Working at Tractor Supply Co.

Well, as many of you know, I began working for TSC a few months ago. I have to say, for a retail place, it is pretty awesome. I like working there and for the most part, the people are great. I won't fool myself and think that everyone is going to be super nice all the time, there are hormones involved after all! haha

Anyway, so I am going to use my blog to gripe and get this out, because I'll tell ya, I'm pretty disappointed by a few things.

First of all, my boss (I'll call him "P"), whom I really haven't had any personal issues with, is annoying to me anyway. I figure if I get it out here, I will be less likely to go off on him at work. Which would be a good thing, dontcha think? ;-D Anyway, he is so two-faced, it's pathetic. He's nice to us when the District Manager is in the store, but then turns into the grouch he usually is when he's gone. I can tell when Brian's in the store. I almost want to say, "Hey "P", Brian must still be here. You're being cordial to me for once". Or something like that. Okay, so maybe I'm being dramatic about this, but I'm a very happy person most days and I hate when people are grouchy for no reason, and they can obviously reign it in, when the right person is there. I mean, crap....if you don't like your job THAT much, find another one....or retire or something. There has to be other options for you. Perhaps not. Hence the grouchiness. IDK.

On the 28th, I was written up --- twice. Oh yeah. On two very different things.

The first write-up was the most severe and I hear I could have lost my job over it. I didn't know I was even doing anything wrong, let alone something that severe!

Here is what happened: I witness all the time, people giving their discount to their girlfriends with manager/team leader knowledge. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. So, right before Christmas, when we were being slammed with a ton of people coming in, three registers running, I told the newer girl (I'll call her "R") to give my friend in her line my discount. She did. I was off a lot during Christmas week, so the next time I came in to buy something, "R" tells me that one of the team leaders (I'll call her "D") was after her about a transaction that supposedly took place on her register, using my discount. It was for dog leashes, dog collars and other various dog stuff that I never purchased. It was noticed because we are only supposed to ring up other team members for $50 and under and this was for $60+ (for over $50, a manager/team leader is supposed to ring us up). I knew I had not purchased those things (and originally "D" said it was on a Friday morning, which "R" doesn't work and I was stuck at home with no car). So, there was a mystery. Quite frankly it really bothered me as I was thinking someone stole "R's" social security number (needed to get into our cash registers) and impersonated me. Then, we found out several days after that, that it was actually on a Saturday. The Saturday that Santa was at the store, taking pics with all the good doggies! So, I kept thinking about it. We finally figured it out. It was the time I said to "R" to give my friends my discount. So, I approached "D" and said, "Mystery is solved!". "I figured out what happened." She waited, and I told her. Her eyes got big and she whispered that I was not supposed to have done that. I said, "I didn't know". If I knew, I may not have told her! I would like to think I am honest enough to do so anyway, but I don't know if I would have. Particularly if I knew my job was in jeopardy, which as it turned out, ultimately was.

So, the next time I came in to work, I punched in and my boss ("P") said, "Come to my office Jen". "D" and my boss, "P" were both there and he gave me "the talk", saying that normally people are fired for this, but because he believes I didn't know and that I didn't do it maliciously (actually, I said that and he said, "that's why I'm only writing you up - this time".) So, that was the beginning of my day. He also told me that the other cashier ("R") would be written up as well, because she should know better than to put through someone's stuff when it is over $5o with a team member's discount. I told him it was all my fault and did he really have to do that, and he said that he did, because she still should have known better. I feel so bad. I don't think, given the circumstances, she should have been written up. Actually, she wasn't that day like expected, so I don't know what's going on.

Then, toward the end of that same day, I managed another one.

Here is that story: I had a customer who called and I was helping. I helped her and her husband alternately on the phone for about 10 minutes. I then began getting customers at my register, so I put them on hold and paged for help with the call. Another 10 minutes goes by and no one comes back to her. I had, one time, come back to her and told her that someone would be with her shortly and she was not forgotten. She eventually hang up and called back. I answered that call too. I had her on hold again, for another 15 minutes or so. I kept calling every couple of minutes, but no one seemed to be able to help her. I know all the managers/team leaders were busy with customers, but I really feel that someone could have made a bigger effort to come to the phone. I think sometimes no one really wants to. Besides, I saw a team member at the service desk laughing and goofing off, which I found out later that she was supposedly on lunch - on the floor - with her vest still on. She's characterized by lying, so who knows if that was true? Anyway, at one point, one of the team leaders was walking by. I'll call her "A". "A" had a customer in tow, that I did not see and when I asked her if she could help the caller. "A" said in a snippy tone, "I have a customer that I am helping!". Okay. So then team leader "D" walked by. I asked "D" if she could help. She said that she was helping a customer. This was answered in a cordial tone. I mumbled to myself something about getting help for the customers around here. Another customer came to my register then, so I was still unable to run and help the lady on the phone. I heard a commotion behind me and "A" answered the phone (at that moment I had no idea it was my customer on line 1 that I had been paging forever for) and she had her customer right with her. She apparently took the call, and then began berating me and the other cashier, "R", for how we could have handled that better/differently. I was so embarrassed, mostly for her. I don't embarrass easily. I felt like she was speaking to a 3 year old, which I would never have done to any child myself. The customer's eyebrows raised when she was speaking to us this way, both "R" and I admittedly got defensive. "A" and "D" both claim I am argumentative, which doesn't surprise me all that much, however, I don't recall being that way in this situation. Not to the point of being written up for it, anyway. Certainly not. I felt defensive, and even held back because I think it is highly inappropriate to be speaking that way (and arguing) in front of customers, causing me to react that way in front of customers. Shouldn't the one in authority be held to a higher standard, especially when provoking their employees? That's the insane part. It's like rape, without the physical violation. You are helpless to the power above you and that just stinks! I really like "A" in a personal capacity, but I highly disagree with this write-up, which was a "verbal warning" btw.

This has all happened between "A" and I before. In that case, I pulled her aside (something like 20 minutes later, when the customers were gone and I could access her attention) and asked her to please refrain from speaking to me like an idiot in front of the customers. She has a way of being condescending to you, which I explained I could handle much better one-on-one, but not in front of customers. That was not the time, nor the place. She agreed but asked that I not talk over her. I explained the first time and again this current occasion that the reason I interrupt her and talk over her is because I am defensive, embarrassed and humiliated by her tone in front of customers.

