I'm a Christian.....and.....

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday. One that I had seen before...many times.

"CHRISTIAN DEMOCRAT"

Why do people see this as an oxymoron?

Why do people assume that a Christian is a right wing fanatic?

Why do people assume that right wing fanatics are religious?

A few months ago, I saw an inspiring quote that was posted in the comments on a friend's blog. "I'm a Christian, but I don't use it as a weapon."

I don't know who originated that quote, but it is definitely an insightful one.

So, I will say: I'm a Christian Democrat. I'm a liberal. I am a Christian but I do not use it as a weapon.

I'm not ashamed of any of those comments. I am ashamed of some of the activities of "fellow Christians". I'm ashamed of the "church" in Kansas that pickets funeral services and other services and blames tragedies and disasters on "punishments from God". I'm ashamed of Jerry Fallwell and Pat Robertson or any other "Christian" that uses their faith for acts of hate. (And the fact that they have the 'spotlight' or means of spreading that hate like wildfire makes it worse!) I'm ashamed of groups all across the country and the world who perform acts of violence, hatred, intolerance, and disrespect in the name of God, or a higher being.

So, I ask of you.....be proud of your faith, but do not use it as a weapon.

I can handle making choices for myself...

Okay, first of all, I want to say that I am so glad that Marquee Cinemas in Charleston knows that the residents of the valley are capable of making a decision for themselves. Instead of the cinemas deciding not to offer "Brokeback Mountain", they have decided to let the customers decide. If you want to see it, you can, but if you don't, then you don't have to. Just like any other movie.

On the news last night, a manager from the theater stated that he had received complaint calls from customers. He said that some of them even threatened that they would never watch another movie in the theater again. He said that he had received calls of people who thanked him for allowing the movie to be shown. He said that it was a decision of the customer to make, not him. I totally agree. I personally want to see the movie, but I respect the choice of others who don't want to.

But I just don't understand why this movie is a problem. I never hear on the news about people calling the theater complaining when they show a horror movie, a movie with heavy sexual content, or extreme violence. That is because all of that is becoming accepted and you don't hear about people complaining about that as much. However a story of family, love, work, and friendship is a problem. Homophobia is becoming a huge problem. It scares me that so many people have such hatred and disrespect for a community the way that people do towards the homosexual community.

President Bush got caught off guard earlier this week. A person in the crowd told him that he knew that he was a rancher and thought he'd enjoy the movie and asked him if he'd seen it. His reply..... What do you think he said? (Besides being caught off guard of course.....) Check it out by clicking here.

Something on the other end of the spectrum, which I thought was weird and incorrect was the comment that Heath Ledger made about West Virginia. It was inaccurate and just WRONG!
According to MSN.com, Ledger also took a swipe at West Virginia, and displayed a dubious grasp of American history. “I heard a while ago that West Virginia was going to ban it but that’s a state that was lynching people only 25 years ago so that’s to be expected,” he was quoted as saying. (Click here for complete article)

I haven't seen the movie yet. I intend to see it this weekend. But, without seeing it, I know that it has taught me something. There are still stereotypes, hatred, and intolerance in this world. Whether it is regarding sexual preference, race, ethnicity, geographic location, heritage, and any other "category" that you can think of. In my opinion, it's being condoned in our society and by our government. I'll try not to dwell on it, but act on it. I will not stand for this hatred. I will do little things every day to educate myself and others. That's all I can do.

Friends are priceless....

I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know, but I have such great friends that I just thought I would share my excitement with everyone.

The silver lining
the icing on the cake
friends are what makes
a day great

tears and sadness
whiped away
and you make it
through another day

smiles with dinner
laughes with chocolate
all the great things
come with great friends

That poem doesn't tell it all and it PRETTY LAME, but I am so so blessed to have all of my wonderful friends and you all know who you are. I've had a very busy and demanding week and knowing that my friends are just a call or email away has helped me push through and get things done. :)

Slumber parties to dinners out to spending time with popcorn and a movie....friends are just the BEST!!!!!:)

Thanks to all of my friends who have loved me.....through tough times and fun times.

:)

Still busy busy busy!

Man, I thought things would slack off, but ....ummm...not yet!

I get things marked off my "to do list" each day, but things keep getting added to it, so it continues to grow even though my days have been productive.

I hope to post something more interesting soon......

There's a reason that chores are called chores!

I decided that I would clean out my closet tonight. Dancing with the Stars was on and Anthony hates the show, so I thought that I would clean out my closet while watching it on the bedroom tv, leaving Anthony to watch something else.

