Bullying

I am saddened to see so many kids being hurt so badly. I can't imagine what it must feel like to see the whole world against you and there is no way out. That the only way to make it stop is to end your life. That just devastates me. But what makes me MAD is the people who feel it is their job to hurt and make fun of these kids. It doesn't matter if you don't agree or understand their lifestyle! It doesn't matter that you are so insecure with yourself that you feel the need to put the spotlight on someone else! And if I hear one more person say" But they are only kids" I will scream! You are old enough to know how it would feel if this were done to you! You understand how to respect and value people.

Even though I hold these "kids" responsible I also hold the parents and the schools responsible. I think we push our prejudices off on our kids and they never have the chance to make their own decisions about how they feel. So when they are confronted with someone different then themselves they respond by how they are taught instead of what they truly think. The thing parents should be teaching is respect. We are all of value no matter who we are and EVEN if we don't agree with them. That is ok. Even dialogue about it but always respect the person. And the schools that see this happen and don't do anything until it is too late are responsible too! There should be no tolerance for bullying in every school but more then just a rule should be an atmosphere of respect and I don't think alot of schools encourage it. They set these rules but don't show kids how to treat people.

I just pray that these kids who feel hopeless will come in contact with someone who will make them feel like they are important and they are worth staying alive. And I pray that that same person hugs them and prays with them and lets them know that God always loves them and is always with them.

I am not voting anymore!

I have a friend who has stated that she will not be voting anymore. When asked why, she says that she is tired of politicans spending all their time saying what is wrong or bad about their opponents instead of talking about what they are going to do to make this world better. She also says that there is rarely anybody that she feels holds her beliefs or if they do they are willing to change them to please the masses. But the one thing that got me was when she said that in her daily life she can't see any differneces in the way she lives no matter who is in charge. She said she is tired of the fights, the issues that never get resolved and promises that are never kept. She sees people voting for someone just so the other person won't get elected, not because they agree and approve of the person they are voting for. These are all very interesting points... wonder what the politicans would do if we all decided not to vote anymore....... PS I still am going to vote but I wonder what you think?

Channeling Martha Stewart

We are going to Chris' family reunion Sat. Each time we have the reunion, they have an auction to raise money for the next reunion. They asked that we bring something hand made or sentimental. SOOOO.... what to bring, what to bring......

I finally decide to make a fall centerpiece for your table or mantle. It was easy and kind of just planned it as I went. I really didn't have a plan, just picked colors I liked and went from there. I went to Michael's craft store and bought a fake pumpkin, 1 bunch of fall colored flowers, 1 bunch of leaves with pumpkins, and 1 bunch with leaves that have berries, floral wire, wire-edged ribbon, and two blocks of floral styrofoam. These are all silk flowers and leaves by the way. I cut all the flowers at the bottom of the stems with a wire cutter. I cut the lid off the pumpkin and made a pretty big opening. Then I put the styrofoam in the bottom of the pumpkin and arranged the shorter flowers in the front and the longer leaves in the back. I also bought a cute little scarecrow and put it in the middle. Then I layered ribbon and twisted it in the middle and fastened it with wire to make a bow. Then placed it in the front of the arrangement. This was so fun, I think I will try this with Christmas decor or other holiday items. Have fun trying this!

Mini Monkey Bread

My friend Carrie Carlton turned me on to this great cooking blog called http://www.justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com. It is amazing and has a ton of great recipes. I tried this one last night and YUM-O is all I have to say!

12 rhoades roll dough- thawed but cold

1 stick butter-melted

2tbl. corn syrup

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

Cut each roll into six pieces. mix the butter and corn syrup together in a bowl. In another bowl mix sugar and cinnamon. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. Drop each ball of dough in the butter then in the sugar mix. Put six balls in each muffin cup. Cover with plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Let double in size. Mine took about an hour. Then bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 min. Then drizzle with icing as soon as they come out of the oven. Let it cool for 10 or so minutes because it will fall apart if you take it out to soon.

Icing-

1 cup powdered sugar

1tbl. melted butter

1-4 tbl. of milk

1/2 tsp. of vanilla

mix sugar, butter, vanilla and 2 tbl. of milk together, then add more milk to make a drizzle. She doubles this recipe so it just depends on how much icing you like. I just used this amount. Enjoy!