The check has not posted

What is this now it is even hitting the smaller banks. The income check that is supposed to clear the last day of the month has yet to clear the bank. This sucks because we were counting on that check tonight so that we could get food to fill our refridgerator. I am hoping that it clears tomorrow.

I am looking at a job as a Parents as Teachers Educator the thing about that is the agency is trying to find a funder to help get new employees to the training they need to go to without having to pay for the trips and such up front. If that occurs I will probably take the job that would at least bring in some money as I work on my writing on the side. I do have to say that I do miss the social work type experience. I love to educator others on how to better their own lives. I just can't do it if I have to pay for something before they will pay me back or even before I get my first paycheck. Why do you think I need a job in the first place?

Not so much of a Surprise

Palin losing friends on the home front, and that is supposed to be a surprise. She has literally left the state hanging and then decides that her own state's reporters and such are not as important as everyone else. Last time I checked she is still governor...and because I believe in fairness the other men are still senators, do they know what their own constituents want and need.

Wrote another political article

This one has yet to be published but once it has been picked up I will post the link here. It is about the economic issues faced by Americans and my beliefs that Congree has no idea what happens in the average Americans daily lives.

What to do, What to do

Another day starts rather early because the girls woke up soon after six this morning. The reason they were up so early is because I they went right to sleep when put to bed last night. They were extremely tired and the last two hours were spent in fits and whatnot: You know normal tired kid stuff.

I was lucky last night to get a full nights sleep in a long time which I really enjoy because it has been forever since I had gotten a goodnight sleep.

OPSU Sports News:

This last Saturday the football team did win their game against Tabor. Final score 31-15. It was an awesome game. Our next home game is not until 10/25 and that is the Homecoming game and heck this year who knows we may actually have a chance to win that game. I have n=ot seen a win on Homecoming in quite some time. They have an away game this next week then an open week and another away before coming back home.

Boston Legals Final Season

Yay!No more James Spader and William Shattner in what I call the Gay Lovers Lawyer Show. Ok, writers you can't have thought about that story line. If you have not then you should them walking out hand in hand after kissing would be the best finale show in a long time.

Needless to say I actually hate the show although I was the fan of the show before it, The Practice. It went down the hill when it moved to Boston and Shattner became a regular with Spader.

Editing Mode

I am editing my second manuscript/book now. I feel inspired now that I feel okay with my first book. Again if you need the link as I cannot promote it enough, hehe, here is the link.

I am on Chapter 2 of a book that is about thirty-two chapters.

Political News:


By the way Bailout Plan was downed: For 205, Against 228 in the House of Representatives! Yay! I am excited, maybe some of the congressmen/women are looking out their own windows to see the number of people against the plan in he first place.

Why I am Up!

My sinuses are killing me. I think I was outside too much this weekend and I am not used to that much of the outdoors these days. I sneezed all day yesterday and now I can't find a comfortable position to lay in so that I can breathe.

I am hoping to get back to writing today after taking a break this last weekend. I also hope to start the edit of my next book now that I am preety happy with the first one, again at Melia Benjamin's Storefront. I am hoping to be able to officially accept the book real soon but I have to buy my own copy from Lulu.com first. I figure I could tweak it another thousand times though and it still would never be perfect in my own eyes so it is time to say here it is world.

Have a great day and of course look for updates throughout the day.

Ready for Monday

It has been a very long weekend. I have gone no-stop since yesterday and the kids are driving me nuts (as they are supposed to do, I know). I need some quiet time that I have not gotten in days. I think the whole family needs a break from each other.

Is the weekend over with yet?

Everything Costs Money

Yup, that is true! All the things that could help me get known cost me in the end. I was looking at Oklahoma Writer's Federation, Inc. and for a membership at large it costs $25 per year. The conference in May will cost over one hundred dollars. Sigh, now I need to get books sold in order to afford any of that, that is for sure.

I feel like everything I have tried is putting up road blocks that I must somehow tear down before I can ever move forward. This simply sucks! I feel that I am simply at the point where begging is the best I can do now. So I beg you, my readers, support the struggling author and read and buy anything I do, please.

