voting help

This is a well-thought-through conservative-viewpoint discussion of everything Californians will find on their ballots on Tuesday. If you're not sure how to vote or who to vote for, take a look!

http://www.robynnordell.com/

commentary by Ben Stein

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year.

It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period.

I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.

Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein

Happy Birthday Darcy!!

Happy Birthday Chrissy!!

tolerance

I don't generally choose to attempt to wax eloquent on current events and politics, but I'm so riled up over Prop 8 right now I simply don't have a choice. Please forgive me.

I believe it is possible for what was once a strength to be practiced to such excess it becomes a weakness. The American value for individualism is a good example of this ... what made us strong and entrepreneurial as we sought our own way in the world has turned into a certain arrogance and selfishness, a "my way or the highway" attitude about life and the pursuit of happiness. It doesn't matter over whom we trample as long as we get where our independence and personal drive is taking us.

Another such American value that is becoming a problem is tolerance. I understand and fully stand behind the call to accept and love all people. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to love our enemies, and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Did you know the Golden Rule is biblical? See Luke 6:31, and Matthew 7:12).

But tolerance has become such a mantra of society that it now bleeds beyond loving our neighbor to loving our neighbors' ideas ... all of them, even if they contradict our own ideas or values or belief systems. In fact, the more contradictory or left of mainstream they are, the important it is to embrace them. Over time, the ideas and agendas of the minority have come to eclipse those of the majority to the point where any idea or agenda of the majority is equal to oppression of smaller sects. When I don't agree with an idea (socialism), an agenda (gay marriage) or a belief system (everything but Christianity ... I suppose I am quite narrow there), I am a bigot, unfair, unloving and totalitarian in nature. But where in the Constitution is it written that I am not allowed to have a belief, or hold moral points of view, that disagree with another? And yet this is where the value of tolerance has brought us today. We are to tolerate everything, which means we can stand for nothing.

In California this value has paved the way for extreme changes in moral legislation. Proposition 8, defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The gay and lesbian community is a moral minority in this country. In fact, general consensus counts the gay and lesbian population to range between 2-4% ( source). And not that I want to silence the voice of the minority, that is one of the tenets that makes this country great ... everyone can have a voice. However, this particular voice is forcing its morality on me and the rest of the state by trying to lock into constitutional law its sinful ways as "normal."

What gets me about this whole thing is that every "right" married couples have is offered to gay and lesbian couples under civil union. The fight for marriage is about acceptance of their behavior as mainstream, normal, and no longer sinful. Its not about marriage. And the ramifications of Proposition 8 not passing are a bit scary. You can go to the Prop 8 website for more info on the particulars. Also, check out stories out of Massachusetts where homosexuality is being taught in schools as young as kindergarten, with absolutely no obligation to even inform parents what their kids are being taught.

I came across a few other good articles, here and here, about the ramifications of gay marriage becoming law in California.

I don't feel the need to impose my moral values on others, forcing them to choose a lifestyle, a religion or a value system I agree with. I recently read somewhere a person asking the question "Why should the values of the majority be forced on the minority?" I simply reverse this silly question and say "Why should the values of the minority be forced on the majority?" And make no mistake, if marriage fails to be defined traditionally in next week's election, Christians are going to feel it. Pastors will no longer be free to talk about homosexuality as a sin. They will be required to perform gay and lesbian weddings when requested, or risk being arrested on account of discrimination. Kids in school will begin to learn about gay families as normal (and don't even get me STARTED on the effects this will have on our kids).

I could go on and on ... but I won't. Just google "effects of gay marriage in Europe" or "... in Massachusetts," and you'll find some fascinating studies. I am in awe of the audacity of this small portion of society playing with natural laws that have been in place since the beginning of the human race. Never before in society has such a redefinition of the family been proposed. The effects can only continue to degrade the family unit, already in so much trouble in this country. And it is the strength of the family unit that makes a society strong. And then of course, there's the beginning of the "slippery slope" of defining marriage. The gay community will deny it of course, but making gay marriage legal begins to pave the way for all kinds of various definitions of marriage.

Its interesting, for the first time in my life, an issue has come up that involves actual persecution of my beliefs. On that note, I think Christians in America are on the verge of some serious challenges to their commitment to Jesus, to the Bible, to their faith. Will we stand strong? Will we resist the "persuasive arguments" of the enemy (Col. 2:8)? I hope so. I think if the Christian community in this country would just stand united, we could accomplish some amazing things. Maybe a little baptism by fire is all we need ....

Please please please ... even if you have no idea how to vote on anything else in this election, VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 8!!

winnie the pooh and tigger too!

