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Yep.St. Louis City Leader Says Police Ineffective, Tells Residents to Get Armed ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis city leader frustrated with the police response to rising crime called Tuesday on residents to arm themselves to protect their lives and property. Alderman Charles Quincy Troupe said police are ineffective, outnumbered or don't care about the increase in crime in his north St. Louis ward. St. Louis has had 157 homicides in 2008, 33 more than last year at this time. "The community has to be ready to defend itself, because it's clear the economy is going to get worse, and criminals are getting more bold," Troupe, 72, said Tuesday. Troupe said that when he and residents approached a district police commander last year, they were told "there was nothing he could do to protect us and the community ... that he didn't have the manpower." Police did not immediately return requests for comment. Chief Dan Isom told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he understands Troupe's frustration but doesn't support citizens arming themselves. Carrying guns, he said, is not a "recipe for a less violent community." Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,460725,00.html Of course, the last line kills me. Citizens arming themselves is not a recipe for a less violent community? Why, because criminals are MORE likely to break into homes where they think the homeowners will shoot at them? The logic here astounds me. craftsI was out lurking around for a doll pattern and I came across this blog.. She has a lot of crafts things listed. When you have time check her out.. @ http://calamitykim.typepad.com/calamity_kim/advent-elf-pattern-free-p.html
Have a great day ! Blessings Brenda Christmas Tags for LESS!Tags for Christmas packages can be fairly costly, but it is important to label each package properly so each recipient gets their intended gift, right? Well, I have a few tips on how to keep the cost of these items to a minimum.
Happy Gifting! These are my thoughts. Leslie Valeska ~Contributing Writer~
My Two Year Old Knocked Over the Christmas Tree!!!!!Ok, stop laughing already! LOL Ok, it might be a little funny today but let me tell you, this mommy was not too happy when it happened earlier today!!! UGH!! But this pretty much explains my day today in a total nutshell. I think Noah woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something. He was whiney and grouchy and crabby all day long. When he is like this he doesn't want to snuggle and calm down, he just PUSHES EVERY BUTTON HE CAN until you bust. LMSO So, it started off with the fabric Christmas doll on the back of the couch. He picked it up, looked at it, hugged it, and then threw it on the floor, and jumped off the couch and pounced on it. I was shocked because normally he is not like this. Then started the whining for POP! We have a few 2 liters left over from our late Sunday Thanksgiving dinner and he saw them in the kitchen and wanted some. I said no way!! So, he turned to get the broom (I forgot to put it away last night after breaking a plate and sending shards of glass everywhere) and was using it as an entended limb to turn the light off and on, and hit me in the leg. The part of using it to turn on the light really impressed me, but I was a little annoyed he was banging me in the leg and I took it away from him and told me to follow me into the living room. Well he refused! So he got in trouble. Then he refused to do something else, stood on toys he knows he is not allowed to stand on, and he climbed up on his little table and stood there looking out the window. About the time I hollared for him to get down, he reached up and decided to hit my expensive stained glass angel hanging in the window. (It is huge,a nd I love it so!) Well, he sat in the chair and had a talking to AGAIN. FInally about that time, was when I decided I might need to calm down, and get him to calm down for a few minutes before his nap (in about 15 minutes). I called his dad to check on him and low and behold, while I was picking something up I had dropped, he jumps up from the naughty chair and then BAM. Down went the tree. Before I knew it the tree was on the ground and Noah was under it. After lifting the tree off of him, and accessing the boy for any marks I picked him up and took him directly to bed for his nap. It was either that or I am afraid I might have lost my cool!!! So he was upset that I didn't do the naptime routine and I was upset that there was my tree angel laying on the floor in the corner. I was praying her porcelain face was not broken because my mother gave her to me the last Christmas she was alive. She was intact and ok! I put the ornaments that were scattered around the living room floor back on the tree and by then the phone was ringing off the hook. It was hubby saying, I heard screaming in the phone and then the phone went dead. He wanted to make sure we were ok. I told him what happened and we talked for a few minutes before getting back to work. As I sit here now, looking at the tree, I realize there are still a few "dented" areas in the greenery that need to be fluffed more. LMSO Geesh. Maybe tomorrow will be better. I didn't get much of my list of items done today either. I did get some tidying up done, but the dishwasher wasn't set correctly last night for some reason, so when I opened it to unload clean dishes today, they were still dirty! So I ran them again, and will put them away in a bit when they cool down.
