Thanksgiving Day and Every Day

Despite being overlooked by most commercial stores (other than grocery stores), Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. Most of what we were taught in elementary school about the first Thanksgiving is false. However, the main thrust of the day, giving thanks, is still a staple today.

Whether the day is celebrated with family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, or even alone, the main focus should be upon giving thanks to our Creator. It is He who sustains us and who remains in control.

Whether the food is home-made or prepared by someone else, we need to be thankful. Yet, this should not be the only day...once a year...that we remember to give thanks.

This year, I am thankful that I have memories of more abundant financial times in this country. I am thankful that I live in what is STILL the greatest country in the world. I am thankful that we have a system of government that gives me a voice and the ability to vote for a candidate to hold the highest position in our land.

I am eternally grateful that I have been born-again. God saw the need for a Savior and sent His son to save me. I am thankful that when my life on this earth is no more, I will be in Heaven - rejoicing with family and friends who have gone there before me.

It goes without saying that I am thankful for family and friends. We may not have it all together, but together, we have it all!

Write Wing Whacko: They Don't Know Better

Write Wing Whacko: They Don't Know Better

An excellent article by Jeremy Crow is linked above! I recommend it whole-heartedly. He is succinct in his interpretation of the Occupy Movement and points out the discrepancies in the Movement's agenda. Hmmm...hypocrisy is more like it. Must reading for all!

If you are Conservative, then you will more than likely agree with his views. If you are Liberal, then you will probably just call him a bunch of names. When one is losing an argument, one often resorts to name-calling. At that point, one has lost the debate.

Happy reading! :)

Giving Problems to God without Meddling

Wow! How many times do we "give" our problems to God only to snatch them back again? Like a child brings a toy to a parent to be fixed, so we take our problems to God. Then we "forget" that HE has the power to handle the problems and take them back upon ourselves. ("Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22 KJV and "Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

God doesn't need us to "meddle" with His Plan. He promises to work with what we give Him. Sometimes that isn't much because we end up taking matters into our own hands without waiting upon the LORD. ("But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

I pray that I won't meddle...

Derailed for good?

Okay. No matter what you think of Herman Cain...it seems that his contention for the Presidency may be coming to an end. According to a report on FNC, Cain has now slipped 11 points in the polls - leaving Romney and Gingrich tied for first.

I have liked Cain from his very first debate appearance. What saddens me is that, for many, the alleged sexual harassment has caused doubt about Cain's trustworthiness.

What do I think?

I think that it's awfully convenient that as soon as Cain soars in the polls, "victims" long since vanished into the woodwork suddenly start appearing. Do I believe the allegations? Not really...however, I wasn't there. The timing of the "coming forth" of these women leaves it quite suspect in my mind.

Many pundits were talking about a Cain vs. Obama showdown for the 2012 election. Hmmm. Now suddenly that most likely won't happen. Did Obama's camp have anything to do with this? (Uh oh...guess I'm now gonna get reported to AttackWatch...LOL)

With a Cain-Obama contest, where ever would Obama be able to insert race?

Just because I didn't vote for Obama in 2008 doesn't make me a racist. However, if you DID vote for Obama because he is "black," then you ARE a racist.

Why does the Left fear Cain?

Perhaps it's his no nonsense approach to solving our debt crisis. Having extensive experience in the business world, his way of creating solutions comes from a different perspective than career politicians. That scares people. To think that Cain, if elected, would change things from the status quo makes people nervous. I understand that people don't like change (and I don't mean Obama's kind)...but if we continue down the path we are on, there will be no United States of America left.

I have been hoping that Cain's campaign would recover from the supposed scandal, but I am not sure that it will. I still support Cain. It just goes to show you that it is easier to tear down a reputation than to repair one.

I am praying for you, Cain, as well as the rest of the candidates. (Yes, even Obama.) There are several that I don't feel I can support should Cain no longer be a viable candidate...but I do know we don't need Obama for a 2nd term.

In my opinion, we didn't need him for the first.

H.R. 822

This bill introduced in the House of Representatives is the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act. (For more information, visit: http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=7138)

We as American citizens have the right to bear arms (2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States). If a person has a permit to carry in one state, what is the point in not having that permit extend to the other 49 states?

Remember: Guns don't kill people. People kill people. Be responsible.

The Occupy Movement really needs to become UN-OCCUPIED

Okay. The violence at these "Occupy" rallies (or whatever they are being called) is getting ridiculously out-of-hand.

