Organization for the Unorganized - Meal Planning
I have been a homeschooling, stay-at-home mom around 12 years now. I have tried more schedules and read more books about it than I would care to comment on. I have always had the desire to manage my home and children in an orderly way, but.......I have realized I am not an organized person. Isn't that the first step to fixing the problem, admitting it? :)
Anyway, all of those books I read wasn't a complete waste of time. I have learned and come up with a system that works for our family. So, I would like to share what I have learned.
Today, I want to tell how I plan my meals. My husband gets paid every 2 weeks, so I plan 2 weeks of meals and shop the Friday or Saturday of pay week. I try not to take my children because I end up spending way more than planned. I also shop in bulk for many things.
On Thursday I usually fill out a menu sheet. I keep this posted on the fridge to help me and to keep the kids from asking what we are having at every meal.
Breakfasts are the same every week. Sunday, peanut butter sand. and fruit. Monday, oatmeal and juice. Tuesday, eggs and toast. Wednesday, fruit smoothy and peanut butter toast. Thursday, oatmeal and juice. Friday, bagels and cream cheese. Saturday, choose your own.
Lunch is the same every week as well. Sundays lunch is our main meal and is served after church. I cook a chicken in our rotisserie while we are getting dressed in the morning. When I come home I make some mashed potatoes and mac -n-cheese. Monday, hot dogs, Tuesday, soup and crackers (I often make the soup out of leftover veggies and meat or we eat the soup I home can). Wednesday, burritos (many times made from leftover beans). Thursday, sandwich and fruit. Saturday's lunch is also our big meal for the day and we have chili and crackers.
Dinner has a basic outline to it and changes from week to week. On Sunday evening we snack and eat leftovers from lunch. Monday is pasta. Tuesday's is meatless in a crockpot as we are out later on this day. Wednesday's is meat, veggie, and rolls. Thursday is use what we have, which might use leftovers or some type of meat we already have in the freezer. Fridays is pizza. On Saturday evening we eat grilled cheese sandwiches.
I then go through and see what we already have and make a list of the things we need. The whole planning process usually take around 30 minutes, but saves me a tremendous amount of time throughout the week. Also, my kids snack on healthy things during the day like raw veggies and fruit. I have a teenage son and another son who is starting to eat like a teen, so snacks are necessary.
Some time this week I hope to write about how our homeschooling is organized. I also would like to write about chores, outside activities, and any other helpful tips I can think of.
Organization Week
The week after Christmas at our house is usually the week we organize. We put away all of the Christmas decorations and work on making our home a little more livable.
My children went through their rooms yesterday, and cleaned everything. They were also supposed to get rid of things they no longer needed or used. I noticed this pile was very small! ;)
I moved our school items into the kitchen where most of of our homeschool takes place. We have a shelf my dh built some time back that is perfect for this.
Todays plan is to work on my room. This is the room where everything gets thrown. I want to make it a little less convenient to dump everything there. Now that I have moved most of the school items out, I need to figure out other reasons this is a convenient dumping ground.
Tomorrow, I want to work on our pantry and put away our Christmas items. Our pantry needs some major organizing. I want to make it more convenient to stock up and know what we have. I also want to make it easier to move our older items to be used first.
Thursday's plan is to move into the kitchen. I have pretty high hopes for this room. I have wanted to paint in here for over a year now, I even have the paint. I hope to get the walls cleaned and sanded. Then I will work on organizing the shelves etc. I will then ask my husband to move our stove out when he comes home. Friday will be the big painting day, well at least the first coat. I can then put a second coat on, if needed, Saturday.
Whew, what a week. We start back to school next week, so I really hope to get these things done.
Below are some of the web sites I am using to get ideas:
http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/
http://selfreliantmoms.ning.com/group/organizingaselfrelianthome
http://lifeorganizers.com/Organize-Your-Home/Kitchen/Kitchen-Cabinet-Organizing-Tips.html
More on Proposed Health Care
I have copied and pasted the following. Please read over this as we are at a major fork in the road in our country.
Subject: Fw: Health
Care?