I went through shirt after shirt and dress after dress and finally went through every article in my closet. I had went through my dressers a few months ago, but only did a "skim" of my closet at the time. So, tonight was down and dirty....purging anything that I haven't worn in months....or don't plan to wear....or that my body or age won't allow me to wear any longer.

So, what resulted was a large black garbage bag of clothes. So, I'll take it to work and see if any of the coworkers would like any of the articles, and then what is left will be bound for my hometown's ministry center. I'm a PACK RAT, but for the first time, purging was a little easier.

This time, I found it theraputic to go through the closet, but I did get a little sad. Clothes that I can't wear....they are too small or too 'youthful' for me to wear now. I'm getting older and a short pleated skirt that is adorned by many girls is no longer appropriate for me...or my wardrobe. That doesn't mean that I don't miss the days when I could get away with a skirt like that...or was there ever such a day????

Okay, so this was physically AND emotionally draining. I'm older...and I'm okay with that. I just wish that I still had my youthful body. I've got to get serious about my diet....I've got to get serious about exercise! AND before it's too late.....I don't want to get to a "point of no return".

However, on a positive note, I did enjoy Dancing with the Stars tonight and did get one of my "to do" items checked off my list.

So, it was atleast a productive evening.....

BUSY BUSY BUSY....

Man, I am one very busy girl this week.

I looked at my schedule and my "to do list" and I almost had a coronary! It's one of those situations where I didn't know where to even begin. But I decided to write everything down in order of importance or in order of how things needed to be done with due dates for myself. Taking the time to do this will save me time in the long run.

Tomorrow I have to get many of those things done on my list because I'm going to be out of the office on Thursday and Friday and I don't want to get too far behind. So, I'll try to tackle most of my list before the end of the day tomorrow.

I did well today. Even the webconference that I was dreading turned out to be very informative and interesting. I know, it's surprising....I usually despise conference calls.

So, I'll get to work early tomorrow to get a head start on my "TO DO LIST"....

I just hope that my to do list doesn't grow too much over the next few days...but unfortunately, I'm sure that it will.

I'll hurry back from an out of town meeting on Friday to make it to a memorial service on Friday night. Then, a friend is having a party on Saturday. Sunday is brunch with Michael Ann and I've got a Mary Kay party to hold on Sunday afternoon.

Busy....busy....busy.....

It's TV time again.....

Hmmmm....I love January! New episodes of the great shows begin again. New episodes of Lost, Dancing with the Stars, Two and a Half Men, King of Queens, House MD, and many more! I'm so excited. I'm a tv fanatic...I can't help it!

And, with a new season of American Idol beginning tonight, I'm even more excited.

;)

So "stay tuned" for continued reviews of my favorite shows. I know....you guys are bored by this, but humor me! HAHA

The BOOK Dilemma!

Okay, so many of you all know that my husband is in his second semester of grad school. As everyone knows, college (especially grad school) can be very expensive. Luckily, he has received student loans, etc. So, we have been blessed by that.

I was always amazed at how much books cost when I was in college...and how little we got back for them at the end of the semester. There was always a new edition coming out or the professor was going to use a different book the following semester. After my college bookstore was switched to a "barnes and noble" bookstore, it got even worse...

So, when my husband bought books last semester, we were reminded of the high cost. So, this semester, he decided that we should do some research online to see if we could find used or discounted books.

So, after hours of research last night, he got frustrated and said to forget it. (He does that when he is tired of dealing with something. Every once in a while, the "only child" in him comes out. And it did last night over these darn books!)

So, after hours of research and a few arguments later.....I found his books all online....a few used and one new (at a discounted price). I saved him over $100 and they should be shipped in time for him to get his reading done for his assignments. In a panic that they wouldn't arrive in time, I searched the Library Commission site for available copies of the books. The only ones they had were in Morgantown....so I don't think that will be much help.

So, pray for the packages to arrive on time. ;)

The Governor's Address....

First of all, I would like to say that I think that our Governor is a great communicator, eloquent speaker, and truly involved and dedicated to improving West Virginia. My father in law and I watched the State of the State Address tonight (Anthony was at school). We were amazed at his great news that he had to share.

First, he started out about the miners....read the names of all 12 miners. It was a very somber beginning. After talking about the Miners' Fund, he recognized Rev. Dennis Sparks, the Executive Director of the WV Council of Churches. Dennis is an amazing man and has worked very close with our programs at Mission West Virginia (where I work). The WVCC does great work!

Then, with the sad news provided, he moves on to some good news for West Virginians!

Some great health care news! Programs for $99/month for comprehensive health care and nearly a $1/day for preventative care programs. These programs will be provided WITHOUT government subsidies. Not sure how we are doing this....According to Gov. Manchin, it is through partnerships between the state and the healthcare providers..... I think this is great!