A sanctuary from the world" The family meal table is a sanctuary. It is a secret place from the daily word of strife. On of the Hebrew words for "secret" is sod which comes from the word "yasad". It means to "sit down together , a talk session, an intimate friendly convesation or a serious consultation, a company of persons in close secret talks. " Families can enjoy this special time together at each evening meal. Psalm 23:5 " You prepare a table before me in the presense of mine enemies." Mothers we can prepare a table that is a sanctuary from the filthiness of the world. Our husband and grown children may spend their day out in the work place. More often than not they are surrounded by filthy talk, jesting, immodesty an humanistic reasoning. If they come home and turn on the TV, this conatimination of the world will only sink deeper into their spirits. But if they arrive home to a waiting table -- a table that welcomes them with good food, love, and fellowship, the filth of the day washes away. As you communicate and talk about the things of the Lord, their souls and spirits are washed clean. " ~ Nancy Campbell, The Family Meal Table & Hospitatlity Study guide, pg. 20 _______________________________________ I was blessed to grow up in a home where the family gathered each day for dinner together. It was not just a " Sunday meal" that we enjoyed once a week, but each night we would set the table and sit around as a family and share our day. I remember when I got old enough to have friends and eat at the homes of other families, I took notice that many did not eat together as a family. Kids grabbed something on their own, or families would sit in front of the TV. I didn't appreciate the family meal table when I was a child in my family home, but now years later I look back upon that time as a treasured time in my life. In talking to my 88 yr old father about the meal table he shared that he felt very strongly that it was so important for mother & father to sit down with the children and share a meal each day. He told me that is where values are passed down and where parents can get a feel for what their children are thinking and feeling. I am grateful to my parents who in wisdom, chose to follow the "old paths" and held family dinner each day of the week. Today, statistics show that families eat only a few days a week together. What has happened to the family meal table? I am currently leading a study of Nancy's book on the Family Meal table and I have been blessed to read her thoughts on this special time of day. I have chosen to follow the tradition my parents gave me and we do eat together each night. I too agree with Nancy and my dad that it is a wonderful time . It is a sanctuary for us! It is a time to share our hearts and thoughts, and to put aside the world. I do hope many of you are blessed with special moments around the meal table. ~ gloria ~
Looking for?I'm looking for used ma&pa kettle movies used..Does anybody out there have any they would like to sell? Brenda Out with the bad, in with the good...I have been pondering and praying over today's post all day, I mean for real! Here it is almost 4 pm and I still have not posted, very unusual for me. :)I have had something pretty heavy on my mind. What I have decided is that I am going to rid myself of a few things... things that have been weighing my spirit down... things that are of a constant bother to me. I have a life to lead, I have a family to care for, a husband to serve and Savior to worship. And that is what I am going to do. :) May your light so shine for HIM! :) Truly, My Cup Runneth Over... Pictures, Pictures and more PicturesNothing special about the pictures...just things around the homestead lately :o) Enjoy!Some of the property over the weekend. This is the back clearing where we want to build. If we don't build here, I want to put our schoolhouse up back here anyway (just to the right of that center pine tree...that's where the trail heads back to the pond. The next is the logging road they used a few years back to get to the neighbors property...and where they come up with the 4-wheelers. The bottom of that range there is the end of our property. Next two are of the pond, coming in from that logging road, through the trees. It's just seasonal and lately, that has meant no real water to speak of. The first year it had maybe 2 foot of water. This year, maybe the same. The 2 years in the middle, it was just about bone dry and useless with the drought. We'd like to dig it out more and shore it up to try to keep water in it. We know there's a decent aquifer running through this part of the mountain, down about 150 here at the house end of the property. Would be nice to have some water for the animals if nothing else.     Thanksgiving weekend work on the homestead...Finally getting the holes dug out for the posts for the back porch area. Most likely, it will never make it as a porch and will be enclosed for living space...maybe that outdoor kitchen ;o) I tried to get the holes started but it's all clay...and really thick nasty stuff at that. I just can't do it. I'm a wimp. I admit it. So, as Drew was over for dinner, we put him to work with Dewey :o) The goofy pup there is the beagles basset mutt mix we have...brains of a stuffed animal, but lovable. He chases rabbits and such all night. Pinned a coyote down in the timber last year so we could shoot it. He's a good dog...just goofy. Notice Miss Abigail's bare feet...this was the day after Thanksgiving. Sure wouldn't be out running the countryside like that back North this time of year!    Thanksgiving fixins' on the homestead...We spent all day Wednesday baking...2 pecan pies, 2 apple, 2 chocolate (that's the empty crust with the tin foil in it) and 2 9x13 pumpkin cobblers. And the yummiest yeast rolls :o) It's a mix we do up and keep in the pantry --delicious. And, yes, I'll add the recipe soon! The full menu ended up looking like this...deep-fried turkey, a huge (h-u-g-e) smoked ham from the butcher (stupid me didn't ask about size, just got the one that looked so good...it didn't fit inside the 18qt Nesco roaster we have...had to sit cockeyed until it cooked down some and slide into the pan the right way!). Dressing, green bean casserole, baked corn, potatoes/gravy, sweet potatoes, then the list of desserts. We made honey nut crunch and ranch/dill crackers for snacking all weekend. This was the first year our eldest wasn't at the table. He rode up with Dewey to pick up Hope's car and drive it back. He wanted it to be their first Thanksgiving, and he was frying his first turkey solo...    The 20 quart mixer...yes, that's a make-do kitchen sink set up there. We pulled out the cupboard a while back. I have a very nice, new countertop sitting out in the building, but until I know for sure what we are doing (building or simply remodelling) I don't want to use it yet ;o) And, yes, those are cinder blocks under the mixer -- it sits too low to the floor for comfortable use. I know it looks rather hillbilly-ish, but it works ;o)   The meat, part 1/Day 1...still partially frozen, even after 2 days of thawing in the cooler bag. Guess that cooler bag works far better than I thought it did! We cut up most of the chunks to more suitable pieces and readied them for the canning jars.   
