This and That
Spencer is outside moving my pile of dirt from one side of the yard to the other using his plastic shovel and wagon. It was his idea to help me out my doing it, and I couldn't be more proud. He has been working for about 45 minutes without stopping and he's singing all the while. He is such a gentle child, he even has a squirrel playing just a few feet away without a care in the world. Spencer loves to work and finds something to do to help me every day. What a joy.

Last week I got an email from PayPal telling me there had been unauthorized use of my account. It directed me to the https (secure) website to change my password. I checked out the website address, looking for the security sign and comparing the website address to the actual PayPal website, and everything seemed in order, but I'm still suspicious enough I didn't comply. I went to my PayPal account to see what transactions were listed, and they were all mine, so I contacted PayPal directly and asked them if there was a problem. There wasn't. I had been spoofed. Never have a been so grateful for my suspicious nature! I learned a lot about spoofing this week and must warn you to be wary yourself. Don't give any information when you've been directed to a website, and always contact the supposed sender of the email if you're not sure.

My bathroom ceiling is now half gone. It is fascinating to look into the inner workings of the house. The plumbing is OLD!!!! Some of the pipes are lead, so they'll be the first to go. Luckily we have never used the bathroom in question for drinking water or even teeth brushing.

I had to drive around to several suppliers of old plumbing parts this morning looking for an O-ring. I saw where all the old, brown 70s sinks go when they die. They are laid out next to the big heavy brass faucets. Tomorrow I'm heading over to Renovation Station to look for a 17" sink. Woo Hoo!

Some people think I'm organized, but they haven't seen my desk. Here's a little sampling of what's on here: one walkie talkie, Stuart Little book, Thomas & Friends bank, ink pad, leaf stamp, recipe cards, telephone, Colin's first cap, a strip of film negatives, two really old books, a pewter snowflake, Colin's schoolwork, pages torn from magazines, magazines, bills, paper, a canister of film, a cup lid, cases I need to read, photographs, a stack of papers to file, a nametag from a 2003 ladies retreat, a frame I got as a gift this week, a fluffy orange cat..... See what I mean? Terrible.

Braums is giving away Boy Scout toys with it kid's meals. We got a compass!

Okay, I really shouldn't even be blogging right now. I should be cleaning this desk or doing something productive. Have a great Friday evening!

From Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes, published by Birn Brothers, Ltd., London.
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At Last
The cool weather has finally arrived!! It all started last night when the north wind blew in with great gusts. I took the boys out to the southern point of Lake Hefner where the waves were crashing against the park wall and spraying 20 feet into the air. We stood near the wall , held our arms out wide and got drenched. The wind was so strong we were leaning into it. It was glorious.

We opened up the windows last night and slept under the cool breeze, awakening this morning to the long list of outdoor chores that have been waiting for such a day as this. I only got to one of those chores today, but it was good to get going. I am widening a sidewalk that is between two gardens by laying stone, so I dug it out to the proper depth and then started the puzzle process, trying this stone and then that until they fit together just close enough. Then comes the weed barrier and the leveling sand and the fitting and refitting. It took hours! I'm not quite finished but I have a good start and a big mound of dirt to prove something is going on.

I also got to visit Lowe's today and choose a new sink and hardware to replace the sink in our upstairs bath. The plumber came and I showed him all my trouble spots and we finally determined we have a big job ahead, so we didn't get to put the sink in today. Instead, we're going in from below and changing out all the pipes (they are old, rusty pipes, you see). Turns out the sink is too big, anyway, so now I have time for more shopping. Kinda puts a dent in the wallet, though.

Who cares. Its FALL! Fall makes me too happy to worry about such trivial things as finances. On Pedestal, Hardware, on Pipes and on Flanges! On Pea Drains and Tile Work and Big Sinks in Bathrooms! HO HO HO! Merry Autumn!!

One of Those Crazy Emails You Get From Time to Time

The average person only gets 7 right. There are 25 questions about things we see every day or have known about all our lives. How many can you get right? These little simple questions are harder than you think. Can you beat 20?? Write down your answers and check answers (in the comments).

LET'S JUST SEE HOW OBSERVANT YOU ARE.

Here we go!

1. On a standard traffic light, is the green on the top or bottom?

2. How many states are there in the USA? (Don't laugh, some people don't know.)

3. In which hand is the Statue of Liberty's torch?

4. What six colors are on the classic Campbell's soup label?

5. What two numbers on the telephone dial don't have letters by them?

6. When you walk does your left arm swing with your right or left leg?
7. How many matches are in a standard pack?
8. On the United States flag is the top stripe red or white?

