I have been noticing lately how easily influenced I am. If there is any subject that I have not thought about personally, I will adopt the first opinion that comes my way as my own.
For example, my friend Mia had a baby 4 months before Filip was born. She remarked that all the unisex baby clothes always have ducks on them. She said she's trying to find something different for the baby to wear.
After she made that comment, I thought "I'm sick of ducks."
I had never even seen ducks when I was baby shopping! Filip had never worn any clothes with ducks on them. Yet, now I'm sick of ducks, because of a comment from Mia.
Every once in a while I get into listening to Dr. Laura's radio program. I agree personally with about 90% of what she says. Whenever something calls for an opinion based on that 90%, I totally parrot Dr. Laura's words. I had to stop listening to it. I sound exactly like her whenever I express an opinion about family life or relationships. I might as well be reading a passage out of her book.
I think this is why I am so particular about what movies and television I watch. For me, it's not just eliminating things that are too violent or immoral. I can't watch things that form an opinion that I would not want to adopt.
Actually, my opinion about a movie itself will completely change after I read a few reviews of the movie, even after I have seen the movie.
So don't take it personally when I say I hate some form of entertainment that you love. I'm just protecting my brain.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
End of Year
Since it's December 31, I guess I'll follow my fellow bloggers' examples and sum up what 2008 meant to me:
AAAAARRRRRRrrrrrrrghhh!!! And it's not over! It's being carried over into the next year! Aaaaahh!!!
In 2009, I plan to have a set FS schedule, finish reading the bible, save my home, go to Mohonk, pay off my debt, teach piano at the new piano store, be in a new congregation, and read some books.
Maybe I'll take a trip down to Cheryl's and go out in service the whole time. I need to pretend that I'm 19 again, except I'll have a husband and a baby.
AAAAARRRRRRrrrrrrrghhh!!! And it's not over! It's being carried over into the next year! Aaaaahh!!!
In 2009, I plan to have a set FS schedule, finish reading the bible, save my home, go to Mohonk, pay off my debt, teach piano at the new piano store, be in a new congregation, and read some books.
Maybe I'll take a trip down to Cheryl's and go out in service the whole time. I need to pretend that I'm 19 again, except I'll have a husband and a baby.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
I Know Her!
I was listening to a life story in the study edition of the Watchtower on my Podcast. I tend to only be half interested in these anyway. This one, I was even less interested, because it was about a pioneer in Ireland who got sent back to Ireland after Gilead. I had SO heard this story before. The article went on to relate different experiences, that seemed familiar to me. I figured it was because I worked where the need was great in Ireland, so I'm sure someone told me similar stories. After a few minutes listening, it sounded really familiar, and then she mentioned her husband's name, Eric. Then I realized: "I know this person!"
Christabel Connell was telling her life story. She had told me her life story before. It was over the 2 weeks that Angie and I spent with her in service 9 years ago. That's why it was all familiar.
I treasured all that time I spent with them, listening to all their stories of endurance in the ministry, and the blessings that came along with it. There is nothing more valuable than spending your precious time serving Jehovah.
Oh, what would I give to be in the FT ministry again!
Christabel Connell was telling her life story. She had told me her life story before. It was over the 2 weeks that Angie and I spent with her in service 9 years ago. That's why it was all familiar.
I treasured all that time I spent with them, listening to all their stories of endurance in the ministry, and the blessings that came along with it. There is nothing more valuable than spending your precious time serving Jehovah.
Oh, what would I give to be in the FT ministry again!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sick Season: It doesn't have to be!
Many of you know I'm all into the 'natural' stuff. You don't have to be a total hippie to do some things to prevent getting sick without medicine. Just get into a habit of adding something good to your diet.
A friend of mine says her kids never get sick. She's not all into natural health and nutrition. She just always gives them Echinecea a couple times a week. I know this is just anecdotal, but it can't hurt to do something good consistently.
The FDA severely limits a natural food product from stating the benefits of taking them. As an example, stevia is a natural substance that is much sweeter than sugar. However, distributors are not allowed to state on their packaging that this powder is a 'sweetener'. That name can only go to a patented product like Equal, Splenda or Sweet n Low.
The same thing goes for natural products that prevent illness. It is rare to see claims to that effect on the packaging of these products. There is not much profit in people preventing illness with increasing their nutrition intake. However, alot of money can be made when people get sick, go to the doctor, and purchase the patented drugs prescribed to them.
Thankfully, the FDA has not yet been able to pull all natural products off the shelves to force us into taking medicine instead.
Here's some things you can pick up at a health food store (or a distributor) to increase the amount of nutrition your body receives to heal itself.
Bee Pollen: This contains almost every known nutrient that the human diet needs. It's also full of amino acids, minerals and vitamins and many enzymes. Because of this, it is considered a 'Super Food'. My husband takes this and it has helped his allergies.
Apple Cider Vinegar: You need to get the unfiltered kind (called 'with the mother). This contains so many minerals that it keeps your system from becoming acidic. When you keep your body in a slightly alkaline state, viruses are not interested in staying. Same goes for cancer cells.
Wheat Grass Juice: Of course, this has the most benefits fresh. However, you can get this in a powdered form as well. Wheat Grass is a complete food. It has all the vitamins and minerals we know about, and I'm sure many more we don't know about. Just think, cows live off of grass, and all the nutritive needs are met.
Fresh Baby Sprouts: I like the 'garden blend' of these, and they go great in sandwiches, salads, or by themselves. This is the only vegetable I eat for a balanced diet. I grow them myself using tools and seeds from www.sproutman.org . They say you're supposed to eat 5-7 fruits and veggies a day. I figure the stuff you buy normally doesn't have the nutrients anymore, so why bother? In contrast, a variety of organic baby sprouts are going to take care of all your nutritive needs.
Stuff Your Friends Distribute: If you're going to spend money on health food anyway, you should see if you have a friend who distributes wellness products. The competition in the wellness industry, requires the distribution companies to have excellant products. Otherwise, distributors will not be interested in selling them. As a result, an enthusiastic distributor is going to have some personal experience that the product works.
Of course I'm mentioning this, because I'm an Herbalife distributor. I have personal experience that our products work. I have a good amount of friends and acquaintances who distribute for other companies. They know from personal experience that their products work. Just ask around, and you'll hear plenty of testimonials for a bunch of good products.
Whatever thing you choose to help out your health, the key is to do it consistantly. So make sure it's something you enjoy, so you look forward to taking it every day.
A friend of mine says her kids never get sick. She's not all into natural health and nutrition. She just always gives them Echinecea a couple times a week. I know this is just anecdotal, but it can't hurt to do something good consistently.
The FDA severely limits a natural food product from stating the benefits of taking them. As an example, stevia is a natural substance that is much sweeter than sugar. However, distributors are not allowed to state on their packaging that this powder is a 'sweetener'. That name can only go to a patented product like Equal, Splenda or Sweet n Low.
The same thing goes for natural products that prevent illness. It is rare to see claims to that effect on the packaging of these products. There is not much profit in people preventing illness with increasing their nutrition intake. However, alot of money can be made when people get sick, go to the doctor, and purchase the patented drugs prescribed to them.
Thankfully, the FDA has not yet been able to pull all natural products off the shelves to force us into taking medicine instead.
Here's some things you can pick up at a health food store (or a distributor) to increase the amount of nutrition your body receives to heal itself.
Bee Pollen: This contains almost every known nutrient that the human diet needs. It's also full of amino acids, minerals and vitamins and many enzymes. Because of this, it is considered a 'Super Food'. My husband takes this and it has helped his allergies.
Apple Cider Vinegar: You need to get the unfiltered kind (called 'with the mother). This contains so many minerals that it keeps your system from becoming acidic. When you keep your body in a slightly alkaline state, viruses are not interested in staying. Same goes for cancer cells.
Wheat Grass Juice: Of course, this has the most benefits fresh. However, you can get this in a powdered form as well. Wheat Grass is a complete food. It has all the vitamins and minerals we know about, and I'm sure many more we don't know about. Just think, cows live off of grass, and all the nutritive needs are met.
Fresh Baby Sprouts: I like the 'garden blend' of these, and they go great in sandwiches, salads, or by themselves. This is the only vegetable I eat for a balanced diet. I grow them myself using tools and seeds from www.sproutman.org . They say you're supposed to eat 5-7 fruits and veggies a day. I figure the stuff you buy normally doesn't have the nutrients anymore, so why bother? In contrast, a variety of organic baby sprouts are going to take care of all your nutritive needs.
Stuff Your Friends Distribute: If you're going to spend money on health food anyway, you should see if you have a friend who distributes wellness products. The competition in the wellness industry, requires the distribution companies to have excellant products. Otherwise, distributors will not be interested in selling them. As a result, an enthusiastic distributor is going to have some personal experience that the product works.
Of course I'm mentioning this, because I'm an Herbalife distributor. I have personal experience that our products work. I have a good amount of friends and acquaintances who distribute for other companies. They know from personal experience that their products work. Just ask around, and you'll hear plenty of testimonials for a bunch of good products.
Whatever thing you choose to help out your health, the key is to do it consistantly. So make sure it's something you enjoy, so you look forward to taking it every day.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Bail Us Out Instead!
According to the story at this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7791999.stm,
Carmakers will get $13.4bn in short-term financing from the $700bn Wall Street bail-out, and another $4bn will be provided later.
Phase 2 of this 'solution' is to excite the American people to start buying cars.
Now, what would excite an American to make a large purchase more than giving them the money to do this?
If all this bail-out money went to the American people, wouldn't we buy cars? Americans would invest, and would also go shopping. I bet you we also would save our homes from going into foreclosure as well. Does not American industry depend on the prosperity of the American people?
I know I'm no expert in modern money mechanics, but wouldn't it be better for everyone if the goal was to make the people prosperous, instead of increasing the government's leverage over industry?
Carmakers will get $13.4bn in short-term financing from the $700bn Wall Street bail-out, and another $4bn will be provided later.
Phase 2 of this 'solution' is to excite the American people to start buying cars.
Now, what would excite an American to make a large purchase more than giving them the money to do this?
If all this bail-out money went to the American people, wouldn't we buy cars? Americans would invest, and would also go shopping. I bet you we also would save our homes from going into foreclosure as well. Does not American industry depend on the prosperity of the American people?
I know I'm no expert in modern money mechanics, but wouldn't it be better for everyone if the goal was to make the people prosperous, instead of increasing the government's leverage over industry?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Creativity Stifling
You ever meet one of those "artsy" people? Their house decor is considered 'eclectic', and has a striking resemblance to another person's house that you know who is also considered 'artsy'?
Many 'free spirits' reject rules, or restrictions because supposedly, it stifles their creativity.
A person may be a free spirit in just one, several, or many aspects of their life. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
However, I believe that rejecting a rule, outline, or just a suggestion for the sole purpose of eliminating all things that stifle creativity, defeats its purpose. The elimination of these 'undesirable' elements, creates a new barrier: the creator's own personality.
We can only design what's within us. The less disciplined and educated an individual is, the more his personality resembles 'the masses'. Sure, we're all individuals, but you can't eliminate the influence society has on your personality. You also can't take away human traits. So without training and discipline, a person will most likely create something that resembles the art of many others with no training and discipline.
Take creating a painting for example. I decide I'm going to paint the colors of my mood, because no one can stifle how I feel. So I create a swirly image of colors.
Now, what if someone painted a brick on a canvas. Then, they told me to finish the painting, and make it a painting of something tangible? I would never in my life have chosen to start off with a brick. Now, I'm forced to paint something that is not what I chose, and the beginning of it does not reflect my personality. This barrier, forces me to break the barrier of my personality and grow.
