More Bahama Fun

Today we had fun downtown. Otto fell asleep right before we were supposed to go so Joan stayed with him while the rest of us, not including Jenn who went scuba diving, went off to town. We took the bus and walked to Fort Fincastle. It was quite a walk but Ian did so well walking the whole way uphill without complaining. The fort was small but we enjoyed going up to the top and looking at the cannons. Just outside the fort there were a bunch of little booths where locals were selling their goods to tourists. One man had coconuts in the back of his truck and made us a drink out of one. This breed of coconut was called a rambonut-- or I think that's what he said. For five dollars he cut the top off and filled it with milk and we all shared it. After a sip, he poured it over ice (which tasted better) then chopped up the meat from the inside. We all tasted the coconut meat, even Ian. It didn't taste like coconut but had more of a nut flavor.

We made the long trek downtown, easier as it was downhill now. We explored the Harley Davidson shop then had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. Arley and I wanted the explore the Straw Market but didn't want to make the men-folk hang around so we sent them on their way back to the resort saying we'd catch up shortly.

Everyone was at the pool when Arley and I got back and we happily joined them. After a short time at the pool, Arley, Joan and I made a trip to the store. Now we are hangout out for the night watching Horton Hears a Who.

Petting the Dolphins

Today we pet the dolphins! This morning we took a shuttle to the north-center part of the island to catch a boat to Blue Lagoon Island. We crossed over an amazing bridge that was a good size length but the real beauty was the height. Built to allow cruise ships to go under, it's the most unique bridge I've seen mostly because of the simplicity.

The boat took us to the other island where we were immediately taken to the dolphin encounter. After a quick review and orientation, we were in the water with the dolphins. What amazing tricks they can do! After a quick show, we all got family pictures then had a chance to pet and "kiss" the dolphins. They are so cute! And the water was so cold.

Afterward we ate lunch. The bees were quite a nuisance while eating lunch so I practiced my aim in trying to squish them. The beach on that island was more beautiful than ours behind the resort. There were umbrellas on the beach with brightly colored lawn chairs, picnic tables and hammocks galore! Arley, Dave and I had fruity drinks, Ian and Otto played in the water (of course) and Jenn worked on her sunburn. Thankfully, I do not appear to have much of a burn. (SPF 50 works!)

We decided we had about enough for the day and took the 2pm boat back and were able to get a shuttle back to the house. Pretty much we just eat, sleep, and watch movies which is enough for me after such a day!

Did you know that Mahimahi is dolphin?? Well, it's not Flipper but it's a type of dolphin-fish.

Merry Christmas from the Bahamas!

Yes, I am in the island of sunshine-- where it's been cloudy with scattered showers. But it's still nice to be here!

My plane was delayed only and hour Monday night, leaving just after 11pm rather the original delay of 1am. (original flight time was 10pm) I didn't sleep a wink on the plane and was incredibly tired and dehydrated so my lower legs were really swollen by the time I got to the Villa. I arrived at 2pm Tuesday at the Villa and was lucky they let me in even though it was Jenn who made the reservation so technically I wasn't supposed to get in. But yay, I did--then went straight to the Tiki bar for some local brew.

The Lange's arrived Tuesday night. Wednesday we played in the pool and on the beach then headed downtown. It's been very windy here and it even rained pretty good yesterday but still we went to the Pirate Museum. They had a Pirate there who was so funny! Ian was trying to out "Arrr" him. Everyone was so tired but we had fun, tired because Ian and Otto are adequate alarm clocks, waking us up just before 6am. Don't forget that myself and half the Lange's are from the west coast so 6am is more like 3am. Jenn and I are sleeping on cots in the living rooms so we get the full glory of morning noise. However, today we took naps in the rooms upstairs while Ian and Otto, aka the tornadoes, watched a movie downstairs.

Arley and I became kids again! We made a couple elaborate sand castles yesterday and today. We all take turns holding a little hand while they romped around in the ocean. And of course, there is a swimming pool which Ian and I jumped into many times. While downtown yesterday, Arley and I got our hair braided in corn rows.

