Happy Halloween...we are not big celebrators of this holiday, it was fun when the kids were little, and we'd walk around when they trick or treated.....we lived in a condo when the kids were young, so we took them over by their elementary school neighborhood. We knew many of families in the area, several teachers also so it was really fun walking around there. The boys usually dressed in home made silly costumes, nothing scary. It was more of a harvest festival atmosphere.
One year, we got started late, Donny was about 9...and we hadn't made him a costume so we went to Walmart...the only thing they had in his size was a Barney the Dinosaur which he wore but wasn't too happy about...Barney wasn't too cool when at that age.
Another year I threw together a easy costume for him...got two pieces of poster board and made dominos which I then added shoulder straps for a sandwich sign. One side had a single black dot on it, the other had two dots....he had the most fun that year, trick or treated twice...he'd go up to a house, get some candy, then flip the sign around and go to the same house, asking if they had seen his twin brother?
They are too old to go out trick or treating now....usually don't do too much..Menifee doesn't have much nightlife..some of the churches have festivals...last year they went to one the Baptist church has every year...lots of baked goods, music and games...our town closes down at night for the most part...
We usually just hand out a little candy (only could afford one large bag this year so when its gone, its lights out) and watch a movie...last year we watched Pirates of the Carribean....I am thinking about getting out the old Ghostbusters tonight, its silly fun. I always like the Stay Pufted Marshmallow Man.
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On a more serious note:
I was woke up last night with a strong urge to pray for our nation...I hope you will also if you are so led. Also pray for peace on election day and afterwards....whoever wins, there are bound to be people upset. It is such a close election, no mandate this time.
As you know, we are McCain supporters and are Republicans...only because the Republican platform is more biblical than the Democratic. The Democratic party has gotten far more to the far left than ever before. A totally Democratic congress and a Democratic president will not be good for our country anymore than a completely Republican congress and president. There needs to be brakes in the form of disent. Total power corrupts totally. I am worried about an Obama presidency as his people has stopped many things from coming out in the open..from little things like NBC and YouTube forced to take off a SNL (Saturday Night Live) skit on the stockmarket melt down, to stopping NRA commercials to bigger things that having the state department investigate anyone who asks simple questions of the candidates...if we can't ask a question without fear of a investigation, what kind of country are we? Now that is scary. The strange thing to Alan and I personally is this....Alan had to have an FBI security investigation as well as a Homeland one to get his locksmith license here in California.....but we have someone running for President that couldn't pass the same investigation because of his former alliances. Something to pray and think about.

My sister-in-law sent this to me this morning and as its such an important message, I wanted to pass it on to my readers....the battle is not lost yet.
She made sure this was written by a real person also because, like she says, there is alot of untruth floating around.

I wanted to know if there really was a Scott Whitley, so I emailed him at the address at the end of his letter. There is so much untruth circulating that I didn't want to forward this if it wasn't.

Here is his reply:

Who am I? Nobody really. Basically I'm just a 45 year old, married, father of 3 kids, that just loves Jesus and wants to encourage his body, the Church, and I work as a mailman for the United States Postal Service in Enid Oklahoma. I attend an independent Christian church in Enid. If you want to know more about me you can click on my MySpace link that follows, but I must warn you, I'm not much to look at! Here's that link, brace yourself! http://www.myspace.com/scottwhitley5486643

Subject: It's not over yet!!! DON'T GIVE UP!

I don’t know who this Scott Whitley guy is, other than the author of this piece.....

Dear Friends in Christ,

Are you sensing that there is something different about this presidential election? I was telling someone just recently that it seems like this election is far more serious than those in the recent past. Something in my spirit is very uneasy. In the past I have felt the need to pray for different elections but I have never felt so strongly the urge to pray, and pray fervently, for an election as I do for this one. I truly believe that if the wrong person (Obama) is elected this nation will be changed forever. We may not be able to undo the things that will be unleashed during an Obama presidency. My concern about an Obama presidency is not based on politics; it is based on righteousness. Look at any of the major moral issues (abortion, homosexuality etc.) and you will find Obama on the wrong side of the issue, and Palin and McCain on the right side of the issue. What makes this so disturbing is that the Obama team has raised far more money than McCain/Palin, and the media is unabashedly supporting Obama with every story and headline they write. Currently McCain/Palin is behind in the polls and is having a very difficult time. Some in the media have suggested that the race is over and there is little or nothing McCain can do to change the outcome. Oh how wrong they are!

Let me briefly share a story I recently read in 2 Samuel Chapter 5. David had just become king of Israel and the Philistines went up to wage war against him. So David inquired of the Lord and said, 'Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?' The LORD said, 'Yes I will surely hand them over to you.' So David went and defeated them. He said, 'As waters break out, the LORD has broken out against my enemies before me.' After suffering a great loss in the first battle the Philistines must have thought they now knew David's defense strategy and they would be ready for him the next time because once more the Philistines came up to attack David. So once again David inquired of the LORD, but this time the Lord gave different instructions. He said to David, 'Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.' David obeyed the Lord and was victorious.

