Simply A Musing Blog

A lesson on Socialism

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:42:00 +0000

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before but had once failed an entire class.

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism would work and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.

The students who studied hard and wanted an A were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied less.

The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great; but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Could it be any simpler than that?

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I Love You Just the Way You Are

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Harry Connick, Jr. has been my absolute favorite crooner since college days and I was thrilled to have a chance to review his newest CD "Your Songs".

Let me preface this by saying I typically do not listen to what I'd refer to as "secular" music, but as I mentioned, I do have a love for Harry and his style of music, so this was an opportunity I wasn't ready to pass up.

Harry's voice is as smooth as ever, and the selection of songs he's added to this album are simply fantastic -- the classics we all know and love, backed by a full jazz band and orchestra.

Check out the track list (Originally performed by):

All The Way (Frank Sinatra)

Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)

Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)

And I Love Her (The Beatles)

(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)

Besame Mucho

The Way You Look Tonight

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)

Your Song (Elton John)

Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)

Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)

Smile (Charlie Chaplin)

Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

Now...would I buy this album? A definitive and resounding "yes". Should you buy it? Only if you have a deep and abiding love for great jazz music that would be a perfect accompaniment to any holiday party this season (and if you don't have it - please for the love of all things Christmas - buy his Christmas album!).

Want to know more about Harry? Check out his website and facebook fan pages! Want to see the making of the video and some exclusive behind-the-scenes footage? Check out the video.

[Disclosure: Product provided for review.]

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And they all lived happily ever after...

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:05:00 +0000

I don't think I shared this (since I haven't been blogging very regularly), but for Father's Day (waaaay back in June) we got my husband a dog.

Not just any dog.

A beagle.

Have you ever seen the movie "Underdog"? Well, in the movie, underdog is a beagle. Yep. We got Underdog. A bumbling, mess-making catastrophe of a dog who means well, but is just one sandwich shy of a picnic.

We have tried for three months to housebreak this dog (well, technically, since she was born May 10th, she's still a puppy) with no luck. We'd let her outside to play and she'd have a ball, then run to the door begging to come inside, only to find a good clean spot to squat and pee on my carpet. Every. Time.

So since I was tired of cleaning pee and poop stains, we made ready her new home outside in our fenced in yard. I worried about her because she was only three months old and I wouldn't put a defenseless child in the yard at three months old, but hubs assured me she could take it. She is, after all, a D-O-G. (Just don't tell her that).

I was really concerned I'd have to buy a carpet tile to lay outside for her to poop and pee on, since she obviously prefers carpet to grass. However, I am happy to report that she has had absolutely NO trouble adjusting. My training skills are obviously lacking in the potty-training capacity.

Oh, we did have some incessant bawling and squawling cries of "you don't love me anymore!" and "why'd you put me in this hot, dark place without any human contact?" in the beginning (usually at night when our neighbors were trying to sleep), but I'm happy to report she's now doing just fine.

And I haven't stepped on one wet spot since we put her out. There really IS a "happily ever after" after all.

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Tim Hawkins is my Hero

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:59:00 +0000

Where would the world be without funny and talented people like Tim Hawkins? Seriously???

Stop whatever you're doing now and go here: http://www.timhawkins.net/video.php
Watch the video titled "The Government Can". Sadly, it's not only funny, it's true.

Sigh.

Serious HT to Dana @ Are We There Yet? for pulling this little goody out of the bag)

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Home is where the heart is

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:42:00 +0000

I have spent the last two hours catching up on blog reading from my google reader and Jules from Everyday Mommy posted a link to this post that is truly a MUST READ.

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Leaders VS. Followers

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

When this post originally was published (way back in October of 2006), it had more to do with business than raising children. Today, I can look back at it and see it has as much (if not more) to do with raising children as it has to do with business.

It is really my heart's desire for my kids to see me SERVING joyfully and willingly not only my husband's needs, but their needs as well. It is only through my example that they will learn - I can't be a "Do as I say, not as I do" type of mom.

I truly hope to instill these following values in my children over the next few years that I am able to have them at home.

When leaders make a mistake, they say, "I was wrong."
When followers make mistakes, they say, "It wasn't my fault."