Today, Christmas was a small but joyous affair. The grandparent-Lange's gave us stockings with little gifts and we each had a "secret Santa" so we didn't have to feel obligated to get everyone a gift. The island pretty much closes down for Christmas and Boxing Day which is tomorrow. They have a Junkanoo parade/festival downtown in celebration for the-day-after-Christmas. Hence why we swam, built sand castles, and napped-- everything was closed! We do have reservations for swimming with the dolphins tomorrow which we are looking forward to.

Between me, Jenn, and the grandparents we are like paparazzi to Ian and Otto. But they are cute so how can we not?? The internet is too slow here so the posting of pictures will have to wait.

Charlie Brown gone WRONG!!

Oh my gosh, I was laughing so hard while watching this!

Other states are laughing at us

It's cold. Alaska and Michigan are laughing at us but they don't understand-- we can handle rain, not snow & ice! This evening the sign at U-Village read 16 degrees. The downtown sign by I-5 read 23 degrees. A Bellevue sign by I-90 read 19 degrees. My home thermometer read 22 degrees. COLD! I miss 97 degree Texas.

But not to fret for I am leaving Monday night for 7 days in the Bahamas!!!

UPDATE: Today (Saturday) the roads are mostly clear in Renton and Issaquah yet people still insist on driving 10 below the speed limit. Also, the Safeway stores in both Renton and Issaquah were PACKED! People were stocking up big time, lines out to Florida. The Safeway gas station was packed too. I Think I'll stay home.

Snow fun

Sometimes growing up is over-rated-- like when it comes to snow! In the real world, yes adults need to grow up but there is something about snow that gives us the ability to throw off the shackles of adulthood and play as if we were kids again. But I wonder if the PC police will twist this saying that we are a bunch of racists because we like the white snow. Hmm.

Let is snow...

eXtreme sledding with a plastic sled















Can't even see the road by my house















I went sledding with the kiddos at the park

This is why I don't believe in man-made Global Warming

It's snowing in Seattle. Yesterday they predicted an insane amount of snow in Seattle and on the Eastside. Schools closed in preparation. People stayed home. The news said to prepare for the worst snowstorm.

Well guess what-- it's didn't snow in Seattle and the Eastside. In fact, it was sunny for a bit in Seattle and just rained on the Eastside. Oh no, the news told us, the snow is coming is this afternoon. "This afternoon" became "this evening." No snow.

This morning it did snow and we were ill-prepared. Snow plows can't keep up. The roads are slick. Some roads are closed and some freeways are parking lots.

We can't even accurately predict the weather 12 hours from now so how can we predict it 50 years from now?

Islam is the Light?

Found via The David Boze Show blog, what do you think the doll is saying? On the one hand, you hear what you want to hear but on the other hand you gotta call a spade a spade. You decide.

Made in... Botswana?

I'm not so original to come up with this one on my own; this was a forwarded email from a friend. Enjoy!

John Smith started the day early having set his Alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN ) for 6am.

While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA )

Was perking, he shaved with his Electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG ).

He put on a Dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA ),

Designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE )

And Tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA )

After cooking his breakfast in his new Electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA )

He sat down with his Calculator (MADE IN MEXICO )

To see how much he could spend today. After setting his Watch (MADE IN TAIWAN ) To the radio (MADE IN INDIA )

He got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY )

Filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia)

And continued his search For a good paying AMERICAN JOB.

At the end Of yet another discouraging And fruitless day

Checking his Computer (Made In Malaysia ),

John decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL )

Poured himself a glass of Wine (MADE IN FRANCE )

And turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA ),

And then wondered Why he can't find A good paying job

In AMERICA .

Palin's church set ablaze

The kind of dog that Obama is getting his kids made front page news. The media is deathly silent about Sarah Palin's church getting torched. Media bias? No way!

Mmm hmm....

ATF: Accelerant poured around Palin's Church

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - An accelerant was poured around the exterior of Gov. Sarah Palin's church before fire heavily damaged the building, federal investigators said Monday. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said the accelerant was poured at several locations around the church, including entrances.

The blaze was set Friday night at the main entrance of the Wasilla Bible Church while a small group, including two children, were inside. No one was injured. Fire authorities were called to the scene at 9:40 p.m., unusually early for many arson fires, Starcevic said.

"It's kind of odd to do in the evening hours," he said. "I can tell you that most of the arson fires I've worked on are late nighttime, usually when no one is there."

