I am red hot!

Alright, I know I am heading to the beach but there are few stories that have really got me fuming! Well, actually more than a few but these are the few I am suggesting you take a peek at if you have not heard about them. Click on the links below to read more about them.

Car dealerships are being targeted by our president and his administration based on their political alignment! Our government has NO BUSINESS BUSYING ITSELF IN THE CAR BUSINESS OR ANY BUSINESS FOR THAT MATTER!


California is trying to stop those meeting at home for Bible Study! We do still live in the United States, right? I mean we Americans send missionaries to countries like this where they have to hide from those governments. Are we coming to that here in the U.S.A.? I pray not!

Our country is making mandates and planning all aspects of our lives based on perceived climate change! Global warming is a fallacy and man can't have the impact on our world that some are giving us credit for. Complete government control over all aspects of our lives is very frightening to me. Nancy Pelosi thinks otherwise.

Now I am hoping I can go to the beach, stay away from the media and read fiction because the reality of where our country is headed makes me see red!

Just beach'n it

Did I really think I could go on vacation without finishing my burlap party?! Here is the pillow I promised and another yardsale frame painted and with a great quote.



Now I am ready to kick off my shoes, put a flower behind my ear and sit on the beach! I will check in from time to time but not sure about posting.

For some good reading, check out the Restless Patriot. I liked this post she put up recently.

How many Gosselin children in this picture? 8 or 10?

I hate to even give the impression that I follow tabloids. I do not. I probably would not even be interested in these two if they did not live in the same area where I just moved from. I have friends who have helped these folks and later were hurt by these same folks. I have driven by all three of their homes over the years just out of curiousity. I have seen the children playing in their preschool classroom and I have listened to my son and daughter in law as they have seen them out and about. Yeah, I guess you could say I am curious about this family. Now I am simply saddened. Parenting is a tough job for anyone and I can't imagine a large family of multiples such as this BUT the decision to become parents is a deliberate one and was especially deliberate with this couple. All parents face challenges and make sacrifices. We never know exactly what the challenges will be when we sign up for parenthood. I do stand firmly in my belief that the best gift we can give to our children is to love the other parent, and hopefully he or she is our spouse.

My curiosity led me to watch Monday's airing of this family's life (probably the 4th time I have been curious enough to do so). I was so sad as I watched. It seemed to me that there were 10 children and not 8. I wanted to shake that mom and dad and tell them to grow up! I don't think either has heard the word sacrifice. Perhaps the greatest gift they can give their children, in addition to loving one another, is to sacrifice this show and their earnings from it. Is this really the best way to raise children? Stuff is destroyed and long forgotten by children but the love of family remains as do memories-both good and bad. (Had these parents planned accordingly, they probably would have had enough money to live comfortably from this point on.) Shame on TLC for promoting this abuse on the children. That is what I believe this public airing of these parents' behaviors is.

Burlap Party!

I added a burlap bow to the twine wreath I made.

Found the frame at a yard sale for $3. Attached burlap and ribbon to foam core for a great board to showcase some favorite photos of my guys.

I will show you the pillow I am working on AFTER vacation.

Actually it is done! You can check here to see it and one other burlap creation!

I can't wait to see the other Burlap Creations at Rhoda's party!

Is Justice Blind?

From everything I ever learned I was under the impression that those in the position to judge should be blind to things such as race, sex, religion, income or one's "class." From what I have read about our president's nominee for Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, this does not seem to be the case. Here is one story reported by the NY Times.. I find it amazing that it is ok for certain segments of our population to use race and gender in such ways yet if it was the dreaded white male saying these same things about his race and gender he would be in big trouble! I believe that lady liberty wears a blindfold for a reason and bias plays no role in our courts.

I don't know about you, but I find this very scary. Earlier I had posted about my fears concerning the election of this president. His changes to our Supreme Court was a concern that I mentioned. It will have ramifications for years to come. Unfortunately I am afraid that those who have the ability to question this nomination have lost their spine.

Wondering and Remembering

Our President: "When America strays from our values, it not only undermines the rule of law, it alienates us from our allies, it energizes our adversaries and it endangers our national security and the lives of our troops."

My question: What values are you talking about? Why don't your actions reflect your words? Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are the values that immediately come to my mind. If you value life, why do you condone abortion? If you believe in liberty why are you adding more and more controls to our society and taking over industries? If you value the pursuit of happiness why is it becoming more and more difficult for decent hard working people to do so?