So, when we are all in the office, "D", "A" and I (not "I"! haha) talking about this, she admits that she was going to just send me home to "cool off" whatever that means, but changed her mind. I was fine moments after the incident. I didn't need to cool off, she did, apparently. I was shocked to be pulled into the office over this. She admitted during the meeting that she has a "chip on her shoulder" due to the fact that she is 24 and in a managerial-type position in the company and that she has something to prove. She doesn't like it when older people have issues with her age and talk down to her due to her young age. I assured her that her age never entered my mind and is not an issue for me. This leads me to think that in her mind, she is out to get us (older people) before we "get her", so to speak. I think this could be a problem. She told me how she was walked all over when she first came into this position (or to the company - not sure which) and that she was not going to let that happen any longer. I think she is looking for something that is not there. Seeking to cut us off at the knees, even when we haven't done anything, "Just in case". Set us straight, before we have the chance to do anything. Also, I don't expect boss "P" to understand the not-berating-your-employees-in-front-of-customers either, as I have seen him do it too.

So, I know this is long and drawn out, but I really feel the need to get this out. It's really bugging me. I feel like, what the heck! If this is what happens when someone really cares about their job, really likes their job and hasn't ever done anything wrong - on purpose...sheesh, I'm glad I'm a Christian and things like this matter, otherwise I'd be fired by now! How does everyone do it? No wonder another one of my co-workers, who has lasted so long, is so legalistic. You have to be, I guess.

It also bothers me because "D", whom I previously LOVED working with, seems to have turned on me for some reason. I felt it for about a week or two prior to all this and I had been meaning to speak with her about it, but I never got the chance. It was very subtle. Plus, I dreaded seeing her deny it, when I trust my discernment on this completely. So, after this little meeting and write-up with "A" and "D" as the witness, I asked "D" if things were okay with us. She hearkened back to the day before when we were debating medications for cows vs peroxide (my position). She was very angry over the topic, so I let it drop. I guess you can't debate stuff with some people! Anyway, she went back to that topic, when I had forgotten all about it. I then said that I was referring to a time prior to that and wanted to know if there was anything wrong or she had ill feelings toward me for some reason, but she quickly dismissed that with a wave of her hand, saying things are fine. I'm not so sure. I think that gossip is what gets people to "turn" on you for no apparent reason. Like, someone decides they don't like you for whatever reason, makes something up about you or twists the truth and then someone else starts acting bejiggety toward you and you can feel it. Makes no sense, but I suppose that's human nature.

Once, about a month after I started working there, I had a fellow cashier, "S" lie about me - outright!, when I first started there and "D" was the one who inadvertently revealed the lie. Still "D" defended "S", saying that she's her friend, even though she couldn't deny the lie. I think that's preposterous. "D" insisted on taking care of it herself, and asked me not to confront "S" about it. I let her. This time. I maintain that if something like that ever happens again with "S", I will deal with her myself. Okay, so it sounds like I'm going to punch her. I won't! I am not a physical person. I hate that! I just want to be sure that it is dealt with appropriately, whatever that takes or means. I will not be played like that, nor have my reputation questioned. Right after that lying incident though, "S" was extremely nice to me, doing my work for me and everything. Really bending over backwards, which just proves her guilt in my opinion.

So, now I work tonight and I kinda dread it. What is in store for me today? Will "P" be there and cranky? Will "D" not like me today? Will "S" be her usual nasty self? (something I didn't mention yet, but is unfortunately true). Will "A" still have a chip on her shoulder? Will something else happen?

I have to remember though....I Am Second! (see post below)

I Am Second

Wow! A friend sent me the link to Jason Castro's (white dreadlocked guy on last season's American Idol) I Am Second video. It was so awesome and made me so proud that I like him as much as I do.

I went on over to the link and found other celebrities who claim to be Second. What is second? That's the best part!!! Being Second to Christ. Knowing that in this life, we are not first.....He is. How awesome is that???? I'm hoping that there will be more recognizable celebrities on the I Am Second website than there currently are. I love to hear the testimonies of how these celebrities came to realize they are second.

I also always wondered what was Stephen Baldwin's story. Now I know!!!

Don't forget to click the link for more videos after viewing the first one. There are usually a few more to watch.

A day late, but.....

Here is an awesome clip you will just love. It's a Christmas song by Josh Groban, set to scenes from The Nativity.

The most difficult job in the world

You know, I am sitting here on Christmas night and I was listening to one of the best songs ever....Love Song For A Savior by Third Day.



While listening, my day-long melancholy mood turned to tears. Why? Because I realize that my pain from being a mom is nothing compared to what Jesus gave me. Today is Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior and I'm feeling sorry for myself because one of my kids makes me insane with his negative moods, self-centeredness, and unappreciative attitude.

This mom thing, when I heard all my life how it's the hardest job ever, I really didn't appreciate that until recently. I mean, no one told me that I would struggle with an extremely strong-willed child with many issues. No one told me that my sweet, compliant, mature young boy would grow up to be moody, disrespectful and negligent of other people's feelings. I didn't really think those that said it was a difficult "job" being a mom really knew what the heck they were talking about. After all, my boy was so good and sweet and never lied. He still doesn't, but what does he do instead? He tells you the truth --- about EVERYTHING! Stuff I don't want to know! Like, how he's disappointed in what he didn't get, even though we scrimped to get him something I knew he would just love (and he does still), but it's not enough. I want to send him away to a third-world country for a few months so he can appreciate what he has. Uhg!

Good news is, my previously difficult daughter has been sweet as honey and very much appreciates what she has, even though Christmas time is difficult for her.

Don't get me wrong. I love my kids, but I feel I've lost the fight. Perhaps I'm just having a little pity party all for me. Perhaps it's finally menopause. Who knows. The point is, I am owning up to the fact that though I complain about my son's melancholy-ness, it's me who is struggling with the self-centered melancholy-ness today. Today, of all days. What am I thinking????

Lord God, forgive me for my self-centered behaviour and for not looking to You first. Help me to focus on You and only You. Help me to know the right thing to do regarding both of my kids. Thank you for giving us Your Son on this day, 2000 years ago. Thank you for loving us and drawing me near to you continuously, through my life's trials. I need that perspective, even when it pains me.

