Shelter Dog

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." -M. Facklam

If this doesn't make you weep and smile at the same time...

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=11771187

And just on a sidenote: Here in the KC area, shelters are reporting record numbers of abandoned cats and dogs, and shelters that euthanize, can not keep up with the "demand" (can't believe I'm using that word). Can anyone tell me why you would let your dog go, (even) when times are tough? A bag of dog food costs $14-$18 at Sam's and lasts one month for our two dogs. We take them to the vet every six months (sometimes more...a lot more... for the big one), but our neighbors are testament to the fact, that some dogs never go to the vet... so that's not even a necessity. So, why would you let your dog... the one who will love you in spite of your money and possessions...go? Why would anyone want to give up that unabashed joy and pure love that greets you when you walk through the door, regardless of your employment status or even how you treated them that morning? Are THAT many pet owners being pushed out of their homes and forced to move into apartments? Are people really in such dire circumstances that they can't afford an $8 bag of cat food?

I ask these questions, realizing that I am fortunate to live in a household with two incomes. I realize that I am fortunate to be able to drive to Sam's. But even in our darkest financial days, I could not have imagined letting our pups go.

I'm really, really not criticizing here... just truly wondering. So if anyone wants to leave a comment that could shed some light, I would gladly welcome the feedback and the discussion.

Sweepers Arm

"Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember, it didn't work for the rabbit." R.E. Shay

I've got sweepers arm.

That's right... I have entered the world of Sweepstakes.

My Aunt Diane introduced me to a website, that literally, allows me to enter hundreds of sweepstakes a day. HUNDREDS! And after five days of keeping up with my "daily entries" I have a numb wrist, tight shoulder, cranky neck, blurry vision, and I think I might even be developing a callous on my pointer finger! Make the madness stop!!!!

And because we live in a society that "passes the buck" whenever possible, I am laying blame squarely on my Aunt, who, by the way, has won more prizes through sweeping, than I can even imagine.

I'm playing 'till I win a flat screen television. Then I'll stop. Seriously.

Now, I'm off to ice my shoulder....

Vacation

"Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking anymore."

Author Unknown Please oh please... let me go back there... now.

Some thoughts on last night...

"Democracy is...the conviction that there are extraordinary possiblities in ordinary people." Harry Emerson Fosdick

I woke up this morning, excited that in a few short weeks, I will never have to hear a Bush speak for the American people. So what now?

I liken the country’s enthusiasm to getting married… you work and work and work to make your wedding perfect. Perfect hair, perfect dresses, perfect words to say at the alter… and then you’re married, and you realize you haven’t worked on the marriage part of getting married. And things are tough. Changes come hard as you move from living independently, to having to live with another’s idea of how life should work. Rhythms are altered and patterns questioned. The way you’ve always loaded the dishwasher is obviously wrong and the fact that he balls his socks when he takes them off at the end of the day, becomes unforgivable (not that I’m speaking from experience!).

I hope and pray that President Elect Barack Obama, has the energy to work on the marriage. But I REALLY hope, that America can ‘get over’ the balled up socks.

I thought Senator McCain’s “farewell” speech was perfect… and though I ranted about his age on here and had my fair share of disparaging observations concerning his running mate… I felt like he did more in those few minutes to elevate the world view of the Republican Party, than Bush managed to do in EIGHT long years. Now you’ll notice… he didn’t let Palin speak. Good move Mav, and may you live out the rest of your life knowing that you lost to a formidable opponent.

And then one last thing... I wonder how many little African American boys woke up this morning and decided they too, would be President of the United States someday? And I wonder how many of their moms and dads thought for the first time, that it really could happen? May we continue to inspire the children of today: children of all colors, of all languages, and of all faith traditions by calling remarkable leadership that dares to act differently in the face of our collective humanity.

Alanis Morissette

"As long as I can say, what it is that I need to say, then I'll fit whatever I'm trying to say around a melody." Alanis Morissette

Got to see Alanis at the Midland in Kansas City on Tuesday and I must say... second best concert that I've been to in a while. There's not many artists that I actually know the lyrics to ALL the songs... but I come pretty close with this one. Well, her and... Hanson. Photo credits go to Nicole Reinertson via Pitch Music Editor, Jason Harper's Wayward Blog -- GREAT photos!

72 Things Younger than John McCain

"We cannot forever hide the truth about ourselves, from ourselves." John McCain

I read the funniest book yesterday, and I'll be pushing it onto as many people as I possibly can, very soon.

It's called 72 Things Younger than John McCain by Joe Quint.

Some things that are younger than John McCain include: mac and cheese, plutonium, the five digit zip code, turn signals, duct tape, Alaska, and social security! HE'S OLDER THAN DUCT TAPE!!!!

Joe Quint went on to mention that John McCain would be older than 91% of United States citizens (according to the US Census). Begs the question... how in tune IS he with America?

Does he care about the fact that unemployment is at an all time high for people in the 30-45 year old age demographic, as he's flipping through the latest AARP magazine (which by the way, he's actually older than). Does he really care about women's reproductive research and initiatives, when he's focusing on geriatric care. Does the man even own an Ipod? Or a pair of pants that sit on his hips, rather than under his arm-pits? Does he smell like BenGay or Old Spice?

And I quote from Saturday Night Live, May 17, 2008: "I have the courage, the wisdom, the experience, and most importantly, the oldness necessary." Okay, we all know you were kidding... but REALLY?

I realize, as each day passes, that I'm getting older and I would never want anyone to tell me I couldn't do something, because of my age... but, I also realize that with age, comes responsibility. The responsiblity to know my limits, to understand my psychi, and listen to my body.

The only thing I can compare it to: In ministry, you are constantly reevaluating your call -- reevaluating your effectiveness, your limitations, and your future. And in the midst of your reeveluation, you sometimes have to make the hard realization that the current place that you are in, may not be the best place for you or for the church. And sometimes that realization is painful, especially when it uproots you and your family, leaves you unemployed, or leaves you questioning everything you've always known as Truth. But it is still, an important part of the process of life.

Just throwin' that out there...

I guess I'm just not ready... I just not ready for Palin, to be our first female President.

Fall Fun

"Autumn is a second spring, where every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus

Who can resist these things!?

Come on! A scarecrow and a bat?

Only at night, when no one's looking.

On Saturday, we traveled to Lewisburg, KS for their Cider Festival and Pumpkin Patch. I braved the corn maze, despite my control issues, and "came out the other side" fully intact. A pumpkin sling, a stroll through the enormous pumpkin patch, and one large bag of kettle corn later, we are officially ready for Fall!!