A leader works harder than a follower and has more time; A follower is always "too busy" to do what is necessary.

A leader goes through a problem;
A follower goes around it and never gets past it.

A leader makes and keeps commitments;
A follower makes and forgets promises.

A leader says, "I'm good, but not as good as I ought to be;"
A follower says, "I'm not as bad as a lot of other people."

Leaders listen;
Followers just wait until it's their turn to talk.

Leaders respect those who are superior to them and tries to learn something from them; Followers resent those who are superior to them and try to find chinks in their armor.

Leaders feel responsible for more than their job;
Followers say, "I only work here."

A leader says, "There ought to be a better way to do this;"
Followers say, "That's the way it's always been done here."

Doesn't that make you want to be a leader?

Idioms and being 40

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Keeping a blog is so much like having a conversation with an old friend. A 40-year old friend -- because you're basically talking to yourself when no one else is reading your blog. And you're 40.

It doesn't matter how long you go without writing, you can just pick right up where you left off like nothing has ever happened.

Of course, a lot has happened. But that's neither here nor there.

Any one else ever grow up hearing that phrase "that's neither here nor there" without really knowing what the heck it meant? I decided to look it up today...it's an idiom that means "Not important; having no significance or influence on the question at hand; not related; not relevant; not germane; not pertinent."

I'm completely embarrassed to admit I then had to look up the word "idiom", because hello? Ninth grade was over 24 years ago and I've slept since then. {Not to mention I've had three kids -- my vocabulary has been decimated by (reduced by a tenth - and no, I didn't look that one up...I actually remembered it) twelve years of child-rearing and saying one syllable words like "no" and "wait".}

Idiom means "A phrase characteristic of a particular language, that cannot necessarily be fully understood from the separate meanings of the individual words which form it, but instead must be learned as a whole unit of meaning."

So basically, I'm just throwing some words at you in hopes that someone will take notice that I actually BLOGGED today.

Thank you and have a good day. Tune in tomorrow...same bat time, same bat channel. {of course, I'm not promising I'll actually BE here...but you can tune in just the same.} ;)

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Hidden Dangers of America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Hi. It's me again. Stepping back up on my soapbox to talk to you about yet another bill up for approval in Congress.

I'm talking about the HealthCare Reform Bill, or H.R. 3200—“America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009”.

Folks, this bill is dangerous for many reasons, including the abortion on demand mentioned here.

It also allows the "federal government to fund home visitation programs, where government officials would enter homes and monitor children and instruct parents in how to raise their children."

In addition to all of that, there is actually a clause that states people who choose not to carry insurance could be subject to FINES. What is happening to our freedoms, Americans?

If you believe this is an egregious wrong, as I do, please contact your senators and congressman as a concerned citizen.

I know not all of us are politically active; but I just have to pass this on to you and ask you to pray about how God would want us to act and to pray.

More details at www.hslda.org, if you're interested.

May God have mercy on us and on future generations of this great country!

See the original here.

Also visit D James Kennedy's site to add your name to the petition to stop this bill right here.

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A Labor of Love

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:35:00 +0000

Our eldest has been growing her hair out for the last four years for Locks of Love:

She has a heart of pure gold and a head of hair that would make any model jealous. :)

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New to Me

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Dave Ramsey says never to buy new. I think the last time I actually had a new car was...well, never, to be honest.

My first car was a red 1977 pinto station wagon...I wrecked it when I was 16 with my friend Jody Haas in the car. THAT was a fun experience.

My second car was a 1981 Volkswagen Jetta. A white, 4 door that had been wrecked - I remember priming and spray painting the driver's side door because I was so embarrassed by the rust.

I drove that until 1990, when I assumed ownership of a 1987 white Toyota Celica hatchback...loved that car. Sporty, fun...but not good for a soon to be mama who had to climb out lugging an extra 50 lbs.

Then I purchased a 1995 white Honda Accord (in 1996 - probably the newest car I'd ever owned at that point). Then I moved to Texas and left Honda in Alaska because...Hello? It had no air conditioning. Did you know A/C is not standard in cars sold in Alaska? Well, it's not.

