This information supports...

...some of why my kids don't and won't go to public school. Somewhere down the line I think we lost reading, math, spelling, science, etc. for crap that has nothing to do with academics.


The public school teacher convention is going on and here are some of the workshops they are offering:

"The Unbearable Whiteness of Being: Dismantling White Privilege and Supporting Anti-Racist Education in Our Classrooms and Schools." Designed to help educators identify and deconstruct their own white privilege and in so doing more deeply commit themselves to anti-racist teaching and critical multicultural teaching.

"Talking About Religious Oppression and Unpacking Christian Privilege." Will examine the dynamics of Christian privilege and oppression of minority religious groups and nonbelievers as constructed and maintained on three distinct levels: individual, institutional and societal. God help us .. now there's not only white privilege, but Christian privilege as well.

"Beyond Celebrating Diversity: Teaching Teachers How to be Critical Multicultural Educators." This session will start from the premise that multiculturalism's greatest danger "comes from educators who ostensibly support its goals, but whose work - cultural plunges, food fairs, etc. - reflects a compassionate conservative consciousness rather than social justice. This session focuses on preparing teachers, not for celebrating diversity, but for achieving justice in schools and society."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.multicultural30oct30,0,4084309.story

How about worrying about students learning the basics and learning them well. Gee, I guess that's not what's important in school anymore.

My lose is heaven's gain.

Grandma Overstreet passed away last night around 1 am. I had even been called last night by my sister to tell me I probably had a week or two to get back down. I heard the answering machine and my Dad said to call him when I got the message. I ran downstairs to get the phone, but I knew.

Please pray as my family mourns this lose. She needed to go and she is in a better place.

The show is over.

The musical closed Sunday. It was fun, but I really miss the many new friends I've made. John Durrill of the 60's band The Five American's was soooo fun to work with. I danced, I sang, I was embarrassed by one of my costumes, heck I even cartwheeled over a guys legs (thanks for not dropping me Nathan). If you want to see pics you can go to my myspace page (linked to the side and check the album of back stage pictures and cast party photos).

It was nice to return to the stage after 10 years. I won't make the mistake of taking that long again.

G.I. Joe

This article is frustrating, but inspiring. Read it all.

Production Week

Well, I will apologize for lack of posts and responses to e-mails. Life should be back to normal shortly. Our musical runs 2 shows. One Saturday at 7pm and one Sunday at 3pm. Wish us luck...oh, wait tell us to break a leg. lol

We had our first rehearsal on stage tonight. We have been practicing on the 9th floor of the state college here in town. Today we had our first tech rehearsal (setting the lights, BIG props, etc.). What will take less then 3 hours for the show, that has taken slightly longer then 3 hours in rehearsal took 5 1/4 hours (3 to 8:15). I thought I would be home before J and the kids got home from church, but I was about 45 minutes behind them. I had planned on making dinner and having it ready for them. I felt terrible about that.

I will try to post pics and maybe some blackmail worthy rehearsal video from my new camera.

Thankfully the choreographer will be back tomorrow night (she was gone ALL of last week), so my dance captain duties are over. I must have faked it well to make dance captain, b/c I am not a dancer.

And the hits keep coming.

It's been quite a day.

Updates. Jonathan's Great Aunt Marie, passed away this morning, she had a heart attack. My grandmother is in a nursing home down the street from her apartment so grandpa is close by.

The FedEx man paid me a visit and brought me Snappy Jr. I took some pictures and then I put the battery on the charger. Here are the first 4 pictures. I could have taken better ones, but I wanted the 1st four pictures to not be deleted and used in this post. So here are my lovely children.

Victoria has lost 2 teeth. I'll take a better picture later I promise Mom.

Jackson playing in the office. I love those blue eyes.

Owen is almost walking, but he climb better then Alex. He also loves shoes.

Big Al loves unplugging the monitor so it's never on when I need it. He runs now.

Thanks again Wai for the recommendation. I am impressed with this camera.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and I hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend.

Grandma O.

Okay, here is a better bit of information. I was in a hurry when I posted the last one.

