Thursday, August 26, 2010

You knew this was coming...

This may ruffle a lot of skirts, but it's just something that has been festering deep down. A lot of people are outraged about the Mosque at Ground Zero. Personally, I don't think it's the best place for it. But by no means would I not allow someone to worship and pray, even if it's a religion I don't agree with.
I am a follower of Christ. I have been since a child. I was raised in a United Pentecostal church. As I grew older, I disagreed with the way some people were treated, tossed aside, and made to feel like they weren't worthy. So I stopped going. But I never lost my faith in GOD, which is the way to Heaven. A lot of people forget, that God sees everything you do, every lie you tell. The Pastor and churchgoers may not, but they are not your Salvation.
I've noticed on the news, in blogs, and mostly facebook, that it's the Christian population who are against the Mosque. I thought Christ said to love everyone. Love them despite their sins, despite their faults. It's mostly Christians I see on facebook who jokingly talk about killing the president. Obama is not my favorite political leader, but America elected him into office, and I believe that whether you like him or not, he should get respect. If you don't like the way the leader of America runs America, then leave. Go to another country, so the citizens there can complain about all the "illegals taking their jobs".
I've been called a lot of things. Unpatriotic, un-Christian like, a hypocrite...but I don't understand how my fellow Christians can preach tolerance and unconditional love, and then do the opposite. In my personal, non mattering opinion, I think the fear of the Islamic and Muslim religions, will eventually lead to a Nazi like event. Men and women, in America, are being attacked and killed just for being "non Christian". Yes, America was founded on Christian beliefs, and I think that is wonderful. But Christ was taken out of schools, the work place, and most of society. People have been fired for wearing cross necklaces to work, and children expelled for having a Bible.
I don't understand. Is this One Nation Under God, or not? Is using the name of God only when it's convenient acceptable?
People come here because this is the land of tolerance. But being told, "if you stay here you have to worship the way we tell you" is preposterous to me.
I am not supporting a Mosque, I am supporting Christian tolerance. I don't think Jesus died for everyone to use His name as an excuse for fear.

~
These are the comments that I have received so far. I was overwhelmed. I expected hate mail.

S.O.- "Wow, great personal insight. I didn't have much to say about this mosque until I heard that they wanted to do the dedication of the ground on 9/11. Now, that's taking it way too far, don't you think?"

C.B.- "Go Lisa! I agree that that mentality goes completely against the teachings of Jesus!! Love thy neighbor, judge not, and let he without sin cast the first stone."

D.B.- "I read and I agree. I might not believe the way they do, but I will respect them. But, it should be built somewhere else."

K.F.- "This is a free fuckin country. Yeah, a mosque at ground zero is n bad tastes, but u can't deny housing b/c of race/relegion etc etc. Those folks need to get over it. Watch those Muslim bastards like a hawk, but get over it"

J.H.- "Ugh I hate that shit too....I agree with you."

T.W.- "I'm not offended :)...I completely understand ....although I am against the Mosque, I see what you are saying about christian intolerance,,love ya"

S.G.- "Lisa,

I would never think anything like that of you. In fact, I think that's why you feel the way you do...you have a HUGE heart, and you ARE more tolerant than most of us. I am like you, I don't believe that's where a mosque should go either...and NOT just because it's been MOSTLY muslims that have attacked us in several times, OR because of the simple fact they are Muslims. I've done some research that makes me VERY angry as to why they want to put it there to begin with, and, where the developer, Al Sharif whatever has gotten the money when just a few years ago he was waiting tables. BUT, that's my opinion, and I am not a hater either, just like I KNOW you're not.
The devil is working overtime. All I can say is God help us all !
I love you!"

M.G.- "I don't feel we should hate because others believe differently."

J.H.- "I am a tolerant christian ((((hugs)))) and I have friends of many diff religious backgrounds. I have love for all. WWJD"

S.W.- "Well put Lisa. Everyone has their own opinion about what you said. The only reason anyone would feel offended is due to the fact that just maybe their little toes got stepped on. Guilt and conviction is a tough matter to deal with sometimes. However, that was not your intentions by no means. I liked what you said and it is all true. I usually read and delete these types of mail and just keep my mouth shut but I really liked this one. I am proud of you for sharing what you think on this matter. If everyone would follow along and do the same, maybe the world would be a better place. I love you. Always have and always will."