Thanksgiving Tales...Hello Friends!Wow! It is already the second of December! November just flew by with all the activity of moving and our Thanksgiving celebration! On behalf of the entire Wood family we want to thank each of you that shared your favorite recipes and especially all of you that had to resend them when my emails went missing! The day before Thanksgiving the children joined me in the kitchen and delighted in helping me with all the preparations. Each child took a dish and made it while praying for the family that had sent it to us and giggled while sharing fun stories of friendship memories. As a mommy I delighted in overseeing all the baking and cooking that was warming the home. My cup truly runneth over with blessings dear friends! The day of Thanksgiving was peaceful and filled with laughter! Children played games with daddy as I finished up the last minute tasks. Our table was lovingly graced with delicious dishes from friends and family. Turkey, cooked in a brown paper bag, just like aunt Lori taught daddy many years ago, mashed potatoes, corn casserole (from our Trevino Friends! *One of my favorite flavors this year!!), grandmas green beans, yams (from our Bug family friends- My Joe and children loved these!), apple pie, pumpkin pie (from our Jones family friends!), and banana pudding (from our Callis Family Friends) was the menu. We had enjoyed a pumpkin role from our Beckham family friends earlier in the morning with coffee and teas. We had many dishes submitted that we hope to enjoy as we enter the Winter Season. I think we will have plenty of yummy dishes for each Fall that we take time to celebrate friendships! I am excited about adding new friends dishes to our November menu and remember how God has used friends throughout our journey to Him! I have some photos of the children working in the kitchen- I hope you enjoy them! I have to share a funny moment with you from our Thanksgiving table. I love making things lovely for my family and had asked my Joe for some help getting the Turkey on my grandmothers serving plate. This plate has been glued back together after a little one dropped it one year however, because of the plates age and condition my Joe didn't want to use it and asked me to simply use a cookie sheet instead. "Okay, I will do as you ask and not be disappointed but let us carefully put it on the tray so we can have a pretty picture of the table." He agreed and we began trying to hoist the Turkey out of the pan onto the tray. I was working ever so carefully and having a challenging time. My Joe wanted to come to my rescue and simply grabbed the legs and pulled..... well, you can guess what happened! The legs pulled right off! He had wide eyes and giggled knowing he was in the dog house now! "Dog gone it Joe!" as I slapped at his arm..." you were suppose to be gentle so we could have a pretty picture of our table!" Giggling he says... "Don't worry Sunshine, I'll fix it for you!" pretty soon he returned with black thread and started tying my turkey legs back onto the body!!! We all were laughing as daddy gave Sarah the thread with instructions on how to hold it so that the turkey looked pretty for Momma. Sarah decided to get funny and started making the turkey "dance" with the pulling of the thread! In fact, when I caught her doing it we all burst out laughing to the point of tears. It was a fun time- memories were made and my children will forever remember the year that the turkey danced on the table!~ Each of us shared of our thanks to the Father while the thought occurred to me that we have spent many Thanksgivings with very little and yet we always have abounded in blessings and hearts filled with Thanks. Being thankful has nothing to do with our circumstances does it friends? Thanksgiving is an attitude. May we each live "giving thanks continually" because we have been bought with a precious price... the price of our Sweet Savours Blood. The next night, we enjoyed fellowship with families here. My Joe was able to attend and agreed with the children and I- these friends, that the Lord has directed us to, are just preicous!! The girls enjoyed dancing with daddy as did I. I also enjoyed the friendship visits with the women and getting to know others more. Each of the children had a delightful time! We are blessed!!! I posted photos for you to enjoy of Beth Joy and daddy. Dear friends, this update has been long. Thank you for your patience with me! Please know that we love each of you! I will share next week, Lord willing, as we complete the arrival of all the farm animals! With much love, Mrs. Joseph Wood Children in the Kitchen  Timmy with the banana pudding.. that was OH.. so Yummy!!!  Beth making pies  Sarah preparing potatoes  Beth and Daddy dancing:  Beth and daddy  Our Thanksgiving table.. please excuse the boys needing hair cuts.. they didn't get them till the day after Thanksgiving.  Daddy with an old gun from our Kennedy friends at our Thanksgiving table  Have a wonderful week dear friends!!! Attention Stargazers!!Got this from my Farmer's Almanac e-newsletter...
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Leslie Valeska is the lucky wife of Thomas. With children ranging in ages from 4-16, she has had a lot of time to learn and experience much of the fine art of homemaking. She is a writer, speaker, and vintage seamstress. For FREE daily tips and a FREE E-zine on simple and frugal living visit her blog 
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