In Jesus' precious name, AMEN!!! :-D

Costco denies us Christmas

Yes, another retailer is doing it again. They just can't get over the fact that this country is a Christian country and we Christians want them to act like it.

Here's what I got from a newsletter today from the AFA (American Family Association).

Costco says 'No' to Christmas...literally

December 2, 2008

Dear Friend,

Costco has 520 stores nationwide. But you will not find "Christmas" in a single store.

That's because Costco says it will not use the term "Christmas" on its website or in its stores. Instead, Costco is telling customers it purposely chooses to use the generic "holiday" verbiage. You know, they stock holiday gifts, not Christmas gifts.

Last week, a customer wrote to Costco and asked this direct question – "Does Costco use the word 'Christmas' in your store advertising or on any signs anywhere in your stores during the Christmas season? That's a pretty simple question, yes or no."

Kory Rosacrans, staff manager for Costco replied, "I guess the answer would be No."

Rosacrans said, "Costco does not advertise on television, on radio or in print like other retailers. We only advertise by mailings and e-mail messages sent directly to our members who have paid for the privilege of shopping with us."

Costco wants you to do your "Christmas" shopping with them, while refusing to recognize that Christmas even exists.

Take Action!

Send your e-mail to Costco. Let Costco know that you will exercise "your privilege" of shopping only at stores that recognize Christmas. Remind Costco that their competitors are vying for your business too, and you will shop accordingly.

I want to say that I have noticed in the many years that I have shopped at Sam's Club, that Sam's seems to be overwhelmingly Christian. They have a lot of Christian products (books, music, etc.), and they sell huge and nice nativity scenes at Christmas time. I am ashamed to say that recently I commented that I would be switching to Costco, simply because I wanted to check it out and because I believe they have a larger selection of organic foods. I'm glad I haven't done that and I will not be in the future, unless they change their tune. I will not support anything anti-Christian, if I can help it. Our country has a big enough battle ahead. We don't need crap like that too.

The Homeschool Kid - HILARIOUS!

Okay, so I thought this was funny.

Homeschool Homies

Haha!! Since I'm on a homeschool YouTube kick, here's another one that I thought was fun.

14 Days of Homeschooling

Someone in my homeschool group sent this video link out and I thought it was a good one! Enjoy.

Giving Thanks

Each year since I began my homeschooling adventure (perhaps even before then), I have great intentions of making sure my child(ren) knows and understands about our history and is properly thankful for all they have. I always want to do that Little House on the Prairie thing, where we sit around the dinner table with Pa playing the fiddle and reading the bible and Ma tells a story with a fire burning in the stove just behind them. Okay, so that never happens. Perhaps though, this year we will be able to at least read a story called Five Kernels of Corn that was put out by Ellyn and Chris Davis of the formerly-known Elijah Company.

For any of you who are interested in the story to read to your family, here it is!

Thanksgiving Traditions

This is a reprint from an e-journal from years past. Read past issues of the e-journal HERE>>
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by Ellyn Davis

“Being thus passed the vast ocean and a sea of troubles before in our preparation, we have now no friends to welcome us, nor inns to refresh our weatherbeaten bodies, no houses, or much less towns, to repair to. As for the season, it is winter, with cruel and fierce storms. In front of us is a desolate wilderness full of wild beasts and wild beings. Behind us is the ocean….”
(William Bradford, the Governor of the Plymouth settlement, 1620, from his manuscript, Of Plimoth Plantation)

Our Thanksgiving Tradition

Every year at this time, I read again the stories of the first Thanksgiving in America. Those stories are reminders of the Pilgrims’ struggle to survive. During the first winter, the little food they had was rationed. Often, at a meal, each person received a cup of water and five kernels of corn.

For years our family has celebrated a special Thanksgiving tradition. Usually at Thanksgiving my extended family gets together—my sisters, my parents (before my father died), my nieces and nephews, and my own family. There is always a huge feast with turkey, dressing, rice and gravy, two or three vegetables, cranberry sauce, rolls, and several different pies for dessert. When it’s over, everyone is so stuffed they usually all head for a couch or bed to lie down for awhile.

But one thing we’ve always done before the feast is have a time of remembrance for all the many things we have to be thankful for. We set each person’s place at the table with a small plate. On that plate are five kernels of corn. It is a powerful image of the blessings God has given us. As each kernel is eaten, thanks are given.

The background story

It was in the fall of 1620 when those Pilgrims, and the crew of their ship, the Mayflower, set sail from Holland. The voyage lasted 66 days. One hundred and two people began the trip; one hundred two people arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts on December 11, 1620. One crew member died on the voyage, and one baby was born.

The Mayflower remained anchored in the harbor all through that terrible first winter, from December until April. If you've ever been to Massachusetts in winter, you know what it's like. Everyone lived on board the unheated damp ship until shelters could be built on shore. Of the 102 who arrived, only half survived that first winter. Fifty-one died: 27 men, 10 children, and 14 of the 18 married women.

William Bradford, their leader, noted in his journal, “Death visited us daily, and with so general a disease that the living were scarce able to bury the dead, and the seven who were well were not in any measure sufficient to tend the sick….”

For months, people had only a meager amount of food that was rationed among them; often just five kernels of corn.

In March of 1621, as the winter was finally ending, a Native American named Samoset who lived in what is now Maine, walked into the Pilgrim settlement and said, “Welcome Englishmen….” Samoset had learned a little English from the fishermen who crossed the Atlantic each year to fish for cod. Samoset returned to the settlement a few days later with his friend Squanto who spoke fairly fluent English. Squanto had been kidnapped by an English ship captain a few years before, sold into slavery in Spain, escaped to London and returned to America as a guide on a fishing ship.

Squanto then became both an interpreter and a mentor for the Pilgrims. He brought them food and animal skins, taught them to use fish for fertilizer, gave them seeds to grow vegetables, showed them how to build Indian style houses. And at the end of their first harvest, probably sometime in early October in 1621, the Pilgrims invited the Native Americans to celebrate a harvest feast with them, a feast that stretched into a three day celebration.

The following is adapted from The Light and the Glory, by Peter Marshall, and David Manuel.

