This is a copy of a letter I gave to my daughter's teacher when she started Kindergarten. It is meant to convey my thoughts and wishes for the school year.
Dear __________________,
You are to be my precious daughter's teacher this year. I entrust her to your loving care and pray that both of you will be a blessing to one another. She is only one of many children in your class, but she is MY child. Her gifts are unique. Her outlook is vibrant. Her desire to learn is great. Each child in your classroom has a wonder of their own. I long for you to discover what makes each one special...but most of all, I want you to know that my Kaley is special. She is special to her Dad, Brent. She is special to her Mom and to her big sister, Bethany. I give her to you for the next year with the desire that you will give her and all of her classmates your very best. I believe in my heart that you have this same desire in mind.
This letter is meant to convey to you the heartfelt wishes I have for the coming year. I hope it will be one filled with many exciting experiences and moments of enlightenment for everyone. The respect I have for you is immense, as teaching is a career of unparalleled commitment. I have no doubt that in the coming months, you will be challenged with tasks and demands above and beyond what most people are even aware of, myself included. We offer our assistance for any need you might have and hope that you will call upon us if you have any requests, even if it is just to talk or ask for special prayers. Please know that my husband and I are so thankful that you have chosen to teach. It is a rare and wonderful thing to share in the life of another person. We look forward to getting to know you better in the coming months.
Warmest Regards,
Me
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Seed Tapes
Seed tapes are an easy way to plant a row of seeds with precision spacing. This is a valuable technique when you have a short supply of seeds, or each seed is expensive. It provides for uniform spacing and avoids the need to thin out sprouting seedlings.
Simply put, seed tapes are just seeds fastened to some sort of thin biodegradable paper by an adhesive that is also biodegradable. This allows for the plant roots to grow through the paper as the adhesive dissolves around the seed. This allows the plant to grow unobstructed.
In a small pan, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 1 cup of cold water. Cook over a medium flame, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from getting lumpy. Once it starts to boil and turns into a translucent gel-like mixture, remove it from the stove and let it cool to room temperature.
Cut the length of some paper towels as long as you would like your strips to be. The width should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide.
Space your seeds according to the packaging they arrived in or according to your planting design.
Take the cooled cornstarch mixture and put a few spoonfuls into a small plastic bag. Work the gel mixture toward one corner of the bag, removing as much excess air as possible, then seal the bag. Next you'll need to snip off the corner of the bag to create a pastry bag like tool, similar to those that bakers use to ice cakes. If you are doing more than one type of seed, think about the size of the cut you make in the bag first. Smaller seeds will only need a tiny speck of gel, while larger ones may need a glob. It's always possible to put a bigger notch in the corner of the bag if you need bigger globs, so start with your small seeds first.
At this point it's a simple matter of dabbing on the gel at the right spacing and putting the seed in each dab.
One creative use of seed tapes is to plant them in patterns. This would allow you to precisely determine where various flowers or foil age will grow in relation to each other.
I'm not sure where I learned this, but it is certainly not an original thought on my part. I love the idea, though.
Simply put, seed tapes are just seeds fastened to some sort of thin biodegradable paper by an adhesive that is also biodegradable. This allows for the plant roots to grow through the paper as the adhesive dissolves around the seed. This allows the plant to grow unobstructed.
In a small pan, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 1 cup of cold water. Cook over a medium flame, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from getting lumpy. Once it starts to boil and turns into a translucent gel-like mixture, remove it from the stove and let it cool to room temperature.
Cut the length of some paper towels as long as you would like your strips to be. The width should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide.
Space your seeds according to the packaging they arrived in or according to your planting design.
Take the cooled cornstarch mixture and put a few spoonfuls into a small plastic bag. Work the gel mixture toward one corner of the bag, removing as much excess air as possible, then seal the bag. Next you'll need to snip off the corner of the bag to create a pastry bag like tool, similar to those that bakers use to ice cakes. If you are doing more than one type of seed, think about the size of the cut you make in the bag first. Smaller seeds will only need a tiny speck of gel, while larger ones may need a glob. It's always possible to put a bigger notch in the corner of the bag if you need bigger globs, so start with your small seeds first.
At this point it's a simple matter of dabbing on the gel at the right spacing and putting the seed in each dab.
One creative use of seed tapes is to plant them in patterns. This would allow you to precisely determine where various flowers or foil age will grow in relation to each other.
I'm not sure where I learned this, but it is certainly not an original thought on my part. I love the idea, though.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Where to Learn About Job Openings
Where to Learn About Job Openings
Personal contacts - Eighty percent of available jobs are never advertised, and over half of all employees get their jobs through networking, according to BH Careers International. Therefore, the people you know—friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, teachers, and former coworkers—are some of the most effective resources for your job search. The network of people that you know and the people that they know can lead to information about specific job openings that are not publicly posted. To develop new contacts, join student, community, or professional organizations.
