Well, it's been a year.
Last July, I decided to start a blog, just so I wouldn't have to tell people the condition of my cervix over the phone. If it stuns you that I would use the word cervix in such a public venue, go on back and read the archives. It was a continual topic of conversation.
So my complete loathing for talking on the phone has done us good, eh?
I kinda thought people would check in and see how I was doing, and maybe I'd get a few comments. Ha.
I underestimated the power of Yablonskis.... and you have all become honorary Yablonskis.
We prayed Toby through... celebrated every Monday, a Toby-ganza... you commiserated with my weekly shots, and the boredom.
The conversation kept my spirits up at such crucial times. I remember reading and holding my stomach so I wouldn't cause contractions by laughing.
And then Toby came. And I thought maybe that would be it.
Luckily, it wasn't! Every day, I can get up and write how I'm feeling, or what I'm thinking... it has been a good discipline for me to have a post every weekday. And then off you go.... every now and then, there are 8 comment days... I used to worry that the blog had died. But no. Then I'll strike a chord with something random and the discussion flies. Random characters and the ocassional mutant drop in. And it is good.
Maybe you've all gotten to know me better. I know the reverse is true.
The future of the blog... who knows? I imagine it will continue to be an outlet for me, so you will learn about homeschooling and special needs and so on.
I also hope to start practicing writing. I know I've said that before, but I hope I do. Try out some poetry and short stories on the 'rati.

So, happy birthday to us! Somebody make me a cake!

You know, the whole Andrea Yates thing is a hot topic... people cannot really be passive about it.
Look at your perspective, it will color your opinion. As a planning to be homeschooling hopefully mother of many, it does bother me when that is the "reason" for her insanity. Of course there are always spiritual things involved... and the tragedy of the lives lost is so horrific.
Here on my blog, I usually keep things light. I have grieved for so long that I wanted a place to laugh.
Now, I am starting to watch and think and reason again. So sometimes I will open topics like this, and welcome the debate. I am not threatened by opinions. Have at 'em. If I feel like a comment is inappropriate, I will delete it. I have deleted comments maybe 3 times in my year here.

I don't expect everyone to be perfect in here. That would be pretty boring. So, yeah, I feel this way and you feel that way. The fact is, it's all opinion. None of us were there, none of us know what went down. So it's speculation based on media reports. God help us. :)

I love all the bloggerati. Blog on.

Yesterday Andrea Yates was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
I have just been trying to process what I think of that.
I think she was insane. It was a horrible evil thing to do... demonic.
So she's going to get out of prison.... crazy. I wonder if there is any person who killed 5 adults deliberately and is walking the streets... maybe this is different somehow because she was suffering from PostPartum Psychosis... like, she isn't a threat to the general population. She will probably spend most of her life in a mental institution.
Really, though. Can you imagine what has to be going on in her mind? What could be more horrible, more torturous than knowing you killed your children.... grieving the loss... and knowing YOU did it. She will be in prison whether or not she is incarcerated... hell on earth.
And her (ex) husband... all along has said he supports her, she was a good wife, etc. I don't get this. If he wants to say, she was a good wife up until the day she KILLED our children, then, maybe. But why this unwavering support? He should be outraged... you know?

Anyway, it's pretty easy to have an opinion about something.

(was video of man headbutting horse)

There is a heck of a lot going on in the world today. Hezbollah and Israel and who knows what Britney and Kevin may be up to.
Some personal upheaval in my life... to be updated at another date. NOT pregnancy although that could happen, so don't be too surprised.

So there is a lot to blog on and yet, no blog. Insert sad violin solo.

Sometimes, as my dad used to say, the excrement hits the ventilator.

If you're standing around, some is going to hit you. Disgusting, and
yet true. (sigh)

On other notes, we went this weekend to Texas Ablaze. Richy, being a mystic, had several significant encounters with God. I enjoyed myself... can't really call it a Sinai experience.
Ah, but I did have a Cinnabon at Deerbrook Mall.... ours is closed,
if anyone didn't know. Deerbrook has the only Cinnabon in the greater
Houston area. So, now you know.
We are coming up on the one year anniversary of the blog, here. No
plan yet. That's how I like it.

Keith Peterson... how cute is he??

Well, I actually wrote a blog yesterday but it never showed up here. Curiouser and curiouser....

Toby is sick. Poor little guy. He has a little fever and a runny nose. I thought it was just teething but I woke up with a sore throat today... sheesh.
Did I write that we have decided to homeschool R2? I'm excited and nervous about it... it is going to be a lot of work, but he'll love it.
There's a big homeschool convention in August.... that's where we'll get a lot of ideas.

But my throat hurts and there's nothing to eat. Somebody call the waa-mbulance.

