Chill pills...

I just wanted to drop a quick note to those of you in blog-land to let you all know I have not fallen off the planet. I have had more than my share of ups and downs during the last few months, and have not shared those experiences here because I have been trying my best to balance myself out, and have not been in the proper state of mind to deal with negativity from anyone. While most of you have been supportive and kind... there are still the others who have been anything but that. I plan to start blogging about me again soon, because after all, this is my blog and that's why I started it. For now I just ask that you keep me in your thoughts and keep reading while my pharmaceutical enhancement levels out. Hope everyone is doing well!!

Samantha made it through her first year of school. She is officially a first grader now!

Emailed to me today...

Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone-----
YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM !!!!
Subject: THIS WAS IN A TAMPA NEWSPAPER
Will we still be the Country of choice and still be America if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came to live in America because it is the Country of Choice?????? Think about it! All we have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS? I celebrate Christmas...........but because it isn't celebrated by everyone.............we can no longer say Merry Christmas. Now it has to be Season's Greetings. It's not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday? We've gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being offended But it seems that no one has a problem with that.

This says it all!
This is an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa, FL Newspaper. He did quite a job; didn't he? Read on, please!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However..... the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct! " crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity.
As Americans...... we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.
We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!
"In God We Trust" is our national motto.
This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan.. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women....... on Christian principles............ founded this nation..... and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home.........because God is part of our culture.
If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.
We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from.
This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so!
But once you are done complaining....... whining...... and griping....... about our flag....... our pledge...... our national motto.......or our way of life.... I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other Great American Freedom.......
THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.
It is Time for America to Speak up If you agree -- pass this along; if you don't agree -- delete it - You are in the WRONG Country!
AMEN

Samantha's T-Ball Team Photo. The Odessa Girl's Softball Association. Her team is the Lifetouch Fireballs.

a prayer to share...

This was e-mailed to me and I thought it was worth sharing...
The Best Prayer I Have Heard In A Long Time...
Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who
cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother
who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to
cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and
spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed,
disinterested young man who can't make change
correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student,
balancing his apprehension over final exams with his
fear of not getting his student loans for next
semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging
for money in the same spot every day (who really ought
to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can
only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking
annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking
our shopping progress are savoring this moment,
knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back
last week, this will be the last year that they go
shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the
gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is
not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.
Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us,
but to all humanity.

Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show
patience, empathy and love.

I was such a beautiful baby... So what the heck happened!