God is GOOD

Wienermobile Crashes into a House!

2009-07-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

Now this is Hilarious!

Flowers on the Water

2009-07-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

Today is Juliana's 23rd birthday.

I took her to breakfast at Pancake Circus and then we went to the Sacramento Bridge to toss flowers on the water in memory of my mother and Juliana's grandmother.

She did a very good job of naming all of mom's children and grandchildren, we even tossed one in for grandpa Butters!

We tried to run over to the other side of the bridge to get pictures of the flowers as they floated on the water, but the current had quickly taken them away.

Then we went by where Juliana works just so I could check the place out!

Maria Leaves for Italy

2009-07-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

Shopping with Maria has always been and adventure. She is super picky and if there is one small thing wrong with the item . . . forget it . . . we leave it behind.

This makes for a long day trying to find the right kind of clothing. But when we find it I usually say buy it no matter the price because of how hard we worked to find it.

I'm thankful I can bring my own chair now. I use it! After it was all said and done we went to three different Target stores, Walmart twice, and seven other stores over a period of two days. These are not counting the stores that Maria went to on her own all in pursuit of finding clothing that works for her.

Before we went shopping I told Maria I would only buy her ONE pair of shoes. She tried to bribe me into buying more, but I wouldn't budge. She got lots of nice clothes for her trip.

Now you can understand why I say "BUY IT" when we find it!

Unusual Computer Cases

2009-06-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

PC World is my home page. Computers fascinate me. This particular article caught my attention because the love affair between Wall-e, the trash compactor, and Eve, the sleek robot, is cute. There are several examples of pc cases that might interest you. However my favorite was Wall-e. The picture will take you to the article and THIS LINK will take you to a Russian site that shows picture by picture how this this pc case was made.

When Life Hands You Lemons - Race Them

2009-05-30T09:57:00.000-07:00

Click the pic to see the flick!

Here is the official website that goes to the articles page. What a hoot! Racing junkers.

24 Hours of Lemons

Kite Control

2009-05-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Stunt Kites @ Yahoo! Video

Fascinating Scientist

2009-05-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

Acidic Ocean

2009-05-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

Why you need the Sunshine Vitamin

2009-05-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

Two articles about the necessity of Vitamin D and why it is so important.

Ruth's Tomb Gets Renovated

2009-05-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

Cleaning Ruth's Tomb

(IsraelNN.com) In preparation for the upcoming holiday of Shavuot, a group of Jews gathered from all over Israel to clean and renovate the Tomb of Ruth and Jesse (Yishai). Ruth, a Moabite princess who was determined to become a Jewess and in fact became the great-grandmother of King David, is remembered during the holiday, with the Scroll of Ruth being read in synagogues around the world.

The Neo-Zionist lobby "Kumah," in partnership with the Jewish Community of Hevron, where Ruth is buried, organized the event. It involved the installation of new top-quality furnishings, painting, light and water fixtures, cleaning, and arrangement of a stone courtyard outside the holy site.

Kumah members said they performed the day-long difficult manual labor as a way of expressing their gratitude and appreciation for the Jews of Hevron, whose presence in the City of our Forefathers ensures that Jews of all walks of life can visit and pray there.

Watch the news clip !

Sky is off to See the World!

2009-05-27T00:36:00.000-07:00

Skyler is off to see Misha for the Summer. He has been bragging to everyone he can that he is flying by himself to New York. Then he's telling about how his big sister live in Pennsylvania and that they are going to Washington DC to see the White House. Knowing how things work with Skyler, he just may get a glimps of someone important while he is there.

Skyler insisted that Maria and Juliana come to see him off. Only Maria was able to make it. He just wanted to spend "some time" with is other sisters before he left for the Summer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Part 2

Sky made it safely!!! Click the pic to hear his interview!

Western Festival Parade

2009-05-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

Skyler was in a Western Festival Parade.

The Extreme Team kids were asked to help sing on the float. The theme of the float was that the word of God is better than Gold.

Here we have two miners to validate the truth of that statement!

At the beginning of the parade before they took off down the main street I ran into a nice gentleman who restored this jeep. He saw it in a field and bought it for a song then proceeded to restore it. He put in 8 sheets of metal in its remaking. By appearances, it must be his son in the jeep with him. He also has a sign stating the name of a beloved warrior that has since passed on.

Fat Heads and Dark Chocolate

2009-04-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

I discovered a nice blog called the Bean Diet.

Quoting its author "Our brains are primarily comprised of fat, so you could say we're all fatheads... which explains why the type of fat we consume has an enormous effect on how well our brains work in later life - what's called "cognitive function" or "cognitive decline".

A recent study published in the journal Diabetes Care (32:635-640, 2009) found that elderly diabetic women who consumed more trans-fat (partially-hydrogenated oils) and saturated fat in their younger years were significantly more likely to experience cognitive decline when compared to elderly women who consumed the lowest levels of these fats.

One of the reasons this makes sense is because trans-fat and saturated fat increase LDL (bad) cholesterol, which contributes to increased plaque formation. The more plaque in our arteries, the lower the oxygen supply to our brain, since plaque limits blood circulation (blood carries oxygen). When brain cells don't receive adequate oxygen over time they begin to die, and that ultimately causes "cognitive decline".

On the flip side, good fats, like Omega-3 fatty acid and monousaturated fat, improve circulation and therefore, oxygen delivery to the brain.

So where do all these fats come from? Trans-fat is mainly found in processed foods; saturated fat mainly comes from foods of animal origin: meats, dairy products, and eggs; Omega-3 and monounsaturated fat are found throughout unprocessed plant foods: fruit, vegetables, whole grains and legumes (beans, lentils, peas, nuts and seeds)."

She also states that Dark Chocolate lowers blood pressure without causing weight gain.

Water Skiing Monkies & a Thief

2009-04-25T10:00:00.001-07:00

Waterskiing Monkeys @ Yahoo! Video

Dog Steals Blanket From Cat @ Yahoo! Video

Easter

2009-04-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

Easter was loads of fun at the Madsens house. Here are most of the children that attended.

We had an Easter Egg hunt and ...

three different crafts...

and two bounce houses and ...
(Skyler got hit in the mouth by someone's knee)

and best of all they heard the Easter story by two special visitors; Robolina and Evalina.

The used little gadgets inside of a dozen plastic eggs to teach from.

Here is Sky before his busted lip.

The food was fantastic!

Elder Sister Madsen made special fruit cups and delightful deserts that went quickly.

Skyler enjoyed the food too.

Sky brought his remote control car to share with his friends.

The Madsen's party was on Saturday. However, I had a luncheon on Sunday. I couldn't clean my house and prepare the food because of my back, so Leona, a good friend, suggested that I have the meal at her house.

Skyler made and put out this sign so the guests could easily locate where to go.

Some other singles came over too. There were seven of us that had a wonderful time.

Maria's Recital

2009-04-17T01:04:00.001-07:00

I went to see Maria perform on of her recital pieces 'Sheep May Safely Graze' by Bach.

Here is a little snippet of her performance.

Maria has been practicing for months.

She decided to wait until next semester to perform. I'll keep you posted as to when.

God Can Palm the World

2009-04-17T00:43:00.000-07:00

According to Skyler, "God can palm the world!"

We were driving down the road to school and remembering a special time of family devotions when Misha and David where here in March to visit. As we were talking and singing a song about God having the everything and every one in His hands Skyler came to the conclusion that God is so big that His hand can palm the world. That he can lay his hand on the world like we do and church when praying for others.

I needed to see things from Skyler's perspective as the economy and circumstances on campus heat up to a potentially explosive nature. I'll post to my other blog Euroclydon soon. Instead of getting all caught up in the drama of each faction fighting for what they want, I'd rather focus on winning souls. Just want to be a light in a very dark world and take as many people to heaven with me as possible.

Hamas is moving to America?

2009-04-13T17:56:00.001-07:00

This past week, President Barack Obama signed another $20.3 million bill to import Palestinians from war-torn Palestine.

http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty443.htm

Update on the Youth Corps

2009-04-08T21:59:00.000-07:00

HR 1388 passed the Senate.

I received this information from a friend by e-mail.

The following text is from a bill passed in our legislature. .. Called the G.I.V.E. Act... Check it out. This is sect 125 article 7...

(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytizations.

Obama Youth Brigade: Church Attendance Forbidden

Is this the change you really voted for? President Obama has only been in office for two months. Now we have HR 1388. The Bill was sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) with 37 others. The Bill was introduced to the floor of the House of Representatives where both Republicans and Democrats voted 321-105 in favor. Next it goes to the Senate for a vote and then on to President Obama.
This bill’s title is called “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education” (GIVE). It forms what some are calling “Obama’s Youth Brigade.” Obama’s plan is require anyone receiving school loans and others to serve at least three months as part of the brigade. His goal is one million youth! This has serious Nazi Germany overtones to it.
The Bill would forbid any student in the brigade to participate in “engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytizations.” That means no church attendance or witnessing.
____________________

Other Links:

GLSEN and the Hitler Youth
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=93528

The act has been given the deceptive name of the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act (HR 1388) - See 4.
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904070316

House and Senate PASS "The GIVE Act" - Mandatory Volunteerism (HR1388/S277)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es_59215X-g

Michael Savage - Obama is Asking to Be Kicked Out of Office!!! H.R.1388 To Be Mandatory!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS8MmyPlRXw&NR=1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Global Warming

2009-04-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

Manditory Youth Corps?????