This story holds a very important lesson for us at this time. In most presidential elections a frontal assault, a face-to-face battle, is what is needed. But this is no ordinary election. McCain is trying all the normal tactics, but he is not prevailing. It seems no matter what he says or does it is not effective. I am convinced this election CANNOT be won using normal methods. Just as the Lord told David to go around behind the enemy and attack him there, so we must go around the face of this election and wage war where the battle is truly raging…in the spiritual realm! The fact that the normal physical methods are not effective this time should tell us that this is a very important spiritual battle and we can only win by using spiritual methods…Prayer!

What about the sound of marching in the treetops? What is that? I have read on the Internet several accounts of fellow Christians being stirred up in their spirits to pray. Many have been drawn into times of deep prayer and weeping as they intercede for Palin and McCain. Some have waked up in the middle of the night and sensed a great need to pray; other have told that when they heard about Sarah Palin being chosen as VP something came over them and they wept and felt a need to pray for her and McCain. Many others are feeling the calling and urging of the Spirit to enter into a time of fervent prayer and fasting for Palin and McCain and our nation. What is this unusual stirring that is occurring? I believe it is the Sound of the Lord marching in the trees, calling his children to act quickly to pray and fast for Palin and McCain. Think about this, what would the marching have sounded like to David? It may have sounded like the rustling of leaves as when wind blows through them, but this time something was different and out of the ordinary. Maybe it was like the sound of the great wind when the Spirit moved on the day of Pentecost. Also, God's people are referred to as Trees of Righteousness in Isaiah 61. So the sound of the Lord marching in the treetops in David's time is a portrait of the Spirit of the Lord moving among and stirring up his children today.

So what are we to do when we sense this stirring of the Spirit? Two things, first we are to take it as the sign that the Lord is moving out in front of us. Anytime the Lord calls us to do something he goes ahead of us to prepare the way and fight for us. When Joshua returned from spying out Jericho the Lord gave him insight to see that the Lord had removed Jericho 's protection so Israel could defeat them. When the Lord calls us into battle he goes ahead of us, removes the enemy's protection, and fights for us to give us the victory. Secondly, the Lord tells us when we sense the stirring of the Spirit we are to act quickly and join Him in the battle (through prayer, fasting, praise and obedience).

This election is by no means lost. For God would not be stirring up his children all across this nation and indeed around the world, to pray, if he did not want to give us the victory in this election. And he wants us to join him in the battle. God will hear the cries of his children if we will only cry out to him with fervent, earnest, prayers for this election and this nation. If those who are being drawn to prayer by the Spirit will indeed enter into a time of prayer and seeking His face, then God will have mercy on America and spare us from having an ungodly leader. I'm sure of it!

One more thought, after the last debate, so-called 'conservative' David Brooks gushed about Obama, 'I thought Obama had the night he needed to have. You know, through this whole 20-month marathon, I think what struck me is how incredibly even he is. And how frankly reassuring he is. It is like you're camping, and you wake up one morning, and there is a mountain. And then the next morning, there is a mountain, and there's the next morning, there's a mountain. Obama is just the mountain. He is just there. He is always the same, he doesn't hurt himself. McCain can sometimes lob a cannonball at the mountain, but the mountain doesn't move, and the mountain doesn't care. And so I think his steadiness, his temperament has been the dramatic theme of this campaign, dramatic in being undramatic. And it was on display tonight. And the good part of the mountain is that he is reassuring and reliable.'

I'm really glad he used the word 'mountain' to describe Obama. It caused me to remember what Jesus said about unmovable mountains. Jesus said, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'

And it only takes a little faith!

This election can only be won by going around the face of the election and attacking the enemy where he is vulnerable, through prayer, fasting and praise. If you hear the sound of the Lord marching in the tree tops, if you feel the stirring of the Spirit calling you to pray, then move quickly into a time of prayer, for God is moving ahead of you at that time to give us the victory. May God give us ears to hear the marching!

Together with you in the battle,

Scott Whitley

I forgot to add this post about this cute little bag I bought and got yesterday......its so nicely put together and great to stow my embroidery stuff in....it has a squared off heavy bottom so sits upright....right now I am inbetween projects so just have my scissors and hoop in the bottom..
I am so happy with it as now I can take needlework with me when I am out and about....The bag came from an Etsy seller, Bag Lady Bags...she is a neighbor and only lives about 6 miles from us!

Wednesday Pet of the Week

Here is Szander...he's about a year to two year old, and was found abandoned in a vacant house without food or water! His owners didn't love him, hope someone will soon.... He has a wonderful sweet personality and is a terrier mix. His eyes are alright, it was just a bright day and he had been inside before the photo. You can find Szander at Sun City K-9 Dog Rescue...
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I did a little fall decorating

Matt combed her fur into a mohawk...what do you think? Bandit was not amused....
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Did you hear that the Democrats in Congress want to do away with your 401K? They are offering quite a deal...just another way to take your money away from you because you can't possibly know how to manage it yourself.....talk about elitist!! I am glad we don't have much in ours...

