The Show Must Go On

It started pouring just before halftime at Friday night's football game. Dance team still performed. This photo is just before they entered the field...

Friday Night Lights

Freaky Friday

In the past on Fridays, I posted "Freaky Friday" and would go to the news and find something strange to write about. Well now, since the world has turned upside down, everything seems freaky, so it's like every day is Freaky Friday, but I digress. It seems for those of us who have lived on this planet for over 40 years, that we are living in an alternate universe, and now with the election only 40 days away, it's about to get even weirder. The liberals have had a taste of the 'freedom' (freedom to stop conservative's freedom) and they will do WHATEVER it takes to keep it - they are making that perfectly clear. And Americans are so calloused to it all, there is no more outrage, there is no indignancy, and there is despair. How can we combat this "state-run" media?? How can we fight Hollywood with their hold over entertainment functions? How can we fight those in power who do things like executive orders to circumvent the democratic process? What can be done to fight this 'Trifecta'??
Well, in addition to all that we are doing otherwise, we can pray. God does answer prayer. It can change things. And since today marks 40 days until the election, and since the number 40 was super important in the Bible, many pastors like Max Lucado and John Hagee among others, are asking all Christians to pray and fast. Fasting seems scary to most, but you don't have to give up all food - just something that makes you remember that you are, in fact, fasting. For me, I could give up chocolate, gum, Starbucks? But I've decided on meat. No meat for 40 days. It will get my attention because it's actually hard to eat in restaurants in Texas when you're not getting meat. And since I've no time to cook in football season, it's a sacrifice for me. (All those other things would be too...) Or you can give up social networking or some other habit. Just give up something. The Bible says when we fast that God hears and it puts weight on our prayers. I'm not sure how that works, I just know it does work.
Here's a little "freaky" aside about fasting. About 8 years ago, we had a missionary come to speak at our church, who would visit us once or twice a year. He told us he had recently flown somewhere and was sitting next to a man in a priest-looking collar who was very silent. He asked what church the man was with, and he answered the church of satan. The man went on to say (in a very creepy manner) that he had gone to a conference of that "church" and they were fasting to satan to end the marriages of Christians. So, you see, the other side is doing what they can as well. And  it appears it's working for them...
So... if you're exasperated and feel as though there's nothing you can do but vote - remember to fast and pray. God is still on the throne. He's still the King of Kings. He's still coming back soon.
And it WILL change things...

"If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
-- 11 Chronicles 7:14

Today was good. Today was fun . Tomorrow is another one. - Dr. Seuss

Why fit in when you were born to stand out. - Dr. Seuss

"OMG - Obama Must Go"

Well, it's about midnight and my brain is mush from Monday... So I'm looking at my tweets today, and I suppose they are what caught my attention:
- Ahmadinejad to meet with 'Occupy' on US soil...
Really? We let our ENEMY who is threatening to destroy us come over HERE and say that crap??
- Ahmadinejad in New York says Israel will be "eliminated"
Again, WHY are we allowing this guy in our country????
- France swaps "Mother Father" for "Parents" in Civil Code: Parent No. 1 Parent No. 2
Again really?? We're going to throw away what has been SINCE THE BEGINNING OF FREAKIN' TIME??
- Iran cuts off Google search and Gmail
No surprise that a dictator wouldn't want his subjects to plot against him...
- Thanks to the EPA, coal company shutting 8 mines, firing 1200 workers...
Of course Obama is for 'green' energy which does not include coal mining - and what the heck, why not add to the unemployment...
- Canada Prime Minister to meet with Netanyahu, Obama with Whoopi
(sigh) self expanatory
- Sarah Palin tweets that Thomas Sowell says "the only thing Obama is redistributing is poverty.
Well, yes... but he's making it so much worse every week... it's quite the understatement.
- Paul Ryan: We will undo Obama's Executive Orders
God, I hope so...
- Grand ayatollah: Jesus an illegitimate child
I'm sorry, we're not allowed to mock Islam, so they're not allowed to mock my God. It's blasphemy. Where is the outrage people??
- Spank a kid, get hard time..
 The Bible says, "spare the rod, spoil the child" and a gazillion other verses about child-rearing but in Delaware the Attorney General Beau Biden (name ring a bell?) says parents cannot give junior a swat on the bottom that causes "pain" and THAT is how the child reports the feeling. My God are we in an alternate universe??? If you've ever had a child, it is for their SAFETY  that you discipline...
- Obama describes wave of Middle East violence, murder of U.S. ambassador to Libya as "bumps in the road."
Really? How disgustingly cavalier is this? I wonder how the families of these people feel when they hear that?
- Israelis walk out in disgust as Ahmadinejad taunts them by flashing a peace sign at UN in New York (while US officials stay in their seats)
We're in dangerous territory now - God says He will bless those that bless them and curse those that curse them...
- And finally here's a funny bumper sticker that I saw & tweeted:
"17 trillion debt and all we got is this lousy president"
About says it all...