Our personalities should not be set in stone, and rules bend to accommodate them. If that were true, the value of truly creative art would be lost. It would be a bunch of 'swirly colors' designed by the masses. Personalities, as well as skill in art, would not grow.
Rules, are not 'made to be broken'. However, rules themselves are not our authority. They're simply tools used by authorities. You follow the rules of the authority you want to be most like. That is how we express ourselves with skill, not with just ourselves.
Many 'free spirits' reject rules, or restrictions because supposedly, it stifles their creativity.
A person may be a free spirit in just one, several, or many aspects of their life. It's not necessarily a bad thing.
However, I believe that rejecting a rule, outline, or just a suggestion for the sole purpose of eliminating all things that stifle creativity, defeats its purpose. The elimination of these 'undesirable' elements, creates a new barrier: the creator's own personality.
We can only design what's within us. The less disciplined and educated an individual is, the more his personality resembles 'the masses'. Sure, we're all individuals, but you can't eliminate the influence society has on your personality. You also can't take away human traits. So without training and discipline, a person will most likely create something that resembles the art of many others with no training and discipline.
Take creating a painting for example. I decide I'm going to paint the colors of my mood, because no one can stifle how I feel. So I create a swirly image of colors.
Now, what if someone painted a brick on a canvas. Then, they told me to finish the painting, and make it a painting of something tangible? I would never in my life have chosen to start off with a brick. Now, I'm forced to paint something that is not what I chose, and the beginning of it does not reflect my personality. This barrier, forces me to break the barrier of my personality and grow.
Our personalities should not be set in stone, and rules bend to accommodate them. If that were true, the value of truly creative art would be lost. It would be a bunch of 'swirly colors' designed by the masses. Personalities, as well as skill in art, would not grow.
Rules, are not 'made to be broken'. However, rules themselves are not our authority. They're simply tools used by authorities. You follow the rules of the authority you want to be most like. That is how we express ourselves with skill, not with just ourselves.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Now that's good bread.
...‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.’' Matthew 4:4
With the above words, Jesus made it clear that humans need nutritious physical food, as well as spiritual food in order to live.
Today, we live in times where both kinds of food have been tainted, and robbed of its nutritional value. Many people consume meals today, that contain ingredients that didn't even exist when Jesus walked the earth. The accumulative effect of non-nutritive food, and poor eating choices has been disasterous to the health of many.
As for spiritual food, the world's religions have been the cause of most warfare. They teach doctrines such as hell-fire, and the trinity. Both of which are not taught in the bible, and dishonor God. The consequences of believing in things like these are a tearing down of member's personal relationship with God. People don't know if they're worshiping Jesus or God, and they're afraid he will send them into eternal torment if they sin 'too much'. False religions are hardly teaching 'every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth', as Jesus did.
Happily, nutritious spiritual and physical food is available to those who search for it. One must take personal responsibility for their own physical and spiritual health. You do this by continually taking in healthful knowledge from pure sources. Jehovah's Witnesses are happy to help you gain true knowledge from the bible.
If you're looking for some nutritious bread, your search is over! Check out my recipe blog at http://joellynskitchenonline.blogspot.com
You can learn how to sprout your own wheat berries, so you don't lose the nutrients with processed flour, and use a great bread recipe with beer.
With the above words, Jesus made it clear that humans need nutritious physical food, as well as spiritual food in order to live.
Today, we live in times where both kinds of food have been tainted, and robbed of its nutritional value. Many people consume meals today, that contain ingredients that didn't even exist when Jesus walked the earth. The accumulative effect of non-nutritive food, and poor eating choices has been disasterous to the health of many.
As for spiritual food, the world's religions have been the cause of most warfare. They teach doctrines such as hell-fire, and the trinity. Both of which are not taught in the bible, and dishonor God. The consequences of believing in things like these are a tearing down of member's personal relationship with God. People don't know if they're worshiping Jesus or God, and they're afraid he will send them into eternal torment if they sin 'too much'. False religions are hardly teaching 'every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth', as Jesus did.
Happily, nutritious spiritual and physical food is available to those who search for it. One must take personal responsibility for their own physical and spiritual health. You do this by continually taking in healthful knowledge from pure sources. Jehovah's Witnesses are happy to help you gain true knowledge from the bible.
If you're looking for some nutritious bread, your search is over! Check out my recipe blog at http://joellynskitchenonline.blogspot.com
You can learn how to sprout your own wheat berries, so you don't lose the nutrients with processed flour, and use a great bread recipe with beer.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Newt
I checked out a site that tells you Pixar's upcoming movies. Here's what they have to say about a movie they'll be releasing in 2012:
Newt and Brooke live in a community college science lab and don't care for each other, yet as the last remaining blue-footed newts on the planet they are forced to mate and save the species.
Writer and Director Gary Rydstrom explained "Newt is smart but he's never had to think for himself and is pampered. Brooke on the other hand is streetwise and not to be messed with."[2]
Doesn't that sound hilarious?Saturday, December 6, 2008
I'm really nice, really!
You ever have one of those conversations where you and the other person are both trying to prove just how gracious and understanding you each are?
This happens to me all the time!
For example, a friend of mine saw a business card in my house saying "Fire Your Boss, Order Our FREE video now" It has an 800 number and no name on it. She said "Oh, it's probably just a scam."
I told her that it was actually my own business card. Of course, she felt bad, and started saying how she didn't look at it completely and didn't know it was mine.
Personally, I would think the same exact thing about the card if I was in her place. It DOES look like a scam. I didn't personally design the business card, it's just one of those stock things I was supposed to order with my business.
So here I am trying to explain to her that I agree, while she's trying to explain how she didn't really mean it. We're both so set on proving that we're nice people, we don't even listen to what the other one is saying.
My sister will ask if I'm coming over for dinner. I tell her I'll let her know.
Then, she goes on to explain that she dosen't mind us coming over, but just wants to know how much to cook. I say I'll hurry up and ask JR so she'll know, because I don't want her hanging around wondering if we're coming over.
She sounds concerned about sounding inhospitable, and I'm concerned about being too vague for her. Neither of us seem to care about the other's concern anyway.
I have a similar conversation with my Mom regularly. Only Mom prefaces it with "I don't want you thinking I'm trying to boss you around but [then a dinner invitation]" Then I have to assure her that I don't feel that way, but I will hurry up with getting back to her so she doesn't have to think that.
Being yielding to another is usually a positive quality. However, when all the parties yield, no one moves forward. It's like that awkward time when you're deciding who should go through the door next.
So my goal is to receive other people's graciousness when they offer it. It's really the same principle as receiving gifts. Declining gifts for no other reason than to be nice, is not actually that nice to the giver. If there is no reason to reject it, you accept the gift and say 'Thank You'. In the same way, I can forget about proving how nice I am, and receive another person's graciousness.
A person who feels good about himself, is going to feel good about the people around him anyway.
This happens to me all the time!
For example, a friend of mine saw a business card in my house saying "Fire Your Boss, Order Our FREE video now" It has an 800 number and no name on it. She said "Oh, it's probably just a scam."
I told her that it was actually my own business card. Of course, she felt bad, and started saying how she didn't look at it completely and didn't know it was mine.
Personally, I would think the same exact thing about the card if I was in her place. It DOES look like a scam. I didn't personally design the business card, it's just one of those stock things I was supposed to order with my business.
So here I am trying to explain to her that I agree, while she's trying to explain how she didn't really mean it. We're both so set on proving that we're nice people, we don't even listen to what the other one is saying.
My sister will ask if I'm coming over for dinner. I tell her I'll let her know.
Then, she goes on to explain that she dosen't mind us coming over, but just wants to know how much to cook. I say I'll hurry up and ask JR so she'll know, because I don't want her hanging around wondering if we're coming over.
She sounds concerned about sounding inhospitable, and I'm concerned about being too vague for her. Neither of us seem to care about the other's concern anyway.
I have a similar conversation with my Mom regularly. Only Mom prefaces it with "I don't want you thinking I'm trying to boss you around but [then a dinner invitation]" Then I have to assure her that I don't feel that way, but I will hurry up with getting back to her so she doesn't have to think that.
Being yielding to another is usually a positive quality. However, when all the parties yield, no one moves forward. It's like that awkward time when you're deciding who should go through the door next.
So my goal is to receive other people's graciousness when they offer it. It's really the same principle as receiving gifts. Declining gifts for no other reason than to be nice, is not actually that nice to the giver. If there is no reason to reject it, you accept the gift and say 'Thank You'. In the same way, I can forget about proving how nice I am, and receive another person's graciousness.
A person who feels good about himself, is going to feel good about the people around him anyway.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Wall-E
This is the first movie JR and I saw in a theater as a married couple. It was Filip's first theater movie ever! Such a big moment.
Anyway, it was a good movie. The robot was left behind on earth 700 years in the future to clean up all the trash by crushing it into cubes and building skyscrapers out of the cubes. The humans left the trashed earth in order to continue to live a wasteful life filled with convenience, high tech entertainment and obesity aboard a resort-starship outside the galaxy.
Given the heavy implications about earth's future, this movie was surprisingly positive. There was hardly any dialogue the whole time, yet the characters are lively, cute, and engaging.
There were so many ironies about this movie. Like how the robots in it had more personalities than the humans. Also, the movie resembled an old fashioned silent movie due to the lack of dialogue, but it's based 700 years into the future. Wall-E watched TV alot, but used it as something to emulate. For the humans, TV was what kept them in idleness.
Who else saw this? What did you think?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Bible Reading Tips
Here's some tips I've collected from others, I thought I would share.
Read the Bible Daily.
Set a time goal of how long it's going to take you to read the whole thing. You'll remember a lot more if you complete the entire Bible in a timely fashion, than if you let it drag out.
In the table of contents, I wrote how many chapters are in each book of the Bible. It helps me have a series of smaller goals to reach to finish the whole thing.
It takes about 100 hours to read the entire Bible out loud. That would be 20 minutes a day for 300 days.
Download the NWT on MP3 to your ITunes. That's how I found out it takes 100 hours to read. You can plug yourself in any time and listen.
Keep your Bible with you the way you keep your cell phone with you. You would be surprised at how much down time there is in a day to read.
Read the Bible Daily.
Set a time goal of how long it's going to take you to read the whole thing. You'll remember a lot more if you complete the entire Bible in a timely fashion, than if you let it drag out.
In the table of contents, I wrote how many chapters are in each book of the Bible. It helps me have a series of smaller goals to reach to finish the whole thing.
It takes about 100 hours to read the entire Bible out loud. That would be 20 minutes a day for 300 days.
Download the NWT on MP3 to your ITunes. That's how I found out it takes 100 hours to read. You can plug yourself in any time and listen.
Keep your Bible with you the way you keep your cell phone with you. You would be surprised at how much down time there is in a day to read.
PS Organizing
Well kids, next year is a whole new meeting system for those of you who are Jehovah's Witnesses. The big difference is that we're only going to have 2 mtgs a week. However, there is a similar amount of material we will be covering. That means there is less covering material at the meeting, and more covering it on your own, in preparation for the mtg. The PS ball is in our court!
There is a direct link between our PS and GT preparation. So lets share some ideas for PS projects, FS topics, organizing and schedules.
Here's some I've heard/done:
Collect the study materials you will need each week and put them in one place. When you go out, make sure you have something from that stack to read and study in case you have down time (like waiting for someone, or hanging out).
My goal is to prep for one mtg per weekday. (Example sched: Mon-WT; Tues-JD; Wed-TMS; Thur-BR; Fri-SM). It breaks it up in small sections, and I'll always be a few days ahead prepped for mtgs.