Monday

I've been struggling most of the day to get my photos for Etsy sized correctly...seems like they're either too large or too small and when Etsy re sized them, they look out of focus..rather frustrating but I think I've figured it out. I am not a good student of photography...I like to just point and click but am learning. Alan is just too busy to do it for me and at first, I was a little angry but repented of it. I tend to lean on him too much and not try to do things myself. The little camera they bought me has a booklet with it and I studied it last night....you can actually set it to take photos in 3 sizes. It was simply a matter of reading the book.
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The boys had intended on going to Magic Mountain today...got all ready, had sandwiches made, ice box packed and were in the car when Alan discovered it was closed...good thing he was able to catch them before they left. I guess they are closed on Mondays now...they are in their winter
season. So they both went to the mall instead...and smiles, we ate the sandwiches....
we didn't get any calls today, sadly, but got two checks in the mail. Haven't heard anything yet about that second job...hope we hear something this week.
I cooked a chicken, simmered it all day with carrots, onion and celery...nice broth and the house smells so good. Its cooling right now and I will take the meat off the bones...Alan wanted some chicken soup with veggies.
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I put a new little journal in my InspirationMemory store is a little blue covered album that is named Blue Suzi..
Trimmed it with vintage handmade tatting and some blue ribbon. I have two more in the works....went through alot of my craft stuff and found more albums so will work on them this week.
I was able to empty two storage boxes of stuff and gave some to the next door neighbor.
I gave her some stuffed animals for her little toddler and a fall table runner for her + matching napkins. I have collected too much stuff in the past and its just sitting in boxes..I had picked up the runner at an after Christmas Walmart sale and never even used it or the napkins, they still had the tags on them...she has big family get togethers so probably could use them. She was delighted and I lightened our load a little.

Living off the Grid III, lighting

The Tile lady left a comment and its something I was going to post about anyway, the so called green light bulbs, the ones that everyone seems to be pushing are not that good. We've used them, but neither of us were impressed...plus there seems to be safety issues about them. They do contain small amounts of mercury and have to be disposed of very carefully...there is a story of one woman who having broke one accidentally and the consequences of it, here's the story
I know they are phasing out the old fashioned bulbs, but still there must be a better alternative...if I find one, I will let you know. Perhaps they can improve the environmental bulbs, hope so.

We have quite a few old oil lamps, I just love them...I have one my parents bought back in the 60s at the Calico Ghost Town general store, plus others I've collected over the years, at estate sales, etc. They have sure come in handy when we've had power outages. Lehman's a store in Ohio who caters to the Amish and anyone who wants to "get off the grid" has lovely lamps of all types plus any parts you may need...here is a link to their lamp page Their prices seem quite reasonable also. Lehman's has a cool online catalog and its fun to explore. All non-electrical too.
Here are a few of our lamps which we use quite often..


The middle photo is a finger lamp and quite old...we paid too much for it ( naturally) at a antique store in Alan's home town of Independence, Ia. Its over 100 years old about the same age as the curio cabinet that its on.
The large one on the table is the one I spoke of that was my mom and dad's and the other single one, last photo, is one I picked up at an estate sale...the small purple medicine bottle is one Alan found when he was digging in the backyard.

As you can see, we really haven't decorated much for Halloween..but if you visit my other blog, I have a nice video of someone who really went all out in a family friendly way, with great music too...I really enjoyed watching it, and hope you will too.

Friday thoughts

After my posts the last few days, I've been doing around the house and noticing how much energy we really use...I turned all the ceiling fans off since its cooler now and we don't really need them on...we have a ceiling fan in every room and I am remembering to turn lights off....also a big energy waster is the computer so I put it on stand by, that's supposed to save energy and yet you don't have to wait for it to boot up every time.
Someone shared this great blog, Down to Earth and I've really enjoyed Rhonda Jean's posts about green city living....so much to read there and I've only scratched the surface. She's a older lady too (like me) which I like.
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The ladies in the photo.... I wish it was in color as I think their dresses were probably really pretty...I like the old fashioned 30s and 40s prints, don't you? I know there are reproductions out there but with no yardage stores anymore, makes it hard. If you have a yardage store in your town, count yourself blessed as they're really disappearing. I was told by a Walmart employee that Walmart is phasing out all fabric and crafts too.
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Here is a interesting interview of one of the young people who really helped get Sarah Palin nominated for VP....very refreshing.