"That summer of 1621 was beautiful. Much work went into the building of new dwellings, and ten men were sent north up the coast in the sailing shallop to conduct trade with the Indians. Squanto once again acted as their guide and interpreter. It was a successful trip, and that fall's harvest provided more than enough corn to see them through their second winter.

The pilgrims were brimming over with gratitude, not only to Squanto and the Wampanoags who had been so friendly, but to their God. In Him they had trusted, and He had honored their obedience beyond their dreams. So, Governor Bradford declared a day of public Thanksgiving.

Massasoit was invited, and unexpectedly arrived a day early-with NINETY Indians! Counting their numbers, the Pilgrims had to pray hard to keep from giving in to despair. To feed such a crowd would cut deeply into the food supply that was supposed to get them through the winter.

But they had learned one thing through their travails, it was to trust God implicitly. As it turned out, the Indians were not arriving empty-handed. Massasoit had commanded his braves to hunt for the occasion, and they arrived with no less than five dressed deer, and more than a dozen fat wild turkeys! And they helped with the preparations, teaching the Pilgrim women how to make hoecakes and a tasty pudding out of cornmeal and maple syrup. Finally, the Indians showed the Pilgrims a special delicacy: how to roast corn kernels in an earthen pot until they popped, fluffy and white - POPCORN!

The Pilgrims in turn provided many vegetables from their household gardens: carrots, onions, turnips, parsnips, cucumbers, radishes, beets, and cabbages. Also, using some of their precious flour, they took summer fruits which the Indians had dried and introduced them to the likes of blueberry, apple, and cherry pie.

It was all washed down with sweet wine made from the wild grapes. A joyous occasion for all! Between meals, the pilgrims and Indians happily competed in shooting contests with gun and bow. The Indians were especially delighted that John Alden and some of the younger men of the plantation were eager to join them in foot races and wrestling. There were even military drills staged by Captain Standish. Things went so well (and Massasoit showed no inclination to leave), that Thanksgiving Day was extended for three days.

One month later, in November, a full year after their arrival, the first ship from home dropped anchor in the harbor leaving off a cargo at Plymouth: thirty-five more colonists. In the air of celebration that followed, no one stopped to think that these newcomers had brought not one bit of equipment with them-no food, no clothing, no tools, no bedding.

In the cold light of the following morning, a sobering appraisal by Bradford, Brewster, and Winslow was taken, and a grim decision was reached: they would all have to go on half-rations through the winter, to ensure enough food to see them into the summer season, when fish and game would be plentiful.

That winter they entered into a time of starving, much like the starving that took place at Jamestown that killed 8 out of 10 of their people. With all the extra people to feed and shelter they were ultimately reduced to a daily ration of five Kernels of corn apiece.

In contrast to what happened at Jamestown, where they were driven to despair, the people of Plymouth turned to Christ, and not one of them died of starvation.

When spring finally arrived (1623), they were well aware that they needed at least twice as much corn as their first harvest. The first planting would be for common use while the second planting would be for private use.

After the first planting, a dry spell set in that turned into a 12 week drought. The crops withered - along with the hopes of the pilgrims."

In the words of Edward Winslow:

"These and the like considerations moved not only every goodman privately to enter into examination with his own estate between God and his conscience, and so to humiliation before Him, but also to humble ourselves together before the Lord by fasting and prayer.

To that end, a day was appointed by public authority, and set apart from all other employments.
But, O the mercy of our God, who was as ready to hear, as we were to ask! For though in the morning, when we assembled together, the heavens were as clear and the drought as like to continue as it ever was, yet (our exercise continuing some eight or nine hours) before our departure, the weather was overcast, the clouds gathered on all sides.

On the next morning distilled such soft, sweet, and moderate showers of rain, continuing some fourteen days [!] and mixed with such seasonable weather, as it was hard to say whether our withered corn or drooping affections were most quickened or revived, such was the bounty and goodness of our God!"

The yield that year was so abundant that the Pilgrims ended up with a surplus of corn, which they were able to use in trading that winter with northern Indians, who had not had a good growing season.

That fall a second Day of Thanksgiving was planned, and Massasoit was again the guest of honor, and this time he brought his principal wife, three other sachems, and 120 braves! Fortunately he again brought venison and turkey, as well. The Pilgrims and these Native Americans signed a peace treaty that lasted fifty years.

Kernel #1

As the first kernel is eaten, we try to imagine ourselves as one of those Pilgrims who sailed to American seeking religious freedom.

Imagine for a moment what it is like to leave your home and your extended family, many of your friends, your work, almost all of your belongings, and set sail for a new world that, most likely, no one you know has ever seen. Imagine doing that for your faith, for what you believe and value, for the freedom to worship as you choose, for the freedom to know God in your own way.

Imagine that your minister, John Robinson, your spiritual leader, is not allowed to go with you. But he comes to speak to you on the day you leave, and he says to you,

“Remember: God has yet more truth and light to break forth from God’s holy word….”

Imagine yourself as a Pilgrim. Would you, could you, have sailed on that boat? What do you have in your life that you would risk everything for? Thank God that some people called Pilgrims were so determined to forge a new life for themselves and future generations that they got on that boat for us.

Kernel #2

The second kernel has to do with seeing what is missing in our view of life. There was not another recorded Thanksgiving feast for 53 years, not until 1676. This is the part of the Thanksgiving story that calls us to look over our shoulders and check out who is not included, who may be forgotten, or who may bear the burden of our good fortune, our plenty.

During the 53 years between Thanksgiving feasts, the Pilgrims, who had survived mainly because of the generous good will of Squanto and other Native Americans, had grown in numbers and, a generation later, had been joined by a variety of other settlers from England and Europe.

By 1676, the European settlers were driving the Native Americans off their land and killing them in great numbers. That Thanksgiving proclamation of 1676 declared June 29 as a day of thanksgiving during which these settlers could “express their thanks for their victories in the war with the heathen natives of this land.” That is the other side of the Thanksgiving story, and if you were to go now to Plymouth, Massachusetts, you could join Native Americans on Cole’s Hill on Thanksgiving Day to commemorate a Day of Remembrance and Mourning for Native Peoples.

