augh....

I am having blogger formatting issues. I am not really writing in extra long paragraph format.

Say what???

So, I was planning on watching NCIS on CBS. However, once again our new President is addressing the nation. I think it might actually be the news commentators that irritated mee more. If...IF...there is one man who knows how to eliminate the economic woes facing America, I highly doubt he ran for a public office. I also but no stock in their reported approval ratings for the stimulus plan. Individual and personal consumer debt, without savings needs to individual economic problems. How does making it easier for people to get loans going to help them reduce their debt? How will putting America in greater debt help the economy? President Obama said: "You see, the flow of credit is the lifeblood of our economy. The ability to get a loan is how you finance the purchase of everything from a home to a car to a college education; how stores stock their shelves, farms buy equipment, and businesses make payroll." And here I thought you financed purchases by getting a job and earning money. Wow, maybe President Obama is the Credit Fairy. There was this lady in green sitting behind President Obama's left side; I believe she is the Speaker of the House. Is she his personal cheerleader? Does she have a timer telling her when to stand up and clap? The local news I watched said the speech was interrupted 60 times with applause. What was to be a 45 minute speech, interrupted about every 45 seconds? Thus, the speech was 50 minutes long. Or Obama maintained his pattern illustrated during the electoral debates of limited consideration for time allotments and procedure. (Good thing I didn't save them to teach Lincoln-Douglas debate procedures.) Wasn't that also illustrated through his inability to complete his oath of office? He also side stepped procedure tonight as he was late to his own speech and attempted to begin prior to being properly introduced to the joint session of congress. Education Alright, stop. Why do people insist on comparing our school stats to other countries? Can they tell mee which countries allow or even require all of their youth to be in public educational setting to a certain age? There are countries where I wouldn’t have a job. It is like they have an entrance exam to get into high school. Everyone else learns a trade. Why are we comparing all of our students to their top 40-30 percent? I thought his proposals concerning financial issues were socialist. Now, in a free country, graduating from high school isn't going to be an option? I am not only thinking about the students who do cannot achieve at a level similar to their peers. I am also thinking of those who will refuse to learn within the educational practices and classrooms. From President Obama (italics added): “…And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country - and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country - and this country needs and values the talents of every American. That is why we will provide the support necessary for you to complete college and meet a new goal: by 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.” I am glad President Obama values the talents of Americans. A capitalist economy relies on the talents, initiative, and sweat of the workers. He is proposing socialist policies to recover a capitalist economy. People looking towards the government to solve the problem have been given fish when someone should have taught them how to fish. Gov. Bobby Jindal presented the Republican Response which, despite the repetitive statement of choice, reflect my thoughts and concerns. http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21923996/republican_response.htm May Americans be worthy of God's blessings!

Monday Memory Moment

Today as I walked across the courtyard I watched a young man catch a football. I am not sure what impressed mee more, the catch or the length of the pass. Some how this sight took mee back to a basketball game I saw in the spring of 2007.

At this time I was in my third year of teaching at Meridian High School. While at MHS I worked mainly with students who were classified as having a Cognitive Impairment. To give you a better picture: a good number of them will need to have someone else be their guardian beyond the typical legal age, academically they performed between 2-5th grade levels, adaptive behavior skills around 6-10 years. While many teenagers may be trusted to attend a high school sporting event without supervision the youth I worked with need someone to keep an eye on them.

Earlier in the school year I informed parents I planned to attend the home football and basketball games and offered to be that watchful eye so their children might attend the games. By the end of the basketball season I was down to about three regulars, two boys and a girl.

The particular game I thought of today was late in a fairly sad basketball season. I don't recall who we were playing. I want to say they were wearing brown. My students would typically call their rides at the beginning of the fourth quarter. It was a close game. I was a little surprised when it went into over time. The second overtime was thrilling.

This is the part I will always remember. The other team had scored. With a second on the clock a young man made a last ditch effort and hurled the basketball from past half court. He tried, we can give him credit for that. With little to no expectations we watched the ball sail through the air towards the other end of the gym.