Living off the Grid II

Since my post yesterday, I did a google search and was surprised to see how many are attracted and actually doing this life style...its roughly estimated about 180,000. There are quite a few websites devoted to this.......I was thinking what attracts people to going back in time? Partially it is probably to save a lot of money, and partially to be "green". Both of which are attractive to me. Of course, as with everything else, there are extreme people (survivalist types) but we won't go there.
We do recycle quite a bit but could do more, lots more. We have improved quite a bit, we used to use two large trash cans every week and now we are down to 1/2 of one trash can...everything else goes in the recycling bin.
But how does one go "off the grid", when you live in a tract house in a small town or city? You are already hooked up to the grid big time, how does one ween oneself away from the dependence?
We are an average family...lots of electrical gadgets, 2 computers, 4 TVs, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer, etc. fairly average, I think. We have a large yard, over 10,000 sq. ft. that could provide more food for us, but the land itself is poor . We did start with some shelving (previous post) to put in some square foot gardening boxes but that got put on hold as we ran out of funds.
I think right now we just need to get our income up more, trust the Lord and continue to do what we can that we can afford. No solar panels right now, or wood furnace, although those are both great...we can turn off lights, turn off computer when not in use, pull the plug on the other appliances when not in use, like the microwave...do more cooking outside so as not to use the stove. Continue to recycle...not use the plastic grocery bags anymore, use fabric ones.....
I would like to eventually go the solar route and Alan's looked into a windmill, not that we would do that. We can have chickens here also but sadly no roosters.
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Good News is, Alan may be getting a second job doing contract work for his old company...he had an interview yesterday......wow...this would sure help us out. He would work at home, designing orthodontic parts for orthodontist colleges and doctors. He would still do the locksmithing too. We are praying the door will open wide.

Living off the Grid and Pet of the Week

Hi, this wonderful puppy who is named Gigie who is about 4 months old and a Aussie mix...she will make a wonderful family dog with some training (she's still very young) and has a sweet nature...you can find Gigie at the Sun City K-9 Dog Rescue...she's waiting for the right family.
Could that be you?
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Some have suggested going back to older times, and getting off of the grid..at first, I didn't realize what they were talking about...but now I know....going back to the time before electricity, running water and inside toilets...like how the Amish live...I don't know how many would like to give up all the modern conveniences we have today, especially hot showers at any time but I discovered one blog where one family is going for it....her blog is called Living off the grid at Elclectic Culture Farm...I am following this blog as I find it interesting and wonder how a young family with small children will cope....if it were me, what would I miss the most and what would I consider the most challenging?
First, I think I would miss having hot water and having to work so hard with the laundry. We seem to do a lot of it with the two boys....hanging the clothes out to dry isn't so bad.
Second, I am not fond of outhouses, especially at night....my grandparents had a lake cabin and we used an outhouse...they used a woodburning stove at the cabin and not hot water either...but it wasn't too fun to get up in the night to either trapse out to the outhouse or use the chamber pot that was in the bedroom. As a child, I didn't like either...
No microwave, no TV, they are using battery charged radios and will be logging their adventure on a battery charged laptop computer. No, they are not becoming Amish, but she does say in the blog, the Amish around the area have been very nice to them and are helping them adjust. The Amish family who sold them the farm left behind some of their equipment for them to use which was great.
Anyway, what are the two things you would miss the most? Is this the kind of lifestyle you could adjust to?

New Store

Hello, last night I opened up a second store on Etsy called Inspiration Memories...it will exclusively feature journal jars, journals, and crafts using vintage graphics (you know I love them)...I just have two sets of jars/journals listed right now but more will be coming. I used
the above photo as a banner...here's the link to the store InspirationMemoires..just starting out on this new venture...I still have the other store also for embroidery and craft patterns too. Its more established and all my feedback is there. I do have 100% good feedback.
Etsy is a website where artists can have sell their goods...its only for handmade items mainly, although one can sell vintage items if they are over 20 years old and also artistic supplies...I have two stores, Inspiration Memories for my own creations and the China Lake Shop where I sell patterns and craft books.
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Sorry I keep going into political stuff....this has been quite a year, hasn't it? I don't remember a election like this one before, does anyone? Can't help but feel God's hand in it and that He is in control. I have often studied the scriptures about the last days and realized that the United States doesn't play a roll in end time events, its not mentioned any where so perhaps our status in the world will lessen and little Israel will be alone on that last day just as the bible foretells. Jesus also says that when He returns, will He find faith on the earth? with atheism and apostasy running wildly through the world, that may well be. Let us stand fast and hold on to what is good.
..Could we be actually privileged to live to see the coming of the Lord?

Monday

Did you hear about the weird comments by Senator Biden yesterday? I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but he has had two brain aneurysms and brain surgeries...wonder if that is effecting him...because of his comments are either from that or he knows alot more than he is saying...here is what he said

You Tube only has a part of what he said...

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/10/biden-to-suppor.html

Biden to Supporters: "Gird Your Loins", For the Next President "It's Like Cleaning Augean Stables"

October 20, 2008 7:35 AM

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., on Sunday guaranteed that if elected, Sen. Barack Obama., D-Ill., will be tested by an international crisis within his first six months in power and he will need supporters to stand by him as he makes tough, and possibly unpopular, decisions.