In the midst of celebrating our thankfulness for this country and for our lives, we can remember to look over our shoulders and ask ourselves, "Who is missing? Who is not welcome at the Thanksgiving table?" We have had, in this country, many, many excluded peoples:: Native Americans, so-called witches and women in general, slaves, immigrants, people of color….

Kernel #3

Kernel number 3 has to do with blessings for our country. I can never hear “America the Beautiful” without crying—especially the verse about “Oh beautiful, for Pilgrim’s dream that sees beyond the years.”

What a dream they had! In spite of all the problems in our country, we are still the most favored nation on earth and a model of abundance and generosity that almost every other nation aspires to and receives help from. We are very, very fortunate to be in a country that has written in its declaration of independence that we are entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Kernel #4

The fourth kernel of corn is about thankfulness for the many blessings in our lives. Even when times are hardest, when it feels like my life consists of just five kernels of corn, there is still so much to be grateful for.

One of the secrets to happiness is to be grateful for everything you have, so I make it a practice to write a “gratitude list” as often as I can. No matter how bleak life looks, there is always something I can be grateful for. Like the fact I have a car, or have a roof over my head, or have friends who will help me if I get into a jam.

I recently drove with my son Seth to Arizona, and when we were passing through Amarillo, TX we stopped to eat lunch. When we came out of the restaurant, a woman about my age approached me. She was missing all her front teeth, but otherwise looked neat and well-dressed. She told me that her husband had hit her and knocked her bridge out and she had ran out of the house and was trying to make it to her son’s place in another part of Texas. She had gotten as far as Amarillo when she needed gas and ran out of money.

I’m always skeptical about these kinds of pleas for a handout, but I thought, “My God, what if that woman were me and I had to depend on the kindness of strangers to get me to safety?” So I gave her all the cash in my wallet.

She was extremely grateful, even though it was only about $30, and she said, “Thank you, now I can finally get something to eat.”

I was holding a take-out bag from Olive Garden in my hand with my leftovers and offered them to her. She eagerly took it and was effusive with her thanks.

I don’t know whether that woman scammed me or not, but I left Amarillo praising God that there was little likelihood I would ever wind up in her same situation.

Kernel #5

The final kernel has to do with gratefulness for Jesus Christ. For the fact that we are so valuable to God and He loves us so much that “while we were yet sinners” He was willing to die for us.

That's our Thanksgiving Tradition. Hope you enjoyed it.

Adult Stem Cells Do It Again!

Okay, so I'm really tired of hearing about how great it would be to use embryonic stem cells to help people. So far, the only real help has come from adult stem cells. Perhaps, maybe something came of umbilical cord stem cells, but that's a big "maybe". Even so, those two methods don't interfere with life. Not even to save one, despite what all the pro-choice activists would have you believe.

So, for all of you who don't support adult stem cell research because you continue to insist that embryonic can be the only way, here is an article for you:

Medical Milestone: No Organ Rejection After Woman Receives Windpipe "Grown to Order"

Teresa Neumann (November 20, 2008)

"This is just the beginning. I think it will completely transform the way we think about surgery. In 20 years' time the commonest surgical operations will be regenerative procedures to replace organs and tissues damaged by disease with autologous [self-grown] tissues and organs from the laboratory. We are on the verge of a new age in surgical care."

(Barcelona, Spain)—Claudia Castillo, a 30-year-old Spanish mother of two, has made medical history by becoming the first patient to receive a whole organ transplant grown using her own cells. Not only that, but she didn't need any immunosuppressant drugs to battle organ rejection. A report in the Independence U.K. states Castillo underwent the operation to replace her windpipe last June after tuberculosis had left her with a collapsed lung.

According to the report, doctors used a donor trachea and Castillo's own stem cells to grow the organ, and four months later she is now able to climb two flights of stairs, go dancing and look after her children—activities that had reportedly been impossible before the surgery. (Graphic: Telegraph UK)

At a press conference in London this week to officially announce the results, Professor Martin Birchall, a surgeon who worked on the case, said, "This is just the beginning. I think it will completely transform the way we think about surgery. In 20 years' time the commonest surgical operations will be regenerative procedures to replace organs and tissues damaged by disease with autologous [self-grown] tissues and organs from the laboratory. We are on the verge of a new age in surgical care."

Professor Paolo Macchiarini said: "Claudia was unable to play with her children, work or perform her normal social duties. Now she is able to do that [after the transplant]. It was and is the most beautiful gift we can perform in our career."

Source: Jeremy Laurance - The Independent, UK

I'm just a bloggin' fool today!

Oh my. I just had to post this vid. It won't embed here on my blog, as that was disabled by the poster of the original vid, however, here is a link. I highly suggest watching it, if only because it's my favorite band - Jars of Clay!! Yay!

Unforgetful You - Jars of Clay

Dear Mr. Obama

Though I am not a McCain supporter (I love Palin), I am very much opposed to Barack Obama. Please watch this short video.



Here is a response video to the Dear Mr. Obama vid above. I think this man in the following vid has some great points. My only thing is, even if Obama has the intellectual right to oppose the war in Iraq because it is killing our people, it is a huge oxymoron due to the fact that Obama is waging a war on his own people (meaning Americans and black Americans in particular) with supporting Planned Parenthood, which targets minority neighborhoods with it's abortion practices and his support of abortion, particularly partial birth and allowing the baby to be killed or to die when an abortion is botched and the baby is born alive. What an atrocity! I still can't believe that Oprah, who I used to believe to be a thinking human being, supports this schmuck.

'Nuff said.

The Varberg household

Just wanted to update everyone on what's been happening in our neck of the woods.

Aside from my step-dad's illness and my nephew Drew's asthma attack, so far the last few months have been relatively uneventful for us. Nothing terribly exciting anyway! Here is what has been happening:

Kayla just finished volleyball. For those of you who don't know us well, she is going to the local Christian school. I work there 3 days a week to help pay the tuition. Occasionally David and Kayla help me with that when I have to work and I am under the weather! She is doing well in school, both academically and socially. We had a couple of incidents early in the year (with friends) but nothing that couldn't be handled with some firm guidance from her parental units.