Burke and Conrad Weston (our nephews), ready for Halloween!!

Happy 1st Anniversary Ryan & Michelle!!

songs i should be embarrassed to admit i paid $.99 for

"Ready, Set, Don't Go" by Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus (that's embarrassing on two counts)

"If I Could Turn Back Time" by Cher (come on, you know you dance to this one when it comes on)

"All Out of Love" by Air Supply (oh, to have 80s radio all the time!)

"Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon (see previous paranthetical statement)

"Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira

"Hopelessly Devoted to You" by Olivia Newton-John

"I Think I Love You" by The Partridge Family

"Right In Front of You" by Celine Dion (I've actually downloaded a few of her songs ... come on, no one can deny the woman can SING)

"The Time of My Life" by David Cook (this is the song he sang in the finale of American Idol last year ... its totally cheesy ... but I LOVE David Cook ... so I bought it ... sue me)

this is going to change everything

Yep, I have big news. If you haven't already heard, you're probably among those who've been wondering just when you'd hear. Well, here it is: Baby Weston #1 is on the way! Baby is set to arrive around June 8, 2009, at which time our lives will be turned upside down and sideways (all for the better, if I believe all the moms I know). I keep getting a couple questions from people, so I'll answer them here.

"Are you excited?" I like to answer this question with a quotation from Armageddon, that beacon of wisdom starring Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck. There's a scene in there where Owen Wilson is ready to take off in the spaceship and he's asked how he's feeling, and he says "I'm, like, 98% excited and 2% scared. Or maybe its 2% excited and 98% scared." That's how I feel.

I'm not worried about pregnancy, I'm worried about the small helpless alien that will be left fully in my care about 8 months from now. Its a good thing I have some time to prepare, though right now I'm thinking I'd be OK with an elephant's gestational period of about 2 years. Two years would be enough time to prepare I think.

"How do you feel?" I feel pretty good, except for a few nagging first-trimester symptoms (or side effects, as I prefer to call them). I'm tired a lot. My understanding and patient husband has been wonderful letting me sleep in every morning as he walks the dog, take naps in the afternoon while ... he walks the dog. And my lunch time naps are a little more necessary than they used to be.

I'm hungry a lot. I can't eat a lot in one sitting, but I have to eat every two hours. If I don't, nausea starts setting in, which is an awful feeling. I'm quite thankful I don't have traditional morning sickness, as many of my friends have had. I haven't thrown up once and I'm able to be at work on time every day (well, I WOULD be on time if it weren't for the tiredness that makes it so hard to get out of bed). I've just learned its good to have saltines with me wherever I go.

Speaking of food, I'm not really craving much. But there are a few things I haven't really wanted ... like coffee (WEIRD) and too much sweet stuff (WEIRDER). I baked a double batch of chocolate chip cookies last week and never even taste tested a single one. Pregnancy is a strange strange world.

I have a couple of the more obscure side effects that I find interesting. Every afternoon, like clockwork, I get this weird metal taste in my mouth. There's not much I can do but wait for it to go away, which usually happens by dinner time. I also have a stuffy nose. At first I thought I had a cold, and even stayed home from work on Monday this week to try and kick it quickly. But it never spread beyond the stuffy nose, and I still have it several days later. I've since learned this is not only a normal pregnancy symptom, but even has a name ... rhinitis something (I'll look it up later). It can last all 9 months of pregnancy. Good nose-blowing fun.

I had my first doctor's appointment yesterday, and he says everything is good and healthy. He says I can do whatever I feel like doing, except snow skiing and water skiing. "Right," I say. And I can eat anything but fish that are at the top of the food chain. "But I was going to have Great White shark for dinner!" I really like my doctor, which is an awesome blessing. He started yesterday's appointment by sitting down and just chatting with me about pregnancy, what to expect and what not to eat or do. It was great.

The one entertaining part of yesterday's doctor's appointment was getting my blood drawn by the trainee. Oh yes, trainee. She actually did a fine job, but her constant questioning of her supervisor about whether or not she was doing it right didn't exactly put me at ease. At least all ended well.

I'm about 7 1/2 weeks along, so this is all still really new. And honestly, it hasn't totally sunk in. I think I'll feel freer to really start planning and preparing once I'm past the first trimester, the most tenuous part of pregnancy. That will be around Thanksgiving. My biggest dilemma right now is what to do with a little spending money I have ... I want clothes, but why buy something that won't fit me in a couple months? I don't know what to do, and don't even feel much like shopping (again, WEIRD).

