...............McSmalltalk............

SNOW, 10 days later

2012-02-13T15:48:00.001-06:00

Here we are in Lincoln, NE. It's the middle of February. There is snow everywhere. Snow on the ground, snow in piles in parking lots and street corners. Snow falling from the sky as I write. Snow is forcasted again later in the week. Snow, snow, snow.I hate it!I'm tired of it!I want it to go away!Snow is sneaky...at first all clean, white and beautiful. It is a beautiful sight, as I watch it fall from the warmth of my living room, fireplace casting a charming glow.But then you have to go out in it. You must clear the sidewalks and the driveway. You have to drive in it. You have to walk in parking lots and on sidewalks where people were not so kind as to clear a path. Your feet get wet. Your feet get cold. Your shoes get filthy.

The snow gets dirty, really dirty. Snow gets ugly. I hate it!When I really get tired of this...

I dream about this...

You can take the girl out of California, but you can't take the California out of the girl!

2012-02-04T17:03:00.000-06:00

It's been snowing all day. Actually since about midnight last night!

It is incredibly beautiful, no doubt about it.

I still long for warm weather and sunny days! Thankfully there is a solution...

Can't wait for SUMMER! Until then I'll drink to warmer weather and sunny days.

Easy, simple,DIY chalkboard door.

2012-02-03T21:12:00.001-06:00

This is the door to our finished basement. It is right off the kitchen. It is (was) a cheap hollow core door. I hated it. So I decided to make it a giant chalk board. If it didn't work, I would just have to buy a new door...It worked!Here is the door before.

I taped up the hinges and the knob.

It had to dry for a couple of hours before the second coat. I was in a hurry because yesterday was close to 60 degrees and today we knew it would be colder with rain. The paint directions specified not to paint in high humidity. Tomorrow we have snow, so it had to get done yesterday afternoon!

Second coat on...

Hung up and looking good. Directions also said to wait at least 24 hours before using it as a chalk board. Good thing we went out last night, patience is not my strong suit. We had tickets for Mamma Mia on stage at the Lied Center...Loved It!"Mamma mia, here I go again, my my how can I resist you"... that's been playing in my head all day!

Got home from work today and still waited...it hadn't been quite 24 hours. But then I got the call from work. We will be closed tomorrow due to the 10+ inches of snow we are supposed to get. Just had to celebrate a day off!This was a very easy project. It took just 1 can of chalkboard spray paint. I had the tape on hand and of course the door! The paint can says it can be used on almost any surface. I am eyeing things around the house. Maybe a glass jar with a band of chalkboard paint to be used as a changeable label... or perhaps the bottom of a mirror, so I can write notes to the next person who uses the bathroom. "Good morning sunshine", "you look fantastic this morning", or "didn't sleep well last night?" Might be fun!

"Tyranny, pure and simple"

2012-01-28T19:41:00.000-06:00

1st Amendment to The Constitution of the United States of America:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed Jan. 20, 2012, that church-affiliated hospitals, agencies and universities will be required to provide contraception and sterilization in the health insurance they provide employees.

Father Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA, expressed disappointment that the religious exemption had not been broadened to shield social agencies as well as rectories.
“Catholic Charities agencies are first and foremost Catholic institutions — a manifestation of the Gospel call for charity and justice for all people. As such, remaining faithful to Catholic teaching is not a matter of choice; rather, it is essential to our identity. With the existing restrictive definition in this mandate, the ministry of Jesus Christ himself would not be considered a religious entity.”

Thomas Farr, director of the Religious Freedom Project at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, also challenged the position of the HHS secretary.
“What we are seeing here is precisely what the First Amendment was intended to prohibit: state action targeted against the religious consciences of particular religious communities, and intended to attack their conceptions of justice, equality and the common good. It is tyranny, pure and simple. The stakes go beyond the questions of contraception and abortion to the very meaning of American democracy,” he added.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/hhs-secretary-sebelius-church-groups-must-provide-contraception/#ixzz1ko19BTAS

The belief that all life is sacred is not something that will change. It is not something that can be cast aside for convenience. The Catholic Church will not change this fundamental belief. We may lose hospitals, social services, charities, etc. It's not just Catholic agencies, but many faith based entities are angry and amazed that the right to practice one's faith is taken so lightly, actually not considered legitimate at all by the current administration.

America was founded by people who left Europe because they were not allowed to practice their faith without government interference. This administration is taking us backwards 236+ years. Right now it is my religious freedom, but tomorrow it may be your freedom. When a government begins to take away certain constitutional rights and freedoms, none of us are safe...and certainly we are not free!

Represent'n

2012-01-27T20:25:00.000-06:00

You probably didn't see or hear any stories about the March for Life in DC held last Monday. Thousands of pro life Americans marched and showed their support for the unborn.
I am always amazed that 3 "occupy" wherever protesters can make the top news story by sitting on a park bench speaking nonsense, but a group over 100,000 strong barely gets a mention on the nightly news or more than 5 lines in the paper. Sad.

Tomorrow, Lincoln NE will hold our own annual March for Life. Bede and I will be there for the 8th year in a row. Catholics, all people of faith and everyone who respects life, from birth til natural death needs to represent! The time has come for us to speak up, to be present, to make our voices heard. We will not quit. We will never change our minds. Life is sacred, always has been, always will be, no matter who is making policy. Life is not POLICY.
Wherever you are, in whatever way you can, be a part of the Pro-Life voice.

Money , Mitt & Double standards

2012-01-24T18:02:00.000-06:00

When did it become EVIL to be rich? It seems to me that for generations, one of the beloved aspects of our great country was that anyone has the oppurtunity to become successful. So when did that change? Why is Mitt Romney a bad guy because he's rich and successful? I can understand if you don't agree with his politics, but why do you hate him because he's rich. He just released his tax records for the past 2 years. The man has made a boatload of money, no doubt! He has also paid all the taxes he was legally obligated to pay! Do you pay more to the IRS than you have to? Does anyone? If they do, in my humble opinion,they are indeed crazy!Is Warren Buffett evil? Is Michael Moore evil? How about Brad and Angelina, Nancy Pelosi, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama... What about, dare I say it...Oprah? Is she evil? They are all very wealthy people. I would bet my grandmother that they do not pay anymore taxes than they have to legally. So why is Mitt Romney the new poster boy for the evil rich?Oh....wait...is it because he's a Republican? Because he's a conservative? I get it now! It's not the rich that are evil, just rich Republicans!It used to be said that the only certainties were death and taxes. Now it''s death, taxes and political double standards!

Grandma? Grandma!

2012-01-20T19:21:00.000-06:00

I have been asked by many, since hearing the news that we are about to be grandparents, how do I feel about it? Well...if you had asked me 8 months ago, I would have told you that I was much too young! I would have told you that "grandma" is really an awful title, nothing glam about it, brings to mind a gray haired, stooped little old lady...

Then I found out my daughter is pregnant. Grand baby #1 is due in late Feb. Immediately I became a grandma! No qualms, no pretense that I am of the proper age or not. ( I have been old enough to be a grandma for many years). I am going out to stay with them nearer the due date. I can't wait to hold that baby in my arms. It is indeed a very new emotion I feel, knowing my daughter is soon to be a mother. She has been an amazing mom to be. Very little complaining, very calm, probably because she has no idea really what is to come. To know she will soon feel that same unconditional, boundless love for her child that I felt for her, for all my children, still feel for them, makes my heart swell.
I remember well, when I found out I was pregnant with her. She was our 2nd child. I wondered how would it be possible to love another child as much as I loved the 1st. How would it be possible to make room in my heart that was so full, bursting with that love. As all mothers of more that 1 child know, there is room, there is infinite room. The minute I saw her I fell in love all over again. That's the wonderful thing about LOVE. It is boundless. It is limitless. It multiplies.( Kind of like compound interest.) It just keeps on growing.I have been surprised that there is still room in my heart for more of that love. I feel that same limitless love for my grand daughter to be. I already know she will be special, perfect, the best grand baby ever! Until the next one comes along and then we will have another special, perfect, best and so on and so on and so on...

Can't wait to see this new little member of the family. Can't wait to watch her parents, a couple, become a family. Can't wait to welcome her into this world, to love her, cherish her and watch her grow into a wonderful person, like her mother. God Bless baby, mom and dad. Thank God for the opportunity to be a grandma.

Life's little blessings...