Podcast, Podcast, Podcast. It's indispensable, especially when I'm cleaning. You can get your house cleaned, and be months ahead on the magazines at the same time.
Turn on the WT library the way you turn on the internet. It's such a habit for me to turn on the Internet and just check 'my sites'. It's not like I'm looking up stuff I HAVE to know. In that same amount of time, I can turn on the library, read the DT, get a handle on the TMS topics this week, and read some article of interest in the Insight.
WT library for JD book scriptures. Some CBS lessons are loaded with scripture quotations in this book. Perhaps because it sights examples from 12 different books for all the points. If you use the WT lib, you'll be able to look up them all, in a timely manner. Otherwise, you'll end up skipping a bunch, or spending hours on your lesson.
Please comment me and tell me what stuff you're doing!
There is a direct link between our PS and GT preparation. So lets share some ideas for PS projects, FS topics, organizing and schedules.
Here's some I've heard/done:
Collect the study materials you will need each week and put them in one place. When you go out, make sure you have something from that stack to read and study in case you have down time (like waiting for someone, or hanging out).
My goal is to prep for one mtg per weekday. (Example sched: Mon-WT; Tues-JD; Wed-TMS; Thur-BR; Fri-SM). It breaks it up in small sections, and I'll always be a few days ahead prepped for mtgs.
Podcast, Podcast, Podcast. It's indispensable, especially when I'm cleaning. You can get your house cleaned, and be months ahead on the magazines at the same time.
Turn on the WT library the way you turn on the internet. It's such a habit for me to turn on the Internet and just check 'my sites'. It's not like I'm looking up stuff I HAVE to know. In that same amount of time, I can turn on the library, read the DT, get a handle on the TMS topics this week, and read some article of interest in the Insight.
WT library for JD book scriptures. Some CBS lessons are loaded with scripture quotations in this book. Perhaps because it sights examples from 12 different books for all the points. If you use the WT lib, you'll be able to look up them all, in a timely manner. Otherwise, you'll end up skipping a bunch, or spending hours on your lesson.
Please comment me and tell me what stuff you're doing!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Filip's Colors
I'm pretty sure Filip knows 'Orange'. I pointed it out to him a couple times, and the next day he was pointing at orange things saying 'arrrnj'. I'm trying to teach him 'Blue' now.
Today, he was playing with Weivel (spelling) people at Mom Mom's house. He's learning to put the little people in their cars. He found a brown man, and a pink woman, and put them together in the car. Isn't that cute? He made his Daddy and Mommy.
Today, he was playing with Weivel (spelling) people at Mom Mom's house. He's learning to put the little people in their cars. He found a brown man, and a pink woman, and put them together in the car. Isn't that cute? He made his Daddy and Mommy.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Potty Training
Filip is really good at asking to go potty. He does it like 500 times a day. He's even good at making it seem really urgent. He squints his eyes, and bears down and says 'potty' in a really strained voice. We get all excited, and take him to the potty and pull his pants down. He'll sit on it for 2 seconds and then walks away. Everything is still dry.
When he actually does have to relieve himself, he just does it in his pants. There's no bearing down or squinting. Once we see him just standing there and staring, we know it's too late.
When he actually does have to relieve himself, he just does it in his pants. There's no bearing down or squinting. Once we see him just standing there and staring, we know it's too late.
Fire Fox
I just downloaded Mozilla's Firefox and am using it today. It's seems better than the Internet Explorer. I can have tabs, it has a nice 'most visited' tab. The font is a little different. It seems to spell check everything. I also like how it keeps the website history easy to click. The only thing I noticed wrong is that it doesn't automatically turn websites I type out into a hyperlink. I don't know how to make a hyperlink manually. Any ideas?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
My Show
I know it's old, and no one cares about this anymore, but I love Star Trek: The Next Generation. I've been renting them from Netflix regularly since Dec 06. I started with seasons 5-7 since they were the best. Now I'm working backward on season 4, which is pretty good too.
I think my favorite charactors are Captain Picard, and Data. The captain is such a good example of reasonableness. Data's lack of emotion, but interest in becoming more human is such a refreshing approach to life.
I'm not looking forward to season 3. They replaced Dr. Crusher with Dr. Polaski for that season. She's not as pretty, and her personality is not that engaging. Plus, she misprounounces 'Data'. I might start at the beginning after I finish the season I'm in.
Filip loves Star Trek too. He especially likes the opening title scenes that show the ship in motion. He also likes to sing the theme song. So he goes daa dada daaah dada daaahhhh.....
Next, I'm going to have to get him into Daria. La la LA LA la
I think my favorite charactors are Captain Picard, and Data. The captain is such a good example of reasonableness. Data's lack of emotion, but interest in becoming more human is such a refreshing approach to life.
I'm not looking forward to season 3. They replaced Dr. Crusher with Dr. Polaski for that season. She's not as pretty, and her personality is not that engaging. Plus, she misprounounces 'Data'. I might start at the beginning after I finish the season I'm in.
Filip loves Star Trek too. He especially likes the opening title scenes that show the ship in motion. He also likes to sing the theme song. So he goes daa dada daaah dada daaahhhh.....
Next, I'm going to have to get him into Daria. La la LA LA la
Monday, November 24, 2008
Door to Door
The neighborhood I was supposed to preach in requires me to get a permit to go door to door. Apparently, this requirement has no legal grounds, because the streets there are county-maintained. Still, a few homeowners there feel the need to report this to the HOA.
I'm sure some people feel they are doing a service to their community when they report door to door activity. To do this, the assumption must be made that no one in the neighborhood will welcome a visitor calling. I'm sure many do not realize that doing this supports an arrangement that violates human rights and freedom.
When someone is approached at a door, (assuming the approacher is not antagonistic) they are given the option to accept or decline a visitor. This is whether they're girl scouts, vacuume salesmen, or as I am, one of Jehovah's Witnesses. There are no rights disturbed here. One could claim a 'disturbance of peace', but there would have to be some proof of this, such as damaged property or injury.
On the other hand, barring someone from calling on another's home is potentially damaging to a community. If people have goods or services to offer, they should be allowed the opportunity to do business in the area. As for Jehovah's Witnesses, freedom of religion is an unalienable right.
Where will it end? Can neighbors visit eachother for social visits? What if they decide to do business together, or start their own church group? When one supports an arrangement that encroaches on other people's rights, it cracks the door for everyone's rights to be encroached on.
What kind of society believes that revoking human freedom is for the 'good' of the group?
I'm sure some people feel they are doing a service to their community when they report door to door activity. To do this, the assumption must be made that no one in the neighborhood will welcome a visitor calling. I'm sure many do not realize that doing this supports an arrangement that violates human rights and freedom.
When someone is approached at a door, (assuming the approacher is not antagonistic) they are given the option to accept or decline a visitor. This is whether they're girl scouts, vacuume salesmen, or as I am, one of Jehovah's Witnesses. There are no rights disturbed here. One could claim a 'disturbance of peace', but there would have to be some proof of this, such as damaged property or injury.
On the other hand, barring someone from calling on another's home is potentially damaging to a community. If people have goods or services to offer, they should be allowed the opportunity to do business in the area. As for Jehovah's Witnesses, freedom of religion is an unalienable right.
Where will it end? Can neighbors visit eachother for social visits? What if they decide to do business together, or start their own church group? When one supports an arrangement that encroaches on other people's rights, it cracks the door for everyone's rights to be encroached on.
What kind of society believes that revoking human freedom is for the 'good' of the group?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Back in the Band
We had band practice for the first time in months last night. It went really well.
Usually, no one has any game plan for our practice session. So we waste alot of time figuring out what to play, and then spending up to 30 minutes playing just one song. I have a time limit of 2 hours when we waste time like this. Before, we would have a 2 hour session, and only have played 3 songs. This is because we didn't have a song quota, so no reason to keep things moving.
So this time, I wrote out a list of 11 songs all from one book to accomplish. I was expecting to play about 8 of them. However, we played all 11 last night. Next week, we're going to do the same set again. That way, we'll have an entire set practiced, and we'll get through the list even faster.
Usually, no one has any game plan for our practice session. So we waste alot of time figuring out what to play, and then spending up to 30 minutes playing just one song. I have a time limit of 2 hours when we waste time like this. Before, we would have a 2 hour session, and only have played 3 songs. This is because we didn't have a song quota, so no reason to keep things moving.
So this time, I wrote out a list of 11 songs all from one book to accomplish. I was expecting to play about 8 of them. However, we played all 11 last night. Next week, we're going to do the same set again. That way, we'll have an entire set practiced, and we'll get through the list even faster.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Brain Connections
This song that I hate was stuck in my head this morning as I was getting ready. It was the Beach Boys' 'I Wish They All Could Be California Girls'. I haven't heard it recently, and I had no idea why this song was in my head.
JR figured it out. I was getting ready to meet Kelsi for service this morning. Kelsi's from California.
So my brain thought ''California'' when it realized I had to meet Kelsi this morning. That reminded it of that stupid song I hate. So my brain decided to play it over and over this morning without my permission.
Thanks alot Kelsi.
JR figured it out. I was getting ready to meet Kelsi for service this morning. Kelsi's from California.
So my brain thought ''California'' when it realized I had to meet Kelsi this morning. That reminded it of that stupid song I hate. So my brain decided to play it over and over this morning without my permission.
Thanks alot Kelsi.
The Meaning of 'Parent'
Just divide it in two parts: 'Pa' & "Rent''. They just deleted the 'y' in 'Pay'.
So your parents are the people who PAY your RENT, because kids live in their homes free until they're 18 or so.
So your parents are the people who PAY your RENT, because kids live in their homes free until they're 18 or so.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Blog Update
New post on http://joellynsmusiconline.blogspot.com
It's about creating background music on the piano with chords. You should also watch the newest video on there along with reading the article if you want to try it.
It's about creating background music on the piano with chords. You should also watch the newest video on there along with reading the article if you want to try it.
Rainy Day
Filip loves his rain coat. Whenever we go outside, he asks for his 'duck' , whether it's rainy or not.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
SAD
Today we had the Special Assembly Day. In case you're not familiar with SAD, it's a yearly one-day convention that all Jehovah's Witnesses are assigned to attend. It has a series of talks, usually focused on a theme scripture. This year's is "Keep Watching the Ministry... That You Fulfill It" - Colossians 4:17
Most of it applies to Jehovah's Witnesses staying active in their preaching work. Here are some of my favorite points I wrote down.
Never allow unexpected challenges to paralyze your spirituality.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 Says that we must recommend ourselves as God's ministers through [a long list of challenges]. Basically, we fulfill our ministry whether things are good or bad, no matter what happens.
Be 'Patiently Persistant' in following up interest.
We are not to resemble aggressive salespeople who want a sale within a few days of meeting you. Being 'patiently persistant' means we continue to show concern for the people we talk to, offering to come back when they are busy, and showing up when we promise to return. The point is to patiently cultivate interest in a person, because we can't force growth out of them.
The way we 'keep watching our ministry' is how we keep watching a toddler.
Of course I liked this point, since it hits close to home. You must constantly be aware of a toddler's wherabouts. If you were to stop watching for just a brief period of time, they'll be out in the parking lot somewhere. In the same way, we must always have an eye on our ministry, and not get sidetracked with personal affairs.
If we claim to be God's ministers, that gives others the right to examine us very closely.
If you pay for something at a register with a $5 bill, the clerk just takes it and gives you your change. However, if you pay with a $100 bill, they're going to hold it up to the light, examine it and verify that it's real. In the same way, if we claim to be worshipping the Most High, and the authority to preach comes from his Son, then our actions and conduct better back that up as not conterfeit.