Yeah, whatever.
I don't think we have anyone man enough to think of a topic.

Morning troops!
We are moving out ! After my 5 cups of coffee I am ready for action. Orders have come down from the Big W himself for all of you sleeping bag warriors! Today, we are going to conquer the world! Kiss the world goodbye as you have known it, because it will never be the same. We, yes, we, will have terminated the lives of the maggots of the world.

KTW- You get to assasinate Bin Laden, He is in a starbucks in Cincinatti

Josharoo- the big W wants you to bring peace to the middle east. W has great faith in you. He has assured me that this is not a mission to big for your talents. Take lots of donuts

Mamapc- Your mission is to destroy all of the of the 70's series MASH
The big W hates that show

Jennifer- Your orders are to end world air pollution. W has set you an appointment with Eureka

Betheroni- W wants you at the ranch in Crawford, teaching his dog Barney to obey.


Arberto- Sinking russian tankers. No task too large, use your facilities at work.

Jessica- Stop global warming, after your fasting is over

Big Daddy- Drill large holes in alaska and get the oil flowing back to the Motherland. Suggested- use lots of pvc


Post your results here on the blog. Remember, your Country is counting on you. We must have finished all of the orders by 5 pm tomorrow. You can do it, you are the proud, the few, the marines.



Servant
Clammy
Anybody else that shows up after being AWOL
Write me at exterminator_terminator@yahoo.com I will give you secret orders from there. Except Georgia, forget it, Hmmm, need to look up her dossier, related to Mike League, eh?


PS- still looking for a few good men -marines.gov

You will be having a SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER this morning....

---

Jessica is fasting the internet until Tuesday night, please welcome your guest blogger.

I have been in every war since I was old enough to hold a weapon, that's right sissies, vietnam, gulf war, Beirut, and now Iraq. I hate commies and I wish I could just blow them all off the map. I have a home in downtown Detroit where I haven't been in 4 years cause I have been defending your right to work and live and breathe the great air of the American nation. If you want to see me, you won't! Because I am behind every tree and sitting on every roof that you people take for granted. Don't look for me, if you are a left-winged, Clinton loving, foxnews hating, commie, I will find you, be afraid, I tell you, be much afraid.

I will be fasting the internet, media actually for the next 2 days
and seeking God.
If you pray for me, pray for grace and for direction.

You will have the joy of a special guest blogger mañana and Tuesday
morning.

In which, Jessica decides that she will go screaming out of her mind
if she doesn't get out of the house, but Richy doesn't listen so she
has to force him to call his mom, who then watches the children and
Richy and Jessica go to Cracker Barrel and have some comfort food,
and then Daniel joins them. And then Toby HATES this new bottle so
Richy and Jessica and Daniel then go to Eva's and Jessica feeds Toby
until he is stuffed. And Richy and Jessica and Daniel go bowling,
starting at nearly 11 pm. And in which, Jessica bowls a 45 game and
has her first ever dragging toilet paper out of the b.r. on her shoe,
which causes great mirth with a few country girls who have had a bit
of cough syrup, if you know what I mean. And in which Daniel (wyld
stalyn) and Richy (Hevy Metl) have great fun bowling and Jess (40
bowl) has fun hanging out and then in which we go get our children
and go home. And Jessica takes a shower because she smells like a bar.

What is stealing bandwidth? Look here http://altlab.com/hotlinking.html.

Here's how to host a picture the LEGIT way
First, go to Google Images and search for whatever. You have to choose an image that is less than 60 k.


Second, click on Full size Image


Third, copy (CTRL-C) the web address


Fourth, click the URL button, and paste (CTRL-V) the address, then click Host It!



Fifth, copy the line that says Direct Link.


Last, paste this address in your profile



If that doesn't work, it could be one of a hundred problems. You might just try a different picture.
We'll see if we need a troubleshooting workshop.


If you have a file saved on your computer, click Choose File and then select the file from your PC, then Host It.

Had a conversation with my pal yesterday... re: staying home vs. working. Got me thinking. Now you have the history.

I quit working when we went to Joshua School... we were going to have to devote all our time to it... 4 hours a day five days a week for class, and then at least 4 hours of homework per class, plus home groups, leading the youth ministry, and regular church (I say regular, loosely). We were the first year of Joshua, and they kicked our butts. We almost died. It was awesome. But I digress.
I stopped working for that reason, or stopped going to work. I was working hard. Then, after Joshua School, the ministry really took off and Richy went on staff at CTK and I helped him, I guess... and maybe worked for my dad a little. Got pregnant, never worked again. (eh, temp job in 02 for a couple months). So that's another history lesson.
The thing is, I HATED working. I despised it. I hated waking up the same time every morning. I hated having a dress code. I hated eating lunch with strangers, and nobody my age (I was 18 working at Hewitt). I hated feeling stuck in a cubicle all day and then getting home and it was already nighttime. The only thing I liked was the cashola. The only thing I miss is the cashola.