Josh has his snakes (Amazon Tree Boa - Phantom, Ball Python - Ruby, Burmese Python - Sapphire), an Iguana - Emerald, Ferret - Bob, an Anole and house gecko - unnamed, and constantly breeding feeder mice and rats, also thankfully unnamed! That's just in his room! He also has a dog (Spitz) named Roxy that comes and goes from his room. He plans on breeding the ball python and a leopard gecko that he does not have yet to make some money. He's really into zoology and biology at the moment.

Which brings me to our new co-op. He is really enjoying it, but I don't think we will be going back next year. I don't know what the deal is with this particular group, which really bums me out as it's the only group in our county that we are involved in. We are also involved in groups in other counties, but it would really be lovely if Josh could meet some people closer to home. Anyway, a person or two in this new co-op just rubs me wrong. I feel as if we are constantly being censored, me in particular and there is a constant power struggle. I don't know what the threat is (from me to them) but I am discerning that there must be one. I try very hard to be humble and kind, but it really is getting the better of me! I can't even send out e-mails to the group! I'm a reasonable person, so when I send out something of the same caliber as the others, and mine gets denied, or ignored, it gets really frustrating!! I have all but ceased posting there, which really doesn't help with making new friends in the group. My friend is in the co-op as well and I think she is equally frustrated. Okay, perhaps not as much as I am, but almost! At least I know it's not just me. In fact, I have heard from others in the group that they are frustrated with the e-mail control thing.

Okay, I digress. I didn't intend to rant on about the co-op! This is about the family, right?

David is still working (praise God), but sometimes it is shaky. He will occasionally find out that his contract is up or that the project he is on is no longer billable. Thankfully his company, Keane, Inc. is really taking care of him and making sure he can remain on. I think that is saying something.

David just turned 45 (oh wow!) on the 28th. I can't believe it!

Like I said before, I am working at Kayla's school, homeschooling Josh (not too bad now that he's older and more independent), working at Tractor Supply in town, still on the board of GRACE Homeschool Co-op as secretary, though that's probably not going to last much longer and on the board (secretary) and active in American Heritage Girls, a Christian Scouting organization that Kayla and I do together.

As a family, we are reorganizing and making changes in the house. Painting walls, stairs, floors, trim and so-on. Trying to figure out what to do with the floor tile that is coming up in the main bathroom. Trying to afford to get our wood stove fully installed - still!

We have three dogs we care for (one of them Josh's dog Roxy). The other two are Coco, the beagle mix and Emma, the dachshund mix. My babies! We have an indoor cat named Snickerdoodle that David just HAD to have (years ago), but that lays on me and next to me most nights. Go figure. We also have anywhere from 15 to 20 outdoor cats that we care for. I really need to figure out a way to afford to get them fixed. They are passing viruses and diseases to one another and some don't live very long. I'm tired of burying animals. It's a sad thing.

We also have ducks and hens. No more roosters. They were all killed this spring/summer from raccoons. About 6 of our hens were too. We hardly get any eggs from the hens that are left. It's sad, really. I used to sell eggs and now we are buying them for us.

I'm pretty active in anything political, homeschool related and pro-life related. Those are my passions - besides my family and my animals!

I think I about covered everything. I hope to keep updates on the family here and there as we go along, but I felt I needed to give one general posting about us first.

A favorite song of mine (from a favorite group):

Logan and his calf

My cousin Julie just sent this link to me. I had heard the clip on our local Christian radio station, but I just LOVE this clip, as it also includes a picture of Logan, some footage and some clips from the radio station and others about Logan and his family. Just awesome. I simply cannot listen to him speaking to the talk show host at the radio station Logan called into without crying. If you can do it, I'd be amazed.

Here is it:

What a black man has to say about why he can't vote for Obama

The following is what I sent out via e-mail recently and I promised to post on my blog:


The following article from Snopes.com is from a black Christian pianist, Huntley Brown. Snopes verified with him that he actually wrote the following letter. A comment from Snopes (and Mr. Brown) follows the letter which I found interesting as well.

We don't have much time to get the word out about Obama. The facts that Mr. Brown mentions can be verified fairly easily. Many of Obama's beliefs have been mentioned by him, in his book and on tape - both video and audio. The mainstream media, which are decidedly liberal, will not point these things out. (see Media Research Center for info on exposing liberal bias) To be intellectually honest, one would have to show all of the bad things about someone as well as the good and this is not being done. The conservative shows are pointing out the bad (primarily) and the liberal shows are pointing out the good (primarily). One would need to watch both shows to see. I stand by my belief that if you can see what Obama stands for and still you support him, then I think you should. My problem is that most of us are not for infanticide, socialism, communism, Marxism, Lenninism, higher taxes, giving our money involuntarily to those who don't work as hard as you (that would be all the "-isms" I mentioned), was involved in ACORN (the organization that is committing voter fraud). And the list goes on. Yet we are saying we want to vote for him because it would be cool to have a black president. Yes, I believe it would. However, not THIS one. Besides, Joe Biden can't get through an interview with Barbara West without getting angry because someone finally has the gall to give him the hard questions that Sarah Palin has been deflecting all along. (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxT0ELP7az0)

Okay, 'nuff of my soapbox. Read Huntley Brown's. He probably puts it much more eloquently than I.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/huntleybrown.asp

Jen Varberg

P.S. If this is important to you, please feel free to pass along to others who may be on the fence. This is a very important election. I will also have this e-mail and other links of reference on my blog, which can be linked to below, in my signature
line.

Gianna Jessen (abortion survivor) Interview on Hannity and Colmes -- including my own testimony

Gianna Jessen is an abortion survivor. Her biological mother attempted to abort her 7 1/2 months into her pregnancy. What she had done is called a saline abortion, which should have burned her alive, inside and out, in her mother's womb. After 18+ hours of being subjected to this saline solution, she should have been delivered dead by the abortionists. Instead, she was born alive. If Barack Obama has his way, Gianna would have been left to die, or she would have been suffocated, strangled or in some other way killed by the abortion doctor. If this doesn't cause you to be outraged, there is something seriously wrong with my delivery of this information or with your emotions.

As you will see in the video of the Hannity & Colmes Show (below), Obama voted 4 times to allow the baby to die. He actually stated in an interview that the original intent of the mother and doctor should be carried out. That means, he thinks the baby should be killed if the abortion fails, like what happened to Gianna Jessen.