So it was a nice day. We really enjoyed the program, and Filip was well-behaved. It really is motivating me to make improvements on the quality of my ministry, and also in just getting out and not finding excuses to stay home.
Most of it applies to Jehovah's Witnesses staying active in their preaching work. Here are some of my favorite points I wrote down.
Never allow unexpected challenges to paralyze your spirituality.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 Says that we must recommend ourselves as God's ministers through [a long list of challenges]. Basically, we fulfill our ministry whether things are good or bad, no matter what happens.
Be 'Patiently Persistant' in following up interest.
We are not to resemble aggressive salespeople who want a sale within a few days of meeting you. Being 'patiently persistant' means we continue to show concern for the people we talk to, offering to come back when they are busy, and showing up when we promise to return. The point is to patiently cultivate interest in a person, because we can't force growth out of them.
The way we 'keep watching our ministry' is how we keep watching a toddler.
Of course I liked this point, since it hits close to home. You must constantly be aware of a toddler's wherabouts. If you were to stop watching for just a brief period of time, they'll be out in the parking lot somewhere. In the same way, we must always have an eye on our ministry, and not get sidetracked with personal affairs.
If we claim to be God's ministers, that gives others the right to examine us very closely.
If you pay for something at a register with a $5 bill, the clerk just takes it and gives you your change. However, if you pay with a $100 bill, they're going to hold it up to the light, examine it and verify that it's real. In the same way, if we claim to be worshipping the Most High, and the authority to preach comes from his Son, then our actions and conduct better back that up as not conterfeit.
So it was a nice day. We really enjoyed the program, and Filip was well-behaved. It really is motivating me to make improvements on the quality of my ministry, and also in just getting out and not finding excuses to stay home.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Blog Update
I made a really good dinner tonight and posted the recipes on my other blog:
http://joellynskitchenonline.blogspot.com
It was Moussaka, stuffed grape leaves, and Merlot. Check it out!
http://joellynskitchenonline.blogspot.com
It was Moussaka, stuffed grape leaves, and Merlot. Check it out!
Blue
Filip and I met Mom, Dad, and Jae at Cracker Barrel for dinner last night. They wanted to come when JR was working.
One of the first things Filip spotted was this giant jawbreaker on a stick when we arrived. I didn't respond to it. When Jae arrived, he made her take him to the jawbreaker lollipop that he coveted. Then, after dinner, he still had not forgotten. He kept going back into the store while the others talked, right to the lollipops.
So of course, Mom makes Jae go in and buy it for him. When he got it, he kept a death-grip on the stick with both hands. If anyone came near it, he would scream and kick, jealously protecting his lolly. Even if you just asked him if you could see it, he would scream and hold it closer. So we teased him all the way home, pretending we were going to get his lolly.
Surprisingly, it was not that hard to eventually get him away from the lollipop when it was bath-time. I kept a plastic cup nearby, and told him I wasn't going to hold or nurse him until he put that thing down. So he finally put it in the cup for safe-keeping and got his bath.
Ironically, his clothes were clean after all that blue he was licking. My clothes were a different story. They had all kinds of blue sugar-laden drool stains on them from him holding onto my leg and rubbing his face against me.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Check This Out
http://www.babytobeimages.com/ then click on 'Image Gallery'.
It's the website for the business where I got my 3D ultrasound of Filip. They posted a before, after, and way-after picture of him.
The pic is also on Jae Lorette's blog, since she was the one to put it together.
It's the website for the business where I got my 3D ultrasound of Filip. They posted a before, after, and way-after picture of him.
The pic is also on Jae Lorette's blog, since she was the one to put it together.
State Pride
Have you ever noticed something in common about the people who live in West Virginia, Texas, and Hawaii?
My friends who moved to WV said that people there will sit through the national anthem, but stand up and remove their hats when John Denver's song,"Country Road, Take Me Home" comes on.
Texas originally wanted to be their own country. I guess that is why their flag is just like the American flag, except with 2 stripes, and only 1 star, to represent themselves. Plus the saying "You can take the man out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the man." portrays the thinking of many down there.
Hawaii is probably the most beautiful (as far as tropical goes) state. Also, the part of the culture that hasn't been assimilated by the western world, is older than the rest of the states. It also has such a huge tourism industry. Just these factors in themselves could lead many to think it's the best place on earth, which is a great source of pride for Hawaiians.
It seems like many people from these 3 states, are really proud that they live there. I'm from Maryland, and I never notice people here talking of some 'Maryland culture', or even care that they live in this state. The places I mentioned above are the only places I have noticed where there is this attitude of 'state pride' that competes with 'national pride'.
Except, maybe Alabama. They have that song 'Sweet Home Alabama'.
My friends who moved to WV said that people there will sit through the national anthem, but stand up and remove their hats when John Denver's song,"Country Road, Take Me Home" comes on.
Texas originally wanted to be their own country. I guess that is why their flag is just like the American flag, except with 2 stripes, and only 1 star, to represent themselves. Plus the saying "You can take the man out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the man." portrays the thinking of many down there.
Hawaii is probably the most beautiful (as far as tropical goes) state. Also, the part of the culture that hasn't been assimilated by the western world, is older than the rest of the states. It also has such a huge tourism industry. Just these factors in themselves could lead many to think it's the best place on earth, which is a great source of pride for Hawaiians.
It seems like many people from these 3 states, are really proud that they live there. I'm from Maryland, and I never notice people here talking of some 'Maryland culture', or even care that they live in this state. The places I mentioned above are the only places I have noticed where there is this attitude of 'state pride' that competes with 'national pride'.
Except, maybe Alabama. They have that song 'Sweet Home Alabama'.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Post Office
Speaking of Customer Service. Have you ever gotten that one guy at the Patrick Street Post Office? He's the middle-aged white guy. I hated getting him when it was finally my turn in line. If you don't have an address written out on a package, he'll make you sit out of the line so he can have another customer while you're writing the address out. Like that takes more than 10 seconds.
One time, I needed one small piece of tape to cover up a gap in the seal of my package. He said
"I can sell you a roll of tape, but I cannot give you a piece that belongs to the post office." I'm sure that was going to make a huge addition to the national debt if he gave me a free piece of government-owned tape. He wouldn't even put the sticker that he has to put on the box anyway over that gap.
A friend of mine knew the guy I was talking about. He said he had told him off (nicely) in front of the whole post office and embarrassed him. It was a funny story. This friend would call the Post Office employee ''mean" to the customers. I would just say he's 'by the book' and 'ungracious'. I've never actually experienced any rudeness from him, though he is unpleasant. In any case, my conversation with my friend encouraged me to not let the guy ruin my mood.
Usually, I'm tempted to let the next person in line go ahead of me if that particular employee is the next person available to help. However, after my conversation with my friend, I decided to use the method of just being subtley irritating, by being slow to move and friendly.
That very day that we were all talking about how unpleasant he is, he was the one to help me at the post office. He was friendlier than I have ever known him. Very helpful, I even had to leave my spot to chase the baby, and he patiently waited. Why the switch?
I had listened to his conversation closely with the prior customer he helped. I heard him say, and I quote "...in case you're the mystery shopper."
One time, I needed one small piece of tape to cover up a gap in the seal of my package. He said
"I can sell you a roll of tape, but I cannot give you a piece that belongs to the post office." I'm sure that was going to make a huge addition to the national debt if he gave me a free piece of government-owned tape. He wouldn't even put the sticker that he has to put on the box anyway over that gap.
A friend of mine knew the guy I was talking about. He said he had told him off (nicely) in front of the whole post office and embarrassed him. It was a funny story. This friend would call the Post Office employee ''mean" to the customers. I would just say he's 'by the book' and 'ungracious'. I've never actually experienced any rudeness from him, though he is unpleasant. In any case, my conversation with my friend encouraged me to not let the guy ruin my mood.
Usually, I'm tempted to let the next person in line go ahead of me if that particular employee is the next person available to help. However, after my conversation with my friend, I decided to use the method of just being subtley irritating, by being slow to move and friendly.
That very day that we were all talking about how unpleasant he is, he was the one to help me at the post office. He was friendlier than I have ever known him. Very helpful, I even had to leave my spot to chase the baby, and he patiently waited. Why the switch?
I had listened to his conversation closely with the prior customer he helped. I heard him say, and I quote "...in case you're the mystery shopper."
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Kid Party
Filip had a blast at the Glenn's kid party today. They had a hay ride, moon bounce, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy, plus a bunch of prizes.
Filip refused to try the cotton candy, but he did like holding it like a torch.
He insisted on his own bag of popcorn. We tried to take it from him. He screamed, and would not let anyone touch it.
I did some of the face painting. I painted a third eye on Filip's forehead.
Several of the families at the party are in the congregation we're being assigned to this January. So it was nice to hang out with other people in Catoctin.
Customer Disservice
My friend Andrew and I were talking about how we deal with bad customer service a couple weeks ago. We had both come to the same conclusion that instead of letting a person like that ruin our mood, we should make the most of their bad mood by subtly making it a little worse for our own entertainment.
I told him about this lady at the UPS store in Germantown. I rarely have to come in contact with her, because she never acknowledges customers until they come up to the counter and ask for assistance. Then, she'll acknowledge a customer's existence with a frown and waits for a question.
Usually, all I need to do is get my mail on my own with my key. However, this time, I didn't have my key. I really didn't want to lose my good mood that day, so I decided to make dealing with this lady fun, at least for my self.
Filip was lying asleep in my arms. I asked her if she could get me my mail, since I didn't have my key. I told her the number. She sighed, and went to the back, brought it in, and dropped it on the counter. I propped Filip on the counter as he slept, and went through each piece of mail one by one, just to make sure it was all addressed to me. Being that conscientious about proper mail delivery is not usually my habit, but since she was there waiting for me to leave, I figured I might as well.
Then, she stood at the counter and watched me stack all the mail on top of Filip so I could carry him out. Then she watched me struggle to open the door carrying my purse, Filip, and the stack of mail. I decided that I did not enjoy that enough. So, I dropped my mail and purse back in the car, and came back with just Filip.
I asked her "Did any of my mail accidently get delivered to my sister's mailbox?" I told her my sister's box number.
She said "Your sister?"
"Yeah, when I first got my box, I wasn't married yet, so we had the same last name Jarvis. Sometimes, when you guys sort it, you see something addressed to me with my maiden name, and you throw it in my sister's box" I said.
She responded in an irritated tone "If it's your sister, she will give you your mail."
"No, I really don't see her enough for her to remember to give it to me." I said.
She looked in the back room and said:"She has alot of mail, you will have to go through it yourself."
She came back and dropped it all on the counter. So I went through it one by one. It turns out that there was not any mail misdirected, so I thanked her. Instead of making her stuff all that back in the box, I offered:
"Could I take this mail and drop it off to her?"
She frowned at me and shook her head no. When she came back, I asked her if they offered some services that I knew only the post office offered. I also asked her for directions to the post office.
So, instead of frowning myself, I got to leave that place rather pleasantly diverted. The trick is in the subtlety. Always be polite, and try to be helpful. That way, your antagonistic motive is not revealed.
I told him about this lady at the UPS store in Germantown. I rarely have to come in contact with her, because she never acknowledges customers until they come up to the counter and ask for assistance. Then, she'll acknowledge a customer's existence with a frown and waits for a question.
Usually, all I need to do is get my mail on my own with my key. However, this time, I didn't have my key. I really didn't want to lose my good mood that day, so I decided to make dealing with this lady fun, at least for my self.