Attempted murder? I hope the culprit is charged for every person's life he or she put in danger. I'm so mad that this didn't make bigger headlines. Obama's damn BlackBerry made front page news in the Seattle Times. What the heck is wrong with our country?

No Christians allowed?

Just a quick rant here; where are all the religious young adults in King County? I saw no meetup.com group that serves age under 40, there's no one my age at my church nor are there people my age at the other church I visited. Seriously, is there some kind of ban? Are young adults ashamed of the Lord? What's up with this generation?

"Obama Jones" (I knew this would happen)

This could be bad.

More parents name infants after Obama

BUCHAREST, Romania — By his own admission, Barack Obama was "a skinny kid with a funny name," but that isn't stopping proud parents from Romania to Indonesia from naming their newborns after the U.S. president-elect.

"When I saw Obama on TV, my heart swelled with joy. I thought he was one of us Gypsies because of his skin color," said Maria Savu, whose infant grandson — Obama Sorin Ilie Scoica — was born in the central Romania village of Rusciori.

Obama's victory also moved Sugiarto, a 36-year-old security guard in Jakarta, Indonesia, and his wife, Sularsih, to name their new son after him.

Indonesia, a Muslim nation, is unabashedly Obama-crazy — in part because Obama spent four years there as a child.

"He's great, isn't it?" said Sularsih, 34, rubbing the cheek of their sleeping 1-month-old, Husein Obama. "I think it's a beautiful name for him. And who knows? Maybe one day he'll be president of Indonesia."

Americans also have been naming children for Obama. Patrick and Sasha Hall Fisher of Hollywood, Fla., are credited as being the first: Sanjae Obama Fisher was born a few hours before news outlets declared Obama to be the new president-elect.

Fine. If you want to give your kid a stupid name that's just fine. I've seen names like Tripp, Pia, Cable, Satchel, or Sobriety and that is fine. But the thing that bothers me is that they name kids after him as if he's accomplished something, as if he is some kind of hero. Shoot, if he could pull a decent presidency then I'll understand, but until then, the man has done nothing to deserve such an honor as being named after.

Continue.

But Obama's victory has had a special resonance in corners of the world where the poor and underprivileged see him as an example of the change they crave.

In Romania, Banel Nicolita, a member of Romania's national soccer team, is a Gypsy who comes from a family of eight who once lived in a house made of mud. His accomplishments, against all odds, have earned him the nickname "the Obama of Romanian football."

Hold it. Obama has never been underprivileged. Sure maybe he grew up without the privilege of having a father in his life but he was never as poor as these gypsy's who live on $66 a month for several children. Obama went to boarding school. He traveled to more states and countries in his youth than most kids these days. He went to Harvard for crying out loud! Don't tell me he accomplished something "against all odds." What a slap in the face to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Even Oprah has a better story of inspiration and is more deserving of such an honor as having children named after her. Her story is more along the lines of the Gypsy poverty, not privileged like Obama. What a crock. I hope Obama fails. I hope he is directly tied to the Chicago thugs and Illinois Governor scandal is is given the boot.

Right. In my dreams.

No more politics please

I'm so sick of the news. I'm sick of politics-- no actually I'm sick of corrupt politics and Chicago thug politics. In my humble opinion we the people need to clean house, the House and Senate to be precise. How do we go about revolting against our outrageous government? I just read an article on msn.com about how California is finding new ways to tax the crap out of people based on the phantom global warming. Green and Global Warming is a business based on inciting fear in people, not fact. Isn't that terrorism? Now BO is going to push that agenda when he's in his new position as dictator. California is urging him to do so. I think a lot of people paid into BO's campaign and now he must pay them back. He's going to sell our liberty. Liberty lost is rarely recovered.

Mark Levin said this today: Conservatism is the antidote to tyranny.

Here's hoping.

Beware the Black Widow

My grandma sent this to me-- I have cool grandparents!

The Black Widow....

This spider, one of only a few poisonous spiders in the USA, can be found all over the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The spider releases a neurotoxin into the victim that, if not treated, can cause death!

The Black widow hooks-up with the male then sucks the very life out of him after mating!

She's very easy to spot...

The female has a very wide backside, is Black, and has a red hour glass shaped marking on her belly...