2009-03-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

Congress appears ready to pass an Obama administration plan that could create mandatory public service requirements for all American youth, fulfilling a campaign promise.

The bill, HR 1388: The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, otherwise known as the "GIVE Act," has already passed the House by a vote of 321-105.

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92902

Here is another article

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a plan to set up a new "volunteer corps" and consider whether "a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people" should be developed.

The legislation also refers to "uniforms" that would be worn by the "volunteers" and the "need" for a "public service academy, a 4-year institution" to "focus on training" future "public sector leaders." The training, apparently, would occur at "campuses."

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92288

Sounds like the beginning of Hitler's army when he came into power.

Here is a site that is easy to understand. It is OpenCongress It give the status of the bill being voted on.

Gardening

2009-03-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

I planted a mini garden this year. Skyler helped out as I am rather limited in my ability to squat, kneel and bend. He we have the master gardener preparing for carrots.

In my quest to loose more weight, I really need to have fresh salads. How much fresher can you get than walking outside your front door and picking a few leaves?

I do not know how long that the plants will last before they go to seed. I hope a while because the salad was very good and satisfied me for several hours.

The following clip is a mini tour of my mini garden. I have just enough dirt to keep me busy.

My neighbor told me about these upside down plant holders. As the tomato plant grows and bares fruit, you just pluck off the ripe ones off the vine. The roots are kept warm and moist as well.

Since I do not have that much room, I thought I'd try to do this kind of planter with summer squash as it has a tendency to take over the ground with its expanding vines. I have planted seeds in the bucket, but they haven't sprouted yet. Somethings take forever. According to Skyler, a week is a long time to see just bare dirt.

As you can see I have Super Man who likes to help in the garden. He loves to water the plants and spray down the sidewalk.

Obama is ditching the Dollar

2009-03-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

I read and article about Obama ditching the dollar and regret not saving the link. But here are two articles about that article. http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/chang/40742 ........... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/s/w_asia/60523.stm

Then shortly there after I saw a clip about a new business that has been generated by the flailing economy. People living in foreclosed houses. Apparently there is a thirty percent increase of sales among foreclosed houses that are occupied.

Living in a foreclosed house
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/12573454/abc/20090319/av_abc_gma/_goodmorningyahoo_abc090319_gma_von_fremd

Then saw another clip about the homeless in Japan and the compromised conditions that some of their educated people are living in.

Meeting Japan's cyber-homeless
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/12573588/bbc/20090319/av_bbc_ts/_goodmorningyahoo_bbc261163archivevideo

I am so thankful for normalcy, food on my table, a great church to attend and that Skyler is in a Christian School despite the quirkiness of its teachers.

I keep wondering what the future holds.

Oh Lord just give me more Bible studies. This world is not my home.

Flying Spaghetti Monsters

2009-03-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

I ran across a comment about Alltheism and thought that I'd research it a little bit.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say:

"An alltheist is A person who tries to claim ties to every religion out of fear of picking the 'wrong' one. This in turn forms a paradox because some religions, such as Hinduism and Judiasm contradict each other as the former is polytheistic and the latter explicitly states that there is only one God."

"A typical Alltheist may believe in Jesus, Hindu gods, and even the Flying Spaghetti Monster."

FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER????

So I looked up Flying Spaghetti Monster and discovered that there is a Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

It is at this site that I also learned about a smiling squid called Piglet Squid, Helicocranchia pfefferi.

In these crazy economic times people are looking for answers. Sometimes in the wrong places.

Turkeys

2009-03-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

One day I as I was leaving for class I walked out side to a flock of turkeys walking across my front yard. The proceeded to walk across the street to the neighbors front yard to continue their foraging for food. At first I thought that the birds got out of their normal home so called the animal shelter. Later I discovered that it is common for Turkeys to roam free in Citrus Heights.

I googled the topic and discovered several blogs with postings about the Turkeys and even some Planning Commission minutes with the attendees complaining about the birds being a nuisance. They have multiplied in the last decade; from a few thousand to over 240 thousand.

On the way to taking Skyler to school last week, there they were, about fifty of them foraging for food on Auburn Blvd. I just had to stop and capture the moment. They are so comfortable despite the rush of life that roars by.

In one article there were pictures of two Turkeys trying to get into Petco!

Also found something on YouTube.
Another local person posted a clip about the Turkeys. While showing houses to a client she came across a flock of Turkeys.

It is obviously Spring time and they are on the prowl looking for places to lay their eggs.
In fact I saw three female turkeys on the side of 80/99 south freeway near the river. It was a great place to lay eggs. A couple of years ago there was a large crop of acorns that caused the Turkey population to increase dramatically.

I keep wondering if these birds will begin to thin out as our economy worsens. Will the homeless people consider them as free food for the taking?

Another blog posting on the Wild Turkeys and an article about the increase of the Turkey population. Apparently, they have become aggressive in the Davis area and are harassing visitors that come to the cemetery.

Andy Goldsworthy -Artist

2009-03-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

Skyler and I watch a documentary called Rivers and Tides.

I thought that it was about Rivers and Tides when I checked it out from the library. To our pleasant suprize it was about a british artist and his work.

Andy Goldsworthy (born 26 July 1956) is a British sculptor, photographer and environmentalist living in Scotland who produces site-specific sculpture and land art situated in natural and urban settings. His art involves the use of natural and found objects, to create both temporary and permanent sculptures which draw out the character of their environment.

At his site is a page of other environmental artists.

Valentine's Day

2009-03-07T18:14:00.001-08:00

A bit late to post about Valentine’s Day, but want to do it anyway because of how special it was. Each of us had a place setting decorated with a handmade menu and Valentine candies. We also had three handsome fellows that waited on us. Instead of going out together, the Boldings decided to bless a few of us single gals with a special dinner. I will always remember this special day for years to come.

Fountains Sooth Me!

2009-02-19T21:46:00.001-08:00

I love the sound of running water. It soothes me.

The front of my condo was driving me nuts. It just looked so junky. I'd been wanting a fountain for the front for a long time. I've shopped around, but never found the perfect one. It will be two years this week that I moved in and my previous attempts to landscape have failed. The plants all died when the trees were trimmed.

As a result I had to start all over.

This time I decided to plant herbs and other plants that can survive HOT and full sun from noon to sunset during the summer months. When people are out for their walks they stop and look at all the pretties now. In fact, the people who bought the adjoining condo did so because of the angel I had put out in the front.

Neighbors on both sides helped me. I couldn't of done it without them. I had them over for a good dinner as a thank you for their help.

I got good deals on both of my fountains.

Here is a picture of my inside fountain.

I like it because the ladies have clothes on and it depicts the heart of a servant.

Sometime I let the water level in my fish tank stay low so I can hear the sound of running water.

Raising Skyler in the House of God

2009-02-19T17:38:00.001-08:00

Skyler's social life can be rather eventful. He loves to be busy. At times his room gets out of control and we have to stop the merry go round long enough to clean things up.

The before and after pictures.

I had been looking for a specific blue shirt for three weeks and was thinking that he lost it. Last year I was down to one flimsy jacket. I went to the storage shed at his school and found six of his lost jackets and coats. I was reliving the despair of that experience when I couldn't find a certain blue pull over that he had received for Christmas. He had already lost a nice winter jacket at a party we went to, so was really stressing about him loosing another one. I'm still looking for the jean jacket that I bought in December to replace the one he lost in October.

. . . Well . . . after cleaning his room, I found it!

Then he lost it within 24 hours of finding it.

(Still looking for the jean jacket though.)
~~~~~~~

Skyler loves Spirit Life. He has been going to these classes for three years now. Originally, Spirit Life is designed for new converts and goes over doctrinal beliefs and all that is involved in living for God.

I consider it his first Bible college.
Here he is enjoying a snack before the class starts.
I'm thankful that they have not kicked him out of these classes.

~~~~~~~

Here Skyler is at a birthday party for a girl at school.

~~~~~~~

Here Skyler is at a recent Church convention called Landmark. We ran into a boy named Steven who lives up in Grass Valley.

Apparently every year there is a flag bearer who runs the isles with a flag that says "Jesus Saves." It is a long standing tradition for the convention. Sky thought it was interesting.

~~~~~Foot Ball~~~~~

Here is my little mud man!

He's had a good game of football with the boy's club.