"The question isn't who is going to let me, but who is going to stop me."

Friday Night Lights

"An eye for an eye..."

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/34176-kill-your-baby-for-free-day-sees-dozens-slaughtered


The United States has hit a new low, and I'm not just talking about our financial problems or political problems. No, I saw the headline and couldn't believe it. I thought it was a joke. It read, "Kill Your Baby for Free Day..." and sure enough, it meant what it said. It was this week, on Tuesday at the Orlando Women's Center in Orlando, Florida. The abortion clinic offer sounded like a 2 for 1 meal at McDonald's. All the women had to do was pay the $150 state-required cost for the sonogram, which is half the cost of an abortion. It was like a drive-thru abortion, offering that if women only had 2 hours to be there, that they could accomodate.
We're talking about lives here. People. Human beings. CHILDREN.  Where is the outrage?? Why didn't the media pick up on this story? It was on religious sites yesterday. It was on charisma.com. Where is the outrage?? I tweeted it twice to my 1,000 followers, and not one retweet. Not one response.  And I have all conservative followers. Are we all so calloused that we just look away now? Have we become like Germany as Hitler took the reins, and just look away? Do we only worry about our own problems that we cannot take a stand against such terrible insanity? Is there any hope that this nation will turn around before we are judged for allowing all of these murders? Oh and get this --
Yesterday was late-term killing day...

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America..."

Today's post should alarm ALL AMERICANS.  Well, unless you want socialism or communism, and then I suppose you believe we're on the right track. But when I see this new flag that is on a poster that the Obama campaign is selling in their merchandise website, I am enraged!!

How dare they take our sacred American flag, that so many have sacrificed for our freedom over, and DARE to change it to this dicator-looking flag. It's reminiscsent of Saddam Hussein, who's image was everywhere when he was in power, or Kim Jong Ill, or Stalin or Hitler or take your PICK!!! I read a story recently written by a Cuban-American who had been in Cuba when Castro came into power, and he said that no one knew he was a communist when he was voted in. He just started taking more and more power, and taking freedoms, and implementing laws that ultimately took away their freedoms and  communism crept in until it was well established. It was similar with Hitler as well. The Germans were looking for a messiah to get them out of the mess they were in after World War I, and blindly followed Hitler. 

Sound familiar??

Guess who was in town today?

DD's friend got a picture with Ryan Gosling, who evidently had a film crew on Main Street today!

"That's why her hair is so big, it's full of secrets." - Mean Girls

Well, I'm sitting here at work, killing time again, since my work is basically done but I have to wait "until the bell rings." DD texted me from school and said all the girls were "all over" her boyfriend at the lunch table flagrantly flirting right in front of her... This brings me to the subject of women. They suck. Yes, I'm a woman but prefer the company of men because, yes, women suck. They are catty, jealous, mean, rude, hormonal, cut-throat, men-stealing brats. DD cannot find ONE friend still that has her back. Not ONE friend that is happy for her that she has a boyfriend and is not insanely jealous. Not one girl she can confide in that she could trust with ANYTHING. And yes, all girls in this high school find DD's boyfriend "sexy" so they come around like dogs.
Add to this that DD has no siblings at home so doesn't know how to deal with these types of girls. She just smiles and dies inside. I'm having to teach her to speak up, be sarcastic, give them "the look," -- SOMETHING that shows these beeches that it's NOT ACCEPTABLE. I get so sick and tired of bitchy girls!! Is it just me? Is it just Texas? Are all women everywhere like this? It gets weary fighting off these types. DD is like me, where she prefers guy's company, but that doesn't work so well in high school when guys, straight guys, cannot "be friends." It's the kiss of death to them.
Ugh...