"Mark my words," the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. "It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We're about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don't remember anything else I said. Watch, we're gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy."

"I can give you at least four or five scenarios from where it might originate," Biden said to Emerald City supporters, mentioning the Middle East and Russia as possibilities. "And he's gonna need help. And the kind of help he's gonna need is, he's gonna need you - not financially to help him - we're gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him. Because it's not gonna be apparent initially, it's not gonna be apparent that we're right."

Not only will the next administration have to deal with foreign affairs issues, Biden warned, but also with the current economic crisis.

"Gird your loins," Biden told the crowd. "We're gonna win with your help, God willing, we're gonna win, but this is not gonna be an easy ride. This president, the next president, is gonna be left with the most significant task. It's like cleaning the Augean stables, man. This is more than just, this is more than – think about it, literally, think about it – this is more than just a capital crisis, this is more than just markets. This is a systemic problem we have with this economy."

The Delaware lawmaker managed to rake in an estimated $1 million total from his two money hauls at the downtown Sheraton, the same hotel where four years ago Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., clinched the Democratic nomination. Despite warning about the difficulties the next administration will face, Biden said the Democratic ticket is equipped to meet the challenges head on.

"I've forgotten more about foreign policy than most of my colleagues know, so I'm not being falsely humble with you. I think I can be value added, but this guy has it," the Senate Foreign Relations chairman said of Obama. "This guy has it. But he's gonna need your help. Because I promise you, you all are gonna be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls? Why is the polling so down? Why is this thing so tough?' We're gonna have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years. So I'm asking you now, I'm asking you now, be prepared to stick with us. Remember the faith you had at this point because you're going to have to reinforce us."

"There are gonna be a lot of you who want to go, 'Whoa, wait a minute, yo, whoa, whoa, I don't know about that decision'," Biden continued. "Because if you think the decision is sound when they're made, which I believe you will when they're made, they're not likely to be as popular as they are sound. Because if they're popular, they're probably not sound."

Biden emphasized that the mountainous Afghanistan-Pakistan border is of particular concern, with Osama bin Laden "alive and well" and Pakistan "bristling with nuclear weapons."

"You literally can see what these kids are up against, our kids in that region," Biden said in recalling when his helicopter was forced down due to a snowstorm there. "The place is crawling with al Qaeda. And it's real."

"We do not have the military capacity, nor have we ever, quite frankly, in the last 20 years, to dictate outcomes," he cautioned. "It's so much more important than that. It's so much more complicated than that. And Barack gets it."

After speaking for just over a quarter of an hour, Biden noticed the media presence in the back of the small ballroom.

"I probably shouldn't have said all this because it dawned on me that the press is here," he joked.

"All kidding aside, these guys have left us in a God-awful place," he then said of the Bush regime, promptly wrapping up his remarks. "We have the ability to straighten it out. It's gonna take a little bit of time, so I ask you to stay with us. Stay with us."

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Of course, they always blame the Republicans, don't they? Even though President Bush has kept us safe for almost 8 years....and they are assuming they are winning..but its not over until the fat lady sings....

and another reason to vote for McCain...the terrorists wouldn't dare try anything with him in charge...but they very well may try something with Obama. Frankly, I don't agree with his total platform, I think we should do a little more for health care but of the two, he is the best man for the job with the most experience, especially dealing with the enemy.

I said I wasn't going to say anything political again but couldn't help it, sorry....

the amount of $$ they've collected is obscene...we have an entire station playing "Obama on America" 24/7 here in California. How many millions must that cost? Where is all that money coming from? I feel like they are buying the Presidency, after Obama agreed to use just public funds like Senator McCain, he went back on his word...what else will he go back on? I know I am probably preaching to the choir but if there is anyone out there who is undecided.

I am also upset with the New York Post for disrespecting Cindy McCain..and dregging up garbage just as the drive by media did to Joe the Plumber, that dear woman has poured herself out to help the downtrodden and sick with Doctors without Borders...and adopted a sweet girl who she flew back to the states for surgery and fell in love with...she has been open about her drug problem which she was treated and recovered from and is a private person about her family, with good reason. The McCains give thousands to charity each year...not so the Obama's.

Why didn't they interview Obama's relatives in Kenya who live in poverty. All the millions he has garnered and none for his family?He lives in a million dollar home and his family in a dirt floor shack. What is that about? I know if it were us, if we were very wealthy, and knew our family was suffering, we would certainly do all we could to help them. I like to think most people would.

Second Post in One Day

I opened up our mailbox and was pleasantly surprised to get in new Aunt Martha holiday patterns...these are so cute, so very cute...I am showing the Reindeer Games transfers and if you click on the photo, you can see them up close......I have quite a few other holiday transfers for you to see in my Etsy store....I posted a second photo in my other blog of the snowman transfers....really put me in a holiday mood for sure. So head on over there and take a look.
See? What did I tell you....cute, huh?