You can find this spider in:
*
*
Closets
*
*
Wood piles
*
*
Under beds
*
*
And soon......
*
*
THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!!

Entitlement in Chicago-- does this surprise you?

More evidence of the Entitlement Mindset is more apparent during these economic hard times. It took me a long time to grow up and realize that I am indeed not worthy of everything I want so I guess I must wait for them to have their revelation. In the mean time, I shall rant.

Found via msn.com these people just don't get it. The company is going under. There is no more money, no more credit. The bank that backs the company just cannot afford to give them a loan for severance and vacation pay that these workers feel entitled to. I get it; it sucks to lose your job. But you must think beyond your own selfishness and realize there is nothing to do but find another job.

Laid-off workers occupy Chicago Factory

CHICAGO - Workers who got three days' notice that their factory was shutting its doors have occupied the building and say they won't go home without assurances they'll get severance and vacation pay.

About 250 union workers occupied the Republic Windows and Doors plant in shifts Saturday while union leaders outside criticized a Wall Street bailout they say is leaving laborers behind.

Leah Fried, an organizer with the United Electrical Workers, said the Chicago-based vinyl window manufacturer failed to give 60 days' notice required by law before shutting down.

My humble opinion is that this company probably didn't even know 60 days ahead of time that they were shutting down. Do you realize that it was October 12, 2008 when the stock market plummeted. It wasn't until election time November 4th when the banks begged for money. From there everything has crumbled all too swiftly. It's barely 60 days from Oct. 12th so what do they expect? Banks that did receive bailout money don't want to piss it away to ungrateful workers and I don't blame them. Read on.

Fried said the company can't pay its 300 employees because its creditor, Charlotte, N.C.-based Bank of America, won't let them. Crain's Chicago Business reported that Republic Windows' monthly sales had fallen to $2.9 million from $4 million during the past month.

(...)

"We're going to stay here until we win justice," said Blanca Funes, 55, of Chicago, after occupying the building for several hours. Speaking in Spanish, Funes said she fears losing her home without the wages she feels she's owed. A 13-year employee of Republic, she estimated her family can make do for three months without her paycheck. Most of the factory's workers are Hispanic.

Everybody feels owed. This just proves the words of Michael Savage, "Liberalism is for children and perverts." Children are egocentric. It's all about me. Me, me, me. (That's mine, and this is mine...) I challenge you to be aware of your own egocentric liberalism. How often do you feel entitled? Do you hate your job or are you grateful to have one? Are you really worthy of a raise? Do you need that new TV even if it means going into debt and relying on gov'ment to bail you out? Small or large, it's there. I work on it daily as I am still in recovery stage of Entitlement Mindset Syndrome.

I choose not to be a victim.

Bad parents, bad show

This afternoon, the show Trading Spouses caught my attention and the episode disturbed me. The show is where mothers switch families for a week and create just enough drama to hold the viewers attention for an hour. This episode was where Doreen went to live with the Nelson family in Oregon where the dad is a Keith Richards rocker dude with a sweet ballet dancing 17 year old daughter. Terry went to Doreen's home in Boston, the Andrews family, where the dad demands she do housework and the grown children mooch and whine. The catch is that the moms assign each others family the prize of $50,000 and tell them how to spend it.

Doreen was a closed-minded, judgmental bitch, no two ways about it. The Keith Richards wanna be was a little weird and yes it's weird to hear a 50 year old man say teen catch phrases of the 70s and 80s but it doesn't give you the right to judge. I'd have gone with the flow and enjoyed it! The worst part was how she criticized the parents for home-schooling their daughter. What a fool. The daughter was so sweet tempered, mellow and definitely a hard worker. She did her school lesson on her own then went to ballet class. Doreen went ballistic saying that the poor girl is too sheltered, how boring it must be to stay at home all day, how horrible it is she is not in the public school system.

But let me tell you about Terry's experience with Doreen's own daughters. The daughters were older than 18 but I didn't catch the exact age. What spoiled rotten kids. They work evenings, go out and party, come home by 4am and sleep till 4pm, then do it all over again. Not a big deal if you are going to school or something, you deserve to be left alone to sleep or have some fun. But these brats were rude and unambitious, refusing to help do their own laundry. Doreen had no right to criticize Terry's daughter.