Earlier today, I watched a short video in which an innocent bystander was pushed down a flight of steps at the DC Convention Center. (http://nation.foxnews.com/occupy-wall-street/2011/11/06/conservative-vs-liberal-ideology-display-dc)

 What about the violence that erupted at a McDonald's in New York? The Occupy Wall Street protester wanted free food! (http://nation.foxnews.com/occupy-wall-street/2011/11/06/occupy-protester-trashes-mcdonalds-after-being-denied-free-food)

When is enough enough?

I guess if you ask an Occupy protester, he/she would probably state that this is just the beginning of a "movement."

I don't think these protesters will be satisfied until there is an equal distribution of assets in this country. That brings to mind the Bible verse 2 Thessalonians 3:10: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (NIV)

Sadly, these so-called movements occurring across the country are doing nothing but causing financial resources to be drained (since emergency personnel such as police officers and fire fighters are needed in greater numbers). Businesses can't open because of the crowds - and many of the owners are part of the "99%" that are supposedly being represented.

Whata bout the health impact? Are there adequate rest room facilities? Certainly it can't take long for those "Spot-a-Pots" to be filled. Perhaps the protesters are using the facilities of local businesses. Are those business owners (again, probably part of that magical 99%) being reimbursed by the movement for those added expenses?

Then there's the ecological impact on the environment. The trash left behind must be excessive...or are the protesters recycling? Wait...are they leaving a bigger carbon footprint?

Where are the protesters to protest against the protesters?

Political Correctness has gone TOO far!

Frankly, I am tired of individuals having to be concerned with being PC (politically correct).

It seems that lately in our country, the good ol' USofA, the desire of one individual overrules the desires of the remaining ninety-nine. What do I mean by that?

Let's look at some recent instances of this:

- Catholic University being sued for discrimination against Muslim students for not providing a Catholic icon-free area for them to offer their daily prayers (although it should be noted that it is a professor that has instigated the law suit and not students). http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Suit_Accuses_Catholic_U__Of_Discrimination-132908343.html

- Walt Disney company will not release "Song of the South" (1946) due to the fear that some blacks ("African Americans") might be offended at the content of the movie despite the fact that the Uncle Remus stories (upon which the movie is based) are set AFTER the Civil War and the abolition of slavery.
http://www.songofthesouth.net/faq/index.html

- Five students in a California high school were sent home when they refused to remove their USA flag t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo (a Mexican holiday) because the shirts were deemed to be "incendiary"
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/06/california-students-sent-home-wearing-flags-cinco-mayo/

- In Maine, because a 12 year-old "transgendered" male was denied use of a female bathroom, the Maine Human Rights Commission proposed to ban the divisions between gender in schools (bathrooms, sports, etc.). Due to mounting pressure, the proposal was retracted.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/15/maine-commission-shelves-ban-gender-specific-bathrooms-sports-teams-schools/

- The government refused to act on the "red flags" exhibited by one of the Army's psychiatrist because of fear that there would be an accusation of "profiling."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33678801/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/gunman-kills-wounds-fort-hood/#.TriIrEOXu7s

The above examples are just several that came to this writer's mind while writing this blog post. There are many more and readers should feel free to comment accordingly on this blog - sharing their examples.

However, perhaps comments should be "reviewed" and "monitored" by some kind of Language and Thought Police. After all, that's what it seems that it has come down to...

The Liberal Left has no problems convicting one of the current GOP candidates of sexual harassment (despite no conclusive evidence) while giving our current President and former President a pass in this area. And no...I did not have a sexual relationship with the owner of this blog site. Besides, I burned the dress.

Speaking of our current President, for goodness sake, don't say anything negative about him. Otherwise, www.AttackWatch.com lurkers may just see to it that men in dark suits and sunglasses show up at your door.

It is this writer's opinion that political correctness has run a muck. Is it any wonder that our youth are confused?

BLOG CORRECTION

Being new to blogging, I accidentally had a parameter setting which forced someone to register with Google before being able to comment. I have discovered the error and there is no longer that need.

Feel free to leave comments and express your opinion.

Thanks!

-ZanieLadie-

Cain Train Screeching to a Halt?

What's up with all of these accusations that are surfacing about GOP Presidential contender Herman Cain? Shhh. We can't talk about it. The women want to remain anonymous. Isn't that special?

Don't misunderstand. I think sexual harassment does occur in the workplace and frankly, I find it disgusting. Just go to work, do your job, and then leave. But in this case, I wonder about the validity of the claims. "Inappropriate comments" were supposedly made. I wasn't there, so I don't know. What I do know is that my support of Cain 2012 hasn't waivered. I guess it hasn't for others either since Cain's fund raising contributions have increased over the last 48 hours.