Filip was lying asleep in my arms. I asked her if she could get me my mail, since I didn't have my key. I told her the number. She sighed, and went to the back, brought it in, and dropped it on the counter. I propped Filip on the counter as he slept, and went through each piece of mail one by one, just to make sure it was all addressed to me. Being that conscientious about proper mail delivery is not usually my habit, but since she was there waiting for me to leave, I figured I might as well.
Then, she stood at the counter and watched me stack all the mail on top of Filip so I could carry him out. Then she watched me struggle to open the door carrying my purse, Filip, and the stack of mail. I decided that I did not enjoy that enough. So, I dropped my mail and purse back in the car, and came back with just Filip.
I asked her "Did any of my mail accidently get delivered to my sister's mailbox?" I told her my sister's box number.
She said "Your sister?"
"Yeah, when I first got my box, I wasn't married yet, so we had the same last name Jarvis. Sometimes, when you guys sort it, you see something addressed to me with my maiden name, and you throw it in my sister's box" I said.
She responded in an irritated tone "If it's your sister, she will give you your mail."
"No, I really don't see her enough for her to remember to give it to me." I said.
She looked in the back room and said:"She has alot of mail, you will have to go through it yourself."
She came back and dropped it all on the counter. So I went through it one by one. It turns out that there was not any mail misdirected, so I thanked her. Instead of making her stuff all that back in the box, I offered:
"Could I take this mail and drop it off to her?"
She frowned at me and shook her head no. When she came back, I asked her if they offered some services that I knew only the post office offered. I also asked her for directions to the post office.
So, instead of frowning myself, I got to leave that place rather pleasantly diverted. The trick is in the subtlety. Always be polite, and try to be helpful. That way, your antagonistic motive is not revealed.
Daylight Savings Time
Don't forget Daylight Savings Time ends tonight. Set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Doorbell
I discovered the source of my door bell chime yesterday. I changed the battery on the button part, but I never knew where the actual 'ding dong' came from. I had searched the whole house for it, and gave up. Then someone rang it yesterday, and I heard it in the basement.
It came from a plug in box that I never knew the use of. I figured it was a carbon monoxide detector or something.
I plugged it in upstairs, and it works great. It only took me three years to learn that.
It came from a plug in box that I never knew the use of. I figured it was a carbon monoxide detector or something.
I plugged it in upstairs, and it works great. It only took me three years to learn that.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Info In the Wrong Hands
Today, I looked up my friend's number on yellow.com and found her husband's name in the search results. This afternoon, I dialed the number and hung up right away because I couldn't talk right then.
I had some news to tell her tonight, so I called the number from my 'outgoing calls' list and a woman answered. I just assumed it was her, and said
"Guess what?...[my exciting news]"
She didn't understand what I was talking about.
"Is this Alejandra?" I said.
She said "No it's Carey."
I thought she said Karen at first, because I knew that Karen, my piano student's Mom, was on my 'missed calls' list. So I start talking to her like she came over for piano lessons today.
Then it comes out that she's Carey, not Karen. So I assume it's Kerri, my Herbalife customer, since I tried to call her recently as well. I tell her
"This is Joellyn from Herbalife."
She says: "Oh, okay, so what were you calling your friend about?"
So I'm trying to explain to her the background of my news, and why it's exciting. I'm wondering why she doesn't want to talk about the samples I gave her a week ago. So I ask:
"Did you try those samples yet, or get a chance to look at them?"
She again didn't know what I was talking about.
So after three assumptions, I have no clue who this lady is, and why she's in my 'outgoing calls' list. I tell her the last name of my friend, and it turns out she has the same last name. I ask her if her husband's name is 'Micah'. She's like "No, it's John".
So, now that we were both totally confused, we said it was nice to meet eachother, and good-bye.
After I hung up, I reverse searched the phone number I dialed. The search results shows a Micah's home phone number the same as this Carey and John's phone number, at two different addresses. So maybe one of the addresses is just a mailbox somewhere and these are totally different people. It was just really weird.
Maybe one day all those people will meet eachother, and be like 'Whoa, we all know Joellyn'.
I had some news to tell her tonight, so I called the number from my 'outgoing calls' list and a woman answered. I just assumed it was her, and said
"Guess what?...[my exciting news]"
She didn't understand what I was talking about.
"Is this Alejandra?" I said.
She said "No it's Carey."
I thought she said Karen at first, because I knew that Karen, my piano student's Mom, was on my 'missed calls' list. So I start talking to her like she came over for piano lessons today.
Then it comes out that she's Carey, not Karen. So I assume it's Kerri, my Herbalife customer, since I tried to call her recently as well. I tell her
"This is Joellyn from Herbalife."
She says: "Oh, okay, so what were you calling your friend about?"
So I'm trying to explain to her the background of my news, and why it's exciting. I'm wondering why she doesn't want to talk about the samples I gave her a week ago. So I ask:
"Did you try those samples yet, or get a chance to look at them?"
She again didn't know what I was talking about.
So after three assumptions, I have no clue who this lady is, and why she's in my 'outgoing calls' list. I tell her the last name of my friend, and it turns out she has the same last name. I ask her if her husband's name is 'Micah'. She's like "No, it's John".
So, now that we were both totally confused, we said it was nice to meet eachother, and good-bye.
After I hung up, I reverse searched the phone number I dialed. The search results shows a Micah's home phone number the same as this Carey and John's phone number, at two different addresses. So maybe one of the addresses is just a mailbox somewhere and these are totally different people. It was just really weird.
Maybe one day all those people will meet eachother, and be like 'Whoa, we all know Joellyn'.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Spa Night
JR is taking a long time giving John Waller a ride. So, Filip and I decided to have a spa treatment at home. We both got facials, and a sea salt exfoliant on our legs. Actually, Filip got the sea salt exfoliant on his whole body since he's so small. Now our skin is so youthful and exuberant. I think Filip looks 10 years younger.
I think every time JR gets stopped by an salesman in the mall, he ends up buying some kind of spa quality skin care set that he'll use once. We were up to 3 different salt/sugar scrubs. Plus we have this mineral mud mask that you wash off using a magnet, and it leaves your skin moisterized with minerals. Don't even ask me how much that cost. Not to mention the natural manicure set. I had to give away some stuff, because there is no way we will use it all.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Back to Basics
JR got a job as a server at Cracker Barrel. He really likes it, and is bringing home some decent cash. We're down to one car, so Filip and I drop him off and pick him up. It's fun for Fil, because we get to play with the toys in the country store.
We've taken several losses this year and last, with real estate, and my own business. Also my credit is shot. I'm glad we finally have some regular income we can count on. So now we're starting to live like normal people. It will take a while to get back on our feet, but at least there's a real game plan now. Plus JR gets half-off meals. Yesss! He also gets 20% off in the store. That means I get discount candy! Yay!
We've taken several losses this year and last, with real estate, and my own business. Also my credit is shot. I'm glad we finally have some regular income we can count on. So now we're starting to live like normal people. It will take a while to get back on our feet, but at least there's a real game plan now. Plus JR gets half-off meals. Yesss! He also gets 20% off in the store. That means I get discount candy! Yay!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Words Filip Knows
Keys, Bub, Mama, Dada, Ty, Dilly, Jae, Annie, Go Car, No, Trash, Nice, Choo choo, Moo, Bock bock bock, Umph, Voom, Meow, Leeza, Tickle, wah, Book, ball, Bible, Shoe, Done, Osh, Jesus, Squirrel, Block, Water, Money, I want, Pop, Mommom, Weeeee, Roar, Birdie....
He says all these semi-consistantly. He's getting so smart!
He says all these semi-consistantly. He's getting so smart!
Friday, October 24, 2008
House Sitting
We're staying with Tyler, Dylan and Jae while Mom and Dad are in Cancun.
I did letter writing for 2 hours this morning. Now I can report 22 RV's. That will boost my numbers.
We went for a walk. Filip walked almost the entire horseshoe, because Tyler and Dylan were there rollerblading. If I go by myself with him, he wants me to carry him for about half the walk. After our walk we raked a pile of leaves for Filip to jump in. He liked it, but he liked raking better.
Tyler and Dylan found a bag of balloons, and blew a bunch of them up. So Filip is having fun, because there are balloons all over the living room.
I also baked cookies, did a little shopping, and went to the bank. Not a bad day.
Tomorrow it's supposed to rain. I don't know what that means for our tract campaign. JR has to work all weekend. I might go home and clean.
I did letter writing for 2 hours this morning. Now I can report 22 RV's. That will boost my numbers.
We went for a walk. Filip walked almost the entire horseshoe, because Tyler and Dylan were there rollerblading. If I go by myself with him, he wants me to carry him for about half the walk. After our walk we raked a pile of leaves for Filip to jump in. He liked it, but he liked raking better.
Tyler and Dylan found a bag of balloons, and blew a bunch of them up. So Filip is having fun, because there are balloons all over the living room.
I also baked cookies, did a little shopping, and went to the bank. Not a bad day.
Tomorrow it's supposed to rain. I don't know what that means for our tract campaign. JR has to work all weekend. I might go home and clean.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Unlikely Match
Consider this quote from Bill Gates:
The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
I totally agree, except I would change "The world" to "I". These are great words for people doing nothing, and feeling sorry for themselves. Whether you agree with the above or not, I have noticed that people that suffer from low self-esteem have something in common with another type of person. That would be a person who suffers from too much self esteem.
I got to sit in on part of a Minority Access seminar a few weeks ago. This is an organization of mostly blacks who focus on getting minority children to have better access to higher education. One of the speakers, had spent most of her career traveling the world helping minorities with various goals. She was exceptional in her drive and pursuit of education and helping others. She was making some very good points about what needs young people have today.
One of the points she was making was that black kids tend to think they're 'all that', and waste their lives away in idleness and worthless pursuits. A problem facing the black community is this lack of desire in many young people to do anything productive. This is due to a feeling of entitlement to the things they want, but maybe not so much to the things they need.
So, white entrepreneurs are telling kids to do something worthwhile, if they want to feel good about themselves. At the same time, black teachers are telling kids to stop talking about themselves and how great they are, and go do something worthwhile.
Race really does not have a bearing on this issue. It just happens that the two poles of low self-esteem, and inflated self-esteem tend to gravitate to white kids, and black kids respectively. Larry Elder mentioned surveys that verify that black kids tend to score higher on self-esteem tests than white kids.
The point is this: Worthwhile action is what balances out self esteem. It's one solution to two different problems. This is what gives a human his value.
The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
I totally agree, except I would change "The world" to "I". These are great words for people doing nothing, and feeling sorry for themselves. Whether you agree with the above or not, I have noticed that people that suffer from low self-esteem have something in common with another type of person. That would be a person who suffers from too much self esteem.
I got to sit in on part of a Minority Access seminar a few weeks ago. This is an organization of mostly blacks who focus on getting minority children to have better access to higher education. One of the speakers, had spent most of her career traveling the world helping minorities with various goals. She was exceptional in her drive and pursuit of education and helping others. She was making some very good points about what needs young people have today.
One of the points she was making was that black kids tend to think they're 'all that', and waste their lives away in idleness and worthless pursuits. A problem facing the black community is this lack of desire in many young people to do anything productive. This is due to a feeling of entitlement to the things they want, but maybe not so much to the things they need.
So, white entrepreneurs are telling kids to do something worthwhile, if they want to feel good about themselves. At the same time, black teachers are telling kids to stop talking about themselves and how great they are, and go do something worthwhile.
Race really does not have a bearing on this issue. It just happens that the two poles of low self-esteem, and inflated self-esteem tend to gravitate to white kids, and black kids respectively. Larry Elder mentioned surveys that verify that black kids tend to score higher on self-esteem tests than white kids.