Homecoming!

Last week DD and cheerleader friends made the front page of the local paper :)

"While London was burning..."

Well, while "London is burning" or is it Rome?...it's not good on the other side of the planet and it all seems to be falling apart worldwide... And now that we will be coming into the high holy days for the Jews (and consequently Muslims, since they both are descended from Abraham) so events will get very heated now. Today DD was home sick with strep throat. Seems half of her high school is out sick, and DD's boyfriend has been sick all week with both strep and what seems to be flu-like. And we actually got rain, which is super strange after years and years of continual drought conditions because when it actually DOES rain, it's just really weird. Even my cat walks around meowing and sort of freaks since she's not used to it. I had the news on in the background, so was watching as the radical? Muslims are inciting each other and uniting each other with hatred for Israel and the West (that's us) by burning our flags and embassies and trying to kill as many infidels (that's us) as possible. I even heard (but not by American media) that the American ambassador in Libya was sodomized before killed, and that was from a Libyan website. That poor man and others with him never had a chance... It's so crystal clear how the current administration is ruling in the worst possible way... And we just feel helpless. We watch our televisions and say a prayer, and don't know what else we can do.
Meanwhile, here in small town Texas, tomorrow is homecoming. I think DD will be well enough to participate. Her sweet boyfriend just brought her mum by, and she gave him his garter (a new custom since I was in high school.) They haven't seen each other all week since he was really, really sick, and both seemed so delighted to lay eyes on each other. Watching them so young and so happy does temper all of the wicked evil in this world.
I guess we have to take what we can get...

"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." - William Shakespeare

Yes, I'm going to write about 9-11... For some reason, everyone that I know is making a bigger deal about it this year than even last year, which was the 10th anniversary. My niece that lives in Washington D.C. posted on Facebook, "Was a little more emotional this Sept. 11th. The morning felt just like that morning. The sky looked just the same and today is Tuesday just like that Sept. 11th. Very thankful that this is my country. Even more thankful of the family and friends I have."
I'm also on Instagram, and follow lots of photographers in NYC who are posting some very cool, very poignant photos along with some very personal comments about that day and what they saw. (By the way, Instagram is soooo much cooler and better than Facebook, and it has replaced Facebook for the high schoolers in our town, but I digress.)
I found myself really contemplating 9-11 all day, and even went out to take some local photos as I made sales calls. Even DD, my 15 year old, who was only 4 when it happened, went on You Tube to see videos, and noticed that there were substantially less videos than when she last looked about 6 months ago. I've been told that the liberals are trying to remove much of that memory and, like everything else, are rewriting the history of it, even though it was only 11 years ago.
I think that this year is more emotional because we all sense that our fate is at a huge crossroads. Which way will this country choose? Because it will affect the rest of life as we know it. Because it will then affect the entire world as we are all so interdependent. People seem to sense the seriousness of the current events and are reflecting on life-changing ones like 9-11. Because events like 9-11 are going to happen again unless huge changes happen. This nation will HAVE to return to God --
it's our only hope...

Side by side shot of DD and me on high school dance teams

"No rest for the weary..."

