madameblogalot

Last week, my blog friend Montucky sent me a link to an article he wanted me to read about water rights. When I got to the website, all that jumped out at me was the release that John McCain had picked his running mate. I had never heard of Sarah Palin and I was actually shocked at McCain’s choice to choose a woman.

It seems as if McCain’s choice is nothing but a chess move to counter Obama’s choice. Obama chose an established older running mate. McCain, being that himself, chose a young, new “upstart”. It also seems that McCain seems to think that some will now vote for him just because he chose a female running mate. If he thinks that is the key to winning, why isn’t Hillary Clinton the Democratic nominee??

I’ve also heard that this election is really turning out the younger voters. I don’t know, perhaps that is so. But not in the area I live. In talking with my teenaged son (who is not old enough to vote), he said the whole thing is nothing but a game. It really means nothing to him anymore (he used to be very interested in the political process, etc.) and that being president doesn’t even really mean anything anymore. He doesn’t even care about it anymore. I think that is sad. Maybe it’s my own disenchantment/cynicism that has rubbed off on him. But I find it disheartening that the whole thing has come down to this. It really seems as if it is nothing but a game.

I have written before about our family’s tradition of reading a scripture and saying a prayer together before our son heads out for his day at school. We feel this is an important way to share our values and a great way to start the day in focus.

My neighbor just started junior high this week. As I ran by the bus stop this morning, he showed me his school ID and as I came back by on my cool down, he was reading a text message on his phone. He said his mom sends him a prayer every morning!

I love it! his mom has to leave early for work and junior high starts the latest of all the schools here. So, even though his mom can’t be with him in person before he gets on the bus, she is making sure to send him a message to help him keep his focus and know that he is thought of, cared for and loved. His mom has found the perfect way (especially for teens!) to keep in touch and to help springboard his day on the right foot.

School starts tomorrow. I am not really ready. I mean, I have lesson plans ready for my daughter. But I am not really ready.

I don’t really understand why so many parents go around saying they can’t wait for school to start, their kids are driving them crazy! I mean, ok, my kids drive me crazy too. But I cannot stand the thought of sending my son back into that artificial world of public school. I don’t like the demands the peers and sports put on him. I don’t like the values that are taught. I don’t like the required reading. And yet, I am letting him choose to go back. No, in that sense, I am not ready for school to start.

As for my daughter, it will be just me and her this year. I have her lessons ready. As usual, I think there will be some fun things for her to learn (us to learn together.) I am actually reusing the Texas history unit we did three years ago. She agreed to it, but now is balking at it! She will also start off with an Agatha Christie unit study with the book And Then There Were None. She is also starting a formal science curriculum-which she says she is not looking forward to!

Things will be different this year, I guess that is usual for us! But no, I am not ready for school to start…

My son and I have been chosen to be “extras” in a commercial tomorrow! Now this is not just any old commercial. This is an Adidas commercial! And we will get paid to go watch some of the Houston Rockets! The pay is very small, but it’s only a few hours and my son is so excited!! It will be fun!

We were able to do something similar a few years ago. My son, daughter and I all went up to be extras in a gas station commercial. It was at Minute Maid Park and it was the entire day! We had to be there at 5:30 am and left about twelve hours later! But with free parking, free food and snacks and getting paid and the fun we had, it was worth it. I must say that I am glad this shoot starts at noon and only lasts three hours!

It is hard for me to not compare myself to others. I should be thinner, smarter, faster, more involved in school or church, etc. But there are times when I do stop myself and try to remember that based on my own experience, I can celebrate my own personal accomplishments.

Yesterday I ran my fastest three miles. It was raining so I stayed in the gym on the treadmill, which I really hate, so I decided to use it to my advantage (and to get it over with as quick as possible!) I ran two miles on a 7.0 speed then the last mile at a 6.5 speed. For me, this is good. I actually finished my three miles in 26:34, my personal best.

Today, I did “good” on my swimming laps. I decided I wanted to try to swim six straight laps freestyle. The first two I was able to use alternate breathing, then I went to one side only breathing every stroke. In this manner I was able to finish my six laps. The most I had done consecutively without a break before that was three! I did two more laps breast stroke, then did six more freestyle! Another personal best!

I found an activity that I want to do! I came across this description of a new kind of race, Urban Adventure. There is one coming to Houston next month and I’d really like to attend. I found this description of the Urban Adventure and it really appeals to me and my family:

“Description-Adventurers receive a series of clues to solve which will lead them to various locations around their city. They have to get to each location and once there, may have to solve a further challenge.
- - - - -
Course Info-Challenges may be simple problems like solving anagrams or crosswords, or may be something completely different. The common theme is that they are designed to maximize the fun of the event. Once they have solved the clues and completed the challenges, adventurers have to get to the finish line to claim their prize.”

So far I have not been able to access the website or the sign up sheet. I did send an email in hopes that I can get more information and sign us up!!

When I read something that is written for the public, it bothers me to see typos and misspelled words. I understand that we all make mistakes and that errors happen very easily. What I don’t understand is the lack for an editing process. If a work is being presented for others, wouldn’t it be best to gain their trust in you as the author/provider of service?

Here is an example I encountered just today. I found a website which buys and resells homeschool textbooks and curriculum. I like this and think it is a very good service, one which is needed and used within the homeschool community. But on the Home page of the site, I notice a “typo”. Then I went to another page. Another “typo”. By now I am thinking it may not just be a “typo”. When I checked it out on my word processor, I actually found another misspelled word, one not so easily caught because most of us mispronounce it! So now I am wondering if it wasn’t one or more of the students who are actually putting together this website. That is great. I think it’s good experience for them and probably lets them deal with an area of expertise that mom and dad may not have or have time for. All good. But, shouldn’t the site be edited before posting? At least run it through a spell checker!

So, should I email this company to alert them of their editing problems? I have done this for friends whom I think would want to have things correct on their websites. But I have never dealt with this company at all before. I know that I would be more likely to use their service if they had proper spelling on their business website! Or am I just being picky?

Yes, there is a storm brewing in the Gulf. Yes, we know it is projected to hit land just a few miles from us. No, we are not leaving. We are far enough inland that we think we’ll be ok. Just lots of wind and rain. We did not even board up our windows for this one. After leaving before Rita hit, we are hoping to never have to repeat that again. We hope that Edouard comes for a brief visit, passing over rather quickly. We’ll be praying that he can gather no strength and will move on by before tomorrow is over….

My husband almost never goes with me on my long work out on Saturdays. Last night we decided it would be fun to go together, so we both got up early and headed out to the pool. We cycled there and back. On the way back, I got a flat rear tire. This has never happened to me before and I was really glad my husband was with me.

He had already prepped my bike with a spare tube, tire tools and a hand pump. He showed me how to get the tire off the bike, how to get the tire off the rim, take out the tube and replace it and get the tire back on the rim. Then we tried to pump it up. That hand pump just would not get the job done. After several minutes with no seeming effect, he looked and found he had some CO2. At this point another cyclist stopped to help us. (Thank You!) He had used the CO2 before and stayed to see how we did with it. It worked and got my tire nearly half full of air, enough to get us home. (At this point a group of cyclists rode by and called out to see if we needed help. Thank you to ya’ll too!)

I replaced the wheel on the bike and we headed back home. This was a really good experience for me and I am so glad it happened when my husband just happened to be along! (THANKS!)