The point is this: Worthwhile action is what balances out self esteem. It's one solution to two different problems. This is what gives a human his value.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
No Place Like Home
If you live in the United States, you need to read this. Very fascinating.
http://www.freedomclubusa.com/wizard_of_oz
http://www.freedomclubusa.com/wizard_of_oz
Friday, October 10, 2008
Sick
I spent the whole morning sick in bed today. I've been sick a couple times since Filip was born. Each time, Filip just stays in bed with me all day. We watched a movie together, and then he played with his trucks and read his book while I slept.
You would think he would try to get off the bed, but he wants nothing but to be next to me all day. Besides, if I'm in bed, that means he gets unlimited nursing.
Since we had such an uneventful day, we went to the mall that evening. He played in the kiddie area for a long time.
You would think he would try to get off the bed, but he wants nothing but to be next to me all day. Besides, if I'm in bed, that means he gets unlimited nursing.
Since we had such an uneventful day, we went to the mall that evening. He played in the kiddie area for a long time.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Paper Issues
I have been receiving in the mail alot of pieces of paper that have detachable parts. I'm supposed to write the name of the piece of paper, as well as a number on a smaller piece of paper. Then, I'm supposed tear off the detachable piece of paper and stick it in an envelope with my smaller piece of paper and mail it back to where the original piece of paper came from.
Once a month, the bank sends me a piece of paper that contains all the numbers I wrote on smaller pieces of paper the month prior, as well as a big number that shows me what numbers I'm allowed to write on my small pieces of paper.
I've been really stressed out lately, because I keep getting these pieces of paper with the detachable parts in the mail that want me to write a certain number on my small piece of paper. The problem is, the piece of paper from the bank will not allow me to write those numbers on my small piece of paper.
Sometimes I write a different number on the small piece of paper and send that in with the detached piece of paper. Then, I get in the mail a piece of paper that asks me for another small piece of paper with numbers written on it.
Other times, the bank will not allow me to write any numbers at all on my small piece of paper. So, I don't send the detached piece of paper back. When that happens, I get another piece of paper in the mail that tells me that I forgot to mail in the last small piece of paper and they're willing to work with me to send them another small piece of paper.
In order to remedy this situation, I have been working in exchange for small pieces of paper with numbers on it. I mail these small pieces of paper in to the bank with another piece of paper that tells them to make sure I get these numbers on my piece of paper the bank sends me once a month.
The result is that sometimes I get the numbers that I need on my piece of paper from the bank to be able to write the correct numbers on my small piece of papers to send back with the detached pieces of paper where they came from.
However, I have had so many detached pieces of paper mailed to me, that I could not keep up. So, I went to another bank to see if they can help me with this. This bank said that if I provide them with all the pieces of paper that the other bank has sent me once a month for the past two years, as well as all the pieces of papers with detached parts that I can't send a small piece of paper with numbers on it, they may be able to help me.
So I gathered all my pieces of paper, and this new bank said that they will send with each one of these detached pieces of paper their own small piece of paper with numbers on it. This will stop all these detached pieces of paper coming to me in the mail. The bank is going to send me their own piece of paper with a detachable part to me every month. So now, I only have one small piece of paper every month that I am supposed to write and include with a detachable piece of paper.
If I do not miss sending my small piece of paper in every month I get rewarded with a number that tells me if I can go to the bank and have them write small pieces of paper in with detachable parts for me, in exchange for the bank sending me their own piece of paper with a detachable part.
If I stop sending small pieces of paper to the bank, I will get a whole lot of mail telling me to send that piece of paper with numbers written on it. If I let it go too long, the mail will be over-whelming. It will force me to go to a government building and ask for a whole lot of pieces of paper that I have to fill out that say I might not have to send them more small pieces of paper, as long as I promise to send small pieces of paper to certain pieces of paper with detachable parts. If I do this, my reward number will say that no bank will ever write any small pieces of paper for me for the next 7 years.
So my best option is to continue working for small pieces of paper, and maybe one day I'll get a small piece of paper that has a really big number written on it that I can send to my bank and write a whole bunch of small pieces of paper to each piece of paper I get in the mail.
Then, everything will be great!
Once a month, the bank sends me a piece of paper that contains all the numbers I wrote on smaller pieces of paper the month prior, as well as a big number that shows me what numbers I'm allowed to write on my small pieces of paper.
I've been really stressed out lately, because I keep getting these pieces of paper with the detachable parts in the mail that want me to write a certain number on my small piece of paper. The problem is, the piece of paper from the bank will not allow me to write those numbers on my small piece of paper.
Sometimes I write a different number on the small piece of paper and send that in with the detached piece of paper. Then, I get in the mail a piece of paper that asks me for another small piece of paper with numbers written on it.
Other times, the bank will not allow me to write any numbers at all on my small piece of paper. So, I don't send the detached piece of paper back. When that happens, I get another piece of paper in the mail that tells me that I forgot to mail in the last small piece of paper and they're willing to work with me to send them another small piece of paper.
In order to remedy this situation, I have been working in exchange for small pieces of paper with numbers on it. I mail these small pieces of paper in to the bank with another piece of paper that tells them to make sure I get these numbers on my piece of paper the bank sends me once a month.
The result is that sometimes I get the numbers that I need on my piece of paper from the bank to be able to write the correct numbers on my small piece of papers to send back with the detached pieces of paper where they came from.
However, I have had so many detached pieces of paper mailed to me, that I could not keep up. So, I went to another bank to see if they can help me with this. This bank said that if I provide them with all the pieces of paper that the other bank has sent me once a month for the past two years, as well as all the pieces of papers with detached parts that I can't send a small piece of paper with numbers on it, they may be able to help me.
So I gathered all my pieces of paper, and this new bank said that they will send with each one of these detached pieces of paper their own small piece of paper with numbers on it. This will stop all these detached pieces of paper coming to me in the mail. The bank is going to send me their own piece of paper with a detachable part to me every month. So now, I only have one small piece of paper every month that I am supposed to write and include with a detachable piece of paper.
If I do not miss sending my small piece of paper in every month I get rewarded with a number that tells me if I can go to the bank and have them write small pieces of paper in with detachable parts for me, in exchange for the bank sending me their own piece of paper with a detachable part.
If I stop sending small pieces of paper to the bank, I will get a whole lot of mail telling me to send that piece of paper with numbers written on it. If I let it go too long, the mail will be over-whelming. It will force me to go to a government building and ask for a whole lot of pieces of paper that I have to fill out that say I might not have to send them more small pieces of paper, as long as I promise to send small pieces of paper to certain pieces of paper with detachable parts. If I do this, my reward number will say that no bank will ever write any small pieces of paper for me for the next 7 years.
So my best option is to continue working for small pieces of paper, and maybe one day I'll get a small piece of paper that has a really big number written on it that I can send to my bank and write a whole bunch of small pieces of paper to each piece of paper I get in the mail.
Then, everything will be great!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Vaccination vs. Non-Vaccination
I found this link on another blog. It's a relatively small study (only 635 kids) comparing the overall health of vaccinated kids vs kids who didn't get shots. It's important to note that the vaccinated kids were less likely to get the diseases that they were inoculated against. That shows the effectiveness of the vaccine for that disease. I liked this study, because it wasn't just about autism and 'scary' things that kids die of. It was about the child's overall health.
http://www.vaccination.inoz.com/Vacc%20vs%20unvacc%20results%20survey.pdf
http://www.vaccination.inoz.com/Vacc%20vs%20unvacc%20results%20survey.pdf
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
5 Generations
I wish we could of gotten this pic before Grandmother was in the hospital.
Left to Right: Joseph (my dad), Uncle Leeroy (Dad's uncle), Zula (Leeroy's Mother), Filip (Zula's Great-Great-Grandson), Me (great-granddaughter)
Back Home
We got in around 11pm last night from Knoxville, TN. It was about a 9 hour trip, including our hour-long dinner break and stopping for gas.
I wanted Filip to sleep for the car ride, so I wore him out. I made him stay up late watching TV the night before. He woke up at his normal time anyway. Then we went on a long walk. He did a trip around both floors of the hotel, then he covered 3 parking lots. He played toys with the hotel manager and helped us pack the car. Then, we drove to the hospital, and he walked 4 floors of that. After lunch in the cafeteria, we were on the road at 2:30.
He slept the first 3 hours and woke up happy. After an hour of him being awake in the car, we took our dinner break. Then he watched me play video games and movies in the car for 2 hours, and fell asleep for the rest of the trip. Perfect!
I wanted Filip to sleep for the car ride, so I wore him out. I made him stay up late watching TV the night before. He woke up at his normal time anyway. Then we went on a long walk. He did a trip around both floors of the hotel, then he covered 3 parking lots. He played toys with the hotel manager and helped us pack the car. Then, we drove to the hospital, and he walked 4 floors of that. After lunch in the cafeteria, we were on the road at 2:30.
He slept the first 3 hours and woke up happy. After an hour of him being awake in the car, we took our dinner break. Then he watched me play video games and movies in the car for 2 hours, and fell asleep for the rest of the trip. Perfect!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Walk Walk Walk
Filip is sleeping better on this trip than at home. It's because I took him on 5 walks yesterday. He toddles all over the hotel property talking (jibber-jabber) his head off. Then, we went to the hospital, and he played animals with Grandmother and walked all over the floor she was on. Therefore, he slept through the night.
I think it also lends to him being self-disciplined. It's hard to go on a rampage when he has been walking and talking all morning. He's too worn out.
I think it also lends to him being self-disciplined. It's hard to go on a rampage when he has been walking and talking all morning. He's too worn out.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Not Home Sweet Not Home
Filip and I left town with my parents last night on short notice. My great-grandmother is in the hospital down here in Tennessee. This was the first time she's seen her great-great-grandson. She acts perky when we talk to her, but you can tell she's pretty sick. So we're going to be here for a few days and try to be of service to my great-uncle, who has been the only one there to care for his mother.
When JR and his boss got back in town, Ravi was talking how nice people are in Dallas. I notice that in Tennessee as well. In fact, whenever I leave town, I notice strangers are nicer there than at home. I love leaving the DC area!
I don't see actual rude people where I live that often. I believe my own attitude will have a bearing on what kind of expressions I see on other people. Therefore, I smile when I walk down the street, and greet people I pass. So most (not all but most) people I see, react friendly back. If I don't do this, the average person will just walk by without making any contact.
Whenever I go somewhere besides my area, I notice more people take the initiative to be friendly. Today, in the Knoxville TN hospital, I had young and old people, men and women strike up conversation with me! 4 people wanted Filip and I to sit and chat with them in their room.
In my experience, it hasn't been just in the South. I've visited Toronto, ON (Canada). People may be more reserved than in TN, but they smile. In upstate NY, people in stores will strike up conversation. I just don't see people smile as they walk down the street at home. It's rare for a fellow customer to chat with you in a store.
Granted, I may not have traveled extensively, so maybe my perspective is limited. But while I'm down here, I'm going to enjoy Tennessee people and their chatty ways. Besides, it kills time, which I have alot of in the hospital right now.
When JR and his boss got back in town, Ravi was talking how nice people are in Dallas. I notice that in Tennessee as well. In fact, whenever I leave town, I notice strangers are nicer there than at home. I love leaving the DC area!
I don't see actual rude people where I live that often. I believe my own attitude will have a bearing on what kind of expressions I see on other people. Therefore, I smile when I walk down the street, and greet people I pass. So most (not all but most) people I see, react friendly back. If I don't do this, the average person will just walk by without making any contact.
