PARENTING FREEDOM

.: attachment parenting, homeschooling, gentle discipline :.
  • .: Favorite Quotes :.


    "Have I now become your enemy
    by telling you the truth?"
    Galatians 4:16
  • .: Waiting for Baby :.

  • Garbage

    carol | December 31, 2008

    Banned words list offers no ‘bailout’ to offenders
    http://www.thestate.com/166/story/635428.html?RSS=untracked

    “Despite the year’s economic meltdown (which itself wasn’t banished but don’t rule it out for next year), the most entries came from the environmental category – for ‘green’ or ‘going green.’”

    “‘If I see one more corporation declare itself ‘green,’ I’m going to start burning tires in my backyard,’ wrote Ed Hardiman of Bristow, Va., in his submission.”

    This made me laugh. I feel the same way. In fact, we DID have a bonfire the other night and burned some Christmas garbage because it was piling up (to say the least) and the garbage man took the week off.

    I am not impressed by people who pride themselves in throwing out only a small amount of garbage, while at the same time, their basement, garage, and house is a DUMP. If in doubt, throw it out. Or give it away – although I do feel sorry for those who get the things later because it is highly likely that THEY don’t need them either (except for clothes and necessities). Last night, Derek and I collected three garbage bags of clothes from our closet to take to the Salvation Army. I am working on the rest of the house.

    Sarah Palin: Update for Those Who Love Her (Like Me and Rush)

    carol | December 31, 2008


    Pictures of Piper and Sarah Palin from my file

    Searching for new pictures to post of Sarah Palin made me sick. The front page of each set contained almost all disgusting photo shopped images. I made a similiar search for Michelle Obama and found only beautiful, positive pictures with her family. What a contrast in treatment by the media. The site where I used to find nice pictures of Sarah Palin doesn’t even have her as a category anymore, despite her continued popularity.

    Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston had their baby boy, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, on the weekend. He weighed seven pounds, four ounces.


    Bristol and Levi with baby Brother Trig

    Sarah Palin most desirable celebrity neighbor: poll
    http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE4BT4F820081230?feedType=RSS&feedName=entertainmentNews

    “If they had to live next door to a celebrity, American adults would most like to be neighbors with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.”

    Sarah Palin is the second most admired woman in America, ahead of Oprah.

    Obama, Hillary Clinton Share “Most Admired” Billing
    Palin makes impressive showing as second most admired woman
    http://www.gallup.com/poll/113572/Obama-Hillary-Clinton-Share-Most-Admired-Billing.aspx

    Gift of the Season? 2009 Palin Calendar Tops Best Seller List
    http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/12/26/gift-of-the-season-2009-palin-calendar-tops-best-seller-list/

    Sarah Palin: Conservative of the Year
    http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29995

    EXCLUSIVE Interview With Sarah Palin
    http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=29994

    Sarah Palin Person of the Year 2008 Fourth
    http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/personoftheyear/article/0,31682,1861543_1865103_1865106,00.html

    The difference in the way the media is treating Caroline Kennedy compared to Sarah Palin is frustrating.

    And the media STILL bashes Sarah Palin with every mention of her name.
    http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/12/30/ap-attacks-gov-palin-even-birth-announcement-granddaughter

    People continue to land here every day searching for topics related to Sarah Palin.
    http://parentingfreedom.com/category/politics-sarah-palin/

    Winter Header

    carol | December 27, 2008

    A note to my feed readers:

    I just replaced my Christmas header with a winter theme. Snowshoeing, sliding, skating, snowmobiling, shoveling, igloo, cookout fires, bumpy road for next 12 km sign, (left out the snowman pics)… The pictures are from as far back as 1978 of my brother and me and my collie dog. That’s me in the red coat skating on the frozen river. Most of the pictures are of my family during the past few years.

    Interesting…

    carol | December 27, 2008

    Obama Visits Marines… Met With Silence
    http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/12/obama-visits-marines-met-with-silence.html

    As Obama entered the room, it was absent of the regular fanfare of cheering and clapping. The diners were polite, staying seated at their respective tables and waited for the president-elect to come to them to stand up.”

