My Country Tis of Thee...Sweet Land of Liberty

I love America! I'm not ashamed to say it! I'm not prejudice against others! I don't think we have a monopoly on the world and it is our job to run it! I love my country! In Afghanistan, women are not allowed the freedom of being educated. In Africa, women do not own bras! They also slave away in the dirt for hours with babies strapped to their backs. In so many countries, people are slaughtered, dictated to, treated with contempt, belittled, starved, forced to practice religions that are full of sorcery and superstition, basically, people are suffering in ways that Americans cannot truly relate to. We are a blessed people. Blessed to be able to have the freedom to be literate. To be literate, to be well-educated, that is power. Through education, one is able to make decisions for oneself, rather than to be dictated to by someone else. Education is freedom. Through knowledge, we find our gifts, our talents, our purpose. We are blessed to be able to have the opportunity to find our gifts, our talents, our purpose. I want everyone to stand up and cheer, "I love America!" And I want everyone to stand up and salute a soldier who has made our blessings possible...they deserve our prayers, our respect, our gratitude. Happy 4th of July, America!

Ahhh Shucks...

Well, one of my dearest friends, Johnna, has a super duper talented sister who has a super duper fantastic blog where she writes amazing things. I was so honored when she asked me if she could interview me for her "Mommy Mondays" posting. I read it on the big screen, so to speak, and it was...emotional. It's weird that you live your life, your life, not as a spectator but as a participant, and suddenly, when you view it as a spectator, it's so weird. My story is mine. I shared it. Weird. But good too. Cleansing. Amber wrote about pulling weeds within her spirit a few weeks ago, and writing down the answers to her questions felt very cleansing. I don't allow myself to grieve very often. I didn't realize I needed to grieve, it's been awhile. I miss my husband. I miss his friendship. I miss our family being completed and protected. There I've said it. Enough of that for awhile! Thanks, Amber, I really needed that!

True Confessions

How many times have you seen the words in the title to this post or heard them spoken, and suddenly, you leaned in a little closer to hear the dirt about...who knows what! Well, here it is, my true confession: I really LOVE the song "I've Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas! Can't get enough of it! Even loaded it onto the blog site I created for my middle school students! They're starting to get sick of it. "I don't care," I say! It gets me moving and moving and moving! And I really need to get moving! I know, it's not like a confessed to robbing a bank or something, but it is a confession nonetheless.

Okay, so the new puppy is insanely adorable and is biting everything in site...irritating but puppy. Our 50lb. dog is terrified of her which is hysterical because the puppy is about the size of a water bottle. Not sure about Wilbur (thanks for the name, Amber) yet, still contemplating the eviction of my home owner's association and if it'll be worth it!

New News:
I decked out my chicken coop! At first, I thought I would spend $500 on a brand new coop that was made in the image of a red barn...too cute...but get real...$500! Have I completely lost it? Almost! I was moments away from complete regret. I mean really, what was I thinking? Last year, I created a coop out of old farm house window screens and old fence wood. Too cute. But it leaks, and it is a little small for my 5 portly hens. So, what did I do you are wondering? Well, I added a fenced in play yard and cut a chicken door (doggy door) in the screen, and now my portly ladies can go inside and outside at will! They are so happy! They are taking dirt baths and nesting and making happy sounds! Not only did I improve their life, but I also completely beautified the coop with galvanized tubs full of flowers, pots full of flowers, a bird house, a lantern, gosh, it's super dee duper cute!