2012-01-20T18:34:00.000-06:00

It was 24 degrees here today...for our high! On my way to work it was 3! But I am not feeling sorry for myself, not one little bit. Nope! It's sunny and dry here, albeit frigid. My daughter, who has occasionally teased me about her warmer weather in the
great Northwest, has been dumped on by "snowmageddon". Where as her normal annual snowfall is less than 4 inches, they had several inches, close to a foot this week. She lost power at her house last night. Thankfully it came back on in the middle of the night. She is about 4 weeks from delivering our 1st grandchild, a baby girl. Last week they had a plumbing issue in the (old) new house they bought and she was unable to shower for a couple of days. She's a trooper, is thankful she works from home and that no one sees her unshampooed, and slightly disheveled. So anyway, my life is pretty darn good. Very little snow, all the electricity I need, and I'm NOT having a baby!
I have to admit, I was worried all day about her, picturing her cold, alone (husband at work) and without phone, as they are like so many folks now who have no land line. No power, no way to charge those phones. So when I got the news that power had come back on in the middle of the night and all was returning to "normal", I was relieved.
I also realized today that now, not only do I still worry about my adult children, but I have a grand baby to worry about as well! This parenthood thing is perpetual, never ending...
Thank God for the opportunity. Thanks for the kids, and now the grand kids. I will glady worry and fret over them, as I also get to love and enjoy them. Nothing is easy or free! The trade off is PRICELESS!

View from her office window.

2012-01-10T17:41:00.000-06:00

61 fantastic degrees here today in the middle of January. Love It!!!!
After work I went to Wyuka cemetery and took some photos. It's a beautiful place, right in the heart of Lincoln.

I just had to be outside. Tomorrow reality hits as actual winter temperatures are predicted. But today I played outside.

2012-01-09T16:13:00.000-06:00

I am 55 years old.
Happy, content, not ever wanting to be a younger age.
Especially when I come across a gem like this.
What was my mother thinking...why would she have let me out of the house with this hair, and on picture day?
Did we not own a comb?

When you have an embarrassing or humiliating incident, and some well meaning person tells you "one day you will look back on this and laugh",

You really will!

2012-01-07T20:07:00.000-06:00

I've been scanning old family photos with the intention of getting everything digitized and making cds for everyone. It's slow going because frequently I stop and reminisce...or just laugh out loud like I did when I saw this vacation shot of 2 of my brothers.

Camera practice

2012-01-02T10:52:00.006-06:00

I got a new camera almost a year ago. Finally decided to read the users manual! It's amazing how much can be learned by reading! Lots of stuff I had no idea I could do, or was doing incorrectly. 223 pages of info. Lots to learn. It's kind of like going to school! Here are a couple of pictures I took using some of the settings I just learned about. Makes Christmas look a lot different.

Christmas biscuits

2012-01-02T10:26:00.005-06:00

Bede Sr. and Jr. cooked Christmas dinner. We had a roast, green bean casserole, potatoes, gravy, and biscuits! Bede Sr. made the biscuits all by himself. The dinner was fabulous...the biscuits needed just a little help. Here is a picture of them before we added a little more dry ingredients! We also enjoyed a delicious cake sent from Texas from Brittany's mom,Penny. It was so good.

Thanks for cooking guys! That was one of the best gifts ever. I just had a glass of wine, well, maybe two and sat out in the sun while dinner was prepared. I think we may have started a new tradition!

Christmas 2011

2012-01-02T10:09:00.007-06:00

Great Christmas Day here in Lincoln.
Lots of interesting gifts. Andrew gave Bede Jr. a vintage rotary telephone.
Bede Sr. and I felt vintage ourselves as we grew up with these phones!
Kelly came over bright and early to join in the festivities. We all enjoyed the great basket of coffee goodies from Brittany in Texas.
Even the doggies got treats from Santa.
Treats that were reduced to pieces of fluff on the floor within minutes.

Hello! Hello! Hello! Can you hear me now?

New sweaters for the boys!

To make the day even better, the weather was fantastic. Warm, sunny, nice enough to sit out on the porch for a while in the afternoon.

We missed Joanna and Andy. Hopefully next year we will all be together for baby's 1st Christmas!

Andrew's graduation

2011-12-31T11:28:00.006-06:00

Bob Devany Center, University Of Nebraska Lincoln. Dec. 17th, 2011. Andrew recieved a BA in English with a minor in Horticulture.

Andrew and Kelly

Congratulations!

Graduation Day. Bede Jr., Jeanne, Andrew, Bede Sr.

The post Christmas blues...

2011-12-29T20:38:00.005-06:00

Got em, got em good, the post Christmas blues. All the build up, all the hype. Rush, rush, rush, shop, shop, shop, cook, eat, then eat some more...anticipation, family visiting, then...it's all over. Done. Then what? Well, my grocery store has Valentine's Day candy where just days ago the shelves were filled with Christmas goodies. All Christmas decor is on sale everywhere. At the thrift store where I work, all Christmas items are 75% off. I just want it gone. Out of the store, out of my house, gone! Unfortunately wishing it gone from the house takes more than just wishful thinking! Seems like I just put it all up. Dragged all the boxes from the basement decorated, dragged the boxes back down again. I was not going to do a lot of decorating this year, but ended up with 2 large trees, 5 or 6 small trees, and lots of miscellaneous Christmas crap. It looks great, everyone was in the holiday spirit, especially at the little party we had after Andrew's college graduation. Sadly the holiday mood is gone but the decor remains. Until I drag those boxes up again.

I must also vent about people who "donate" old, broken, useless clothes, shoes, toys, and Christmas decorations this time of year to the thrift store. (Actually, anytime of year, for that matter). Anyone out there who is thinking of donating anything...think again! Take a good look at the items you want to give away. Then ask yourself these questions:

1. Have these clothes been in a box in the garage, basement closet, for 30 years?

2. Did those prom dresses belong to your daughter who graduated from high school in 1972?

3. Is that garbage bag full of old toys that are missing pieces, duct taped together, chewed up by the dog? Is that monopoly game in good shape, except it's missing most of the money and a couple of game pieces?

4. Is that end table in "great shape, if someone can replace a missing leg".

5. Is that mattress 20 years old and covered with questionable stains?

6. Do you think that all the stuff you have, no matter how old, broken, stained it is should be usable because a child with no toys would be happy with a broken one, or a man with no coat would be happy with a stained coat with a broken zipper, or a person who needs shoes would be thankful for the shoes you donated with no laces and holes in the toes.

If you answered Yes to any of these questions...you may want to reconsider your donations.

Don't get me wrong, we love donations, good usable donations, donations we can share with those who need the help. What we don't want is the garbage! Evidently throwing things away is much more difficult than donating them. Most things have a life. Most things cannot be used forever. Our agency spends thousands of dollars a year throwing away donated items that should have been thrown away by their owner.
Every day we hear donors tell us that they are aware that their items may not be in very good shape, or are broken..."but someone can use it". We really don't feel that way. We want the poor to be treated with dignity. We believe they deserve better than our broken, torn, stained clothing, toys, etc. Thankfully, we have many great donors who understand this. We do receive lots of great stuff, that we happily pass on to those in need. In fact, most of our donors are fantastic, most of our donations are fantastic! But this time of year there are lots of folks who are looking for that end of year tax deduction.
The last couple of days we have filled a semi with unusable stuff, that we have to pay to dispose of.
Just think twice, then bring in the stuff you know we can use, you know the difference.

Thanks... I feel sooooo much better now!

Garden Journal 7-23-11

2011-07-23T12:37:00.011-05:00

Temps have been in the high 90's to low 100's for the past week or so. The garden is beginning to look a little stressed. Even my plastic owl who stands guard looks a little cranky!

Just paid my water bill...double last months bill.
But it's worth it to keep these beauties blooming.

It's HOT in the garden, but even hotter in the kitchen with these babies!

Hungarian wax peppers. As they turn from green to yellow to red they get hotter and HOTTER and HOTTER. Sooooo pretty!

Garden Blog 7-15-11 ,Glass Garden Totems

2011-07-15T20:36:00.007-05:00

I have been collecting glassware at the Thrift Store ever since I was inspired by a photo of a glass garden totem. I made one a few weeks ago and placed it in the yard. It really looks good. This green and clear piece was my 1st attempt.

Last night I made another this time with some blue glass. They are fun and easy to create. Also kind of addictive...beware!
I use clear silicon caulk in a squeeze tube to glue the pieces together. The glass pieces are "throw away" vases, inexpensive plates, bowls, and small candle holders. Anything that has a flat bottom to insure a strong connection to the joining piece.

The green one has been in the yard through some strong wind and thunder storms, even some hail.
This one has to dry for another day or so and then I think it will find a home in the back yard!