So when I moved to Texas in 1997, I purchased a 1996 Chevy Lumina (blue this time) and drove the heck out of it until my husband was rear ended in it two years ago and the insurance company totaled it.

Then my mom gave me a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan in Blue that SHE had wrecked (something about a motorcyclist plowing right into her passenger side -- never mind that she turned left in front of him)...it wasn't pretty, but it was still driveable. And the Lord knew I needed a van with three kids -- even if it wasn't real 'purty'.

Now, my husband drives the '97 grand caravan and I have a NEW used car: this 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan SE:

I lurve it. It drives really well, isn't all banged up, gets good gas mileage..and best of all...it will be totally paid for at the end of this year!

Oh and hey...don't laugh at me for blanking out my license plates. You just can't be too careful these days. :)

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Can you help a girl out?

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:28:00 +0000

One of my clients informed me a couple of days ago that her blog was nominated for "Best Eye Candy Blog" for the 2009 BlogLuxe Awards. I'm really wanting to help her win (by the way, if she wins, I win in a way too, since I designed it) - so I'm asking you, my dear faithful readers (all three of you!) to go here: BloxLuxe and look for the "Best Eye Candy" Category.

Then, you'll want to look for "She Takes on The World" - which is currently second! You can vote once a day every day if you like...but seriously, we would just LOVE your vote!

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Goodbyes and Hellos - Final (I promise)

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:03:00 +0000

Just joining me? If you hate joining in the middle, I encourage you to read the first two installments:
(read Part 1)
(read Part 2)

Before I continue with the final installment of my story, I'd like to point out two things:

I am not bashing the SBC...I was saved in an SBC church and I know many fine folks who attend SBC churches. Not all SBC churches are the same, however.
Along the same vein, keep in mind that not all IFB churches are the same, either. There seems to be a stigma attached if you are "fundamental" in your beliefs - it means you're really "old-fashioned" and don't listen to the most current "worship" music and wear long skirts and your hair in a bun. Don't believe everything you read or hear about the IFB, either.

If you have been a reader of my blog for ANY length of time (today marks my 3 year blogiversary), you know that I try to look on the bright side of things...keeping a positive perspective on life has always been part of my makeup. My mama used to tell me that 'if you can't look on the bright side, then at least polish the dull side', hence my tag line. I doubt seriously that she made it up, but it has been a phrase that I have repeated to my own children when times get tough.

Our move to our new church was most definitely orchestrated by God. We may not always understand the "why's" or the timing of things, but thankfully, that's not our job. Our job is to step out in faith and put our trust in Him and believe that He's really working all things together for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.

So I mentioned that we would soon discover why we were called to this church in my last post, and the few of you that read (and yay! there's more than two!) have been so patient, today I'll tell you why and what has happened. I'll try to keep it to the Reader's Digest condensed version, although I don't make any promises.

Two months after we joined our new SBC church, a dam broke. I don't know how long it had been cracked, but apparently, someone had been holding their finger in the crack for a while and evidently became too tired to hold it back any longer and let go. There was a skerfuffle within the Deacon's meeting wherein our Asst Pastor (who was over the youth) resigned, along with his wife (who was our choir director and pianist). They didn't want it this way, but it's how it turned out. I'll not go into details, because the details of this aren't important.

What is important is that when our Asst Pastor left, there was an amazing amount of confusion and hurt, and a good amount of anger and frustration that had been churning in the waters that also spilled forth when the dam broke. There was another Deacon's meeting...and eight Deacons resigned their posts because of the situation.

Now, with those eight Deacons, came eight families. Young families. Families with children that were faithful to the church and worked in the church weekly. Teens, juniors and elementary...you name it. Our church lost Awana workers, children's church workers, teen workers, an entire Sunday School class was obliterated, several more Sunday School classes lost teachers...all in all, it was a big old ugly mess. I was having a hard time looking on the bright side, to be honest.

For the first time, I began to realize that we weren't here for the long haul. God had moved us specifically to help the church in any way we could through this tough transition. From music to children's ministries, we served in any capacity we could. I became the new Awana commander and my husband became the new Youth leader. We were so grateful for the "core" of folks that remained faithful to their duties in the church and were so supportive of us as we took on new responsibilities.