The worst of it was when they got the letter saying how the family's money will be spent. Terry decided for Doreen's family and visa versa. Doreen was nice about it, saying some will go to retirement, some to the dad's rock band and some to the daughter's ballet. Terry gave the parents money for remodeling the house as well as some spending and savings money. She also gave each of Doreen's daughters some money for debt, savings and college. Terry's family was excited for how the money was spent but Doreen's daughters were up in arms saying how stupid it is that their money has to go toward college. It's so stupid and such a waste because the government will pay for their college. What a waste for something that is already going to be paid for. Why can't they just have the money to piss away at their desire?

Hold up. They are ungrateful that the burden is lifted from the government. They are ungrateful that money is going into savings and not into their hands. Wah wah wah.

I say kudos to Terry for home-schooling, she needs more of a prize. We need less children like Doreen's. Get out of the public school system if you can.

Palm Pistol

Forget the pocket pistol and grab the new palm pistol!

The Palm Pistol is an ergonomically innovative single shot double action only defensive firearm chambered in 9mm that may be fired using either hand without regard to orientation of the stock. Suited for home defense, concealed carry or as a backup gun. It is also ideal for seniors, disabled or others who may have limited strength or manual dexterity. Using the thumb instead of the index finger for firing, it significantly reduces muzzle drift, one of the principal causes of inaccurate targeting. Point and shoot couldn't be easier.

It's a good idea in theory but I just don't know...

And furthermore...

I'm getting quite annoyed yet deeply saddened by people giving up on God. I've added some old co-workers to my myspace account over the years and over those years they've exposed themselves through bulletins. One hate-filled liberal has mentioned many times via "surveys" that she hates God because He's "done nothing" for her. Today, I noticed yet another hate-filled liberal former co-worker said on the bulletin that "God is a joke."

And Christians are said to be the hardened ones?

God is not here to make your life easy. People are becoming so obsessed with taking the easy walk through life-- take the bailouts for example. Rather than let a company fail and cause some growing pains to Americans, the government wants to avoid pain and bail them out. (Which in the end will actually cause more pain. But that is another rant, another time, another blog.)

Anyway, God does not make things easy but gives you strength to endure hardship. When you share the weight of your burden with the Lord, life does get easier.

Prov. 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Radical Atheism

It actually breaks my heart to read about this story of extreme radical Atheism and is even more painful to try to write about it and analyze why people think the way they do.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation decided to not only express their own religious views of Atheism but felt compelled to insult Christianity. Found via the David Boze Show blog, the Atheist cult put up a sign next to the Nativity scene at the Washington state capitol that said, "At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

Talk about intolerance. I heard part of an interview of a person from the FFRF on the Michael Medved show where the person said that he finds the Nativity scene just as offensive as we find the sign. He said that the scene represents negativity, condemnation, damnation and hell. His reasoning was that he finds it offensive that Jesus is our Savior and that He is the only way to Heaven. Actually, Christianity is a loving religion with a loving God. God and Jesus want to save people from hell and damnation not send them there. Besides, I'd rather be a slave to Jesus than to Government.

The person interviewed on the David Boze Show apparently said that since Hitler was a Christian, all Christians are like him and hate everyone different from them.

What? Really?
Does Spike Lee represent all black people?
Does Roseanne Barr represent all the women?
Does Jerry Seinfeld represent the Jewish?
Does Tom Hanks represent all white men?
For that matter, does Osama Bin Laden represent all Muslims?

And so on ad nauseam.

Hitler was not, indeed, a Christian but rather a Pagan. Paganism, from my understanding, is represented by those who do not necessarily believe in God, Jesus Christ or religion in general but celebrate the Santa Clause and Easter Bunny part of the religious holidays. True followers of Christ spread the Word, love and joy of God.

I am disgusted by those in our state who allow such things to be posted next to a Nativity scene. The scene is a tradition. Leave it be. Don't like it? Put a representation of your religion by it, not an insult. The insult is so childlike.

This is frightening. With a commie like Obama in office, is Christianity at risk? He certainly wont stop the radical extremists-- he is one. I'm very concerned.

If it comes down to it, I'd rather die than give up my faith in God.


Hebrews 13:5-8

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Amen.