School career planning and placement offices - High school and college placement offices help their students and alumni find jobs. They allow recruiters to use their facilities for interviews or career fairs. Placement offices usually have a list of part-time, temporary, and summer jobs offered on campus. They also may have lists of jobs for regional, nonprofit, and government organizations. In addition to linking you to potential employers, career planning offices usually provide career counseling, career testing, and job search advice. Some have career resource libraries; host workshops on job search strategy, résumé writing, letter writing, and effective interviewing; critique drafts of résumés; conduct mock interviews; and sponsor job fairs.
Employers - Through your library and Internet research, develop a list of potential employers in your desired career field. Employer Web sites often contain lists of job openings. Web sites and business directories can provide you with information on how to apply for a position or whom to contact. Even if no open positions are posted, do not hesitate to contact the employer and the relevant department. Set up an interview with someone working in the same area in which you wish to work. Ask them how they got started, what they like and dislike about the work, what type of qualifications are necessary for the job, and what type of personality succeeds in that position. Even if they don’t have a position available, they may be able to put you in contact with other people who might hire you, and they can keep you in mind if a position opens up. Make sure to send them your résumé and a cover letter. If you are able to obtain an interview, be sure to send a thank-you note. Directly contacting employers is one of the most successful means of job hunting.
Classified ads - The "Help Wanted" ads in newspapers list numerous jobs. You should realize, however, that many other job openings are not listed, and that the classified ads sometimes do not give all of the important information. They may offer little or no description of the job, working conditions, or pay. Some ads do not identify the employer. They may simply give a post office box to which you can mail your résumé, making follow-up inquiries very difficult. Some ads offer out-of-town jobs; others advertise employment agencies rather than actual employment opportunities.
Internet networks and resources - The Internet is an invaluable resource. Use it to find advice on conducting your job search more effectively; to search for a job; to research prospective employers; and to communicate with people who can help you with your job search. No single Web site will contain all the information available on employment or career opportunities, so in addition to the Web sites listed below, use a search engine to find what you need. The different types of sites that may be useful include general career advice sites, job search sites, company Web sites, trade and professional association Web sites, and forums. Internet forums, also called message boards, are online discussion groups where anyone may post and read messages. Use forums specific to your profession or to career-related topics to post questions or messages and to read about other peoples’ job searches or career experiences.
State employment service offices - The State employment service, sometimes called the Job Service, operates in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Local offices, found nationwide, help job seekers to find jobs and help employers to find qualified workers at no cost to either. To find the office nearest you, look in the State government telephone listings under "Job Service" or "Employment."
Federal Government - Information on obtaining a position with the Federal Government is available from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through USAJOBS, the Federal Government's official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not tollfree, and charges may result.
Private employment agencies and career consultants - These agencies can be helpful, but they may charge you for their services. Most operate on a commission basis, with the fee dependent upon a percentage of the salary paid to a successful applicant. You or the hiring company will pay the fee. Find out the exact cost and who is responsible for paying associated fees before using the service.
Although employment agencies can help you save time and contact employers who otherwise might be difficult to locate, the costs may outweigh the benefits if you are responsible for the fee. Contacting employers directly often will generate the same type of leads that a private employment agency will provide. Consider any guarantees that the agency offers when determining if the service is worth the cost.
Community agencies - Many nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions and vocational rehabilitation agencies, offer counseling, career development, and job placement services, generally targeted to a particular group, such as women, youths, minorities, ex-offenders, or older workers.
This information was obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information, follow this link: BLS
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Personal contacts - Eighty percent of available jobs are never advertised, and over half of all employees get their jobs through networking, according to BH Careers International. Therefore, the people you know—friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, teachers, and former coworkers—are some of the most effective resources for your job search. The network of people that you know and the people that they know can lead to information about specific job openings that are not publicly posted. To develop new contacts, join student, community, or professional organizations.
School career planning and placement offices - High school and college placement offices help their students and alumni find jobs. They allow recruiters to use their facilities for interviews or career fairs. Placement offices usually have a list of part-time, temporary, and summer jobs offered on campus. They also may have lists of jobs for regional, nonprofit, and government organizations. In addition to linking you to potential employers, career planning offices usually provide career counseling, career testing, and job search advice. Some have career resource libraries; host workshops on job search strategy, résumé writing, letter writing, and effective interviewing; critique drafts of résumés; conduct mock interviews; and sponsor job fairs.
Employers - Through your library and Internet research, develop a list of potential employers in your desired career field. Employer Web sites often contain lists of job openings. Web sites and business directories can provide you with information on how to apply for a position or whom to contact. Even if no open positions are posted, do not hesitate to contact the employer and the relevant department. Set up an interview with someone working in the same area in which you wish to work. Ask them how they got started, what they like and dislike about the work, what type of qualifications are necessary for the job, and what type of personality succeeds in that position. Even if they don’t have a position available, they may be able to put you in contact with other people who might hire you, and they can keep you in mind if a position opens up. Make sure to send them your résumé and a cover letter. If you are able to obtain an interview, be sure to send a thank-you note. Directly contacting employers is one of the most successful means of job hunting.