How did I know we weren't there for the long haul, you might ask? I can't describe it. I just knew. God had orchestrated our move and timed things perfectly so we'd be in the right place at the right time...and just as we'd felt the gentle "nudge" to move there originally, as the Awana year was wrapping up, we felt the "not-so-gentle" nudge that we were to head back to our old church.

Let me explain. Many church pastors today "teach" instead of "preach" from the pulpit. Nothing wrong with teaching...in fact, I LOVE teaching. But in addition to teaching, you have to have honest-to-goodness-old-fashioned-hellfire-and-brimstone preaching to go alongside the teaching. No sense in teaching a bunch of lost folks if they never receive Jesus, is there? You can't preach "feel-good" messages all the time, or folks won't understand their need for salvation and a Savior. I mean...personally, I think Joel Osteen is making the world a better place to go to hell from. You think that's ugly? Well, yes. I suppose it is. But I don't agree with his doctrine and it's my blog and I have the right to say that. :)

My husband is a wise and discerning man. He preaches with conviction, and might even raise his voice a time or two. Many of the folks from our SBC church told us that they had heard a lot of teaching from behind their pulpit, but that after hearing my husband, it was the first time they had been "preached to" in many, many years. They loved it. They wanted more of it...we wanted to give them more of it. But it wasn't happening.

For whatever reason, the door to preaching at our church, as well as any of the other SBC churches my husband had submitted his resume to, was closed. There were no offers. The only offers to preach we were receiving were back in the IFB -- and they were weary of the fact that we were serving in an SBC church. So we had a choice to make. The answer was obvious, but it didn't make it any easier.

I still don't understand why so many churches today won't hold up the Bible as the infallible Word of God. There are people all over our nation that are HUNGRY for what God has to say, but have no one willing to stand up and say the hard things. We want to sugar-coat the truth and make God's Word easier to swallow so people will keep "paying their tithes" and we can keep the church doors open. Our experiences at the SBC church opened our eyes to what is happening all across America...not just in the SBC, but in every denomination.

I've never been a pastor's wife...I don't know the day to day pressures that a pastor faces, but I know they must be great. I appreciate men who are willing to stand up and preach the Word of God from the pulpit with conviction and are still seeing souls saved for Jesus. I applaud the men of faith who believe that you don't have to have a congregation of thousands to be "successful".

So we're heading back to our old church this weekend. Excited, renewed, filled with hope.

Jeremiah 6:16: "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. "

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Wordless Wednesday

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Judging from the looks of her passenger, she has quite a bit to learn before she starts driving the real thing in 4 years.

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Goodbyes and Hellos Part Two of Who Knows How Many

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:00:00 +0000

So yesterday, I posed the question "Why in the world did we feel the need to leave our Independent Baptist church 9 months ago and move to a Southern Baptist Church?"

I think the two of us have pondered that question more than once over the last 9-1/2 months, which, incidentally, is the gestation period for a human mama when she is pregnant (more on that later).

My husband is a preacher. Not a pastor, but a preacher. What is the difference? A church home in which to pastor, I suppose. While we were content where we were at, we felt the not-so-gentle pulling in a new and different direction for God. We were in a state of contented "discontent" and felt the Lord leading us to find a new church in which to serve. There isn't one particular incident that stands out in my mind where we said, "Oh...that's it. The final straw. We're leaving." We told no one that we were "looking", as is often the case. We just began to look for another place to serve. It felt really weird.

It was a little like having an affair, to be honest. I felt like we were "cheating" on our current church when there was nothing really all that horribly wrong...yet here we were searching for another church because we felt that was what we were supposed to do. Can anyone else identify with this? Why did we feel so guilty about doign something we felt God was leading us to do? We finally settled on an SBC church that was mostly full of older people (probably 75%) and had a few young families, as well as an Awana program and youth activities.

So...my husband and I interviewed the prospective Pastor to see if he believed what we did and all seemed to be in order - we felt this was really where God was leading us...felt really good about it. We decided to join the church, but before we could do that, we needed to tell our current Pastor what was going on. And so we went back to our IFB church and told our pastor we were leaving.

