Today November 13, 2009

FOR TODAY

11/13/2009

Dawn's Daybook


Outside my window...the weather is turning cold. There are still a few leaves on the tree, but most of the signs of Autumn are now on the ground.

I am thinking... what a great day to homeschool.

I am thankful for... my girls. They continually fill me with much joy.

I am wearing... grubbies today. Something about Friday, I think. Our Thursdays, we leave the house at 7:30 a.m. and get home about 5:45 p.m. It's such a long and exhausting day that Fridays are lazy.

I am remembering... 9/11/01 today. How can we not, when we are bringing the mastermind of the terrorism to America to stand in a much publicized trial.

I am going... to bed early tonight. I need to decide what to make for dinner first.

I am reading... "Here I stand" about Martin Luther, a messianic book on Holidays (to celebrate Hanukkah this year), and a book on education

I am hoping... that I can read all that I need to! It seems I always have three books going at a time.

On my mind... the future. It seems rather bleak with the decisions our government is making.

From the learning rooms... Montessori Math (the bank game), practicing letters, Story of the World (Christianity comes to Britain), matching letters game, Go fish using letter cards. Tonight we will read a bible story and whatever new book the girls want to start.

Noticing that... my children are full of energy on Fridays.

Pondering these words... "Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen" Martin Luther


From the kitchen... Drying veggies today to store for future soups.

Around the house... laundry. is it ever complete?

One of my favorite things... cloudy snowy days and sewing Christmas gifts with the kids.


From my picture journal...

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Founding Fathers Friday: 11/6/09 Slavery

One of the most frequent tactics employed to discredit America's Founding Fathers is to say that the Founding Fathers were all pro-slavery racists and hypocrites. If you can discredit the Founding Fathers, then you can also discredit the Constitution, as has been the agenda of many progressives in our government.

African-American professor Walter Williams:

“Politicians, news media, college professors and leftists of other stripes are selling us lies and propaganda. To lay the groundwork for their increasingly successful attack on our Constitution, they must demean and criticize its authors. As Senator Joe Biden demonstrated during the Clarence Thomas hearings, the framers' ideas about natural law must be trivialized or they must be seen as racists.”

The fact is, slavery was not introduced by the Founders; slavery was introduced in America nearly two centuries before the Founders. In fact, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay noted that there had been only a few serious efforts to dismantle the institution of slavery prior to the Founding Fathers.

In fact, one of the reasons given by Thomas Jefferson for the separation from Great Britain was a desire to rid America of the evil of slavery imposed on them by the British.

“I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it [slavery].”
-George Washington

There were signers of the Declaration and Constitution that were in favor of slavery, there is no doubt. Slavery was so entrenched in their economy that they were in fear of losing it, just as socialized healthcare is now about 70% of England's economy and they are in fear of dismantling their current system.

However, the three-fifths clause in the Constitution was not a measurement of human worth; it was an attempt to reduce the number of pro-slavery proponents in Congress. By including only three-fifths of the total numbers of slaves into the congressional calculations, Southern states were actually being denied additional pro-slavery representatives in Congress. It was a PLAN to eventually end slavery. The founding fathers knew that they had to create a unified country to survive.

"[W]hy keep alive the question of slavery? It is admitted by all to be a great evil."
-Charles Carroll, Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Kate Mason Rowland, Life and Correspondence of Charles Carroll of Carrollton (New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1898), Vol. II, pg. 231.

"That men should pray and fight for their own freedom and yet keep others in slavery is certainly acting a very inconsistent as well as unjust and perhaps impious part."
-John Jay, President of Continental Congress, Chief-Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Governor of New York. Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, editor (New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1891), Vol. III, pp. 168-169. In a letter to Dr. Richard Price on Sep. 27, 1785.

"Domestic slavery is repugnant to the principles of Christianity... It is rebellion against the authority of a common Father. It is a practical denial of the extent and efficacy of the death of a common Savior. It is an usurpation of the prerogative of the great Sovereign of the universe who has solemnly claimed an exclusive property in the souls of men."
-Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Minutes of the Proceedings of a Convention of Delegates From the Abolition Societies Established in Different Parts of the United States, Assembled at Philadelphia, on the First Day of January, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Four... (Philadelphia: Zachariah Poulson, 1794), p. 24. "To the Citizens of the United States."

The argument that the three-fifths clause was to degrade and discount black American is completely false and was, in fact, to assure that there would be more of those against slavery in Congress than those in favor of, in order to end slavery.

What version did you learn? What version are your children learning?

Further Reading:

The Real George Washington
The Real Thomas Jefferson
The Real Benjamin Franklin
Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

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November 2, 2009

FOR TODAY

November 2, 2009

Dawn's Daybook


Outside my window...the weather is hazy, reflecting my mood today.

