palin's former Pentecostal church, has also come under fire for his comments. In 2004, he told church members if they voted for John Kerry for president, they wouldn't get into heaven. He told them, "I question your salvation."
The Assembly of God issued a statement online in response, which said Kalnin was "joking" when he suggested "Kerry supporters would go to hell." The statement went on to say: "We do acknowledge in hindsight that it was careless, and we do apologize for that. This statement is not written as a defense, but as a clarification."
Palin has done little while in office to advance a social conservative agenda. She told The Associated Press in an interview in 2006 that she would not allow her personal beliefs to dictate public policy.
"I've honestly answered the questions on what my personal views are on things like abortion and a lot of controversial issues," Palin told AP. "I won't hesitate to answer those questions about what my personal views are, but I am not one to be out there preaching and forcing my views on anyone else."
But in the last week, her religious background and outlook has certainly spurred debate far beyond Alaska. -----------------------------------
I haven't heard from my mom since Sept. 11th. She lives in Houston and planned to wait out the storm. I think her power is out. She always leaves her answering machine on, and when I called on the 12th, her phone just rang and rang. Yesterday and today when I've called, I just get a busy signal.
I got a message from Mark on my phone on the 13th. When I call my brother's cellphone it says all lines are busy. So I haven't been able to check in on him yet.
In other news: We met with Elaine's principal on Sept. 11th. She said that the 5th graders have super low test scores for Earth Science, so the school is trying to foster interest in science and the earth with the younger kids. So ALL the kindergarten classes will be doing the Pledge to the Earth. So moving Elaine to a different class wouldn't do her any good. They resolution we came to is that the line "Namaste" has been removed from the pledge's poster and replaced with the word "peace". I think the logic about fostering young interest in science leading to improved earth science grades is faulty. Like, just because a kid is interested in piano music, doesn't mean they can produce the music.
My diploma came in the mail. The mailman left it on our porch in the rain! How dumb is that?! One corner got damp, so it's a little curled. When we can frame it, I don't think the wrinkle will be obvious.
I'm getting even less hours at work this week. It's right at 40 hours. I've been getting some scrapbooking done and cleaned most of my office with the extra time I've had lately. There is a lot to be organized at the new store before our October rush hits. So Rick is debating the idea of letting me come in early to work on organizing the storage area. It needs to get done.
Last night I let Elaine play with some of my clay. She made an angel sculpture and painted it with watercolor. She doesn't know yet that Allan already broke one of the wings. I'll take a picture later.
Principal ******, It has come to my attention that in Miss Monroe's Kindergarten classroom there is a hand-written poster which states a 'Pledge to the Earth'. At the bottom of this poster is the word "Namaste", which from whatI've read translates to "I bow to you",among other definitions.
My references can be found at the following links: http://hinduism.about.com/od/artculture/p/namaste.htm
Miss Monroe has the children reciting the 'Pledge to the Earth' daily. I'm a working-mother, so Ican't sit-in on her kindergarten class to see for myself how the pledge is taught in-person. All my information comesfrom 'meet the teacher night', a typed letter Miss Monroe sent to ALL the parents of her students regarding thePledge to the Earth, and email communications Miss Monroe has had with my husband.
Oddly, when Miss Monroe typed up the pledge for the parents, the "Namaste" line was left off. At firstmy husband and I thought Namaste was the name of the pledge's author, but when we looked it up online, wewere surprised by it's definition.
I believe in the power of words. Having the children pledge to the Earth sounds like sharing new-age religion to me.Especially with it the poster ending with "Namaste" (I bow to you).
My husband and I decided that we don't feel comfortable with our daughter having this lesson. We have asked MissMonroe (last Wednesday morning, I think) to let our daughter abstain from practicing the pledge with the other students.
But I worry that our daughter may be the odd-kid-out when others are practicing their pledge in class. I'm notsure what to do from here.
It's still early in the school year, so I've been considering having my daughter switched into a differentclass for Kindergarten (assuming the Pledge to the Earth is not a school-wide trend). I'm kind of waiting to see ifmy daughter feels like an outsider while the others continue with the pledge.