Classified ads - The "Help Wanted" ads in newspapers list numerous jobs. You should realize, however, that many other job openings are not listed, and that the classified ads sometimes do not give all of the important information. They may offer little or no description of the job, working conditions, or pay. Some ads do not identify the employer. They may simply give a post office box to which you can mail your résumé, making follow-up inquiries very difficult. Some ads offer out-of-town jobs; others advertise employment agencies rather than actual employment opportunities.
Internet networks and resources - The Internet is an invaluable resource. Use it to find advice on conducting your job search more effectively; to search for a job; to research prospective employers; and to communicate with people who can help you with your job search. No single Web site will contain all the information available on employment or career opportunities, so in addition to the Web sites listed below, use a search engine to find what you need. The different types of sites that may be useful include general career advice sites, job search sites, company Web sites, trade and professional association Web sites, and forums. Internet forums, also called message boards, are online discussion groups where anyone may post and read messages. Use forums specific to your profession or to career-related topics to post questions or messages and to read about other peoples’ job searches or career experiences.
State employment service offices - The State employment service, sometimes called the Job Service, operates in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. Local offices, found nationwide, help job seekers to find jobs and help employers to find qualified workers at no cost to either. To find the office nearest you, look in the State government telephone listings under "Job Service" or "Employment."
Federal Government - Information on obtaining a position with the Federal Government is available from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through USAJOBS, the Federal Government's official employment information system. This resource for locating and applying for job opportunities can be accessed through the Internet at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov or through an interactive voice response telephone system at (703) 724-1850 or TDD (978) 461-8404. These numbers are not tollfree, and charges may result.
Private employment agencies and career consultants - These agencies can be helpful, but they may charge you for their services. Most operate on a commission basis, with the fee dependent upon a percentage of the salary paid to a successful applicant. You or the hiring company will pay the fee. Find out the exact cost and who is responsible for paying associated fees before using the service.
Although employment agencies can help you save time and contact employers who otherwise might be difficult to locate, the costs may outweigh the benefits if you are responsible for the fee. Contacting employers directly often will generate the same type of leads that a private employment agency will provide. Consider any guarantees that the agency offers when determining if the service is worth the cost.
Community agencies - Many nonprofit organizations, including religious institutions and vocational rehabilitation agencies, offer counseling, career development, and job placement services, generally targeted to a particular group, such as women, youths, minorities, ex-offenders, or older workers.
This information was obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information, follow this link: BLS
Brought to you by: Professional-Resume-Example.com
Friday, April 20, 2007
Making Money With PayPerPost
I have a friend who has earned some income from this group and I intend to start using them with another blog that I have. If you're interested in getting paid to blog, then check out the link.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
A Very Special Letter
This is a letter from my sister:
Dear :
I hope this letter finds you well. We are doing great with spring in full swing in the Midwest. The green grass, buds on the trees and daffodils in bloom remind us of God's infinite power and the blessings He has bestowed upon us. However, not everyone is as fortunate as we are. There are individuals in this country and around the world who live in unimaginable poverty.
In July, Lauren and I will go on a 10 day mission trip to Honduras to assist those who are less fortunate. We will be visiting hospitals, giving out clothing, delivering food and building homes for families.
I know this will be a glorious experience for me, but more important, I believe it will be an exceptional opportunity for Lauren to learn more about those who are less fortunate than she is AND to draw her closer to the Lord. Words cannot convey my pride when Lauren asked if she could join me on this trip. She has even been joining me in a Spanish class that I offer at the church each week in order to improve her ability to communicate with the Hondurans.
Lauren and I have to raise $3,000 ($1,500 each). This will pay for our airfare, two meals a day and supplies to build homes and feed families. We would be so appreciative of any donation you can make to assist us in our goal of helping others to know the Lord better through our love and our example. Whether you are able to donate or not, we need, more than anything, your prayers for a safe trip and for God's love to shine through us on these precious people.
The enclosed self-addressed, postage-paid envelope is provided for your convenience. Our goal is to have all of our funds raised by June 15th. Please make your check payable to TORCH if you would like to receive a receipt.
Thank you in advance for helping us to help others.
In Christian Love,
(If you would like to assist in this effort, please let me know)
Dear :
I hope this letter finds you well. We are doing great with spring in full swing in the Midwest. The green grass, buds on the trees and daffodils in bloom remind us of God's infinite power and the blessings He has bestowed upon us. However, not everyone is as fortunate as we are. There are individuals in this country and around the world who live in unimaginable poverty.
In July, Lauren and I will go on a 10 day mission trip to Honduras to assist those who are less fortunate. We will be visiting hospitals, giving out clothing, delivering food and building homes for families.
I know this will be a glorious experience for me, but more important, I believe it will be an exceptional opportunity for Lauren to learn more about those who are less fortunate than she is AND to draw her closer to the Lord. Words cannot convey my pride when Lauren asked if she could join me on this trip. She has even been joining me in a Spanish class that I offer at the church each week in order to improve her ability to communicate with the Hondurans.
Lauren and I have to raise $3,000 ($1,500 each). This will pay for our airfare, two meals a day and supplies to build homes and feed families. We would be so appreciative of any donation you can make to assist us in our goal of helping others to know the Lord better through our love and our example. Whether you are able to donate or not, we need, more than anything, your prayers for a safe trip and for God's love to shine through us on these precious people.
