Posted by: illinichild on: December 18, 2008
I have been doing a lot of thinking this past month. I have been thinking about life, family, and just other randomness.
Starting off with something close to home. A couple weeks ago my uncle left to go overseas. I always supported the troops because the family memebers on both sides who are serving. I never really prayed for them. As a Christian I should know better right? Well, now that I have immediate family over there I pray for at least his unit and oen other unit almost daily. Right now my cousin, uncle, and old pastor’s son are all overseas serving our country. Who would have thought that I would know so many people over there. I have one other family member a a friend of a family member who did their time and glad to be home. That’s one thing I have been thinking about.
I read an article today about a gentelmen who plays santa each year in the Dever area. He had stated while bein interview kids are not wanting toys really this year. With today’s ecconomy the way it is I never thought how hard it is out there. I have been blessed to be living with my n laws and have a roof over my head. We are blessed to have job. We didnt’ have a job for many months this year and it was hard to get by. I can’t imagine being a single parent and not have job. I know where I live the schools are surprised at the growing number of homeless children. It makes me wonder if these families who are homeless have families to turn to?? It saddens me that children are asking santat for food for their familes. Maybe even homes this year. Who would have thought that my generation would have seen somethign like that is. Places closing down that you would never have thought are closing down.
What is it going to be like for my child as she grows up? I makes me wonder if my husband and I will ever get a place of my own. So many thoughts and just not enough brain to figure out everythign or even organize them.
Posted by: illinichild on: November 8, 2008
What an election we had this year. So many firsts and so many things I think that will make history. First off Hillary Clinton ran as President and I believe she was the first woman ever to run. Then you had Sarah Palin who is the first woman Vice President Candidate. Then last but not least Barak Obama as the first black President Elect.
With all of this being said all I can hear on the tv is “I didn’t think this would ever happen in my life time.” I hear that from many people and many stars out there. I think Obama has been elected so change would come. I know that is what his theme was when running, but I think it’s true. With him being the frist african american president he has so much on his plate. I think not only running our country as the best to his knowledge but, also not to let the people down.
After many many many years of slavery I think a lot of us feel the same way. Would our kids ever see something so historical? My daughter who is 5 years old has no clue what this is all about. She knew mommie was routing for Obama and she was too. When she starts to attend school next year she will slowly thorugh her years realize how great this really was.
From his first speach as President-elect I think we are in for a big change. I think more than what we think and realize. He seems to have a sense of humor for starters. Not that I see that really in the former and current president (s). He seems to not follow your typical status quo. Meaning he has a republican as his chief of staff. I belive and I could be wrong the president-elect normally follows his side. Meaning republican with republican and democrat with democrat. Am I not correct? I think it means a lot of him to say I will be getting ideas and things from John McCain and Sarah Palin. Which shows he wants help from all sides and to hear what everyone has to say. I truely believe he cares very deeply about us and the middle class.
I think as a president you need to be able to relate to your country. Not just fighting in wars and not just saying I have a military background. Most of us in this country are middle class. I think as Obama grew up that way he has a huge understanding where we stand. He understands what our concerns are. He understands how hard it is to make it in the world. For someone who can’t say that I don’t and didn’t belive they were best.
As a strong christian I was very torn up utnil the time I walked up to the booth. Did I want to follow what was right? Did I want to follow my beliefs? Did I want to follow what was best for this country? These questions kept going through my mind this whole election. I honestly felft if I voted for Obama would he stand for what I was against? Could I live with what descions he makes about what I so strongly belive in? I decided of course at the polls to put what I believe aside. Which was very hard for me. I do strongly believe to this day that Obama was the right choice.
If it wasn’t in God’s will Obama wouldn’t have made it. Because of everything I had stated above I believe he is a supporter of the middle class and has a sensarity about him.
Posted by: illinichild on: October 24, 2008
Besides NKOTB Single I love this song by Ne-Yo too..
Posted by: illinichild on: October 24, 2008
RED MARBLES
I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.
I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.
I paid for my potatoes, but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.
I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.
‘Hello Barry, how are you today?’
‘H’lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus’ admirin’ them peas. They sure look good.’
‘They are good, Barry. How’s your Ma?’