A precursor to what lies
ahead. It's time to revolt before it's too
late!
An
Indianapolis doctor's letter to
Sen. Bayh about the
Bill
(Note:
Dr. Stephen E. Frazer, MD practices as an
anesthesiologist in Indianapolis , IN )
Here
is a letter I sent to Senator
Bayh. Feel free to copy it and send it around to all
other representatives. -- Stephen Fraser
July
23, 2009
Senator Bayh,
As a
practicing physician I have major concerns with the health care bill before Congress. I
actually have read the bill and am shocked by the brazenness
of the government's proposed involvement in the
patient-physician relationship. The very idea that the
government will dictate and ration patient care is dangerous
and certainly not helpful in designing a health
care system
that works for all. Every physician I work with agrees that we
need to fix our health care system, but the proposed bills
currently making their way through congress will be a disaster
if passed.
I ask
you respectfully and as a
patriotic American to look at the following troubling lines
that I have read in the bill. You cannot possibly believe that
these proposals are in the best interests of the country and
our fellow citizens.
Page
22 of the HC Bill: Mandates that the Govt will audit
books of all employers that self-insure! !
Page 30 Sec 123 of HC bill:
THERE WILL BE A
GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.
Page 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill: YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!
Page 42 of HC
Bill:
The Health Choices
Commissioner will choose your HC benefits for you. You have no
choice!
Page 50 Section 152 in HC bill:
HC will be provided to ALL
non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.
Page
58 HC Bill: Govt will
have real-time access to individuals' finances & a
'National ID Health card' will be issued!
Page 59 HC Bill lines 21-24:
Govt will have direct
access to your bank accounts for elective funds transfer.
Page 65 Sec 164: Is a payoff subsidized plan for
retirees and their families in unions & community
organizations: (ACORN).
Page 84 Sec 203 HC
bill: Govt mandates ALL
benefit packages for private HC
plans in the 'Exchange.'
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill:
Specifications of
Benefit Levels for Plans -- The Govt will ration your health
care!
Page 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill:
Govt mandates linguistic
appropriate services. (Translation: illegal aliens.)
Page 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18: The Govt will use groups (i.e. ACORN
& Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan.
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for
Plans. (AARP members - your health care WILL be
rationed!)
Page
102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill: Medicaid eligible individuals will
be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. (No choice.)
Page 12 4 lines 24-25 HC: No company can sue GOVT on price
fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt monopoly.
Page 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill: Doctors/
American
Medical Association
- The Govt will tell YOU what salary you can make.
Page
145 Line 15-17: An Employer
MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. (NO
choice!)
Page 126 Lines 22-25: Employers MUST pay for HC for
part-time employees AND their
families.
(Employees shouldn't get excited about this
as employers will be forced to reduce its work force,
benefits, and wages/salaries to cover such a huge expense.)
Page 149 Lines 16-24: ANY Employer with payroll 401k &
above who does not provide public option will pay 8% tax on
all payroll! (See the last comment in
parenthesis. )
Page
150 Lines 9-13: A business
with payroll between $251K & $401K who doesn't provide
public option will pay 2-6% tax on all payroll.
Page 167 Lines 18-23: ANY individual who doesn't have
acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.
Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is
exempt from individual taxes. (Americans
will pay.)
Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the
GOVT HC Admin.. will have access to ALL
Americans' finances and personal records.
Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: "The tax imposed under this section
shall not be treated as tax." (Yes, it really says
that!)
Page
239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services
for Medicaid Seniors. (Low-income and the poor are
affected.)
Page
241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn't matter what specialty you
have trained yourself in -- you will all be paid the same!
(Just TRY to tell me that's not Socialism!)
Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a
doctor's time, profession, judgment,
etc.
(Literally-- the value of humans.)
Page 265
Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for
"private" HC industries..
Page 268 Sec 1141:
The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power
driven wheelchairs.
Page 272 SEC. 1145:
TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to
rationing!
Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will
penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable
(i.e...re-admission s).
Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors:
If you treat a patient during initial admission that results
in a re-admission -- the Govt will penalize you.
Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on
ownership/investmen t. (The Govt tells doctors what and how
much they can own!)