Sigh!!!

As the new month approaches I hope that you are thinking of buy my new book. I really need to know what others think before I distribute it beyond Sunrises and Crossword Puzzles if you are stuck on the title don't be it is about a family, trust m, going through a difficult patch in there lives due to the head of the household getting into a major car accident leaving him temporarily paralyzed. This could happen to any family and thus it is relevant to the times. This book is not technically about Sunrises and Crossqord Puzzles they are just activities that some of the characters enjoy.

Please Please, Pleae GO BUY NOW!!!

Some Disability Laws for Parent

Another day another article publish. See you in a day or so.

My analysis of Debate

Well, the debate has not happened as of yet, 7:40cst but I will give my whole two cents worth after the debate occurs. I am hoping to write a tad but this weekend is busy so I will need to get to bed soon. Tomorrow we have a garage sale, a football game, and my daughter has a party to go to tomorrow. I will be back to my actual writing on Sunday as my day off is tomorrow.

See you soon.

Analysis: (9:45PM cst)I am so very tired but I thought the two candidates did very well staying on the topic of foriegn policy. I felt that Obama was more prepared than McCain with hard facts about what is happening in Iraq and did his homework a lot better.

In closing McCain said we are safer today than we were on 9-11-01. Obama on the other hand, said we have a long way to go.

Obama also added that Al Qaeda is now in 60 countries.

Anyway enough said for tonight.

Debate will Go On

The local CBS news in Amrillo (News Channel 10) reported that the McCain/Obama debate will go on as planned with both candidates there. They reported that McCain had a change of heart. Well, McCain with you so far down you don't really have much of a choice, now do you? That and I guess you think you need to defend your reasons for suspending your campaign in the first place. So is this flakiness going to keep happening if you become president.

What a joke McCain and Palin have become (and probably always were)!!!

The Importance of Sharing in a Marriage

Another day, another article -- Go Read!

More Political Ranting

I was watching CNN last night after watching the Premieres of Gray's Anatomy and ER (as I flipped back and forth from ABC to NBC through the nine o'clock PM central time hour). After they were finally over at ten my time I switched to CNN to see what hell was going on with our political world. God what a disaster.

I still love hearing Paul Begala calling President Bush a "high functioning moron." I have to add that from what I was hearing so is McCain because as the analyst were saying McCain when asked his position on the Bailout plan reverted to other Republicans and then did not speak up for another forty-three minutes -- and he was the one that said he would have to be there to help pass a bailout plan. What a "Lame Duck." Do we really want another Bush in office because that is what we would be getting if he becomes President. Some say that McCain is even slowing down the process of coming up with a plan in the first place.

There is also the scary Palin that could become President if anything were to happen to McCain. Thus are we voting Palin for President. I have to wonder who is really running for President, in the first place.

Back to the issue of the bailout: McCain who claims he must be in Washington D.C. to vote on the bailout plan has not voted on anything since April. Although Obama has not been around for about as many votes he has not said he was suspending his campaign and wanting to stall the debate tonight in Mississippi.

My Take on The Campaign Ads McCain Campaign Produces:

Change my ass. What happened to experience, GONE, when McCain selected Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential nomination. There were many other woman he could have chosen from, why her? I also vaguely remember that when he was trying to become the Republican Nominate for President it was all about experience and now it is about change because Obama all along wanted change. It is amazing how someone's position changes to fit the campaigns opponent.

Just to be fair to Palin, (and this is very tongue and cheek) where is Biden? Of course, Obama is not complaining that he needs to suspend the campaign because he cannot do more than one thing at a time. Last time I checked President's have a thousand things to do in one week.

OK, enough politics for now.

(sourves are from CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, 9-25-08)

Where is Palin??

Hmm! Ok, so McCain suspends campaigning so where is his his running mate to pick up the slack. She could have made an appearance on David Letterman who was more than upset when McCain was a no show for last night you can see the video on youtube.com b, 1970oaktree



I love the fact that he called John McCain the running mate of Sarah Palin, so true so true. Actually what may happen is that Palin will become president after McCain dies in office.

