Cheyenne at the Roxy 1

Natalie | Myspace Video

I haven't posted any movie reviews in quite a while so I thought I do that today. Course, I haven't posted anything in a while... another long stint without home internet access. Anyway....

I just took a sick day from work (and trust me, it was a true sick day!) followed by my actual days off so I had time to watch some movies. I watched Dear John, Remember Me and Donnie Darko. Dear John was my own choice. Just my kind of movie. Remember Me was forced on me by my son and Donnie Darko was recommended by a friend at work who has the same taste in a lot of things we watch. So, how did they stack up?

Dear John. Got it because, as I said, it seemed like exactly my cup of tea. And it was. Channing Tatum is a doll and Amanda Sayfried is gorgeous but not the boring, hollywood barbie type of gorgeous. She actually has some personality. You can imagine she would be fun to hang out with. The fact that the movie dealt with autism was a surprise to me and I was delighted with the way it was handled. It was a romance and had drama with just a touch of humor here and there which is the perfect blend for me. It wasn't nearly as predictable as I feared it would be. Okay, the end was predictable but the path to the end wasn't... completely. I would definitely watch a movie from this director again and I now join the ranks of the many females who are smitten with Channing. If you rent this movie (or buy it as I plan to) be sure to watch the extra about Braeden, the little autistic boy who plays Alan. It was cool to watch Henry Thomas in an interesting and mature enough role that I didn't sit there the whole time going, "Wow, that is the kid from ET!" Probably my favorite role in the movie was Richard Jenkins playing an undiagnosed Aspergers syndrome sufferer and the father of our hero, John. Fabulous job by an underrated actor. And I have to make note that the small role of Noodles made me sit up and take note. Well actually, it made me sit up and look him up on IMDB. Now that guy is seriously hot. I might actually have to watch an episode or two of the cop show he is on. Dang. Overall I'm gonna give this movie 5 stars. *****

Remember Me was one I planned to skip. I intended to never watch it because I had heard it was horribly sad and I don't generally do horribly sad. I am too empathetic. I end up feeling sick with misery over a stupid movie. But I was sick in bed and Cameron brought it to me and said, "You have to watch this." I had forgotten anything I had heard about it except that it had the vampire from Twilight fame in it. I had a vague recollection that it was sad but Cameron said, "Well it is a bit sad but worth it." Right. Gut wrenching is more like it. I had to watch a stupid comedy to stop feeling weepy after the horrible ending of this tear jerker. I forgot entirely that my oldest daughter, who understands my problems with reality based tear jerkers MUCH better than my son, had told me I did NOT want to watch this movie. Damn.

Don't get me wrong. It is a good movie. It sets a nice broody mood and won me over to Pattinson. I've been saying repeatedly that I am NOT a Robert Pattinson fan. I have to amend that now. I'm not a Robert Pattinson as Edward fan. Didn't buy the appeal of him in that role. In this movie he is amazing. As a devoted Lostie, I was already a fan of Emilie de Ravin. Pierce Brosnan was perfect as the cold, aloof and demanding father but it was a little hard to buy the convenient turnaround at the end. Everyone has heard the real life story of the father who wasn't in the twin towers because he uncharacteristically drove his daughter to school that day. But the sudden, heart-melting, I really want to spend quality time with my daughter and we are going to all be a much more functional family now right at the key moment was just too... well I know I'm repeating myself but... convenient to the plot. All because some mean girls cut her hair? As far as that goes, I kept wanting Emilie's character to tell little Caroline that with the short hair she looked like an adorable little Amanda Bynes. Much more flattering than the long hair anyway! And who takes their kid to a sleepover at the house of a girl with a history of teasing and bullying their child?! Really?

Anyway, I could nitpick about lots of minor story lines but the overall story, acting and directing were really wonderful. I should give this movie 4 stars but since it left me feeling literally sick to my stomach with remembered grief from one of the worst days in the world and I really wanted to kick my son's ass for making me watch it, I'm giving it three. Those are straight up for acting and directing. I DON'T LIKE REALITY BASED SAD MOVIES!! I will never watch Titanic and I will never watch Remember Me again. ***

Now, Donnie Darko. I probably shouldn't write this review yet as I fully intend to watch it at least one or two times more before I really decide what I think. Of course, I like movies that require me to do that. The ones that leave you thinking, "Did I just see what I thought I saw?" Chris from work told me he thought I would like this movie. He said it was quirky and offbeat and had to do with timetravel. He had me at quirky. A slight aside - it blew my daughters away that the strange teenager in this movie was "The Prince of Persia" LOL. Okay, the first scene was a little off-putting for me. I am a mom after all and this was one messed up family. And there were more than a few times, including after the ending, that I wondered if this was a serious drug-trip movie. And I know some people will think I am a hypocrite for not freaking out over the ending of this movie after all I just said about Remember Me. Here is the difference. Remember Me is REALITY BASED. Based on real events. And in that case, real events that I remember clearly as tearing apart the world as I knew it! This movie is anything but reality based. I was wondering a few minutes into this movie if they were going to be able to make me like or care about this guy or his family but they did. This same movie could start out as this one does and go in ten different directions so I never really copped to what was really going on ahead of time. Okay, Grandma Death tipped me off a bit. There were so many little Easter Eggs in this movie that I think the writers and creators of Lost must have studied it for inspiration. Seriously. Not to mention the time twisting aspect. Okay, I really have to go watch it again because instead of thinking of my reaction to the movie all I can think of are the questions I still have. Four stars pending further investigation. It could go to 5 or it could go to 2 or 3. We'll see. ****.... maybe.