These brief clips catch Skyler watching the action around him.
I think things happen too fast for him to keep up with.

~~~~~~~

Then there is Xtreme Team!

Sky really looks forward to the practices and involvement with friends.

This coming weekend they are performing twice. Once at the Deaf Revival and once at a competition and training seminar called One Way Street.

In this clip Skyler is practicing as the fill in.
However, in the competition it is Jordan G that is performing.

Here Skyler is playing Jesus in the skit for the upcoming performance. He is just the back up, but is taking things very serious and doing his best just in case.
Here Skyler is looking cool in a convertible at the lunch break.

Following is an interrupted clip of their performance. My camera has limitations. sorry it cut out right at the heart of the performance. All the kids had a great time. They won the competition by placing first place.

Special People

2009-02-19T17:19:00.000-08:00

Maria and Sister Thompson.

Thankful for the opportunity to spend a little time with my first pastor's wife and her husband. Although my first pastor passed away many years ago, his influence on my life saw me through some tough times.

Here is Sister Linda Thompson happily remarried and as beautiful as ever. She is such a kind and gentle person. I'll always be indebted to her for her prayers and patience while I grew up in the Lord.

Educational Interview About the Clashing of Civilizations

2009-01-29T21:57:00.000-08:00

Painted Cats

2009-01-29T18:02:00.000-08:00

I was sent an e-mail about painted cats, only to learn that the pictures are digital art. Glad it is a spoof. Can you imagine the animal rights people got bazerk over this one!

First Signs of Euroclydon

2009-01-28T11:50:00.000-08:00

I'm disturbed that Obama's first formal address is in a foreign nation.

(CBS) Since Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States 12 days ago, he has largely remained out of sight, getting high-level government briefings and conferring with his transition team. But he surfaced on Friday afternoon in Chicago, alongside his wife Michelle to give 60 Minutes his first post-election informal interview.

Then he surfaces in Egypt for a formal interview.

CAIRO, Egypt – President Barack Obama chose an Arabic satellite TV network for his first formal television interview as president, part of a concerted effort to repair relations with the Muslim world that were damaged under the previous administration.

Here is a video of the interview.

Change is coming to America, but it is not a good change.

A friend send me an e-mail . . . it goes like this . . . .

Much has been done to celebrate the men that forged our freedom.History must continue to reflect our feelings. This is information provided toeach fifth grader. Review for your opportunity to tell IT like it is wheneverrequired. Lest we forget … George Washington, our nation's first president and leader of the American Revolution!

Abe Lincoln, our most honorable leader pulls our nation through its darkest time!

Alexander Hamilton, founding father, first secretary of the treasure; and leader of the constitutional convention.

Andrew Jackson, "Old Hickory " fought the British in New Orleans !

Ulysses Grant, Union army general, lead the North through the Civil War!

Ben Franklin, Genius inventor, political theorist, ambassador; and leading author of the constitution.

Finally! We have SOMEONE to put on the food stamp!

Check your tires

2009-01-27T23:01:00.000-08:00

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4826897

I had no clue that tires had a shelf life to them. Hope all take the time to view this news clip. It may save lives.

The Black Hole

2009-01-24T22:53:00.000-08:00

A Story of Greed!

Researcher: 'Dr. Death' Created City of Twins in Brazil

2009-01-23T11:29:00.000-08:00

'Dr. Death' Created Twin City?

by Maayana Miskin

Nazi doctor Josef Mengele was infamous for the horrific experiments he performed on concentration camp prisoners during the Holocaust. Now an Argentinean researcher reports that after fleeing to South America Mengele continued his experiments, and succeeded in creating a “twin city” with an unusually high number of blond children.

Researcher Jorge Camarasa says Mengele was responsible for the many twin births in the small town of Candido Godoi in Brazil. Mengele visited the town while living in nearby Paraguay, and over the years began treating local women, Camarasa says in his book Mengele: the Angel of Death in South America.

Mengele used Cadido Godoi as a laboratory, Camarasa told the British Telegraph this week. After Mengele began treating women in the 1960s, local women began experiencing an unusually high number of twin births.

While the normal ratio of twin births to single-child births is roughly one to 80, in Candido Godoi the ratio shot up to one in every five births, confounding scientists. Most of the twins were blond with blue eyes—features considered highly desirable under the Aryan supremacist views held by Mengele and his fellow Nazis.

During the Holocaust, much of Mengele's research centered on attempts to assure the birth of twins, in order to increase the Aryan birthrate. He also attempted to single out typically Aryan physical characteristics and discover how to replicate them.

As the twin births continued, local doctors began interviewing women, and discovered that all described the same man: a doctor going by the name of Rudolph Weiss. The doctor would visit the town and go from door to door, giving women various syrups and pills that he said would heal them, women said. He also performed dental work and frequently took blood samples.

According to Camarasa, in Brazil Mengele “finally managed to fulfill his dreams of creating a master race of blond-haired, blue-eyed Aryans.” Mengele managed to continue his life without being brought to justice until his death in 1979.
Comment on this story

The Black Plague

2009-01-22T07:27:00.000-08:00

BLACK DEATH PLAGUE KILLS 40 AL QAEDA TERRORISTS

by Hillel Fendel

At least 40 Al Qaeda terrorists were killed earlier this week by a plague called the Black Death.
The same disease that devastated Europe in the Middle Ages claimed terrorists training this week in a camp in Algeria. The dead were members of a group called AQLIM (Al Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb), the largest and most powerful Al-Qaeda group outside the Middle East. The disease is accompanied by horrific symptoms, causing terrible suffering to its victims.
One security source told the British paper The Sun, which broke the story, "This is the deadliest weapon yet in the war against terror. Most of the terrorists do not have the basic medical supplies needed to treat the disease. It spreads quickly and kills within hours. This will be really worrying Al-Qaeda."
Al Qaeda also fears that surviving terrorists will give themselves up in order to seek treatment.
The Sun reported that the last outbreak of the disease killed 30,000 Londoners in 1665. Deaths nowadays are rare, because the disease can be treated with antibiotics, and it has become virtually unknown in the developed world.

What Bush Did Right

2009-01-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

On her flight back to Texas with the former President, White House counselor Karen Hughes reflects on unexpected accomplishments, low opinion polls, and why she didn’t bring her dog on the plane.

This time, I didn’t bring the dog.

Eight years ago, my golden retriever Breeze was with me as I climbed onto the Air Force plane that would take me and my boss to Washington for his inauguration as President. I hadn’t planned it that way—in fact, not much about the chaotic time between the agony of the month-long Florida recount and the frenetic blur of our abbreviated transition to governing felt planned.

I was working non-stop helping the President select a Cabinet, hire a staff, prepare to govern. My husband had rented a house in Virginia that I had yet to see, and he and my son had left for Washington so my son wouldn’t miss the opening day of school. Everything I owned except a suitcase, and the dog and cat, was on a moving van heading north.

A couple of days before we were due to fly out of Austin, I was worrying out loud that I had not figured out a way to transport my pets. “Bring them with us,” a member of our staff suggested, explaining that the President was bringing his animals and a local kennel would board them until we were all settled. I made the arrangements, and showed up with my dog and cat in their travel crates, expecting to put them in the hold. But the hold wasn’t pressurized, as the polite air force officer informed me. I was mortified, but stuck. So I climbed on board, dog and cat in tow, worried what the Air Force personnel must be thinking (those Texans, bringing everything but the sheep and the goats!)

The flight that took us to Washington through Midland that day in 2001 was full of activity and anticipation. A member of our media team, Scott Sforza, helped calm the dog while the president and I worked, reviewing drafts of his inaugural and stacks of paperwork outlining upcoming decisions. Hope and high expectations were on board, along with some anxiety (what was Washington really like?) and much anticipation, including the conviction that our boss, who worked so well with Democrats in Texas, could change the negative tone in our nation’s capital.

What we never imagined on that January day eight years ago were the terrorist attacks of September 11, the day that would forever change and define the presidency of George W. Bush. It still surprises me to realize that after all the debates, news conferences and interviews—the thousands of questions that had been asked over the course of our presidential campaign, my boss had never once—not once!—been asked about Al Qaeda or Osama bin Laden. Despite all our plans and intentions, from the day of the attacks until the final day of his presidency, preventing another attack on our homeland dominated the President’s first thoughts every morning and his last ones at night.

As we boarded the flight home to Texas yesterday, all of us were proud—and relieved—that he had succeeded in keeping our country safe. I’m sure most of us wished he was leaving to accolades or higher approval ratings, but no one voiced that. We all believe he accomplished many things for which he gets little or no credit, some expected and some not: covering prescription drugs in Medicare, reforming public schools, preserving huge swaths of pristine oceans, saving lives with a massive AIDS and malaria initiative in Africa, removing tyrannical regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq, funding a massive increase in development assistance to further education and fight poverty and disease.

And I believe two of his least popular decisions, the surge of troops into Iraq and the massive rescue of our financial system, have paved the way for Barak Obama’s presidency to be far more successful than it otherwise would have been. We claim that we want our political leaders to do what they believe is right, rather than what polls shows is popular—but we don’t always honor that.

I hadn’t been sure what to expect about the flight home to Texas, dubbed Air Force Special Mission 28,000. The plane was the same one that had flown him across the world, but it was no longer called Air Force One because President Bush was no longer the President. I wasn’t sure if it would be somewhat sad, perhaps bittersweet, but as the President said, there was no “bitter” about it. Primarily, it was an affectionate, joyful gathering of people who have been through a great deal together. Many of us had arrived in Washington with the President; some had served the entire 8 years, while others, like me, had spent part of the administration with him (in my case, a total of four years, 18 months at the White House, two-and-a-half years at the State Department).

A couple of things struck me during the flight: the friends on board were many of the same ones he and Mrs. Bush had before they entered public life, the same ones who visited his house in Dallas when I first went to work for him.