Do you have any suggestions for me? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Mrs. Liss Decker-Brank (***)***-****
--------------------------------- She responded that she wants to 'help' our family with this issue, and wants to visit with us. Thus far, her schedule is the opposite of mine. We are emailing back and forth to schedule the visit. In my last email, I told her that I don't mind if she meets with just Jim, without me. I'll let yall know how this works out.
My boss was ringing up a customer at the front of the store. I was in the employee area heating my dinner, but could see the front of the store. This cardboard cut-out (like 5 feet tall !!!) started to walk away under a guy's arm, behind my boss's back. It's a cardboard-backed picture of a girl in a quasi-sexy costume. This blond-haired college-aged guy had snatched it and went straight for the entrance to the mall; 20 feet away.
The theif and his GF were in the costume store browsing a few minutes earlier. But the GF was gone now, so I think she went to get the car.
I yelled at Rick, and chased after the guy. I told the guy to stop and he did(!) and I lied to him, telling him that my boss already called security and he needed to stop and wait for security to arrive. So we stood there together one foot outside the mall's main entrance, next to the starbucks.
I pulled out my cellphone to call security, while the guy waited. I asked the mall operator "Have yall already sent security to mall entrance near the Barnes and Noble?" She said she would (she could tell I was talking in front of the guy). I told the guy that the operator said the security guys were right around the corner. My boss switched with me, so I went back into the costume store.
A moment later two security guards brought the guy into the store with the cardboard girl and Rick. The girlfriend came along pretty quick too. So I think that's who the thief was text messaging. The girlfriend said "He didn't' do it maliciously. It was a prank" Rick said, "It doesn't feel good to the guy who gets pranked. Do you want me to go into the parking lot and 'prank' your car?" LOL The security guards filed some paperwork and the guy is considered trespassing if he ever enters our store again. If we see him in the store or lurking near the front, we can call the real police (not mall security) and have him arrested. The security told the guy and his GF that it doesn't matter WHAT he takes, stealing is serious and he could have been arrested tonight for what he did. the guy didn't seem to take any of it seriously, but did look a little worried until the security guards let him leave. --------------------------------------- In other news: Elaine is only one week into school and there is already a little drama. Her new teacher, Miss Monroe, has her class recite a 'Pledge to the Earth' every morning. I didn't know about the pledge until she sent home a note to ALL the parents saying that she has heard that some parents wanted to know more about the pledge that the kids say every day. She typed out the words to the pledge on this note she sent home. Jim talked to Miss Monroe this morning and asked that Elaine not participate in this activity. He gave his reasons to Miss Monroe, which I'm sure he'll blog about in detail. She seemed surprised, but didn't argue. Before he left the classroom, he noticed a discrepancy between the note she sent to parents and the poster in class... the 'Pledge to the Earth' poster in her classroom (which is hand-written and laminated) ends with the word "Namaste". It's a Hindu word that literally translates to "I bow to you", among other things. So the class recites a pledge to the earth that ends with "I bow to you"??!!
Let's say I was a teacher, hypothetically. I wouldn't be allowed to have a poster that says "Amen" on it, right? Or even include Jesus in Christmas projects. Elaine attends a typical state-funded elementary, so no one should be allowed to teach any kind of religion to the kids, besides their parents. Jim emailed (a very carefully worded and nice) email to Miss Monroe to find out what 'Namaste' means. We looked it up online, but are curious what she THINKS it means.
Jim says there are a few possibilities: 1. She might not know all the meanings of the word and might just know it from Yoga class. Evidently lots of yoga classes say it to end the class. 2. It's how communication is commonly ended with Hindus, so she might have copied the pledge from some source and kept the phrase without looking it up. 3. She knows what it means and intentionally put it on the sign in her classroom.
My advise from Regina is to just have Elaine moved to a different teacher's class, while it's still early in the school year, since other classes don't recite this pledge daily or have the poster.