I have made some big changes in my life in the past 3 months or so. Changes I've talked about and thought about and wished for for many years. It may seem like just a surface thing... like, "Oh Natalie is finally actually exercising." But, believe me, it is more than that. The biggest change is in my head and my gut. Most of 2009 I spent sitting on my backside, feeling hopeless, feeling like a failure, feeling that nothing would ever change. I ballooned up to a really disgusting weight, my highest ever. Well, I sucked it up and made the necessary doctor's appointments, got a YMCA membership and started doing something about it. No, the doctor still isn't about to do surgery on my knee so I'm stuck bone on bone with the pain that accompanies that. I found out that my shoulder pain was from a tear in the rotator cuff. He isn't gonna fix that either. He sent to physical therapy and gave me pain medicine. The physical therapy has been great and I'm almost done with it. I have a plan in place to replace those hours with strength training once the PT is done. I have tried some cardio, which I suck at but I'll keep trying till it gets easy. Then I'll work harder. I spend about 1.5 to 2 hours 4-5 days a week working in the water. I do an exercise class and then I swim laps. The first day, I couldn't even complete one continuous lap. Now, AFTER a 1 hour water exercise class (and trust me, Kendra gives you a serious workout) I am up to 12 laps. I follow that with some water walking in the current track.

As I said, it would be easy to think that it is all just attempt number 3012 for me to lose weight, get healthier and live a more active life but the biggest change is inside me. I can't explain it. I am not the same Natalie. Join me or get out of my way. MANY years ago in AlAnon I was given a little story called, "Autobiography in 5 Short Chapters" by Portia Nelson. It made me cry because I could so see myself stuck forever between Chapter 2 and 3. When I was really on track and working the program, I lived in Chapter 3. Most times I was still floundering around making excuses and thinking it wasn't my fault, "it" being anything.

The best way I can describe the change in me lately is I've skipped straight to chapter 5 and I'm LIVING there. Hell with accepting responsibility and avoiding the damn hole. I'M TAKING ANOTHER STREET ENTIRELY.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS
by Portia Nelson

I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost ... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes me forever to find a way out.

II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place
but, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in ... it's a habit.
my eyes are open
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

V

I walk down another street.

President Obama says we should judge him by the people he surrounds himself with. Wish granted. His appointee John Holdren in his own words:

“Individual rights must be balanced against the power of the government to control human reproduction. Some people—respected legislators, judges, and lawyers included—have viewed the right to have children as a fundamental and inalienable right. Yet neither the Declaration of Independence nor the Constitution mentions a right to reproduce. Nor does the UN Charter describe such a right, although a resolution of the United Nations affirms the “right responsibly to choose” the number and spacing of children (our emphasis). In the United States, individuals have a constitutional right to privacy and it has been held that the right to privacy includes the right to choose whether or not to have children, at least to the extent that a woman has a right to choose not to have children. But the right is not unlimited. Where the society has a “compelling, subordinating interest” in regulating population size, the right of the individual may be curtailed. If society’s survival depended on having more children, women could he required to bear children, just as men can constitutionally be required to serve in the armed forces. Similarly, given a crisis caused by overpopulation, reasonably necessary laws to control excessive reproduction could be enacted.

It is often argued that the right to have children is so personal that the government should not regulate it. In an ideal society, no doubt the state should leave family size and composition solely to the desires of the parents. In today’s world, however, the number of children in a family is a matter of profound public concern. The law regulates other highly personal matters. For example, no one may lawfully have more than one spouse at a time. Why should the law not be able to prevent a person from having more than two children?”

And on forced abortions etc:

“One way to carry out this disapproval might be to insist that all illegitimate babies be put up for adoption—especially those born to minors, who generally are not capable of caring properly for a child alone. If a single mother really wished to keep her baby, she might be obliged to go through adoption proceedings and demonstrate her ability to support and care for it. Adoption proceedings probably should remain more difficult for single people than for married couples, in recognition of the relative difficulty of raising children alone. It would even be possible to require pregnant single women to marry or have abortions, perhaps as an alternative to placement for adoption, depending on the society.”

So, as for me, I judge this man a complete and total nutcase who has no business being free on the streets! And I judge any president who would appoint him to an important position in the federal government... the SAME! How about you?

I would never have believed I would hear an official of the United States Government praising Fidel Castro... and being applauded! Seriously? SERIOUSLY?! Are you f'ing kidding me??? I'll give you a quote followed by a link to Michelle Malkins blog with a video. California! WTF?? You seriously elected this wench?!

It was just mentioned to me by our esteemed speaker, “Did anyone say anything about the Cuban health system?”
And lemme tell ya, before you say “Oh, it’s a commu–”, you need to go down there and see what Fidel Castro put in place. And I want you to know, now, you can think whatever you want to about Fidel Castro, but he was one of the brightest leaders I have ever met. [APPLAUSE]
And you know, the Cuban revolution that kicked out the wealthy, Che Guevara did that, and then, after they took over, they went out among the population to find someone who could lead this new nation, and they found…well, just leave it there (laughs), an attorney by the name of Fidel Castro…

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/28/race-baiter-democrat-rep-diane-watson-praises-cuban-health-system-castro-guevara-who-kicked-out-the-wealthy/

Sorry for the lack of link. Blogger still isn't letting my links go through. And yes, if you look back through my posts, I most certainly know how to post a link but it just isn't working lately. And yes, for the record, it is starting to piss me off!