Whenever I go somewhere besides my area, I notice more people take the initiative to be friendly. Today, in the Knoxville TN hospital, I had young and old people, men and women strike up conversation with me! 4 people wanted Filip and I to sit and chat with them in their room.
In my experience, it hasn't been just in the South. I've visited Toronto, ON (Canada). People may be more reserved than in TN, but they smile. In upstate NY, people in stores will strike up conversation. I just don't see people smile as they walk down the street at home. It's rare for a fellow customer to chat with you in a store.
Granted, I may not have traveled extensively, so maybe my perspective is limited. But while I'm down here, I'm going to enjoy Tennessee people and their chatty ways. Besides, it kills time, which I have alot of in the hospital right now.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
MST3K Candidate
Saw this movie last night. This is a great one to watch ironically. Even if you liked the movie seriously the first time, you should be able to make fun of it the second time.
It's 'Forrest Gump' meets 'A Beautiful Mind' meets 'Amadeus' meets 'Oliver Twist'.
It's about a boy who grows up in foster care because he was the product of a one-night-stand between a rock star and a concert celloist. He resists being placed with a real family, because he feels he can get back with his real parents through music. So he 'follows the music' to the streets of NYC and lives there for six months.
He gets discovered as a street musician and is accepted into Julliard without a real name, parents, address, phone number or a high school diploma. His Mom-turned-music-teacher finds out that he's actually alive during that short time that he is untrackable, living on the streets and studying in college. Or maybe he was living on campus for free? It dosen't matter. His Dad had given up playing in the band because he was so distraught over that one night and went into the business world.
So this is a family adventure of uniting the three through music and, you know, looking around for each other. It ends in an amazing climax of more music, and looking around and finding each other.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Bunny Regrets
I thought it was a great idea to bring the bunnies into the house. I woke up Filip to see them. He liked it, but as I carried the sick bunny out, I noticed 2 deer ticks flake off the bunny onto my hand. I brushed it off right away.
Now, I have the heebie-jeebies thinking there are Lyme disease ticks on us. I gave Filip a bath and examined him all over. I still feel itchy everywhere.
Also I think the sick bunny is going to die. He seems paralyzed. He just lays on one side in the yard and lets ants crawl all over him.
Now, I have the heebie-jeebies thinking there are Lyme disease ticks on us. I gave Filip a bath and examined him all over. I still feel itchy everywhere.
Also I think the sick bunny is going to die. He seems paralyzed. He just lays on one side in the yard and lets ants crawl all over him.
Bunnies
Dylan found two of these little guys trapped in our basement window under the rainguard.
Two baby bunnies. One was real listless when I took her out. The other one was feisty, and squeeled when I caught her. We're going to let them go once Filip wakes up and sees them.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Socks
JR is on a business trip in Dallas. He called me and said he caught the microwave on fire in his hotel room. The fire alarm went off early in the morning they were just shy of having the sprinklers come on. His boss (who is rooming with him) was not happy about it.
He told me it's because I didn't pack his socks. Actually, he did all the gathering of his stuff. It was my job to actually put the stuff he collected, in his suitcase. So the gathering of his socks was his responsibility.
Anyway, I played a role in this oversight, because he HAD pulled out his socks along with his underwear the night before. When I saw them in the morning, they were on the floor, and their basket was not put away. I assumed Filip woke up in the middle of the night and started to play in the laundry. So I put them away.
This led to JR only having the socks he was wearing on the business trip. I know he got them all sweaty, because nothing comes between him and his workout routine, and he dosen't care if he wears dress socks or sports socks for it. This being the case, he had to wash his socks by hand. Since he was in a rush, he couldn't wait for them to dry naturally. So, he put his polyester socks in the microwave and hopped into the shower.
So that's how it happened. They caught on fire in the microwave. He said they were all melted on the plate and the room was filled with smoke. He ruined the only socks he had, so he had to wrap paper towels around his feet and wear his loafers like that at his class.
I think the tragic part of this, is that neither he, or his boss thought this was funny. I was laughing the whole time he told me. He said that maybe he could see the humor, if he was 1,200 miles away from the 'situation' like I was. He gave me permission to tell this story on my blog. So maybe someone else could appreciate the story as something to make them laugh.
He told me it's because I didn't pack his socks. Actually, he did all the gathering of his stuff. It was my job to actually put the stuff he collected, in his suitcase. So the gathering of his socks was his responsibility.
Anyway, I played a role in this oversight, because he HAD pulled out his socks along with his underwear the night before. When I saw them in the morning, they were on the floor, and their basket was not put away. I assumed Filip woke up in the middle of the night and started to play in the laundry. So I put them away.
This led to JR only having the socks he was wearing on the business trip. I know he got them all sweaty, because nothing comes between him and his workout routine, and he dosen't care if he wears dress socks or sports socks for it. This being the case, he had to wash his socks by hand. Since he was in a rush, he couldn't wait for them to dry naturally. So, he put his polyester socks in the microwave and hopped into the shower.
So that's how it happened. They caught on fire in the microwave. He said they were all melted on the plate and the room was filled with smoke. He ruined the only socks he had, so he had to wrap paper towels around his feet and wear his loafers like that at his class.
I think the tragic part of this, is that neither he, or his boss thought this was funny. I was laughing the whole time he told me. He said that maybe he could see the humor, if he was 1,200 miles away from the 'situation' like I was. He gave me permission to tell this story on my blog. So maybe someone else could appreciate the story as something to make them laugh.
Airport
I took Filip to the Frederick Airport today. We sat and watched small planes taxi around and take off. I think he liked it. He'll be alot more into it the next time. He never acts excited the first time he see's something.
He was more excited about the cat he saw there wandering the parking lot.
The Airport also has a little restaurant that overlooks the place where they keep the airplanes. It looks like a little diner. Maybe we'll check it out one day.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Getting My Life Together
I implemented a new exercise routine, and personal study routine to go with my Flylady housekeeping routine.
For exercise, I make sure I do these four things each day:
1. Walk
2. Core exercise/strength training
3. Stretch
4. Jump on trampoline
For personal study I do each of these five things a day:
1. Daily Text
2. Read from a publication (now YPA2 book)
3. Prepare for a meeting
4. Do something on my personal study list
5. Bible Reading
My goal is to fit each of those 9 things in throughout the day between service and work. If I miss an item, I don't worry about catching up. I just try to do better the next day. The point is to have a routine of accomplishing things, not being perfect.
Now instead of these things being a chore, I look forward to it. I'm amazed at how much time I have left over, when I implement routines. So more time for fun stuff!
For exercise, I make sure I do these four things each day:
1. Walk
2. Core exercise/strength training
3. Stretch
4. Jump on trampoline
For personal study I do each of these five things a day:
1. Daily Text
2. Read from a publication (now YPA2 book)
3. Prepare for a meeting
4. Do something on my personal study list
5. Bible Reading
My goal is to fit each of those 9 things in throughout the day between service and work. If I miss an item, I don't worry about catching up. I just try to do better the next day. The point is to have a routine of accomplishing things, not being perfect.
Now instead of these things being a chore, I look forward to it. I'm amazed at how much time I have left over, when I implement routines. So more time for fun stuff!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Flea Market
Our neighbor has a flea market every Friday and Saturday from 9am to 3pm. I just picked up a huge bag full of connecting blocks for $4. Every time Filip walks past them, he goes "Ooooh" like he's never seen something that cool before. He can even say "block" now. It comes out as "bah" but I know what he's saying.
The flea market has some pretty decent stuff. It's good if you need kitchen stuff. There is a whole 50 cent table full of things like mashers, measuring cups and cake tins. Also, they sell summer vegetables there.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Craft Party
This is part of the craft party I had this evening. It turned out nice. We had room for everyone to draw, cross-stitch, scrapbook, knit, decorate hard hats, make greeting cards, and make jewelry.
It was a bunch of girls, so JR hid out in the basement until it was time for him to go to another party he was invited to.
I made 6 paper woven, and origami greeting cards to add to my stationary supply.
Filip had fun trying to taste people's beers and make a mess of his toys. He failed in the beer tasting, but did well in messing up with toys.
The food was simple, but we had alot. Danishes, French bread and cream cheese, a watermelon, salsa and chips, cookies, chocolate turtles, and grapes.
I think I'm going to have another one next month. Alot of people missed, and want to come next time.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
You're Invited (maybe)
Today we had the CO and his wife for lunch. Also, Leeza, Kelsi, Agata, Anitra and Stephanie were invited. JR did the inviting. I imagine his inviting all females, had to do with the amount of food women ate in comparison to men. I believe the other factors included in his decision were if we liked them, if they were in service today, and if they dominate conversations or not.
When we're with people that we don't see very often, it's smart to not let someone who generally dominates be around. It is a total waste of time spending with the people you don't see much. This is because the dominating one leads (or just talks) the whole time, and it's like you're only hanging with that person.
However, if you're having a party for people you see all the time, a person like that can be a good thing. Some are so charismatic that they entertain the entire party while you attend to host duties. It's also good to invite a dominate person if you want to keep the group together to do a single activity, instead of splintering off into separate conversations.
I tend to prefer the 'no direction' type parties if there are people there I never get to talk to. However, if they're people that I do see often, or I just don't really want to talk to them, the parties where we all play the same game or activity is fun.
The guests at a party are an important factor in whether it is a success. It's probably even more important than what you eat or do at the party.
Note:I notice that when I talk about inter-personal type subjects, people tend to think I was thinking about them when I wrote this. Maybe I was. I don't know who reads this. If you see yourself in any of my postings, don't be conclusive about what inspired me to write. I have alot of experiences to draw from.
When we're with people that we don't see very often, it's smart to not let someone who generally dominates be around. It is a total waste of time spending with the people you don't see much. This is because the dominating one leads (or just talks) the whole time, and it's like you're only hanging with that person.
However, if you're having a party for people you see all the time, a person like that can be a good thing. Some are so charismatic that they entertain the entire party while you attend to host duties. It's also good to invite a dominate person if you want to keep the group together to do a single activity, instead of splintering off into separate conversations.
I tend to prefer the 'no direction' type parties if there are people there I never get to talk to. However, if they're people that I do see often, or I just don't really want to talk to them, the parties where we all play the same game or activity is fun.
The guests at a party are an important factor in whether it is a success. It's probably even more important than what you eat or do at the party.
Note:I notice that when I talk about inter-personal type subjects, people tend to think I was thinking about them when I wrote this. Maybe I was. I don't know who reads this. If you see yourself in any of my postings, don't be conclusive about what inspired me to write. I have alot of experiences to draw from.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Long, cold winter
Check out this wooly caterpillar on my finger. His fur is thick. I think that means we're going to have a really cold winter. Also, you can't tell, but there are even hairs on him that's twice as long as the rest.
Filip would have nothing to do with the caterpillar. He wouldn't even let me pick him up while I was holding it.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Sick Day
Filip is sick with a fever today. So he's been sitting in my nap snuggling all day long. He's gotten up to do a few things like sing karaoke, or play stacking cups. Here's him with the mic.
Work Work Work
JR and I are getting some new work to do. We get paid to submit pictures and information of properties to appraisal and valuation companies. JR goes out and takes pictures of the houses, and brings them home. I upload the pictures and fill out the form with information on the property.
It's a pretty easy job, but it's tedious. We have to enter all the selling facts about the subject property with comments on every section. Then, we have to research 6 other properties that compare to the subject, and submit the same information.
It takes a long time, but money is money.
It's a pretty easy job, but it's tedious. We have to enter all the selling facts about the subject property with comments on every section. Then, we have to research 6 other properties that compare to the subject, and submit the same information.
It takes a long time, but money is money.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Collage
Check this out.
