There's No Place Like Home :)

I thought I wasn't going to post anymore until after Christmas, but decided to anyway. Reading the online version of my local newspaper, I stumbled across the following home for sale ad:

Price Township $1.5 Million Home For Sale



I do believe I know where this property is located, and I certainly wouldn't want to have to drive off that mountain in the snow and ice, LOL!!!

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone a blessed and joyful Christmas!

I'm Truly Surprised

I am surprised my dh is getting me exactly what I want for Christmas this year. My little hands are itching, trying to get at that laminator I've waited so long for! I'm still fielding questions like: why would you want something like that, are you crazy, I'd kill my dh if he gave me such a thing. For those who think I'm nuts, maybe I am (only kidding!)

On a sad note, I know quite a few women who are petty and selfish. They want what they want when they want it, regardless of how it affects their family finances. One in particular unnerved me. She said her dh was only able to work part time, and they were having a difficult time paying the bills, but she wanted that all-important piece of jewelry that her husband promised her every year since they were married. "Forget about it all, let's throw caution to the wind and give me what I want," so she said. "So what if the electric isn't paid, we're using the charge cards to buy essentials, as long as I have my jewelry, I'll be happy. So what if the charge cards are maxxed out, as long as I'm happy who cares!"

I find that selfishness and unconcern for her family's future to be quite sad. I've been called plain and boring by some of these women, but at least I know I won't be in the poor house due to my being selfish. Ah yes, that laminator is the best Christmas present I will receive :)

Blog Blessing

Today, I received a blog blessing from Joann at The Creamer Chronicles. I was both surprised and honored she would think so highly of me. Thank you so much Joann!

The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for 3 blog friend. By participating in this endeavor we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. If you receive a bloggin’ blessin’ please leave a comment on this thread so that we can rejoice in just how many blessings have been sent around the world!

I want to bless the following bloggers:

1. Genny at Unschooling With The Duck

She probably doesn't know this, but she is my biggest inspiration when it comes to homeschooling. If it wasn't for her advice and support, I might have given up a long time ago.

2. Dani at Taylor Went A Bloggin

Dani has a wonderful sense of humor, and has shown me the lighter side of different situations. I can always count on her to give me a good laugh whenever I need it.

3. Tanya at Mama Tatiana

Tanya (or Blondie as she is known at DCF) has inspired my inner creativity. She has given me many ideas that I would not ordinarily have thought of myself. I'm amazed at how easy she makes creativity seem.

Lord I thank you for all you give to me. I especially thank you for the friendsip I receive from Genny, Dani, and Tanya. I pray your blessing on all of them everyday. Grant them strength, peace and JOY! For they let You bless me with these things through them every day. Amen.


So, Ladies, please pass on the blogger blessing to three other bloggers.

Those Evil Christians!

Oh, how evil we Christians really are! Mike Huckabee ought to be ashamed of himself, planting the cross and three symbols of the Trinity in his Christmas message



Yes, some people actually thought the bookshelf and three ornaments are overt messages promoting religion. Just take a look at Meredith Viera's interview with Huckabee on the "Today Show"



Is she for real? Does she actually consider herself a serious journalist by asking such ridiculous questions about an ad with a Christmas message?

She has truly reinforced why I no longer watch network or regular news. All those pretty boys and girls are lacking intellectually. Frank Runyeon was right; the "news" is about who looks the best and can read the script well, not about true journalism.

It's time for Meredith Viera and her ilk to go back to doing dead game shows.

My Christmas Movie

Thanks to Dana's blog, I took this quiz

Your Christmas is Most Like: The Muppet Christmas Carol

You tend to reflect on Christmas past, present, and future... And you also do a little singing.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Why am I not surprised, LOL!

Snowflake Patterns

I've been on the hunt for some snowflake patterns to put up for the Christmas season and beyond. One set of patterns I liked (courtesy of Dave's Paper Snowflake Patterns):



Looking at them, I think they would make great Christmas gifts for friends and family. They're simple, yet elegant at the same time. Maybe next year I should put this at the top of my list of things to do for Advent :)

Thanks For The Prayers

From my blog post last week re: Serious Issues, thanks for the prayers. They truly have been and are still needed. I've been "laying low", and not posting here on my blog, due to those issues. I was unsure if a certain local group had a way of viewing my blog, so I decided not to post.

For those who don't know what happened, here it is:

I'm involved in our local newspaper's online forum. There was a particular article wrt what the county task force has said is a gang. Some people were up in arms at being given than label, including one Catholic mother who decided listening to a certain type of "music" with her child was normal. I send her a pm, telling her I hoped she had sought the guidance and counsel of her parish priest, and that I was praying for her family. That sent her into a rage, where she made some outrageous comments about my daughter and family. She also mentioned who her parish priest is, so I'm certain if he knew about this type of "family entertainment" he would have a fit and lecture her and her daughter about the dangers of their choices.