9. What is the lowest number on the FM dial?

10. Which way does water go down the drain, counter or clockwise?

11. Which way does a "no smoking" sign's slash run?

12. How many channels on a VHF TV dial?

13. On which side of a women's blouse are the buttons?

14. Which way do fans rotate?

15. How many sides does a stop sign have?

16. Do books have even-numbered pages on the right or left side?

17. How many lug nuts are on a standard car wheel?

18. How many sides are there on a standard pencil?

19. Sleepy, Happy, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Doc. Who's missing?

20. How many hot dog buns are in a standard package?

21. On which playing card is the card maker's trademark?

22. On which side of a Venetian blind is the cord that adjusts the opening between the slats?

23. There are 12 buttons on a touch tone phone. What 2 symbols bear no digits?

24. How many curves are there in the standard paper clip?

25. Does a merry-go-round turn counter or clockwise?

The Life Aquatic with Tsunemi Kubodera!
Watch out for the GIANT SQUID!

Jennifer showed up to work today in these Antonio Melani shoes in pink. They were absolutely gorgeous with her black pants, pink sweater, blond hair and uber cool glasses. Colin tells me not to be envious, but these make it difficult.


















More shoes by Antonio Melani:

ROTF,LOL,TSDMF
Oh. My. I have never laughed so hard at a blog post. This is a must see.

You're out there and you're reading my blog, but you prefer to lurk about, shunning the social niceties? Who are you and why don't you comment? Won't you ask me a question or tell me I'm funny or weird or boring or delightful? Wouldn't you like to share your blog with my readers? Wouldn't you like to be a pepper, too??

(Blair, I'm talking to you and your sneaky friends. I will find you. I will!)

Colin brought home this item in his backpack. He has long been planning to marry Lydia (and she has agreed). A fine choice, Lydia. She is fiercely loyal to Colin, a complete girly girl, a caretaker and a firecracker. I can only hope she'll look better than this on her wedding day. Doesn't it remind you of A Nightmare Before Christmas?

Strange Questions
You have been given the chance to jump into a pool of anything you wish, purely for the sensational experience. What substance would you choose?
Warm, home-made from scratch chocolate pudding. Oh yeah, baby.

If you could experience something considered very dangerous with your safety guaranteed, what would you want to experience?
Space travel OR an Alaskan high-seas fishing boat.

If you could choose one song NEVER to hear ever again in your life? Which song would it be?
"The Most Beautiful Girl in the World"

You are at Starbucks, what is your order?
Almond Steamer

I have a very active dream life. I was thinking today about the exciting life I lead when asleep. Dreams provide adventure, romance, drama, mystery and even suspense. . . and I'm usually the star! I've fought the Sandinistas in the dessert, flown through a valley with Jesus, found new rooms in my house, won awards, missed class, hidden from terrorists, lost loved ones, found loved ones, and died. (I guess it is not true that you really die if you die in a dream). Perhaps the midnight movies are little gifts from God that served an even greater purpose before the advent of television and movies. Of course, the scientists say dreams are for working out problems, but it seems to me they could be both.

Last night was a particularly fun dream. It started out bad. James had sold our house and purchased what appeared to be a dump 60s home with a flat top roof, cheap windows and very bad decorations. I cried. I couldn't understand what James was thinking. I was beyond angry but so upset I couldn't speak. He left, presumably to see if he could get out of the deal. While he was gone, I started to feel like a jerk and began wandering about the house looking at the hideous carpet, light fixtures and wallpaper. The owner had lost her husband several years back and decided to move on without taking anything, and the house was FULL of stuff. The more I looked, the more rooms I found. Then I started going through the stuff. It was amazing! She had a large rock crystal collection with some I had never seen! One whole room was full of furniture, mostly junk, but with some incredible treasure antiques. There was a rack covered with her collection of embroidered handkerchiefs and a shelf filled with Madame Alexander boxes. I opened a few boxes and they were full of size 5, satin slippers, all in cream and lilac and only the right shoes. Such a mystery! I found a full science lab, an indoor pool, a room full of quilts and a box of polished rocks.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

Spencer was in my face.

"Mommy, wake up. Its six dot dot zero one."

NO!!! I wanted to explore the house. What other treasures were hidden in my new home? I may never know. Of course, I have been known to return to certain dream spots from time to time, so maybe I'll get to see it all. I can't imagine what the dream was all about, but I give it two thumbs up.