So is staying at home work? Heck yes. 24/7 work. No breaks, But there are some benefits.
• I don't have to wake up at the same time every day (I do have to wake up all night)... some days it will be 7 am, other days 9. The variety is nice
• No dress code. Unless you consider spit-up a dress code. I sport that every day
• Lunch with strangers? HA! I never even see strangers.
• Some people around here take naps. So every day there is a possibilty that I may be able to nap, and it helps me feel not so tired. (just the possibility, I never do actually take one)
• Freedom to rule the internet
• There's a cute guy who works over the pond, and sometimes he comes over here and tells me to clean stuff and I talk him into taking us out to eat

I don't really get to stop. It is a whirlwind of feeding and changing and patting and jiggling and trying to convince someone to eat their sandwich or for the love of all that is holy go outside and laundry and dishes and so forth. But these little guys... man. Cliche, but you could not put a price on it. I feel paid every smile.

Toby has regressed to eating several times a night... I don't really
mind... as long as he goes back to sleep.
Such was not the case this "morning". (read: absurdly early)
He cried, etc... so I fed him... then he starts grabbing my face and
screeching... this is his normal daytime activity. So I open up the
old weary eyes and he is DIRECTLY in my face, smiling delightedly. It
is so dark I can hardly see him.
He cooed and laughed and kicked his daddy for a long time... then he
was banished to the playpen to party alone.
7-10 minutes later: I have fallen back asleep and am awakened by
heartbreak hotel over in the playpen.
You think this is funny, don't you?
Actually, I kinda did too.
Around 8 this morning he got bored.... what with the daylight and all
and fell sound asleep until now.

Oh the funny silly tired wonderfulness of Toby.

So here we are, Monday.
100 posts already downstairs... a minimum of controversy re: PC's.
Current status:
6 month old asleep in swing. Head is at funny angle but will be
untouched due to parental unwillingness to interrupt nap.
7 year old in chair watching Chicken Run. Appropriate amount of arm
flapping, mouth agape. Ocassional breaks to visit the PBJ buffet on
table.
27 year old in room with 7 year old and MonsterAwesomeComputer.
Raising ruckus on crunchy organic mom message board and elswhere.
28 year old is not visible. Probably mixing a Tennessean's CD very
loudly and praying or something.
Cat unseen. Possibly waiting for 27 year old foot to descend from
perch for attack.

Dell laptop explodes at Japanese conference

INQ reader's amazing snaps

By INQUIRER newsdesk: Wednesday 21 June 2006, 13:22


AN INQUIRER READER attending a conference in Japan was sat just feet away from a laptop computer that suddenly exploded into flames, in what could have been a deadly accident.
Gaston, our astonished reader reports: "The **** thing was on fire and produced several explosions for more than five minutes".

Should you witness such an event, his advice is, "Don't try anything courageous/stupid, stay away, away, away!"

"For the record, this is a Dell machine," notes Gaston. "It is only a matter of time until such an incident breaks out on a plane," he suggests.

Our witness managed to catch all the action in these amazing pictures.

"Fire extinguishers leave a mess on your suit and belongings; pack your stuff (if you can) and leave, leave, leave!" he advises.

We don't have any further details of the model of the computer in question. In light of the evidence, however, we'd suggest you avoid actually using a laptop on your lap. Ouch.

See Also

Dell recalls 22,000 batteries

Dell recalls a million faulty AC adaptors

Dell notebook adaptor fault: Not many killed

Interesting day yesterday.... straaaaange 4 word story which is still going on, I believe.

---

My heart has been heavy for a while now. As I am awakening, I am seeing more clearly the devastation created by sin. It kills, doesn't it? You know, the wages of sin is death.... but that is death now. It's just hurting me.
I was anesthized to this for a few years... my own sorrow consumed me. But now I see again.
Makes me remember why I wanted out.

God, raise up a standard of righteousness. Ignite a passion for You in Your people. Make us sick of sin. Open our eyes... expose the enemy and his lies.

---

Okay, we'll try this again.

This is the story thread. You can type 4 words or less. You cannot
type 2 posts in a row. Anyone can post, it's a coed story.

ONCE AGAIN, COMMENTS OUTSIDE THE STORY GO DOWNSTAIRS.

Have you ever lived in the boondocks? I mean.... waaay out there.
That is where I live.
Technically, it's 14 miles either way once you hit 105. To Walmart,
that is.... Cleveland or Conroe. But it takes another 5 or 10 minutes
just to get to 105.
Unless you drive like the proverbial bat. Which is what a lot of
crazy people out here do. I mean, I'm not driving 35 back here. But I
am braking on curves and whatnot. Sheesh.