M.R.- "Good Lord. Sorry people are being asshats. I compelely agree with you- I made the mistake of playing Devil's Advocate on this topic in someone else's post on FB and got reamed myself. People don't think. Do I think it's the best place to build a mosque? No. Do I think they have every right to do so? Absolutely. It's this great thing about our country called "Religious Freedom". I don't want the government dictating where ANY religion is allowed to build their place of worship... if that was started it would be a very slippery slope.

Not to mention that as a whole Muslim/Islam is a very peaceful religion. It's the EXTREMISTS who are the whack-jobs. Every religion has them- even (gasp) Christianity. Google "Christian Terrorists" and you'll see for yourself. Have the 2 passages you've ever seen of the Quran prove it's a religion of hate, death and destruction? Have you read passages from the Old Testament? It would be just as easy to take our passages out of context and start a terrorist group that performs acts in the name of "Christianity".

I know I'm preaching to the choir, Lisa. It just really makes me mad that people jump on a bandwagon based on their first impression. THINK PEOPLE. With your own brain- not the mentally disabled brains of Fox News and CNN."

J.B.- "i agree with u 100%...."

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Family fun :)

I'm sitting in the car line at Thompson High School with nothing to do but wait, and I was reminded of an essay my niece had to do for her S.E. Class. She had to name some places she's went for vacation, who she went with, and what the one memory that sticks out the most was.
She put:
Tennessee- I went with my Aunt Bec, Pop, Tracy and Vic.
Florida- I went with my mom and daddy.
Louisiana- I went my Aunt Lisa.

Her "fond" memories:
Tennessee was pretty and I got to see horses in a show.
Florida I got to go to the beach.
Louisiana I was so hungry. Her mom didn't have any food.


I lol'd SO hard!! We ate out every meal, and just snacked during the day at home. I guess she's not used to that. It made my mother's day when I told her. :)
Sent from my BlackBerry® by Boost Mobile

Maybe she's smiling because we had just ate at El Nopal!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Karma is biting a big ol' chunk....

The saying "what goes around, come around" is definitely biting me in the rump today. When I worked the Return Desk as Lowe's, I admit I was mean to people. Not all the people, just the ones who stole stuff and tried to return it. Or the people who bought it all on their Visa, and want the refund on their Mastercard, so they can pay that bill off (the poodle lady). And the guy who bought $100 worth of Behr paint, and when I explained it was a Home Depot brand, he wanted us to give him the money, and US to take it back to Home Depot. Yeah, those people I was mean to.
I know I blogged yesterday about the bus driver, which I finally got over, but today I went on my quest to find the Febreze with Gain stuff that just came out. I left early, Target hadn't opened yet, so I went to Walmart, since that's the only place I have seen the Gain dish detergent. I found my loot, got some other stuff, and left. ONLY for Gain Febreze would I willingly get out in a monsoon. By the time I got to the car, threw the junk in the trunk (heehee), drove home in a downpour, unloaded in a downpour, I realized the cashier, who was a trainee, forgot to give me my other bag. My fault, I should've checked. I called the store, the lovely Customer Service lady answered, and I asked her if anyone had turned in a bag, she put me on hold for about 10 minutes, and said it wasn't at the desk, and it wasn't at the register. Pretty much told me tough tit.
So as usual, I call my mother, she tells me to go back up there and get my stuff. Granted it just had a few dollar items I could live without, it really wasn't worth getting back out in the rain. UNTIL I saw my Gain candle wasn't here.DANGER! DANGER! So fine, I trod back up there, went right to the register, and there was my bag. The C.S. lady had LIED! She didn't walk her fat ass over there and look! And that's not a derogatory remark, her butt was as big as my own.
So, I am home now, smelling up my Gain candle.
Mean Customer Service Lady....
My loot