I just read an excellent article on personal responsibility (foreign concept, I know) by Thomas Sowell. You can read it here. Okay, for some Blogger reason the link won't show up so just copy and paste this: http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell082509.php3

Here are a couple of quotes to whet your appetite:

"Americans can have the best medical care in the world without having the best health or longevity because so many people choose to live in ways that shorten their lives."

"...most discussions of what is wrong [with public education] leave out the fact that many such students may have chosen to use school as a place to fool around, act up, organize gangs or even peddle drugs."

Finally, an honest politition;o)

I've known for years that politicians don't really give a $h!+ what their constituents think. They pander to you to get your vote and then do what the hell they want to. At least this outstanding paragon of politics is being honest.... Ummm, hello NY? What the hell were you thinking? This guy looks and talks like a used car salesman! I expected him to say, "I've got the goodes" at any moment. But no, all he says is that he will vote however he likes no matter what his constituents want. Oh, and that he won't have a townhall meeting because "every time we have one of those... we lose 3 million supporters to our cause." Well, he got that part right!

Demagogue: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power

Or here is the definition from another dictionary: a person who tries to stir up the people by appeals to emotion, prejudice, etc. in order to win them over quickly and so gain power

Sooo, in a joint press conference with the Mexican President and the Canadian Prime Minister, Potus was asked if he thought he would be able to keep the promises he's made to Pres Calderon on amnesty for illegal aliens considering how much trouble he is having with the healthcare bill and his slipping numbers.

He gave, of course, a long, rambling response but I thought this part was pretty telling:

“This is going to be difficult; it's going to require bipartisan cooperation. There are going to be demagogues out there who try to suggest that any form of pathway for legalization for those who are already in the United States is unacceptable."

This set off quite a complicated set of thought processes for me. First off, I thought, "Hmmm, demagogues eh?" Now, if we look at the definitions I've listed... who does that sound like? Is it just me or has the president just called his opponents a bunch of democrats? Puts a whole new twist on the pot calling the kettle black doesn't it? And NO that wasn't a racial remark, Nancy! It's just a saying. And doesn't democrat come from the same root word? Nancy Pelosi painting the citizens practicing their basic freedom of speech at townhall meetings as "astroturf" and "carrying swastikas" doesn't smack of demagoguery at all!

Okay, sorry, the English major in me kicked in for a minute there.

Now, I am slightly cheered by this particular story overall. Confused? Well, so am I most times. But see, unlike my husband and most of my friends, I am not opposed to "any form of pathway for legalization for" illegals. I don't have any problem all with decent, hard-working people from other countries coming here. I think they enrich us as a country. I don't think it should be automatic for those who happen to have lucked into their illegal perch during the Obama regime. I don't think it should even be easy. But I do think it should be possible for an illegal who really wants to be here for the right reasons and is willing to work hard, learn the language and follow the rules to attain citizenship, pay their taxes and take on the rights and responsiblities the rest of us carry.

I don't, don't, don't believe that we should have to cater to their language, culture etc but rather they should have to adapt to the one they have chosen. We should not feel guilty or apologetic for not having signs, documents etc in their language. And I personally think that the drive to make more things available in Spanish is playing favorites and eventually we would be charged with not making those documents available in ________ (fill in the blank - every language in the frickin' world!)

So I am a tiny little bit cheered by the fact that a plausible compromise on something the Potus has proposed doesn't terrify the crap out of me. And the fact that he realizes that he is slipping and that everything he wants isn't going to fall into his lap simply due to his fabulousness, well, that cheers me more than a tiny little bit8O)

THOSE ANGRY MOBS ARE NOT REAL. IGNORE THAT ELEPHANT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM. PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

You know, you really have to feel for those poor Dems on recess having to deal with angry mobs. Now, the poor ol' AARP reps are having to deal with them too.

Breitbart.tv » AARP Organizers Cancel ‘Listening Session’ After Participants Refuse to ‘Keep Their Comments Quiet’

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Dang those retirees. Should we really be letting them wield canes?

The mainstream media has assured us, however, that those mobs are really just a bunch of elitists gathered up and bused in by the GOPs rich friends to act angry. So, no fears, the Dems are free to dismiss them entirely.

I am not rich; I'm not an elitist and I have serious concerns about the GOP but the Dems are right about one thing. I AM ANGRY!!! I never thought I would see the day when elected officials in this country would openly, blatantly ignore a huge public outcry like this from their constituents. It makes me feel scared and hopeless and afraid that it is going to get much much uglier before it gets better. But more than any of this, it makes me ANGRY! I am terribly afraid that push is going to come to shove in this country and that we are going to see internal conflict the likes of which noone now alive has ever seen here in America. LA after Rodney King? Nothing compared to what is coming all over the country. I am not advocating it but I see it coming. See that light approaching? It is a freight train headed this way people. What can we do to try to avert it? Any ideas please PLEASE let me know. Here are the only things I know to do right now:

1) Cancel your AARP membership NOW. This is the only language AARP will understand. AARP condoning this bill is a HUGE feather in their cap.

2) Figure out who is running for election in 2010 in your area who might actually have the cojones to vote against ZerOs socialist and marxist policies and VOTE FOR THEM. Campaign for them. If we vote back in the same Obidiots then we deserve what we get folks.

