American Idolatry
Beth Moore's daughter, Melissa, wrote an excellent piece about the destruction of the famous and the public's role in bringing them down by putting them on pedestals. I loved this quote:

"To have the American masses track your every move, fall at your feet, and even scream and shed tears in your presence—knowing all the while that you yourself are subject to the same kind of sickness and eventual death as the common folk—may be flattering for a moment, but in the end it is merely isolating, oppressive, and repulsive. Our obsession with the rich and famous places them in an impossible position, for there is only one name under heaven that is meant to be adored and there is only one being who will not be destructed by our worship."

This just in from Sandy, who is the mother of one of my favorite 6-year-old girls:

We were in the van yesterday and the song "My Redeemer Lives" was on the radio. After we listened for awhile Kristen said, "I know my cousin Mari, but who is Mari Deemer??"

Isn't that just precious? This story brought back memories from when Colin was six. His school song is "I Will Stand" and it includes the phrase, "I will stand, firm and strong.....with my head held high." Colin sang the song with gusto: "...with my head held on."

Dear Governor Henry:
I thought this was just precious! While Governor Henry is promoting gambling as a means to support education, my child is learning about Martin Luther King and considering what evil he would like to abolish. He chose "gambleing" with no prompting from us.

Back in October of 1997 I took my mom to the animal shelter because she wanted a cat. Before I left, I teased James that I would be bringing home a little orange kitten and we could call him Pumpkin. James didn't really want a cat...it was just a joke.

As my mom looked at the cats, I stopped to play with a few myself. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see a fluffy orange cat reaching out of his cage to get my attention. I went to him and took him out of his cage. His name was Loverboy and he lived up to the name. He was rubbing his head on my neck and purring wildly. I was in love. And he was orange.

But, of course, we already had two cats and we weren't in need of more. I steeled myself and left him there.

Until the next day.

I just couldn't stand it. With James' permission, I returned to see if he was still there. I was sure he would be gone and I could rest easy knowing he was loved and didn't need us. But, he was there...and he was Loverboy all over again. I took him home and we called him Pumpkin.

Over the next nine years, Pumpkin definitely became James' cat. Once playful and exhuberant, he retired to the guest room upon the birth of our children, and he has held court there daily for eight years now. James uses the room's closet, so he had one-on-one time with Pumpkin every day, even if the rest of us never saw him.

Although Pumpkin was a reclusive indoor cat, he did occassionally find the outdoors calling him and he knew just how to sneak out as we came in at night. Every few months he just needed a romp outdoors - a little excitement for a night.

Monday night was just such a night. Pumpkin ran out and we couldn't find him. I checked on him all the way up until midnight, but he would not show himself.

We were awakened at 5:00 a.m. by the sound of dogs outside our window. James and I both ran out and chased the dogs away, but we were too late to save Pumpkin.

We are devastated. Pumpkin was a faithful companion and a solid link to our past. He was innocent and undeserving of his fate. We will miss him every day.

Rest in peace, Pumpkin. Rest in peace.

Auvrey sends along some explanations for signs from Homeland Security that she found at SafeNow.com. Here is one of my favorites:If a door is closed, karate chop it open.

The Colinator

Chapter One
After I told Colin an idea I had for the scouts, he sighed and said, "That is only a little bit better than my worst idea, mommy."

Chapter Two
James was showing Colin and Spencer is extensive sports card collection (which I didn't know existed, by the way) and Colin was impressed. His friends at school didn't believe his daddy had a collection, so Colin was glad to see it did, in fact, exist. He told his Daddy, "I think your card collection is much better than anyone's who is alive!"

Chapter Three
Tonight Colin came to me and said, "Mommy, you know that stuff you put on your hair to make it all one color? Well, God doesn't want you to do that. He loves you just the way you are and you shouldn't change your hair. He doesn't like that."

I asked, "What do you think God thinks about things like washing your hair and combing your hair?"

"Well, that doesn't change the COLOR and you shouldn't change the color because that is the color God wants you to have."

I replied, "Well, it IS the color God gave me, but now my hair is changing and I was just trying to keep the same color God gave me."

Colin was quick to answer: "I'm sure God has a reason for changing the color of your hair and you should not change it yourself."

I told him I would think about what he said. Quickly, blog friends, I need an answer!!!

1. The phone rings. Who are you hoping it is? I'm just hoping it isn't for me.
   
2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Yes, mostly. The other day I was out shopping and as I was loading the groceries into my car I saw an acquaintance roll up to her car with a cart. She couldn't see me. She did NOT return her cart! Shocking!!! (No, it wasn't Dawn, although, yes, this person does live near me...I just don't want y'all fingering Dawn for this. But I will say....well, no I won't...) So, anyway, I returned her cart for her. I'll probably give her a hard time later. OH! yes! back to the meme...
3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? Listener. I have a little sensory integration problem though, so it is very difficult for me to listen if other stuff is going on, so I try to avoid socializing in loud places.
   
4. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? Just long enough to find the person who abandoned me.
5. Do you like to ride horses? Not so much. Horses intimidate me a bit.
6. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Brownie day camp and Colorado Music Camp.
7. What was your favorite board game as a kid? That cherry tree game. It wasn't the game so much as the cherries. I loved those little cherries. I also enjoyed Monopoly.
   
8. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was taken what would you do? Well, first of all, I don't find he/shes sexy, so the question doesn't even make sense to me.
9. Are you judgmental? Not so much, except there is one little area I still struggle with. I have been humbled too many times to remain judgmental, though.
   
10. Would you date someone with different religious beliefs? Nope.
    
11. Are you continuing your education? Yes, aren't we all? I should hope so.
12. Do you know how to shoot a gun? Yes, but I probably wouldn't do well in a stressful situation. An FBI undercover drug agent taught me to shoot, so I had a pretty good teacher.
    
13. If your house was on fire, what’s the first thing you’d grab? Children, purse, shoes. (Okay, that's three, I know. But if my children weren't home, I'd grab my purse first. And if my purse wasn't home and my children weren't home, I'd get the shoes).
14. How often do you read books? I read all the time (including reading for my job), but I do not read books often. Once I start I can't stop, so my whole life goes on hold!
    
15. Do you think more about the past, present or future? Future, past, present, in that order.
    
16. What is your favorite children’s book? I Don't Want to Take a Bath (a Little Tiger book).
17. How tall are you? 5'5"
18. Where is your ideal house located? In Oklahoma City in an old/historical district near a cul de sac near Lake Hefner. (So far, I have not found this place.)
    
19. Last person you talked to? Colin.
    
20. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden? Two weeks ago. We seem to end up there when my co-worker Julia chooses the lunching place, which is funny because she is so body conscious and worries about eating too much, then she goes to Olive Garden and eats about 30 breadsticks. It is pretty funny, really.
    
21. What are your keys on your key chain for? Unlocking stuff, mostly.
    
22. What did you do last night? Well, it was a Saturday night. James and Colin went to see the Hornets play. Spencer wasn't feeling well and I was starting to feel like I might be getting sick, so I went to bed at 8:30 after trying to de-spyware my computer.
23. Where is your current pain? My heart.
24. Do you like mustard? Yes, but in small quantities.
    
25. Do you like your mom or dad? Yes.
26. How long does it take you in the shower? Ten to fifteen minutes.
    
27. What movie do you want to see right now? The Painted Veil
    
28. Do you put lotion on your dog or cats? To quote Dan: "Wha?"
29. What did you do for New Year’s? I was on a ranch in Texas. We went to bed at a reasonable hour...like 11:00 or something like that.
    
30. Do you think The Grudge was scary? To quote Dan: "Wha?"
31. Do you own a camera phone? Yes.
    
32. What’s the last letter of your middle name? This is a stupid quEstioN. (Depends if you're asking about my original middle name or my current middle name. You really should be more specific.)
    
33. Who did you vote for on American Idol? I've never watched it. Is that unAmerican of me?

(via Dan via Charles)

I have just found some hilarious old valentines here. Go take a look and don't take a drink just before scrolling down or you'll have to clean your keyboard.

Today was the 100th day of school, so most of the things the boys brought home had a 100 theme. This is one of Colin's pages, in his typical tiny-drawing style:

Fishy Fishy Fishy Fish

by Spencer

I Ink, Therefore I Am

I have added links to bloggers who blog about making stuff with Stampin' Up! products just for kicks. I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I love looking at what others create. I thought of the title all by myself, though I acknowledge someone has to have used it before. Right? Anyway, if you like crafts of any kind, you'll probably enjoy these blogs!

Why I'm A Little Unsure About Traveling to Japan:
Oh, how I love the Engrish-dot-com. I try to save up and look just once or twice a month so I can have a whole bunch of laughing all at one time. The website is just a collection of English used by non-English-speaking marketers or sign-makers (usually Japanese) and the translations are just hilarious. I wonder if they have a website about the Americans' use of Japanese letters? (Some translations are not for sensitive eyes).

The Word is Out

My favorite blogger has outted them. Go see who's blogging now and see how long it takes you to know who's blog it is!

(Image depicts Spencer, Jan & James. I like my skirt.)

Found in a four-page set of questions about a book Colin read:

"SNOW-klahoma" Sing with me!

SNOW-klahoma,
Where the cold fronts sweepin' down the plain;
And the piles of sleet beneath your feet
Follow right behind the freezing rain.

SNOW-klahoma,
Ev'ry night my honey lamb and I
Travel home from work and hope some jerk
Doesn't wreck our car in passing by.

We know we belong to the land
But it could use more salt and more sand!

And when we say
Yeeow! Yipyiokeeay!
We're only sayin' you're slick as snot,
SNOW-klahoma!
SNOW-klahoma, Okay!

(Sent by my friend Marcy...author unknown)

It is time for the Valentines! This year I decided to include the collector's notes. For those of you who are new here, this is my third year to share valentines from a scrapbook I found in a junk store. The book is almost exclusively valentines and they are organized by year, beginning with 1948. Enjoy!

Tiny, gentle, precious.
Soft, strong, quiet.
These little gifts,
Hidden treasures,
Float down from Heaven
In silence.

We have been outside collecting beautiful snowflakes on our coats. In all my days I have never seen such perfect snowflakes. We just don't get them this good in Oklahoma! They actually looked like these photos! Amazing.