The enclosed self-addressed, postage-paid envelope is provided for your convenience. Our goal is to have all of our funds raised by June 15th. Please make your check payable to TORCH if you would like to receive a receipt.
Thank you in advance for helping us to help others.
In Christian Love,
(If you would like to assist in this effort, please let me know)
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Just Ask
How many people actually go around asking for what they want? Go ahead, raise your hands. If you see something that you want, do you "no holds barred" go after it? Or, do you contemplate what other people will think, worry about rejection, fear what might happen if you have to compromise or imagine what kind of failure might be in store for you?
Those thoughts and feelings limit your potential to realize success.
Do you have any idea what amazing opportunities lie ahead of you if you simply open yourself to the possibility that you can have everything you want? So often, we are paralyzed by fear, pride and our own emotional boundaries. What would happen if we simply let ourselves experience a world where nothing was beyond our reach? Let go of all of those boundaries that hold you in, keep your spirit in check and reign in your prospects for success.
Do you want to succeed?
Some people are truly afraid of success. They sabotage their own efforts to create the life they really deserve. Other people are unable to even envision what their lives would be like if they had everything they wanted. Are you on either end of those extremes or are you somewhere in the middle?
Many of us flounder around in the middle unsure of what we really want at all. It is no wonder we have trouble realizing our dreams. They aren’t attached to anything. Do you really know what you want? What do you want from life? How about from your website? Your self?
You have what it takes to be successful. You have proven that. You are here – reading this article. You are here – at SBI. What do you want to achieve?
You can have everything you want – you just need to clarify exactly what it is that you DO want.
You have to ask for everything from everyone who has anything that can help you achieve what you want. That's pretty simple, yes? Just ask.
Do you want help writing an article for your site because you have writer's block or you simply can't find the perspective you need? ASK someone to help you. Do you want that amazing incoming link from the .gov site that doesn't even link to anyone other than other .gov sites? ASK them for it. Would you like to attend a conference like the Chicago conference? ASK!
Ok, so not everyone is going to give you what you want. I asked to go to the Chicago conference at least a half dozen times. Well, I'll be honest. I begged to go. I started with "Please, I will learn so much and be so helpful in the forums" all the way to "Ok, what if I just sit quietly and get coffee and tea for the coaches". I wanted to be there so badly. I even had my in-laws lined up to babysit. Did I get to go? No. I didn't get to go. Was I upset? No, not really. Why not?
I learned a little secret from Jack Canfield about 20 years ago (long before the Chicken Soup books ever came out). It is from a set of audio tapes my father gave to me titled "Self-Esteem and Peak Performance". I've listened to them many, many times over the years. The secret is: My situation didn't get any worse when I was turned down. It stayed the same.
Let me tell you what can happen when you ask for something you want. My parents were visiting me for my birthday and we went to Bricktown in downtown Oklahoma City. We hopped on a water taxi and headed down the beautiful canal. I told the pilot/driver that it was my birthday and I wanted to drive the boat. He said he wasn't supposed to, but smiled and motioned for me to join him on the landing. Out of sixty people on the boat, who got to drive? Me. Why? Because I asked.
My daughter understands this, too. When she was nine, she wrote the Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama and asked if he could make the sidewalks "stroller friendly" so what when we walked to school, her little sister wouldn't have such a bumpy and potentially unsafe ride down the curbs. She received a letter from the mayor two weeks later and within the month, all the curbs were turned into ramps.
There are so many stories I could relate about the things I have done, been given, enjoyed and paid less for simply because I was willing to ask a simple question. Pride is silly when you can ride on a fire truck in a parade or walk on a major league baseball field after the game or get someone to pay for half of your fax machine.
Ok, so those don't exactly relate to building a web site, but they do relate to building a happy life. If you want to know about how asking can help you create a better web site, check out www.studentsavvy.com in October. I will be writing a weekly column for their site complete with live links to my site. They asked me for some articles. I asked them for more. I have written for dozens of web sites and have in-pointing links from each one of them – because I asked.
Oh, and I do have that link from a .gov site that doesn't link to any other sites except .gov sites BECAUSE I ASKED. In fact, the guy I asked requested the webmaster create a whole new category heading for me.
Define what you want to achieve and go for it – "no holds barred". Ask for what you want and especially for what you need. You lose nothing by asking – even if you are told "no". Move on. Ask again or ask someone else. I've already asked to go to the next SBI conference.
You can be outrageously successful. Give yourself permission to realize your dreams.
Those thoughts and feelings limit your potential to realize success.
Do you have any idea what amazing opportunities lie ahead of you if you simply open yourself to the possibility that you can have everything you want? So often, we are paralyzed by fear, pride and our own emotional boundaries. What would happen if we simply let ourselves experience a world where nothing was beyond our reach? Let go of all of those boundaries that hold you in, keep your spirit in check and reign in your prospects for success.
Do you want to succeed?