And second, the vast disconnect between the affection and admiration those who worked most closely for and around him clearly feel, and the negative judgment of the public opinion polls. We watched a video in which both staff members and career employees who worked in the White House expressed their appreciation and admiration. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair summed up my most profound thought: the extraordinary courage it took for the President to support the surge of troops into Iraq in the face of almost universal disapproval, thus transforming a war that was being lost into one that is being won.

It was the privilege of a lifetime to know and serve a President, to see the office and its demands up close—and now, all of us are looking forward to the next chapter. President Bush is an active, energetic man who at age 62 has many years of positive contribution ahead of him. In this new season, he won’t stand in the spotlight—it is President Obama’s turn now. He’ll write a book to share with the American people the factors he considered as he made the decisions he did. He’ll work on building his presidential library, and an accompanying policy institute dedicated to advocating freedom and responsibility. Soon, I expect we’ll be welcoming Afghan women, leaders of emerging democracies, dissidents fighting for freedom, and those who are leading the fight against disease and poverty in the developing world to the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

For now, I suspect those of us who know President Bush best, are simply glad to welcome him home to Texas. Inaugurals are a wonderful affirmation of the enduring optimism of our democracy, and I wish President Obama and his team the very best. I know a lot more about Washington and the world than I did eight years ago, but I’m still an idealist at heart. I believe most people who are willing to endure the harsh, often negative spotlight that comes with public service do so for fundamentally the right reasons: to try to make our country a better place. My prayers are with our new President, and my gratitude and respect follow our former one home.

Karen Hughes was Counselor to President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2002, and Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs from 2005-2007. She is now global vice chairman of Burson-Marsteller, a communications/public relations firm.

Oath Retaken

2009-01-21T18:54:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama retook his oath of office Wednesday after Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed while delivering it at Tuesday's inauguration.

Barack Obama is pictured at the inauguration on Tuesday in Washington as Michelle Obama watches.

The second oath -- also administered by Roberts -- took place at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday in the White House's Map Room. Roberts asked Obama whether he was ready.

Though a Bible was used in Tuesday's oath, one was not used for Wednesday's.

It disturbs me that a Bible was not used on Wednesdays redo of the presidential oath.

Euroclydon

2009-01-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

Some look at this picture with hope in their hearts. Not for me. It reminds me of two things. Communistic propoganda and a storm named Euroclydon.

Trouble is ahead.

Acts 27:1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

Trouble is ahead for America. Obama is ushering in the judgement of God on America.

The soft fair winds of popular opinion are blowing. The majority thinks we are going to experience positive change. America is going to change. Not for the good, but for the worse.

In his inaugerational speech, Obama addressed the Muslim community. I heard a little hitch of emotion in his voice. He stated that "Your people will judge you by what you build, not what you destroy." I hope the leaders hear it. I know the people will hear it. The Israeli's were listening for sure.

Wonder how he is going to deal with Iran?

Media Doubt Obama on Iran

by Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

Israeli newspapers, known for making mincemeat out of politicians, have welcomed President Barack Obama with questions on how he can stop the Iranian nuclear threat without a military attack.

"Up to now, your speeches have been fantastic. Now let's see your actions," wrote editorial writer Eitan Haber in Yediot Acharonot. "When the festive noise fades in Washington, and in Jerusalem, the joy over the victory in Gaza, the big United States and little Israel must – with or without Europe – look for any and all means to strike at Iran's capabilities – military, economic and diplomatic."

Other Israel news media also addressed Obama. Ma'ariv wrote that the new president "has become the leader of the free world, but does he have a solution to the greatest threat to the free world – Islamic fundamentalism? Radical Islam looks for neither understanding nor compromise; its supporters see no distinction between Obama and Bush," whom the newspaper chided for not waging a stronger war against terrorism.

Israel's new free daily Yisrael HaYom (Israel Today), owned by American Jewish casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson, questioned President Obama's inaugural speech. "His call to the Arab peoples to be measured by their positive actions could be interpreted in two ways – on the one hand, a preliminary effort towards rapprochement with Islam, and on the other, setting a tangible condition for any cooperation with them," wrote Dan Margalit.

The dovish Haaretz, in an opinion article by its columnist Bradley Burston, ignored the issue of Iran and took the opportunity to lash out at Jewish development in Judea and Samaria, writing that "settler outposts are the Kassam of the Jews."

He advised President Obama to ignore the "mantra" of evangelicals and the national religious camp "who will tell you that illegal outposts, and settlements in general, promote peace and anchor security."

Burston also argued that Israel's attempt to break down Hamas has made it stronger, and he advised President Obama "to grant Hamas the freedom to fail" by finding an "arrangement both Israelis and Gazans seek - open border crossings and a true end to rocket attacks."

The Jerusalem Post opined, "We have every reason to expect that Obama will support the Jewish state in its quest for defensible borders and genuine acceptance by its neighbors."
Comment on this story

Then there is Rex 84: FEMA's Blueprint for Martial Law in America

It's like the stage is set for disaster.

Obama

2009-01-19T10:49:00.000-08:00

I'm not an Obama fan. Great dread came over me when he was elected. As time progressed, I learned why.

http://marchreport.com/

http://obamacrimes.com/

With today being Martin Luther King's Holiday, the significance of Obama being African American and tomorrow being the inauguration, I'm full of turbulent emotions.

The ethnicity issue is so in the forefront that people are looking past the character of the man and what he is ushering in politically, which is communism. America is no longer free.

Story behind the Freedom Statue

2009-01-17T22:16:00.000-08:00

Freedom is a female allegorical figure who holds a sheathed sword in her right hand and a laurel wreath of victory and the shield of the United States with thirteen stripes in her left hand. She wears a helmet adorned with stars and an eagle's head. A brooch inscribed "U.S." secures her fringed robes. She stands facing east on a cast-iron globe encircled with one of the national mottoes, E pluribus unum. The lower part of the base is decorated with fasces and wreaths. Ten bronze points tipped with platinum are attached to her headdress, shoulders, and shield for protection from lightning. The bronze statue stands 19 feet 6 inches (6 m) tall and weighs approximately 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg). Her crest rises 288 feet (88 m) above the east front plaza.

A monumental statue for the top of the national Capitol appeared in architect Thomas U. Walter's original drawing for the new cast-iron dome, which was authorized in 1855. Walter's drawing showed the outline of a statue representing Liberty; Crawford proposed an allegorical figure of Freedom Triumphant in War and Peace.

Crawford was commissioned to design the Statue of Freedom in 1854 and executed the plaster model for the statue in his studio in Rome. He died in 1857 before the model left his studio. The model, packed into six crates, was shipped from Italy in a small sailing vessel in the spring of 1858. During the voyage the ship began to leak and stopped in Gibraltar for repairs. After leaving Gibraltar, the ship began leaking again to the point that it could go no farther than Bermuda, where the model was stored until other transportation could be arranged. Half of the crates finally arrived in New York City in December, but all sections were not in Washington, D.C. until late March 1859.

Beginning in 1860, the statue was cast in five main sections by Clark Mills, whose bronze foundry was located on the outskirts of Washington. Work was halted in 1861 because of the Civil War, but by the end of 1862 the statue was finished and temporarily displayed on the Capitol grounds. The cost of the statue, exclusive of installation, was $23,796.82. Late in 1863, construction of the dome was sufficiently advanced for the installation of the statue, which was hoisted in sections and assembled atop the cast-iron pedestal. The final section, the figure's head and shoulders, was raised on December 2, 1863, to a salute of 35 guns answered by the guns of the 12 forts around Washington.

While Freedom was being cast at Mills' foundry the foreman in charge of the casting went on strike. Instead of paying him the higher wages he demanded Mills turned the project over to Philip Reid, one of the slaves working at the facility. Reid presided over the rest of the casting and assembly of the figure. The figure was placed in position on December 2, 1863. Reid had to wait until November 1864, at which time he, at least symbolically, received his freedom cap.

The Statue of Freedom was removed from the dome for five months in 1993.

On May 9, 1993, after being in place almost 130 years, the statue was brought down from its pedestal by helicopter for restoration, also giving tourists a chance to see the statue up close. The work was needed because of extensive pitting and corrosion on the surface of the bronze and because of a crack and rusting on the cast-iron pedestal. The project was guided by the recommendations of a thorough conservation and engineering study conducted in 1991. The United States Capitol Preservation Commission provided $780,000 in privately raised funds, which covered all project costs. The work was performed by New Arts Foundry, of Baltimore, Maryland.

The cast-iron pedestal was restored in place atop the dome. The metal was stripped of paint, and the wreaths and fasces were removed to ensure that they were thoroughly cleaned and coated. The crack was permanently repaired, and the entire pedestal was primed and painted with a color specially mixed to match the statue. Since then, every 2-3 years, the statue undergoes two weeks of cleaning and recoating as necessary.

Restoration of the statue and the pedestal was completed in approximately four months. The Statue of Freedom was returned to its pedestal by helicopter on October 23, 1993, amid the celebration of the bicentenial of the U.S. Capitol.

Statue of Freedom's plaster model cast now resides in the Capitol Visitor Center.

The plaster model of the statue, which had been in storage for 25 years, was reassembled and restored in the basement rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building, where it was returned to permanent public display in January 1993. The plaster model was relocated to the Emancipation Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center, which provides visitors a much closer look at the statue’s details.^[3]

The head of the statue is depicted on a postage stamp (United States Scott No. 573), which was re-issued in 2006.

The statue was originally topped by a liberty cap but Jefferson Davis (who later became the President of the Confederacy) was in charge of the construction and refused to allow the statue to wear a hat. He told the sculptor to either remove the hat or he would give the commission to someone else. Davis was a scholar of ancient Rome and he knew that only freed slaves (in Rome) wore these hats and he didn't want to have a freed slave on top of the Capitol Dome. So the American eagle helmet replaced the hat when the sculpture was made. Most people look at the statue and the eagle and assume the statue is of an American Indian, but this is not true it is of a freed slave wearing the American eagle helmet. (This is according to a story on PBS News Hour on Jan 16. Jesse Jay Holland author of "Black Men Built the Capitol" is interviewed.) This podcast: (http://www-tc.pbs.org/newshour/rss/media/2009/01/16/20090116_slaves.mp3)