    "God speed the time when every day shall be as Christmas Day."

    carol | December 26, 2008

    A Carol from Flanders
    by Frederick Niven (1878-1944)

    In Flanders on the Christmas morn
    The trenched foemen lay,
    the German and the Briton born,
    And it was Christmas Day.

    The red sun rose on fields accurst,
    The gray fog fled away;
    But neither cared to fire the first,
    For it was Christmas Day!

    They called from each to each across
    The hideous disarray,
    For terrible has been their loss:
    “Oh, this is Christmas Day!”

    Their rifles all they set aside,
    One impulse to obey;
    ‘Twas just the men on either side,
    Just men — and Christmas Day.

    They dug the graves for all their dead
    And over them did pray:
    And Englishmen and Germans said:
    “How strange a Christmas Day!”

    Between the trenches then they met,
    Shook hands, and e’en did play
    At games on which their hearts were set
    On happy Christmas Day.

    Not all the emperors and kings,
    Financiers and they
    Who rule us could prevent these things —
    For it was Christmas Day.

    Oh ye who read this truthful rime
    From Flanders, kneel and say:
    God speed the time when every day
    Shall be as Christmas Day.

    http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/a_carol_from_flanders.htm

    Hat Tip: http://realchoice.blogspot.com/

    O come, O come, Emmanuel

    carol | December 26, 2008

    O come, O come, Emmanuel
    And ransom captive Israel
    That mourns in lonely exile here
    Until the Son of God appear

    Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

    O come, Thou Day-star, come and cheer
    Our spirits by Thine advent here
    Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
    And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

    Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

    O come, Thou Key of David, come,
    And open wide our heavenly home;
    Make safe the way that leads to Thee,
    And close the path to misery.

    Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

    O come to lead us Adonai,
    Who to the tribes on height of Sinai
    In ancient times did’st give the Law,
    In cloud, and majesty and awe.
    Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

    O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
    Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
    From depths of Hell Thy people save
    And give them victory o’er the grave

    Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

    Global Warming? You're Crazy!

    carol | December 22, 2008

    I have been on the snowy roads a couple times during the past week, and I got thinking that we are NUTS to live in this country and NOT have a big gas guzzling 4WD SUV. Al Gore has no clue.

    Here is our driveway following last night’s blizzard. Derek had to spend the last few hours in the freezing cold wind, working hard to snowblow the driveway so we can go to a Christmas party this evening.

    This year and last year, were the first white Christmas’s we have had in YEARS.

    Will Canada see its first white Christmas since ’71?
    http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081221/winter_storm_081221/20081221?hub=CTVNewsAt11

    Hibernating is Tempting

    carol | December 22, 2008

    It must be that time of year. I feel like shutting down my website again. But I am not going to. I guess it’s just that I know there aren’t many readers. I used to have lots on my old website. I know I am too political for most, and I don’t make personal posts public anymore. And it’s true, people like to hear about how bad you are doing to make them feel better. Google doesn’t work like it used to, and I don’t get hits on my essays. People are “usually” too busy to comment this time of year. I think I will keep posting anyway.

    Blizzard

    carol | December 22, 2008

    Winnie the Pooh’s blustery day was a day at the beach compared to today. Last night, the wind blew… and blew… and the snow fell… and fell. Here is what I saw looking out this morning.

    It is still wild out there.

    Sort of puts the damper on last minute Christmas shopping around here.

    Some Notes from the Weekend

    carol | December 22, 2008

    Each of the four children bought a gift for a sibling. Derek and I exchanged gifts, and they exchanged gifts on Saturday night.

    Yesterday, we awoke to the “chilly” temperature of -22 degrees Fahrenheit (about -30 C). We went to church. I spent the afternoon in front of the fire wearing two sweaters, a blanket, and watched Anne of Green Gables, eating Toblerone chocolate.