Some people are truly afraid of success. They sabotage their own efforts to create the life they really deserve. Other people are unable to even envision what their lives would be like if they had everything they wanted. Are you on either end of those extremes or are you somewhere in the middle?
Many of us flounder around in the middle unsure of what we really want at all. It is no wonder we have trouble realizing our dreams. They aren’t attached to anything. Do you really know what you want? What do you want from life? How about from your website? Your self?
You have what it takes to be successful. You have proven that. You are here – reading this article. You are here – at SBI. What do you want to achieve?
You can have everything you want – you just need to clarify exactly what it is that you DO want.
You have to ask for everything from everyone who has anything that can help you achieve what you want. That's pretty simple, yes? Just ask.
Do you want help writing an article for your site because you have writer's block or you simply can't find the perspective you need? ASK someone to help you. Do you want that amazing incoming link from the .gov site that doesn't even link to anyone other than other .gov sites? ASK them for it. Would you like to attend a conference like the Chicago conference? ASK!
Ok, so not everyone is going to give you what you want. I asked to go to the Chicago conference at least a half dozen times. Well, I'll be honest. I begged to go. I started with "Please, I will learn so much and be so helpful in the forums" all the way to "Ok, what if I just sit quietly and get coffee and tea for the coaches". I wanted to be there so badly. I even had my in-laws lined up to babysit. Did I get to go? No. I didn't get to go. Was I upset? No, not really. Why not?
I learned a little secret from Jack Canfield about 20 years ago (long before the Chicken Soup books ever came out). It is from a set of audio tapes my father gave to me titled "Self-Esteem and Peak Performance". I've listened to them many, many times over the years. The secret is: My situation didn't get any worse when I was turned down. It stayed the same.
Let me tell you what can happen when you ask for something you want. My parents were visiting me for my birthday and we went to Bricktown in downtown Oklahoma City. We hopped on a water taxi and headed down the beautiful canal. I told the pilot/driver that it was my birthday and I wanted to drive the boat. He said he wasn't supposed to, but smiled and motioned for me to join him on the landing. Out of sixty people on the boat, who got to drive? Me. Why? Because I asked.
My daughter understands this, too. When she was nine, she wrote the Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama and asked if he could make the sidewalks "stroller friendly" so what when we walked to school, her little sister wouldn't have such a bumpy and potentially unsafe ride down the curbs. She received a letter from the mayor two weeks later and within the month, all the curbs were turned into ramps.
There are so many stories I could relate about the things I have done, been given, enjoyed and paid less for simply because I was willing to ask a simple question. Pride is silly when you can ride on a fire truck in a parade or walk on a major league baseball field after the game or get someone to pay for half of your fax machine.
Ok, so those don't exactly relate to building a web site, but they do relate to building a happy life. If you want to know about how asking can help you create a better web site, check out www.studentsavvy.com in October. I will be writing a weekly column for their site complete with live links to my site. They asked me for some articles. I asked them for more. I have written for dozens of web sites and have in-pointing links from each one of them – because I asked.
Oh, and I do have that link from a .gov site that doesn't link to any other sites except .gov sites BECAUSE I ASKED. In fact, the guy I asked requested the webmaster create a whole new category heading for me.
Define what you want to achieve and go for it – "no holds barred". Ask for what you want and especially for what you need. You lose nothing by asking – even if you are told "no". Move on. Ask again or ask someone else. I've already asked to go to the next SBI conference.
You can be outrageously successful. Give yourself permission to realize your dreams.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Tornadoes Too Close to Home
Last night was a rough night. Threats of tornadoes loomed everywhere. My husband was nearly finished working for the day, but he'd not make it home before the storms hit, so I suggested he stay where he was until everything had passed.
It was a fast moving storm.
I watched the TV reports as the storm hit Fort Worth. Reports of damage were already pouring in even before the storm landed in Dallas, less than an hour away. Since we live east of Dallas, we just watched and waited to see how the storm progressed - and wondered if we were directly in the storm's path.
We were. Directly.
Earlier, in preparation for the storm, I cleared out the downstairs closet making enough room for both girls, and if need be, myself, too. We store comforters and blankets in the closet anyway, so I knew that aspect would be helpful if we had to stay there for any length of time. I also unplugged our little power station and brought it in from the garage. It holds power for quite awhile, has a radio, flash light and I'm not sure what all else. It went in the closet, too.
Around 7:15pm, both girls were also ushered into the closet as the storm began to reach our city, dropping hail a little smaller than a ping pong ball. It was rather strange that the hail was dropping before the rain even started. I'd never seen that before. The TV station noted that any tornadoes could be rain-wrapped, so I decided to quit looking out the front door and stick close to the closet. I kept the TV on and watched as the storm tracked its way right over us.
We were lucky that no tornadoes hit our city. Several did drop down from this storm, but two were west of us and two were east of us. We also did not see the baseball size hail that fell in Ft. Worth. I saw pictures of some of the larger hail stones on TV later in the evening and couldn't believe how huge they were.
When the storm passed us, I called my husband on his cell phone to tell him that we were ok. He had stopped at a McDonalds in Caddo Mills and waited until the storm went through there before heading home. I was so glad to see him when he arrived home safe and sound. The girls were, too.