Page 317-318 lines 21-25,
1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating
that hospitals
cannot
expand.)
Page
321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for
exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say
ACORN?)
Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt
mandates establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC the
way they want -- rationing.)
Page
341
Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify
Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into
the Govt plan)
Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will
RESTRICT enrollment of 'special needs people!'
Unbelievable!
Page 379 Sec
1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a "Tele-Health
Advisory Committee."
(Can you say HC by phone?)
Page 425 Lines
4-12: The Govt mandates "Advance-Care Planning Consult."
(Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)
Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult
regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc.
(And it's mandatory!)
Page
425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an
"approved" list of end-of-life resources; & nbsp;guiding
you in death. (Also called 'assisted
suicide.')
Page 427 Lines 15-24: The
Govt mandates a program for orders on "end-of-life. "
(The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)
Page 429 Lines 1-9: An "advanced-care planning consultant"
will be used frequently as a patient's health deteriorates.
Page 429 Lines 10-12: An "advanced care
consultation" may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans.
(AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?! ?)
Page
429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write
an end-of-life order. (I wouldn't want to stand before
God after getting paid for THAT
job!)
Page
430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment
you will have at end-of-life! (Again -- no choice!)
Page 469:
Community-Based Home Medical
Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN
Medical Services here!?!)
Page 489 Sec 1308:
The Govt will cover marriage and
family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert
itself into your marriage even.)
Page
494-498: Govt will cover Mental
Health Services including defining,
creating, and
rationing those services.
Senator, I guarantee that I personally will do everything
possible to inform patients and my fellow physicians about the
dangers of the proposed bills you and your colleagues are
debating.
Furthermore, if you vote for a bill
that enforces socialized medicine on the country and destroys
the doctor-patient relationship, I will do everything
in my power to make sure you lose your job in the next
election.
Respectfully,
Stephen
E. Fraser, MD
Dear
Reader,
I
urge you to use the power that you were born with (and the
power that may soon be taken away) and circulate this email to
as many people as you can reach. The Power of the People
can stop this
from
happening to us, our parents, our grandparents, our children,
and to following generations.
For Parents Interested in Raising Their Own Children!!
Below are links to a two part interview conducted by Mike Huckabee. It concerns the National Rights of the Child. I would recommend that anyone who believes parents have the right to raise their own children should become familiar with this bill. The links will give you a little more info about it. Please pass this on!!
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=dSqmDC28jPk&feature=youtube_ gdata <http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=dSqmDC28jPk&feature= youtube_gdata
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=KrtiEAC1wlk
Swine Flu and Pine Needle Tea
My oldest son's friend was over Saturday, and Sunday he was diagnosed with H1N1. When the friend's mom called Sunday she told us the doctor warned her it was very contagious, and he was probably contagious around 4 days before showing symtoms. So what are we doing today.....Drinking pine needle tea. I have researched this tea in the past but never tried it. I figured this would be a good time. This tea has more Vitamin C than a lemon, and also contains Vitalmin A. It also contains Shikimic Acid which is a base ingredient in Tamiflu. Please be aware that I am not a doctor and if you are interested in this please do some research yourself. Anyway, here's the recipe I am trying for those interested. It is recommeded if you are pregnant that you NOT drink this tea, because it has been known to cause miscarriage.
1/2 cup fresh green white pine needles finely chopped. (the younger ones are best, lighter green found near the end of the branches)
1.5 pints of water
small pot for boiling
honey or other sweetener (optional)
Rinse needles, add to boiling water, simmer for about 20 minutes, allow to steep for 20 minutes to overnight (depending on how strong you want the tea)
The result will be redish colored tea with a mild taste
Getting a New Rooster
Friday, we will be going to pick up our new rooster. Old Red, as we affectionatly named him, is getting very old. He has been a very good bird, not aggresive with the kids but protective of his hens around potential predators. I normally do not get attached to my chickens but we have had him for so long our yard will look lonely without him. Oh well, here's a picture memorial of our Old Red.