Last week Grandma was taken to the hospital because of dehydration and a bladder infection. They had been struggling with keeping her electrolyte levels up and gave her some blood because her blood counts were low. On Sunday afternoon I had been told that Grandma would probably be released Monday and put in rehabilitation care before going home.

Sunday night I received another call from my Dad. He had just driven back to Texas from Norman and seeing his mom. They determined she has intestinal bleeding, probably from a tear. After talking to 3 doctors the same information was given. To do the colonoscopy she would have to be flushed, which would drop her electrolytes, which she can't keep up anyway. If surgery was needed putting her under anesthetic would cause her to go into cardiac arrest. The electrolytes are what keeps your heart going and hers would be too low. The options were to go ahead and try and let her die on the table (something she expressed earlier in life she would rather not go through) or to let her go into hospice and let her go that way. The decision for hospice has been made. Blood transfusions have been stopped, but electrolytes are still being give and she is on a full liquid diet. On top of the above issues Grandma is also diabetic and has mild dementia. There is a lot that needs cared for.

Dad and I both drove to Norman on Monday. Dad is still there and we came back late yesterday afternoon. It was hard knowing this is goodbye. Victoria sang "God Bless America" to her and recited her memory verse for the week. Jackson was sweet and wild. The babies were just sweet. I got the chance to hold Grandma's hand and pray with her. I broke down more then once last night at musical rehearsal, but I kept going.

Please keep my family and the people helping us in your prayers. Everything is a bit strange. It's hard knowing what the outcome will be. We haven't lost anyone in dad's family since Aunt Karen when I was 9.

On a positive note, grandma was on the same floor as the women's and children's center at Norman Regional. I got to take the twins down to the NICU to see their nurses. It's hard to believe that 15 months ago my boys were hooked to machines and being primarily cared for by women who weren't related to them. The NICU was home for 2 1/2 weeks. It was nice to go back and say, "Hey, thanks again." They couldn't believe how big they are.

We're off.

My Grandma O isn't well and is in the hospital. Things don't look good right now, but we'll see.

Please pray for my Grandmother, Grandfather, the Doctors and the rest of my family.

Thanks Wai!

I don't have it yet, but I just ordered my new camera (I got the silver version) and a 2GB card. Jonathan really wanted to go with a model from the Canon SD series so I relented. I don't get manual controls or image stabilization, but I am pleased with what we agreed on. If I want manual controls I'll have the camera guy in Norman fix Snappy, which I may do anyway and let V have a good camera to work with.

Jonathan wanted to go with a refurbished SD 550. After Wai posted a couple of comments about his SD1000 we agreed that it was the better way to go.

I got really impatient and almost went and spent more to have it immediately from Wal-Mart, but I'm trying to be patient. I'm also saving enough on tax that it paid for the memory card.

At last!

We own the twins outright!. Ya, I know they are almost 15 months old and this sounds weird, but we have been getting the run around with the insurance and the neonatologist's billing department. I've even been sent to collections and pulled out of collections as we have tried to get it all straightened out.

Now, I guess they can't repo the babies. Where would you return something like that? I don't think there was a return desk at the hospital. lol

Anyway, YIPEE! I was so happy i just wanted to wake them up and kiss on them. I did contain myself so they could finish their nap.

I think this is it.

I'm almost certain I am going with this and this. At about $178 I think this is a better deal then the repair or offered upgrade. My sister said since it's outside of the warranty to get it back and take it to the guy that repairs cameras in Norman. She said he does good work and he should be cheaper then Canon. If I do that I think I'll give it to V to take whatever she wants so she and J won't touch my new one.

Now I have to talk this out with Jonathan so we are in agreement before I make a purchase like this.

Snappy's Prognosis

Well, I got word from Canon today. I'm just going to cut and past the important parts of the e-mail here:

Received: September 18, 2007
Repair Cost: $ 97.00
Status: Estimated September 18, 2007

Dear SARA :

We have received your equipment for evaluation and repair. We have estimated your repair as detailed below. Upon your approval and payment remittance we will start the necessary repairs.