So, Caleb and I are about to be parents ... whether or not we're ready or in any way prepared. Go us!

choose your wedding location WISELY

finally finished!

I actually finished this sweater more than a week ago, but just yesterday got around to taking pictures of the finished product. This might be my favorite finished knitted sweater to date, mostly because of the yarn I used. Its 50% silk / 50% wool, warm and soft. Its WONDERFUL.

In the magazine, this sweater pattern is called The Minimalist. I get what they're trying to say, the finished sweater is quite basic, not even including any buttons or clasps to keep it closed. However, if ever I've knit something NOT minimalist in its technique, it would be this sweater. The entire thing is knit in k1/p1 moss stitch, meaning I had to change the direction of the yarn for EVERY SINGLE STITCH. It was definitely a bit laborious, and I'm not sure I'll do anything quite like it again any time soon. BUT, the finished sweater IS quite fabulous, so I suppose it was worth it.

Cherry Tree Hill Silk and Merino DK yarn. Color: Java. Yummy.

I had one major setback with this sweater. When I got to this point, which is the entire main body of the sweater up to the armpits, I took a good look at all I had done, and realized that the colors in the yarn skeins were different, and you could see a definite line where one skein ended, and the next began. (If you look closely, you can definitely see the difference in the lighter pinks on the bottom part, and the darker, more burgundy, pinks at the top.) I knew I would be unhappy with it FOREVER if I didn't start over and fix it ... so even after all this knitting, I ripped the ENTIRE thing out, rolled up the yarn, and started from scratch. As I began anew, I used TWO skeins of yarn and alternated them every two rows, working the lighter colors in with the darker ones. It worked, and I'm happy with the end product ... even if the process was mildly infuriating.

And here she is! Don't be put off by the look on my face ... I didn't know Caleb had my face in the picture. I really am very happy with it! And don't you love the way the colors change??

Close up. One thing I think I might do is go back and make the sleeves a little shorter. I have them pushed up a bit here to show what its supposed to look like, but when I washed the sweater the sleeves grew a bit too long. They're supposed to be 3/4 length, and they actually land just above my wrists. Its awkward.

The back. One other knitting note: I did not knit the sleeves separate and then sew them in as the pattern called for ... I picked up stitches directly off the armholes and knitted straight down. I found the technique from a girl on Ravelry (my knitting community website) who found a formula for doing sleeves this way ... and I love it! It took a couple tries to get it right, but in the end it was so much less work. I hate seaming sleeves into armholes!

Close up of the details ... you can see the pretty moss stitch pattern (that's the waffly looking part) and the regular stockinette stitch for the front bands. I think it turned out really pretty.

wish i were there ...

My parents and Grandpa are in Colorado right now, and my dad sent me this picture he took in Maroon Bells, near Aspen, Colorado. Oh how I wish I were there ....

Happy Birthday Brianna!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Bob!!

Happy Birthday Kelly!!

(Treat yourself to something special, like a manicure with blue nail polish!)

Happy Birthday Gabbie!!

getting political

Please vote YES on Prop 8 this November.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1815825713

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Grandpa's Sweat Shop

Back in the jungles of Liberia, 200 miles from the nearest airport, a school is being rebuilt. African Bible College. As classrooms come together and students apply for acceptance, it mirrors the struggle of the entire country rebuilding after 15 years of civil war. During those years the school was destroyed, as was much of the country, both physically and psychologically. As the country begins to rebuild, the school is leading the way. What had been decimated to nothing but cement walls and taken over by jungle vines has already been rebuilt enough to accommodate a student body of 30, just now beginning the first classes to be held in over 15 years.

Back before the school and the country were destroyed, my grandparents had an opportunity to visit the college and the Chinchens, longtime missionaries and its' founders. They were greatly impressed by the teachers, the students, and the work that was going on to raise educated Christian leaders in Africa.

As the school continues to recuperate and build, there is one building in particular that has become of interest to our familiy: The Library. Why? It will be named for my grandmother, The Lois Lindley Memorial Library. Were she here to see it all come together, she would be so pleased!! And probably a little embarrassed to be so honored.

In order to get the library up and running again, $45,000 needs to be raised and donations of everything from chairs and desks to books need to be found. What makes it all extra interesting is all this needs to come in by December 1 to be loaded on a container already reserved on a boat bound for Africa. (If you are interested in giving, all donations are being sent to Granada Heights Friends Church and 100% of the donations are being used for the library. The address is 11818 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638. Make checks payable to Granada, but be sure to put Lois Lindley Memorial Library in the memo line.)