‘Fine. Gittin’ stronger alla’ time.’
‘Good. Anything I can help y ou with?’
‘No, Sir. Jus’ admirin’ them peas.’
‘Would you like take some home?’ asked Mr. Miller.
‘No, Sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for ‘em with.’
‘Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?’
‘All I got’s my prize marble here.’
‘Is that right? Let me see it’ said Miller.
‘Here ’tis. She’s a dandy.’
‘I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?’ the store owner asked.
‘Not zackley but almost.’
‘Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble’, Mr. Miller told the boy.
‘Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.’
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.
With a smile said, ‘There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.’
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.
A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one.
Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.
They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.
Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men.
One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts…all very professional looking.
They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband’s casket.
Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket.
Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband’s bartering for marbles.
With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
‘Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim ‘traded’ them.
Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size…they came to pay their debt.’
‘We’ve never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,’ she confided, ‘but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ‘.
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~
A fresh pot of coffee you didn’t make yourself.
An unexpected phone call from an old friend.
Green stoplights on your way to work.
The fastest line at the grocery store.
A good sing-along song on the radio.
Your keys found right where you left them.
Send this to the people you’ll never forget.
I just Did…
If you don’t send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.
It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!
Posted by: illinichild on: October 24, 2008
Even though this political I found this very interesting. Someone left this as a comment on my post McCain vs Obama 2. http://journalism.org/node/13307 that’s the link if you want to check it out. I read most of it and I was surprised by my findings on the site.
Posted by: illinichild on: October 23, 2008
I think even though both parties have good views we can only vote for one. By reading my blogs you should be able to figure out who I’m voting for. Then again I’m addressing both sides so there are not favorites.
With Obama I like the fact he is talking to the middle class and how he is going to help the middle class. He said in Orlando that 95% of us Americans are middle class. Which is probably true. Obama has been in the middle class before and he knows our struggles. He doesn’t show off fancy clothing and he doesn’t always talk about the taxes and how they are going to effect us. He talks to us and he seems to have a sensarity about him.
McCain on the other hand I hear a lot of negative. Plus, I have seen some from my own eyes. I think Palin is smart but, I don’t think she can think quick on her feet if she needs to. Especially if something happens to McCain, God forbid. I hear McCain talking about taxes all the time. Just on our news how Palin is using the McCain campaign money for her clothing. I personally believe she should know how to dress herslef as a Gov. Come to find out McCain’s wife is dressed the same way and costs more than the average American makes. McCain never has been middle class or at least his wife hasn’t. She is made of money and we all know that from the news. So, why do we want a President who can’t relate us who are middle class?
I think we need to have someone who can change the way things are now. I would like to see someone come in and change things and turn America around so we are not continuing to collapse. I want to see my husband get a job and not afraid of him being laid off. That goes for other spouses that I know. I want to see someone who cares about us. The middle class and has been there done that and knows the everyday struggles. I want to see someone who gives a darn about us and the country. Not because he is a POW or x amount experience.
I think McCain would be good since has been in Congress and knows the way they work. He has military background and knows the ins and the outs most likely.
I think Obama would be good because he knows what’s it like to be middle class. So, you decide on November 4th who you want to be President?
I don’t want to hear your not voting for Obama because he’s black. Big flippin deal.
Posted by: illinichild on: October 23, 2008
Obama http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/taxes/Factsheet_Tax_Plan_FINAL.pdf :
Middle class families will see their taxes cut – and no family making less than $250,000 will see
their taxes increase. The typical middle class family will receive well over $1,000 in tax relief under
the Obama plan, and will pay tax rates that are 20% lower than they faced under President Reagan.i
According to the Tax Policy Center, the Obama plan provides three times as much tax relief for middle
class families as the McCain plan.ii Indeed, according to the National Review, McCain’s plan “offers
very little in the way of direct benefits to Americans in the middle of the income scale.”
Barack Obama’s tax plan delivers broad-based tax relief to middle class families and cuts taxes for small
businesses and companies that create jobs in America, while restoring fairness to our tax code and returning to
fiscal responsibility. Coupled with Obama’s commitment to invest in key areas like health, clean energy,
innovation and education, his tax plan will help restore bottom-up economic growth that helps create good jobs
in America and empowers all families achieve the American dream. The Obama plan will:
• Cut taxes for 95 percent of workers and their families with a tax cut of $500 for workers or $1,000 for
working couples.