School Year Blues
We have started our 10th year of homeschooling. Why is it I am just not as eager this year to continue? My children are excited, but I am not. I am praying for the Lord to change my attitude, because I know this is the problem.
I also know busyness is part of the problem. My middle child has CP so physical therapy and doctors visits are part of our daily schedule. My oldest son is now in high school and this has added a whole new dimension to our homeschool. My youngest is in 3rd grade and I am feeling the pressure of learning cursive and multiplication facts.
Anyway, not meaning to sound so down this morning. Please, if you think about it today could you pray that the Lord would remind me how blessed I really am. I love being home with my children, and having the freedom to homeschool. I love how innocent even my high school son is, and how we have a great relationship. I love how my youngest son has great confidence in how God made him, even though he has physical issues. I also love how my daughter who is very influential is being influenced by me, even though that scares me in many ways.
I am blessed, and I need to remind myself of that everyday.
What to do with too much squash!
We have been blessed with an abundance of squash this year, so I have been trying to find some inventive ways of using it. I am in the middle of trying this recipe, but so far it looks beautiful with all its different colors blended together. As of right now it is in my refrigerator after sitting all night, I plan on canning it this evening. I would love to hear other ways you use your squash.
Anyway, here is the recipe.
3 lbs. yellow summer squash, finely chopped
3 lbs. zucchini, finely chopped
6 large onions, finely chopped
3 medium green peppers, finely chopped
3 medium red peppers, finely chopped
1/4 c canning salt
2 c sugar
2 c packed brown sugar
2 c white vinegar
4 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp. ground mustard
In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Drain vegetable mixture. Rinse in cold water and drain again. Place vegetables in a large pot. Add remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling reduce heat and all to simmer for 10 min. stirring frequently.
Immediately fill hot pint jars with mixture leaving 1/2 in. head space. Carefully run a nonmetallic utensil down inside jars to remove trapped air bubbles. Wipe jar tops and threads clean, then adjust two piece caps.
Process in boiling water canner for 15 min.
Wooden Rocking Chair Cushions
My husband bought me some beautiful wooden rocking chairs some time back for our porch. I guess being a romantic at heart, I always dreamed of us sitting and rocking away our years in those chairs. There is only one small catch, we really don't enjoy sitting in them. We have a much softer porch swing that is more appealing. Well I decided even if we continue to sit in our porch swing, I am going to make cushions for our rockers. Buying them new is really expensive, so I am going to try to sew them myself. I am not an excellent seamstress, but I figure I will give it a try. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will try to post before and after pics.
Here's the directions I found on eHow.
How to Make Cushions for a Wooden Rocking Chair
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
- Large sheet of paper, such as newspaper, wrapping paper or brown kraft paper Marker Scissors Sewing pins Fabric Quilt batting Sewing thread Sewing machine Tufting thread Sewing machine
-
Step 1
Place a large piece of paper over the seat for which you will be making a cushion. Outline the seat on the paper using a marker in a color you can easily see. Cut out this pattern. Pin this pattern to another piece of newspaper and cut out the same shape, adding a 5/8-inch seam allowance all around. This will be your cushion pattern. Save the first pattern for the quilt batting.
-
Step 2
Fold the cushion fabric with right sides of the fabric together. Pin the larger cushion pattern (the one with the seam allowance) to the fabric and cut out carefully. You will have two pieces.
-
Step 3
Determine how thick you wish your cushion to be. Using your smaller cushion pattern, cut enough layers of quilt batting to achieve this thickness. Using heavy-duty thread, baste the quilt batting layers together to keep them from shifting.
-
Step 4
Measure the thickness of the quilt batting layers and add 1-1/4 inches to that measurement (the 1-1/4 inches is for the 5/8-inch seam allowance at top and bottom). Measure the circumference of the quilt batting layers. Using these measurements, cut a strip of fabric the length of the circumference and as wide as the distance between the top and bottom plus 1-1/4 inches.
-
Step 5
Pin the fabric strip to the top cushion piece with right sides facing. Stitch one side of the strip to the circumference of the cushion piece.