AHH! WOOHOO!!!! It went in. The basketball actually went in the basket. Three points and Meridian High School won the game!!! It was the type of shot movies are made of. Usually when the team is in at least a district level championship game. But, hey, the kid will always remember that moment. I am fairly certain his parents will as well.

The part I remember most, the students I was with. And, knowing they got to have such experience as apart of their high school years. It is moments like these that inclusion is all about.

GO WARRIORS!!!

100th Blog

A number of people have marked their 1ooth blog entry. I have decided I will do the same...with a 100 things about Mee, in the form of lists...

10 Favorites:

Books: The Book of Mormon and The Bible, "Good Night, Mr. Tom", Illusions; 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Jesus the Christ, Pride and Prejudice, Oh! The Places You Will Go, Rilla of Ingleside, The Sackett Brand

Games: The Farming Game, SET, Skip Bo, Five Crowns, UNO, Apples to Apples, Go, Othello, Five Crowns, Sudoku

Foods: Manicotti, Peanut Butter-Butter-Honey Sandwich, Pot Roast, Waffles, Stuffing (cooked in the bird), Mashed Potatoes, Chocolate Cheesecake, Lemon Bars, Chocolate Cake just out of the oven with cream, Pumpkin Pie

Movies: Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Angle and the Badman, White Christmas, The Mummy, McKlintock, While You Were Sleeping, An Ideal Husband, Enchanted, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Places: Idler's Rest, Camel's Back Park, Grand Teton National Park, couch, Admin Lawn, Driving to Moscow, Temple, Sun Valley, Riding the Green Belt, in a trusted embrace

Scriptures: Alma 5:14, Romans 13:10, Helaman 5:12, Romans 8, St. John 17, Psalms 23, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 41:10, St. John 14:27, Hebrews 11:13

Websites: http://www.lds.org/ , http://www.google.com/, http://pandora.com/ , http://www.imdb.com/ , http://www.facebook.com/ , http://www.uidaho.edu/ , http://www.meesquotewall.com/ , http://www.cbs.com/ , http://www.dictionary.com/ , http://www.youtube.com/

Musicians: Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, George Straight, Alabama, John Michael Montgomery, Montgomery Gentry, Diamond Rio, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Nickelback

TV Shows: Smurfs, Numb3rs, He-Man, NCIS, Little House on the Prairie, Gilligan's Island, Walker -Texas Ranger, Star Trek-The Next Generation, Hogan's Heroes, Medium

Toby-isms

Although it is rather difficult to tell from these pictures, there is common element between these resting locations. The common link is heat. Toby has developed the habit of laying on the air vents to get warm. If you look closely at the middle one you can see the vent under his legs. Looking in the final one it is under his belly.

Toby had a purple blanket for his bed. He liked to chew on it. He liked to play tug-of-war with it. I would also wrap him up in it and make him a purple monster. It was rather interesting watching him try to get out of a tangled mess. He liked playing with it so much that he would drag it along while following mee around the house. See the video below...

Monday Memory Moment

excerpt from 2/14/97 Journal entry

...It's raining--I've always liked the rain. I'm one of those people who get rained on, not wet....I have a quote that reads something like this: "Heavenly Father knows us & watches out for us, and it is usually through someone else that he meets our needs." After my art class I went to the computer lab in the Art and Architecture South Building. After leaving there I decided I wanted to walk around in the rain, so I took the long way to the Administration Building. I must have looked pathetic walking around in the rain on Valentine's Day. I noticed a man walking down from the ADMIN carrying some carnations. I thought it was really neat. Either someone had given them to him, or he was taking them to someone. He walked past mee. Then he turned around and gave me one & wished mee a Happy Valentine's Day. Now isn't that cool! There are still people trying to cheer up others around them. Today: It didn't make it in my journal. I was later told one of the fraternities had one or two of their freshmen pass out carnations on Valentine's Day.

In Comment...

Read this blog post first... Prudent or Prudish

My comment.....

First I have to say I am glad, relieved, I am not the only one who feels this way.