If you don't have kids and you live in the USA, let me shed some light on some things for you because this comes up every single day. Yesterday DD and I ran into our church youth group leader and his wife who are in their late twenties and have one son who is in kindergarten. He had just had his first soccer game of the year (and his life.) They explained how they yelled and screamed, and became crazy parents. I said to get used to it, because these days everything gets "set in stone" very early on. Parents really have to decide which sports their kids will play by an early age, because they have to be sending them to lots of extra classes for them to be able to exceed. By sixth grade, it's all pretty much decided. My co-worker has a son who is 8 years old, and the middle schools are already "scouting" who the great football players are on his competitive team. Even the little 8 year old cheerleaders are already in competitive cheer, and will most certainly make it since they have started so young.
(sigh) Is it ridiculous? Of course, but I don't make the "rules," I'm simply explaining them. Why is it like this you ask? Because college is so expensive, that ALL parents are trying to get their kids scholarships. Truly, that IS the reason. And the parents are the ones who are "fighting to the death." Okay, that's an exaggeration, but not much. DD's boyfriend is a senior and is now in the process of applying to colleges and looking for scholarships. His parents decided early for him that he is talented in tennis and band, and he does both for hours a day. Each activity he practices for four hours a day, and that is no exaggeration. He has no other life except homework, and that's to keep his grades up, again, so he can get a scholarship. This makes the kids all so competitive, that beating the other kid is always the goal. And the parents... it's actually disgusting. When DD won "Most outstanding" dance team member at her dance team camp this summer, there were parents that didn't speak to us for weeks after that. And when they did, they sarcastically referred to the fact that she got in many more photos than their daughter did.
Consequently no kid has their friend's "back." It's so dog-eat-dog that it's all just one long non-stop competition. And it gets really weary. Even the summers are sports camps to improve, or cheer camp, or dance camp or whatever camp. And in between camps, there are lots of classes and lots of practices in whatever activity they are in. And, to top it off, in DD's varsity cheerleading, there is even more drama than last year, as the mom of the girl who did not get cheer captain, is furious and trying to sabotage the one who did. It's all pretty crazy... It's also almost impossible for me as a single mom, to compete with all of this, but I'm trying for DD's sake.
Because the alternative still seems worse...

Men are from Mars...

There are so many subjects I want to post about... but today I'm trying to "coach" DD on the subject of men... (sigh) It's more of a "do what I say, and not what I did" sort of counsel because CLEARLY I am single and have done it all wrong for years. But I've seen what works with the few happily married couples that I know, and I combine that with basically just doing the right thing always, and try to talk her into doing that. She's a sophomore and her boyfriend is a senior, and this is her first boyfriend but this is his fourth or fifth girlfriend... They've been dating for four months, and evidently most of his relationships have only lasted four months, with only one lasting six months. He isn't as affectionate now, nor is he as interested, so she's pretty blue over it all. All he says now is, "I'm tired," when they get together and doesn't make time for her anymore, choosing his best friend over her even on weekends. And yes, it doesn't sound good to me either...
Part of me wants to tell her to play hard to get, and play the games that challenge guys. Or to make him jealous, because that usually works if they have ANY interest at all. But then I think, who wants to play games any way? It's all so effort-full, and there are no guarantees either will work. DD has said the girls in the past that have pulled back when he has, have lost the relationship.
I've told her that guys in their senior year get a little cocky with the whole "Big man on campus" mentality, when they are finally King of the Hill. And there's nothing she can do about that. AND, her boyfriend is probably the cutest guy in her whole school, so tons of girls are flirting shamelessly with him. DD is such a GOOD person, much better than me. And with no siblings at home, she just doesn't have a mean bone in her body, as she's never really learned to argue or compete with anyone, at least at home. She's never had the "killer instinct" at sports for those very reasons. So she says she just keeps a smile on her face at school, when inside, she is falling apart.
As her mother, it's so hard to watch. Even though it "ain't my first rodeo" in the arena of raising kids, it never gets any easier to watch them learn, grow and suffer with life's lessons. I want to call him and ball him out, which of course I would never do. I get mad and say some bad words and try to get out my frustration, but it's maddening. And I want to tell her it gets easier, but it really doesn't...
Tonight I told her of a couple that in know, whom she knows, that I said are one of the few happily married couples I know. She was surprised since this guy is a whiner, and a baby, and well, sort of a dufus. But I told her that his wife somehow thinks she's got "the prize." I honestly thought they were both on their second marriage when I met them two years ago, since they acted like newly marrieds. But they've been married 25 years, and still want to be physical like it's their first year of marriage. And she babies him, and makes him his favorite dinners nightly, and acts like it's their last night together every night. And it works for her. And him. Go figure.
I'll never understand men. And maybe I just don't want to any way. It takes
Too. much. energy.
I'm tired...

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear..."