    Last night, we were invited to Nana and Papa’s for supper. We were happy that Ruth and Jordan had just arrived home. It was fun watching our cat and their cat get acquainted annoyed with each other all evening. Nana made a delicious seafood stirfry and had lots of desserts. Huckleberry had some tall tales. We had fun playing losing the movie game, Scene-It.

    We walked home when the blizzard was just beginning. Here are the pets when they came in.

    Christmas Cookies

    carol | December 22, 2008

    B10, C7, and L4 rolled, cut out, decorated, and ate Christmas sugar cookies the other day.

    C7 and L4 Playing in the Snow

    carol | December 22, 2008

     

    Pain on Purpose Hurts More

    carol | December 20, 2008

    I found this Science Daily article interesting. A study that shows the identical action causes more pain if it is done on purpose than accidentally.

    Pain Hurts More If Person Hurting You Means It
    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215111307.htm

    “Researchers at Harvard University have discovered that our experience of pain depends on whether we think someone caused the pain intentionally. In their study, participants who believed they were getting an electrical shock from another person on purpose, rather than accidentally, rated the very same shock as more painful. Participants seemed to get used to shocks that were delivered unintentionally, but those given on purpose had a fresh sting every time.”

    “‘Compare a slap from a friend as she tries to save us from a mosquito versus the same slap from a jilted lover. The first we shrug off instantly, while the second stings our cheek for the rest of the night.’”

    “On the other hand, if negative events are seen as unintended, they may hurt less. This may explain, in part, why people in abusive relationships sometimes continue to stay in them. By rationalizing that an abusive partner did not intend harm, some victims may reduce their experience of pain, which could make them less likely to leave the relationship and escape the abuse.”

    "Four things you can never recover"

    carol | December 19, 2008

    Cookies

    A young lady was waiting for her flight in the boarding room of a big airport.

    As she would need to wait many hours, she decided to buy a book to spend her time. She also bought a packet of cookies. She sat down in an armchair, in the VIP room of the airport, to rest and read in peace. Beside the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started reading.

    When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated, but said nothing. She just thought: “What a nerve! If I was in the mood I would punch him for daring!”

    For each cookie she took, the man took one too. This was infuriating her but she didn’t want to cause a scene. When only one cookie remained, she thought: “ah…What will this abusive man do now?”

    Then, the man, taking the last cookie, divided it in half, giving one half to her. Ah! That was too much! She was much too angry now! In a huff, she took her book, her things, and stormed to the boarding place.

    When she took her seat inside the plane, she looked in her purse for her eyeglasses, and, to her surprise, her packet of cookies was there…untouched, unopened! She felt so ashamed! She realized that she was wrong….She had forgotten that her cookies were kept in her purse.

    The man had divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter….while she had been very angry, thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him. And now there was no chance to explain herself…nor to apologize.

    There are four things you can never recover…

    The stone… after the throw,

    The word… after it’s said,

    The occasion… after the loss, and

    The time… after it’s gone.

    Author Unknown
    http://www.emofree.com/Inspiration/cookies.htm

    "The fence will never be the same."

    carol | December 19, 2008

    One Life’s Lesson

    “There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence.”

    “The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.”

    “The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.”

    “‘You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out, it won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.’”

    Author Unknown
    http://homeholidaysfamilyandfun.com/one-lifes-lesson/

    Linus Reciting Luke 2

    carol | December 19, 2008

    Charlie Brown Christmas

    "But that doesn't mean it's the right thing to do."

    carol | December 19, 2008

    http://media.eyeblast.org/newsbusters/static/2008/12/2008-12-19MSNBCMJWarren.wmv

    Ann Curry’s angry eyes turning shocked at Rick Warren’s reply, and then Willie’s “Rick got her” laugh!! Priceless.

    Will You Welcome Another Child in My Name? No Thanks.

    carol | December 19, 2008

    Each night has its own serious thoughts that go through my mind. Every time I awoke last night, I was thinking about the contraceptive controversy. And then this morning, three online articles “just happened” to appear for me to read and post about.