We'd prayed before the storm came through and we prayed again when the storm left us in its wake. We were ok.
Some other people weren't so lucky.
We prayed for them and their families, too.
It was a fast moving storm.
I watched the TV reports as the storm hit Fort Worth. Reports of damage were already pouring in even before the storm landed in Dallas, less than an hour away. Since we live east of Dallas, we just watched and waited to see how the storm progressed - and wondered if we were directly in the storm's path.
We were. Directly.
Earlier, in preparation for the storm, I cleared out the downstairs closet making enough room for both girls, and if need be, myself, too. We store comforters and blankets in the closet anyway, so I knew that aspect would be helpful if we had to stay there for any length of time. I also unplugged our little power station and brought it in from the garage. It holds power for quite awhile, has a radio, flash light and I'm not sure what all else. It went in the closet, too.
Around 7:15pm, both girls were also ushered into the closet as the storm began to reach our city, dropping hail a little smaller than a ping pong ball. It was rather strange that the hail was dropping before the rain even started. I'd never seen that before. The TV station noted that any tornadoes could be rain-wrapped, so I decided to quit looking out the front door and stick close to the closet. I kept the TV on and watched as the storm tracked its way right over us.
We were lucky that no tornadoes hit our city. Several did drop down from this storm, but two were west of us and two were east of us. We also did not see the baseball size hail that fell in Ft. Worth. I saw pictures of some of the larger hail stones on TV later in the evening and couldn't believe how huge they were.
When the storm passed us, I called my husband on his cell phone to tell him that we were ok. He had stopped at a McDonalds in Caddo Mills and waited until the storm went through there before heading home. I was so glad to see him when he arrived home safe and sound. The girls were, too.
We'd prayed before the storm came through and we prayed again when the storm left us in its wake. We were ok.
Some other people weren't so lucky.
We prayed for them and their families, too.
Friday, April 13, 2007
President's Radio Address - April 7, 2007
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, people around the world celebrate Passover and Easter. These holy days remind us of the presence of a loving God who delivers His people from oppression, and offers a love more powerful than death. We take joy in spending this special time with family and friends, and we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.
One of our greatest blessings as Americans is that we have brave citizens who step forward to defend us. Every man or woman who wears our Nation's uniform is a volunteer, a patriot who has made the noble decision to serve a cause larger than self. This weekend, many of our service men and women are celebrating the holidays far from home. They are separated from their families by great distances, but they are always close in our thoughts. And this Passover and Easter, I ask you to keep them in your prayers.
Our men and women in uniform deserve the gratitude of every American. And from their elected leaders, they deserve something more: the funds, resources, and equipment they need to do their jobs.
Sixty-one days have passed since I sent Congress an emergency war spending bill to provide the funds our troops urgently need. But instead of approving that vital funding, Democrats in Congress have spent the past 61 days working to pass legislation that would substitute the judgment of politicians in Washington for the judgment of our generals in the field.
In both the House and Senate, Democratic majorities have passed bills that would impose restrictions on our military commanders, set an arbitrary date for withdrawal from Iraq, and fund domestic spending that has nothing to do with the war. The Democrats who passed these bills know that I will veto either version if it reaches my desk, and they know my veto will be sustained. Yet they continue to pursue the legislation. And now the process is on hold for two weeks, until the full Congress returns to session.
I recognize that Democrats are trying to show their current opposition to the war in Iraq. They see the emergency war spending bill as a chance to make that statement. Yet for our men and women in uniform, this emergency war spending bill is not a political statement, it is a source of critical funding that has a direct impact on their daily lives.
When Congress does not fund our troops on the front lines, our military is forced to make cuts in other areas to cover the shortfall. Military leaders have warned Congress about this problem. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Pete Pace, recently testified that if Congress fails to pass a bill I can sign by mid-April, the Army will be forced to consider cutting back on training, equipment repair, and quality of life initiatives for our Guard and Reserve forces. In a letter to Congress, Army Chief of Staff Pete Schoomaker put it this way: "Without approval of the supplemental funds in April, we will be forced to take increasingly draconian measures which will impact Army readiness and impose hardships on our soldiers and their families."
If Congress fails to pass a bill I can sign by mid-May, the problems grow even more acute. The Army will be forced to consider slowing or even freezing funding for depots where pivotal equipment is repaired, delaying or curtailing the training of some active duty forces, and delaying the formation of new brigade combat teams. The bottom line is that Congress's failure to fund our troops will mean that some of our military families could wait longer for their loved ones to return from the front lines. And others could see their loved ones headed back to war sooner than they need to. That is unacceptable to me, and I believe it is unacceptable to the American people.
The full Congress will not be back from spring vacation until the week of April 16th. That means the soonest the House and Senate could get a bill to my desk will be sometime late this month, after the adverse consequences for our troops and their families have already begun. For our troops, the clock is ticking. If the Democrats continue to insist on making a political statement, they should send me their bill as soon as possible. I will veto it, and then Congress can go to work on a good bill that gives our troops the funds they need, without strings and without further delay.