Another thing that scared me was how this group has stated they silence all their "haters", which is anyone who speaks out against them. The task force told me that while I should be careful around these folks, most of them are harmless unless they call in other members to do their deeds. It also seems they have decided to keep quiet over the past few days. Nice not to have to listen to them curse and swear at those of us who stand up for decency and the truth.

What's another shocker is the number of these members who are in three of the four school districts in my county. This was unheard of when we first moved to PA. I guess people decided to take their gang ways with them when they transplanted to what used to be a nice quiet rural area.

Snow, Ice, and Rain

We've been taking a beating in the weather department around here. I was watching a certain weather forecaster from a station in Scranton (the station and forecaster shall remain nameless, because the guy is such an idiot and I don't want to embarrass him any further) who made some of the dumbest comments about this last storm. One such comment: at least it won't be 15 degrees and all snow. No, it wasn't. It was closer to 25 degrees and mostly ice. Now it's frozen solid to the driveway and private road that it's impossible to walk on. I can't see the main road from here, but it appears to be okay.

Watching the extended forecast on TWC, and it has more snow/ice/rain for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. I'm hoping all this will pass us or at least fizzle out.

I'm also amazed how many people used common sense and slowed down on the ice. Around these parts, snow and ice are reasons for people to speed up. And they wonder why our insurance rates keep rising *rolls eyes*

Serious Issues

My apologies for not updating my blog as frequently lately. There are some issues that are rather serious that have come up. I don't want to bring them up here on my blog, as the nature of these issues could cause problems for my entire family. Please keep all of us in your prayers. They are definitely needed!

Snowflake Tree

I was doing a search for some snowflakes to make out of paper, and came across this very pretty Chrismon snowkflake tree (courtesy of Christian Crafters).



I might want to make some of these snowflakes to hang around the house, and keep them up until February. They are so pretty and ornate :)

What I Want For Christmas...

is an official Red Rider carbine action 200 shot air rifle (only kidding!)

Actually what I do want is a laminator. Yes, a laminator!



There are many projects I've been meaning to finish, and only the laminator will do! When I told my dh about this, he asked me if I was sure. Of course I'm sure, silly! Seeing that particular model in K-Mart, I pointed it out to him. Some lady said she thought I was nuts for wanting something so "impersonal". Hey, it's what I want. Dh will be getting off pretty cheap if he gets me the Scotch model I requested :)

I told Amanda she can get me the laminating sheets to go with it. That was when she said she already made me a present. I'm looking forward to seeing what it is :)

Remember Victor Borge?

I was going through some youtube videos, looking for classical pieces. When I typed in "Mozart", one of Victor Borge's videos came up. Anyone remember him? I used to love watching him when I was a kid. I was always amazed at his ability, especially playing the piano backwards.

Some videos I think everyone will enjoy:

Improvising On The Piano


Page Turner


A Mozart Opera


I wish there was someone today who had his talent and sense of humor.

Then Vs. Now

This was sent to me today, about the differences in school in 1957 vs 2007. I hadn't heard of these before, but I can say I do believe they are true. It's a sad telling of our society today. Even when I was in school in 1977, the earlier part would have been true.

Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack.

1957 - Vice principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his own shotgun to show Jack.

2007 - School goes into lockdown, the FBI is called, Jack is hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors are called in to assist traumatized students and teachers.

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.

1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.

2007 - Police are called, SWAT team arrives and arrests Johnny and Mark. They are charged with assault and both are expelled even though Johnny started it.

Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students.

1957 - Jeffrey is sent to the principal's office and given a good paddling. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.

2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra state funding because Jeffrey has a disability.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.

1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.

2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist.

Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some Aspirin to school.

1957 - Mark shares Aspirin with the school principal out on the smoking dock.

2007 - Police are called and Mark is expelled from School for drug violations. His car is searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Pedro fails high-school English.

1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, goes to college.

2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by local human rights group. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that making English a requirement for graduation is racist. US Civil Liberties Association files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover Independence Day firecrackers, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up an anthill.

1957 - Ants die.

2007 - Homeland Security and the FBI are called and Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. teams investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are confiscated, and Johnny's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario: Johnny falls during recess and scrapes his knee. His teacher, Mary, finds him crying, and gives him a hug to comfort him.

1957 - Johnny soon feels better and goes back to playing.

2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three years in federal prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy.

A Monster Has Been Created :)

Actually, I should say a mad pianist is being created. After her recital, Amanda decided she wanted to tackle some of the pieces the other music majors were performing. One of the main pieces is Brahms' Rhapsody in G minor Op 79 no 2.

Here's a youtube video of a young man's recital, performing this particular piece (we don't know who he is, but his interpretation is wonderful):


Another piece I think she wants to tackle is Aram Khachaturian's Toccata. Another youtube video showing a young man performing this piece:


It looks more difficult than it actually is to perform, although it does take some time to get to the proper speed.

Whew! Both pieces are awesome, and I'm certain Amanda will be able to play both with practice :)