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Monotony at its finest

Not much has been going on lately. I decided to catch up on some reading, but I tend to get bored with a book, no matter how good it is, so I decided to try a reading roulette. I read 1 section (there are no chapters) of the book I am currently reading, Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult, then 2 days worth of Scriptures from my Bible reading plan (because I am a month behind), 2 chapters of Harry Potter (so I can reread the entire series), and 2 or 3 chapters of another one of my favorite books, The 5 Greatest Warriors, by Matthew Reilly.
I made a list, of course, so I don't get confused, and so far I've finished the 1st Potter, and almost done with the 2nd, I am just a few days behind on Scriptures, 5 sections left for Vanishing Acts, and almost done with 5GW.
My OCD geeky list
I don't know how well this will do when I have more than one book that I haven't read, and how my attention span will hold, but I like doing this. I wish I would have been more thorough when I was in school.

This is what my table looks like all the time.

I was worried all summer about my niece's first day of high school. She isn't one to welcome change, and has had the same teaching aids since early elementary, so I figured her first day she would bust out crying and I would have to go get her. But so far, it's been good. Her Aunt Deb has been taking her and picking her up lately, so yesterday was the first day I had to pick her up, and I didn't know where to go, because being in Special Ed, she doesn't interact with the rest of the students, just the ones in her class. I went to the area that Deb told me to go to, but when I got to the door she was supposed to come out of, I noticed that was the bus line. There were no teachers or other drivers around, so I was going to wait until I saw someone, and then ask. I saw the S.E. bus pull up, I was going to get out and ask her, but I saw another bus coming, so I waited. He pulls up next to me, and said "I need to park my bus right there", and I said "I'm sorry, I was just wondering..", and he cut me off, saying "I don't care about that, I SAID I need to park my bus RIGHT THERE!!". Normally, this is when Towanda kicks in and I start yelling back, but it caught me off guard. I just drove off. I sat in student parking for about 2 minutes, and THEN Towanda kicked in. I was going to confront him about me just trying to ask a question, since I was in a new place. But I never saw him. I did ask the S.E. bus driver, and she said I was in the right place, just the wrong end, and that the disabled children came out of one door, and the mentally challenged the other.
So now I know.
Asshole driver.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Love Defined

"If you love me, obey my commandments."
—John 14:15

What is love? The Beatles recorded the classic song on the subject, "All You Need Is Love," and then they broke up and sued each other. Various philosophers have expressed opinions on love as well. Plato said that love is a serious mental disease. Oliver Wendell Holmes, who was more optimistic on the subject, said, "Love is the master key which opens the gates of happiness." Another said, "Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence."

We are given probably the greatest definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

The Bible clearly tells us that God is love. We don't have a greater example of love than what we have in God's showing His love for us. And we find the definitive statement on love in John 3:16: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." So how should we respond? We ought to love Him back.

We can talk all day about love and how much we love God. We can sing about our love for God. We can speak about our love for God. But probably the best way to show our love for Him is by what we do. Jesus said, "If you love me, obey my commandments" (John 14:15).

Monday, August 9, 2010

I always knew I liked Doc Robbins......

Robert A. Hall plays Dr Al Robbins (the coroner) on CSI.
(I checked this out on snopes.com to verify he did in fact write this before I posted)

"I'm 63 and I'm Tired"
by Robert A. Hall


I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.


I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.


I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.


I'm tired of being told how bad America is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China, the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for Christian people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela.


I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.


I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.


I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.


I'm tired of a news media that thinks Bush's fundraising and inaugural expenses were obscene, but that think Obama's, at triple the cost, were wonderful; that thinks Bush exercising daily was a waste of presidential time, but Obama exercising is a great example for the public to control weight and stress; that picked over every line of Bush's military records, but never demanded that Kerry release his; that slammed Palin, with two years as governor, for being too inexperienced for VP, but touted Obama with three years as senator as potentially the best president ever. Wonder why people are dropping their subscriptions or switching to Fox News? Get a clue. I didn't vote for Bush in 2000, but the media and Kerry drove me to his camp in 2004.


I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.


I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.


I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I damn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.


I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military ... Those are the citizens we need.


I'm tired of latte' liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.


I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois, where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years, not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.