• Provide generous tax cuts for low- and middle-income seniors, homeowners, the uninsured, and families
sending a child to college or looking to save and accumulate wealth.
• Eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses, cut corporate taxes for firms that invest and create
jobs in the United States, and provide tax credits to reduce the cost of healthcare and to reward
investments in innovation.
• Dramatically simplify taxes by consolidating existing tax credits, eliminating the need for millions of
senior citizens to file tax forms, and enabling as many as 40 million middle-class Americans to do their
own taxes in less than five minutes without an accountant.
McCain http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2edb527cf.htm :
The Four Pillars of Reform
Affordability. John McCain believes in making health care more affordable for all Americans by ensuring that drug companies, doctors, insurance companies, hospitals and every other aspect of the health care system competes vigorously to respond to their needs. By rewarding quality, promoting prevention and delivering health care more effectively and efficiently we can ensure that every American can afford health care coverage of their choice.
Access & Choice. John McCain believes that every American should have access to quality and affordable coverage of their choice, including keeping
their current coverage. American families – not government bureaucrats or insurance companies – should choose the coverage that best meets their unique needs.
Portability & Security. John McCain believes in allowing every American to keep their health insurance as they move from job to job or job to home, and protecting Americans’ economic security from unforeseen health events by expanding coverage and savings options.
Quality. John McCain believes in strengthening health care quality by promoting research and development of new treatment models, promoting wellness, investing in technology and empowering Americans with better information on quality.
Making Health Insurance Innovative, Portable and Affordable
John McCain Will Reform Health Care Making It Easier For Individuals And Families To Obtain Insurance. An important part of his plan is to use competition to improve the quality of health insurance with greater variety to match people’s needs, lower prices, and portability. Families should be able to purchase health insurance nationwide, across state lines.
John McCain Will Reform The Tax Code To Offer More Choices Beyond Employer-Based Health Insurance Coverage. While still having the option of employer-based coverage, every family will receive a direct refundable tax credit – effectively cash – of $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families to offset the cost of insurance. Families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider. (This sentence was referred to in a recent untruthful attack ad by Barack Obama. Click here to read the facts.) Those obtaining innovative insurance that costs less than the credit can deposit the remainder in expanded Health Savings Accounts.
John McCain Proposes Making Insurance More Portable. Americans need insurance that follows them from job to job. They want insurance that is still there if they retire early and does not change if they take a few years off to raise the kids.
John McCain Will Encourage And Expand The Benefits Of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) For Families. When families are informed about medical choices, they are more capable of making their own decisions and often decide against unnecessary options. Health Savings Accounts take an important step in the direction of putting families in charge of what they pay for.
Posted by: illinichild on: October 22, 2008
I found the lyrics to the song. There is more to it. I thought I would share them with you..
Here is a You Tube of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwnYWqQ6L9k
song from Jonathan Stockstill and the Deluge band
“Whisper His Name”
Whisper His name
Whisper His name
Whisper His name
And He will answer you
Whisper His name
Whisper His name
Whisper His name
And He will come to you
Call out His name (Jesus)
Call out His name (Jesus)
Call out His name (Jesus)
And He will come to you
Shout out His name (Jesus)
Shout out His name (Jesus)
Shout out His name (Jesus)
And He will run to you
For when we lose our selfish pride
And when we fall down on our knees
For when we lift our hands
And say You’re all I need
Oh God we lose our selfish pride
Lord we fall down on our knees
We lift our hands to You
And say You’re all we need
You’re all we need
You’re all we need
You’re all we need
Glory to You in the highest place
Glory to You in the highest place
Glory to You in the highest place
Posted by: illinichild on: October 22, 2008
If you like to eat yogurt like most people (not me) you may find that Yolpait has changed their lids. Once again they are in support of Breast Cancer. http://www.yoplait.com/ Please go to their site and learn more. If you turn in your pink lids they will donate 10 cents for every lid up to 1.5 million dollars.
