Status Updates October 30, 2008

So I really do try to keep all of my politically related thoughts/conversations behind closed doors.  The reason being I don’t think that I can, or should, talk anyone into anything.  However, it has been bugging me lately that there are others out there who do not feel the same way about this concept.  So in response to all of the Status Updates that I’ve been trying hard (and failing miserably) to ignore, here are all of my “Status Updates” that I have (up until now) known better than to post:

Keila is:

• trying really hard not to make snarky comments to the “God-loving Christians” about all of their hate-filled messages lately. oh wait.  i think i just did.
• going to start assuming that all of my news sources are honest and accurate since everyone else seems to be assuming theirs is.
• apparently now a democrat, socialist, communist, and no longer a Christian… according to how everyone seems to be labeling people these days.
• tired of people confusing their faith with politics. and vice versa.
• thinking that if McCain can admit that Obama’s not a socialist, maybe you can too.
• finding it funny how a bunch of Christians are in an uproar over having to “share their wealth” even though Jesus commands us to do that.  oh wait.  maybe He meant everyone else, just not you.

And now for your snarky comments…

What a Trillion Dollars Buys October 28, 2008

I read an interesting article this morning about a guy (Rob Simpson) who decided to see what you could buy for a trillion dollars- the cost of the Iraq war.

Here are a few of the things you could do with the money:

• pave the entire US interstate highway system in 23.5-karat gold leaf
• buy every person on the planet an iPod
• give every high school student in the US a FREE college education
• buy a Buick for every senior citizen still driving in the US
• pay off every American’s credit card
• buy 16.6 million Habitat for Humanity houses (enough for 43 million Americans)

That’s just a start.  Sadly, the estimate for the war has been now increased to closer to 3 trillion dollars…

Just Wondering… October 24, 2008

…

1) how much those gigantic yard signs declaring one’s political affiliation cost?

2) if anyone is ever swayed (either way) by someone else’s yard sign?

Seriously… do you have to pay to get those signs?  I’m assuming the huge ones (and by huge, I mean the size of your SUV) you do.  And what is the point?  Do people think they’ll change someone’s mind?  What if they change the person’s mind against their candidate of choice because of what they think of that person who displayed it?

These are just some thoughts I’ve had on a daily basis as I drive around and see the signs.  Oh, here’s one more question:  Did the person in my neighborhood who cut McCain off the top of their sign, only leaving Palin’s name get their sign stolen or did they take it down themselves??

not so random thoughts… October 20, 2008

Here are a few things I learned last night about the city I live in:

• it was the capital of the Confederacy (OK, i knew this one)
• it was built on land stolen from Native Americans through genocide (20,000+ killed)
• it was the largest slave market in the US (after New Orleans) from 1820-1860

As if that doesn’t explain a few things, here are some more thoughts (which are probably true no matter where you live):

• racial segregation is an economic plan
• neighborhoods are purposely segregated by income (think about it: those living in your neighborhood make relatively the same amount of money.  the goal is to “move up” to the next neighborhood, the bigger house, nicer car, etc.)
• the only place you see what real community looks like is with the poor because they have no other choice.

Hmmm… just some thoughts.  Do with them what you will….

Quote of the Day October 16, 2008

So for the last month, it has sounded like our house is under fire from the acorns falling and hitting various places on our house.  I swear, sometimes it looks and sounds like there are some really angry squirrels up in the trees hurling the acorns at us like hand grenades.  Our dog even goes running for cover whenever she forgets and tries to lay in the sun.  Consequently, there are always acorns covering our deck.  About once a week Brent has gone out and swept the completely covered deck and then muttered for the next hour while it just continued to get covered up.  Well, today was the day.  However, he got help.  Avery.  So after they finished sweeping every last acorn off the deck, Avery came in the house and said this to me:

Mom, I helped dad sweep the acorns off the deck.  They are all gone mom.  I helped and all the acorns are all gone off the deck.

So we won’t need you here anymore.

Alrighty then… I’ll be on my way…

he’s smarter than me… October 13, 2008

… and that’s only one of the many reasons I love my husband!

My brain has been mush lately from little sleep while caring for our sick one year old, but his brain has been going gangbusters.  For some deep thoughts and/or great conversation, visit his blog:

HOPE LIKE MAD

My ridiculously lame perspective… October 10, 2008

My husband and I have been working with the poor, the marginalized, the homeless, etc. in our city for a couple of years now. Needless to say, there’s not a lot of money in that. I have often thought that while we certainly have a lot less than those around us (meaning in our neighborhood), that someday we were going to be forced to really experience what it feels like to be one of our friends, as they have grown to be.

Well, today I’ve been feeling like we are getting way too close to experiencing that. When all the checks go through for the bills that have been paid… well. Let’s just say that I started getting nervous, scared, feeling sorry for myself….

But then as I showered and got ready for the day, something started happening. I realized that I have electricity and running water. I have shampoo and soap. I put on make up. I cleaned my kids’ bathroom with store-bought cleaning supplies. I texted my friend on my cell phone. I am typing this out on my computer using wireless internet. My kids are playing Play Station on their day off from school- a safe, clean school, I might add. I was able to not only take my sick baby to the doctor, but I was also able to buy the medicine she needed. And the list goes on and on….

It is so easy for me to feel sorry for myself.  But I need to take my eyes off myself and my neighbors and start looking at those in my life who are just happy that they are alive to fight for another day. Because after all, they are all my neighbors too.

A Prayer October 7, 2008

I’ll be the first to admit… I have no idea what all of this stuff going on with the economy means.  I know it’s bad.  Does that count?  Other than that, I can’t comprehend the specifics… even after asking a bunch of questions that I said, “Uh huh” to the answers.

I do know this though.  I know people (which we all are) got greedy (like we all do).

It has occurred to me that my “righteous indignation” over the ridiculous wealth of these CEO’s is pointless.  Yeah, they got greedy. Yeah, even though the rest of the economy is going to hell in a handbasket, they are going to be fine.  Yeah, they think that they deserve the wealth that they’ve accumulated by whatever means they chose.  Yeah, they shouldn’t have taken as big of paychecks and should have spread the wealth.  Yeah, they probably should have given more away to charities, churches, etc.

And maybe some of that would have helped.

But let’s face it: we’re all greedy.  If faced with all that they were faced with, would I have made any better of decisions?  I’d like to think so… but I’ll never know.  I do know that I’m just as greedy with far, far less.

I also know that this whole thing has caused a lot of fear and anxiety.  I know that some of us feel like we’re trapped with the consequences of those decisions made.

That was a really long way to get to this.  A friend of mine posted this prayer that I found to be really peace giving in a world of fear right now.

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon your church the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

First Time With the Last One October 3, 2008

Brent and I are going away overnight this weekend. Without any kids. Not even my baby. Who’s quickly becoming not my baby. AGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

I realize that with the sheer accomplishment of finding people who are willing to take in four children, let alone the fact that it’s been from before Tessa that we’ve gone childless, that this should be exciting- which it is- but it’s so hard too!

I know the first time leaving each child is the hardest, so I’m glad that this is the last child I have to go through this with. I’m trying to look forward to it, but anxiety and sadness come in random waves along with the excitement and anticipation.

I know… I sound like a freak. I’m guessing most people are thinking that with four kids I’d be running out the door at the first opportunity. Oh well.