I am thinking... about how it will be possible for the will of 35% of our population to shove bills down the throat of the other 65%.

I am thankful for... my education today.

I am wearing... brown cords, pink shirt and a sweater

I am remembering... when things seemed more simple and I had my head buried in the sand. Ignorance IS bliss, but that's why we are in the position we are in.

I am going... nowhere today. I'm exhausted from the last three days.

I am reading... craft books and magazines for christmas gift ideas.

I am hoping... that our dollar doesn't tank, like we all know it will. We cannot continue to literally "make" dollars and believe nothing will happen. Every action as a reaction, but we seem to think we are immune to nature.

On my mind... our government today. The House Healthcare bill is 1990 pages! useThese will never be read by the House or Senate. Other bills have things completely unrelated in them: hate crimes in the defense bill, NEA funding up 30% (and we can afford that?! Apparently we can since the white house asked the NEA to create propaganda posters for his agenda (caught on audiotape).

From the learning rooms... quite day of Music Today.

Noticing that... most people don't care, neither do they wish to engage, in their government. Doesn't anyone question why the leader of SEIU--one of the biggest unions--has visited the white house 22 times in 6 months??!! Because the healthcare bill is about the unions, NOT people or health or care.

Pondering these words...

"Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in a lifetime;
therefore we must be saved by hope.
Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history;
therefore we must be saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, could be accomplished alone;
therefore we must be saved by love."
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the stand point of our friend or foe as it is from our own standpoint;
therefore we must be saved by the final form of love,
which is forgiveness.”

Reinhold Niebuhr, The Irony of American History

From the kitchen... French Toast, potatoes and eggs--breakfast for dinner

Around the house... lazy day, not feeling well.

One of my favorite things...A mid-day nap...something I haven't had in....years.


From my picture journal...

In honor of All Saints Day (All Souls Day) yesterday, I wanted to post a video of my Grandfather who passed two years ago:



And a picture of my grandmother, who passed away last year:

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October 30, 2009

FOR TODAY

October 30, 2009

Dawn's Daybook


Outside my window... Beautiful Snow.

I am thinking... about how easy it is to forget to just "play" and be with your own children.

I am thankful for... A warm home, warm clothes and crafts.

I am wearing... jeans, white t-shirt, button up shirt...cabin clothes. ;)

I am remembering... the stories I told my children last year about St. Nicholas, the meaning of Christmas, and family stories thanks to Karissa.

I am going... to finish one christmas gift today. The girls are also working on one.

I am reading... not much today. Mostly instructions for crafts. Tonight likely the Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe for our Math talk.

I am hoping... my husband stays warm and happy this weekend.

On my mind... the holidays.

From the learning rooms... Sewing today. Math at dinner: dyad. The number 2. Polarity. Light and Dark. Positive and Negative. Mobius strips after Dinner.

Noticing that... my 7 year old has a fantastic memory! She recited back the story of St. Nicholas (the real one) she learned last year in our studies during Advent.

Pondering these words...
Psalms 150
1
1 Hallelujah! 2 Praise God in his holy sanctuary; give praise in the mighty dome of heaven.
2
Give praise for his mighty deeds, praise him for his great majesty.
3
Give praise with blasts upon the horn, praise him with harp and lyre.
4
Give praise with tambourines and dance, praise him with flutes and strings.
5
Give praise with crashing cymbals, praise him with sounding cymbals.
6
Let everything that has breath give praise to the LORD! Hallelujah!


From the kitchen... Baked up a storm yesterday (4 lasagnas!) so we'll have leftovers for lunch. Not sure about dinner..

Around the house... It feels like the cozy holidays already.

One of my favorite things... crafting with my children.


From my picture journal...

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Snow Day! October 29th

We're having another snow day! Danny is off work again and is using the opportunity to get ready for his hunting trip. They'll be gone tomorrow through Tuesday, so let's pray we score a large Elk cow this year! I'm really hoping for a freezer full of meat.

We spent yesterday preparing food for his trip and playing outside:

The girls are getting a little stir crazy, though. We usually have Church Choir on Wednesday nights and ASLAND (our commonwealth) on Thursdays. The snow is still falling, so we're finding things to do indoors.

I am in the midst of my six month purge. On the top floor, I've gotten rid of four trash bags full of stuff (clothes, toys, misc). The first floor was only a bag full, but I work all year at keeping the clutter out. We are on our way to the basement today and through the weekend....cross your fingers!

Oh, and if you're really bored today, you can read the House Bill on Healthcare released today, all 1990 pages!
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf

FOR TODAY

October 27th

Dawn's Daybook

Outside my window... SNOW! The drifts are up to two feet now.