He was shocked to say the least, because we had given absolutely no warning...we weren't missing excessive amounts of church, we were still tithing and being faithful to our church duties, so he asked if it was anything he had done. To which we had to reply "No, Pastor. It's not you...it's us." Sounds like a really terrible break up line, doesn't it? Honestly...it felt cheesy and we felt terrible for not giving him more information. But how do you tell your IFB Pastor you're leaving him for a more liberal SBC Pastor?

So...we left the following week for our new church. We were put to work immediately in Awana, Choir, as Children's Church workers -- our eldest daughter was asked to be in the children's choir and my husband was doing supply preaching for the Pastor in his absence. Our kids were caught up in the Awana program and for the first time, experienced what it was like to have structured Church-sponsored game time with Bible lessons and handbook time. They loved it - made new friends and were excited about the possibility of what was to come. We were just as busy in our new church as we had been in our old church.

But things were about to change, and we would soon discover why were were "called" there by the Lord...(to be continued...)

**Read the Final Installment Here**

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Goodbyes and Hellos Part One of Three

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Yesterday was supposed to be the last day at our Southern Baptist church...I say "supposed to be" because things didn't go as planned and we weren't able to tell folks it was our last day, because our pastor asked us to wait. How can you just leave without saying goodbye? In my mind, you can't...so we'll be going back Wednesday to say our final goodbyes before moving back to our Independent Baptist circle.

These SBC folks have been so kind to us over the last 9 months, but it's time to birth this baby we've been carrying. It's a proverbial baby...a joke between my husband and I...but a baby nonetheless. Before I confuse you...a little backstory might be in order.

My husband and I are Independent Fundamental Baptists. I don't think I've ever come out and just said that on my blog, but since only two people read it now, I figured it was as good a time as any.

What is an IFB, you ask? That's almost post all in itself...and I've posted what we believe here, if you are inclined to investigate.

Basically, the name Independent Fundamental Baptist Church is used traditionally by churches which pattern themselves strictly after the example of the early church, as found in the New Testament. Today the name Baptist is used by many churches that are not following the teachings of the New Testament.

Thus the words "Independent" and "Fundamental" have been added by many Baptist churches to further identify themselves as true Bible believing churches and to show a distinction between themselves and Baptist churches that were not following God's word.

Most Baptist churches were in the past founded on the sound doctrinal teachings of the New Testament; however, many of them have in varying degrees drifted away from many of the teachings of the Scriptures. Some of these churches have gone so far to even deny the fundamental teachings of the Bible, such as the deity of Christ, the virgin birth and salvation by the Grace of God, through faith.

Others have to a lesser degree compromised the Word of God by their teaching, practices and church polity trying to conform to popular religious trends. These worldly churches still call themselves "Baptists," but in fact they do not believe or practice what true Baptists have historically believed and more importantly what the Word of God says. The true Independent Fundamental Baptists have no association or fellowship with these churches because they teach or practice things contrary to the New Testament.

So that's the history of who we are and what we believe.

But why in the world did we feel the need to leave our Independent Baptist church 9 months ago and move to a Southern Baptist Church? You'll have to check back tomorrow to find out...

Part Two
Part Three

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Through The Looking Glass

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:50:00 +0000

I have always loved the writings of Lewis Carroll. His "Alice in Wonderland" series was one of my favorites as a child and I was especially fond of the book, "Through the Looking Glass". I imagine it was because at some time or another, we all speculate what life must be like on the "other side", whether it be the looking glass, the fence, the computer, or this life.

Recently, I have had a look at what life on the other side of "healthy" and "young" is like and aging gracefully is something that I'm starting to believe only happens in Hollywood movies. Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty, but everything else seems to wear out, fall out or spread out. Taking care of aging parents is demanding, draining and if you're not careful, it can be downright depressing. I have always known the day would come when I would be responsible for taking care of my parents, but as with everything else in life, the day has come before I feel ready. Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that happen to man, I suppose.