I was driving home this afternoon and found myself behind a little red car which served as a mobile billboard of sorts. The back of the car was covered with little metallic symbols, hundred of dollars worth I'm guessing. Here is a small sampling:
In the midst of all this derision, we had this:
Go figure.

Ablomp 'Till You Drop
I saw this heartfelt comment on a blog concerning a serious event, and I laughed inappropriately:
"Thanks for handling this with your usual ablomp."

Movin' Along
Last Tuesday a friend said she had two tickets for Movin' Out this weekend and she couldn't use them. I graciously took them off her hands and set about finding a date. (James didn't want to go because he's doing a triathlon this weekend and needed the rest). I scored a most excellent date and we headed off for our big night out. The crowd was moderately dense, though not well dressed, but we easily found our superfantastic box seats not far from the stage. We nestled in and chatted as we waited for the show to begin. One minute before curtain, a foursome approached us and said we were in their seats. Impossible, we said, and we showed our tickets. Our tickets were clearly for our seats and we were somewhat annoyed that they were so persistant. We looked at their tickets and they were for our seats, too. Hmmm.

Just as I was suggesting we see the usher about this problem, one of their party exclaimed, "Your tickets are for Movin' Out. That's next week!"

I looked at my ticket in utter astonishment. "September 30," plain as day. She was right!!!!

Our heads hung low, we moved on out of there. Tonight's show? George Carlin. No thank you.

The kind usher was ever so apologetic for not noticing sooner, but I don't blame him. Hopefully my date will be as forgiving of me.

The Happy Homemaker's
Seal of Approval:
Food Edition

1) McCormick's Pepper Medley Grinder
Not only does this pepper come in a nice blend of peppers that has something of a nutmeg quality, the bottle comes with its own grinder so you can go straight from the spice drawer to the table without purchasing extra gadgets. Ingenious AND delicious!

2) Crabtree & Evelyn's Tomato and Red Pepper Relish
Heaven. This used to be called chutney and then they changed it to relish and then they quit selling it. I'm down to two jars at my house and can't stand the thought of living without it. It tastes great with cream cheese and a blueberry bagel, a cinnamon chip or a corn bread cracker.

3) Kellogg's Keebler Town House Bistro Corn Bread Crackers
Aside from the fact that these crackers suffer from some kind of branding nightmare, these crackers are incredibly delicious. You'll love them with your chilis and soups. I love them with a bit of cream cheese and aforementioned Tomato and Red Pepper Relish.

4) Harry and David Bing Cherry Chocolates
If you like cherries and you like chocolate, you MUST try these. Now you can even purchase them at the Target checkout line! Man-oh-man, they are good!!

5) Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning
Need a little zing in your dinner? Sprinkle a bit of this on your chicken breast cut into strips and saute. While they're cookin', mix up a few different jellies and jams and add a wee bit of horseradish. Use it for a chicken dip and dance the night away.

Rita
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Rita

Exodus
The people are leaving the coast in droves and the highways are clogged. I'm not sure why they aren't opening more lanes and I don't know if there is a plan for the people that run out of gas while stalled in traffic. It seems that the evacuation is quite problematic. If I lived closer, I'd take a van full of water and snacks to hand out to the travelers - or maybe a a portapotty would be better. I don't know. SS says her sister has been stuck in Houston traffic all day. Anybody else know anything?? I have a feeling Oklahoma City may be a destination for a lot of Houston/Galveston evacuees (I know of three myself) and I wonder if there is anything we can do for them. Many will arrive here because they couldn't find a hotel anywhere else along the way. Any ideas?

Meeting at the pole yesterday.
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Rita
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In a super-kind gesture that I can only guess was inspired by the eyelash story, a family of good friends delivered this to our home today. There were several notes included which said such things as, "Spencer - Never forget that it is who you are on the inside that makes you special" and "You are a bundle of incredible abilities, an amazing creation of God." Thank you, Dawn.
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Gaseous Outbursts
Listening to Colin read a book last night for homework, I was getting frustrated that he kept shifting his focus to non-reading activities. At one point he said, "Mommy, I need to leave the room."

I replied, "No, Colin, you will finish your reading."

"But Mommy," he said, "my bottom is about to make a snort!"

Heart Breaker
My little Spencer has big beautiful eyes accentuated by long lashes. It is the first thing most people notice about him and usually the first (and only) thing they say about him. "My, he has such long eyelashes, he'll be a heartbreaker!" or "What beautiful eyelashes. Why do the boys always get the eyelashes?" or "I wish I had eyelashes like that."