Oh and get this I am watching my soap opera at the moment and I turn to watch a Mcain/Palin ad -- ummm I thought he had suspended his commercials as well, apparently NOT!

Many people across the web are saying that it may just be a ploy because he is low on the poll numbers. According to: Electoral-Vote.com McCain is behind Obama in electoral votes 286 to 252. I know there are many other polls but in all of them McCain is behind and the Palin effect has definitely worn off as predicted by many.

What are two votes going to change in the first place. I believe we need to hear from him instead of him sticking his head in the ground refusing to be seen until after the $700 Billion dollar bailout is resolved. The bailout is a joke in the first place and will only hurt us little guys in the first place. Yeah, I understand that the elderly are the ones that will be the most effected and I am sorry for that but my family can barely afford to pay the rent and put food on the table maybe the money should be given to us instead of investment banks.

My Experience with Seizures

Click title for the actual article.

Have a great day!

When Should You Assist or Help Those With a Physical Disability?

My latest article at Helium.com is published just click title to re-direct yourself to the article. Thank you everyone for your support.

I will soon have an article on seizures and my experiences, soon. I will have that link as soon as I get it up and published. Keep your eyes open for new posts on the newest articles.

A Controversial Article

Let me forwarn you before reading the article that this article is about my beliefs in regards to abortion and I know that they are not always accepted but this is how I believe and I want no one telling me all the reasons why I need to change my mind -- take your own beliefs elsewhere because you are not changing my mind.

Now here is the link to the article if you care to read it: Should a Women Have the Right To Choose Abortion?

Have a great day!

Here is the Deal!

Whether or not you like the content of the articles on the page I would like you to remember that if you think my articles on Triond.com are written well please click the Like It icon at the end of the article. I would like to know if there is anything I can do to make my articles better and I see people hitting but then either forgetting to click the Like It icon at the bottom. There is no worries if you are concerned with me knowing who has clicked the icon because I will not know, the only information I get is that it has been clicked as someone likes it.

OK, on that note it is back to bed for a little while longer after my son's alarm clock abruptly woke me up at 4AM.

I am so Tired but I Managed

I woke up early this morning and thus I may have to take a nap that I have avoided the last five days. I did get three articles written today, which is good as a start.

One article has been published at: Debate: Can You Trust Your Doctor.

I have two articles that I am still trying to decide where to publish so keep your eye on this blog for any updates and I would appreciate any feedback.

Economic Woes and Writing as a Career Choice

Another of my articles was picked up so please take a look by clicking on the blg title. if you like my writing share with others. The more people read the more I am inspired to write here and elsewhere across the web. I have a few articles I am working on today that I hope to get published by tomorrow and then I seem to get inspired daily by your support.

Cerebral Palsy is Not a Death Sentence (an article)

You can click on the title or click here to go to the article that was just published of mine. I thank the few of you who are supporting me and encourage others who have happened on my blog to return. You will find links to almost anything I have written on this blog.

We are Lucky to Own Two Vehicles

And, I see that McCain owns thirteen which placed throughout his seven homes. McCain Owns 13 Cars; Obama Owns One. What the heck do you need all that crap for in the first place I am not sure.

The sad fact is that many families can barely afford the one or two that they have and even then I know people around my rural town that can barely afford the one they do own and only have that one because there is no public transportation where we live and our nearest grocery is ten miles away.

The seven houses is extravagant as well. When does one have time to stay in one place at a time anyway. This a stupid thing to do when so many Americans are losing their homes due to the economic and mortgage crisis that is happening in our country. If I had the money I would not buy beyond what I can use but rather I would give to those less fortunate. The fact that I am one of thew less fortunate means that I truly understand where they are coming from. I may not be homeless, yet, but I can certainly understand their pain. No, I could not imagine having to live out of my van but because the state of Oklahoma feels that paying rural professors sub-standardly means that even though my husband got a Ph.D he is still paid less than any other professional in the business industry where many of them only have a Master's, it could come true. A five percent raise each year is not going to make a dent in anything when inflation is higher than the raise. My husband recently posted in his own blog:

Although I'm nominally a professional employed at an institution of higher education, my salary is just enough where some months I get very close to pondering if I will be deciding between electricity and food for the kids, let alone money for internet access. I'm not kidding. I have absolutely no sympathy for those who've been draining the life out the economy and draining the life out of those of us who may be barely making ends meet. So I read about these $700 billion Wall Street bail outs that give folks who caused the mess carte blanche (e.g. Hank Paulson), and about the ruling class consensus in its favor (the possible handful of congresslizards who don't approve notwithstanding) and I only get angrier than I am normally.

