Missional Monday

Today's Missional Monday is a topic near and dear to my heart. Food allergies! Although I am not currently involved with this organization I am dedicated to making food allergies more widely known, as well as supporting those that already do.

KIDS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES

Mission

Kids With Food Allergies is a national nonprofit food allergy organization dedicated to fostering optimal health, nutrition, and well-being of children with food allergies by providing education and a caring support community for their families and caregivers.


Programs

KFA helps children with food allergies and their families cope with dietary restrictions, lifestyle adjustments, fear and isolation through education, peer support, food/cooking assistance and outreach programs.

• Education Program
  KFA's Educational program is focused on providing reliable and accurate health information to parents and caregivers which, in turn, benefit the health and well-being of children with food allergies.
  
• Peer Support Program
  Parents of Food Allergic Kids (POFAK™) online support groups offer peer-to-peer emotional and social support as well as food and cooking assistance. The support groups are staffed by parent volunteers who know first-hand the day-to-day challenges of raising a child with food allergies.
  
• Food and Cooking Assistance Program
  In a society that revolves around food, finding safe recipes and preparing safe foods for a child with food allergies is of primary concern. KFA offers food and cooking-focused educational materials, a searchable Safe Eats™ Recipe Database, an Allergy Buyer's Guide and other offerings to address the critical concern of families: "what can I feed my child?"
  
• Outreach
  KFA’s outreach efforts focus on providing quality education about food allergies, and raising awareness of KFA’s programs for families nationwide.

Goals

1. To foster optimal health, nutrition, and well-being of children
   
2. To address the social and emotional needs of families upon diagnosis and as they adapt to a food allergy lifestyle
   
3. To provide a caring support community for families, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
   
4. To empower families with trustworthy information, news and resources
   
5. To encourage families to acquire knowledge to manage their children's food allergies while building effective communication between themselves and their children's doctors
   
6. To include those dealing with single or multiple food allergies as well as other conditions resulting in adverse reactions to foods
   
7. To provide interactive and creative approaches for finding safe foods and recipes
   
8. To build confidence for families and children to accomplish anything in life despite their food restrictions
   
9. To reach out to physicians to raise awareness of the social and emotional needs of families upon diagnosis and as they adapt to a food allergy lifestyle
   
10. To innovate with a creative team of professionals, medical advisors, volunteers and staff
    
11. To build and sustain a broad base of support from those who believe in our organization’s mission and will contribute funds needed to succeed.

Please take some time and check out this wonderful organization on their website! See if their mission can help you match your passion with your purpose.

Do Liberals REALLY Want to Know Who Ted Kennedy Was?

I'm getting a bit sick and tired of hearing about how WONDERFUL Ted Kennedy was. The man who left a girl to die after driving drunk and crashing. A man who had many issues that are only being brought to light by a handful of VERY conservative bloggers and almost no journalists.

What fascinated me today, though, was a revelation reported on my brother's blog that Kennedy attempted to get the leader of the USSR, Yuri Andropov, to help him beat Reagan in the 1984 presidential election.

(As reported in Forbes Magazine) A reporter for the London Times came across a memorandum that outlined Kennedy's plan.

On 9-10 May of this year," the May 14 memorandum explained, "Sen. Edward Kennedy's close friend and trusted confidant [John] Tunney was in Moscow." (Tunney was Kennedy's law school roommate and a former Democratic senator from California.) "The senator charged Tunney to convey the following message, through confidential contacts, to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Y. Andropov.

Kennedy's message was simple. He proposed an unabashed quid pro quo. Kennedy would lend Andropov a hand in dealing with President Reagan. In return, the Soviet leader would lend the Democratic Party a hand in challenging Reagan in the 1984 presidential election. "The only real potential threats to Reagan are problems of war and peace and Soviet-American relations," the memorandum stated. "These issues, according to the senator, will without a doubt become the most important of the election campaign."

Kennedy made Andropov a couple of specific offers.

First he offered to visit Moscow. "The main purpose of the meeting, according to the senator, would be to arm Soviet officials with explanations regarding problems of nuclear disarmament so they may be better prepared and more convincing during appearances in the USA." Kennedy would help the Soviets deal with Reagan by telling them how to brush up their propaganda.

Then he offered to make it possible for Andropov to sit down for a few interviews on American television. "A direct appeal ... to the American people will, without a doubt, attract a great deal of attention and interest in the country. ... If the proposal is recognized as worthy, then Kennedy and his friends will bring about suitable steps to have representatives of the largest television companies in the USA contact Y.V. Andropov for an invitation to Moscow for the interviews. ... The senator underlined the importance that this initiative should be seen as coming from the American side.

Kennedy would make certain the networks gave Andropov air time--and that they rigged the arrangement to look like honest journalism.

Go read the full article...it'll amaze you how the media is SO biased that even something of this magnitude is ignored. Or maybe it won't if you're already completely jaded by the media in general.

Biting my Tongue!

So many of my friends are liberally oriented that it can make having daily conversations or even friendly Facebook updates "sticky". I'm not used to having to censor my words as much as I have since the presidential elections took place.