    I find it impossible to understand how couples make the decisions that they make about this issue. People protect their privacy and don’t readily talk about their choices. Are these secrets kept out of (perhaps unacknowledged) shame and guilt?

    I do find that among the Protestants and Catholics that I know, most of them practice unnatural birth control. Following years of ‘the pill’, it seems to be very common for those with more than a couple of children to have vasectomies and tubal ligation. I don’t understand how it is so easily accepted to use unnatural methods of birth control that can be dangerous and risky, never mind biblically questionable.

    I don’t understand how Christians can EVER think ‘the pill’ could be a moral choice. Who can condone something with side effects that can hurt or kill women, never mind the fact that it sometimes works as an abortifacient?

    Rivers of Blood
    A Brazilian pro-life Evangelical writes about the contraceptive culture and prophecies in Revelation
    http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/dec/081218a.html

    “In the end times, the Bible tells us that rivers, seas and the fountains of water will ‘become blood as of a dead man’ Revelation 16:3-4, explaining that because of the shedding of innocent blood (see Revelation 16:5-6), judgment shall come.”

    “Today, perhaps in fulfillment of these prophesies, rivers have become deposits of annihilated lives. Hundreds of millions of women use pills and other birth-control devices that provoke micro-abortions that end flushed in toilets, and then into rivers.”

    Carol’s note: When the water is recycled, wouldn’t it be cannibalism?

    “How many users of ‘the pill’ know that hormonal contraception not only prevents conception, but also prevents a newly-conceived embryo from implanting in the mother’s uterus? A new human being, too tiny to see, dies of hunger, and is flushed out of his mother’s body with her next menstrual cycle. The contraceptive pill not only represents the refusal of God’s gift of new life, but it actively destroys it.”

    “Christmas, which is commemorated as the birthday of Jesus Christ, is a time of joy and happiness. As Mary welcomed the baby Jesus in her womb, so every woman who opens herself fully to her maternal role is receiving not only a little child, but also the presence of Jesus himself. Jesus says:”

    Whoever welcomes a child in my name welcomes me. Whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:37

    “The joy and happiness of Christmas are multiplied with each birth that we welcome in the name of Jesus. When a Christian woman welcomes her maternal mission in the name of Jesus, she is welcoming not only a baby that comes as a gift planned by God, but also more power from the Kingdom of God.”

    “What we know also is that Revelation makes it clear that judgment shall come. And thousands of years ago the Bible explained that the shedding of innocent blood causes the land to be polluted:”

    “You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.” Numbers 35:33 ESV

    “As it happened in the phenomenal technological and scientific advance of Nazi Germany, the cost of modern progress of technology and science in human reproduction is delusion and the shedding of innocent blood. Hormonal contraception has transformed modern, sexually active men and women into shedders of innocent blood, leaving society under the curse of uncountable number of murders that shall bring judgment.”

    A Longer Condensation of Does The Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? By Randy Alcorn
    http://www.epm.org/artman2/publish/prolife_birth_control_pill/A_Longer_Condensation_of_Does_The_Birth_Control_Pill_Cause_Abortions.shtml

    The Pill: What You Might Not Know
    Even With More Women on Birth Control, Many Don’t Hear About the Variety of Side Effects
    http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=6484342

    “Doctors focus on the major side effects that can pose a health risk: the risk of blood clots among smokers, high blood pressure, and stroke with some migraine headaches, for example.”

    “Women on the pill may suffer a lackluster sex drive, mood swings, or even extra sinus pressure.”

    “The pill may change how women find a man’s scent sexually attractive.”

    “‘They may choose someone they may not choose otherwise,’ he said. In theory, Roberts said a woman may choose a man while she’s on the pill and feel fine, but subconsciously find her mate less attractive if she goes off the pill.”

    “‘There is evidence that couples that are more MCH similar to each other have more difficulty conceiving, and they have more miscarriages,’ added Roberts, who has also cited research that women who marry men with similar MCH genes are more likely to have an affair.”

    “Women on the pill may experience heartburn, or constipation, or sleep disturbances, either as insomnia or extra sleepiness.”