Media vs Economy

Okay - I know that our country is having financial issues and very bad ones at that. In fact, it's downright scary seeing what our new President and Congress is doing with this "pork bill". So at the start of this musing, I just want to say that I do realize that there are many people out of work and many companies going under. This post is strictly an observation that I've made in our area of the country.

But I have a bone to pick with the media. For months now, we've been hearing how bad it is and that no one - absolutely no one is doing any shopping. Just about every day before Christmas I heard the media talking about how poorly the stores were doing because everyone was just "window shopping".

My husband and I went out to eat the other night at a restaurant in a NEW shopping center called Arlington Highlands. If you've ever visited this area, it is huge. You can shop, eat, shop, eat, shop eat all day in this one area and never visit the same shop twice. And they are still building NEW stores in this center.
Because the media has told us for months that no one is buying anything - I took pictures of the very full parking lot (we had to look for a parking space). Evidently, according to the media, we were all just driving around, burning fuel, and trying to look as if we were shopping.

So - dear - let's go look at the menu and just see what they have? And - let's just peek in the window of that fabric store - after all, we are just window shopping - right?

Here's a picture of Doug and I at Mimi's Cafe - just checking out the dessert. Sure looks good - doesn't it - too bad, we're only checking it out!

A Squirrel named Jellybean

I'm sure every parent that reads this post can relate to the following story in some way.

Once upon a time there were 4 very happy children who loved playing outdoors. One day as they were playing the youngest came running in yelling "Daddy, Daddy - come here - I want to show you something."

And as a very attentive father would do - he followed his youngest daughter outside - curious about what she wanted to show him. She took him to the side of the house and down on the ground were 3 "somethings" lying on the ground. To Daddy, they looked dead so he came back in to get gloves so he could get rid of them.

"There are 3 dead puppies outside!" He exclaimed to his rather astonished wife as he walked back inside.

"3 what?" She said as she quickly ran outdoors.

As she looked at the "puppies" she noticed one was still breathing. So she quickly ran back in and got some gloves to handle it. With the children's help, they made a little bed out of a shoebox and gently placed the baby in it.

After showing it to the neighbors and doing some research online, it was decided that this wasn't a puppy at all, but a squirrel. Evidently they had fallen out of their nest earlier that day due to some very high winds.

Now Mommy and Daddy didn't want any squirrels in the house! Just imagine the shredded furniture and chewed walls. They both shuddered just thinking about it. But on the other hand, they couldn't let this poor innocent creature die.

Mommy, knowing that this squirrel didn't have much of a chance told her children that he probably wouldn't survive through the night, but she would do what she could to keep him hydrated.

The oldest daughter imediately named this little squirrel - Jellybean. "Because," she said, "He's not much bigger than 4 or 5 jellybeans."

Miraculously, Jellybean survived through the night. So the family decided they'd better buy some animal formula and a bottle to feed it. So off to the pet store they went. While there, a veternarian assistant told them about an animal shelter that could take the squirrel and help it to be able to survive on its own in the wild. Now that was great news for Mommy and Daddy!

And so Jellybean was taken to the animal shelter where he grew and grew until he was strong enough to go back to his environment.

The End.

Okay - we don't really know the ending so far, but the kiddo's were very glad that someone would be able to help him grow up. And boy are we glad we're not having to raise a squirrel!

Scrappin...

This past weekend was a highlight of the year. I went scrappin for the whole weekend. Total scrap time was about 25 hours! The place where this event is held is called Crossroads Country Cottage www.bbhost.com/crossroads/ and it is a bed and breakfast. The owners pamper us BIG time! I am including some pictures I took at the retreat to give you an idea of what this place is like. The food is scrumptious and the facilities are beautiful. I was able to scrapbook 30 pages which I think is the most I've done at one setting. I mostly use Creative Memories items

My youngest daughter did not have a "baby book". You mommy's of multiple children understand completely - right?! By the time she came along - there wasn't time for fluffy stuff like "baby books"! Anyway, a few months ago, the other kiddo's were looking at their "baby books" and she wanted to look at hers. Oh my goodness - when I told her she didn't have one yet, she burst into tears. Boy did that make me feel like a great Mom! I determined then, that when I went to the scrapbooking retreat, I would work on her album. So I did, and as you can tell by the picture - she's all smiles now!

Inauguration Day

For the very first time - I watched the inauguration online. I've never watched it before in my 35 years and I was determined to watch it fully so I did.

It was very educational and emotional. I wanted to cry as President Bush came out for the final time. Although I did not agree with everything he did as President, he did keep our country safe after 9-11. I pray that our new president keeps us safe also.

Have a very Blessed day.

New Year Musings...

There are bitter sweet memories today as I think on our new year and all the coming changes. President Bush said his farewell speech last night. And President-elect Obama will take office next Tuesday.

For those that know me, they know how Doug and I feel about the election. We are conservative Reagan Repulicans. So when it was clear who was winning the election on Nov 4th, we were both very disheartened. But we had to realize that we cannot put our faith in the government. We MUST only put our faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

I received an e-mail that I want to share with you. I don't know where it came from but I really liked it:

No Matter Who Won the Election

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.


GOD IS IN CONTROL!

I also want to post the lyrics to an old song by Twila Paris that are quite powerful

This is no time for fear

This is a time for faith and determination

Don't lose the vision here

Carried away by emotion

Hold on to all that you hide in your heart

There is one thing that has always been true

It holds the world together

God is in control

We believe that His children will not be forsaken

God is in control

We will choose to remember and never be shaken

There is no power above or beside Him, we know

God is in control, oh God is in control

History marches on

There is a bottom line drawn across the ages

Culture can make its plan

Oh, but the line never changes

No matter how the deception may fly

There is one thing that has always been true

It will be true forever

He has never let you down

Why start to worry now?

He is still the Lord of all we see

And He is still the loving Father

Watching over you and me

watching over you...watching over me..

watching over every things..watching over you..

watching over me..every little sparrow..every little things...

God Bless Everyone and God Bless America!