My belief is he should be able to make enough money to put the food on the table and live without worrying to much about costs and such but by the end of the month we are looking in the cushions, clothes dryer, and sometimes begging for reprieve from creditors just to get by.

Congress needs to worry more about the small people rather than the big wigs on Wall Street. I believe that even if they lose their jobs and must downsize the mansions to regular family homes they will live and be able to put food on their own table, have electricity/gas, water, and their little one's favorite toys for years. Its now time for them to give back to the less fortunate and stop making us little guys pay for their and the politicians extravagance.

Obama has at least worked with the less fortunate in Chicago and unlike McCain seems to care less about life in our own country and more in other countries, halfway across the world.

In terms of Hurrican Ike recover yes it is true that neither one of the Presidential canidates visited the devestation the island of Galveston incurred. According to Party for Socialism and Liberation:

Complacency and lack of planning directly cause death in the U.S. as a result of natural disasters. Likewise, there have been only shallow aid commitments on the part of U.S. politicians in Washington. Days after Hurricane Ike, President Bush visited some disaster areas in Texas, hovering above the devastation in an Air Force 1 helicopter. He explained that the government would cover the cost of debris removal and "hotel rooms and apartments." He never promised that the government would cover the full value of anyone’s home or of anyone’s belongings. He never assured that people would have a place to stay until their homes are habitable. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., politicians in Congress are bickering over whether to pass an economic stimulus package that would include federal money for Hurricane Ike recovery. Finally, neither Barak Obama nor John McCain has even visited hurricane-ravaged Texas, and neither plans to do so, although both have sent their best wishes to homeless residents.

Although, I do think that Obama was right when he said that he was going to allow people more qualified to deal with the disaster to do so thus staying out of the workers way. The people down there definitely do not need people their who would just be in the way of clean-up efforts. The fact that the canidates have to have so many security around them would get in the way because that is just added extra bodies that have no way of helping either. The only reason for President Bush flying over the devestation was for a photo-op anyway. He could have reviewed the news coverage and given the go ahead to give what little relief he decided to give the area but he rather chose to spend even more money on fuel and other extravagant expenses just to fly over the area.

Back to the Grind

It is the morning and time to start working. For those of you who wonder what motivation I get for starting this journey in full force I will say that it is because the state of our economy and the fact that we as a family are finding us lower and lower on the lower economic bracket. I realize that I need to get on my sorry ass and sit at this computer and write to my heart's content. I need to do something and everything to support the three kids and eight animals they have so we can go back to the life we are meant to have as middle class citizens before we end up lower on that totem pole.

Same Blogger Different Look

I needed a change to make this more professional looking and change a liitle to reveal more of my writing than anything else. I am learning as I go that I need to look more professional, and act it thus this is my attempt. For those of you wondering if I will still write about my kids and family, the answer is yes, I love them very dearly I just need to focus a lot more on my writing instead of doing the cheesy thing of only blogging about my kids and pets and husband.

I will post here daily to tell you where you can find my most recent articles published around the web that can only create revenue if clicked. The links can be found on the right column so go there and learn more.

If you yourself are a freelance writer like myself and are just starting out then please go to the links for Helium.Com and Triond.com and try for yourself. freelancing can be a good thing if you can find the time to write each day just as you would go into a office go to your trusty computer and sit until something pops into your head for at least six hours a day. Heck I like to do it while my two older children are at school and husband is off teaching as it can be the only quiet-ish time that I get throughout the day. I also do not have to compete for the one working computer in my house.