A great outlook for labor....They are creating a partnership/collaboration between DOW Industrial Park, several colleges, and a few other partners. My father in law told me that this center will resemble the Triangle Research Park in NC. Unfortunately, there is a downside to this initiative....there are changes being made to my alma mater, West Virginia University Instititute of Technology. They are moving the Engineering programs (which is the heart and "bank" of WVU Tech) to South Charleston. This will kill Montgomery and WVU Tech. I'm unsure of how this will affect the school in the short term or the long term, but I know it won't be good.... :( This is the only disappointment that I heard throughout the speech.

AEP has petitioned to build the IGCC plant in WV (convert coal into clean fuel). This will bring jobs and stretch our fossil fuel resources.

He also mentioned harsher penalties for sexual offenders and a few other important topics.

At the end of his speech, they revealed a new sign with the current tagline, "West Virginia - Open for Business" with a beautiful background. (Not the best design work I've ever seen, but good.)

There have been great strides in the improvement of WV over the past year. Workers' Compensation reform, insurance reform, education reform, and further improvements being made as we speak. The Governor and the First Lady are very dedicated to the people of WV. I have had the pleasure of meeting both of them several times. Gov. Manchin is a wonderful man, but there is something about Ms. Manchin. She is a delight....intelligent, articulate, beautiful, classy, and amazing. She has a way to brighten up the room (and the woman dresses to a "T")!

So, overall, I am excited about the work that the Governor and his administration has been doing....I just wonder what will become of WVU Tech. We'll just have to wait and see.

Grieving in the Spotlight...

I wrote this last week and realized that I hadn't posted it.

Grieving in the Spotlight
to grieve is so hard
to grieve in front of the camera is unbearable
for flashes of light from in front of the media
to the front page of the paper
how can they move on
how can they grieve
with every tear that falls down
is on the evening news....??

Lucky Charmz Blog is a GREAT READ! :)

Check out a great blog at http://oneluckycharm.blogspot.com/.

It is entitled "A Gift of Life" for a reason....read it and you will see!

More about the miners.....

Something was said during the newscast at 10 pm tonight that was so fitting....sad, yet true....

"IT IS OFTEN SAID IN APPALACHIA ... THAT IF YOU WANT TO MAKE GOOD MONEY ...AND YOU HAVEN'T GONE TO COLLEGE ... YOU HAVE TO CUT YOUR FORTUNE FROMTHE EARTH ... WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, MOTHEREARTH DEMANDS PAYBACK IN THE FORM OF BLOOD.THESE MEN, SAY FAMILY MEMBERS, UNDERSTOOD THE DELICATE DANCE ... AND WEREBOUND TOGETHER BY THEIR TENOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MINES ... IN LIFE... AND IN DEATH."

So sad.....really makes you think, though. Just so sad.

Continuing to pray.....and think....

OH MY! Do I LOVE watching ballroom dancing!

It all started as a kid with my favorite movie of ALL TIME - Dirty Dancing. The "plain young girl" becomes a beautiful dancer through the lessons of her partner. (It doesn't hurt that her partner is totally HOT and that she falls in love in the process....)

Now, as I have watched another wonderful movie, "Shall We Dance?", and watched part of the first season of Dancing with the Stars on ABC...it strengthens the desire to want to become a ballroom dancer.

I took ballet and jazz when I was little and was a dancer on the dance squad in high school. (Yes, I danced.....competitively...and in my mind, it is a SPORT!!!!!)

I LOVE DANCE! LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT....and I will someday take ballroom lessons. I don't have to compete....I just want to learn....because I know I will love it. :) :) :)

Just a little wish....maybe for the New Year...who knows??????

I'm going ContraDancing again tomorrow night, so maybe that will feed my need for dance for a little while! :)

I watched ABC's Dancing with the Stars season premiere tonight. It was great and I was very surprised by some of the celebrities' talent....or lack thereof (HAHA).

I will post soon my reviews of tonight's performances......STAY TUNED!


ADDITION:

Here's my reviews from tonight (as if you all care! HAHA)
Lisa Rinna (Soap Star/Talk Show Host) and her partner Louis van Amstel were great Her movements were as smooth, but they were very good.

George Hamilton (actor) and his partner Edyta Silwinska were fair. She was great, he was decent. And compared to the other ones who were poor to mediocre, he was pretty good.....

Giselle Fernandez (journalist) and her partner Jonathan Roberts --- To be honest, somehow i missed this performance....so I can't "judge" them....