And now that Obamacare is getting so much media attention, I am having to bite my tongue as friends "talk" about government run healthcare as the next best thing to sliced bread.

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Where do they think the money will come from? The GOVERNMENT?

How much debt are they willing to let the US get into? And they complained about BUSH putting us in debt? REALLY?!?

I'm not a jerk. I DO think people deserve basic healthcare. But we are heading down a slippery slope and I WILL NOT be one of the lemmings who just run off the edge bleating while following our dear "leader". No way. No how. Uh uh.

(The one with the life-preserver is ME!)

Just add me to the list of unAmerican conservative homegrown terrorists. We're growing in numbers by leaps and bounds!

Prisoner of Summer '09...about to be RELEASED!

School starts next Tuesday! Wahoo! 3 days a week of a few hours of freedom...um, I mean time to use for...cleaning the house? Working on my business? Working out? Updating my blog! Did I say freedom? ;o)

Hopefully we can "see" more of each other now that school is starting. Sound good? See you here!

Missional Monday

One of my most devoted readers mentioned that they were helped recently by a wonderful organization in their area. I would love to focus this Missional Monday on that particular group...


Salkehatchie Summer Service is a pioneering servant ministry at selected sites in South Carolina involving high school and college age youth, adult community leaders and persons of different cultures in upgrading housing, motivating community cooperative efforts by helping persons to help themselves, and providing all participants with opportunities for personal growth and service.



How Can I Help?

* Volunteer - Youth willing to work and adults with skills to share are needed.
* Donate Supplies - Lumber, paint, caulking, plywood, linoleum, paneling, nails, etc. may be brought to individual camps.
* Financial Support - Cash contributions are needed and appreciated. Registration fees and conference benevolences do not cover all of their costs.

Please take some time and check out this wonderful organization on their website! See if their mission can help you match your passion with your purpose.

US Debt held by the Public

I don't feel this needs a lot of discussion by me. The table speaks for itself. Now, talk amongst yourselves!

(Congressional Budget Office data; Thanks goes to American Thinker)

This one is for Baloney!

My friend Baloney is addicted to quizzes. The following is for her.

THE USELESS, POINTLESS, SENSELESS TEST

I won't tell you MY results...it might make you feel bad. Go take it for yourself!

CHEERS!

One in the Win Column for Food Allergies!

Yesterday we had JMonster's preschool teachers visit us here at the house. They go to every student's house before school begins (can you believe it!?!) so the kiddos feel more comfortable the first day of school. All was ordinary, until the discussion concerning JMonster's peanut/tree nut allergies began.

"In the past, we have not been able to create a nut free environment in a classroom. We just can't guarantee that."

Hmmmm? I'm not sure I understood you. You CANNOT keep my child safe?

"You can call the administrator, she is new, but in the past the administration has not been willing to declare a room nut free."

Really!?!

Last night I read through the packet they left for me. It was written specifically for JMonster's class. "There is a child in our classroom who is allergic to peanuts. We ask that you help us create a safe environment for them. However, it is okay for you to send peanut products for your child..."

REALLY!?! THEY ARE 3!

(Deep breath.)

I left a message this morning for the director to call me. She did.

I won't give you the entire conversation, but the gist of it is...wait for it...I know, you can hardly stand it...


The ENTIRE school is going PEANUT FREE!!!!! Hallelujah!

And I was ready to withdraw JMonster. It was one of the first things out of my mouth. The last thing out was a HUGE thank you for her being willing to take on a Goliath of an issue the first month of her new job.

She is my new bff!

And I'm not even 40, yet...

Went to visit my eye doc this past week. Hadn't gone in about 4 years so I thought I'd better go before leaving town permanently. I've always had 20/20 vision (except for a small stint in 2nd grade, but I deny those glasses ever existed!) so the need to go to the doc every year seems smaller for me than, say, for someone who wears contacts or glasses.

I need reading glasses.

I'm not even 40 (not for a few years, yet!) and I need reading glasses.

What's next?

Mixed feelings

This past week, while I was in Atlanta, The Rev and I signed papers with an agent to rent out our house. Much deliberation took place over renting versus selling; renting won out due to inability to get the houses in our neighborhood to appraise for their true value because of pre-foreclosure sales and neighbors just giving their houses away.

Today the agent will stop by the house to take pictures for a flyer. She will put a sign in our yard. She will put a lock box on the door.

(sigh)

It's going to work out. I know it will.

It's hard to think that someone else will be living in OUR house...the house we've lived in the last 8 years of our lives. The house we brought JMonster home to. The house that is in the best neighborhood with the best neighbors.

(sniff, blow, wipe the tears...)

I'm okay.

Back in Tejas!

JMonster and I flew from Atlanta to Houston today, and then made the drive up here to good old Bryan/College Station. We've arrived!

No funny guys on this flight (see this post if you don't know what I'm talking about). My friend Leslie picked us up from the airport (thanks Leslie!) and drove us to our car. Car started first time I tried.

I'll take blessings in any and all forms they are offered! Today was filled with blessings.

Our new favorite show!