3) Phone, write, email, fax... whatever floats your boat but at least get it on record to every member of Congress that we DON'T for one second buy it that the people who vote for a bill as far-reaching and financially humongous as this one have to make decisions so quickly that they don't have time to read the bill. TELL THEM THAT IF THEY HAVEN'T READ IT AND DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FULL IMPLICATION OF EVERY SECTION THAT THEY BETTER THE HELL NOT VOTE FOR IT OR THEY WILL BE REPLACED!!!

Yet more invasion of privacy in "Healthcare Reform" bill

Right now government officials cannot come into your home and interfere with the parenting of your children unless there is reason to believe that you are neglecting or abusing them. That is all getting ready to change. How many times have you had a discussion with someone about child-rearing practices and just had to agree to disagree? Not everyone approaches child-rearing the same way. Does it seem that it is becoming PC to consider raising children in the Christian faith as "brainwashing" and requiring your children to attend church as unreasonable? Ever heard stories of people's children being taken away from them by overzealous social workers when there was no abuse going on? (If you haven't, you need to get out more.) If any of those things have bothered you, then this should curl your toes. I got this from NHELD.

Did you know? One of the proposals for health care revision may lead to increased accusations of parental abuse and neglect regarding the upbringing and education of your child.

The House version of the health care legislation, H.R. 3200, entitled, “America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009”, sponsored by Congressmen John Dingell, Henry Waxman, and Charlie Rangel, among others, contains many provisions that are worthy of questioning, not the least of which is Section 440. That section is entitled, “Home Visitation Programs for Families with Young Children and Families Expecting Children.”

The title, itself, gives one pause for concern.

This section of the bill authorizes the provision of federal money to be given to the states on the condition that the states will develop certain programs that include “voluntary home visits” by government officials.

The visits by government officials will be through the implementation of programs that, among other things:

“ adhere to clear evidence-based models of home visitation that have demonstrated positive effects on important program-determined child and parenting outcomes, such as reducing abuse and neglect and improving child health and development”;

“establish appropriate linkages and referrals to other community resources and supports”;

“monitor fidelity of program implementation to ensure that services are delivered according to the specified model”;

“provide parents with-- knowledge of age-appropriate child development in cognitive, language, social, emotional, and motor domains…
· knowledge of realistic expectations of age-appropriate child behaviors;
· knowledge of health and wellness issues for children and parents;
· modeling, consulting, and coaching on parenting practices; and
· skills to recognize and seek help for issues related to health, developmental delays, and social, emotional, and behavioral skills…”

Those are all laudable sounding goals. But is that the job of the government, or the parents?

What happens if the government worker comes into your home, sees what you are doing as a parent, doesn’t like it, tells you to change it, and you disagree with the opinion of the government worker?

There is a provision in the bill for the information gathered during the home visits to be shared with other government agencies.

There is another provision in the bill for the state to report back to the federal government on what was learned during the home visits, including information about the people who were visited.

Who believes that information learned during the home visits will not be shared with child protective services agencies, especially when one of the goals of the program is to reduce child abuse and neglect?

Who believes that a parent’s right to educate their child at home will not be questioned by government workers who may have a vested interest in seeing the public, i.e., government, school system continue to thrive?

In case you think that this is some insignificant section of a very large bill, and won’t really matter, consider this - the government will be expending on only this one small section of the bill the following amounts:

..(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
..(2) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
..(3) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;
..(4) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
..(5) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.

Apparently, the program is designed to expand in the future. How many homes will be visited ultimately?

Don’t take our word for it. Go read the bill for yourself. Your legislators certainly won’t be reading it before they vote on it. Somebody should read it, after all. Parents need to know what their government is proposing, how the government very soon, could be inside your home. If states accept this money, they will be obliged to conduct the “voluntary” home visits. Do you want government officials coming to your home, telling you how to parent, and reporting what you do to other state and federal agencies? If not, you better act now before this bill becomes law, and before your state officials decide it’s a great way to get more money from the feds. For the sake of your children and your grandchildren, NHELD strongly suggests you read this bill, and any others being proposed, then act to safeguard your rights. The text of the bill can be found at http://www.opencongress.org/..bill/111-h3200/text

ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME????

A lot of things going on nowadays scare me. I am very worried for the future of my country. But I think this scares me more than just about anything I've heard.

In Rhode Island, at the "oldest 4th of July parade in the country," a Tea Party group had a float in the parade. They agreed to follow the rules of the parade and even went further. Other floats were allowed to throw lollipops and so forth from their floats but this group was told they couldn't throw tea bags "because they might put out someone's eye." Okay, well, they want to follow the rules and not violate any safety issues so they don't throw tea bags or anything else.

Next, they want to play PATRIOTIC music so they ask for a PA system. The other floats were given a PA if they asked for it but this group was denied. Instead, they were given a bullhorn. Seriously! I'm not making this up! My imagination couldn't have come up with stuff this crazy!! Oh, and let's not forget that they were told they couldn't have people on the float dressed as Indians either. Other floats... yeah you get the idea.

So, parade day comes and our intrepid band of patriots are dressed in their patriot outfits to celebrate the founding of this nation. I guess a little while into the parade, they are not only kicked out of the parade but BANNED FOR LIFE because a fellow not even on the float was walking alongside the float and handing out subversive materials to the crowd. Yup, that dirty rotten scoundrel used our country's celebration to hand out... wait for it... Pocket copies of the Constitution Bill of Rights!!!