...............McSmalltalk............: Magic

2011-07-06T20:55:00.002-05:00

Wrote this a few years ago.
Tonight, here on the front porch as night falls, the magic begins again.
I love fireflies!

Click here...
...............McSmalltalk............: Magic

Flood of 2011

2011-07-04T18:52:00.007-05:00

Took a walk to Iowa today! Walked across the Bob Kerry Bridge in Omaha. The Missouri River is at record high levels.

Backyard zoo

2011-06-24T21:36:00.008-05:00

Sitting in the backyard this afternoon, had lots of visitors...

This guy may look cute, but he is my nemesis! I plant, they eat... Lincoln has thousands of bunnies, they are everywhere. I hate them !

Leaving the nest

2011-06-24T21:25:00.007-05:00

Just last week they were babes in the nest. Now mom is feeding them all over the yard. Time to fly little ones...

Current project

2011-06-24T20:52:00.008-05:00

We had a third parking pad put in next to the garage. There will be a fence and an arbor toward the back of the garage. We left room on the fence side to plant something that will hopefully climb/cover the fence eventually and soften the look of the cement.

Happy Thursday...

2011-06-23T18:05:00.004-05:00

Testing out a new wine for the weekend!

Oh Yeah...it'll do... Have a great weekend everyone!

Garden Journal 6/19/11

2011-06-19T21:30:00.010-05:00

We have had lots of rain, moderate temps and the garden is flourishing! This year I have had little planting to do. Most of the yard is planted with perrennials and we just have to do basic maintenance, deadheading, weeding, watering, etc. This is the 1st year we have had time to really sit back and enjoy the yard.

Father's Day at the Homestead National Monument

2011-06-19T21:16:00.007-05:00

It was "Homestead Days" this weekend. Lots of historical demonstrations, historical talks and music. This National Monument is just outside of Beatrice, NE. It's usually a sleepy little park, just 10,000 visitors a year. I think they get about a third of those visitors on this weekend. A great place to visit. The rangers and volunteers do a great job.

Hope all the dads had a great Father's Day!

Ft. Sumter, SC

2011-06-12T15:24:00.009-05:00

Took the ferry to and from Ft. Sumter. It's a beautiful site out in the bay. The weather was fine, the sea breeze refreshing...some took advantage of the trip and had a nap!
Spent a couple of hours seeing the harbor and the fort. Very cool!

Charleston, SC Day 1

2011-06-02T08:50:00.011-05:00

We shopped, we ate, we looked at houses...Such an awesome city. Beautiful homes, secret gardens, big front doors that lead to the open porch. After a few hours getting to know the city we got ready to head out on a tour of the harbor and ferry ride to Ft. Sumter.

Augusta, GA

2011-06-02T08:40:00.006-05:00

Stayed in Augusta, GA. Saw Joanna and Andy's apartment, met Gretel. Ate tapas at a local restaurant and then walked along the river. The next day we all headed to Charleston, SC.

Athens GA

2011-06-02T08:25:00.005-05:00

We spent a night in Athens GA. Walked around the downtown area, had breakfast at the Mayflower Cafe. I ordered an egg and toast, got and egg, toast and Grits! We are truly in the south!
Lovely town, lots of shops and resturants. Did a little walking tour of the University as well. Very beautiful.

Chickamauga

2011-05-27T23:44:00.006-05:00

30 years after the battle, soldiers from the North and South returned to dedicate the area to the memory of the fallen. The survivors marked the places of significance on the battlefield, and later monuments were erected at the exact sights pin pointed by the soldiers who fought.

Beautiful Battlefield park. Lots of monuments, pristine environment. We were very impressed by the beauty of the area.

Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, TN

2011-05-24T21:05:00.004-05:00

Garden Journal 5/7/11

2011-05-07T17:40:00.006-05:00

Lots of planting today.

In a month these will be overflowing with morning glory, vinca, gladiolas, mexican heather...fingers crossed
Vinca
Sweet potato vine.

Impatients all around the deck in the backyard.

Wine and chocolate make you smarter!

2011-05-07T17:25:00.005-05:00

Scientists have come to the conclusion that a limited amount of dark chocolate and red wine consumed together may actually be good for the brain, enhancing its capacities of resolving complex matters.

If this is true...a "limited amount" makes you smarter...I must be a genius!!!

Garden journal 5/1/11

2011-05-01T18:33:00.009-05:00

This weekend we planted nasturtium seeds in the front flower bed and the back "rock hill".

Hopefully they will fill in the empty areas. The perennials will become larger as well. It worked last year, so my fingers are crossed for this year as well.

We noticed the honeysuckle was coming back nicely after we drastically cut them back this year.

We also planted another honeysuckle to replace the one that died last year.

Bede had planted grass seed in spots throughout the lawn and they are sprouting nicely.

My seedlings in the green house are coming up well. I'll be able to plant most of them soon.

The irises we got from my father in law are promising to bloom soon. He died last July. This is our 1st Spring without him. He was an avid gardener and I treasure the fact that we have a little of his garden here with us. Every time I look at them I think of Pete and smile. I know it would make him happy to know his flowers bloom here!

Military Ball

2011-04-30T09:37:00.004-05:00

While the British were partying it up at the palace...Bede and I were living our own American version. Bede was invited to be the guest of honor and speaker at the UNL Army ROTC Military Ball last night. Bede did a great job and spoke about leadership and the "warrior ethos". Very HOO AH!!! All were impressed. He has left a permanent impression on the this ROTC Battallion. There are few there who actually served with him, but his name is spoken often and with great respect. I'm very proud of what he has done, and continues to do.
Plus he's still looking mighty fine in the uniform, I must say!

Spring visitors

2011-04-24T18:25:00.004-05:00

A flock of cedar waxwings came for a visit today. They hung out in the tree in the front yard for a few hours. There were probably 15-20 of them but this guy is the only one who was kind enough to pose for me!

They are beautiful birds.Smooth, waxy looking feathers with a bright spot of yellow on the end of the tail. They eat the berries of the nearby trees and then they are off.

Thankfull...

2011-04-22T16:24:00.008-05:00

for the miracle of Spring...
for the daily gifts from God...

for the renewal of Life...

for the gift of His son, who suffered and died for us.

"For He so loved the world..."

For this, I am truly thankfull!

2011-04-08T22:35:00.003-05:00

Still Pondering!

2011-04-08T22:02:00.008-05:00

Click here to listen...

pinky-gb.wav

Found my favorite hat while I was cleaning in the basement. Pinky and the Brain. Great cartoon.

The Brain... or Pinky ???

2011-04-08T22:02:00.007-05:00

aypwip.wav
Pondering!

Why we need less government, and fewer government officials...

2011-04-08T19:28:00.002-05:00

The government is a mess. Our elected officials can't do the job they were elected to do! It has come down to the last 3 hours and they still don't have a budget. Why did the democrats, while in control of both the house and senate for 2 years, not reach a budget deal? They could have had it all done, their own way...but Nooooooooo. Check out one of our most illustrious legislators, Charlie Rangel on why the Dems didn't get the job done.
Unbelievable.....well, not really considering!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNHk6Kh37PY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Crane Cam

2011-04-07T18:38:00.005-05:00

Check out this web cam of the cranes. Best viewed just prior to sunrise or sunset. They will be leaving Nebraska soon. But will be back next March.

http://www.rowesanctuary.org/crane%20cam.htm

Here are some more photos of our trip.

Feeding in the corn fields.

Dancing the crane dance!

Bede looking out across the Platte River.

Inside the blind before sunset, waiting for the cranes to come in.

Sandhill cranes March 21, 2011

2011-03-22T08:25:00.002-05:00

Sandhill crane adventure part 1

2011-03-22T08:07:00.002-05:00

Bede and I spent the day yesterday on the Platte river watching a most incredible sight. Up to 600,000 sandhill cranes migrate through an 80 mile corridor in Nebraska every March.They are on their way from Mexico, New Mexico, southern Texas to northern Alaska and Canada. They spend a month or so here in Nebraska to rest and gain weight and energy for the rest of their trip north. They feed on waste corn in the fields during the day and then at dusk come together to roost on the sandbars of the Platte river. They have been doing this for 10 million years.Took lots of photos and videos...here is just one. More to come later.

Delicious dinner!

2011-03-06T19:20:00.006-06:00

I tried a new dish tonight. Didn't have a recipe, just some "healthy" stuff in the pantry. Whole wheat organic pasta, turkey sausage, roasted red peppers, asparagus, no sugar added pasta sauce, lots of spices, topped off with a little reggiano Parmesan cheese. Turned out great. Low in fat, carbs, calories, but loads of taste.