Is it just me or does anyone else feel an "angst" that just won't go away? My immediate family feels it too, or is it all the people I live around, or just Texans, or just Americans, or is it the whole world??
There are reports that Iranians have been told to stay inside for two weeks, and not go to work or school. And I hear that Israel is on the highest alert. Stories today say the prez has told Israel that, as commander-in-chief, the US will not help Israel if they bomb Iran.
So here we sit... on the brink of what seems to be World War III. And to make matters worse, the Democratic National Convention is starting, and just watching these people is extremely distressing. They are completely blinded to the truth and it's stressful -- this whole election is stressful. To me, if you ask the question, "Are you better off than you were 4 years ago," the answer is not only no, but hell no! Anyone who responds differently is completely deceived or lying to themselves. And the liberals see conservatives as THE enemy, even more than jihadists. Because, in essence, we ARE more of an enemy to them, at least for now, because we are moral and righteous and bring light to their darkness. And they hate it and they hate us because ultimately they want justification for their lifestyle. And they know we will not negotiate our values. They are mad at God and refuse to follow Him and hate anyone who does. They tell us to be tolerant when they are the least tolerant people in the country. They want to play by different rules. They want free speech but don't want us to have free speech. They are blindfolded from the truth and desire communism over capitalism. Little do they know that the hammer would come down, and they would lose all their rights. Rights of free speech, rights to sin, and lose most freedoms.
There is an air that there isn't much time. Even Paul Ryan said it in his speech last week. And the implication was, if there's still any time left now. Many think we're already past the point of no return, so THEN what? My co-worker mentioned something that's to happen in four more years and I said, "Who knows WHAT will have happened by that time?" My 15 year old cannot envision the future, and she's an optimist. I'm not even sure what to tell her. I try to sound hopeful but there is so much negative information out there, it's very difficult.
I try to live day by day. I try to live in the present because it's all we have. I was thinking yesterday that I'm so glad I cannot foresee the future, so I will not be dreading the bad things that will inevitably happen. I've just got to enjoy now.
It's all we've got...

"Life is a gift, that's why they call it the present..."

Today my youngest daughter and I attended a very sad funeral. It was for the husband of one of DD's teachers (and dance team sponsor.) When I used to work for the newspaper here, he used to come in occasionally to do an ad, and was so funny that I remembered him. He seemed larger than life, and was super charismatic. He was an incredible craftsman, and as a self-made man, had built a nice living for his family, which also included a son and daughter who are now in their twenties. A few years ago, they bought a nice ranch nearby, and seemed to be doing well. So it was a terrible shock to his wife of 30 years, his family, and pretty much this entire town that he took his own life last Thursday. To my knowledge, he did not leave a note. Here was this wonderful guy, who was healthy, married to the "love of his life" as he said, with 2 great kids, who decided to check out. They seemed to be okay with money, and health, and friends. No one can figure this one out. His daughter is engaged to be married soon, and they said he was excited and building her something. He had lots to look forward to.
The church was packed today, and he was a regular church goer. His pastor and another speaker, cried and said they couldn't figure it out either. Lots of funny stories were told about him, and everyone had one. He was one of the biggest characters around. I mean, think movie star charisma. This guy could've been in movies and been a hit - he was that cool. He came from a large family and they were all there. All in shock. All looking dumbfounded. His immediate family and mother sat on the front row, and his son seemed, well, angry. His pastor said there would be a lot of emotions to deal with, and started with anger. (sigh) I know about these things since my father committed suicide 10 years ago. And you never really get over it. There's always this nagging guilt that you could've done something so that they would not have made that decision. But in my dad's case, my mother had died the week prior, and his prostate cancer was back with a vengeance, so he didn't see anything good ahead. Not that anyone should ever make that choice, but his was easier to understand than the man today.
Getting older is crappy but, for most, it beats the alternative. Because life is a wonderful gift and we should use our minutes to the best of our ability. I guess I'll never understand.
Never, never, never...

"What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas??"

Well, it's Saturday night and I find this hilarious!! Prince Harry's naked romps in Vegas have prompted a Facebook page of Prince Harry's naked army. It's made up of 33,000 British soldiers and public who have gotten naked and given him a salute.
Well, at least they still have their sense of humor...