A lot of things worry me lately but I have reached a new level of fear for our future. If this was published in a fictional book ten years ago, it would have seemed riduculously far-fetched. Now it is our reality. Welcome to Obamaland. Are you happy now?

INTRODUCING.... MY NEW GRANDSON SAWYER!!!

Interesting that the Russians have got more of a clue about what is happening than half of the American people. Sheeple indeed....
The following is from Pravda, the English version obviously. Pravda is a Russian news source. Couldn't seem to find the byline so I can't give you an author but here is a link to the actual article:


It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.

True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.

Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.

First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather then the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds burger or a BurgerKing burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blind the foolish.

Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the "winning" side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox churches are scandalously liberalized in America.

The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more then another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe.

These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more then ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?

“What grade is your daughter in?"

Why must people become so wrapped up in their own mindset, their own frame of reference that they can't see that there could be any other way of truth and value? My mom used to say, “Their mind is made up, don't confuse them with facts.” As a homeschooler, I encounter people like that all the time, although not nearly as often as I used to. When I started homeschooling 16 years ago, it happened daily but nowadays it is more like a few times a year. Of course, if I go to the NEA website, it happens much more frequently;o)

Here's what got me to thinking about this subject; someone asked me what grade Harmoni was in. Simple question, right? But is it? My answer was, “She isn't.” Completely bumfuzzled them. How I answer this common question depends a lot on who is asking and why... and my mood. Some people might get, “Well, lets see, she is 12 so I guess that is about 6th or 7th grade, right?” To some I would say, “Well, it depends on which subject you are talking about; anywhere from 5th grade to college.” But the real, true answer is, “She isn't.” Hello? Homeschooler!

People don't seem to understand that the system most of us were raised in isn't the only way. The more you diverge from traditional “public school” methodology, the more difficulty people have accepting it. There are even a lot of homeschoolers who look down their noses at anyone who doesn't use desks and textbooks and gradebooks with a red pen. I have tried to explain to some people (the ones who were worth the effort) that grade level is simply a useful construct for the public school system to function. (At least that is an arguable point; I won't go into why I don't really believe that it is in this post.) But what does “grade level” mean in real terms? Of what use is it to a homeschooler unless they are basically doing school at home? Grade level is an arbitrary label applied to make things easier for school administrators. Period. I have exactly two students at this point in time. I manage to keep things rolling without those labels. The only reason I could have for using them is to compare my children with the children of other people who are around the same age. That serves no useful purpose to me. I am much more concerned with whether or not my girls are setting and reaching goals in a relevant and timely manner.

I don't assign grade levels to my girls. We figure out what our goals are. We ask ourselves what useful and worthy things are there to learn? “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”[1] We ask what things will make us feel culturally literate and what things will move us toward our goals. Then we work on achieving those goals. At a certain point, usually the early to mid-teens, getting into college hopefully becomes one of those goals. (Bear in mind that I have already graduated two homeschooled kids as well as one who went through public school.) At that point, we start looking at what is required to achieve that goal. The materials we use may have “grade levels” attached but that still has very little meaning to us in any real and useful way.

Here's an example. Gini is 15. She does not enjoy algebra. She and algebra have a hate-hate relationship. She mastered all the basics of arithmetic and some pre-algebra but when she hit algebra, she stuttered to a stop. She hasn't progressed much mathematically since she was about 13. Two things have happened to start her engine again. First, her little sister has caught up to her and is still going strong. Awkward! Second, she started thinking about going to college. And she doesn't just want to go to any old local college where we could help pay her way. No she wants to go to BYU Hawaii. Big dream. Big money. She better get one heck of a good SAT score. We looked up some information about what level of math she would have to master to get the kind of SAT score she would need to get into BYU Anywhere and especially to qualify for some kind of scholarship. I mean, have you looked at out of state tuition costs??? Anywhere, much less Hawaii???? Well, I have told them to shoot for the stars....

Now, please notice; did grade level come up in that topic at all? No. Did it need to? No. She needs to master a couple more levels of Algebra as well as some more advanced Geometry and Trig. And she needs to do it in the next year or two. Is she trying to go from an 8th grade level to an 11th grade level in a year and a half? No, she is learning a logical sequence of math skills that she needs in order to get a really good score on a specific test. Did I mention that she is interested in Veterinary Science? Yeah. Math and science heaven also known as pre-vet. (By the way Gini, OSU ROCKS for Vet Science!)

And, for the record, I have actually sat in classes at Oklahoma State University next to people who were functioning and getting by even though I knew for a fact that their math skills were still at an "8th grade level". Were they still "in 8th grade?" I tutored for my work-study money. I'm not making this up. The public schools are graduating people with less math skills that Gini has right now. Worse, in my opinion, is the fact that they are graduating people who can't outread the average ten year old and don't know the names of all the continents. So grade level begins to mean even less in that light, eh?