MMMMMMMMmmmmmmm!

Taking charge of the weather!

2011-03-06T19:00:00.008-06:00

We had a beautiful day today. High in the 50s. Spring really wants to be here, but first...more snow. Forecast for the next couple of days calls for 3-5 inches of snow. So I decided to make my own "Personal Spring" right here, right now.
My Spring is about 4 ft wide and 6ft tall in the center. This afternoon with the sun shinning on it, the temp reached around 80 inside. I may just move in! Actually my plan is to get started on some seeds, since we really can't plant in the ground with sure safety from the frost until mid May. I just can't wait any longer. Today we built some rough shelves inside and tomorrow I go shopping for seeds!

Bede in his wellies outside looking in. He cut all the boards for the shelves inside my own "Personal Spring"...Thanks!

Toasty inside!

Everyone's enjoying the warm weather...

2011-02-13T20:21:00.003-06:00

Spring tease

2011-02-13T20:10:00.007-06:00

Unofficially hit 71 degrees today, at least on my front porch. I took this photo before we peeked!

We took a ride out to the lake. It's still frozen, but the weather was fantastic and the ice was melting.

What a difference a day makes!!!

2011-02-11T20:11:00.006-06:00

Thursday...

The future's so bright....I gotta wear shades!

I HATE Winter...made a video about it!

2011-02-06T15:58:00.001-06:00

Snowed in...AGAIN!

2011-01-31T20:46:00.002-06:00

Snow, snow and more snow. With a bit of ice and lots of wind thrown in for good measure.
So today I stayed inside and created! My 1st attempt at mixed media collage. I used photos from a trip we took to Italy. Photo shopped them and then decoupaged them onto canvas. Added other decorative touches and paint...voila! I kind of like it. I think it will be an interesting way to display photos while adding color and interest as well. Now I am excited to get back to work at the thrift store to find all kinds of fun things to incorporate into my next one!

More Christmas...

2010-12-08T10:23:00.007-06:00

This year I did some shopping at St. Louise Gift and Thrift Store, where I also happen to work! We get absolutely great donations. Here's what I did with some of them...
Some of the little birds on this tree were purchased at a real deal!

This holy family was on the shelf for a week. I kept thinking to myself. " If no one buys it today, I will" After a week, I knew it was destined to come home with me.

I actually purchased this chalk board a couple of months ago. It's great to use as a place to leave notes, but also is fun to spread some holiday cheer. Here I can whine about the weather and be festive at the same time!

I was never a thrift store shopper until I became associated with Catholic
Social Services of Southern Nebraska 6 years ago. St. Louise is an awesome store, unlike any other thrift store I have ever seen. My problem now is trying to not buy too much!

Tis the Season

2010-12-04T11:23:00.006-06:00

Most who know me understand I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas. I love the day, Love the reason we celebrate. I just hate the fact the the season starts so early and seems to be totally tied to the national economy. Buy more, buy early, spend, spend, spend. I get stressed and always put things off which makes me more stressed...and so on and so on. So this year I decided to decorate the house early. (early for me anyway) We had a fantastic Thanksgiving with family, an ever growing family as we happily learned that Andrew is engaged to Kelly. I had a wonderful family, a clean house and 2 days before I had to go back to work. I was feeling the whole Christmas thing. So decorate I did. I must admit it is a good feeling to have it done and be able to come home from work and enjoy it. I took a few pictures...
Found the birdcage at the Thrift store and added the greenery and birds...

Found this cute wine bottle with lights at the store as well!

craft project

2010-10-10T19:46:00.006-05:00

Now that I am no longer in the ranks of the full time workers, I thought I would have lots of time to do all the things I have been putting off for so long. But for some reason I still don't have enough time! But I did manage to make these cute little fabric flowers. I have all kinds of plans for future craft projects. ( I have all kinds of plans for organizing and deep cleaning my house too...) But the weather has been so fantastic lately that I find I am spending lots of time outside.I know that winter will be here soon enough and I will be inside with time enough to craft away, and clean my house, I suppose...Until then I will soak up as much of this fine sunshine as possible. Last year at this time we had our first snow. 1 inch on the 10th of October. Today it was in the 70s and a couple of days ago we hit 91. LOVE IT !!!!

Disney

2010-10-10T19:22:00.004-05:00

Bede and I just returned from a trip to Disney World. Bede presented a paper for the College of Business at a conference for Academic Advisers and I went along for the ride. It was fun, and his presentation was a hit. We went to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. I also hung out at the Boardwalk and Downtown Disney. Those are free places... full of shops and restaurants. At least they don't charge you to shop! We had a good time, but both of us admit that we've been there and done that. Epcot is cool, little villages representing countries of the world. One night we ate at the Rose and Crown Pub. Bede went native and had "bangers and mash" for dinner. I had the authentic fish and chips. We were served by a delightful young lady from the UK. It was fun. But we still would rather visit the real thing.
The Magic Kingdom has lost a little of it's magic in my opinion. It could use some refurbishing. So many of the rides are exactly the same as they were 20 years ago. Pirates of the Caribbean is fun, but no surprises aside from Johnny Depp, I mean Captain Jack Sparrow, popping up 2 or 3 times. The Haunted house is exactly the same, as is the Jungle Cruise.
Except they no longer shoot the hippo as it seems to attack the boat. I guess that was politically incorrect...
The boat captain even tells joke after corny joke at the expense of the ride. They know its old and they make fun of the fact. It seems to me that if you are going to charge people a mortgage payment to enter the park, it should have something new and exciting. All in all I did enjoy myself. It was the first time I have been on a trip where I had no commitments or time restraints. I could go where I wanted and do whatever I felt like each morning and then Bede and I would meet up and go together in the late afternoon. It was very relaxing.

Crazy cat ladies

2010-09-08T22:08:00.008-05:00

Just watched a pet hoarding program on the animal channel. Don't know why, but I am fascinated by hoarders. Pet hoarders are the most odd. Most pet hoarders are women and most hoard cats. All lonely, lonely, and sad people.

How many cats does it take to become a crazy cat lady??? 2 Yea, that's 2 more cats than anyone should have.

One woman on this program actually had 95 cats in her home. The poor unsuspecting couple who moved in next door during the dead of winter, found out about the cats as spring set in and they tried to spend time outside. The cat smell was overpowering. Crazy cat lady thinks they should mind their own business and leave her alone.

I could almost smell the cats myself through the tv. I feel like I need to vacuum...

Why are they always cat lovers? I've never heard of a crazy fish lady, or crazy dog lady.

Cats...crazy, creepy.

UNL has lots of feral cats that hang out on campus. Most hang out in front of the college of business. The crazy cat ladies feed them, with permission from the university. They are all ladies, all odd, single (I'm sure) and CRAZY. The university had them all rounded up and spayed and neutered. ( the cats, not the crazy cat ladies...) But everyone knows that other cats have joined the free food and crazy lady attention. They breed, multiply, they kill song birds on campus. They scare people walking on campus as they dart out from the bushes. They're just creepy. But the crazy cat ladies keep them happy.

Personally I think the world would be a better place if it were cat less!

Dream Big

2010-08-28T15:53:00.002-05:00

I have a few big dreams. Just a few... One is becoming the owner of a red convertible. Oh yes! One day it shall be mine. I had a convertible MGB when I was a senior in High School. It was a fun car. A piece of junk, more often broke down than not. But I loved her.
I got to drive a little red convertible recently. It was an item to be auctioned for a fund raiser. It needed to be moved from one garage to another about 1/2 mile away. It took me 45 minutes to get it there. I kept missing the left turn, had to go several blocks in order to turn around safely. Then somehow I kept missing the driveway. As I drove. I honked and waved at almost everyone. This was a magical car. I felt 20 and thin!
I almost cried when I finally had to reach my destination.
I have wanted a red convertible for many years, and this experience made me realize that some day I will own one. Oh Yes! One day it shall be mine!
So I have started a fund. My little red convertible fund. A little here, a little there..barring any further appliance breakdowns or major home repairs this dream will become a reality.
I also have begun the CPS (car protective services). I notice occasionally someone driving a convertible on the streets of Lincoln. Beautiful day...top up!!! Are you crazy???
I'm going to tell them they are in violation of the CPS code for convertible enjoyment. What's the matter? Too windy? Messing up your hair? Can't hear the radio? Then, my friend, you should not be the owner of said convertible. " Step out of the car. I need to take possession." "This vehicle needs to be driven by someone who appreciates the fact that it is a convertible. Beautiful day = Top down."
Even on a not so perfect day...top down! Unless it's raining or below 30 degrees...top down!