I read Gianna's book by Jessica Shaver years ago, and it was really an eye-opener.

Here we have the interview on Hannity and Colmes:



I can't go on with the subject of the horrific practice of abortion without telling you that in some states, it is legal to abort during all 9 months of a pregnancy. After a certain point in the pregnancy, when the baby is viable outside of the womb, there is something they do called partial-birth abortion. As if abortion at any time weren't bad enough, this practice allows the doctor to go in with forceps, grab the baby by the leg and pull the baby out except for his/her head. At the base of the skull the abortionist will puncture the baby's head with scissors and open them to widen the hole. The abortionist will then stick a tube into the hole and suck out the baby's brains. The abortionist will then deliver the rest of the baby. This is infanticide at it's worst, only being legal by a technicality...that being that the baby isn't completely delivered, so they can still call it abortion. It is reprehensible!

If the Jewish community is appalled by the holocaust on it's people (which they rightly should be), then they should stop voting for democrats and republicans that support this horrible holocaust on the youngest in our human race! The same is true for the black community. More than 90% of the abortion clinics are set up in their neighborhoods, killing off all of the black babies in this world. That should be something to hang your hat on, not whether or not the person running for office has the same amount of melanine in their skin as you!

What is wrong with people that they can justify this in their heads????? I mean, really. How deceived we must be. Or perhaps it's a brainwash thing - brainwashed into politcal correctness and going with the crowd. I jumped off that bus a long time ago.

If you have trouble with this because you have had an abortion yourself, there IS forgiveness from the One who can give it. Jesus Christ. Our God is an awesome God and as the song goes, He Reigns!!! Please consider giving your life to Him, the only One who can save us from this sinful world. I have my hope in Him and don't know where I'd be had I chosen otherwise.

God had His eyes on me before I was saved, I can tell you that.

Here is my own story:

When I was in my early 20s, I was not living a very good lifestyle. I was going to bars, flirting with anyone and seeking something to believe in. I was going with a guy who, when I tried to break off the relationship, he tried to kill me.

I then met someone new. He was so nice and kind to me. He was 4 years younger than I but he didn't look it or act it. We smoked some pot together. We did a lot of things together! I got pregnant after the first time. Now, previously I had been struggling with 4 years of urinary tract infections. The urologist told me that I had a lot of scar tissue and that I would most likely not be able to have babies. The pot-smoking guy I was with also should not have had any viable sperm (or very little), as marijuana is known to lower sperm count tremendously-especially when you smoke daily for two years straight as he did. We also used contraceptives. I got pregnant anyway.

At this time of my life, right before I got pregnant, I was searching for something. Something I could sink my teeth into. Something to believe in. I was stealing books on witchcraft from local bookstores. I was fantasizing about shaving my head, getting an ivy tattoo across my skull and changing my name to Ivy. I wanted to travel the country with some friends, including my new guy, in a VW bus and working odd jobs.

Then I got pregnant.

Wow, did that change things fast!

Though I was not a born-again Christ-follower, I did believe that abortion was wrong. I had a crap job and no way in sight, but being the ever optimist, I chose to keep my baby. It was suggested that I abort, as single parenthood is hard, but I was determined.

Life was hard. Not only because I ended up on state aid for most of my pregnancy and until my son was 11 months old, but because my "guy" ended up not being so responsible. He was still a "nice guy" with good intentions, but had a lot of issues and messed-up priorities. Let's just say rims for his car or a new sound system came before the water/gas bills and his son.

When my son was still a toddler, I began working in a factory that made windows for sunrooms. I worked the afternoon shift. My manager for the night crew was a Christian and he went to church each Sunday morning, Sunday evening and on Wednesday evenings. He offered to take anyone to church Wednesday nights (we extended our lunch hour a bit and made up for it later in the week), if they so desired. I asked a lot of questions, as I was still seeking. What really impressed me was that he did not pretend to know the answers I asked. He told me he knew there was an answer, but that he would need to find out. I liked that a lot. At that time though, I did not believe the bible to be true. One day, I asked my manager what I needed to do to join them at church. He was ecstatic! I went, and the rest is history. It did take a while, but I learned so much and the Holy Spirit worked in me. I eventually believed in the bible, but not because of anything anyone said. It wasn't an intellectual thing. It was a God thing! Hallelujah!

I digress. It's safe to say that I chose life. It would have been much less embarrassing, much more convenient and probably a smoother life for me had I aborted. But then, I would not have had the joy and honor of raising a son who is extremely honest, smart, adorable, cute, witty, funny, interesting and just a joy to have around. I can't imagine my life without him.

I have since become a born-again, bible-believing, Jesus-following Christian. I married, adopted a 7 year old girl, bought a house, homeschool and generally love my life. Life certainly has changed for me! Praise God!

Barack Obama - Oh what a tangled web we weave

I think I have just about had it with this guy and the people who think he's all that and a bag of chips. I really don't understand how a thinking person (I mean REALLY thinking) can come to the conclusion that he is good enough to be president. I'm not talking about choosing McCain, because truth be told, I'm not all that crazy about him either.

Here are some things that I think people need to consider: First--THINK! KNOW! LEARN! There are people who don't even know why the heck they are voting for him. Oh, they are voting because he's black. Heck, I have no problem with that. If Condi Rice or Colin Powell were running, they would have my vote. I have no issues with the color of his skin. It's melanin. It's those of you who want him because he's black. Or those who want him because he's a democrat and that's what you are. Get over yourself and think about who you're voting for. We are not democrats and republicans. We are thinking people. Act like it. Here is my case in point. (a short audio) Harlem Voters: http://www.bpmdeejays.com/upload/hs_sal_in_Harlem_100108.mp3

Then you have the 2nd Amendment issue. As many of you know, I am very much in favor of our rights as citizens. I am also for freedom. I think most of us are, however, I go a step further, anticipating what our current legislators and politicians are trying to push through to keep us from our freedoms. That's why I wanted to vote for Ron Paul. He's a constitutionalist. He believes in abiding by the constitution and not trying to rewrite it as situations arise. I still may vote for him. I don't know. Lots of prayers, that's for sure. He is supporting Chuck Baldwin, who is running under the U.S Tax Payers Party (aka Constitution Party). Mr. Paul believes that only the two main parties will be eligible for president, so he has not veered away from the Republican party, even though his supporters have been trying to get him to run under another party. Anyway, back to the 2nd Amendment thing. Here is what I received and believe to be accurate. This is a pdf file: http://www.wmsa. net/Politics/ open_letter_ to_sportsmen. pdf

As if that weren't enough to do all you can to block this guy's path to the White House, here is another point which is just APPALLING to know and then vote for the schmuck. He is for infanticide. Voted three times against a bill that is supposed to stop the terrible practice of allowing botched abortions (babies born alive) to sit in a soiled linen closet to die, sometimes for hours on end. Abortion itself is horrible, but how someone could do that is just beyond me. This video does not have any thing gross or graphic, but listening to it is definitely disturbing, as it should be. Please pass this along to your Obama-loving friends and family.