Master P (rapper) and his partner Ashly DelGrosso - Well, P was HORRIBLE...he just stood there while she danced around him. I felt bad for her b/c she was really talented!

Tia Carrere (actress) and her partner Max Chmerkovskly were good. She just had a baby a couple months ago and did a damn fine job!!! and looked stunning!

Kenny Mayne (ESPN Commentator) and his partner Andrea Hale....Once again, I felt sorry for her because he was so awful. He really tried...poor thing...at least he tried...but he should go back behind the sports desk. :)

Tatum O'Neal (actress - was the famous athlete in Bad News Bears) and her partner Nick Kosovich were really good. I was proud of them. There were a few others that were better, but she was in character and pulled it off.

Jerry Rice (football star) and his partner Anna Trebunskaya were good. I was actually very impressed by Jerry. He tried, had heart, and did well. :)

Stacy Keibler (professional wrestler) and her partner Tony Dovolani were AWESOME! They are my #1 pick! OUTSTANDING!!!!! WOW!!! Her legs are what I would dream of having! She's got a dancer's heart and body!

Drew Lachey (98 degrees band member and star in RENT) and his partner Cheryl Burke were great. They are my #2 pick! I was SO surprised by Drew's talent. (His brother Nick was there to cheer him on....without Jessica, of course???!!!!)

That's just my 2 cents, for what it's worth.....More info on the dancers and the show can be found at www.abc.com.

:)

A Contract for 2006

I resolve to do the following in 2006. No excuses. No whimping out.

1. I will get back on a weight loss plan and stick with it!
2. I will join the gym and work out AT LEAST 3 days a week.
3. I will visit my family at least twice a month (hopefully more!) and I will call family members at least twice a week.
4. I will plan get togethers with my girlfriends. We will get together at least once every 2 months. (Because I know that our schedules are so busy and travel is an issue.)
5. I will learn more about my faith and the Episcopalian Church. (I have been a practicing Christian and Episcopalian for many years, but there is still so much to learn.)
6. I will learn more about other faiths. (I have wanted to do this for years and have even made it my resolution for the past three years...but this is the year! NO EXCUSES!)
7. I will learn to say NO to any more outside responsibilties. I will continue my charity work that I am currently involved in, but will not take on any more. I will be using that spare time to spend with my family.
8. I will read at least one book a month.
9. I will obtain information about graduate school and begin to get serious about starting back to college. (I hope to start grad school this coming fall.)

Ok, so there are a few more that I might want to add. But for now, at least I've covered:

• Stimulating my mind, body, and spirit.
• Doing some things for ME and spending time with friends and family
• Cutting back on other obligations and attending to my primary obligation, which is my family.

Lessons Learned....

As you already know....My grandfather passed away before Christmas. With many deaths surrounding me the past few months....friends' family members and a family member of my own, it has been a very realistic few months. I found out today that a friend's grandfather also passed away. As I told her in an email today, "I knew that we were close and that we would share special moments together, but I never thought that we would share the same loss…at the same time. I guess it will be another time that we remember how much our friendship means and how it helps us get through tough times. You are a very special friend…thank you for being there…always!"

My next post includes my resolutions for 2006. I learned so much in 2005 and I will not forget those important lessons. Celebrate the little things, give praise, and be grateful for friends and family, and spend as much time with your loved ones as you can. Because at the end of the day, that's all that matters. Those moments with your family and friends that you will remember forever. You don't always get a chance to say good bye....you don't always get the opportunity to tell them how you feel....you have to seize the moment and let people know their importance.

So, let me take a moment to say to all of my loved ones - You make me who I am. Every day... I carry something of yours with me.... Even though people pass on or move on, those memories will never fade. I am a tapestry, woven of lessons and memories from you.

May you receive many blessings in the new year.

Prayer Request....

I received this email from my friend, Michael, via email this afternoon. I thought I would share.

"As most of you know, West Virginia is suffering from a horrible situation right now. There are 13 coal miners trapped in the Sago Mine in Upshur County. This happened around 6:30 a.m. Monday morning, and as of right now, there still hasn't been any contact made with these miners and no one even knows if they are alive or not. We, as West Virginia, not only need to come together as a state but as a family. We need to pray hard for the 13 men that are trapped as well as praying for their family and friends who patiently wait to find out any updates. Please send this to everyone on your mailing list, even if they don't live in WV, prayer does work and God can work miracles, we just have to keep our faith."

Thank you, Michael, for sending this to me. I will continue to pray for those miners and their family and friends. As Governor Manchin has said, "in West Virginia, we believe in miracles." And that is what we are hoping and praying for.