This journey I am on with my 76 year-old mother and my soon-to-be 89 year-old stepdad is not exactly "Hazel and Fred's Excellent Adventure". I am having to broach the HARD topics...like wills, nursing homes and Depends undergarments. Thankfully, no one is biting my head off, but it's probably because they know I could hide their teeth. We're all muddling along as best as we can through this process...and it is a process like no other.

I'm doing well if I can get my stepdad to eat anything besides ice cream and if I can get my mom to eat anything besides Dollar General brand vanilla sugar wafers. What I want to know is why weren't these things on the menu when I was a kid? I was always being told to eat my vegetables. My mom was so concerned about "roughage" and making sure I got enough of it so my "plumbing" would work properly. Now life has come full circle and it is me who is bribing her with cookies just so she will drink her daily glass of Metamucil. I want to make sure her "plumbing" doesn't require any additional assistance from me.

My stepdad, who bathes only when forced to, thinks it's a blast to walk around the house buck naked in the mornings. There's nothing else I can say about that.

Apparently, their investments in health insurance are starting to pay off. They have had more dates with their physicians than my husband and I had before we got married. Every week, we are off to see another wizard. Someone who runs tests, orders labs, and asks questions only to come up with the same answer, "You're old. This is what happens when people get old."

Some days I wish I could put the looking glass down and just listen to Jabberwocky.

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(originally posted 4/29/08)

Creation Minute

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:43:00 +0000

Have you heard about Creation Science Evangelism's new website called "Creation Minute"?

Creation Minute is an exciting series hosted by Eric Hovind that explores the creation worldview using cutting-edge visual effects and digital technology. Each episode challenges the evolution theory and gives evidence of the Bible's historical and scientific accuracy.

It's not just a website for homeschoolers, although if you DO homeschool, I highly recommend this as a resource.

Click on over and check it out...it will help me, because I'm trying to win an iPod touch for my husband and they are running a contest! :) Thanks bunches!

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Important Things

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Today I am taking my 78 year old mother to the hospital for emergency surgery. Why are we not there yet you ask? Because she insists on putting some things in order first. She worries about my stepdad, who at 90, is unable to care for himself and has alzheimers. He must recieve insulin shots twice a day and be fed, so she's concerned about him (even though my husband and I have volunteered to stay with him around the clock). She has two bills lying on her table that she wants to pay "just in case".

Please pray for her today if you will...her arteries are blocked and she's going to have stints put in place to help with blood flow...I don't want there to be a "just in case"...but if there is, I know that she will be in a much more beautiful place.

While you're at it, pray for me...this 40 year old isn't quite ready to let her mama go yet.

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Sick of being sick

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Sickness has invaded our household...and it's landed on me. Out of five people in my family, I am the one who has gotten sick. Body aches, fevers, lovely things coming out of both ends...sick. The good news is that everyone in my family feels so badly for me that they are willing to do almost anything for me.

No matter how much attention I receive from my family, I'd much rather feel like a normal human being again, without rolling stomach and bowels, ya know? (sorry if that was TMI) I guess I'm just sick of being sick. Going to lay back down now and see if I can beat this nasty illness back to where it came from.

Hope your weekend was much better than mine.

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Signs of the Times

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:57:00 +0000

You know it's a sign that you've quit blogging altogether when you don't even post photos from your staycation a month ago...

Or when you forget to even drop in and say "Happy Resurrection Day"...or take ONE photo of the cuteness that was your kids all dressed up for Easter services to show off on the old blog.

Or maybe it's a sign that you've just got way too many things on your plate and don't have a clue how to keep all your plates spinning and the blog is the first thing to go?

Regardless, I shall return with a vengeance once things settle down a bit - if that ever happens.

Hope you're doing well, mom...since you're probably the only one still reading this!

Photos of K's haircut coming this week! (I've got you on the edge of your seat now, don't I?)

Gratuitous shots of my cat taking over my desk while I'm slaving away on websites:

Is he not just a beaut? Sigh...if he were a man, he'd be a prince.

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A Woman Inspired Event

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:31:00 +0000

Look what I won on Lisa B's blog! Tickets to the online conference "A Woman Inspired Event"! I'm so excited. :) Here's a little preview of what is in store for me next week.

If you're interested, the tickets were on sale through April 1st for only $12.95 for the whole four days. I checked today and the cost is STILL only $12.95 through paypal...but it could be going up soon.