Do you honestly believe that being nice will keep our country safe? That is what I hear you saying. What needs to be realized it that there are evil people in this world who do not care how nice we are. (and we are already a pretty nice country when you consider the resources we share with the rest of the world)

What keeps us safe are the brave men and women who are defending and who have defended this great country of ours. What keeps them safe is providing the monies needed to keep our country safe. Let us not forget them this weekend as we enjoy our burgers, friends and families.

Here comes the sun!

Last night I had my mind filled with ideas for today's post...all of a political nature but today I find myself so exhausted and overwhelmed thinking about the mess our country is in that I need a break from cerebral things. So instead I am going off for my daily swim and will spend all morning in the pool (my favorite, well one of my most favorite, spot). We are preparing for a vacation at the beach. I am so looking forward to just sitting in that sand with a book, the shade of an umbrella and a cold drink..for hours...and hours (oh and a gorgeous little grandbaby discovering that sand between her toes)! So I will share this fun song with you by one of my favorite artists (oh, I did already mention that Phil is one of my favorites earlier, didn't I). Have a wonderful weekend!

Does anyone else shop at ALDI?

Years ago when I was not working over the summer and money was very tight I discovered Aldi. I can remember my sons complaining about the "unique" brands at Aldi and the not so pleasant shopping trips there that they endured with me. It did what I needed, saved us money.

Since moving to NC I have rediscovered Aldi and am pleasantly surprised. Someone at church mentioned the pineapples and tomatoes she was getting there so I thought I would try it. Sure enough, she was right! In fact on my first visit I sought out a manager to tell her how impressed I was with the cleanliness of the store. The prices on produce- and most are grown in the USA- are great. The selections on a lot of their food is super and I can't think of one thing we have purchased there that we have been disappointed with. They even had fresh mozzarella to go with the fantastic vine tomatoes! My favorite has got to be these dried blueberries!


I also usually leave with a bouquet or 2 of flowers- where else can you get 6 roses for $3.99? I even bought a tube of their lipstick for under $3 and I like it! They have an entire line of cosmetics. Think I will try one at a time. You can go here to see if there is a store near you. Oh and be sure to bring a quarter with you. You will need one to get a shopping cart. You get it back when you return the cart. Rather ingenious way to keep the parking lot clear, I think!

Finding time to be still

Taking time to make those quiet times special...


"Cease striving and know that I am God: I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 46:10-11

You can see some really great tablescapes at Susan's and then from her site link to many others because today is Tablescape Thursday!

Taxes taking their toll

When were driving back from Philadelphia last week we went through numerous toll booths on I95. No, we weren't squeezed like this but we are feeling the squeeze in other ways. I was just amazed as we drove through and handed our cash over to the folks in the little booths. I have done this how many times without thinking over the years. But on this trip it became an image to me of what our country has become. At the toll booth we reach into our pockets, pull out our bills to hand to someone in a box. What for? Probably not much more than their salaries and benefits packages plus the upkeep of the buildings they sit in all day. I recall reading an article a while back that the PA Turnpike would save an average of $65,000-$70,000 with each layoff. (Can you imagine getting those earnings while sitting in a box with your hand out all day long?) With each paycheck we do the same thing, drop our prescribed donations into that big box called government. How much of those "donations" are spent in paying salaries and benefits for jobs that are less than necessary? At least when it comes to toll roads, we can choose an alternate route. We can't do that with our taxes.

Our economy has taken a hit, well lots of hits lately. Many in our government and the main stream media are completely out of touch with the real people of our country. Considering the state we are in, why does our President think he needs to add one more thing? The new fuel economy and emissions standards are not a smart move in my opinion. They say they are doing this to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and to help save our planet but I would argue this is ridiculous. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil can happen when we drill here not by creating new legislation. Greenhouse gas standards! Nuts! What impact on the world will this have? The United States already has enough legislation regarding pollution on the books. Implementing new standards will hurt an already ailing automotive industry.

Drive around in little cars? Are you nuts? What strain will that put on our crippled health care when injuries from accidents in these little cars start flooding our ERs? (Besides how many yard sale treasures can you fit in one of those "smart cars"?)


Apparently Diane Sawyer was promoting a gas tax on Good Morning America. (Now I know why I do not watch this show.) Does she really think Americans can afford to pay more taxes? I know we can't. What good does taxation do anyhow? Creates more government jobs, just what we need!

I am saddened when I see Americans not reacting to increased tax proposals. Too many are just stuck in their lane driving through and dropping in whatever is asked without questioning why. I for one am tired of being a sheep!

So as to not upset those who come here wanting only decorating and pretty things, I found an image of a pretty toll booth to share as eye candy today!