Nobody in our family, including Spencer, can help but notice the attention the eyelashes get. Occassionally somebody will realize they've left out Colin and they'll say, "Why, they both have long eyelashes, don't they?" Neither of the boys gleams with pride. Instead, they turn away and look for a place to hide. Eyelash attention embarasses them. It even embarasses me. I'd rather they get a compliment for a good handshake or for holding the door open for others. Eyes are something they just got.

"Spencer, did you cut your eyelashes?"
"No."
"Who cut your eyelashes?"
"Nobody."
"Did you use a mirror when you did it?"
"No."
"How did you know what you were doing?"
{shrugs}
"Well, why did you cut your eyelashes?"
"I dint."
"Is it because you get embarassed about them."
{nods yes}
"Well, please don't do it again. It can be dangerous. Okay?"
"Okay."

Colin's Starry Night
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Spencer's Starry Night
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In the wake of the latest ice cream controversy, RightNumberOne suggests this new Burger King logo (above).

Attila suggests a new motto, "Let's Crescent Roll," and BumperStickerist wrote the new theme song:

Hold the Jihad,
Hold the Fatwa,
Please keep back the Intifada!

All we ask is
that you let us
do things your way.

Have it your way,
at Burger King!

All this comes by way of Sean's post: Allah Mode.
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Wal Mart
So, occassionally I am mysteriously drawn to Wal Mart despite my distaste for the store, and tonight was one of those nights. I don't know what possesses me.

Tonight I noticed that televisions are hanging from the ceilings here and there, scattered about the store. Each one is playing Wal Mart commercials. . . I think. It goes something like, "blah blah blah BLAH blah BLAH blah." I can't tell exactly what they're saying because Wal Mart also plays music over the loudspeakers when loud speakers aren't interupting to call the CM to the customer service desk. (I've also never seen anyone look at the televisions that hang there. The only marketing genius in this scenario is the guy who sold the televisions to Wal Mart.) In addition to all that, every electronic device in the store is turned on to demonstrate its fantastic qualities. When you add all that to the customers who are speaking in loud voices to one another (just because if they don't, nobody will hear them) and the babies who are screaming to get out of that place, and I sink into an acoustic fog.

I wheeled over to the meat market and stared at the meat. Chicken? Hamburger? Brisket? Fly? Oh, wait....what is that fly doing there on the chicken? It is dead.

No meat for us this week.

Dizzy from the sound waves and nauseous from the juxtaposition of the dead fly and the raw meat, a grabbed a bunch of bananas and headed home. Thankfully, the line was short and the clerk was efficient.

Do you ever have those weeks where nothing sounds good at all? You wander through the store and it all looks boring and tasteless. Fast food sound unappealing and you just can't think of anything delicious at all? What do you do? Drink water until your appetite returns? Eat saltines?

I think I may be in the market for some good recipes!

SHOE BLOGGING RETURNS
It has been a while since I blogged shoes and I know you've been missing them. The masses have spoken. I've been browsing around Zappos tonight checking out the fall selection. Overall, disappointing. This fall's shoes are some of the ugliest shoes I've ever seen! I'm tempted to show them, but I've decided to avoid putting the uglies on my pretty pretty website. If you're in the mood for horrors, you can find them yourself! Here are some of the beautiful shoes:
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It the trim on these is velvet, I love them. If it is leather, not so much. This shoe is a bit ugly and pretty at the same time.
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The color...oh, the color.
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Can you just imagine how gorgeous the gams on the woman who wears these?
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cool.
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A bit plain, but no doubt comfortable and it has nice detail. I say being able to wear a shoe like this all night is better than leaving beautiful high heels under the table while you dance in your stockings.
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I couldn't pull this off, but I envy the woman who can.
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Broken
Nobody has sent in a question, so I found some of my own. Unfortunately, I lost the web address where I found them. Sorry about that!

Question 1: What are some items of yours that are broken or needing repair right now?
Kitchen cabinet doors (again!), ice maker, sink disposal, glass door, desk drawer, garage windows, sidewalk, couch....the list is just too large.

Question 2: When something breaks, do you tend to live with it broke, repair it yourself, have a professional fix it, or throw it out?
Combination of the above. I live with it when I'm broke. If I can repair it myself, I will, but it may take awhile for me to do it. The ice maker and disposal require a professional, as do all plumbing and electrical projects. It takes me awhile to throw something out, but I'm getting a little faster about it.

Question 3: Is there a childhood toy, family heirloom, or some other special item which was broken that you'd very much like to have un-broken?
This is where my poor memory is a blessing. I do have a quilt that has torn fabric that I wish were in better shape, but beyond that I can't think of anything. I am sentimental, but I am also capable of letting go. It is all just worldly stuff in the end.