From news accounts, it seems that the one alleged "victim" really doesn't want to speak about the incident - but her lawyer does. Oh that's shocking. Another lawyer running his/her mouth on television.

Cain shared one comment that he had made to the aforementioned employee and it involved stating that she was about the same height as his wife. HORRORS! No wonder the woman was upset! Just hearing about it has traumatized me for life and forced me into intensive therapy.

That's considered sexual harassment?

Having experienced TRUE sexual harassment on the job, Cain's comment garners no tissues for me. I am so sick of all of the PC crap out there where people are afraid to even look at one another lest the "look" be misconstrued.

Perhaps we all need to lighten up a little bit and stop crying "wolf" when it's really just a dog. That...or wrap ourselves in bubble wrap and walk around without looking or speaking to one another.

 You decide.

As for me, I believe bubble wrap is made for popping and not wearing as articles of clothing.

Living with a Family Member who has a Mental Illness

Sometimes "madness" hits home. It isn't easy living with a loved one who has a mental illness. Over time, the "walking on eggshells" can have a negative impact upon the health of the rest of the family members. Depending upon the illness, there may be outbursts of aggression or anger that really increase the stress of everyone involved.

While there is a lot of stigma associated with mental illness, violence doesn't always go hand-in-hand with it. Some of the circulating information out there is inaccurate. That hurts those with the illness(es) AND the family members.

Life isn't always easy. God never promised an "easy" life, just one in which He will be with us. I have personally lived with an individual for almost 19 years who suffers with several mental health conditions: my son.

This son is not an only child, but he is the one that has caused me the most stress. It is hard sometimes to distinguish between the illnesses and and chosen behavior. As a result, parents have to walk that fine line when it comes to consequences and discipline.

As a reader of this blog, I am hopeful that YOU will be empathetic to those families dealing with mental illness. In my own experience, I cannot list the number of times that bystanders (while witnessing an outburst from my child), would make negative comments about my assumed parenting skills (or more likely, the lack thereof).

One incident that I will share occurred when my son was around 8 years old or so. We had exited a store and were heading to my vehicle. Something (and I don't recall what) "set" him off. Next thing I knew, he was kicking a store trashcan that was attached to the pavement while screaming that I was a b****. People stopped and stared. (My other kids probably wanted to melt into the cement...although by this time in our lives, occurrences like this were quite frequent.)

One woman mockingly stated, "I can't believe that she allows her child to talk to her that way." (Her exact words--I will probably never forget them.) Now...most of the time, I would have simply ignored the chitter chatter among the witnesses. This time, however, something really rubbed me the wrong way.

While my son lay kicking and screaming on the ground, I stood up, turned towards the woman making the comment and stated: "Oh yes. It was always my childhood dream to have a son so that he could call me a b****."  I then had my other children assist me in grabbing my son by the arms and legs - "helping" him to the car.

I have no idea what that woman thought of my comment and I didn't care. In fact, to this day, I don't care.

The incidents are endless. I even had someone call the police on me in Wal-Mart. Nothing like hearing "Security, report to the [...] department" over the store's PA system. Yup. I just waited for them to arrive. (Nope. I refused to make a hasty exit from the store. I just sat on the floor and waited.) Local police did appear. Meanwhile, I had one of my other children retrieve the 4 inch binder from my vehicle that included ALL of the hospital admission/discharge papers, receipts from therapist/psychiatrist appointment co-pays, and school IEP records pertaining to my son.

In the end, the people hovering around waiting for me to be arrested or whatever it is that they wanted to witness were disappointed. The police officers told everyone to disperse. However, who knows what emotional toll and impact incidents such as these had on my other children. Praise the Lord, they are mentally-healthy adults now. My one son (about whom I am writing), sadly, is not.

After the incident with the comment by that judging female, I changed my tactic. I made some little cards (using my printer) that read: "What you are witnessing is a child suffering with bi-polar disorder. It is an ugly disease over which he has no control. It affects millions of children nationwide and leaves emotional scars on the entire family. Please consider making a contribution to NAMI [website listed] to assist in finding better treatments for this disease."

Instead of making comments back to the gawking people staring while my son had his outbursts, I simply handed out the cards. That usually shut them up quickly. Asking for money usually does. I wonder if anyone ever made a donation.

I pray for my son daily. For whatever reason, God has chosen at this time not to remove the problems that plague him. I STILL deal with his daily angry outbursts. I am experiencing one as I type this post.

I could go on and on with this topic, but I will close this post. Perhaps I will re-visit it again soon. For now, I have to go "deal" with his latest "issue."

For more information about bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website: www.nami.org. You can also find support networks in your area via this site. Remember: You are NOT alone.