Joseph's Tomb Restored

2009-01-14T08:39:00.001-08:00

Workers replacing Joseph's tombstone,

which was defaced by Arabs 9 years ago.

(IsraelNN.com) A team of Jewish workers accompanied by the IDF spruced-up two nights ago the tomb of the Biblical Joseph in Shechem. The restoration was performed by the Shechem Echad organization, which is responsible for restoring historic Jewish graves throughout Samaria.

The campaign to restore Joseph's Tomb, spearheaded by Shomron Regional Council head Gershon Mesika, began last Chanukah, immediately after Mesika began his tenure. Mesika and his strategic advisory board visited the holy site and held a special prayer meeting thanking G-d for the opportunity to lead the Jewish communities in Samaria. Mesika stated at the event that he would use all of his influence to restore the Tomb of Joseph and to reestablish the yeshiva that thrived there until the site was overrun by Arab mobs and burnt down nine years ago.

After his election, Mesika set in motion monthly visits to the site for thousands of worshipers from around the country and around the world. The Shomron Regional Council has been in continual contact with the IDF and even lobbied the Knesset in order to allow at least partial access to the throngs of Jewish worshippers.

At present, the IDF usually allows access to Joseph’s Tomb once a month, but limits the number to 1,000 people. Due to the security situation, the IDF only gives limited advanced notice when Joseph’s Tomb is officially open to Jews. Due to a large waiting list, the Shomron Community Council also does not publicize extensively the dates when access to the tomb is authorized. In addition, many of the coveted spots are reserved for public officials and other VIPs from abroad.

On Wednesday night, among the hundreds of worshippers who came to Joseph’s Tomb was Rabbanit Dorit Kadouri, the widow of Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Kadouri. Over ten busloads of worshippers throughout Israel visited the tomb on the fourth night of Chanukah. That night was the first time worshippers saw the tomb's renovations. Jewish workers funded by anonymous donors painted the blackened walls of the defaced religious landmark and built a new stone covering for the grave of Joseph, which was smashed by Arabs in an act of hatred for the Jewish religion and heritage. Local leaders hope that this will be a first stage towards the goal of completely rebuilding the site and the yeshiva.

News in Israel.

2009-01-12T12:59:00.000-08:00

I've been following the news about the war in Israel. It is amazing what a difference exists between what the main stream media is saying and what sources in Israel are reporting.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=4226712&cl=11505856&src=news

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129368

Here is a video that captures how Hamas has booby trapped a Zoo and a school.

Hamas is so underhanded that it is even using innocent civilians as human shields. Then when Israel bombs them the media portrays Israel as the bad one, when in reality it is Hamas that is in error.

They are even booby trapping abandoned homes and putting mannequins full of explosives in windows so that when they are shot at, they explode. This picture is proof.

To think that in March of last year, I was were the fighting is occurring. Bad place for tourists to be right now.

I'm glad Israel is moving forward with their plans of war while in between presidents. Hamas is really being difficult. Iran is has been increasing their Uranium supply and are stocking up for nuclear warfare.

Hamas is even falsifying news in order to evoke compassion among supporters.

Even Google has joined the censored ranks by banning this blog.

Anticipation and the New Year

2008-12-27T14:19:00.000-08:00

The new year is upon us and am wondering what the future holds. I know who holds my future though. There is a tremendous amount of anticipation and trepidation in my heart. It's like I have gifts but am apprehensive as to whether they will be good enough.

I must cast every care upon Him for I know he cares for me no matter what.

Christmas!

2008-12-25T04:17:00.000-08:00

Thankful for the little things in life. Especially grand babies!

Christmas Festivities

2008-12-22T09:42:00.001-08:00

Paging Dr. Fric! Paging Dr. Frac! Paging Doctors Fric and Frac!

Sky was Dr. Frac in "Doctor Newheart's Christmas Cure." He had lots of fun and enjoyed being comical in his new role as a doctor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Finals I vegged for three days, then it was off to see The Nutcracker with friends!

Next is a time of fun and games at the Naditchs, Christmas Eve breakfast with Juliana and Maria, then dinner with the Goodenough's. No plans for Christmas day just yet but am working on it.

New Year Resolutions

2008-12-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Year Resolutions for 2009

Don't whine in '09. . .
Let Jesus Shine!

Continue to read my Bible and pray every day.
Pray the Lord's Prayer completely through more often.

Not let my schooling rule my life. Somehow manage my time so I can have a life. Sometime I get so busy that I drop the ball. I even miss important information on major issues that could save me lots of grief. I'm over whelmed and can't keep up with my responsibilities.

This clip captures if for me.

For the remainder of this school year spend more time helping Skyler with his homework.

Although he gets tutored three days a week he still need help to take his education to the next level.

Find free and affordable forms of entertainment that we can go to locally.

EXERCISE three days a week!!

Spend more time with family and friends.

Take care of myself.
Keep a cleaner house.

Keep up with the food journal. Keep trying new recipies!!!

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Get This Calendar...

Learning how to cook again

2008-12-18T08:55:00.001-08:00

Well I needed to learn how to cook better any way.

Since living in poverty for so long I just gave up on cooking fancy things. My menu is usually very simple or I'd eat on the run because of a demanding schedule. Now things have changed, I can experiment a little and even have fun while doing it.

My recent trip to Misha's was inspiring. My daughter is a fantastic cook. She keeps a recipe book and plans out her meals. I learned how to make quiche and crepes. Something I've always wanted to do.

In order to stay on top of things, I'm keeping a food journal and discovering lots about my self and food. I read somewhere that those who keep food journals loose twice as much weight and they keep it off as well.

Since my surgery, I've had a tremendous problem with nausea. So much so that I have become dehydrated. I discovered that if I make my protein drink with skim milk it adds 10 grams of protein and helps the drink to rest easier in my stomach. Also by adding in water to the drink I am able to get some water down. My goal is to drink at least 40 oz of fluid a day. Right now I'm at 28 oz a day. By drinking hot ginger tea it fills in some of the gap.

The Bible states, "Without a vision the people perish." With the new year approaching, I've already started my resolutions list. Many of the items I have already been working on but helps to have it in writing. It creates a point of reference. With the food journal it also creates accountability. Looking forward to 2009 and the discovery process of a journaled journey.

The trek home

2008-12-06T12:16:00.001-08:00

The trip was very pleasant. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. David and I took two plates of food to Misha at the hospital.

The only dark spot was when Skyler got the flu. Then Cylas, then David. I prayed that I wouldn't get it because of how close we were to leaving. The Lord was merciful. I stayed reasonably healthy.

Well it was going to take another 24 hours to get home. I got up at 2:30 in the morning. Skyler dressed over the top of his pajamas with sleep on his mind. David was gracious enough to take us to the Bus station.

Other sleepy people joined us.

I enjoyed the scenic drive that I missed when we took the first bus and night. Lots of farms, woodlands and factories. I noticed many warehouses for lease and signs of businesses closing.

We stopped at various bus terminals to pick up more passengers. The most unusual being in a small town that had a portable toilet house for its amenities. The first picture is the Bus Terminal. The second is the out house, the third is the street sign identifying the business establishment.

As we approached New Jersey scenery changed, then when we hit New York it was obvious. Cars, traffic, noise and smog.

I saw a touching scene as we were driving through the streets of New York City. A long line of reasonably dressed people waiting in front of a Methodist Church. A man in a logo on his blue cap came out with a clipboard in hand and sat on the steps. As you can see those first in line were eager to get his attention. I recalled reading in the news how hundreds of thousands of people are loosing their jobs. The national unemployment rate is almost 7%. I'm positive some of these people were hit by the crisis because many of them were clean an well dressed.

Then it was time to find were to meet the Super Shuttle! What an ordeal. My cell phone bill is going to be astronomical. Roaming charges are fifty cents a minute!! I had to call four times to make sure I was in the right place. I got lost twice.

Finally the driver called me and asked me if I could see a pharmacy. I told him YES! He said to just stand in front of the door and he'd find me. What a relief. There was so much noise I could barely talk on the phone. The minute we stepped off the bus I got a headache from the fumes and was in culture shock. I had just come from quiet peaceful Pennsylvania to a mad house!

Now it was my turn to crash on the airport seats!

I stopped to get an Express massage before getting on the plane. I really needed it bad. As we were waiting for the plane, Skyler struck up a conversation with a very nice lady named Pat. She's an architect and lives in the Carmichael area. It helped to pass the time.

There is a website called sleepinginairports.com that gives ratings and tips about various airports throughout the world. JFK is doesn't have a very good rating. At least it was better that the bus station.

Glad to be home, but sure miss my grand babies.

Romalise

2008-12-06T07:45:00.000-08:00

Romalise was born on Thanksgiving Day! She is so precious. I just love her lips. They are so perfect.

Proud papa, curious big brother and a happy yet worn out mother.

Cylas really took to Romalise. He was very affectionate with her from the first. When we walked into the room, he asked if he could touch her, then he immediately wanted to kiss her.

Proud and thankful Grandma!

Cylas has become watchful of his little sister! He wants to make sure that she is warm and comfortable, but most of all quite. Over all Roma is an easy baby. Thank heavens because her big brother is full of energy and exploring his world to its fullest!

Time with Family

2008-12-06T06:29:00.001-08:00

Spending time together was very special as all were waiting for Romalise to arrive.

I enjoyed my time with Cylas. He is a very intelligent young boy. Always figuring out how something works or trying to put some new creation together.

One of his favorite toys is this tunnel. When vistors came over he'd plop it right in the middle of the floor and compete for attention.

Cylas loves dressing up. He uses his favorite hat to finish the outfit. Here we have Cylas trying on one of Romalise's dresses and a scarf purchased at a local thrift store.

Getting Cylas to take a nap can be a challange. This day Skyler decided to help. So he changed into his pajama's (inside out) and took a nap with Cylas.

Gaming with Dad.

Misha is a wonderful cook!
The first night there we had fresh cookies.