You can expect the repair to be completed and your equipment shipped back to you within approximately 7 business days,* from the time we receive your approval and payment. Please respond to this estimate promptly to avoid your unit being returned un-repaired.Please note that in the unlikely event that any internal damage is found due to liquid/water, sand, corrosion, battery leakage or impact (such as dropping the unit), a revised estimate will be sent for your authorization.The Canon USA repair facility may repair your equipment or exchange it for refurbished equipment of the same model, or for a new or refurbished equipment of an equivalent model to your equipment, with the same or additional features. Please note that recovered, remanufactured, repaired and/or recycled parts may be used in connection with such repair.

Thank you for purchasing Canon products and for allowing us this opportunity to serve you.

Best Regards,Canon Factory Service Center

They didn't tell me what was wrong and they gave me their "FLAT RATE REPAIR CHARGE". I at least like to know what I'm paying for.

They offered me this referb deal:

Canon has a special program for its valued customers.
As an alternative to repair you may now purchase a refurbished POWER SHOT A530 for $125.00 . Call our Customer Care Center at 1-866-443-8002 for more details.

I found the same referb cheaper on the Internet.

I really think I'm going to just buy a new camera. The offered A530 is a slower, lower megapixel, referb of what I want that's $168 and brand new.

What do you think? Anyone? Anyone?

Pressure

It's still there, but at least my molars don't hurt anymore. I ran across the house and my teeth hurt so bad. I would just like to take the shop vac to my sinus cavities to release the rest of the pressure. I should be better in a few days. I'm going to go and take some ibuprofen and a some more allergy meds. Only 7 days left of my antibiotic.

I'm embarrassed...

...to say I went to OSU. No, not because of football, I've never been a Poke fan. I'm embarrassed, because of this article. They are complaining about not being competitive in attracting students, because they don't get enough financial aid.

I think I've heard this before.

I remember hearing them say that they weren't competitive enough in sports, because their facilities aren't nice enough. Gee, I remember driving through Stillwater recently and I saw the stadium looking better and a neighborhood leveled to build an "athletic village," with a ridiculous donation from T. Boone Pickens. I still don't see OSU winning championships in anything except wrestling and golf (and at that who really cares).

So, OSU have those new facilities helped you? I think not.

OSU, has turned into a whiny, pity poor me university. They don't have the vision to eliminate issues before they arise. They aren't proactive and a fair amount of reporting about OSU is complaint, because they aren't good enough, smart enough and dog gone it people don't like them.

OSU is the whiny younger sibling of OU and instead of positivly marketing their school, they complain, because they are in OU's shadow. OSU needs to step out and chart a course based on what they do well (they never talk about that). OSU needs a better attitude and a PR turn around. OSU is an A & M even if that isn't their name. They should be building up those areas and they should try to become the MIT of the south and they should stop trying to do be a liberal arts college. If you walk their campus, ag and engineering get a lot less and they are what that college is really good at (don't mention the ATRC-engineering students don't really have class or lab in there). It a shame they can't see their potential and are desperately trying to be what they aren't.

Even thought J and I went there we have not liked the direction the university has taken since we left and we have no intention of sending our children there. Heck, I'd rather see them go to Texas and Texas to an OU fan may as well be the anti-Christ (just kidding).

We lost, but...

...we played the BEST team in our age group. These girls are all at the older end of the age group and have been playing longer. We have a very small and young team.

We got creamed 13-2. Our girls never stopped. I was very proud of them. The other coach even said we did a great job with our team. It is the beginning of the season and we can change a lot over the next 9 games. I must say what I love about our girls is that win or lose (last season we won 1, tied 1, lost 11) they have a good time and don't care too much.

PURPLE PANTHERS RULE!

Call me Coach.

Our soccer coach is out of town.

Our first game last Saturday was rained out.

I'm coaching a soccer game tomorrow!

Please don't misinterpret this as excitement. I'm scared to death. I can play soccer (at least against 8 and under girls) pretty well, I can even train them. I assist at practice as a trainer. Coaching a game is another story. This is micro soccer (4 v 4), I played full soccer. The rules and positioning is different from when I was a kid. Heck this is recreational soccer, we don't know the score unless we keep it ourselves. We were vicious, blood thirsty competitors when I played. This isn't your fathers soccer. I'm a very competitive person, I just hope I can keep that in check tomorrow.

Hopefully my head feels a little better in the morning.

Wish me luck.