I have a dream...

Summer Noise

2010-08-21T20:48:00.005-05:00

The cicadas are singing their summer song.

Not a 10, no beat and I can't dance to it.

They sing of heat, long days, longer evenings and air so thick it drips down the outside of my glass.

The neighborhood owl is voicing his opinion as well.

I feel more harmony with this group than the rain slapping against my windows in fall or the silent snow that falls in winter.

Summer noises remind me of happy times.

Bare feet on hot streets,

heading home as the street lights came on.

Cool pools,small bikinis, Beach Boys singing about California girls.

California hot days eased into fog cooled evenings.

The east coast, the south and here in the Middle, evenings are hot days without the sun.

Summer 24/7

I imagine Blanche Duboise fanning herself and dabbing the perspiration from her neck with her delicate handkerchief.

I hear Scout and Jeb running home at dusk.

Great stories of hot, humid summer nights.

Hot,hot,hot

2010-08-10T22:04:00.003-05:00

Just saw a story on our local nightly news about hot cows. Not hot like...beautiful bovine babes, but hot because it's 100 freaking degrees outside. It's been sizzling for days. People are melting,we are warned daily of the dangers of being outdoors too long. So yeah, I guess cows are hot too. Did you know that a cow's temperature is normally around 100 degrees? Me neither! Evidently because of our current heat wave, the cows have a temp of 103. Good to know. I guess I should be more compassionate, but it's too hot! Heat, especially prolonged heat, makes people crabby. Drivers cut you off, checkout ladies are sullen and when they wish you a good day, you know they really don't mean it. I'm crabby, I don't care if the cows are hot, we're all hot. Next thing you know, we'll be seeing cows swimming at the local pool, having a blizzard at the Dairy Queen, demanding air conditioned barns.

Actually cows at the Dairy Queen would be funny...I would laugh, but I'm too hot.

Time well spent

2010-08-06T20:21:00.004-05:00

How did it get to be August 6th? How did it get to be 2010? What happened to 2000-2009?

The speeding up of time is in direct proportion to age. The older we get, the faster time goes. No one can convince me that time is consistent, always the same. At 5 years old, 3 minutes in time out feels like an eternity. At 50 years old, a year seems like 3 minutes. My children are 30, 29 and 23 years old. How did that happen? I know by the time many woman are my age they are grandmothers many times over. But I feel unready...for grandchildren...for adult children. 54 years on this earth...unbelievable!
I remember, as a young mother, often alone with small kids, wishing for the weekend, or the day when their father gets home from deployment. Wishing it were bedtime, wishing it was Summer, etc. Always wishing time away. Even then I remember thinking one day I will rue the day I wished my life away. We all know it is fleeting. We all know we are not long for this world. What we don't understand when we are young, is that one day we will look back on a life (hopefully well lived) and wonder where it went and how did it all go so fast.
That, my dear friends is the true sign of age. When we realize that we are mortal and want to hold on to every second forever.

I stood off to the side of the dance floor at my daughter's recent wedding reception. I knew it was all happening so fast. I took a moment to watch and take it all in. I wanted to capture this moment in time, to savor it, to keep it. I realized that we have a finite number of these special times. I knew I needed to treasure each moment, to hold sacred each child. I know I need to cherish every day, every hug, kiss ,visit. I understand better now why my,mother, in the last years of her life would keep me on the phone for hours. I get it now. She wanted to spend time with me, even if we could not be together. She knew the importance of time. We have just a limited amount of it. We must learn to use it wisely.

Time with family, friends is always well spent.
Time is like money, it should not be wasted, but used well. Time well spent, will make us rich indeed.

Reality show blues...

2010-07-28T22:44:00.006-05:00

Right now on the Telly...
Mothers pimping out their 4 year olds (toddlers and tiaras),
A lesbian couple who hoard animals on the animal planet channel,
Couples who spy on each other as they secretly date, (cheaters),
Families who cannot clean their homes, and live in chaotic filth until strangers clean it all up, (clean house).

I know it's because I'm a geezer, but I just don't understand the rational behind these people who want...(need) to let the world in on all their creepy secrets.
Every time I flip through the vast wonderland of CRAP, I see and hear stuff that should never be made public information.
I DON'T want to know...I DON'T care.

Where is the Brady Bunch when you need them?
How about another Full House or Save by the Bell?
What do families watch? What does a father watch sitting next to his 10 year old daughter?
I get embarrassed and I'm sitting here all by myself. I get offended too. We're better than this.

I pay a lot of money for this drivel...maybe I'm the one with the problem...

A good man...

2010-07-25T18:17:00.008-05:00

We said goodbye to a good man this week. My father in law died on Monday. Bede and I had gone to Idaho the week before to spend time with him before he died. All of his children were there. All 6 kids got to spend time with him before he died. It was an amazing and wonderful thing to see. His children love him and respect him so very much. Pete was a good man, a good husband, a good dad, a good, faithful Catholic. I watched his children care for him, love him, cry as he suffered. I watched as they prayed with him and for him. I watched them love their mother, who was losing her love of almost 60 years. I saw the love they have for each other. I saw the legacy of this good man. He taught these fine people to love, to have faith, to care for each other.

It is a very difficult thing to watch someone you love die.

I hope and pray I am blessed enough to die like Pete did. It was a blessed death. He had the sacraments, the last rights, confession, he had communion several times, he had priests come to see him and say mass at his bedside. His children prayed. They prayed the rosary, the chaplet of Divine Mercy. They prayed for a happy death for their dad. They laughed with him while he was still able and they cried when he no longer could carry on a conversation. They cried because they knew they were losing their father. They cried because he suffered. They cried because their life was changing too. They cried because they knew they would miss him so much.

Pete died the way we all pray to die. He was prepared, he was ready to meet Jesus.

He was a good man, a good father, a good husband, a good grand father, a good, faithful Catholic.
He was a good father in law. I loved him. I will miss him too. He was my father in law for almost 32 years. I have known him since I was 15 years old. He was a huge part of my life. He was indeed like a father to me.

Rest in Peace my dear friend, rest in peace.

BEYOND IMPRESSIONISM: Van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet

2010-07-03T21:25:00.005-05:00

Bede and I met Joanna at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha today. Their current exhibit includes many American Impressionists as well as the masters...Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Claude Monet. It is awesome. Inspiring, I want to paint!
Too much to see, we need to go back again. Can't believe we waited 8 years to find this place!

Then we had a late lunch with our newly married daughter at Bent fork cafe in Omaha. Great food with a cowboy twist...right up Bede's alley.

wonderful day

Wedding fog...

2010-06-26T16:22:00.005-05:00

Hey y'all...I've been a long time gone. Just now coming out of my wedding fog. YES! there is such a thing. During the last few weeks, maybe months even, my world has become smaller than usual. My world was focused on dresses, food, decorations, housecleaning, flowers,etc., etc., etc. I stopped watching the news, stopped reading the paper...it just didn't matter for a while. My world revolved around my daughter's wedding. She has been married for 1 week now. I am just becoming a citizen of the world again. I highly recommend to any and all parents of the bride to do what I did...take a week off AFTER the wedding. I had very little to drink ( alcoholic beverages) at the wedding, and yet I felt as if I had an hangover for days after the wedding. It was just Thursday that I finally began to think clearly again. So many emotions, so many people to talk to, so many relatives to hug and catch up with. So surreal!. So unlike my normal life. This is such a life changing experience. I knew it would be for the bride and groom. but now I have experienced it from the mother of the bride perspective. It has changed my life. first and foremost, my only daughter is now married and will forever be gone from my life as my baby girl.
She is now the wife of a fine young man and an independent women. That in itself is enough to make a grown woman cry. Then there are the hundreds of family and friends we entertained over the week of the wedding. So many loved ones, some young, some old. Some we may not see again.
All loved us enough to spend time and money to come from all over the U.S. to celebrate this blessed event with us. How lucky we are. How blessed we are. Both families were supportive and loving. Everyone was here to show their love for the bride and groom.

I know, as the MOB (mother of the bride), I am not objective...but it was the most beautiful wedding in the history of weddings. Bede wore his dress mess. Joanna was radiant...more than radiant. Andy was the epitome of the loving groom. I was walked down the aisle by my 2 sons, Bede Jr. and Andrew. How more proud could I be? Thank you my dear Lord. You have filled my heart with so much love it can do nothing but overflow. It overflows in tears of joy. I am the luckiest woman in the world. This is what life is all about. Grandparents, parents and children...even grandchildren. All together, celebrating life and the continuous love that we share.

Read it and Weep!!!