Writing.com is also a great spot to go if you are looking for feedback from writers and readers alike. It is a somewhat free place to start but I would recommend a membership because you get more for your money that way. I personally have a Premium Membership and probably will never give it up. They have also made available a new feature called Inkspot.Com or if you want to see what I have done with this feature go to Melia Benjamin's Inkspot.com.

If you like or disike the changes please post comment, below. I would love to hear from everyone and don't forget to see me daily to get the newest articles I have published on the web and beyond.

A Few Articles I Have Published Online

I have a few new articles that I have currently published at: Triond.com.

They are:
1. Animals Can Help Through Tough Times
2. Rantings of an Author

Please take a quick read and click you like it at the end of the articles.

I also have recently submitted a revision to an article I wrote for Helium.com. The article I revised can be found at: Why Disabled People Should Knit or Crochet.

I have three other articles there as well which can be found by clicking on my name thus leading you to my bio and then click the article tab.

OPSU Won a Football Game

Yes, that is right The Aggies won a game against Southern Nazarene University's Crimson Storm. If you were not there for whatever reason you missed a great game especially since they had not won a game since 2004 when Ryan Held was head coach. Congrats to the team and to head coach Mike Wyatt for a great win and an entertaining game. Final score was 34-26. We started out great and had a touchdown during our first possession of the ball that boosted the spirits of the team because they had lost the first several games this season and many, if not all, of those on the team have never seen a win in a long time or at least during their time here at OPSU. By halftime we were still ahead (I think) and the spirits of not only the team but the fans were high. We struggled through the third quarter which ended with us down a point but we came back hard in the fourth quarter hard and managed to come back and win a game. I believe the team need to learn that yes, indeed, they can come from behind and win a game -- so it was a great learning experience for the team (and the fans).

 

Finding Other Avenues

While I wait for others to find my book: Sunrises and Crossword Puzzles, I am finding other places for my writing that will pay a few bucks here and there and get my name out into the public eye a little more. The place I found today is Triond.com from which I submitted one article today that I hope will be accepted (and published) soon. I also have a few articles at Helium.Com . Then of course I am still displayed prominently at: Writing.com.

I would really appreciate you taking a look at my stuff and giving me honest feedback.

Obama For President!

HE IS NOT A MUSLIM, according to Snopes.com: Who is Barack Obama? ... Yes, he did go to a Muslim school while living in Indonesia but then again that may have been the only good school for him to be in at the time considering where he was living. And yes, his father was a Muslim but after his parents divorced when he was two he never had contact with him or that side of the family again.

He grew up Christian! He is a Christian to this day and for those of you who claim that all he grew up Muslim and that they know some Muslims who converted to Christianity then in your eyes Obama should be okay as well.

Now for a little Shakespeare: [Romeo and Juilet: Act II,Scene II, line 33-49]

Juliet:O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo:[Aside] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?

Juliet:'Tis but thy name that is my enemy:
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot,
Nor arm nor face, [nor any other part]
Belonging to a man. O be some other name!
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet;
So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for thy name, which is no part of thee,Take all myself.

To this I guess I would like to say that if you stumble across his name and assume that just because he has a Muslim name he must be Muslim that is a misnomer. I certainly have a Hawaiian name but I am all White Anglo Saxon with Scottish, English and Irish roots. My name in Hawaiian means several things one such meaning is 'Merry' and another is a flower found on the islands. We are not always what we look like on the outside. If you were a true Christian you would accept others for who they are and not assume the worst because of outward looks.

Another Day

Is the week over yet, hehe! These are the weeks I can't wait for Saturdays so that I can get that extra hour of sleep. in the morning. Of course today was the day when not only I woke up earluy but so did the girls and that always makes for a long day and especially evening around this household. Once the girls get tired they can become almost unmanageable or at least act like wild animals rather than the good little girls they normally are during the day.