Question 4: What is something you would like to break intentionally, assuming you could get away with it?
This questions assumes some serious malice, of which I am devoid. Occassionally I would like to throw a plate or something when I'm angry. If nobody cared about it, I would probably do it, but for some strange reason my husband frowns on that practice. Go figure.

Spencer Art!
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Broken
Nobody has sent in a question, so I found some of my own. Unfortunately, I lost the web address where I found them. Sorry about that!

Question 1: What are some items of yours that are broken or needing repair right now?
Kitchen cabinet doors (again!), ice maker, sink disposal, glass door, desk drawer, garage windows, sidewalk, couch....the list is just too large.

Question 2: When something breaks, do you tend to live with it broke, repair it yourself, have a professional fix it, or throw it out?
Combination of the above. I live with it when I'm broke. If I can repair it myself, I will, but it may take awhile for me to do it. The ice maker and disposal require a professional, as do all plumbing and electrical projects. It takes me awhile to throw something out, but I'm getting a little faster about it.

Question 3: Is there a childhood toy, family heirloom, or some other special item which was broken that you'd very much like to have un-broken?
This is where my poor memory is a blessing. I do have a quilt that has torn fabric that I wish were in better shape, but beyond that I can't think of anything. I am sentimental, but I am also capable of letting go. It is all just worldly stuff in the end.

Question 4: What is something you would like to break intentionally, assuming you could get away with it?
This questions assumes some serious malice, of which I am devoid. Occassionally I would like to throw a plate or something when I'm angry. If nobody cared about it, I would probably do it, but for some strange reason my husband frowns on that practice. Go figure.

Confirmation Hearings Are Funny
At least in Sean Gleeson's world. If you don't like snorting Dr. Pepper through your nose, put the can down now.

To Wit
Or not to wit. That is the problem. The wit in me is on vacation, hopefully planning a trip home.

We just spent a few hours watching home videos from October-December 2003. Yes, that DID take two hours. We taped nearly every waking moment. Aren't you glad we don't subject YOU to those videos? For us, though, they are packed with sweet memories.

I''ve started planning the family tree book I want to make with My Publisher. I made a book for my mom last year and it turned out well. It is nice to have a hardbound book with glossy pages of your heritage. I'm not certain whether I have enough information, though. That's the thing about genealogy. It is never-ending. As soon as I order my book, I'll probably recieve a photograph of my great great great grandfather on a ship from Europe and wish I had waited to print that book. If I don't publish the book, I'll probably up and die or something. Must. Complete. Book.

You know those nightmares you have about final exams and you forgot to go to class all semester (and other such dreams)? I have them infrequently, even though I never missed an assignment and rarely missed class. What is that all about? I've figured it out: foreshadowing. Yes, I forgot Spencer had a big assignment due today. We were to make a family pennant for Spencer to show his class and I FORGOT. Oh, the horror. I made it through 20 years of my own schooling without forgetting an assignment and I go and mess up on PRESCHOOL! The teacher, kind woman that she is, said they wouldn't all have time to share today anyway and she would have Spencer share his on Monday. Guess what we did tonight?

I need a blogging impetus. Won't you please send me a question or a meme or something?

Like Father, Like Son
Today Colin attended his first Boy Scout meeting. We met in the school gym and all the little boys in their uniforms sat in a circle at center court. It doesn't get much cuter. I stayed up late last night sewing the appropriate badges (troop number, etc.) on his shirt, which reminded James he still had his first uniform. He brought it out and it was the same size as Colin's new shirt. Still smelled like James' parents' home. We hung them up side by side for the boys to see in the morning. They were amazed.

This is one of those days I've dreamed of for a long time. I'm proud to have a scout in the family. Perhaps I'll sew hundreds of badges on shirts late at night in the coming years. I certainly hope so.

When I tested for my driver's license, the only portion I failed was parallel parking. I DID perpendicular park, but that didn't cut it. Still, I passed the test and went home with a license. Osman may have failed only one portion, but nobody will forget it anytime soon. And he didn't go home with a license.

Introducing the logo for the Women's Retreat I'm planning for January 13-15. It is called "Daughter of the Creator" and we are going to study God's creativity, starting with snow crystals.

From my mom: "I know you have seen this one before, but it brings back memories of some of the fun times. I can't believe I got him to wear it....."

I can't either!