2010-06-02T14:10:00.006-05:00

Ok...I don't like to say "I told you so", but...I TOLD YOU SO! So many, many people knew this would would be the end result of Obama care. Please read the following article, especially the last paragraph. We cannot afford to be the people who do not realize the cost. It will cost us our way of life. We will end up paying for "free" health care. We'll be highly taxed and then still have to pay for Dr. visits and perhaps procedures considered elective, like hip replacements and pacemakers. If you are a baby boomer like me, you need to stand up and say no, no, NO! NO! NO!!!! There are a lot of us and we must use our voice. We are the ones who will have to make significant choices regarding our health care in the future. If you are one of those who believed "free" health care for all was a good idea, please think again. This is our future, unless we demand congress rethink this whole health care thing.

This is not the HOPE AND CHANGE anyone was looking for.

___________________________________________________________________________________

TORONTO (Reuters) – Pressured by an aging population and the need to rein in budget deficits, Canada's provinces are taking tough measures to curb healthcare costs, a trend that could erode the principles of the popular state-funded system.

Ontario, Canada's most populous province, kicked off a fierce battle with drug companies and pharmacies when it said earlier this year it would halve generic drug prices and eliminate "incentive fees" to generic drug manufacturers.

British Columbia is replacing block grants to hospitals with fee-for-procedure payments and Quebec has a new flat health tax and a proposal for payments on each medical visit -- an idea that critics say is an illegal user fee.

And a few provinces are also experimenting with private funding for procedures such as hip, knee and cataract surgery.

It's likely just a start as the provinces, responsible for delivering healthcare, cope with the demands of a retiring baby-boom generation. Official figures show that senior citizens will make up 25 percent of the population by 2036.

"There's got to be some change to the status quo whether it happens in three years or 10 years," said Derek Burleton, senior economist at Toronto-Dominion Bank.

"We can't continually see health spending growing above and beyond the growth rate in the economy because, at some point, it means crowding out of all the other government services.

"At some stage we're going to hit a breaking point."

MIRROR IMAGE DEBATE

In some ways the Canadian debate is the mirror image of discussions going on in the United States.

Canada, fretting over budget strains, wants to prune its system, while the United States, worrying about an army of uninsured, aims to create a state-backed safety net.

Healthcare in Canada is delivered through a publicly funded system, which covers all "medically necessary" hospital and physician care and curbs the role of private medicine. It ate up about 40 percent of provincial budgets, or some C$183 billion ($174 billion) last year.

Spending has been rising 6 percent a year under a deal that added C$41.3 billion of federal funding over 10 years.

But that deal ends in 2013, and the federal government is unlikely to be as generous in future, especially for one-off projects.

"As Ottawa looks to repair its budget balance ... one could see these one-time allocations to specific health projects might be curtailed," said Mary Webb, senior economist at Scotia Capital.

Brian Golden, a professor at University of Toronto's Rotman School of Business, said provinces are weighing new sources of funding, including "means-testing" and moving toward evidence-based and pay-for-performance models.

"Why are we paying more or the same for cataract surgery when it costs substantially less today than it did 10 years ago? There's going to be a finer look at what we're paying for and, more importantly, what we're getting for it," he said.

Other problems include trying to control independently set salaries for top hospital executives and doctors and rein in spiraling costs for new medical technologies and drugs.

Ontario says healthcare could eat up 70 percent of its budget in 12 years, if all these costs are left unchecked.

"Our objective is to preserve the quality healthcare system we have and indeed to enhance it. But there are difficult decisions ahead and we will continue to make them," Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan told Reuters.

The province has introduced legislation that ties hospital chief executive pay with the quality of patient care and says it wants to put more physicians on salary to save money.

In a report released last week, TD Bank said Ontario should consider other proposals to help cut costs, including scaling back drug coverage for affluent seniors and paying doctors according to quality and efficiency of care.

WINNERS AND LOSERS

The losers could be drug companies and pharmacies, both of which are getting increasingly nervous.

"Many of the advances in healthcare and life expectancy are due to the pharmaceutical industry so we should never demonize them," said U of T's Golden. "We need to ensure that they maintain a profitable business but our ability to make it very very profitable is constrained right now."

Scotia Capital's Webb said one cost-saving idea may be to make patients aware of how much it costs each time they visit a healthcare professional. "(The public) will use the services more wisely if they know how much it's costing," she said.

"If it's absolutely free with no information on the cost and the information of an alternative that would be have been more practical, then how can we expect the public to wisely use the service?"

But change may come slowly. Universal healthcare is central to Canada's national identity, and decisions are made as much on politics as economics.

"It's an area that Canadians don't want to see touched," said TD's Burleton. "Essentially it boils down the wishes of the population. But I think, from an economist's standpoint, we point to the fact that sometimes Canadians in the short term may not realize the cost."

($1=$1.05 Canadian)

(Reporting by Claire Sibonney; editing by Janet Guttsman and Peter Galloway)

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2010-06-01T19:43:00.001-05:00

We are Rockin and Rollin here in Lincoln. Lots of thunder and lightening. 1st big storm of the season.

2010-05-16T16:52:00.008-05:00

Bede and I spent the day working in the yard Saturday. We finally had a beautiful day after lots of cool, wet weather. Bede worked on the front of the old shed. Then put in a little brick patio in front of it. Just a coat of paint and it will look like new. After a job well done, he relaxed on the front porch with a cigar. Today the weather is awful. Have not gotten out of the 50s and we've had a light rain all day. The garden will love it, but I'm disappointed we can't be out in it!

DIY Project

2010-05-12T21:21:00.008-05:00

We have been looking for replacement lighting for the front of our house for a couple of years. I have never found anything I really liked that was affordable. So after looking again last weekend at one of the local home improvement stores I decided that I really liked the shape of the ones we had and decided to try to spruce them up. So with a can of spray paint I was on my way. I've seen enough home improvement shows to know the first thing to do was turn off the breaker for the area I was working in. Then I took the old lights down, taped up the glass and painted. They came out pretty well. The spray paint cost less than $6.00 and that was the only expense. We had the tape already from a previous project. I'm really happy with the lights, they look like new. the amazing thing is that when I reconnected them...they actually worked!

Grandpa's garden

2010-05-06T22:49:00.004-05:00

The last couple of years we have been planting irises from Pete's garden in Idaho. This is the first year we have had mature flowers. It's a wonderful feeling to know we have a little bit of grandpa right here in Lincoln NE. Every time we look at them we think of Pete and Joleen in Idaho. These are the plants he put in the ground and cared for. Now they are adding beauty to our yard. Our goal is to have many more and share with other family members so we all share in grandpa's garden.

Lincoln half marathon

2010-05-06T22:29:00.006-05:00

Bede and Joanna, along with Andy, Nicky, Leah and Kate ran the Lincoln Half marathon last Sunday. The"Hotel Bolin" was open for business the night before for friends from out of town to get a good night's sleep before the marathon. The runners were all up and ready to go by 5am and out the door by 6. After the run they were treated to a breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, and biscuits with gravy. That was the least I could do while they were running their hearts out... Lots of sore legs and tired feet, but great satisfaction for a job well done. Congrats to all who ran.

Fun Times

2010-05-06T22:16:00.003-05:00

Joanna had a shower in the KC area at the end of April.3 great ladies threw it for her. They are moms of her good friends. Thanks to Leslie, Pat and Ginger for a wonderful day.

Ah, the wisdom of the UN...

2010-04-30T14:07:00.003-05:00

The United Nations just elected Iran to the Commission on the Status of women.
Why am I not surprised?

Here are just a few reasons why this is pure insanity.
Although par for the course for the UN.

"Many women who do not dress modestly ... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes," said the respected cleric, Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi.

Suntanned women are defying Islamic values and will be arrested, an Iranian police chief said, according to The Telegraph.

Under Iranian law, women must be covered from head to toe.

Article 49 (Iranian penal code)exempts children from punishment. Addendum 1 to this article defines a child as someone before puberty. But in the civil law puberty for boys is 15 and for girls 9 lunar years (article 1210, addendum 1). So girls come of age for punishments six years before boys. This is particularly striking since in everything else such as inheritance, custody over children, marriage, divorce, ownership, travel, giving witness etc women are considered delicate creatures in need of protection by men. But when it comes to being punished, suddenly they are more mature and responsible for their actions. Less rights, more punishment. One can imagine a situation where a boy of 14 and a girl of 9 steal. According to the law she would lose four fingers of her right hand for first offence (article 201), her left foot for the second offence, prison for third and execution for the fourth! He would go scott free.