I am thinking... about how purging the clutter in my home makes my entire life feel more in order.

I am thankful for... my husband who provides for us every day!

I am wearing... um...sweat pants again. Off to the basement to clean, so my good clothes are not to be worn today.

I am remembering... my grandmother. She passed away a year ago and this will be our second Christmas of not putting together a big package for her for the holidays.

I am going... to put the basement back in order if it's the last thing I do! LOL

I am reading... the healthcare bill from the House of Reps. Scary stuff!

I am hoping... my husband gets an Elk Cow for our family and to share with our friends that are going.

On my mind... having another baby. Still.

From the learning rooms... We are doing less formal learning today and more learning about home and clutter and how little "things" mean, especially in regards to our time and mental health.

Noticing that... my children are amazing people full of kindness!

Pondering these words...


From the kitchen... Home made Lasagne (traditional with Italian sausage and Quinoa lasagna for Juliet with her allergies) and Italian Flat bread (made with my 7 year old).

Around the house... Lots of cleaning and decluttering today.

One of my favorite things... The beautiful snow and how it makes me feel cozy in my home.

From my picture journal... see photos above

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October 27th

FOR TODAY

October 27th

Dawn's Daybook

Outside my window... the snow is falling and the leaves are blowing in the air.

I am thinking... about more recipes.

I am thankful for... educating my children at home.

I am wearing... um...sweat pants and a sweat shirt. Lots of baking and cooking today.

I am remembering... how different my life was three years ago and how much happier I am now with my friends and family.

I am going... to put the kids to bed in 15 minutes.

I am reading... The Real George Washington, Jane Eyre, and Bible Traditions.

I am hoping... the snowstorm hits hard and we get a cozy day as a family tomorrow at home.

On my mind... having another baby.

From the learning rooms... We talked about the number one and circles last night, as well as uniform outward expansion, energy waves (instead of water waves); today we carved pumpkins and saved the seeds for eating and planting next year.

Noticing that... my children learn much more than I ever teach them.

Pondering these words... "One of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the great struggle for independence." --American historian Charles A. Beard (1874-1948)Write something about yourself.


From the kitchen... Roast Chicken, Home made chicken soup, pumpkin puree, roasted veggies for a lasagne

Around the house... Lots of kitchen time today with the kids and preparing to make freeze ahead meals

One of my favorite things... The girls carving pumpkins mostly on their own, and their own creativity.

From my picture journal...

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Fall is Here! I think...

Our weather quickly moved from Summer to Winter, with only a glimpse of Fall in between. I'm happy that I followed my say-go-be-do about Fall and took the girls out on a Tuesday three weeks in a row to the mountains to see the fall leaves.



Did you know that Ponderosa Pines, in late summer and fall, smell like Butterscotch? It's heavenly!



Near the top of Fall River Road. The leaves were beautiful! It snowed that day, and it was only September 15th.



We stayed in Grand Lake the first week of September. We went boating, saw lots of Elk and Moose, and fox came to the back door of our cabin!

Our September was full of mountain trips, wildlife and hiking. We went up to Rocky Mountain a few times for the Elk Rut, drove up Fall River Road three times, and saw lots of animal bones on our hikes. One of the highlights was was man and woman fishing at Glacier Lake. The woman caught a beautiful fish and the girls got to "pet" it and hold it:



We had a wealth of adventures this summer, though we only camped once. We picked strawberries and raspberries at a farm and made jam out of them, fished and boated on a lake, saw a moose for the first time, visited the family in Wyoming, rode ATVs and hiked around, played in the lakes....ah summer!

Fall is here and we're preparing for the holiday season. It's one of our favorites; we make loads of cookies and home made gifts, study the bible, make crafts, and are in (what is seems like) a constant state of either putting up, or taking down, decorations. :)

We are fully blessed!

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Personal Story of the Montana Town Hall Meeting

Hello All,

By now you have probably heard that President Obama came to Montana last Friday. However, there are many things that the major news has not covered. I feel that since Bill and I live here and we were at the airport on Friday I should share some facts with you. Whatever you decide to do with the information is up to you. If you choose to share this email with others, I do ask that you DELETE my email address before you forward this on.

On Wednesday, August 5th it was announced locally that the President would be coming here. There are many groups here that are against his healthcare and huge spending so those groups began talking and deciding on what they were going to do. The White House would not release ANY details other than the date.