-
Step 6
Pin the other side of the strip to the bottom cushion piece and stitch all around the circumference, leaving a large enough opening to stuff in the quilt batting layers and position them properly. Insert the quilt batting layers, then finish stitching the cushion together, either by machine or by hand using a slip stitch.
-
Step 7
Sew ties into the seam at the back of the cushion to tie the cushion securely in place on the chair.
-
Step 8
Use a needle to attach heavy-duty thread or yarn through all the layers of quilt batting and fabric if you want your cushion to be tufted. Cut the thread and tie it securely.
Tips & Warnings
-
If this is your first time, you may want to make a practice cushion first, using inexpensive fabric. The patterns and the quilt batting can be reused over again, once you feel comfortable enough to tackle the project using more expensive fabric. The best fabric for seat cushions is upholstery fabric, normally found in its own section in your fabric store. Denim, corduroy and other fabrics of similar weight are also good. To determine how much fabric to buy, take the seat cushion pattern with you to the fabric store. The clerk can help you translate its measurements into yards. Typically, a seat cushion will take about 1 to 2 yards of 54-inch wide fabric
Silkie Chickens
I have been working on making my blog a little more usable this morning, and I am still trying to work out the problems.
I have allowed my blogging to "go by the wayside" because of my lack of time. My 10 year old son had surgery that kept him from walking for several months. This was very interesting to say the least. We have also been finishing up our homeschool year and trying to get our garden in.
I am putting some eggs into our incubator today. In 21 days we should have chicks. We recently found our broody hen eating our eggs, so we had to serve her for dinner (really tried to find a nice way to put this). I am considering getting a few Silkie hens because I have heard they are very broody. At this time we only have Rhode Island Reds and Black Stars. They are very good layers, but not good mothers. I must admit the only thing that bothers me about Silkies is their skin color.
Do you see the blue in the above soup? Yep you guesed it, that is the color of the Silkie's skin.
They are very beautiful birds though, as you can see from the pictures below.
I have been researching these birds, and I have read they are not the best layers, due to their broodiness. They are very docile and good with children.
I would love to hear advice from anyone who raises Silkies.
Could Parents Rights Be In Jeapordy???Please Read!!!
OBAMA WATCH CENTRAL
House adopts plan for 'volunteer' corps
Also requires new evaluation of 'mandatory' service for all
Posted: March 19, 2009
4:58 pm Eastern
By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a plan to set up a new "volunteer corps" and consider whether "a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people" should be developed.
The legislation also refers to "uniforms" that would be worn by the "volunteers" and the "need" for a "public service academy, a 4-year institution" to "focus on training" future "public sector leaders." The training, apparently, would occur at "campuses."
The vote yesterday came on H.R. 1388, which reauthorizes through 2014 the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, acts that originally, among other programs, funded the AmeriCorps and the National Senior Service Corps.
It not only reauthorizes the programs, but also includes "new programs and studies" and is expected to be funded with an allocation of $6 billion over the next five years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Many, however, are raising concerns that the program, which is intended to include 250,000 "volunteers," is the beginning of what President Obama called his "National Civilian Security Force" in a a speech last year in which he urged creating an organization as big and well-funded as the U.S. military. He has declined since then to elaborate.
WND reported when a copy of the speech provided online apparently was edited to exclude Obama's specific references to the new force.
The video of his statements is posted here:
The new bill specifically references the possibilities "if all individuals in the United States were expected to perform national service or were required to perform a certain amount of national service."
Such new requirements perhaps, the legislation notes, "would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds."
No one, apparently with the exception of infants, would be excluded:
(Story continues below)
"The means to develop awareness of national service and volunteer opportunities at a young age by creating, expanding, and promoting service options for elementary and secondary school students, through service learning or other means, and by raising awareness of existing incentives."
According to a report by Canada Free Press, "'volunteerism' that kept America running since the days of its founding" would be "wiped out with the stroke of a pen."
"It becomes forced labor and like the practice of another era, presses American citizens of all ages and creeds, unknowingly into military service," the commentary said.
"On paper, H.R. 1388 is the 'Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act'; the more innocuous sounding 'The Give Act,' for short.