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How to Negotiate a Good Price With Your Dentist

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:43:00 +0000

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src="http://www.funnieststuff.net/FunniestStuffPlayer.swf"
FlashVars="videoFile=http%3A%2F%2Fvideos.funnieststuff.net%2Fcontent%2F2009%2F03%2F31%2F1%2Fdentistnegotiation.flv&videoTitle=Negotiating%20with%20a%20dentist.&autoPlay=false&fullScreenScriptURL=http://www.funnieststuff.net/scripts/funniestStuffPlayerFullScreen.js">

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A Petition for She Speaks

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:12:00 +0000

"Give me liberty or give me death..."

"I have a dream..."

"Ask not what your country can do for you..."

Highly impactful words spoken during times of great need in our country. Words spoken that, in many ways, changed the course of history and altered the lives of even the men that spoke them. They each had a unique vision, and their passion was evident not only in their actions, but also in their spoken words.

Much like these leaders, I have a great desire to serve and make a difference. I too, have a voice that is longing to be heard. While I am quite sure that I will not be another Patrick Henry, Martin Luther, or John F. Kennedy -- I do know that the reason I was put here on this earth was to encourage and inspire other women through my service in women's ministry. I am sure of that. I want to be as Isaiah and say "Here am I, Lord, send me." Use me if you will, imperfections and all.

We are living in turbulent times -- banks and investment companies are collapsing, the economy is tanking, and people are losing everything. As a woman, I understand the need to feel peace and security -- but the only true peace we have is in the blessed hope of Jesus Christ. It is my fervent desire that other women come to know and understand the Christ of the Bible that has carried me through more storms than I can count.

I've been feeling a not-so-gentle pull towards honing my writing and speaking skills in that last few months, but wasn't sure how to proceed or even who to talk to about it. It has been said that God will equip the call, not call the equipped -- whoever said that had me specifically in mind. Two days ago, I learned about a women's conference being held at the end of July in North Carolina that would equip me with the tools I need in order to become a more effective writer and speaker.

The She Speaks Conference is said to be a life-changing conference geared towards 'equipping and encouraging women who are called by God to share our mission to bring God’s peace, perspective and purpose to today’s busy woman.' If that doesn't just make you want to stand up and shout a hearty "AMEN", then there's something seriously wrong. There will be many speakers covering a range of topics from how to improve your writing and speaking skills to working in women's ministry in your church.

Lisa TerKeurst, of Proverbs 31 Ministries is kindly offering ONE scholarship on her blog, valued at $550 which includes the conference materials, conference registration, 2 nights at the conference hotel and meals associated with the conference. I could never afford this if it weren't for her scholarship.

That said, there are already over 100 other women that are hoping they will win as well and have written stellar essays as to why they should win.

My earnest prayer is that the judges reading this will somehow overlook my hastily written post and see my heart instead. Like many women, I have a heart for Jesus - I can't say that I'm any better than the other women, because the Bible tells us that we are to "esteem others higher than ourselves." I'm sure there are women that deserve this more than me.

But I don't think there is anyone that wants it more than I do.

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BBQ and Being Me

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:40:00 +0000

***Update with photos!!!***

May I just say that I amazed and slightly overwhelmed from all the terrific responses to Tuesday's post? I am wary of posting things like that too often, for fear of alienating my readers, but I just feel the need to thank each and every one of you that took the time to read the post and email me or respond in the comments.

And yes, Floy is my husband -- the one who hijacked the comments with his "post" within a post. But honestly - I don't mind, because I really felt that HE should have been the one to write my post after reading his eloquently crafted response. You would never know he's a preacher, would you? lol

So anyway...today is a busy day. I have a mockup that is long overdue to a very patient client, and thanks to my good friend Kelli (woot! Kelli!!!), I finally have some design direction for this piece. So hard when you have a design idea but have no idea how you're going to accomplish it. Maybe I shouldn't admit that as a designer, but many of my ideas never come to fruition, because I just can't seem to find a cohesive way to make them work.