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Speechless of Late
I just don't have much to say lately. New Orleans is wasted. I can't wrap my head around what happened at the Superdome or all the people who are wandering this great nation in search of a new life and lost family members. I can't fathom the mental health of the people who saw what they saw, endured the exhaustion, hunger and chaos and lost everything. It is so astonishing and sobering. I've wept for them and I will weep more.

Justice Rehnquist died and we have two vacancies on the Supreme Court. I don't know about you, but I find that unsettling.

I've been working on a scrapbook that is all about me. In part, I am making the book for my boys and for me. But, I'm doing it now to remember my dad, too. It was almost a year ago that he went to heart hospital, the beginning of the end. A friend of mine told me her dad had died after suffering from Alzheimers and it took her seven years before she could remember how he was before he was sick. My dad had Parkinson's, which can include dementia in the later stages, so I knew what she meant. Rather than wait 7 years, I am trying to remember who he was now.

My friend SS has been praying for my memories to be "redeemed." She said she believes God can take bad memories and turn them into sweet memories by showing how He was present in the midst of the trouble and how He used it for good. (She heard about this from Dennis Jernigan). I am grateful for her prayers and her loving spirit. Seems like a good prayer for the Katrina survivors, too, doesn't it?

All of this sounds very gloomy, doesn't it? I am in a bit of a gloom fog, but in general everything is fine. I welcome the gloom that is grieving. There is a joy in working through sorrow and I don't have any desire to escape it. My family is well, my bills are paid and my house is messy as always. No worries.

Tonight I had the great pleasure of meeting this man, Kazuyoshi Mawatari, who told the beautiful story of his conversion from Buddhism to Christianity and the incredible way he and his wife have devoted their lives to the kingdom of God. Mawatari-sensei founded and has lead one of the few Christian churches in Japan for 40 years and is, in large part, responsible for bringing missionaries to Sendai. For years he has been dreaming of starting a Christian highschool in Japan and, now that he is retired, he is devoting himself full-time to bringing his dream to reality. Through hard work, his wife and three children earned and saved enough money to purchase 8 acres of beautiful land near the base of the Zao mountain range. His goal at present is to raise the $10 million needed to build the campus and open the school in 2010. Our family was so taken by the sweet spirit and enthusiam shown by Mawatari-sensei. We will be supporting his dream.

"Protesters rally against U.S. President George W. Bush and his administration's handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, outside the White House in Washington, September 8, 2005. The hunt for the helpless and the hiding went on across New Orleans on Thursday as Bush promised to streamline the government bureaucracy to speed relief to hundreds of thousands displaced by Hurricane Katrina. 08 Sep 2005 REUTERS/Jason Reed"

Does anyone else notice that these people are doing nothing constructive to help the hurricane victims?

Notoriously Incorrect
Not only a great name for a blog, but a great website for fine-tuning one's grammar. I wish I had been able to use such things when I was in school studying for exams!

First thoughts?

Red crescent.

Green and red highlights.

Hmmmm. Could it be. . .

I S L A M ? ? ? ? ?




The crescent and the colors green and red typically represent Islam, as in the flag of Algeria below. But the image above is the "Crescent of Embrace," a memorial for the 33 passengers and seven crew members of United Airlines Flight 93 who died September 11th to save other Americans from Islamic terrorists. While the view from the ground is no doubt beautiful and comforting, the overall design is at best insensitive.

Frankly, I can't say it any better than Sean. Go read what he has to say.

Java Jive
(one of my all-time favorite songs, 'though I don't like coffee)

I love coffee, I love tea,
I love the Java Jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me,
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!

I love java sweet and hot,
Whoops, Mister Moto, I'm a coffee pot
Shoot me the pot, and I'll pour me a shot,
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!

Oh slip me a slug from the wonderful mug
and I'll cut a rug 'til I'm snug in a jug
A slice of onion and a raw one,
Draw one!
Waiter, waiter, percolator!

I love coffee, I love tea,
I love the Java Jive and it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me,
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup!

Boston beans (soy beans)
I said the little itty-bitty green bean
(cabbage n' greens)
You know that I'm not keen about a bean,
unless it is a chili chili bean! (Talk it, boy!)

I love java sweet and hot,
Whoops, Mister Moto, I'm a coffee pot (yeah)
You shoot me the pot, and I'll pour me a shot,
A cup, a cup, a cup, 'an dat zat bootle!

Blow me a slug from that wonderful mug
And I'll cut a rug that's snug in a jug
Drop a nickel in my pot - Joe
Takin' it slow
Waiter, waiter percolator

I love coffee, I love tea,
I love the Java Jive an' it loves me
Coffee and tea and the java and me
A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup - BOY!