And last but certainly not least is his wife, Michelle. If this matters at all to you what goes on the minds of the Obama family, even pre-Obama (as in Michelle, before she married him), then continue reading. We all have heard by now what people are saying about the company he keeps. His pastor of 20 years, etc. You've heard it all, so I won't repeat it. Now we hear about Michelle Obama's thesis when she was at Princeton. I don't take this one very seriously, as people change. However, when one looks at the bigger picture, it's not so pretty. Just what is their deal with race? I'm surprised they have not joined forces with Jesse Jackson, propogating hatred between blacks and whites. How are we going to improve this relationship when you have crap like that going on? I mean, really. In my eyes, a man is judged by his character. I have always said that I do not object or care if my children choose black friends or spouses, as long as they have an honorable character, which is what I want no matter the color. Anyway, another bunny trail....I know. Here is the Snopes.com thing about Michelle Obama and take from it what you will. http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/thesis.asp

Okay, I lied. I have another one for you. This is a video from Illuminati Productions that was produced by a guy named Molotov Mitchell. It's 11 minutes long. It has info on the theory that Obama is not eligible to even run for president due to his suspect citizenship.



For updates on this case, go here: http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-paedce/case_no-2:2008cv04083/case_id-281573/

New Job

So I started this new job in town. Woo hoo! It's close! As in, it's only about 10 minutes away. Usually everwhere we go it's at least a half an hour away.

So I started working at Tractor Supply. Pretty good so far. I like most of the people-a lot. I hear our boss can be cranky once he gets to know you, but we'll see. I'm not doubting them so much as trying not to get to the point where he begins treating me that way. Know what I mean?

Okay, so I know this is really exciting. I'm 38 and back in retail. Oh joy. But it pays the bills. I'm also going to be doing the Pay Per Post thing that Shelly told me all about. I can't wait! It will be nice to make some money by doing what I love to do best - talk! Okay, type. But it's the same thing - if you can type fast enough!

So, back to Tractor Supply. One of the main reasons that I needed to get a job is because we really need to be able to afford our stove pipes for the winter. I do not want to get stuck without heat again. I hear it's supposed to be a nasty one!

So, I get the job for extra money and find out that we do, indeed, get a discount. Yay! 15% That's about $150 off our cost of the pipes and stuff we need to put them up. When I get the money to actually purchase them, that is.

I also clean Kayla's school three days a week. Okay, not the WHOLE school, though some days it feels like it! Just 2 offices, and two classrooms. Lemme tell you, that 1st/2nd grade room can get messy!!! I think they paint their desks with their runny noses. Yeah, it's that gross. I clean all of the desks well. It's no wonder we all get colds once school starts!

I clean the school so that we can get a reduction in her tuition. I think it will take care of about $1400 of it or so. Noice, eh?

As if all that weren't enough to fill my days, I am on 2 volunteer boards (one for homeschooling and one for American Heritage Girls, a Christian Scouting organization). The beginning of the year is always the toughest, because you're just getting everything lined up for the season. I also homeschool my 9th grade son, though we haven't done anything formal this year yet. He just got back from Arizona, spending time with his aunt, uncle and three cousins. They went to Lego Land in California! He had fun and my sis and her husband spoiled him rotten. I'm surprised he wanted to come home.

I'm tired, it's 1:04 after all and my thoughts are going off on bunny trails!

I will spare you all the rest of my brain and go to sleep. Perhaps if I have the chance, I will post again tomorrow. And maybe you'll know what I'm saying. ;-)

Regarding the YouTube vids in the right side bar

Okay kids. I have no clue why the YouTube vids come up as they do. When I set it up, it asked for some names of the subscriptions you have. I gave the Jason Castro ones that I am subscribed to and I do get some of his vids there...but now there is some really weird things about Sarah Palin. I don't recall even mentioning her on this blog until now. Hmmmm. I wonder where that came from??? Perhaps it's just a big hit because of the VP debates last night, which, I think Sarah did a fine job btw. I can't say that I'd vote for McCain just cuz I like her, but she did a fine job. I think Biden is a schmuck. He's hard to listen to at times. Ah well. If only they were all perfect like me, eh? ;-) (that is a joke, for those of you with no sense of humor)

My dog Emma

Since Emma is in the side bar of my blog, I thought it made sense to talk a little about her.

Boy, if there was ever a dog that was loved too much, it would be her! She is such a baby! Like, really. I can hold her and she'll snuggle in your arms like a real baby. Just the right size too--fat!

Emma was given to us by my step sis, Melissa. She has three kids that were a little too rough with Emma and Emma was probably a little too rough with them too. So, they asked if we would take a look at her to see if we would want her. That was on Christmas in 2004.

Emma has the softest fur and sweet smelling head. Really!!! I know--we're nuts. She sleeps with us -- under the covers! (oh, her beagle brother does too). It's a good thing we have a king size bed. Oh, and btw, she's a dachshund mix. We don't know with what she is mixed except with "cuteness", but everyone who meets her loves her. Okay, they intensely like her....we LOVE her!

I always say, in my heaven, there will be at least 10 Emma's running around. ;-)

My first thoughts

So, I see all these blogs and I get all excited to join in the fun, but then I never do. Well, I finally did it! We had a family blog, somewhere, at one time, but I don't know what the heck happened to it! It was a really confusing thing to use and we just lost interest.

I really like to think out loud, so this is perfect for me.....to write whatever it is that pops in my head.

We'll see ya later!