"The Give Act puts the finishing touches to Public Allies New Leadership for New Times, modeled after Saul Alinsky's 'Peoples Organizations' and operating under Michelle Obama," the commentary said.
"Michelle was also a pioneer in the social entrepreneur movement – leaders who create new approaches and organize to provide new solutions to social problems. Like most things Saul Alinsky, H.R. 1388 sounds noble in stating why wide-sweeping change is necessary," the commentary said.
"H.R. 1388 goes straight to the heart of volunteerism in America, impacting everything from the lemonade stands of neighborhood children, to the residents of senior citizens homes. … The Give Act puts tow-headed school children and silver-haired seniors in the official uniform of the new State, and encompasses every walk of life in main-street America," the commentary said. "Whether you are young or old, or firmly believe that volunteering means you are offering your time to the good of community work, you will be pressed into Obama's National Civilian Community Corps."
Groups of such "volunteers," would, under the legislation, be "grouped together as appropriate in campuses for operational, support, and boarding purposes. The Corps campus for a unit shall be in a facility or central location established as the operational headquarters and boarding place for the unit. … There shall be a superintendent for each camp."
The plan generated this concern from Resistnet.com: "This is the equivalent of brown shirts."
Another portion of the bill talks about a "service learning" plan that will be "a mandatory part of the curriculum in all of the secondary schools served by the local educational agency."
A forum participant noted, "I wonder what's going to happen to those who refused to 'volunteer.' Maybe they will be put into a different 'campus..' I guess we will soon find out."
Formal announcements about the plan suggested something far different, picking a provision far down in the 200 pages of legislation to highlight.
According to a Business Wire statement released by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the bill "would formally authorize federal support for establishing the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America as a National Day of Service and Remembrance."
That provision is tucked into the far reaches of the legislation, but Schumer discussed it as if it were the primary point.
"I could not be more proud to work to pass this important provision," said Schumer. "September 11 should not only be a day for mourning – it should be a day to think about our neighbors, our community, and our country. We can take a tragic day in our nation's history and turn it into a force for good."
On the Albany Insanity blog, this concern was raised: "What gives the government the right to require individuals to give three years service under the guise of 'volunteer' service? It is not explicit exactly who is required but I think they get the bill passed and then iron out the details. It talks about uniforms and 'camps.' They revise the word 'camps' and call it 'campus.' There is language about Seniors and Community organizations."
The blog noted, such work forces would be used for "pressing national and local challenges" that apparently could range from weather disasters to economic uncertainty.
At a Republican website, officials noted it authorizes funding for an Education Corps, Healthy Futures Corps, Clean Energy Corps, Veterans' Corps and Opportunity Corps.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a Democrat from New York. It was approved in the House 321-105, with mostly GOP opposition. It now goes to the Senate.
WND reported earlier on Obama's Colorado Springs campaign speech when he sought a civilian security force as big and well-funded as the military – with a budget of hundreds of billions of dollars.
WND later reported when  the official website for Obama, Change.gov, announced he would "require" all middle school through college students to participate in community service programs.
However, after a flurry of blogs protested children being drafted into Obama's proposed youth corps, officials softened the website's wording.
Originally, under the tab "America Serves," Change.gov read, "President-Elect Obama will expand national service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps and will create a new Classroom Corps to help teachers in under served schools, as well as a new Health Corps, Clean Energy Corps, and Veterans Corps.
"Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year," the site announced.
WND previously reported on a video of a marching squad of Obama youth.
Joseph Farah, founder and editor of WND, used his daily column first to raise the issue and then to elevate it with a call to all reporters to start asking questions.
"If we're going to create some kind of national police force as big, powerful and well-funded as our combined U.S. military forces, isn't this rather a big deal?" Farah wrote. "I thought Democrats generally believed the U.S. spent too much on the military. How is it possible their candidate is seeking to create some kind of massive but secret national police force that will be even bigger than the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force put together?
"Is Obama serious about creating some kind of domestic security force bigger and more expensive than that? If not, why did he say it? What did he mean?" Farah wrote.
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Preparing for Spring
It has been some time since I have posted a blog. We have been unusually busy lately; I want to get back to my simple life.