By Ben Oakland and Milton Drake

Lunchables
I am searching for ideas for healthy, nut-free sack lunches for school children. Some other mothers and I are trying to put together a little sack lunch handbook to inspire mothers who are stuck on peanut butter. Please send in your ideas! Here are a few gimmes:

Fresh fruit
Ham sandwich
Crackers with cheese
Carrot sticks
Graham crackers
Raisins
Popcorn
Fruit cup
Pudding cup
Bagel
Cheese sticks
Chicken skewers
Dried fruit
Cereal
Celery w/cream cheese
Yogurt
Granola
Soup

I'd love your "combo" ideas. For instance, my children like to snack on a mix I make with frosted mini-wheats, dried fruit and m&ms. Some children like dried fruit sprinkled on their celery and cream cheese sticks (but mine don't).

Seashore Testimonial
Unbelievable sculptures made of sand!

Kyndal sends along this little article about Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes. This collection is going straight to the top of my wish list!

Laura has been at Camp Gruber. She shares some stories and has some advice about what things they need. May God bless Laura and all the volunteers like her who are blessing Katrina's victims.

Hurricane Relief Workers Needed in Mandeville, LA!

If writing a check isn't enough and you want to get your hands dirty, here's your chance! Details:

• Work crews needed at Tammany Oaks Church of Christ in Mandeville, LA, just across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans.
• Their building will be used as a relief center, but they need help in getting tree limbs and other debris cleaned up.
• A church mini-bus will leave Wednesday evening after classes. We'll drive all night and arrive there Thursday morning, returning to OKC late Sunday night.
• Depending on availability of volunteers, a second church bus may lease Thursday evening and return late Sunday night.
  

How you can help:

• Pray for the victims and those attempting to help them.
• We need chain saws, yard rakes, brooms, plastic bags for collecting debris, and anything else you can think of. Think of a congregational Spring Clean-Up on steroids!
• If you can join us on this trip, we need your help. We'll be camping out on the church grounds so you'll need to bring camping equipment. The congregation there can provide food and water, but no electricity, running water, or sanitary facilities. If you don't mind "roughing it" for a worthy cause, here's your chance!
  

If you can help in any of these ways, please contact The Happy Homemaker by leaving a comment here.

Operation Underwear
Sharon Henderson, wife of Quail Springs Church of Christ's preacher Mark Henderson, has found a need for us to meet. Her brother-in-law is assisting evacuees in Houston and said they have made trips to the store to purchase underwear every day. People have donated clothing and shoes, but few have donated new underwear and bras!!! So, Sharon started a drive to collect new underwear and bras, which she and her team will deliver to whomever needs it in the coming weeks. The first shipment will go out tomorrow night. They need all sizes and especially need bras. They will also accept personal hygiene items. The Church is located just north of Memorial Road on May Avenue, and the items will be accepted at the south entrance (door "F").

Update:
More than 750 items of underwear, t-shirts and bras have been collected so far today at the gym!

In addition, both channel 9 and 5 have been to Quail Springs today to interview Mark Henderson about this effort.

Sharon says they plan to staff Operation Underwear for a week, from 8 am to 8 pm.

Please pray for this effort and that more people will respond with donations after they see the news.

Suggestion from Jan:
Buy for the ample.

I Am From

I am from Maytag, from Oscar Mayer and Tang.
I am from two-story, manicured, avocado green
where men and women lingered
over cigarettes, gin, crumb cake and black coffee.

I am from the tall grass, lilacs, clay, and the clear blue sky.
I am from ice skating and snow shoveling, fireflies and boats.

I am from garage sales and hearty laughter,
from Keith and Norinne and Helen and Brent.
I am from those who can fix it and those who keep on.

From "early to bed and early to rise" and
"you have to make a mess to get organized."

I am from Sunday school at the church by the violets,
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.

I'm from Ohio and Indiana, beans and corn. From the farm equipment that crushed Aunt Jean’s arm, the land that sent my grandfather around the world, and the tumor that took my mother’s freedom.

I am from boxes of photographs and mementos
resting on the glass shelves waiting to be paired
with the family tree discovered on the internet.