Friday thoughts

Huntley Brown is a Christian concert pianist who has written a letter for family and friends on why he, as a black man, can't vote for Obama...I thought it was so good and so appropiate for anyone who is following the Lord to read and share it.
I too am getting tired of the election as most people, I think..and won't be posting much about this...we did watch the last debate which I thought was a draw.....Alan thought McCain won.
I do include a link to his website so you can learn more about Mr. Brown and his music.

Why I Can't Vote For Obama
By Huntley Brown

Dear Friends,

A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an email with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it's worth repeating...

First I must say whoever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him.

Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Christian (a
Christ follower) means He leads, I follow. I can't dictate the terms, He does because He is the leader. I can't vote black because I am black; I have to vote Christian because that's who I am. Christian first, black second. Neither should anyone from other ethnic groups vote because of ethnicity. 200 years from now I won't be asked if I was black or white. I will be asked if I knew Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

In an election there are many issues to consider but when a society gets abortion, same-sex marriage, embryonic stem-cell research, human cloning - to name a few, then wrong economic concerns will soon not matter.

We need to follow Martin Luther King's words,"don't judge someone by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." I don't know Obama, so all I can go on is his voting record. His voting record earned him the title of the most liberal senator in the US Senate in 2007.

NATIONAL JOURNAL: Obama:
Most Liberal Senator in 2007 (01/31/2008)

To beat Ted Kennedy and Hilary Clinton as the most liberal senator, takes some doing. Obama accomplished this feat in 2 short years. I wonder what would happen to America if he had four years to work with.

There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him a 100 % rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him.
There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill.

There is a reason he voted "No" on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. There is a reason he voted "No" on banning partial birth abortion. There is a reason he voted "No" on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.

Let's take a look at the practice he wanted to continue. The 5 Step Partial Birth Abortion procedures:

A. Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps. (Remember this is a live baby)
B. The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
C. The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.
D. The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole.
E. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.

God help him.

There is a reason Obama opposed the parental notification law.

Think about this: You can' not give a child an aspirin without parental notification but that same child can have an abortion without parental notification. This is insane.

There is a reason Obama went to Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years. Obama tells us he has good judgment, but he sat under Jeremiah Wright's teaching for 20 years. Now he is condemning Wright's sermons. I wonder why now?

Obama said Jeremiah Wright led him to the Lord and discipled him. A disciple is one in training. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19
- 20 "Go and make disciples of all nations." This means reproduce yourself. Teach people to think like you, walk like you; talk like you believe what you believe etc. The question I have is what did Jeremiah Wright teach him?

Would you support a White President who went to a church which has tenets that said they have a:
1. Commitment to the White Community
2. Commitment to the White Family
3. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
4. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community.
5. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
6. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
7. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System.

Would you support a President who went to a church like that? Just change the word from white to black and you have
the tenets of Obama's former church. If President Bush was a member of a church like this, he would be called a racist. Jessie
Jackson and Al Sharpton would have been marching outside.

This kind of church is a racist church. Obama did not wake up after 20 years and just discover he'd been going to a racist church. The TRUE church can't be about race. Jesus did not come for any particular race. He came for the whole world.

A church can't have a value system based on race. The churches value system has to be based on biblical mandates. It does
not matter if it's a white church or a black church based on racial values, it's still wrong. Anyone from either race that attends a church like this would never get my vote.

Obama's former Pastor Jeremiah Wright is a disciple of liberal theologian James Cone, author of the 1970 book "The
Goals of the Black Community". If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him.
Cone is the man Obama's mentor looks up to. Does Obama believe this?

So what does all this mean for the nation?

In the past when the Lord brought someone with the beliefs of Obama to lead a nation it meant one thing - judgment.

Read 1 Samuel 8 when Israel asked for a king. First God says in 1 Samuel 8:9 "Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." Then God says 1 Samuel 8:18 " When that day comes, you will cry out relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day." 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, "Listen to them and give them a king."

Here is what we know for sure.

God is not schizophrenic

He would not tell one person to vote for Obama
and one to vote for McCain. As the scripture says, a city divided against itself cannot stand, so obviously many people are not hearing from God. Maybe I am the one not hearing but I know God does not change and Obama contradicts many things I read in scripture so I doubt it.

For all my friends who are voting for Obama can you really look God in the face and say;

Father ,based on your word, I am voting for Obama even though I know he will continue the genocidal practice of partial birth
abortion. He might have to nominate three or four Supreme Court justices, and I am sure he will be nominating liberal judges who will be making laws that are against you. I also know he will continue to push for homosexual rights, even though you
destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this. I know I can look the other way because of the economy.

I could not see Jesus agreeing with many of Obama's positions. Finally I have two questions for all my liberal friends. Since we know someone's value system has to be placed on the nation,
1. Whose value system should be placed on the
nation.

2. Who should determine that this is the right
value
system
for the
nation?

Blessings,
Huntley Brown

Thursday Funny

Listen to Mother!