I don't have any personal experience to back up a statement of anything less than retaining full sexual intimacy for marriage is self sabotage. I personally have a tendency to maintain emotional intimacy until I trust someone will be a part of my life. I am sure a good portion of my thoughts and ideas are based in similar socializing as yours. I have also seen heartache that comes along with non-committal sexual and social relationships, as well as unwanted sexual intercourse.

I see the current trend of recreational sexuality as portion of selfish, feel good, immediate gratification mentality. No thought for others. No thought for consequences. I want it now. I don't want to work for it. I don't want to think about any of the after effects. Individuals wondering through life leaving hell in their wake.

And yet society seems surprised with rape, murder over toys on Black Friday, car jacking's and drug use. Did it come from a generation who wanted to give their children more than they had rather than teaching their children how to build a better life. Our early forefathers gave their lives so their children might be free. Recently children have been given whatever they want, or their parents couldn't have, and are captive to their appetites.

30 SWF

I have recently been asked to be the activities chairman at church. And, as timing would have it the first activity I got to help with is...yep, Valentine's. (I have recently been known to refer to it as Single Awareness Day.) While discussing ideas for this activity it was suggested the couples share the stories of how they met. Wanting to make sure those who are single felt included someone looked at mee and said: "You can tell us what you are looking for."

I will admit I have tried some of the on-line dating services. I really struggle with the idea that you can really get to know someone through e-mail, IM chatting, or phone calls. Yet, I cannot tell you how long people have used personal adds or others to locate a spouse.

How do you quantify your better half? Is it about similarities? differences? emotions? values? life goals?

Physical Attraction:

I recently noticed a pattern of attraction throughout my life for boys to men who are tall (6 feet plus) with flaming red to strawberry blond hair. These individuals also tended to have a level of non-conformity to societal expectations.

After my mission I noticed an attraction towards balding men with goatees.

Although I fully agree physical attraction is REALLY fun, I would not base a lasting relationship on it. Physical attraction isn't going to do mee any good when I am sick, tired, or frustrated. I don't think I would be on any value while striving to teach our children the principles of the Gospel of Christ through word and deed. It will not assist in getting the chores done, or providing for the family.

So what am I looking for?

• I want someone who wants to join the adventure of working with children categorized as having emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders.
• I want someone who remembers how the temptations of mortal existence feel, and rejoices in the gift of repentance.
• I want someone who I can trust loves mee for who I am while inspiring mee to be better each day.
• I want someone who can rejoice in the miracle of everyday successes.
• I want someone who is seeking to know God.

Good thing I believe in miracles!

Monday Memory Moment

This is a porcelain cow. There are actually two of them.

They are posed similarly. Both have blue baseball caps.

I wish I new more about them. They belong to my Great-Grandma and Grandpa Glasgow. I received them from Grandma Glasgow when I was helping her downsize homes. These are some of the items I cannot bring myself to get rid of, but don't know what to do with them.

Monday Memory Moment

Someone commented wondering how I located old e-mail about the "Hot Chocolate Incident". I knew where it was. I am not a scrapbooker. I have no intrest and am not talented in that area. I am however, a keeper of a journal. I also have a habit of taping, stapling, or sticking things into my journal. I recall hearing it said that once Wilford Woodruff heard Brother Joseph preach about keeping a journal he couldn't rest until he had written something each day. And what a blessing those journals are. I am not as diligent as my great-grandmother's great-grandfather. However, I am somewhat impressed with what I have been able to maintain.

This is my first journal. It was given to mee by my Grandma in 1985. It took mee a long time to fill it up. It is nice to see how my hand writing has improved.

This is the stack of journals I have kept throughout my life. This picture does not include the two three-inch binders that record my mission. One being my journal. The other the letters I wrote to my family.

I have not always been very diligent at writing. I was pleasantly surprised about 6 months after my mission to realize I had written each day for a couple of months. A pattern I find interesting is that when I am closer to the Spirit of the Lord I am better at remembering to write.

I also got an surprising comment once. We were doing a get to know you activity in a college class. We were suppose to find people who have done different things. One of them was some one who keeps a journal/diary. After I confirmed to an inquirer that I do she said I seemed like a very reflective person.