We knew it was only a matter of time until Dr. Phil managed to cast homeschooling in a negative light, in relation to the FLDS sect in West Texas. I'm going from memory here, but basically he asked the county sherriff or some such person why they didn't check in on the compound residents earlier on to make sure everything was okay out there and their education was adequate. The offical responded, correctly, that Texans have a constitutional right to homeschool and they had no legal grounds to investigate that matter. Dr. Phil went on to comment how it was a shame that there was no oversight so that the authorities could have seen these abuses sooner.
So, does anyone else see the logical disconnect there? What does the method of education have to do with sexual abuse? I'm not defending these wackos, but I do believe in the constitutional principle of requiring some evidence to warrant a search of someone's home. It's probably true that public school personnel are trained to look for signs of abuse in their students, but that doesn't mean that the purpose of public education is to check in on parents.
Also much has been made of the fact that the families were polygamous. Well, again not defending these people, but what is so bad about polygamy from the government's perspective? In a world of no fault divorce, gay marriage and parenthood, lowering ages of consent, and single parenthood by choice (artificial insemination of single women and other such stuff)... is polygamy any worse? As Red Cardigan wrote (see "And Sometimes Tea" on the link list), the government has pretty much tied its own hands on matters of faith and morals by refusing to defend traditional definitions of "family". Again, I am absolutely opposed to polygamy, but on what grounds does the state make any sort of sexual moral judgement these days?
Also of note is that several of the teenage girls were pregnant or already mothers. Again I ask, is that such a big deal in a liberal secular world? What's the pregnancy rate among public schooled teens? Maybe most of them use contraception and/or abortion, but I bet nearly as many "normal" teens are sexually active as those living in the FLDS compound.
On a somewhat unrelated note, I can't remember where I read this, but I had to laugh a few months ago at someone's comment on the Republican primaries. It was noted that the only top Republican candidate with just one wife was the Mormon.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Llama Clipper Hands
I've recently tried immersing myself into the world of coupons! Why? Well, my budget for weekly groceries is getting blown (big time) every shopping trip and the bleeding out must stop.
Three years ago I was able to get my cash out before entering the store, and when the dust settled I either had a few dollars left to grab some fries for the kids on the way home (or more depending on how well we did)... or grab a few extra coins from my change purse, no big deal. Now I'm never quite sure where the bottom line will be and have had to rely exclusively on my debt card, and there is NEVER money left over... more often than not I look at the total and think I probably consider auctioning off one of my organs!
So now what? Coupons. This is harder than it seems... at least to me. For the most part what I buy, I've worked to find the lowest price already... now I have coupons for different brands, and that takes time to stand at the product and decide if what I usually buy is still cheap (unit price) or if the coupon makes the other item a better deal.
For example, last Friday
-I had $16 worth of coupons
-I had scoured the circular for that store, and had planned my meals accordingly
Savings Summary:
MFG coupons - $5.35
Store Coupons - $6.10 ($5.00 off more than $50.00 in groceries, and then a few others picked up in the isles)
In Store Sales - $37.03
Total Savings - $48.48
(Sadly still way over budget, but working it down)
What have I learned... lots of clipping, but that doesn't always mean savings (for that trip). But I did save, more than justified the cost of a Sunday paper that we usually NEVER buy. Plus I still have several coupons in my in my stash for later purchases.
I want to get better about coupons... some many people out there have figured it out, I want to be one of those people (you know the ones, they hold up the line as they hand over the coupons... except I tend to be quite organized and shouldn't cause too much of a delay), I WANT BIG SAVINGS... so are you one of those people who know how to save at the store... HOW? Teach me! Give me advice!
Three years ago I was able to get my cash out before entering the store, and when the dust settled I either had a few dollars left to grab some fries for the kids on the way home (or more depending on how well we did)... or grab a few extra coins from my change purse, no big deal. Now I'm never quite sure where the bottom line will be and have had to rely exclusively on my debt card, and there is NEVER money left over... more often than not I look at the total and think I probably consider auctioning off one of my organs!
So now what? Coupons. This is harder than it seems... at least to me. For the most part what I buy, I've worked to find the lowest price already... now I have coupons for different brands, and that takes time to stand at the product and decide if what I usually buy is still cheap (unit price) or if the coupon makes the other item a better deal.
For example, last Friday
-I had $16 worth of coupons
-I had scoured the circular for that store, and had planned my meals accordingly
Savings Summary:
MFG coupons - $5.35
Store Coupons - $6.10 ($5.00 off more than $50.00 in groceries, and then a few others picked up in the isles)
In Store Sales - $37.03
Total Savings - $48.48
(Sadly still way over budget, but working it down)
What have I learned... lots of clipping, but that doesn't always mean savings (for that trip). But I did save, more than justified the cost of a Sunday paper that we usually NEVER buy. Plus I still have several coupons in my in my stash for later purchases.
I want to get better about coupons... some many people out there have figured it out, I want to be one of those people (you know the ones, they hold up the line as they hand over the coupons... except I tend to be quite organized and shouldn't cause too much of a delay), I WANT BIG SAVINGS... so are you one of those people who know how to save at the store... HOW? Teach me! Give me advice!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Bad blogger mommy
I've not been very diligent about blogging lately... but it's been because I've been so busy. Therapy, generally slow moving around in everything I do, finishing up school with the boys, and now I'm watching a sweet little 18 month old for some friends (for a few weeks).
Updates are as follows...
-Snookie finished school last week! He's officially a first grader now!
-Bobcat and Bubba finished everything except for math (which we are doing year round).
