what a geek...

Yeah, it's mee, I'm the geek. I like having things spirally bound. It is so nice to have books that you can lay flat, or open all the way.

A couple of months ago I bought a coil binding machine. I have been using to bind whatever I want to.

I have used it to make resources more useable.

And to keep my most read books from falling apart.

(-: Modern Idols :-)

You may not know this. My family has a thing for computers. I am a beginner compared to the rest of the family. There are almost as many computers as people in our family. A couple of weeks ago while the family was gathered my dad pointed to my sister and said something along the lines of... "Take a picture and blog about that..." pointing to my sister.

Here it is...my baby sister bowing down before her computer. She heard it "What, me worshiping my computer."

A day or so later I walked into my sisters home to see this and had a thought similar to my father, take a picture and blog about it...

I really don't know what is going on. What it looked like to mee was my 11-year-old niece teaching grandmothers how to do something on the computer.  It just makes mee want to giggle.

Bragging Pictures...

My beautiful Wild Rose...

The two-sum...

Big Brother, Little Sister...

Toby emotions...

Happy

Content

Playful

Irritated

Impatient

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!

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

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!

You could have heard a pin drop

I have no idea if these stories are true. However, I believe the statements are very valid.

When in England , at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?' A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: 'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from! their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready." The American said, ''The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !" The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."

It seems rather ironic to mee it is the God fearing people who are willing to fight for peace.

An Ideal Christmas

My first year as a teacher,considering the separation of church and state, I asked what I was allowed to do for Christmas. The response I got was, "Just as long as it is not religious." What, it's CHRISTmas. What made it worse was when I commented about students "winter tree" having a star and realized she really didn't know why there was a star on the top of Christmas Trees. And I couldn't tell her.
I use to look forward to the Christmas season. It is a time of music and lights, candies and parties. I an not sure when I started to realized that all of this holiday magic was supposedly to be contained between the day after Thanksgiving and December 25th at about noon, if you were lucky.
That was something that really bothered mee. Why can't I sing my favorite hymns all year long? Some of the best feel good movies involve Christmas (i.e., Seasons of the Heart, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life) who says they can only be watched in December? Santa Clause is a discussion for another day.
There were to many children last year who informed mee of all sorts of things I should get them for Christmas. When did Christmas become all about presents? It was about mid-October I decided I was done. What is the sense in the practice of obligatory gift giving? Either you know or don't need what you are getting. Who decided gifts must be given in order to show affection? Do we need to keep up with the Jones' in this area too?

Last year the only thing I did for Christmas was go the the Creche (you missed it, it was last weekend) and spend time with friends and family. I also had a friend over to help mee make mice. (I'm hoping to do that this weekend)
This year I am still okay without the stress of spending money I don't really have to buy things for everyone I do or should talk to at least once a week. My concern is that I should be doing something to help the world remember the real meaning of Christmas. Traditions can be used to teach and add depth to life's experiences. They can also give us something to look forward to.
So here I sit looking for what I want Christmas to be in my home and with my family. How will we mark a day or season as a celebration of a life we live all year round? I guess it is a good thing I don't have to have that figured out for this year.

Just a baseball bat

It was during my senior year of college. I was in a social theory class. We never knew what our teacher was going to do to make a point. One day she walks in with a bat, a baseball bat. The bat looked like it was made from wood. Other than it being a little odd we didn't think to much of her hitting objects with it in the classroom. She then asked us if our feelings would remain the same if she told us it was the same bat Babe Ruth used to hit his last home run.

In our discussion that followed, comparing just a regular baseball bat to Babe Ruth's baseball bat, I gained a greater sense of what it means for something to be sacred. Baseball bats are used everyday, kept in a closet, under a bed, in the trunk, dropped to the ground, kicked, and used over and over again. I hope every red blooded American would agree with mee that a bat used by Babe Ruth belongs in a glass case in a museum somewhere. Maybe it is already there.

In this particular Sociology class, if I remember right, we discussed how different things are sacred or taboo in different cultures. Taboo items being things you don't talked about or words you don't say or things you don't do. Sacred being things are so important they are treated with extra care and consideration when discussed or done and only in properly prepared situations.

A remark I have heard concerning our precious flag is that it is just a piece of cloth. I don't think that was the thought of Francis Scott Key when he saw it waving from a prison ship early one morning, or the people who have earned having one draped over their casket. Even those who choose to burn it out of protest know it is more than a piece of fabric.

As a sociologist I have worked to veiw things objectively (I am human, it doesn't always work). With this in mind, and my current job selection, I am exposed to a lot of information that I try to distance myself from maintaining only an intellectual curiosity. I have seen and heard some things that are gross, horrifying, sickening, and perverse.

The first time I remember feeling violated was while recently watching a show. I don't even want to mention the name or date because I don't want you to go looking for it. Something that is considered to be very sacred to members of the LDS faith was displayed on national television. I felt sick.

I am not naïve. I know that there are those who don't understand, or out of hatred have put a lot of things on-line for anyone to find. And I will say the show attempted to respect the information with as much respect as one can have for a culture they know little or nothing about.

This experience has helped mee realize there are things I can do to treat sacred things with better care. That may start with watching less television.

Do you know Mee?

I previously stated, my computer was sick. My computer is feeling better now. Being the sister of a true computer geek, I am now running on a system. I'll let you know what I think if it is something I think about from time to time. While my computer was sick the two things I was most concerned about retrieving were my pictures and my money information. But really, it was my pictures. For as for as I can tell, I have all of my pictures. In the process of healing my computer we needed to reformat it, thus making it (as far as I know) impossible to get any other information. After the point of no return I realized I had not secured my e-mail contacts. . . .oops . . . If you know Mee, can contact mee, and want mee to be able to contact you, please do so providing me with your snail and e-mail address.

Under Construction

I have been trying to learn more about working with blogs. It has been fun and frustating. I hope you are able to enjoy the process with mee.

Quote Wall...

If you look down the side and you will find a link that says "Mee's Quote Wall". You might want to check it out. There are some interesting stories there.