A mother cat was teaching her kitten cat lore. She explained that this was the duty of all mother cats since before recorded history and it was important that her kitten would not do anything to embarrass her when she allowed her master to play with her.

At the end of the lesson, after she had gone over all the cat rules such as ignoring anything the human might say, she asked her kitten if there was question she might want to ask.

The kitten said, "Momma, you have given me all the situations a cat might get into and the proper cat-responses but, what should I do if a new situation comes up that you haven't covered?"

Momma cat responded, "Oh my gosh! I'm SO glad you asked that. I've gotten into so many rules that I forgot the most important first rule!"

Kitten asked: "What is that, Momma?"

Momma drew up and looked kitten right in the eye and said: "When in doubt -- wash!"

Wednesday Pet of the Week, Prayer Requests,

This is Sassy, she is a sheltie mix and is microchipped..very nice dog and great with kids, she is 4 years old and loves to go on walks....would be a wonderful loving pet for a family..I don't know her background but possibly given up because of the financial situation so many are having...she is housetrained also.....you can find her at Sun CityK-9 Dog Rescue
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No worries here on the fire situation....its far from us now.......thanks for the concern. Please pray for all the firefighters, rescue workers, police. and the people who have been evacuated from their homes, Red Cross workers too.....
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Speaking about the financial situation in this country.....there seems to be some sloppy thinking about redustribution of wealth...the Democratic candidate wants to tax the wealth and corporations and give it to the middle class and poor...a kind of social experiment...but when I put ourselves in the place of the wealthy or corporation...what would I do? I'd have one of several options...first, find loopholes to hide some of the money, downsize and let workers go to get to a lower tax base, quit, or depending on how big the company is, move overseas.
Did you see the conversation Obama had with a plumber? he tried to tell the plumber that it was a good thing for him to be heavily taxed, it was patriotic...it didn't go over very well.


I'm sure the poor are going to create jobs, aren't you?

I am trying to find a halloween type background forthis blog but all the pumpkin type ones are too bright and glaring.....this will have to do..I went through about 6 of them......good news is I found a really nice one for the holidays.

California fires

There are fires burning northwest and north of us + a fire south of us but they are far off so far...we are in a good place so no worries....our backyard faces a busy street, and on the other side is a Wahlgreens and a vacant lot, no weeds or brush. There are low hills with brush a football field length away but its mostly rocks. Fires and earthquakes are a fact of life here, just like snow and hurricanes are in other parts of the country. I haven't heard how these fire started but did hear two people have died so please pray for our brave firefighters, police and rescue workers as well as anyone in the area of the fires....very scary.
Our youngest has expressed an interest in firefighting...they are always looking for more people so it might be ok for a short while...the pay is very good but its hot, dirty, and dangerous work.
This photo is of a fire way northwest of us, it was taken yesterday.
The main bad part for us is the air quality...last year when there were closer fires, the air was so bad, they closed the schools and ash fell on the ground like snow. Alan re keyed a house that was nearby a bad fire and everyone there were wearing masks to help them breathe. I am glad we just replaced the filters in our heater unit, we have a good one and it does clean the air quite a bit.

Sunday

This is such a wonderful time of year.....I saw this graphic and it reminded me of the times we used to go to Wisconsin with Alan's family to get apples, cider and goodies...every October we would take a vacation back to Iowa and get into the car convoy with all his family...it was so much fun....there would be about 6-7 cars (he has a big family), we'd go with his mom and dad..we'd stop at a park along the way, and have a packed lunch...then go along the Mississippi into Wisconsin.
The air was cool and crisp. The trees along the river were in their beautiful fall colors.. As we drove across the bridge to Prairie Du Chein and towards Gays Mills , the countryside became more hilly and beautiful. There are about 7 different stops with nice country fruit stands, gift shops, etc. We'd all fill the cars with produce. One place in particular had an outdoor grill and we had grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut...it never tasted so good as that day.
Of course, the store owners were a little over whelmed when 7 cars pulled up and the family piled out...Alan has a large family, 3 brothers and 6 sisters with their spouses and kids. There was lots of laughter, jokes and fun.
I hope the kids remember these good times as most of them are grown now with children of their own.

Saturday

I've been busy off and on the last few days....getting ready for the craft show and such plus the normal household duties.....we've been watching Fox news about every night with all the turmoil of the election and Wall street...phew! Do you feel like I do?
I've also been on the Etsy forums...many have expressed high anxiety, anxiety attacks, and nervousness...there is a group of atheists in the forums who I feel really sorry about...they are so belligerent against Christians and make fun to anyone with faith.... they act like elitists and look down on everyone else. and yet they quake with fear.....
The times we live in....
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Even more so, we should be reading the Word every day and be in prayer..so many are lost and blinded by the the world...living in spiritual darkness and despair....during these dark days..let our lights shine wherever we are...let the Lord use us for His glory ......Be at peace, God is in control....

Craft Show!