-I'm supposed to be weening myself out of the boot slowly... I'm sore, new bruising is showing up, and I have this week (3 sessions) of PT and then I'm supposed to be done and all better (ha ha ha ha). Well, I'm supposed to have learned how to PT myself and take care of the rest of the work on my own.
-We WILL be going camping Mother's Day Weekend... AND I WILL BE WALKING ON MY OWN (gosh darn it, even if I have to kill myself in the process).
-Is it time for summer vacation yet??????
Just an interesting sidenote... all you mom's out there that started off with just one kid... wow, that must have been hard! At least with our new little daily friend, the boys do a great job of keeping him happy and entertained! I really am just there for some emotional support (when he remembers that 'Daddy' isn't there), and overall supervisioner and cooker (as Bubba calls me)!
Updates are as follows...
-Snookie finished school last week! He's officially a first grader now!
-Bobcat and Bubba finished everything except for math (which we are doing year round).
-I'm supposed to be weening myself out of the boot slowly... I'm sore, new bruising is showing up, and I have this week (3 sessions) of PT and then I'm supposed to be done and all better (ha ha ha ha). Well, I'm supposed to have learned how to PT myself and take care of the rest of the work on my own.
-We WILL be going camping Mother's Day Weekend... AND I WILL BE WALKING ON MY OWN (gosh darn it, even if I have to kill myself in the process).
-Is it time for summer vacation yet??????
Just an interesting sidenote... all you mom's out there that started off with just one kid... wow, that must have been hard! At least with our new little daily friend, the boys do a great job of keeping him happy and entertained! I really am just there for some emotional support (when he remembers that 'Daddy' isn't there), and overall supervisioner and cooker (as Bubba calls me)!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
There's no such thing...
...as too much beer! Or is there?
I picked up one of those Heineken mini kegs for a little shindig here at Casa Llama last weekend. I don't want y'all to think we are party animals. We were going to have seven adults, and the mini keg was $18, so basically the price of three six packs of cheap beer. I figured it was a good deal and had been wanting to try one for some time. Well, early on the mini keg sprang a leak and we'd only had four or five drinks out of it. So I went to return it to the store. They wouldn't offer me a refund, but they did let me exchange it. So now I have a mini keg all to myself. It says it will stay fresh for 30 days, so I guess I'll have to enjoy in moderation every night for the next month. We have some other friends coming over this Sunday, but I don't think they're beer drinkers.
You know, I should have just saved it for our upcoming beach trip - sorry, Familia Del Valle! We'll get another one on the island.
I picked up one of those Heineken mini kegs for a little shindig here at Casa Llama last weekend. I don't want y'all to think we are party animals. We were going to have seven adults, and the mini keg was $18, so basically the price of three six packs of cheap beer. I figured it was a good deal and had been wanting to try one for some time. Well, early on the mini keg sprang a leak and we'd only had four or five drinks out of it. So I went to return it to the store. They wouldn't offer me a refund, but they did let me exchange it. So now I have a mini keg all to myself. It says it will stay fresh for 30 days, so I guess I'll have to enjoy in moderation every night for the next month. We have some other friends coming over this Sunday, but I don't think they're beer drinkers.
You know, I should have just saved it for our upcoming beach trip - sorry, Familia Del Valle! We'll get another one on the island.
Monday, April 21, 2008
9-year-old boy flees Islamic school that makes beggars of African kids
It's hard to believe that this is really happening:
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/593840.html
We are so blessed to live in the United States.
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/593840.html
We are so blessed to live in the United States.
The rising son
Bubba and I have developed a little routine in the morning. I typically wake up earlier than the rest of the family, and am gone before sunrise. When Bubba was younger and still learning to stay dry all night, I would wake him up and send him to the bathroom on my way out the door. And I'd kiss his head and tell him to have a nice day and behave for Mommy. Well, he's been dry for over a year and I don't need to wake him up. One would think that he'd be happy to stay asleep longer, but he still likes to get up early to use the bathroom. The funny thing is his timing. I assume that he wakes up when he hears my shower, and then he lies in wait until he hears me in the hallway. Once I'm dressed, I head to the kitchen to grab my lunch, and that's when he emerges. He's always there when I pass by for his kiss and pep talk.
Today my routine was a little off. I went to the kitchen right after the shower to get a drink, and as I came back down the hall I heard him going into the bathroom. I assumed he'd do his business and go back to bed. But the poor little guy sat there for 15 minutes while I shaved and got dressed and then returned to the kitchen for my lunch. He must have been wondering if I'd ever come. I think he had started to give up because when I finally did come by, he was already headed back to bed. But of course I stopped for his kiss, and I saw that little twinkle in his eye.
I just love our secret little routine, sharing a moment while the rest of the house is still sleeping. I love his sweet little head and his sleepy eyes. I know he loves one-on-one time. I'm sure he knows my cologne, our boys have always been big on smells. I wonder if he'll remember these moments when he's grown up. I can't think of a better way to start the day than with a little Bubba waiting for his kiss.
Today my routine was a little off. I went to the kitchen right after the shower to get a drink, and as I came back down the hall I heard him going into the bathroom. I assumed he'd do his business and go back to bed. But the poor little guy sat there for 15 minutes while I shaved and got dressed and then returned to the kitchen for my lunch. He must have been wondering if I'd ever come. I think he had started to give up because when I finally did come by, he was already headed back to bed. But of course I stopped for his kiss, and I saw that little twinkle in his eye.
I just love our secret little routine, sharing a moment while the rest of the house is still sleeping. I love his sweet little head and his sleepy eyes. I know he loves one-on-one time. I'm sure he knows my cologne, our boys have always been big on smells. I wonder if he'll remember these moments when he's grown up. I can't think of a better way to start the day than with a little Bubba waiting for his kiss.
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