And so, on Tuesday night, a bunch of us family got together to help Grandpa address, stuff, stamp and seal more than 400 letters and envelopes to go out to those who loved my grandma. Please pray over each of these letters and those who will receive them, that hearts would be open, that wallets would be open, and that for the sake of the school and the country of Liberia, this library would be ready to open by early next summer.

My grandma. This was taken at my cousin Joel's wedding last summer. It captures everything about her so well, and has become the family favorite photo of her.

The library as it was about a year ago. Since then it has gotten a roof and the area around it has been cleared. It simply awaits the funds to finish building and stocking!

Dad, Amy and Caleb, addressing envelopes.

Joel, working hard stuffing envelopes we've addressed.

Grandpa, stuffing envelopes.

Amy addressing.

Me and Darcy, addressing envelopes.

Molly, stamping.

Rachel, sealing.

for the sake of mindless entertainment ...

http://www.flamingcursor.com/

Patio Upgrade

A couple weeks ago, Hunkyness and I took on the project of upgrading our patio. For a while now we've wanted to build something that would create a bit of a barrier between passers-by and the direct view into our kitchen and dining area. We've felt so exposed! So, with Amy's bachelorette party on the way, I decided it was a perfect opportunity and deadline to finally make it happen. We built benches, bought plants and fertilizer, pots and trellises, and in two weeks we had a very charming patio wall. It will, of course, take another year or two for all those flowers to fill in and actually create some privacy, but that's ok. I love to watch stuff like that grow. Here are the pics!

That's Hunkyness, getting started on staining all the wood that would become benches that will eventually hold the plants.

My MIL and FIL came down for a day to help us stain ... it was a huge help!!

Hunkyness putting the benches together.

BIL Andrew helped out quite a bit too.

I spent an evening potting all the bouganvilla plants ... six total across two benches.

And voila! Here is our "wall." Isn't it pretty!?! I think it already looks so nice, and just wait until all those plants fill in!

I also bought smaller plants to put on the benches between the larger bouganvilla plants. Fills it out a bit, and adds some color. I also put two long window box-type pots underneath each bench, filled with leafy plants that don't need much sun. Lucy has already gotten into one of those and ripped out one of the plants ... but otherwise they're in tact and looking great!

Amy bought me that little duck a year ago, and now it has a nice outdoor patio to sit on!

Amy's bachelorette party ... we finished just in time! (See that beautiful bouganvilla behind her? That's what I'm hoping the rest will one day be.)

Happy Birthday Hunky Hubby!!

lyrics I love

From silly to sappy ....

"I'm a sailor peg and I lost my leg climbin' up the topsails, I lost my leg. I'm shipping up to Boston, I'm shipping up to Boston, I'm shipping up to Boston, I'm shipping up to find my wooden leg!"
I'm Shipping Up to Boston, Dropkick Murphys

"Are we human or are we dancers .... "
Human, The Killers

"I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door ...."
500 Miles, The Proclaimers

"When you see a deer you see Bambie, and I see antlers up on the wall ... When you see a priceless French painting I see a drunk naked girl ... Well, love makes a man do some things he ain't proud of and in a weak moment I might walk your sissy dog, hold your purse at the mall, but remember I'm still a guy... And I'll pour out my heart hold your hand in the car write a love song that makes you cry, then turn right around knock some jerk to the ground 'cause he copped a feel as you walked by ...."
I'm Still a Guy, Brad Paisley

"Like an apple on the tree, hiding out behind the leaves, I was difficult to reach, but you picked me. Like a shell upon a beach, just another pretty piece, I was difficult to see, but you picked me ..."
You Picked Me, A Fine Frenzy

"Tell me you care, tell me you're listenin', tell me that its me, you are missin', tell me I mean something more than anyone before ... Honey I haven't a clue, so tell me that its true, that I've got you ..."
I've Got You, Ari Hest

"Still my heart and hold my tongue, I feel my time, my time has come. Let me in, unlock the door, I never felt this way before ... Hold my hand inside your hands, I need someone who understands, I need someone, someone who hears, for you I've waited all these years. For you I'd wait till Kingdom Come, until my day, my day is done, and say you'll come and set me free, just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me .... "
Kingdom Come, Coldplay

"I want a love like Johnny and June, rings of fire, burnin' with you, I want to walk the line, walk the line till the end of time. I want to love, love you that much, cash it all in, give it all up, when you're gone I want to go too, like Johnny and June ..."
Johnny and June, Heidi Newfield

"All of these lines across my face tell you the story of who I am, so many stories of where I've been and how I got to where I am, but these stories don't mean anything when you've got no one to tell them to, it's true, I was made for you ..."
The Story, Brandi Carlile