Oh, my aching head!

I've only had 1 sinus infection in my entire life, that is until today. The last one occurred when I was pregnant with Jackson (almost 4 years ago). I've had many colds and allergy flare ups, but I can normally kill them quickly. I didn't have that luck this time. I leaned over to get my shoes this morning and I thought my face was going to explode. My teeth hurt, it hurts to pucker and kiss my family. I resigned myself to reality and went to the doctor and got antibiotic.

Now if you will excuse me I'm going to go and run about 8 gallons of salt water up my nose. Okay so maybe that's an exaggeration, but you get the picture.

I like...

...this one. Opinions?

I'm still sending Snappy in tomorrow, this is my plan if repair cost is high. After looking in the $100-$200 and the $200-$300 range I'm thinking it's not worth it to spend the extra money. Ratings were very similar in both price ranges.

Wish Snappy luck!

Death of a camera (updated)

I'll call him "Snappy" for lack of a better name for my camera. (Here's the update) *Snappy was a Canon PowerShot A95, 5.0 mega pixels, with 3x optical zoom, and used a standard compact flash card. He had lots of controls and I could flip out and rotate my screen. I'd take a picture and show him to you, but I can't. lol* Here is our history together.

Snappy and I met when a strange man in a brown UPS van dropped him off on my doorstep (sounds like the stork) on my birthday, August 9th, 2005. I gently removed him from his basket (insert cardboard box) and tried to figure out how to make Snappy happy (insert take pictures).

Alas, V wanted to play with Snappy too. I was not at home and Dad was supposed to be watching V and my little bundle (less then 1 week with us) and she dropped Snappy and bent his nose (insert lens which was out at the time). Jonathan fixed it (insert yanked really hard), but Snappy never made pictures as happily again.

Fast forward to last year. Snappy and the kids and I walked to homeschool PE (it was a nice day and only 10 blocks). We stopped at the gas station and I bought an OJ and set it in the bag under the stroller, with Snappy. The OJ wasn't very nice (much like the football player) except he just leaked all over Snappy. My lens was sticky, but that was about it.

Recently Snappy has been a bit short (insert runs down my batteries too quickly) and I suspected he wasn't well. I was going to send him to the doctor (insert Cannon Repair, b/c I had the extended warranty-which I never buy, but had this time). Unfortunately I didn't.

Monday, September 3, 2007 Snappy finally snapped and decided to die. I have called the doctor (insert Cannon) to see if they can play God and resurrect Snappy. I have put him in a coffin (insert card board box) and I am hoping for a miracle (a cheap miracle).

If Snappy can't be resurrected does anyone have any camera advice (other then don't let anyone else touch it and keep food, beverages, heat and cold away from it). I'm searching more for the new purchase variety (but I'm cheap-in the shopping sense-and will buy reasonable used or refurbished). I am hunting in the $150-$300 range, but I would like to stay in the $150-$225 range if possible (unless you know of something REALLY cool). I want good pictures and FAST. Snappy was a little slow on the take. I've always like Canon, but I'll be honest Snappy sucked (and I'm not sure if it was Snappy or the initial accidents). I do like the cameras that take compact flash (b/c I have a 1 GB card), but I'll take whatever. I'd also like a camera that does it's own photo editing, adds my make-up and shaves off the last 8 lbs from my last pregnancy and makes me look as young as I did when I got married (hey a girl can dream).

What kind of mother am I?

We've been teaching Jackson to say the typical bead time prayer. He has the dinner prayer down, so we are working on his bedtime one. The prayer goes like this:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guide and guard me through the night,
And wake me with the mornings light...(we pray for our family and forgiveness here)
Amen

Pay close attention to the bold line. I say the line and Jackson repeats it. At this line he didn't repeat it, nor will he now.

He says, "And wake me with the wooden spoon."

You would think I beat him all the time. When he says spank it sounds like wake, so I'm not sure if he wants me to wake him or spank him.

Wow, just wow.

Another classic J thing lately is he has stopped saying, "Boomer! Sooner! Go Big Red!" he now yells "Boomer! Sooner! Go To Bed!"

I wish I had deeper insight into the mind of a three year old, then again it might be too scary for me to fathom.

Good night!