Anyway, just thinking about going to "town" today.

I'm hooked on the land, that's the thing. When we move from here, we
will still want a few acres at least. But you don't go outside, you
might say. True that, true.
But when I am in a house with neighbors all around, I just feel so
crowded. It's like being in the subway.

Someday I will have a massive at least 5 bedroom house in the middle
of everything, but with land. Like 242. And a bunch of chilluns,
maybe. Because chilluns are a good good thing.

Upstairs we will have the story thread. Coed. 4 words. All other
comments can go here.

Okay, here's the deal. It is guys ONRY till noon. So here's your chance to make a good story. You may type a maximum of FOUR words... and no serial posting, only one post until somebody else, then you can post again. Is that confusing?

Comments outside of the story need to go DOWNSTAIRS in the comment thread. Gratzi

Here we go

Once, there was a

Anything outside the 4 word story thread can be posted here

Look at Josh's dog all dressed up for the holiday,


We are having Radiant Revolution tonight, and hot dogs afterward... and carbonated beverages and fireworks. And so on. Well, actually we are just watching the Woodlands fireworks if the service lets out in time...
and I imagine some Radiants will be doing some death defying pyrotechnic stunts out here at the 'Ville later....

Happy 4th, peeps!

Sing-Sing Clark

After HOURS of intense discussion with a mediator, MamaPC and Kat
have decided to be friends, and call off the fight. The standoff was
one of the most tense I have sat through in all of my years as a pro
wrestler.
It was brutal, but it's over. You may all wear your formal outfits to
the reconciliation banquet.
WHEW.

These are pretty complicated. But, hey, you wanted some rules!



Overview of Wrestling Rules

The object of the sport of wrestling is to put your opponent on his back -- to pin your opponent.

A pin (or fall) is when you put your opponent on his/her back with any part of both shoulders or both shoulder blades of your opponent in contact with the mat for two seconds. When you pin your opponent, the match is over and you are the winner.

If nobody gets pinned, the winner is the wrestler who has scored the most points during the match..

There are five ways to score points in a wrestling match:

1) Takedown - (2 points) You score two points for taking your opponent down to the mat and controlling him/her.
2) Escape - (1 point) You score one point for getting away or getting to a neutral position when your opponent has you down on the mat.

3) Reversal - (2 points) You score two points when your opponent has you down on the mat and you come from underneath and gain control of your opponent.

4) Near Fall (Back Points) - (2 or 3 points) You get near fall points when you almost but not quite get your opponent pinned. A near fall (near pin) is when...

both shoulders are held for two seconds within four inches of the mat, or...
one shoulder touches the mat and the other shoulder is at a 45 degree angle coming down to the mat, or...

the wrestler is held in a high bridge or back on both elbows.

If a near fall lasts for two seconds, you get 2 points. If a near fall lasts for 5 seconds, you get 3 points.

5) Penalty Points - (1 or 2 points) Your opponent is awarded points if you commit the following infractions.

Illegal Holds - There are several holds that the referee will penalize you for without warning. (There are other holds call "potentially dangerous holds" which the referee might make you let go of but will not penalize you for).

Technical Violations
Going off the mat to avoid wrestling ("fleeing the mat.")
Grabbing clothing, the mat, or the headgear

Incorrect starting position or false start (You get two cautions before points are awarded).

Locked or overlapped hands: If you are down on the mat in control of your opponent, you cannot lock or overlap your hands, fingers or arms around your opponent's body or both legs unless you have your opponent in a near pin, or your opponent stands up and has all his/her weight on two feet.

Leaving the mat during the match without the referee's permission

Figure 4 head scissors from the neutral position.

Unnecessary roughness

Unsportsmanlike conduct

Flagrant Misconduct (ejection, the match is over)

Stalling (you get one warning before you are penalized and points are awarded).

The first and second time you are penalized, your opponent is awarded one point. The third time you are penalized, your opponent is awarded two points. The fourth time you are penalized, you are disqualified. (Except for illegal starting position or false start - you are cautioned twice, then one point awarded for each infraction, but you will not be disqualified).

These rules apply to the type of wrestling done in the United States in College, High School, Junior High, Middle School, and most youth wrestling. This type of wrestling is often referred to as "folkstyle" wrestling. The rules for "freestyle" and "greco-roman" wrestling, as is done in the olympics and internationally, are a little different.

A little chat room, folkies... give 'er a try... we'll probably use this for this weekend only.

YOU MISSED IT... THE CHAT ROOM IS GONE
AW, CRY ME A RIVER