Now because I know this will be a question in the minds of some people, yes, I could have pushed her and prodded her and punished her through Algebra. After all, it was done to me. But I chose instead to have faith in her and in her Father's plans for her. I knew that when she came to realize that the math mattered that she would learn it much more quickly and joyfully than she would if I forced her into it. And our home and relationship would be more joyful as well. How many moms describe their relationship with their 15 year old as “joyful”? Well, I do. We have a really wonderful, loving, and yes, joyful relationship. And, guess what, I also have no doubt that she will go to college. Whether or not finances will allow her to go to Hawaii I can't say; that is several years away in a very uncertain economy. She understands that. She knows that she may end up at OSU or even local community college if finances dictate that. But I have no doubt that she will master the math now that she has set her mind to it and neither does she. With no clue whatsoever what grade level she is on, she will master Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry. And she will take the SAT by storm. And even if she is a “year late” taking the SAT and even if she has to settle for OSU (my alma mater), she will become a fabulous veterinarian. She certainly has a gift with animals. Oh, and they won't care what grade level she achieved either;o)


[1] from 13th Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Here Here Mr Webster!!
from: Speeches and Forensic Arguments By Daniel Webster:
"There is no usurpation so dangerous as that which comes in the borrowed name of the people. If from some other authority or other source prerogatives be attempted to be enforced upon the people, they naturally oppose and resist it. It is an open enemy and they can easily subdue it. But that which professes to act in their own name and by their own authority; that which calls itself their servant although it exercises their power without legal right or constitutional sanction requires something more of vigilance to detect and something more of stern patriotism to repress and if it be not seasonably both detected and repressed then the Republic is already in the downward path of those which have gone before it."

"There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."

Just because one is elected to office doesn't mean that we the people will stand for being ruled unconstitutionally by them. Public officials who were elected by the due processes set down by the Constitution might do well to honor and uphold that Constitution rather than scorn it and undermine it.

Note: Italics my own.

Do you ever have conversations in your head? I hope I'm not just giving away the fact that I'm certifiable... I was thinking I might need to break down and go to the doctor which anyone who knows me can tell you, I really, really hate to do. So I was imagining how the conversation with the doctor would go; you know, what he would ask and how I would answer. See, I have, or supposedly have, who the hell knows really, Myasthenia Gravis. Tumor in my thymus gland, unexplained muscle failure, extreme fatigue, eye weakness, trouble swallowing... fun stuff like that. Getting plenty of sleep is important for me and I just haven't been able to lately. Now, I hate to take meds almost as much as I hate to go to the doctor so I really don't know if I'll even ask about sleep aids but I was imagining the conversation as sort of a test run I suppose. So, are you under extra stress these days Natalie?

As an aside here, my doctor is such a sweet man. I'm not trying to give him a bad rap. I don't like or trust the profession overall and consider it a flawed system, kind of like with teachers and the public school system. There are some wonderful teachers out there but... that's another blog;o)

So... I finally come to my point. Extra stress? Are you kidding me? People with illnesses that is exacerbated by stress are screwed these days boy! If you aren't feeling stress these days then you either live in a cave or a cloud of sweet denial and/or ignorance. I literally fear for my country and for the future of my children and grandchildren. I haven't felt this much fear for my country since September 11, 2001. And I think we are in greater danger now than then. Kind of like the difference between a wolf being attacked and jumping up prepared to fight back and a docile little lamb being attacked and, well... dead meat. The really disturbing thing is that this time the danger is within. And it wears a suit and a big $h!t-eating grin. And its followers trip along after it with blank eyes and big smiles, nodding "Yes, oh mighty and wise one, yes!" The only hope I have is that a few here and there will come out of the fog and realize that they've followed it to the edge of a mighty cliff and they'll begin to yell and shake those around them to wake them as well. I pray for that every single day and night and convincing myself for a few sweet hours that we are still in His hands is the only way I get any sleep at all.

Stress? I only have the same stress that everyone else who loves this ccountry and the beliefs that it was founded on has. God bless this poor, misled country. Even the unfortunate fools who really think that spending trillions to help get us out of debt is a good idea. Even, nay especially, the poor idiots who think the best way to protect us from criminals with guns is to take the guns away from all the good guys. God bless us all with a quick awakening, hopefully in time to keep this country from ceasing to exist as a free republic.

Boy, this one really says it all. Amen brother.

This is well worth the read

“I’m Tired”

Robert A. Hall

I’ll be 63 soon. Except for one semester in college when
jobs were scarce, and a six-month period when I was
between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I’ve worked,
hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I
still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven’t called in sick in
seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn’t
inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I
am. Given the economy, there’s no retirement in sight, and
I’m tired. Very tired.




I’m tired of being told that I have to “spread the
wealth around” to people who don’t have my work ethic. I’m
tired of being told the government will take the money I
earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too
lazy or stupid to earn it.




I’m tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to
“keep people in their homes.” Sure, if they lost their
jobs or got sick, I’m willing to help. But if they bought
McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off,
$250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the
leftwing Congresscritters who passed Fannie and Freddie
and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble
help them—with their own money.



I’m tired of being told how bad America is by leftwing
millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and
Hollywood entertainers who live in luxury because of the
opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get
their way, the United States will have the religious
freedom and women’s rights of Saudi Arabia , the economy of
Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China, the crime and
violence of Mexico , the tolerance for Gay people of Iran ,
and the freedom of speech of Venezuela . Won’t
multiculturalism be beautiful?




I’m tired of being told that Islam is a “Religion of
Peace,” when every day I can read dozens of stories of
Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for
their family “honor;” of Muslims rioting over some slight
offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because
they aren’t “believers;” of Muslims burning schools for
girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death
for “adultery;” of Muslims mutilating the genitals of
little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur’an
and Shari’a law tells them to.