~~~

A BIG highlight for me was to visit the farm where they get their milk from. They only pay $2 a gallon for it. However, they must bring their own containers and pour it out themselves. When they get home they heat the milk up to 130 degrees in order to pasteurize it.

They put the milk in large glass jars.

After we purchased the milk, we were able to briefly see where the cows are milked and fed.

On each of their ears is an information tag that states their age, name and other information.

~~~

Presenting Cylas and his engineer's mind. The Cylasphone. He was imitating mom for a while, then starting talking to an imagination friend.

Snow

2008-12-06T06:17:00.001-08:00

Shortly after we arrived it snowed!

I had to buy some snow boots for Skyler asap so that he could play War with his friends. Misha's house is nestled between two Russian families that have 23 children between them. There are still some young children that have yet to fly the coop, a few of which are close to Skyler's age. He had lots of fun trekking between the two houses.

Pennsylvania - Here we come!!!!!

2008-12-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

It was a long trip. Almost 24 hours. We started by having a shuttle pick us up at the house at 8:15 am on November 18th. Then caught the plane from Sac. Skyler came prepared with his webkins buddy Zack to keep him company.

While at our layover in LA the pilot took a liking to Skyler and gave him a tour of the cockpit.

After reaching New York, another shuttle ride to the Greyhound station and a bus ride to Harrisburg, we were very tired. We stayed up all night long traveling. It was quite an adventure riding the bus. I have never seen so much industry developments in my life. At least an hour and a half of a four hour trip was driving by different factories.

We reached Harrisburg by 8 in the morning the next day (the 19th). Here we are at the bus terminal waiting for our ride.

I saved close to a $1000 by buying a ticket the way I did and by taking the bus. Crazy how plane fair changes. Just today a one way ticket from Sac to NY is $200 on Jet Blue.

Veteran's Day

2008-11-29T09:08:00.000-08:00

For my birthday I decided to give back to my community and volunteered for a Veteran's panel that granted middle schooler's the opportunity to learn what it is like to be a Veteran. I was the only female in the group of three men, one of which happens to be a backslider named Fred Goode.

On the way to the school, I was sitting at a red light getting ready to turn left when I heard tons of noise and was over taken by three men on motor cycles. They pulled right in front of me. Instantly I knew that they were the Veteran's I was to participate with and started laughing. Wait till they meet the lady with the wheel chair!

The young teenagers met us with a sign welcoming us to their class. Their teacher was very patriotic.

I tried to focus my speech on women's rights and how far we have come. That being in the Military is now equal opportunity. Back when I was in, it wasn't so. Women where not allowed in the combat zone at all. We were in the supportive rolls. I also talked about how the influence of World War II had on my career. I was destined for sheet metal. Women have smaller hands and can do easily do detail work that men can't. I passed around pictures of "Rosie the Riveter" and two other pictures that were influential during WWII.

The men who spoke were from the Vietnam and Iraq wars. I felt honored to stand with such brave men.

At lunch break, the fellow's set out their bikes in the quad and the children gathered around.

At the end of each class the students were asked to shake our hands and thank us for our service. Over all the children were very respectful to us. They wanted to hear about the blood an guts of war. The men kept things simplistic so that they would not be grossed out.

After the school day ended, the men left in a noisy and demonstrative roar showing off how cool it is to be a Vet.

Too busy

2008-11-29T08:04:00.000-08:00

Well, well well. Time sure goes by fast. It has been six weeks since my surgery and I have officially lost 35 pounds(almost 40). It is a whole new way to live that is for sure. I'm thinking of starting a support group in Everyone's Apostolic. When I compare the level of support and preparation that others have had in comparison to what I have had, it is scary to think what could have happened.

I'm just thankful for friends at church that I turned to for the missing gaps. I was never told to not chew gum. If I had swallowed it, I would have been in emergency surgery to have it removed.

The list is long on what I can't eat, which is actually okay. I'm so glad that I had been making lots of changes in my eating before the surgery. When I compare what complications I have heard that others have gone through, all has gone very well.

Life seems dearer to me.

2008-10-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

Life seems so much more precious to me for some reason. I awoke with a deeper gratefulness towards God for his great ability to keep us.

The surgery went well and the Lord made it possible for me to get my bathroom cleaned. It hollered to the fellow with the cleaning cart as he was walking by. He was so nice after I told him what happened at the first room I was in. He told me that it sounded like what the Psych ward looks like a lot of the time. A thankless job for sure, but I made sure I thanked him for being so kind to take the time to help me out.

The view from my new room was incredible. I came in towards the evening hours and was met with a twinkling vineyard like screen that was hemmed in by darkness on each side with the hospital window as its frame. Later I learned that I was over looking where the Golden Gate park ends at the ocean that the other two areas of no lights were tree lined streets that surrounded that part of town. It was beautiful to watch at night and interesting to watch in the day in between nods. The ocean with its methodical approach to land had created a nice beach to walk on and watch the sun as it sets.

The Blue Angels performed both Saturday and Sunday. I could hear them roar by but only got to see two as they flew by in close formation. Apparently, Maria and Sky go to seem a good portion of the show as they crossed the bridge to come get me.

I'm thankful to be home and in my own bed! I was amazed to see that a multi-billion dollar project like the VA Hospital in San Fransisco could be so subjected to neglect so soon after completion. The cleaning staff feels entitled to the job but not responsible for a clean standard. Someone higher up needs to grant more staffing so that patients can have a clean environment. I came home with a very bad cough that I did not have when I went in. Nothing like trying to cough after abdominal surgery. Talk about PAIM!

I witnessed as much as I could. The resident who came in to take out the IV from my neck was a very kind person. While making simple talk, I felt impressed to talk to him about not getting toxic during the course of his career. He was very aware of what I was talking about and whole heatedly concurred. He felt like he would be doing his parents an injustice if he took on the entitled toxic mentality that the highly educated cloak themselves with. I told him about the accomplishments of my girls and yet they are involved in the children's bus ministry at church. That I'm very proud of them for staying humble regardless of their personal accomplishments.

In all the experience has been good. I'm overtaken with a deep sense of making the rest of my life count. I just want to see souls saved and as many people as possible make it to Heaven. That is my desire.

Electronic Charting and preparing for the surgery

2008-10-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Electronic Charting and preparing for the surgery

The nurse carries around a little lunch pail size caddy with a handle on it and goes from room to room with it. Inside are a variety of medical supplies. For me they use an electronic device to check my blood sugar. They use the same device to scan my id bracelet. I remember on Star Trek they used to use these little machine to tell all. Now they even have an ultrasound machine to find veins for putting IV's. Isn't it amazing.

Well, my room is clean and I most likely won't be coming back to it. I haven't lost faith because God is still on the throne. I'm not complaining in the least. They wanted to put me into a HopTel last night. I would have had to sleep with my luggage in worse conditions than the hospital. If he made it possible for me to stay the night here then he can provide a clean room when I'm out of surgery. He just keeps providing my needs every step of the way. He even made it possible for me to have a clean extra sheet to wrap around me like a skirt so I can preserve my modesty.

There is a Christian nurse here named Denise. I'd like to be able to invite her to a deeper experience with the Lord and the revelation of the truth about the Holy Ghost and the Name of Jesus.

Well the intern group just came and left. It's getting close!!! Got go hurry up and wait for surgery.

State of the Art Hospitals

2008-10-08T21:27:00.001-07:00

Oh my word! This place is crazy! The people are very nice, but the system has holes in it. Now I understand about the shortage of staffing in the medical field especially the cleaning staff.

When I came in, they were not ready for me. First they said to come back at six pm. That would mean I'd have to kill three and a half hours. Then I was told to wait a few minutes while they figured out what to do. After the dust settled they kicked out a male patient that was waiting to be discharged by throwing all his stuff onto his bed and taking him to another room down the hall.

In three minutes they grabbed a clean bed from another room and presented me with my room for the stay. I'm very thankful that I do not have to share my room with anyone. I have my own bathroom and have three chairs for visitors.

On the other hand, as I looked around I saw a urinal bottle hanging on the IV thing. Trash on the floor. Feces in the shower, pubic hairs on the toilet and on the floor in the bathroom. The bedside table had coffee and food stains on it as well.