This summer we have been introduced to Phineas & Ferb. It's hard to believe we haven't been watching it for years; considering how similar of a feel it has to The Animaniacs, I am seriously in love!

Phineas is on the left, Ferb the right

Summer is all about adventure for stepbrothers Phineas and Ferb in this animated Disney Channel comedy series. They're all about having fun, taking it from building roller coasters all the way to building tree houses, which eventually will morph into a giant robot. While their older sister, Candace, tries to catch them, things don't always seem to go her way when their mom comes home and Phineas and Ferb are just sitting under a tree with no evidence to support her, thanks to their pet platypus, who is secretly an agent out to stop an evil, if not slightly childish, genius. ~courtesy of tv.com

The title sequence rocks, as does Perry the Platypus. If you've never seen the show, well, you're simply missing out!

Do you like a good puzzler?

Check out this post on my brother's blog. It's great detective work! And to think that politicians think so little of people's abilities to find out the truth.

Good work to everyone over at Patterico.com!

Signs that I'm addicted to chocolate...

Here are a few signs from around my home. Really. I'm addicted to chocolate, or isn't it obvious?

To Secede or Not to Secede...

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Gov. Rick Perry: Texas Could Secede, Leave Union

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry fired up an anti-tax "tea party" Wednesday with his stance against the federal government and for states' rights as some in his U.S. flag-waving audience shouted, "Secede!"

An animated Perry told the crowd at Austin City Hall -- one of three tea parties he was attending across the state -- that officials in Washington have abandoned the country's founding principles of limited government. He said the federal government is strangling Americans with taxation, spending and debt.

Perry repeated his running theme that Texas' economy is in relatively good shape compared with other states and with the "federal budget mess."

Being a Texan (once a Texan, always a Texan!) I'm not inclined to disagree with the THOUGHT of seceding. We have the right. But, does that mean it's something we should actually do?

I never thought I'd be so frustrated with where America is heading. Being called "un-American" or a TERRORIST because I disagree with the ideology of those currently in power has made me stop and think, though. Is this how I want MY country run? I'm a socially responsible person. My husband does first hand work with major non-profit SOCIAL organizations...yet because I do not agree that the government is the best option for where my money should go to help people, now I'm somehow less sympathetic or empathetic to those without?

Because I do not think that socialized healthcare is the answer, now I am selfish...this being said by someone who is so young they haven't lived long enough to figure out that Utopia does not and can never exist. This individual actually said that those people that HAVE (if you aren't poor) should be willing to accept poor healthcare just so others can have better healthcare. Huh?!? I need MY standard of healthcare to fall so others can have better healthcare than me? When they aren't paying for it?

Is this the same reasoning we use when we punish an entire classroom of children for the behavior of one or two students? Or fail an entire project because one person wouldn't do their part? Do I deserve the same pay rate as someone who put in 4 years of college, 4 years of med school, 3 years of residency, and possibly 2 or more years of a fellowship? Really!?!

This world has turned topsy turvey in my mind. I was trying very hard to take my head out of the sand and become more involved in current news and events. I don't think I can do it anymore, though. It gives me a headache.



Maybe my coping mechanisms were better than I thought!

When you're trying to sell/rent your house...

THIS is not what you want to see when the kiddos have been playing in the basement for a total of 30 minutes.

















Now you understand why JMonster and I moved to Texas before we went through this process!

Missional Monday

Today's Missional Monday is the third in a series of 3. It is the final candidate for receiving a portion of profits (if we ever have any!) from Twice as Nice Boutique. It is:

Phoebe's Home

Phoebe's Home is actually a part of Twin City Mission, which I highlighted as one of the first 2 options for receiving funds. This specific portion of Twin City Missions

is an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence. Phoebe's Home operates 24 hours a day...



In addition to services made available to non-residents, Phoebe's Home provides emergency shelter, nutritional meals, laundry facilities, daily needs (toiletries, clothing), transportation, and recreational activities for its residents.

The average length of stay at Phoebe's Home , which can house up to 45 individuals, is 30-45 days. Extensions are granted, when necessary, if goals are being met. Residential clients are often eligible to apply for transitional housing through Housing Services, a program of Twin City Mission.

The Domestic Violence Services program supports an active volunteer program. Volunteer opportunities include: assisting with clerical support, child play, organizing/facilitating children's activities, tutoring, education/training for residents, assisting with daily living activities, minor maintenance, grounds keeping and fundraising.

How can you help?

VOLUNTEER!

For more information on volunteering, call or e-mail:

Jinna Turland , Volunteer Coordinator

(979)775-1968

volunteer@twincitymission.org

Domestic Violence Services statistics

Please take some time and check out this wonderful organization on their website! See if their mission can help you match your passion with your purpose.

We're in the ATL!

JMonster and I are in the ATL for 10 days. He's been sick, we flew with some crazy folks, and now today is my birthday. We saw Ice Age 3 (There WAS a preview of the movie here, but it drove me crazy every time I opened the site. Would be nice if it only played when you pushed play!) in the theater and went and had yummy pizza.

Crazy times! Fun times! I'll try and post more these next few days since I have my computer AND my camera battery charger. Wahoo!