Random Thoughts, Happenings, Annoyances, Blessings, Etc.

* It's raining...again. It depresses Ray. It makes me feel more cheerful. Odd.

* Amber volunteered to participate in the local social studies fair, even though her teacher chose not to make it mandatory. Project/report not due until mid January so lots of time to get it together. She chose "Christmas Around the World" as her subject. She has lots of good ideas and plans...project will light up and it will play Christmas carols from around the world.

* I think we have come to an understanding with Jazmyne concerning her grades and her refusal to do homework. Helps that she loves band and that performances during ball games, concerts, parades, etc. are part of her grade. We told her if she doesn't care about her grades, then why should we? If she doesn't mind zeroes on homework assignments in other subjects, she can also get zeroes in band because we won't be providing transportation to her required events unless she does her homework in other classes.

* Why do so many homeschooling parents insist on blaming everything that is wrong with kids today on public schools? Why is it that all public schools are lumped into one huge stereotype? Those same parents hate it when their chosen method of education is stereotyped. Seriously, it confuses me.

* I was somewhat amused by the fact that such a large percentage of kids in our district were kept home from school on Monday because there were flu vaccines being administered in the school. Not because it was a requirement that their child be vaccinated, it was not required, a permission slip was necessary before kids could be vaccinated. No, these kids were kept home simply because there were vaccines in the school and parents feared that junior would face the risk of catching the virus from these vaccines. There is about a 100 times bigger probability that those children will catch the flu from a trip to Wal Mart or McDonalds but you won't see these parents avoiding those places.

* Many of these same parents have told their children that they must not play with any child that received the vaccine, because they wll catch something from the vaccinated child. Now, remember that we live on a military installation and the majority of these kids are military dependants. What happens when the soldier in the family receives his/her mandatory flu vaccine? Will the children then be required to avoid Dad/Mom in order to avoid becoming infected? I doubt it.

* Looking at a possible job change for Ray in the near future. The change would be good for his career, but it would involve another deployment next year. Yuck!

* The only good thing I could find in that announcement is the fact that me and the kids could move back to Oklahoma while he's gone.

* Must carve pumpkin tonight.

* Sleep has become an elusive treat for me. Becoming desperate enough to consider sleeping pills. Trying some natural alternatives first.

* Five more days until Abigale Rose makes her appearance!

* Hungry. Nothing to eat in the house. Need to go to the commissary. Don't want to go.

Praying for...

Darryl

Kathy

Brenda and Mike

Theresa and Angie

Anne and her daughter

Suzi and her kids

Ben

Kelly and Scott