I believe “a man should be judged by the content of his
character, not by the color of his skin.” I’m tired of
being told that “race doesn’t matter” in the post-racial
world of President Obama, when it’s all that matters in
affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and
graduation standards for minorities (harming them the
most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the
ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that
hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment
of US Senators from Illinois . I think it’s very cool that
we have a black president and that a black child is doing
her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the
emancipation proclamation. I just wish the black president
was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom
and the individual and less in an all-knowing government.




I’m tired of a news media that thinks Bush’s fundraising
and inaugural expenses were obscene, but that think
Obama’s, at triple the cost, were wonderful. That thinks
Bush exercising daily was a waste of presidential time,
but Obama exercising is a great example for the public to
control weight and stress, that picked over every line of
Bush’s military records, but never demanded that Kerry
release his, that slammed Palin with two years as governor
for being too inexperienced for VP, but touted Obama with
three years as senator as potentially the best president
ever.




Wonder why people are dropping their subscriptions or
switching to Fox News? Get a clue.. I didn’t vote for Bush
in 2000, but the media and Kerry drove me to his camp in
2004.




I’m tired of being told that out of “tolerance for other
cultures” we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to
fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate
in America , while no American group is allowed to fund a
church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to
teach love and tolerance.




I’m tired of being told I must lower my living standard
to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to
debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and
carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a
three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter
live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore’s, and
if you’re greener than Gore, you’re green enough.



I’m tired of being told that drug addicts have a
disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay
for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a
dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their
noses while they tried to fight it off? I don’t think Gay
people choose to be Gay, but I damn sure think druggies
chose to take drugs. And I’m tired of harassment from cool
people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never
tried marijuana.




I’m tired of illegal aliens being called “undocumented
workers,” especially the ones who aren’t working, but are
living on welfare or crime. What’s next? Calling drug
dealers, “Undocumented Pharmacists”? And, no, I’m not
against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic and it’s been
a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for
my religion. I’m willing to fast track for citizenship any
Hispanic person who can speak English, doesn’t have a
criminal record and who is self-supporting without family
on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our
military. Those are the citizens we need.




I’m tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would
never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let
their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting
station, trashing our military. They and their kids can
sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions
under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better
people then themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You
bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this
compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our
enemies for the last fifty years—and still are? Not even
close. So here’s the deal. I’ll let myself be sub je cted
to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on
terrorists at Abu Grab or Gitmo, and the critics can let
themselves be sub je ct to captivity by the Muslims who
tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan , or the
Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William
Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the
blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in
Iraq , or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls
in Indonesia , because the girls were Christian. Then we’ll
compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only
troops in history that civilians came to for help and
handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.




I’m tired of people telling me that their party has a
corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on
corruption. Read the papers—bums are bi-partisan. And I’m
tired of people telling me we need bi-partisanship. I live
in Illinois , where the “ Illinois Combine” of Democrats
and Republicans has worked together harmoniously to loot
the public for years. And I notice that the tax cheats in
Obama’s cabinet are bi-partisan as well.




I’m tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and
politicians of both parties talking about innocent
mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we
all know they think their only mistake was getting caught.
I’m tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or
poor.




Speaking of poor, I’m tired of hearing people with
air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor.
The majority of Americans didn’t have that in 1970, but we
didn’t know we were “poor.” The poverty pimps have to keep
changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.




I’m real tired of people who don’t take responsibility
for their lives and actions. I’m tired of hearing them
blame the government, or discrimination, or big-whatever
for their problems.




Yes, I’m damn tired. But I’m also glad to be 63.
Because, mostly, I’m not going to get to see the world
these people are making. I’m just sorry for my
granddaughter.




Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served
five terms in the Massachusetts state senate. He blogs
atwww.tartanmarine.blogspot.com
<http://www.tartanmarine

Okay this one is going under "things that make me want to puke".

Jane Fonda is being honored by Barbara Walters as part of "100 Years of Great Women". WTF??? Are you kidding me? What about this woman is great? Barbarella? Her exercise videos? Or could it be the time she spent giving aid and comfort to the enemy at the "Hanoi Hilton?"

Now, I am 46 years old. I was just a little kid during the Vietnam War. I don't pretend to understand all the politics. But I understand young men giving everything, many quite literally giving their lives to do what they had been brought up to believe was their duty. Did really bad, wrong things happen on both sides? Yes, that has been made pretty darn clear. But is it still treason to give aid and comfort to the enemy? Last I heard it was. It is such a sign of the Obamaland New World Order that a woman like this one could be honored in this way. Not that I am surprised at Bawbawa; she is not exactly a paragon of conservative thinking, but come on! How can anyone hear the accounts of the torture, mistreatment and death of American men that went on there and then look upon that woman with anything but disgust. While young American men were suffering yards from her, suffering in ways most of us can thankfully barely even imagine, she was schmoozing and chatting up their captors. Below is an excerpt from a description of her visit by a man who WAS THERE.

From 1963-65, Col. Larry Carrigan was in the47FW/DO (F-4E's). He spent 6 years in the'Hanoi Hilton',,, the first three of which hisfamily only knew he was 'missing in action'.His wife lived on faith that he was still alive.His group, too, got the cleaned-up, fed andclothed routine in preparation for a 'peace delegation' visit. They, however, had time and devised a plan toget word to the world that they were alive and still survived. Each man secreted a tinypiece of paper, with his Social Security Numberon it , in the palm of his hand.