I am meeting The Good Flea for a delightful bbq lunch here today. When visiting Texas from Oklahoma, you must have good bbq. Not that you don't have good bbq in Oklahoma - in fact, I'm sure it's quite fine. However, nothing beats Texas bbq in my opinion...which is just an opinion - feel free to tell me where you've had better, and next time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll try it! That said...I love Flea's blog. She is upbeat and funny and does crazy stuff that just makes me laugh. (No, her real name is not Flea - you can dig around on her blog to find out how she came to get that name).

And yes, we're taking photos...ack. I hate to have my photo taken.

***UPDATED ***
{this is why I hate taking photos so much. I don't think I really look this fat in REAL life - just in STILL life.}

The Food:

The Fellowship: (taken by the lovely mom of The Good Flea)

In fact, so much so, that last weekend in Dallas, when I met Antique Mommy (who is one of my FAVORITE writers ever and was on my shortlist of bloggers I have always wanted to meet) -- I didn't have the guts to ask her for a photo. Well, that and the fact that I forgot to pack any hair products and looked like I was wearing a flat pancake. I must tell you that I adore her more now after meeting her than I did before, if that's even possible.

We discussed how much we love Photoshop - Photoshop is my friend - because I'm really quite overweight and it is wonderful for cropping and getting rid of a few "pounds"...but unfortunately, I can't carry it around in real life and use it when I meet folks. So you'll finally get to see the "real" me.

You've been warned. It's not pretty.

Finally, at some point today? I must find the time to finish my post pleading for a scholarship to SheSpeaks. I have felt for quite some time God's not-so-gentle leading in the area of writing and possibly even speaking. But I will discuss that in my post. I'll give it all away if I don't shut up now. :)

Here's hoping you all have a wonderfully Happy Thursday - may the blessings of Christ abound in your day.

~Karen

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Slippery Slope, Indeed

simplyamusingblog@gmail.com (SimplyAmusingDesigns.com) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:46:00 +0000

We just returned from a 4 day mini-getaway in the Big D, and I have much to write about.

Yet, this blog post I read on Kim's blog this morning left me feeling that discussing my little vacation would be so wrong when our country's freedoms are literally being stripped away while we sleep.

The end of America as we know it is not as far away as we think, folks. It's frightening to look at how many freedoms and rights have been taken in the last few months. Gun sales are up because people are terrified of losing the right the even buy them.

It's come to the day where we have the right to burn the American flag, but not criticize our government. Funny, I thought the flag was a symbol of our government...someone help me, because frankly, I'm confused about this.

I am positive we are headed for a communist society. The very idea that we as a nation would be "okay" with the government taxing ex post facto the bonuses of those AIG execs? While I'm not pleased with the fact that the execs at AIG grossly mishandled taxpayer money - I am quite sure that the federal government is not going to give that money back to us. And I am not at all pleased with the idea of a government that can go about changing the rules as they see fit with executive orders that open us up for foreign attacks on our soil and at the same time, use our money for murder-for-hire causes.

I know what you're thinking..."She's done gone off the deep end". I say that jokingly, but I'm no conspiracy theorist...anyone who has half a brain can see what's happening to our country. As Christians, we need to be aware of what is going on - it's truly a time for prayer. I am praying for our nation and our president. I am praying that he will come to know the Jesus I know.

I am praying the prayer of Abraham...that God will be able to look down and spare the nation for just one righteous man. I am thankful to have the peace of God through this time, because as frightening as it is - I have read the back of the book and I know how it ends. Romans 8:18 states "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

I think my biggest concern is that if Jesus doesn't come back soon, my children are going to be living in a vastly different world than what we know today. It has already changed drastically from my own childhood, I hate to postulate as to what it might become. I can only cling to my favorite verses (Romans 8:37-39) that remind us that no matter what happens, we cannot be separated from the love of God.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I realize this is quite a departure from my standard "fare", but I'm really interested in your thoughts on this subject - are you talking with your kids about this? (You should be) Do you think I'm crazy? Do you think I'm right? Have you even thought about this? Is this the first time you've been exposed to some of these articles? So don't hold back....shoot it straight to me in the comments. I can handle it.

And here's one of my favorite songs on the subject, for your listening pleasure:

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