I put a bunch of recent photographs all over the fireplace doors. I pretty much invented this idea myself, but I don't mind if you want to do it too at your house.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Tyler's Room
I helped paint Tyler's room today. The walls are a bright sky blue, and the doors and windows are chocolate. It was left-over paint from my house. The color combo worked out really well. We're thinking about accenting it with orange pillows and stuff.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
At what point did we start labeling communities according to interests?
At one time, a community was made up of people living in a certain area. They likely had similar culture and interests, but different trades that benefitted the rest of the group. You would have a doctor, a baker, the shoe maker etc... Everyone would know the doctor, because they all would go to him. Whatever a community needed, there would be some guy that does that.
I think this kind of community is a natural occurence in human society. If there is a need in a group, someone would see to having that need filled. The motive could be a desire to help, or profit, both, or something completely different. In any case, it would strengthen the community to have a new service available.
This kind of community was not a group of random people thrown into a small town. It was a group of different people working as a group to live in harmony with one another, contributing to one anothers prosperity through their own trade. 'Small town thinking' generally has a negative connotation. However, only part of it should be considered negative. These are obvious things like racism, intolerance, becoming busybodies, and improper pride.
In my area, you will see a huge neighborhood that was developed by people who bought a farm from someone (or the son of someone) that used to be part of a community. They raise hundreds of houses that look almost identical, on streets named after the farmer that sold the land. Different kinds of people move to these houses, but their lifestyle is essentially the same, because they all require a similar amount of income to maintain it.
All too often, people in these areas do not even know their neighbors. At least not enough to trust them with anything. However, many people do realize the importance of community. People make pretty good efforts at salvaging this sense of acting for the good of the group. There's block parties, helping the guy next door with his car, and stay-at-home moms doing their walks together. The thing that we are robbed of though, is an actual inter-dependance on each other. No one provides anything that other people can't obtain just about anywhere else. Also, people obtain these things with the money they made outside the community, which makes the point stronger.
Then there are these labeled "communities" that I mentioned at the outset. These groups that formed, did not result from location, or a dependence on other people's differences. These groups are generally formed around a single interest or viewpoint. There's the 'Gay community', 'Medical community', 'Black community', or 'Christian community'. You name an interest/political/cult viewpoint, you got a "community" of people that subscribe.
The interests that each of these groups serve are clearly their own. They could be tools to help strengthen the communities that each members of a given group belong. However, with no real 'community' to go home to, many people in these groups end up living in them as if they were a real community. Obviously, this isolates them, and their perspective, from the rest of the world. This is hardly a basis for developing a balanced individual for where he lives.
What to do then? The balance would be a group centered around an interest, that teaches their members to benefit the communities in which they live. If that group is united worldwide with no differences in teaching, it would have to be a result of a higher source. Can you join the group that is truly backed by God? I believe so, because this is the only way to a new society.
At one time, a community was made up of people living in a certain area. They likely had similar culture and interests, but different trades that benefitted the rest of the group. You would have a doctor, a baker, the shoe maker etc... Everyone would know the doctor, because they all would go to him. Whatever a community needed, there would be some guy that does that.
I think this kind of community is a natural occurence in human society. If there is a need in a group, someone would see to having that need filled. The motive could be a desire to help, or profit, both, or something completely different. In any case, it would strengthen the community to have a new service available.
This kind of community was not a group of random people thrown into a small town. It was a group of different people working as a group to live in harmony with one another, contributing to one anothers prosperity through their own trade. 'Small town thinking' generally has a negative connotation. However, only part of it should be considered negative. These are obvious things like racism, intolerance, becoming busybodies, and improper pride.
In my area, you will see a huge neighborhood that was developed by people who bought a farm from someone (or the son of someone) that used to be part of a community. They raise hundreds of houses that look almost identical, on streets named after the farmer that sold the land. Different kinds of people move to these houses, but their lifestyle is essentially the same, because they all require a similar amount of income to maintain it.
All too often, people in these areas do not even know their neighbors. At least not enough to trust them with anything. However, many people do realize the importance of community. People make pretty good efforts at salvaging this sense of acting for the good of the group. There's block parties, helping the guy next door with his car, and stay-at-home moms doing their walks together. The thing that we are robbed of though, is an actual inter-dependance on each other. No one provides anything that other people can't obtain just about anywhere else. Also, people obtain these things with the money they made outside the community, which makes the point stronger.
Then there are these labeled "communities" that I mentioned at the outset. These groups that formed, did not result from location, or a dependence on other people's differences. These groups are generally formed around a single interest or viewpoint. There's the 'Gay community', 'Medical community', 'Black community', or 'Christian community'. You name an interest/political/cult viewpoint, you got a "community" of people that subscribe.
The interests that each of these groups serve are clearly their own. They could be tools to help strengthen the communities that each members of a given group belong. However, with no real 'community' to go home to, many people in these groups end up living in them as if they were a real community. Obviously, this isolates them, and their perspective, from the rest of the world. This is hardly a basis for developing a balanced individual for where he lives.
What to do then? The balance would be a group centered around an interest, that teaches their members to benefit the communities in which they live. If that group is united worldwide with no differences in teaching, it would have to be a result of a higher source. Can you join the group that is truly backed by God? I believe so, because this is the only way to a new society.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Mother Bear
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Wow, a whole week since I wrote on my blog. It took me getting sick to actually have something I want to write about. I'm home with a fever from an infection. I should be better in a day or so.
Filip slept until 5 am without waking the night before last. Usually, he's up a couple times. It didn't do me any good though. My mind is so geared toward checking/protecting, I just had dreams that make me wake up and see if he's okay.
In one dream, there was a huge snake in our bed. I jumped out, in the middle of the night, and told JR to get out. Then I was frantically searching for Filip until JR told me he's still in bed in his room.
Later on, JR got up to use the bathroom. I heard him blow his nose, and thought it was a wild animal attacking Fil. I ran to his room, and scared JR who didn't see me go past him.
Finally, at 5am, Filip did wake up. I was there a second after his first whimper, to pick him up.
I'm totally running on instinct, like some kind of animal.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Play Date
Jaden came over today for a play-date with Filip. Last week he hid next to his Mom for a long time before he started to play. Today, he recognized the house, and immediately started getting into everything in all the rooms. It was so cute. Jaden was so engaged in everything, that Filip didn't know how to react to him. He just hid behind me and watched him.
Their temperments are similar. They're both calm, but silly. I think they'll get along well. Jaden's Mom and Dad are both very laid back individuals, so that's probably why.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Study Projects
I started a new study project today. I'm reading in the insight book about each of the prophets that wrote the last 12 books of the Hebrew Scriptures. Then I'm writing down bullet points about each one. I'm not going too deep, just enough facts about each, so I'll be like, 'Oh yeah, that guy' when we read about him in the JD book.
I don't want to get too deep, because I want to actually complete this one. I start so many of these projects, and don't finish them.
Currently, I'm working on 3 other study projects. The one that is taking a long time is my verse by verse study of Romans I've been doing since May. I'm determined to get this one done.
The other thing I'm working on is to listen to the Convention on MP3 and type up notes to it. That one isn't bad, because convention talks are very slow and deliberate. So I clean the living room, and type up a few words that give the gist of the talk every few moments.
The last one is my talk next month. That's done, I just need to rehearse it with Helen. It's really rare for me to not be writing the talk the day I'm supposed to give it.
So there it is! Don't ask me how any other aspect of my life is going, because you know there is due compensation for having so much time to study. Actually, it's because JR lets me be a stay-at-home Mom. Also, I don't brush Filip's teeth. That buys me time.
I don't want to get too deep, because I want to actually complete this one. I start so many of these projects, and don't finish them.
Currently, I'm working on 3 other study projects. The one that is taking a long time is my verse by verse study of Romans I've been doing since May. I'm determined to get this one done.
The other thing I'm working on is to listen to the Convention on MP3 and type up notes to it. That one isn't bad, because convention talks are very slow and deliberate. So I clean the living room, and type up a few words that give the gist of the talk every few moments.
The last one is my talk next month. That's done, I just need to rehearse it with Helen. It's really rare for me to not be writing the talk the day I'm supposed to give it.
So there it is! Don't ask me how any other aspect of my life is going, because you know there is due compensation for having so much time to study. Actually, it's because JR lets me be a stay-at-home Mom. Also, I don't brush Filip's teeth. That buys me time.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Aaron & Cassie
We went to Aaron and Cassie's house last night. They're good friends of ours in Baltimore. Aarons's a chef, and Cassie is an awesome athlete. She's run a bunch of marathons.
It was a nice evening. They had all kinds of appetizer-type foods to eat. We had pesto noodles, orzo in Risoto, fancy cheese, fruits and crackers, dumplings in soy sauce, french bread, Gnocci's in garlic sauce, salad, tomatoes, cucumbers. It was a really good spread. Then we watched the Olympics, while Filip raided their candy jar and pen jar.
Filip really likes Aaron and Cassie. The first half of the evening, he followed Cassie around wanting her to hold him. It was like he made her his sub-mom. He would even get upset when she left the room.
Then he kept coming up to Aaron, because he would do fun stuff like swing him in the air, or pick him up by his legs. I never feel nervous when Aaron does stuff like this, because he dosen't act ridiculous with it, but it's still fun for Filip.
It was a fun evening.
It was a nice evening. They had all kinds of appetizer-type foods to eat. We had pesto noodles, orzo in Risoto, fancy cheese, fruits and crackers, dumplings in soy sauce, french bread, Gnocci's in garlic sauce, salad, tomatoes, cucumbers. It was a really good spread. Then we watched the Olympics, while Filip raided their candy jar and pen jar.
Filip really likes Aaron and Cassie. The first half of the evening, he followed Cassie around wanting her to hold him. It was like he made her his sub-mom. He would even get upset when she left the room.
Then he kept coming up to Aaron, because he would do fun stuff like swing him in the air, or pick him up by his legs. I never feel nervous when Aaron does stuff like this, because he dosen't act ridiculous with it, but it's still fun for Filip.
It was a fun evening.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Downtown & Haircut
I walked Filip all over downtown Frederick today. We went to the library, vintage store, a friend's house, the park and back to the library for JR to pick us up.
We decided to eat lunch in the grass by Carrol Creek in Baker's Park. Filip dropped his sippy cup in the water, and fell in head-first going after it. I had to pull him out by his leg, because he was totally submerged. I'm glad I had a towel with me. We were supposed to go swimming at the pool, but that got cancelled. So I guess he went swimming in the creek.
JR picked us up, and we went to the Barber shop. Filip is now a clean-cut young man.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
MMMmmm
I'm baking four loaves of zucchini bread for us and for the pioneer school today. This is Filip outside finishing off the batter.
He's been moody because he's tired this evening. He is being really quiet, so I checked on him a minute ago without him seeing me.
He's licking the whisks and going "MMMmm"
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Pear Tree
JR just discovered that we have a pear tree on the edge of our property. I ate one before it's ripe today, and it crunched. JR picked a few more that he's keeping a few days to ripen up.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Kid Party
Filip got on a Moon Bounce today. It was at this little kid party he went to at the Clarke's. It's cool how a few relatively simple things in the back yard can keep the 5-and-under crowd having a blast. They had one of those play houses with a slide, a bunch of basketballs on the asphalt, a spicket sprinkler and hose, and of course, the big rented moon bounce. Another benefit about throwing a little kid party, is that all the parents are there taking responsibility for their own kids. So really, you just need to put all the stuff in the yard, and feed everyone.
The Clarkes are experts at throwing really good parties. I've been to a bunch of them, all different kinds. They have all been fun.
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