The husband is designated the head of the household by law.23 A woman is legally obliged to be obedient to her husband.24 A woman cannot leave the country without her husband’s approval.25 A man may take more than one wife.26 A man may prohibit his wife from employment.27 A man has undisputed and unequivocal rights to divorce his wife.28 In cases of divorce, the legal custody of the child is with the mother up to the age of seven, and thereafter is determined by the court.29 The management and supervision of the affairs of children below the age of 18 is by their father or paternal grandfather, and the mother has no legal say in the matter.30 Should the father pass away, the guardianship lies with the paternal grandfather, not with the mother.31 A daughter’s inheritance is only half that of a son’s.32 Departure from the country for children below the age of 18 is possible only with the approval of the father or the paternal grandfather—the mother has no legal say in the matter.33 Citizenship of the children is that of the child’s father.34 A Muslim man can marry a non-Muslim woman in Iran, and the children of such marriage are considered Muslim. But a non-Muslim man does not have the right to marry a Muslim woman unless he has converted to Islam before his marriage.

Spring....finally!!!

2010-04-17T16:11:00.005-05:00

Sitting on the front porch. Every little breeze brings the scent of blossoms. Little bit of heaven right here on earth.

Bede is out doing dandelion duty, so I'm not sure he agrees with me.

Wedding: 2 months and counting.

2010-04-15T14:32:00.004-05:00

This week we got to do some fun wedding stuff. Monday Joanna asked me to go with her to her dress fitting. Beautiful dress, beautiful girl...what can I say. Even if I am her mother...Objectively speaking, she is going to be THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDE...EVER!!!!
Then yesterday she asked me to go with her and Andy to the caterer to test wedding cakes. Chocolate, mint chocolate, white, butter cream icing. My kind of test. Give me an A+ ! Actually give the caterer an A+ as all the samples were truly delicious and made choosing difficult.
Joanna and Andy finalized the menu and we were done.
So far this whole wedding planning business has gone rather smoothly. We have just about 2 months to go. Getting down to the wire.

I guess now it's ok to speak well of George Bush...

2010-04-08T15:22:00.001-05:00

Watch CBS News Videos Online

As President, George W. Bush did something momentous that few of you may know about, something so momentous that it is saving millions of lives and generating goodwill for America around the world. Millions of Africans who`d been dying of AIDS are now living with AIDS, thanks to the Bush program. The U.S. is providing pills to more than two million people with HIV/AIDS, people who could never afford them and who were condemned to die. The medicine not only saves their lives, it permits them to live full lives. We went to Uganda, where AIDS has ravaged the country, killing more than a million people. And where Doctor Peter Mugyenyi, a pioneer against AIDS, told us how grateful he is to Americans for saving his fellow Ugandans.

Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/04/08/60-minutes-bush-did-something-momentous-few-you-may-know-about#ixzz0kXgoGXuP

Happy Easter!!!

2010-04-04T22:23:00.002-05:00

This is the day the Lord has made...let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Hope you all had a wonderful, blessed Easter.

Now the hard part is to take all we have learned during Lent and Holy week and practice it for the rest of the year.

Every Monday morning I vow to greet the new week with a good attitude. To be gracious and kind to everyone who walks in the front door at work. I'm pretty good at it too...until about 10:00am! Sometimes I even last until Tuesday. Tomorrow is another Monday, another beginning.

I'll let ya know how it goes...

Holy Thursday

2010-04-01T18:03:00.002-05:00

Today we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist.
Jesus knew his time on earth was very short, and was also aware that one of his own would soon kiss his cheek and turn him over to the Romans. He celebrated the 1st mass and gave himself to us in a most mysterious and wonderful way.
Take time to pray and open your heart to the wonders of Holy week.

The good theif...

2010-03-30T19:51:00.002-05:00

I had a visit today from one of my former clients. She is a beautiful girl (young woman), she is a single mother of 2. She had her second child just as she was leaving my program, by a different man than her first child. When she came to us she was facing eviction, had a young child and was taking Care of her ill mother. She did not graduate from high school. It took us several months to convince her to get into a GED program...she was sure she would fail. She had no confidence. She had been abused. By step father, by husband. She was sure she was not worthy to succeed. She got into a GED program, she completed the program, she received her GED. She went on to Jr. college, she was sure she would fail. She graduated from the Jr. college with a combined 3.5 GPA. She is now a full time student at a 4 year college here in Lincoln working towards her bachelors in Social work. She is getting A's and B's. She is single still. She has begun to understand that she is in control of her life and she needs to make good decisions to continue her forward momentum. She is successful. She is happy, she is a good and loving mother. She makes me proud.

After she left I was talking to my wonderful co-worker, Elizabeth. I told her that I was happy that this former client was a success, but wished there were more of them. Many of my clients do not do as well. Elizabeth told me about the good thief. The thief who was crucified with Jesus. He professed his faith in Jesus Christ and Jesus told him, "This day thou shalt be with me in paradise." Elizabeth said Jesus would have died for just that thief. Jesus died for each one of us. One of us.
She made me realize that small successes are still successes. All the sacrifice in the world is worth it if someone "gets it".
Thanks to Elizabeth. She sees the world through the Lord's eyes. She very often opens my eyes as well.
As we enter Holy week remember that Jesus died for each one of us. So that we may live for each other.
Have a Blessed Easter.

Yea Baby!!!!

2010-03-29T16:57:00.002-05:00

73 degrees, sunny, 5pm. I'm shutting down the computer and going home. Front porch and a glass of wine are calling my name.

Done, done, done...

2010-03-25T20:07:00.002-05:00

Floors are finished, furniture's all put back. We are very happy with the results. The floors are awesome. Coming soon, pics of the family room and new rug.

Not your Father's Democracy...

2010-03-17T15:31:00.000-05:00

Pelosi: 'Once we kick through this door,' more reform will follow
By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
03/16/10 1:56 AM EDT

U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks during her weekly news conference March 12, 2010 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Pelosi discussed the health care reform legislation with the media. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
If you have any doubt that the Democratic leadership of the House views passing the current health care reform bill as the beginning, not the end, of the process of creating a national government health care system, just note what Speaker Nancy Pelosi told a group of bloggers on Monday. "My biggest fight has been between those who wanted to do something incremental and those who wanted to do something comprehensive," Pelosi said, according to an account by Washington Post reform advocate Ezra Klein. "We won that fight, and once we kick through this door, there'll be more legislation to follow."

But since the current bill is unpopular, and Pelosi at the moment does not have enough Democratic, much less Republican, votes to pass it, the door she will be kicking through is the back door. Pelosi told the bloggers she favors using the "self-executing rule" strategy in which the House would pass the Senate health care bill without going on the record as specifically voting for it. "I like it," Pelosi said of the scheme, "because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill." The strategy of passing the Senate bill while avoiding a direct vote, writes Klein, "is all about plausible deniability for House members who don't want to vote for the Senate bill."

In a particularly Alice-in-Wonderland moment, Pelosi argued that the debate over health care reform can begin after the bill is passed. "Pelosi said passing the bill would allow Dems to undertake a 'debate' with Republicans over 'what is the balanced role that government should have,'" writes another pro-reform blogger at the Post, Greg Sargent. According to Sargent, Pelosi explained, "We have to take it to the American people, to say, this is the choice that you have. This is the vision that they have for your health and well being, and this is the vision that we have." Again, in Pelosi's scenario, that debate would occur after the bill is passed.

Finally, Pelosi downplayed statements from her own team that she does not yet have the votes to pass the national health care measure. On "Meet the Press" Sunday, Democratic Whip Rep. James Clyburn said, "No, we don't have them as of this morning." Meeting with the bloggers, Pelosi said, "The reason [Clyburn] said that is we don’t have a bill yet." In the end, the Speaker declared, "I have no intention of not passing this bill."

-- Beltway Confidential

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Pelosi-Once-we-kick-through-this-door-more-reform-will-follow-87741467.html#ixzz0iT52U4hS

Beware the Ides of March...

2010-03-15T13:06:00.003-05:00

On this day in 44B.C. Julius Caesar was murdered
by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus and several other Roman "gentelmen". This after he was warned to "beware the Ides of March".
Should have listened...

I'm just saying.

Days 3,4 & 5

2010-03-13T17:33:00.005-06:00

1 coat of stain and 2 coats of poly so far. Another coat of poly on Monday and then the quarter round trim goes on and then I think we are finished and we can move all our stuff back in from the garage. We have been living in the bedrooms for a week and will be ready to get back to normal.

It's been worth it so far. The floors look fantastic.