When paraded before Ms. Fonda and a cameraman, she walked the line, shaking each man's hand and asking little encouraging snippets like: 'Aren't you sorry you bombed babies?' and 'Are you grateful for the humane treatment from your benevolent captors?' Believing this HAD to be an act, they each palmed her their sliver of paper. She took them all without missing a beat. At the end of the line and once the camera stopped rolling, to the shocked disbelief of the POWs,she turned to the officer in charge and handed him all the little pieces of paper.

Three men died from the subsequent beatings. Colonel Carrigan was almost number four but he survived, which is the only reason we know of her actions that day.

Enough said? Actually no but I'm trying to keep my rants somewhat brief and to the point so there ya go. I'm off to use some mouthwash. A lot of it.

This will be a very brief rant. Two things that make me just sick. First, people acting like Obama is the second coming. My gosh people, WAKE UP! It terrifies me to even wonder how long it will take before most of these people wake up and realize where this road has taken us.

The other is all the hype about how wonderful we are as a country because we have elected a black president. I hate bigotry as much as anyone else and I rejoice at signs of progress. I mourn some of the things in our nations past. And if we had elected a black president, such as Colin Powell or someone equally qualified, dignified, intelligent etc, I would find it worth rejoicing too. But folks, get a grip, OBAMA IS NOT BLACK!!!! He is 1/16 black, half white and the rest is ARAB. If you want to be accurate, or taken seriously for that matter, at least get it right. Right smack in the middle of the war on terror we have elected an ARAB president with big time Muslim ties and ties to radical anti-American groups as well. Dark skin does not equal black.

Whoever controls the children owns the future. Hitler knew it, the humanists know it and the modern left extremists know it.

My homeschooling friend, Liz E., sent me a link to a very interesting article and video at WorldNetDaily. It was in reference to a website called www.ExodusMandate.com and to a call that is being put out to Christians to pull their children out of government run schools. The video especially was very interesting. Voddie Baucham, a minister and author of the book, "Family Driven Faith" mentioned that children spend 14000 seat hours in school from K-12. Fourteen thousand hours! He said, "Whoever controls those 14,000 hours controls our childrens' worldview." That is pretty powerful. Baucham also quoted Charles Potter, a signer of "The Humanist Manifesto: "What can theistic Sunday School, meeting for an hour each week, do to stem the tide of a five day program of humanistic teaching?" Not much. That is what the humanistic, atheistic popular culture pushers are counting on.

And MAKE NO MISTAKE folks. The public schools are absolutely in the business of humanistic teaching. There are still those who want to keep their heads in the sand and think that their school is okay or that their children will follow their example no matter how many hours they are exposed to a pervasive culture of humanistic views and condemnation and ridicule of Christian views and teachings. An adult would have a hard time maintaining their beliefs if surrounded day in and day out, all day long by authority figures who communicate with everything they say and do that their beliefs were naive and somehow ridiculous, oh and hateful, Christian beliefs are hateful too doncha know. It would be extremely difficult for an adult to do and yet we expect it of little children from the age of 5! No, wait... we put them into headstart and 4 year old Kindergarten nowadays so make that from the age of 3. We are, hopefully and prayerfully, training them up in the way they should go but they are NOT TRAINED YET. They are so teachable in those early years. It is a beautiful thing how teachable a little child is... until you consider what they are being taught.

This video, "The Call to Dunkirke" was a very straight-forward, pull-no-punches challenge to Christian parents. Let's face it, the public schools are very tolerant places... to everyone except Christians. The mention of Jesus is taboo, kids can't say a prayer over their lunch, they sure to heck can't read their Bible in study hall. Nowadays, they can't even make signs that say, Merry Christmas or sing Silent Night in the "Holiday" program. The songs relating to Santa and lots of gifts are fine, I'm sure.

I about choked and then cried out aloud "Amen!" when Minister Baucham said, "...the first place we need to march is right out the front door of those Christ dishonoring, academically inferior, soul-killing government indoctrination centers!" Wow. The days of homeschooler apologetics is over folks. It's time to put it plainly and truthfully. Public schools are not doing the job they spend millions and millions of dollars to purportedly do. The only thing they are really efficient at is indoctrinating the children in the mores and morals (or lack thereof) of popular culture. I am very proud to say that my 2 youngest girls never stepped foot into a government run classroom and as long as America is still the land of the free, they never will.

Reflecting on all of this has made me aware of how thankful I am for the relaxed days of learning and teaching and growing with my girls. Those 14,000 hours are spent in an atmosphere of love and faith and learning. I've thought before about how people are losing more and more of their children's time to the government nannies. I watched a video about the "two million minutes" kids spend in high school and got to thinking that if my kids were in public school, I would be in their company for maybe 3 or 4 hours a day M-F. And honestly, those are some of the busiest hours of the day in most households. The hour or so getting everyone around to go to school and work in the morning and the hours from 5 or 6 pm to bedtime getting supper made and eaten and baths and everything ready for the next day. How much of that time is spent conveying our deeply held beliefs about God and country?

In comparison, the breakfast hour is very relaxed around here and yes, we absolutely do talk about things like freedom and faith every single day. The dinner hour to bedtime is pretty busy around here too, but that's okay because there were preceded by several hours of reading and writing and discussing things at our leisure. Mr Potter was correct folks. Like it or not, a few hours a week of our good example is not going to compete with 40 or more hours a week of being completely submerged in a humanist atmosphere. It just is not. There are some blessed families who will pull their kids through the fire with diligence and faith but I'm not up for playing russian roulette with my childrens' futures. How about you?