So . . . I stole a bottle of disinfectant and started cleaning. I cleaned as many surfaces as I could. Thank the Lord for good gloves!!!

Then when it was time to take a shower I freaked. Well the Lord had all things timed just right. The cleaning guy came through and let me use the supplies to clean the shower area and mop the bathroom floor! I am not complaining because the guy was not going to clean my shower and bathroom anyway. God is so good! He made provision for me to have a room to myself and made it possible for me to have a clean environment. I will have to live with an unswept floor, but thank goodness that I can wear those footsie things to protect me!!! I wish I had my camera to take pictures.

The other thing I am thankful for is spiratic access to the Internet. If I place my computer on the window sill, and don't move to much I can hook up to an unsecured access point to check e-mail.

God is good!!!

Cartoon Lampooning Pentecostals

2008-09-24T09:03:00.001-07:00

I just had to post this cartoon and the response from my Pastor and Bishop. I love the way he ends it his letter asking "who are you?" If you knew the spiritual authority that Bishop Wilson walks in, you'd chuckle too!

Dear Editor:

I am writing in regards to your recent cartoon lampooning Pentecostals.

First, I am somewhat shocked at the paucity of judgment in running such a
Demeaning piece (not to mention the awful artwork). The crassness and lack
Of discretion shown in your cartoon reveals a surprising narrowness and
Ignorance of world realities by both the cartoonist and those who approved
It. When I compare such with the intellectual perspicacity, the enduring
Utilitarian beauty, and the unparalleled literary skill of the writers of
The New Testament (all of which were Pentecostal, Acts 1:8, 2:1-4) your
Newspaper comes out a sad and very distant second. (An example of such
Beauty is I Corinthians 13. Yes, it is written by a Pentecostal preacher
and author).

Further, it is evident that someone at the Post may not know that 16% of
The world’s population is Pentecostal (not just “Christian” but
“Pentecostal Christians”). This is approximately 500 million people
Worldwide. Further, this number is expected to continue its exponential
Growth for decades to come. So impacting is this phenomenon that, several
Years ago, Time magazine estimated it may be one of the most impacting
Events in the last one thousand years.

The liberating power of Pentecostalism also has a direct impact on the
Political climate of the world. For example, China is being revolutionized
From within by conversions to Christianity, much of which is Pentecostal.
This emphasis on the value of the individual versus the state is literally
Readjusting the philosophical underpinnings of the world’s largest nation.

In the intellectual and spiritual Hall of Greats, Jesus I know. Paul I
Know, but I gently ask, who are you?

Respectfully,

Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D

Someone else wrote the Washington Post and here is their canned response.

Dear Reader,

Pat Oliphant is a syndicated editorial cartoonist carried on news sites across the country. It is the nature of an editorial cartoonist to be provocative and offer up unique -- and often controversial -- viewpoints on the issues of the day. I have always opted for the approach that we should not limit the cartoonist's freedom of speech. We prefer to present the cartoon and allow you, the reader, to make the choice on whether to read it or not, and to express your own freedom of speech if you're bothered or offended by it.

Thanks,
Jim Brady
Executive Editor, washingtonpost.com

I'd like to see this same artist contrive something about the Muslim faith! The Washington Post would be in danger of an airplane directed at their building as a response. "freedom of speech?"

I went to the washingtonpost.com site and searched for the cartoon. I couldn't find it.

Bees

2008-09-13T22:02:00.000-07:00

I've been interested in following the decline of honeybees in America. I know that with out them the globe will be in a state of famine within one year.

They have been declining at an alarming rate for the last 20 years.

Click either picture to learn more about why the decline. Or visit this really nice website called helpthehoneybees.com It says that it will help the honeybees to plant Lavender, Glory Bushes, Jasmine, Rosemary, Coreopsis, Violets, Thyme, Wisteria, Bluebells, Trumpet Vine, Sunflowers, Cosmos, and Cone Flowers.

Pencils

2008-09-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

With the new semester upon me and school beginning for Skyler I'm thinking about pencils and pens, notebooks and books. Finding the rythm of the new semester and how to juggle the new responsibilities. Even packing up the junk I didn't get a chance to finish getting rid of, so that it can be gone through at the end of next semester.

A friend sent me this interesting picture of a pencil sculpture.

Jennifer Maestre is an amazing artist. She uses real pencils for her beautiful art sculptures. She was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and has had her works on display in galleries across the US. Her sculptures were inspired by the sea urchin spines - so dangerous yet beautiful.To make these art pencil sculptures, she takes hundreds of pencils, cuts them into 1-inch sections, drills a hole in each - turning them into beads, sharpens them, and sews them all together. She also does wonderful sculptures using nails!

Click on her name to see more photo's of her incredible work.

The Price of an Education

2008-08-25T23:43:00.001-07:00

It is hard to juggle the responsibilities of life, church, work and school. Many things fall by the wayside, like time to socialize, vacations, a super clean house and even time with family.

As each semester ends, it takes about three days of sleep to sort of recover. Then must jump immediately into cleaning up the house and catching up on all the paperwork, filing, purging junk, managing affairs and seeing as many friends as possible before the new semester begins.

Each semester has a rythm to it. It takes a couple of weeks to figure out the schedule, but when you do, you can almost have a life. Can maybe even slip in a hour for some good poetry and a cup of tea.

Meet Walker

2008-08-20T12:15:00.001-07:00

Recently my daughter Maria went to Tulsa for a youth convention. She sat next to an interesting fellow named Walker. I'm glad the Lord put them together in the same row, because she has the patience for such and experience. On her blog is an adorable entry and video clip of her experience. Watching Walker makes me wonder if he was a victim of a vaccine reaction.

Enjoy the adventure!

Good People

2008-08-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

God is Good!

To everything there is a season. It has been several years since I've been able to fellowship with Nancy. She is very happily married to a gentle man named Jim. He treats her very well.

I know this picture has them off in the distance a bit, but I wanted to capture the flourishing flowers that line the base of their house.

They live on two acres and have put lots of time and effort into creating a little haven of rest. Jim is a tree trimmer and is very thoughtful of the surrounding wildlife. Here is a picture of a tree that he has prepared for some resident vultures.

Apparently there are two vultures that frequent the tree. If you look close you can see two raw spots at the top branch where the bark has been taken off. As we drew closer the bird flew away.

Nancy has a special touch for creating beauty. I really liked this spot next to their wood shed. She even has a place for the birds to enjoy themselves!

If you click the pictures they should enlarge so you can see the beauty of Nancy's handywork.

Internet Fast

2008-08-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

Recently our pastor called us to an internet fast.

I thought that it was for a month, when it was only for a week. Thank the Lord it was only for a week! I was having a rough time. I didn't realize how much of a time consumer internet entertainment is.

I really enjoy the news. It was challenging not to click the link to learn about the 1900 year old chariot from the Bulgaria Thracian Kingdom that was discovered recently.

Almost went to Slang o’ The day.com to find out what the latest slang means. I learned about this sight by way of assignments given at college. The instructor was directing students to not use slang, but to step up their English skills to proper English. I discontinued the daily e-mails. It just didn't seem interesting any more.

And received an e-mail about a young preacher.

In all I did pretty good on the internet fast.

Skyler did all right too. The Lord has a way of replacing what we give up. We discovered Webkins. It is a cute site for children to hang out in and play. A special friend gave Skyler a stuffed animal with a webkey to the site. There is lots to do in the site. You can even work to earn money for food and other essentials. You can find out more at Skyler's Blog.

Hot August Days

2008-08-04T22:41:00.000-07:00

Thousands of Chinese people in a swimming pool. The thoughts of being in this water with that many people makes me ill. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to get out and use the restroom?!?

Finals

2008-08-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

This picture is much better looking than my desk after finals this summer. I took an online English class!!! Very daring to take a critical writing class and have only one meeting with the instructor.

On campus we have special services for struggling students like me. One is call RAD. It stands for Reading Across the Disciplines. The other is WAC. This stands for Writing Across the Curriculum. I am so glad I signed up for these two helps because the English class was very challenging. I had at three appointments a week to get help with homework.

I learned about Oedipus. Apparently his father, Laius, made some very bad choices that created the curse of unchangeable fate for Oedipus and his children. The Greek gods can be so unmerciful. They really like ruling people with fear and fate.

I'm so thankful to be living for God. That his mercy and grace curses the curse as long as we obey his word and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Foriegn Exchange Student