Judge in Florida says Baggy Pant Ban Unconstitutional

Yay! No, it is not the same as hair issues but the judge did agree that it was unconstitutional to ban the wearing of certain article of clothing just because it is aesthetically unpleasing to look at by the general public. The full article can be viewed here . This was in Revieria Beach, Florida although it is not the only city wanting or trying to make a similar ban with violators possibly ending up with a dollar fine, community service or jail time -- the other two mentioned in article are Dallas, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia. The ruling by the circuit court judge in Palm Beach, Florida I hope will thwart future bans that take away a persons right to wear what they want while on their own private time. I can certainly understand if the teenager (seventeen-year-old) was in school or whatnot but this kid was on the beach minding his own business when he was picked up by the police (yes, the teenager was found after being confronted with another infraction but even so he was not stopped for that).

Life is Good

And that means I will have no more babies that come directly from me that I would have to change the diapers and eventually potty train. I am official done. I have to say that this last child was the easiest and the least demanding. The one thing about her is that she is rather independent and hardly needs reminding. She is probably just trying to catch up to her older brother in every way possible. I guess my only hope is that school does not bore her to death thus having me be a home-schooler. Although the worst case scenario would be me having to send her to a school in Guymon so she can be educated in a GATE program -- I was actually worried that we would have had to put our son in one a few years back luckily we did not have to do such a thing.

The Weekend is Over

I am really glad because James was sick Friday and Saturday and I was about ready to kick him out of the house and get him a room and one of the hotels in Guymon. The thing about men getting sick that bugs me the most is that they turn into babies who cannot do a thing that they normally do. Having three kids we usually divide up chores around the house because one person doing everyting around the house is just not possible on a daily basis.

Bethany was also sick on Thursday with the same stomach gunk...I guess I am just glad that neither one of them threw-up there food because that is usually when I get really sick along with the family. I did get a stomach tumbling feeling, which was probably more psychosomatic sypathy pangs than anything.

The weekend is over though and everyone is better. No one is allowed to get sick in my house at least for a month or longer.

DONT Vote McCain

We will get Palin's Bad Blood or at least she will create all that she can according to the News From the Votemaster (Sept 14, 2008):

Palin's Record as Mayor in the Spotlight

Both the Washington Post and the NY Times have front-page stories today on how Sarah Palin governed Wasilla, AK, when she was mayor. WaPo: "Palin Cut Own Duties, Left Trail of Bad Blood." Times: "Throughout her career, Ms. Palin has pursued vendettas, fired officials who crossed her and blurred the line between government and personal grievance." Both stories were based on extensive interviews with Wasilla residents.

So please be reminded that when you vote for McCain you also get heer. She is not the woman in office that we need or want. This is not the years for a woman in office especial since she is the only woman in running at this time. Women please dont get caught up in the "First Woman Vice President" aspect because she is very scary and seems to hold grudges on others longer and stronger than needs to happen.

Revised Cover For Sunrises and Crossword Puzzles

I think I am really getting better at this maybe I should go into the publishing business or something. I devised up a new cover that I am rather happy with so I hope you like it to. Please go buy your copy today at Melia Benjamin's Storefront . If you already have I thank you!

I Know I Said I would Not Speak On Issue Again...

But I just can't sit on my hands and say nothing. I want to add my two cents worth in terms of giving something for those who think that the dress code stating a hair length is a good thing when it comes to boys and believes parents such as myself should shut-up and teach my kids to respect rules set by adults -- think about this: What if the shoe was on the other foot and the school board were to pass a dress code policy in school that boys had to have hair no shorter than the shoulder and would be sent home if dress code was not followed while giving the parents no right to appeal their child's case?

The parents, teachers and administration that claim that the dress code should include hair length etc because kids do not know how to groom themselves do not know my son or his parents well enough to know that he is sent out of this house perfectly cleaned (having just taken a shower before school) and keeps his hair brushed and out of his eyes. He does not wear baggie pants or have shirts with vulgar language or logos on them. If he did not leave the house presentable then he would definitely be sent to the beautician in a split second, by me, his mother. He is also an above average student and just last year finished his grade school years with a 4.0 GPA throughout most (if not all) of his elementary years.