Chief Justice William Rehnquist Has Died

News From Alabama
I have a relative with property and friends in Foley, Alabama. He received this email tonight from a Foley resident:
hey ya'll, we were without power 2 days.... the water is back on... the walmarts and resturants are open...well some.... the causeway was wiped out..... the uss alabama is listing to the side and the museum was flooded...bayou la batre is a loss, mullett point had the pink pelquin ruined and the pavement was up and all buckled and the grand hotel and the boat clubs on both side of the bay are all damaged/ sail boats and other thing just piled on top of each other....... schools closed...no gas for buses. the stores are all low on basic necessities and gas is nowhere to be found...sells out right away and the police and guard are at the stations...they run out of water,m.r.e. & ice quickly in the mobile/foley area/ still have 182 and fort morgan roads closed....no beaches opened on this end....orange beach eastward are all fine.... the fairhope dock they just repaired is gone again..... there are buses of refuges starting to come into area...their looking into filling up all the state parks in alabama with rv's from fema and possibly opening mental hosp[was closed last year] and the naval barracks on shore of mobile bay area... they are also looking into hotels all through the state to help. they changed chucks dialysis time to 9:30 am.. instead of 10:30 to start getting the over flow of patients that mobiles 3 centers can't take from la & miss.. then they'll continue the others to bay minette and beyond into fl. the curfew is from 9pm - 6am ...trying to control any looting and the fact that people are stealing gas out of other peoples cars/generators.etc.... the people are kinda panicked....we are just going to dialysis and parking the car at home and leaving the car alarm on loud!!!! is that the info you wanted...kinda bleak...but, give it a few weeks to a month...they said tankers of gas are on the way......
------------------------------
Sent via PocketMail

WOO HOO!!!!!!!! I'm turning somersaults!!!!!
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KARAOKE FRIDAY NIGHT RETURNS
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT

Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)
(click on title for music)

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?
And miss her each night and day?
I know I'm not wrong, the feeling's getting stronger
The longer I stay away.

Miss the moss-covered vines, tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds used to sing
I'd love to see that old lazy Mississippi
Hurrying into Spring

The moonlight on the bayou
A Creole tune that fills the air
I dream about magnolias in bloom
And I'm wishin I was there

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
When that's where you left your heart?
And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans

One of today's creations.
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Another of today's creations.
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House Speaker: Rebuilding New Orleans Doesn't Make Sense
By Bill Walsh, Washington Bureau

House Speaker Dennis Hastert dropped a bombshell on flood-ravaged New Orleans on Thursday by suggesting that it isn’t sensible to rebuild the city.

"It doesn't make sense to me," Hastert told the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago in editions published today. "And it's a question that certainly we should ask."

Hastert's comments came as Congress cut short its summer recess and raced back to Washington to take up an emergency aid package expected to be $10 billion or more. Details of the legislation are still emerging, but it is expected to target critical items such as buses to evacuate the city, reinforcing existing flood protection and providing food and shelter for a growing population of refugees.

The Illinois Republican’s comments drew an immediate rebuke from Louisiana officials.

“That’s like saying we should shut down Los Angeles because it’s built in an earthquake zone,” former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., said. “Or like saying that after the Great Chicago fire of 1871, the U.S. government should have just abandoned the city.”

Hastert said that he supports an emergency bailout, but raised questions about a long-term rebuilding effort. As the most powerful voice in the Republican-controlled House, Hastert is in a position to block any legislation that he opposes.

"We help replace, we help relieve disaster," Hastert said. "But I think federal insurance and everything that goes along with it... we ought to take a second look at that."

The speaker’s comments were in stark contrast to those delivered by President Bush during an appearance this morning on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

“I want the people of New Orleans to know that after rescuing them and stabilizing the situation, there will be plans in place to help this great city get back on its feet,” Bush said. “There is no doubt in my mind that New Orleans is going to rise up again as a great city.”

Insurance industry executives estimated that claims from the storm could range up to $19 billion. Rebuilding the city, which is more than 80 percent submerged, could cost tens of billions of dollars more, experts projected.

Hastert questioned the wisdom of rebuilding a city below sea level that will continue to be in the path of powerful hurricanes.

"You know we build Los Angeles and San Francisco on top of earthquake issures and they rebuild, too. Stubbornness," he said.

Hastert wasn't the only one questioning the rebuilding of New Orleans. The Waterbury, Conn., Republican-American newspaper wrote an editorial Wednesday entitled, "Is New Orleans worth reclaiming?"

"Americans' hearts go out to the people in Katrina's path," it said. "But if the people of New Orleans and other low-lying areas insist on living in harm's way, they ought to accept responsibility for what happens to them and their property."

What do you think of this? I tend to agree, really. I wonder if New Orleans could rebuild further north above sea level and still in Louisiana? Perhaps a smaller town could merge with it? If they made such a decision now, building could begin almost immediately and people would not be scattered across the country. Please comment.