2008-08-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to have sponsored a precious Chinese boy for about a week this summer. His American name is David. He ended up going to stay with another host family because he was extremely lonely. We tried to communicate on the computer at worldlingo.com, but the web site did not have his dialect. The Lord impressed upon me to make sure he saw his friends on the weekend. As things progressed, I discovered that he lives at school during the week, and goes home on the week ends. When he is home his parents are too busy for him. His first bond is to his school friends. Interesting lifestyle I must add.

Well the group of 30 students stayed in the area for a total of two weeks. Every week day was filled with activities. The students had a wonderful time. They went to San Fransisco and walked to the Quoit Tower and down Lombardo street. Rode the Vallejo ferry, visited the Railroad Museum, shopped at Old Sacrament, and toured the fish hatchery at the Nimbus Damn. This list is only a few of the places they traveled to.

Their next stop is Washington DC to tour the White House and other memorials there.

We grew close as a group and will miss them. I know the children will never forget the church services and the spirit of God. He touched all the children and I am sure he will continue to deal with their hearts as they return home and continue to grow up.

Blogging Buddies

2008-06-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

Working at the computer lab at American River College had been an enjoyable experience!

I've been able to meet wonderful people like Betty. It was a joy to tutor her during her Dreamweaver class. At first she was super discouraged. Now she is a blogger!

Betty volunteers her time at Wildlife Care Facility on the Mc CLellan Air Force Base. She cares for little hatch lings like these in the picture.

Another blogging buddy is Bernadette. A very talented woman I must add.

She is another student that has frequented the computer lab. Boy can she mess up a web page! Bernadette has learned from her mistakes and is now the proud owner of CD Proof. Here is an excerpt from her blog.

"Taking pictures for insurance inventories can be invaluable when making insurance claims. Visual aids not only prove to the insurance company that the item claimed was owned, but they can also help jog the owners memory after the trauma of a fire, flood, earthquake or robbery. Without proof of ownership, insurance companies usually won’t replace items or cut you a check to cover the costs of replacing them."

Smokey

2008-06-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

The air quality herein Sacramento is very bad. Yesterday, while driving, the has was so thick it looked like fog. All over my car is a thin layer of white ash making it especial difficult to see out the front windshield. Click the map should take you to a live update on how many fires are burning.

I'm thankful for our firefighters!

Mural Mania

2008-06-28T09:13:00.001-07:00

New York, New York: Lenny Weiner, a retired steamfitter, reads quietly in his wildly decorated Peter Cooper Village apartment. What had been a typical downtown space has been transformed by Weiner into a kaleidoscope of chandeliers, living vines, murals, and rhinestone-studded walls.

(Michael Appleton/AMERICA AT HOME/www.americaathome.com)

I like this. This would be a great place to study. With the sound of gentle water and a nature cd playing for additional ambiance. . . . mmmmm

I used to paint murals for a living.

My Meez!

2008-06-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

My daughter Misha turned me on to this Meez thing.

Gas prices

2008-06-27T11:27:00.001-07:00

Increasing gas prices have made life difficult!!!

The other day, I looked over and saw this plea for help. Underneath the blackboard is a bag of groceries. I checked!

This distant neighbor drives a Lincoln Aviator and has two young boys. Her face never smiles. Here is one more reason why. Not enough money for food.

Check out this web site for updates.

Graduated . . Now what?

2008-06-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

Well . . . I finally graduated with an AS in Information Security. Also certification in Web Design with an emphasis in Graphic Arts. Recently one of my better pieces of art was chosen for the "Hall of Fame" by the Computer Information Science department. They are selecting art from the best students in order to promote their classes.

Good Neighbors

2008-06-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

Good neighbors are hard to come by. I am sooo thankful for Milisa. She loves plants and people. Just yesterday when I came home from work there were two people waiting for her to get home. She had left to run an errand with another of her blessed friends.

Wow!

2008-03-19T01:35:00.000-07:00

We are in Germany waiting for the bus to take us to the airport.

I had a difficult time with the internet service at Jerusalem. It is $17 a day there and after five days that ads up. I will have to post pictures and comments when I get back to America.

It is very expensive in Germany. The American dollar is worth fifty cents. Where in Israel it is worth three times the amount of the shekel. Breakfast at the hotel we stayed in at 5:30 this morning was $26.00. Now three and a half hours later it is $32.00.

When they know you are Americans, there are dollar signs in their eyes.

Two days ago we went to the upper room for a brief church service. Well. . . the Holy Ghost fell and we worshiped for an hour. It only seemed like about twenty minutes. I found out later that PBS was in Jerusalem doing a documentary and that when we started worshiping they hurried up to the top to catch all the action. Well the military beat them there. In all there were 47 soldiers that responded to a all the noise. Israel is such a war torn country that when they hear people screaming the military has an immediate response.

Brother Walls the main tour guide said that he went out side to talk to PBS to answer questions. He also authorized them to take as much footage as they wanted. They took their liberty. I was oblivious to all that was happening. I remember feeling watched and peeked out one eye and thought I saw Brother Baumiester taking a picture of me with a very big camera. I just ignored him and went on getting the blessing of my life. I was surprised to hear that it was a PBS camera in my face.

They just called for us to load the bus

BYE

blogging before my time runs out

2008-03-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

What a blast we are having. I was re baptized today in the Jordan River. There are so many people from all over the world here. It is really amazing.

We went to the wailing and saw the students come down to the court yard and dance. It was like a mosh pit service except some of the men had guns.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Caesarea.html
We got to see Caesarea by the sea. It was absolutely magnificent. I wish my camera wasn't having issues. Here is a link to information about it.

We also went to Beit She'an,
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Beitshean.html It was too huge to go through. We were there for about 45 minutes when it takes about four hours to walk through it.

We also went to Mt. Carmen where Elijah and the prophet's Baal duked it out. http://www.bibleplaces.com/mtcarmel.htm

Yesterday we went to see the Jesus Boat. It was really nice. http://jesusboat.com/nopen.asp

We also had church on the Sea of Galilee. http://www.bibleplaces.com/seagalilee.htm It was a real party.

We went to Gadera too. I couldn't walk up the hill so just looked up at the ruins.

It cost me $17 for 24 hours of wifi service and my time is almost up. I didn't know that the little poetic prayer about the internet coming through was going to be such a deal. I guess money talks while on vacation.

Street vendors and shops

2008-03-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Well my dear readers, good things must end.

Like this great poem because it's too expensive to send.

I've learned that a skekel is one third of an American dollar. The tourist industry knows this and charges us tripple the prices. A small soda costs three dollars or more. At the tourist places, they try not to give you change back when ever possible or try cheating you out in the process of making change. For example on march 13th, Leona purchased a small scoop of icecream for $1.50. The next night I paid $1.75 and the guy tried cheating me out of two dollars. The vendors are like vultures. they stand by the door of the place we are at and even at the door of the bus, making it hard for us to get in the door.

We went to a really nice shop in Bethlehem. It was an exclusive appoint for our tour group. They had very good quality stuff for reasonable prices. Not cheap by any means. The owner of the store's father is the man who found the dead sea scrolls.
The owner has one of the clay pots on display in his store. I asked of they have a web site and they said that they will have one in two months.

All their stuff is made by people of Bethlehem and they also have truely Biblical antiques for sale like coins and archeological findings that back three thousand years.

The bathrooms

2008-03-15T10:40:00.001-07:00

Limo arrived, plane's in the air,

the trial of the bathrooms started when we got there.

We were not sure how to interpret the signs. I figured if the guy was running he must be running to the bathroom. Then the arrows really got us confused. Then we saw a sign right over the door of a bathroom. . . . Yes!!!

We found an American looking sign on the inside of the bathroom in Germany as we were leaving. Out of all the public restrooms they were the cleanest and the smelliest. Quite a conundrum, but true.

Since then it has been rather adventurous experiencing foreign restrooms.

T'was the night before Israel

2008-03-10T21:29:00.000-07:00

T'was the night before Israel and all through my condo
piles and piles made me feel gonzo.
My suit case was waiting by the front door with care
In hopes that my limo would soon be there.
I set my alarm for half past one
jumped into my jammies and dreamt of the fun.
So now my dear reader, now wait you must do
for updates to come, pray the internet comes through.