Also, for those of you who want to say that the parents don't care and that we are uneducated a little investigation on the Internet will quickly result in you finding that my husband, A James Benjamin, Jr., Ph.D is a professor of psychology at Oklahoma Panhandle State University whose research has emphasis in behavioral science and especial aggression. I, personally, got a Master's in Social Work and although I do not use it in the workforce at this time, as I am trying to raise my children to become happy, healthy, well-rounded individuals that will be able to leave my house thinking for themselves . So what I guess I am saying is: Don't tell me or any other of the parents that we don't care because we stick our neck out for our kids' rights, in a small town such as the one I live in that is saying something. It definitely would have been a whole heck of a lot easier if we would have just told our son that he must get a hair cut because school says and leave it at that just not to create rifts but once we found out the constitutional rights the school was breaking we were not going to allow them to get away with the injustice.

The news articles from Associated Press and comments from readers can be found in at least two place on the Internet and probably more: Goodwell Schools Back Off Hair Standards(1) and Goodwell Schools Back Off Hair Standards (2). A similar article also made front page news in our local paper Hair Today, Hair Tomorrow . Again doing a cursory glance on http://Google.com will show that there are more places in which the AP article can be read, as well.

I will try and not speak on the issue anymore...But I promise nothing if I feel my character and my family's is being shot down by stupid comments by others insinuating that we don't care about our on children, etc. Appearance is just a part of a person but not everything. Besides a kid is going to have to conform to standards the rest of his life after he or she gets out of high school or college. The workforce is a very cruel world to live in let the kid have fun while he or she still can. Experimenting now is a good thing not a bad. Pre-teen and teenagers need to have room to find themselves within reason and as long as it is not physically or mentally harming others then what is the problem. If teachers are finding it hard to get past appearances and teach (which is their job) then maybe they need to get out of the school and find a new career path to follow...or teach at a private parochial school where strict codes are a standard.

What Daddy Will be Like (as His Girls Get Older)

Cleaning this Gun (Come on in Boy) by Rodney Atkins



OK, so my husband hates country music and of course would never have a shotgun or and of that but when I think of what he is going to be like when his little girls are teenagers and dates are coming to the door. He will definitely put the fear into any boy that comes around wanting to date his daughters.

Turned on Heater

It was so cold this morning that I had to turn on the heater for the first time since May. The tempature outside is in the fifties and inside my house when I woke up it was seventy-one degrees.

By the way I thought I would share a Marvin cartoon stri[e I found on: Seattlepi.com just click the link to the site for links to many more good Marvin stripes which never get old, in my opinion.

We Won!!!

The dress code has been ammended in the student handbook to make no mention of facial hair or hair length for boys (or girls). It just must be clean and neatly groomed. YAY!!! The one thing that this does not solve is the whole athletic issue related to hair. The consensus between James and myself is that is not a true issue for us but we would support the students and parents that do find this something they need to fight.

What Does Religion...

Have to do with running a country anyway? Ok, so after a stint on ABC News This Week Show on Sunday, September 7, 2008 he made a mix up, calling himself a Muslim, from which his father was a Muslim at one point in his life, people are now saying 'See he is Obama Osama' just because of the mix up. I hate to say it but not every Muslim is like Osama bin Ladin. In fact, many Muslims are very passive and would never associate themselves with those that associate with Osama bin Ladin.

Also, really why the paranoia. If Obama knows his politics, can deal with others, and is a faithful American then let him run the country. Why is it that so many believe that only a White Anglo Saxon Protestants can run the country, anyway. A person's religious beliefs are a very personal choice that should not be a sole reason not to vote for that very person.

All of this just reminds me of the battle I am fighting right here in the small community I live in and the battle I am having with something as stupid as hair length and facial hair.

Today is the Day

We may not know anything until late tonight but we will finally get an answer in regards to whether the School Board will retract their decision in regards to hair length and no facial hair or not. What I can say is that if they do not retract the two issues on their dress code then they will have several lawyers on their asses by the end of the week as several parents, including James and me, have threatened to take action with the help of an ACLU lawyer.

The school is not going to take the individuality away from my son. I certainly will not allow my son to be pigeon holed into becoming a jock because he certainly never will be and quite frankly jocks never impressed me too much. I was more into brains and what is underneath not how they look on the outside.