We have been working on our garden today. We are having beautiful weather in our neck of the woods and we are taking advantage of it. In the latest No Greater Joy magazine, Debbie Pearl explained her easy way of gardening. We are setting our garden up similiar to her's this year. I also have some smaller garden spaces that I am using cement blocks to raise up the area. I plan on building a trellis toward the back and allowing my green beans, cucumbers, squash, and other climbing vegetables to climb them.
I recently made our main vegetable plant purchase. I have ordered from Gurney's for the last 2 years and I have been pleased with what they have shipped us.
I also purchased over 200 strawberry plants from them. My son is in the process of preparing a bank we have in our front yard for these plants.
This will be the first year I will be using my worm castings in our garden. I am very excited to see if this will improve our yield.
Well I suppose I should go back outside and help my husband. Have a great day!!!
Could you survive another great depression?
| You Are 57% Likely to Survive Another Great Depression |
 Even though you may not be expecting the worst, you're the type of person who prepares for the worst.
You live a relatively modest life. You don't overspend, and you aren't very materialistic.
You are also quite self sufficient and independent. You have many useful skills.
You can take care of yourself and those you love... which is crucial to surviving another Great Depression. |
http://www.blogthings.com/couldyousurviveanothergreatdepressionquiz/
Need advice on Spirulina
I have researched the benefits of spirulina and am now convinced this is something I should be taking. My question is where do you ladies who take this buy yours? Also, those who take it; have you seen any benefits? Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading and for any comments!
Have a blessed day!
Pics of my little ones, or not so little ones!
Here is a pic of my oldest who is 13. We were at the fair here and he was inspecting a tank they had on display.
Here are my other two, they are 9 and 8. They were riding the dragon roller coaster during the fair.
I always love to show off pictures of my children.
My dad is finally home!!
I posted last week about my dad having a heart attack, and it has been an up hill battle since then. My dad's doctor told him this was the worse heart attack that he had seen, this was right before he was going home of course! One day he would be looking better then something else would happen. For instance, he was struggling with fluid in his lungs, irregular heart beats, etc. We were told these things are "normal" for the type of attack he had, but now we are just praising God he is home and recovering. Thanks to those who prayed for him.
Have a blessed day!
Please pray!
My dad had a heart attack Thursday night. It was completely unexpected and a shock to my whole family. He is recovering and getting wonderful care, but if you wouldn't mind could you please say a prayer for him today.
Have a blessed day!
Our new "president"
I really must vent! I was watching the news last night and I could not help but see how the media really has affected this election. The media is so democratic; and they do not care to hide it.
It really saddens me to think of all of the little unborn children this will affect in the future. I also can't stand all of the other liberal problems this will cause. We have just elected one of the most liberal presidents in the history of America, and I fear there will be a bad outcome to this. We as christians have always needed to pray for our country, but now we really need to fall before God and pray.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
From a biblical standpoint, Obama is not the right leader for this country. The Bible speaks against so many things he stands for. As I have said before, please pray!
Today is our anniversary!!!
Today we are celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary. We don't really have any special plans; we are wanting to go out for dinner one night this week.
We will have a very busy day today. We will be attending our church service this morning. We will then come home and eat dinner, then head back to church for Christmas play practice. After that will be our night service.
We met at the church yesterday to work on the costumes for the play. Some of the ladies graciously offered to help out with these. I was very thankful because I was not sure I was going to get them finished.
Well I hope everyone has a wonderful day in the Lord!
Pics of our new pantry area!
Here are some pics of our new organized pantry. Our pantry is located in our expanded wash room so it is not your typical one. Here is a shot from the front. I was still canning some at this point so you can see the jars at the bottom waiting to be filled. Here is our tomatoes, green beans, corn, pickles, honey, and various jams. We now have apple butter stored there as well.
Here is a shot from the side. This is our spaghetti sauce.
Here is our salsa, apple sauce, apple pie filling, and peaches.
I had hoped to put these on a while back, but I am still learning how to post pictures. We will see if these actually show up.
Have a great day!
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