We have our differences in Washington, D.C., but our troops should not be caught in the middle. All who serve in elected office have a solemn responsibility to provide for our men and women in uniform. We need to put partisan politics aside, and do our duty to those who defend us.
Thank you for listening.
One of our greatest blessings as Americans is that we have brave citizens who step forward to defend us. Every man or woman who wears our Nation's uniform is a volunteer, a patriot who has made the noble decision to serve a cause larger than self. This weekend, many of our service men and women are celebrating the holidays far from home. They are separated from their families by great distances, but they are always close in our thoughts. And this Passover and Easter, I ask you to keep them in your prayers.
Our men and women in uniform deserve the gratitude of every American. And from their elected leaders, they deserve something more: the funds, resources, and equipment they need to do their jobs.
Sixty-one days have passed since I sent Congress an emergency war spending bill to provide the funds our troops urgently need. But instead of approving that vital funding, Democrats in Congress have spent the past 61 days working to pass legislation that would substitute the judgment of politicians in Washington for the judgment of our generals in the field.
In both the House and Senate, Democratic majorities have passed bills that would impose restrictions on our military commanders, set an arbitrary date for withdrawal from Iraq, and fund domestic spending that has nothing to do with the war. The Democrats who passed these bills know that I will veto either version if it reaches my desk, and they know my veto will be sustained. Yet they continue to pursue the legislation. And now the process is on hold for two weeks, until the full Congress returns to session.
I recognize that Democrats are trying to show their current opposition to the war in Iraq. They see the emergency war spending bill as a chance to make that statement. Yet for our men and women in uniform, this emergency war spending bill is not a political statement, it is a source of critical funding that has a direct impact on their daily lives.
When Congress does not fund our troops on the front lines, our military is forced to make cuts in other areas to cover the shortfall. Military leaders have warned Congress about this problem. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Pete Pace, recently testified that if Congress fails to pass a bill I can sign by mid-April, the Army will be forced to consider cutting back on training, equipment repair, and quality of life initiatives for our Guard and Reserve forces. In a letter to Congress, Army Chief of Staff Pete Schoomaker put it this way: "Without approval of the supplemental funds in April, we will be forced to take increasingly draconian measures which will impact Army readiness and impose hardships on our soldiers and their families."
If Congress fails to pass a bill I can sign by mid-May, the problems grow even more acute. The Army will be forced to consider slowing or even freezing funding for depots where pivotal equipment is repaired, delaying or curtailing the training of some active duty forces, and delaying the formation of new brigade combat teams. The bottom line is that Congress's failure to fund our troops will mean that some of our military families could wait longer for their loved ones to return from the front lines. And others could see their loved ones headed back to war sooner than they need to. That is unacceptable to me, and I believe it is unacceptable to the American people.
The full Congress will not be back from spring vacation until the week of April 16th. That means the soonest the House and Senate could get a bill to my desk will be sometime late this month, after the adverse consequences for our troops and their families have already begun. For our troops, the clock is ticking. If the Democrats continue to insist on making a political statement, they should send me their bill as soon as possible. I will veto it, and then Congress can go to work on a good bill that gives our troops the funds they need, without strings and without further delay.
We have our differences in Washington, D.C., but our troops should not be caught in the middle. All who serve in elected office have a solemn responsibility to provide for our men and women in uniform. We need to put partisan politics aside, and do our duty to those who defend us.
Thank you for listening.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Making Books at Home
My book binder arrived today. I messed up on my first attempt to make a book. My bad. In my defense, the machine did not come with an operation or owner's manual. It was sort of guesswork trying to figure out which buttons to press. In the end, I had to call the company I bought it from and ask for instructions.
Tomorrow, my husband and I will work on a book he has ready to go. The process is amazing. I almost can't believe we can print books in our home. And while we started our company to make money, I can see a lot of possible book-making opportunities for students/teachers in a classroom setting. The children would gain so much from the experience.
I wonder if the school will allow the children to come to our house for a field trip. We're barely 100 steps from the school grounds. I might have to look into that for next year.
I can't wait to play with the book binder again tomorrow.
Tomorrow, my husband and I will work on a book he has ready to go. The process is amazing. I almost can't believe we can print books in our home. And while we started our company to make money, I can see a lot of possible book-making opportunities for students/teachers in a classroom setting. The children would gain so much from the experience.
I wonder if the school will allow the children to come to our house for a field trip. We're barely 100 steps from the school grounds. I might have to look into that for next year.
I can't wait to play with the book binder again tomorrow.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Snow in Texas?
Something happened on Saturday that hasn't happened in Texas in over 70 years. It snowed in April. Where we live, there were only a handful of flurries, but it did happen twice during the day and both times, my children went crazy.
What was so strange is that it really wasn't cold enough to snow. Our thermometer in back of the house read 42 degrees, so I'm not sure how the snow even made it to the ground, but it did. We watched it. We loved it.
Further south than here, it snowed even more. Yet again, another sign that we have no clue about weather as much as we have studied it. God is still in charge and we are still being delighted and bewildered by His creation.