New area rug

2010-03-13T17:10:00.004-06:00

Bede and I went to 5 different stores today looking for a new area rug for the family room. We found one we liked at the 1st store, but of course had to check out what was available elsewhere. Went back to the 1st choice and ordered it. It will be shipped to our door in about a week. Can't wait.

Here's a photo. We are going for a modern feel here.

I don't know how I talked Bede into this. His taste is much more traditional and he likes patterns that are ordered, symmetrical and regimented. I really liked this one and he said he did too!

Day 2 installation complete

2010-03-12T20:16:00.007-06:00

Every day this week it has either rained or snowed. Lots of humidity, which means the stain and poly coats will take longer to dry. The contractor left a series of stains for our consideration. We ended up choosing none of these, but a custom "golden oak" shade.

The stain goes on next and then 3 coats of polyurethane. One each day. So the second coat on Friday and then the third on Monday. We're really happy with the floors so far. It totally opens up the rooms to each other and makes the house feel so much larger.

Day 1

2010-03-09T20:13:00.004-06:00

Another Adventure in home remodeling!

2010-03-09T19:55:00.006-06:00

We have started the process of installing wood floors on the mail level of the house. We had hardwood in the entry and the kitchen, so we are adding t throughout the rest of the 1st floor. So far so good. The crew has arrived on time each day and the work looks good.
Here are some photos of day 0. We had to move all the furniture out of the house on Sat. That's the day we had help.

Rufus: Adventures in Texas

2010-03-07T18:44:00.006-06:00

Bede Jr. bought a kayak and took it to Canyon Lake in Texas this weekend. Rufus came along. The plan was for Rufus to wait on shore, securely tethered to the truck while Bede paddled around the lake. Good plan! As soon as Bede got out in the water Rufus started wailing, baying, crying like he was in pain. Bede paddled back and decided Rufus could be free to hang around the shore line and wade in while Bede paddled around. No! Rufus swam out to Bede wherever he was. He tried so hard to keep up with Bede, doggy paddling as fast as his legs could go. Bede is pretty sure Rufus would not know enough to swim back towards shore when he got tired. He just kept swimming along side the kayak. Bede eventually had to cut his time on the lake short. So that was the 1st and last time Rufus will go kayaking I'm sure.

Things that should be shared...

2010-02-26T21:09:00.003-06:00

Rubber babies.
Sisters in Omaha Nebraska take photos of babies less than 14 days old.
http://www.kelleyryden.com/babyblog/

Time Warner Cable...what???

2010-02-26T20:19:00.005-06:00

For the second time this week, during prime time tv, our cable company has decided to "update" by turning off programming and going through each of the 800+ channels. Counting down, doing who knows what...and keeping anyone from actually watching tv.We don't even get all those channels. Who knows what goes on in the upper reaches...400-800+ I don't know and really don't care. So why do we have to suffer through the Update?
I have no idea what they are updating, nothing seems different when it's over. We have never been notified about the updates. It just seems to me that for people who are PAYING for tv, they should be able to watch tv! Maybe it's just me, but I think that just makes sense. So why don't they "update" at 2 or 3 in the morning? Why in the middle of prime time tv viewing?

I miss the old days with the antenna on the roof and free tv.

Things that should be shared...

2010-02-18T20:37:00.003-06:00

Money well spent...

2010-02-18T15:22:00.009-06:00

Just read a story about stimulus dollars and the weatherization of homes.
There is a provision in the stimulus bill that allows for money to be spent on the weatherization of homes. Also in the bill is a decades old stipulation that federally funded projects must pay " a prevailing wage to workers."

What is the prevailing wage for weatherization? Seem as if no one knows.
The Energy Dept. didn't know so they asked the Labor Dept. The Labor Dept. didn't know, so they began to accumulate data to calculate the prevailing wage of weatherization in more than 3000 counties in the United States.

This of course took many months and millions of dollars. There is also consideration to historically significant buildings in some states/cities. Studies had to be done to decide if any of the homes were indeed historical and if so then extra money was spent to weatherize within the individual area's historical guidelines. This also took many months and millions of dollars.

So far 522 million dollars have been spent on this project alone. 9100 homes have been weatherized. That averages out to about $57,362.00 per home.

That's correct, you heard me...

FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY TWO MILLION DOLLARS !!!
FIFTY SEVEN THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED, SIXTY TWO DOLLARS PER HOUSE.

A new CNN poll indicates that 3 out of 4 Americans believe much of the stimulus money has been wasted.

Broken Social Service System

2010-02-11T16:27:00.005-06:00

Just received the following "ALERT" from a local social service agency. The director of the agency is very concerned that monies will be taken away from drug using parents, thereby hurting the children.

My concern is that these children have drug using parents!!! Are we really helping them by continuing to allow their parents to behave in an irresponsible way, not to mention dangerous and illegal. Maybe when a parent tests positive for drugs:
1. The children should be temporarily removed from the home.
2. The parent is given the opportunity to get into a drug program.
3. The parent is given the choice to practice "PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY" and get their priorities in order, stop using drugs and regain custody of their children.

This way the children are protected.

These benefits are funded by tax dollars. There are rules and regulations that are supposed to be followed to receive them.If you need state/federal aid, then you must comply with these rules and regulations.
Why on earth should we use our tax dollars to fund drug users.
If we test and find that parents are actively using drugs, do we not have a responsibility to make sure the children are taken care of? I don't think that will necessarily happen if we just hand them more money.

The following is a perfect example of why the "system" is broken. Most social workers do not believe in personal responsibility.
Drives me Crazy!!!!

-----------*--------*---------*----------*----------*--------*--------*---------*

ACTION ALERT: Required Drug Screening for Public Assistance
Would Penalize Struggling Families

Health and Human Services Committee hearing set for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, Capitol Building Room 1510.

Please contact a member of the HHS Committee by clicking here.

What the proposed law would do: LB940 would establish a process for drug screening of applicants and recipients of public assistance if the Department of Health and Human Services has reason to believe the applicant/recipient is using a controlled substance. If the applicant/recipient tests positive, they will be declared ineligible for public assistance for a year and will be referred to a substance treatment program.

Why we oppose the bill: We believe it will harm, not help, families already in desperate conditions. Eliminating a parent’s ability to receive cash assistance will harm the vulnerable children in the household. By eliminating eligibility for benefits, an applicant or recipient would lose his/her access to Medicaid, thus rendering them unable to afford any substance abuse treatment for which they were referred.

The public policy goal of cash assistance is to transition to economic self-sufficiency and paid employment. LB940 will push already struggling families further from resources that may help them get back on track.

2010-02-09T16:05:00.003-06:00

Glad to see that San Francisco has stepped up and is going all out to help the people of Haiti.

Andrew Klavan

2010-02-02T22:25:00.001-06:00

Can you spot the difference between reality and culture?
Take Andrew's little test.

Where will the Canadians go for health care when we reform ours???

2010-02-02T17:42:00.007-06:00

We have the best health care in the world. To prove that point, a Canadian Premier (governor) is coming here for heart surgery. Remember, Canada has a national health care system...about 1:45 into the report even the Canadians begin to question why he doesn't use their health care...quite informative!

Just plain CRAZY!

2010-01-31T17:23:00.007-06:00

With the death of reclusive J.D. Salinger last week, we have been inundated with media thoughts about his novel,
The Catcher in the Rye.
When my oldest child was in high school in Texas, he came home one day with this novel. Required reading in 10th grade. He had read some of it and was grumbling about how he didn't like it at all and how he could not relate at all to the main character, teen Holden Caufield. He told me how his teacher explained to the class that this young man was full of teenage angst and confusion, like most, if not all teens of the same age. My son told me he thought Caufield was "just plain crazy".

I had not read the book, having graduated from a college prep, Catholic high school where we studied the classics. I can recite Shakespeare from memory, and remember much about the Canterbury Tales, as well as "Sir Gwain and the Green Knight. But I had not read this famous novel by J.D. Salinger. So I read the book. It was a quick read and I came away with one very clear conclusion. This young man, Holden Caufield was not just full of teenage angst and confusion.

He was JUST PLAIN CRAZY!!!

Maybe J.D. Salinger felt that way too. Soon after he wrote the book, he locked himself away from the prying eyes of the world. He wouldn't discuss it, make appearances or in any way promote his novel. Maybe he understood that it had all become Just plain crazy!

sneakie little devils

2010-01-30T16:14:00.004-06:00

Here is our dear leader, speaking to Republicans and telling them what was "SNUCK IN" to the health care bill. Oh snap!!

2010-01-29T16:31:00.001-06:00