All I would ask the School Board members is to see my son and others like him as simply being who they really are and trying to find themselves. Just because they look different does not make them bad and automatically the cause of any disruption or delinquency. What I will say is that if you force something onto a pre-teen/teenager they will act out because they feel things have been away from them.

My last note is something I said all along: I expected the kids to be cruel to each other but I never expected the adults running the school to be the way they are, right now.

MEETING TONIGHT AT 7PM!!!

Yeah, a Few People Bought My Book

I am so excited that people are caring enough to buy something of mine. Sunrises and Crossword Puzzles is my baby and I am hoping that others will find it and buy it so that I can make enough money to supplement a little income for my family and thus allow my husband to relax a tad and not feel that he needs to work harder than a workhorse. I really do not want to get him so sick that he can no longer do what he has always wanted to do and the sole reason he went to school to further his educatio for so very long.

Issue is on Agenda (School Update)

The issue in regards to amending the dress code is on the School Board's Agenda for September 8th. It is listed as item number four and from what it sounds like they are planning to take action. Of course, around here you never know what hell the school board will try and do once in the meeting. Thankfully, they now have to bring up the issue and address the parents and students concerns because it is officially on the agenda.

I would love to give you a link to the actual agenda but it has yet to post on the school's website: Goodwell Public Schools. My guess is that it will not be posted until Monday when the school's computer science teacher is able to have enough time to add it there. It is the weekend and the only thing the state requires the School Board to do is to have it posted in the front window of the schools offices 48-hours ahead of time and in technical terms they have done just that so they are still Kosher where that is concerned.

Remember the meeting is again on September 8th at 7 p.m.

As I Look Over my Book...

I just want to say I wish I had an agent and editor but I guess this is the way to start and as many people already know anyone can publish on http://lulu.com... The main hope is that you enjoy the story and give me some feedback on the novel itself. I am personally sick of the story and really need imput on where to go from here. I have several other novels in the editting stage that I hope to publish (one way or another) soon. Peersonally, I would love to get help but I will have to wait until I can get money from this current book.

Remember Sunrises and Crossword Puzzles can be found at: Melia Benjamin's Storefront.

Sunrises and Crossword Puzzles

This a book I just published through http://lulu.com/ I would appreciate your support and please remember this is very self published book thus I promise little in terms of formal setting and style of print.

My Take on Everything Republican (ugh!)

Being a stay at home mommy I do have a say on Sarah Palin that is not favorable. I do not think she has what it takes to be a Vice President and what will happen if her 5-month-old boy does take a turn for the worst and she needs to step up her mom role ahead of her VP role. There is also the fact that there is a lot of travelling entailed in being a VP and that means that she may even miss her 17-year-old daughter's birth to Palin's first grandchild. As a parent I cannot understand how a mother could do such a thing. No my mom was not there when I gave birth to my three children yet I was much older, a teenager needs a parent at this time in her life, especially.

Oh, and by the way, look at how well abstinence education is working in her family. I am convinced that never works and that is why I am incredible honest with my children, as mentioned earlier -- the more they don't know or understand the more likely they will experiment and either become pregnant (or get the girlfriend pregnant) before they are able to handle the responsibility both mentally and economically. I do agree that abstinence is the best way to stay away from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases but abstinence only education does not teach the teenager the way to staying safe in case hormones do take over which often do in a heat of passion and especially in teenage and young adult love (or lust) no matter what your religion, race, or sexual preference (as well as disability).

Let's not forget the fact that she is an NRA supporter and was a part of the group who wanted to get Alaska seceded from the USA. What a great choice John McCain, NOT!

More reason for me to vote for Obama/Biden for President!

The Shear Fact

I am no longer a young adult. I got my first bout of heartburn and that simply sucks. I guess after three kids and more than enough sleepless nights over the last twelve and a half years it is bound to happen but still I don't feel old enough. If you ask me I still feel and look rather young and so how could this be happening? I am not allowed to get old, heck I am my own Mom's Baby!

Anyway, I know what you really want me to write about but there is nothing to say in terms of the school and school board in terms of the dress code. The next meeting is still set for September 8th at 7P.M. We are optimistic (or at least hopeful) that the school board sees and understands their wrong and changes the code yet again.