The craft show has started this morning and my booth is open...the link is on the side..this is one of the journal jars I have listed...the western one..its my favorite and the one I am most proud of....its covered with photos of vintage western scenes and cowboys, embellished with old buttons and western charms and wrapped with rusty copper wire...inside is over 100 questions for journaling...such as Describe your childhood bedroom, what was your most embarrassing moment? How do you feel about politics? What is your favorite hymn? These questions really help start memories flowing....
My jars are truly unique, and one of a kind.....I offer them for $16.00 which includes the shipping. You can find them in the booth at the left top. Hope you check them out as they make great gifts for an older person or any one who wants to start writing a journal...if you would like one for a younger person or child, let me know and I can create one just for you for the same price, and suitable questions.
I went through all the other booths this morning and there are many nice things.....lots of prim items and candles..jewelry too! They are having a contest to win $50.00 so please head on over there and see if you can win!

Today I've been getting all sorts of fall newsletters in my email box...our weather is getting cooler and Alan has been working steadily this month so we have much to be thankful for.
I am so thankful we are in a better place than we were a year ago...have more regular clients and our business is slowly growing...we have a work van and are professional looking and are building a good reputation in the area....the light at the end of the tunnel is getting a little brighter.
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I just finished filling my booth for the online Holiday sale and hope you will stop by...I will put the link in tonight...I'm not supposed to but its just between us, Ok? shhhhh.....! I really want to see what the others have made...should be fun.....the sale doesn't start until 12:00 noon EST so you won't be able to see the other booths until then....
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Also thanks for the good wishes and prayers about the cold, I feel alot better...

My sister in law sent me more photos of the Noah's ark that was made by Dutch creationist Joahn Huibert . I have already shared some in early posts....this thing is huge as you can see, two-thirds the length of a football field, 150 cubits long, 30 cubits tall and 20 cubits wide just as the scriptures say....

My Thoughts

Did you watch the debate last night? Most of America did and I know we were so happy to see the real Sarah Palin...not the caricature that the media had projected the last few weeks...she is a real person with a good head on her shoulders, witty, personable and intelligent...very likeable..
she made no mistakes and did very well...
I also discovered that the other candidate, Joe Biden is a good man, I don't like the Democratic platform but he came across as a good American and a good moral person too....he did make quite a few mistakes, at least 9...about John McCains voting record in particular.
I think whatever happens in this election, we are going to be seeing a lot more of Sarah Palin and she has a bright future ahead of her..I would love to see more conservative women in politics.
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I am feeling a bit better this morning...been gargling with warm salt water and its helping my throat....old fashioned treatment that works...along with lots of fluids, Motrin and rest.....about the only thing one can do for a cold....I can't take most of the cold pills that are on the market....they make me too tired and sleepy...I do take Nyquil at night which knocks me out completely....the gargling has helped the most and taking the soreness away.
Do you have any good cold treatments you use?

This is how I've been feeling the last day or two....sore throat, headache, sneezing and coughing...I did mange to get basic homemaking chores done yesterday, then laid on the sofa and watched NCIS reruns, drinking tea and having the kleenex box close. Today hasn't been much better....I took our youngest to his geometry class and then came home...trying to rest but its hard when there are things that need to get done......
I missed the big shindig in town last night...Alan went....It was the first day of Menifee being a new city...our city birthday.....they had a regular council meeting, then there was a baseball game at the local park with free food.....also a black tie event at the local golf clubhouse which we found out we were invited to at the last minute....Alan brought back all the paperwork, and a memorial coin of the event....he met many of the city council members....we think it will be good for business..
Speaking of business....something wonderful happened....we put an ad in the local yellow book, the one for our area, wanted to do the surrounding cities also but it would have been too expensive....the yellow book people called and said they couldn't put the graphics we wanted in the book so would we be happy with just a box with our info in it? and also they would put the same ad in all the surrounding cities for free! that is like a $700 savings! needless to say we said yes!

Wednesday Pet of the Week

This is Hershey, a beautiful chocolate lab....his owners left him at the shelter for financial reasons. So many lovely pets are being turned in at not only Sun City K-9 Dog shelter but many of the other shelters in the area...Sun City is limited as to how many dogs they can accept...sadly, Don has had to take many up to the main branch, the Ramona Animal shelter who only keeps the dogs for 5 days before destroying them...
That is why we went to Ramona to get our Bandit, to rescue her....they do keep cats a bit longer...Bandit was there for 6 months..but it's a more institutional facility...Don says its like prison.... Bandit has some signs of being in that place for so long but is relaxing and realizing she's not leaving, that she is home.
Hershey is very friendly and gets along well with the other dogs....Labs are one of the sweetest dogs of the larger breeds as anyone who has had one can attest...
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If you are reading this and haven't voted yet in the contest, please do so...we are trying to get as many votes as possible to win $10,000...it would really really help the shelter and there is no obligation for you...just click on the button that you see on the left hand side of the blog...and thanks for everyone who have voted..