What was so strange is that it really wasn't cold enough to snow. Our thermometer in back of the house read 42 degrees, so I'm not sure how the snow even made it to the ground, but it did. We watched it. We loved it.
Further south than here, it snowed even more. Yet again, another sign that we have no clue about weather as much as we have studied it. God is still in charge and we are still being delighted and bewildered by His creation.
Friday, April 6, 2007
About Teaching
On Thursday, I took a tray of hard-boiled (cooled) eggs to my youngest daughter's classroom to give the children an opportunity to dye eggs. The children were so well-behaved - even helping one another choose colors and dip the eggs in and out of the dyes. It was a lot of fun.
Working with children is such a delight. Yes, they can be loud and boisterous, but that's just a part of who they are. They have so much energy and such a desire to explore that it's a challenge to keep their minds and bodies reigned in. What a treat to get to share in their lives, though. Every moment is filled with growth of one kind or another.
Curiosity is everywhere in that classroom. The questions the students ask and the way they interact with one another is so amazing. Their little minds just don't slow down for anything.
I've discovered that teaching is really an almost incomprehensible responsibility. I am humbled and awed by my ability to impart knowledge and I ask myself if I am going to be able to do the children in my care (hopefully someday) justice. Will I be able to satisfy their thirst for knowledge? Will I teach them without prejudice? Will I instill in them a love of learning? Will I give them hope? Will I ever say anything to rob a child of his/her esteem? Will I offer them my very best every day?
I scare myself, sometimes, when I wonder about such things. I want to give each child the best of myself. I can only hope that through my studies, my time in the classroom and my devotion to God will provide me with everything I need to do the job well.
So many little lives depend upon good teachers. I want to be one of them.
Working with children is such a delight. Yes, they can be loud and boisterous, but that's just a part of who they are. They have so much energy and such a desire to explore that it's a challenge to keep their minds and bodies reigned in. What a treat to get to share in their lives, though. Every moment is filled with growth of one kind or another.
Curiosity is everywhere in that classroom. The questions the students ask and the way they interact with one another is so amazing. Their little minds just don't slow down for anything.
I've discovered that teaching is really an almost incomprehensible responsibility. I am humbled and awed by my ability to impart knowledge and I ask myself if I am going to be able to do the children in my care (hopefully someday) justice. Will I be able to satisfy their thirst for knowledge? Will I teach them without prejudice? Will I instill in them a love of learning? Will I give them hope? Will I ever say anything to rob a child of his/her esteem? Will I offer them my very best every day?
I scare myself, sometimes, when I wonder about such things. I want to give each child the best of myself. I can only hope that through my studies, my time in the classroom and my devotion to God will provide me with everything I need to do the job well.
So many little lives depend upon good teachers. I want to be one of them.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Earth Boxes
I started building my own Earth Boxes today. I have two "real" Earth Boxes that I bought a couple of years ago and I love them, but they are pricey. So, I did a Google search and found instructions on how to make my own using a Rubbermaid container and a few extra items easily purchased at our local home improvement store.
It's a fun project and my husband helped with cutting the pvc pipe that is used for watering. I think he took a sadistic satisfaction from my destroying two Rubbermaid containers since he works for Rubbermaid right now. :)
Everything is set up and all I'm waiting for is the potting mixture that he's off buying. It didn't take very long at all to create these growing containers. Compared to the $30+ for a real Earth Box, these cost less than $10 and are twice the size. We could have made them even less expensively, but we're just not interested in all the extra work that would have been involved. We cheated a bit from the instructions we found on-line. :) For instance, instead of purchasing a 10 ft long piece of 4" pvc pipe and cutting it into sections, we bought smaller pieces that were the perfect length to install without cutting. It's still a lot cheaper than buying the real thing.
In my "real" Earth Boxes, I already have tomatoes and peppers.
There's something about providing food for my family that just resonates with me. It's basic. It's life-giving. It's also a great experience for my children who enjoy the growing almost as much as the harvest. :)
It's not even lunch time and I've already accomplished one big goal for the week. Gotta love that.
It's a fun project and my husband helped with cutting the pvc pipe that is used for watering. I think he took a sadistic satisfaction from my destroying two Rubbermaid containers since he works for Rubbermaid right now. :)
Everything is set up and all I'm waiting for is the potting mixture that he's off buying. It didn't take very long at all to create these growing containers. Compared to the $30+ for a real Earth Box, these cost less than $10 and are twice the size. We could have made them even less expensively, but we're just not interested in all the extra work that would have been involved. We cheated a bit from the instructions we found on-line. :) For instance, instead of purchasing a 10 ft long piece of 4" pvc pipe and cutting it into sections, we bought smaller pieces that were the perfect length to install without cutting. It's still a lot cheaper than buying the real thing.
In my "real" Earth Boxes, I already have tomatoes and peppers.
There's something about providing food for my family that just resonates with me. It's basic. It's life-giving. It's also a great experience for my children who enjoy the growing almost as much as the harvest. :)
It's not even lunch time and I've already accomplished one big goal for the week. Gotta love that.
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