On about Tuesday Bill found out that they would be holding the "Town Hall" at the airport. (This is only because Bill knows EVERYONE at the airport). Our airport is actually located outside of Belgrade, (tiny town) in a very remote location. Nothing is around there. They chose to use a hangar that is the most remotely located hangar. You could not pick a more remote location, and you can not get to it easily. It is totally secluded from the public.
(FYI: We have many areas in Belgrade and Bozeman which could have held a large amount of folks with sufficient parking. (gymnasiums/auditoriums). All of which have chairs and tables, and would not have to be SHIPPED IN!) $$$$$

During the week, cargo by the TONS was being shipped in constantly. Airport employees could not believe how it just kept coming. Though it was our President coming several expressed how excessive it was, especially during a recession. $$$$$

Late Tuesday/early Wednesday the 12th, they said that tickets would be handed out on Thursday 9 a.m. at two locations and the president would be arriving around 12:30 pm Friday.

Thursday morning about 600 tickets were passed out. However, 1500 were printed at a Local printing shop per White House request. Hmmmm......900 tickets just DISAPPEARED!

This same morning someone called into the radio station from the local UPS branch and said that THOUSANDS of Dollars of Lobster were shipped in for Obama. Montana has some of the best beef in the nation!!! And it would have been really wonderful to help out the local economy. Anyone heard of the Recession?? Just think...with all of the traveling the White House is doing. $$$$$ One can only imagine what else we are paying for.

On Friday Bill and I got out to the airport about 10:45am. The groups that wanted to protest Obama's spending and healthcare had gotten a permit to protest and that area was roped off. But that was not to be. A large bus carrying SEIU (Service Employees International Union) members drove up onto the area (illegal)and unloaded right there. It was quite a commotion and there were specifically 2 SEIU men trying to make trouble and start a fight. Police did get involved and arrested the one man but they said they did not have the manpower to remove the SEIU crowd.

The SEIU crowd was very organized and young. About 99% were under the age of 30 and they were not locals! They had bullhorns and PROFESSIONALLY made signs. Some even wore pre-printed T-shirts. Oh, and Planned Parenthood folks were with them.....professing abortion rights with their T-shirts and pre-printed signs. (BTW, all these folks did have a permit to protest in ANOTHER area!)

Those against healthcare/spending moved away from the SEIU crowd to avoid confrontation. They were orderly and respectful. Even though SEIU kept coming over and walking through, continuing to be very intimidating and aggressive at the direction of the one SEIU men.

So we had Montana folks from ALL OVER the state with their homemade signs and their DOGS with homemade signs. We had cowboys, nurses, doctors you name it. There was even a guy from Texas who had been driving through. He found out about the occasion, went to the store, made a sign, and came to protest.

If you are wondering about the press.....Well, all of the major networks were over by that remote hangar that I mentioned. They were conveniently parked on the other side of the buildings FAR away. None of these crowds were even visible to them. I have my doubts that they knew anything about the crowds.

We did have some local news media around us from this state and Idaho . Speaking of the local media...they were invited. However, all questions were to be turned into the White House in advance of the event. Wouldn't want anyone to have to think off the top of their head now, would we?!

It was very obvious that it was meant to be totally controlled by the White House. Everything was orchestrated down to the last detail to make it appear that Montana is just crazy for Obama and government healthcare. Even those people that talked about their insurance woes...The White House called our local HRDC (Human Resource and Development Committee) and asked for names. Then the White House asked those folks to come. Smoke and mirrors...EVERYTHING was staged!

I am very dismayed about what I learned about our current White House. The amount of control and manipulation was unbelievable. I felt I was not living in the United States of America , more like the USSR !! I was physically nauseous. Bill and I have been around when Presidents or Heads of State visit. It has NEVER been like this. I am truly very frightened for our country. America needs your prayers and your voices.

If you care about our country please get involved. Know the issues. And let Congress hear your voices again and again!! If they are willing to put forth so much effort to BULLY a small town one can only imagine what is going on in Washington, D.C. Scary!!

Bill & Jane

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Ride 8/21/09

Gasp! It's been a month since my last ride. I've been such a slug. Time to get moving again.

14.04 miles today.

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In his own words

If you've ever read "Mein Kampf," you know that Hitler said exactly what he was going to do. But it seemed so radical that people said to themselves, "oh, that will never really happen."

In Obama's OWN WORDS:

3/24/07 to SEIU Healthcare Forum: “universal healthcare system”
“I don’t think we’ll be able to eliminate Employer Coverage Immediately. There is going to be potentially some transition process. I can envision a decade out or 15 years out or 20 years out…”

2003: “I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer universal healthcare plan” to AFL-CIO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-bY92mcOdk


He also said in his televised Healthcare Townhall that he must follow a "ruthless pragmatism" and that he's not sure his grandmother should have received her hip replacement. He goes on to explain that a huge portion of our healthcare costs are at the end of life.

At what point do we believe HIS OWN words?!

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