I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.


Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.


I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.


Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.


Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

A few rules.

1.Never stop thinking. This is important. If someone ever says to you ‘You need to stop thinking so much,’ call them ignorant in your head and keep thinking deeper. It is this mentality that breeds stupidity and sheeple. Your mind is the most important tool you have, if you stop using it, it will atrophy. Question everything.

2. Stare into space blankly and don’t mentally punish yourself for doing it, even if it is for that split second. If you have a problem with staring blankly, think of it as daydreaming.

3. Root Beer sucks after having spicy food.

4. Everything is going to be just fine. If you worry about acne, you’re going to get a pimple.

5. Don’t be afraid to talk about anything. You shouldn’t be afraid of reality.

6. Everyone is a hypocrite.

7. You are all original. Every life experience is case sensitive and unique. Every time you wake up or go to the bathroom or quote someone else, you are becoming more you than anyone has ever been.

8. Do pointless things. Don’t actively restrain or hide yourself from the redundant.

9. Stop rushing. Shut up and embrace the sound of silence.

10. Religion shouldn’t be taught, it should be found. No one should tell you what to believe except you. And while were on the subject…

11. Don’t be restrained by one religion. People change every moment of everyday. Minds grow and evolve. Religion has no law so feel free to mix and match. Make your own.

12. Going to the bathroom is not a right nor a privilege. it’s an act of nature.

13. Talking to yourself is healthy. Is there anyone that you have more in common with?

14. There is no such thing as time. The sun never sets or rises. Days and years don’t exist. There is only your life. Earlier today you were born and death is predicted later in the evening.

15. We will always be in a transitional phase. Look outside and know that everything will be replaced at some point. This existence is temporary.

16. Its not half empty or half full. Its half a glass.

17. Every now and then take something that you see everyday and try to see it in a different light. Renew its existence.

18. Be happy, but don’t force it.

19. You will always succeed in trying.

20. We are all crazy. Every person you read about in the history books had some kind of ‘disorder’, they just knew how to use it.

21. We are all about as similar as we are different.

22. Ideas are just as valuable as people. Why do you think we keep making people?

87. Numbers don’t have to go in order.

24. Words will always be just words. Love is just another four letter word, only the feeling is real.

25. Ask a child for advice. They may not know much, but they know what is important.

26. Prove you’re alive. Do anything from dancing in the supermarket to screaming ‘ASS’ during a moment of silence. Remind the world you are still here.


27. Don’t take anything, even this, too seriously.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Make Your Own Slippers (It’s Easy and Fun)

Here's how you can make your very own pad slippers.

Step 1. Get some pads. This may be a little harder for the guys, but just ask the girlfriend for some. Shouldn't be a problem.

Step 2. Open the packaging and take one out.

Step 3. Fold the ends on both sides.

Step 4. Now slide the folded pad onto another unfolded pad. Use the built in adhesive to make sure they stay together. This part might be a little tricky if you've never used a pad before.

Step 5. Add additional padding to the bottom to make it nice, soft, and extra absorbent in case you are walking through a swamp.

Step 6. Put glue on top of the previously folded pad.

Step 7. Add beautiful decorations.

Step 8. Wear your new pad slippers with style, comfort, and pride.








--
Sent from my BlackBerry® Curve Smartphone
--
~Lisa Scarbrough Alexander

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Turtle Burgers

thanks Nathan!!!

WOW!!! Only in Louisiana - Turtle Burgers

Here's a new twist on how to serve burgers and if you don't cook, give this handy little guide to someone that does and request them.



Handmade ground beef patties, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, wrapped in a bacon weave, then the next step, add hotdogs as the heads, legs with slits for toes and tail.

Next step. Place on an oven rack, covered loosely with foil and baked for 20-30 minutes at 400 degrees. A little crispy, not too crunchy...just how a turtle should be, no?

Sunday, August 1, 2010

my night stalking Dale Murphy

This July has been amazing for me! First I get to see my all time favorite band, Little Texas, and tonight I got to see my childhood hero, Dale Murphy. Call it social awkwardness, but I knew if I stood in line to get an autograph or picture, I would end up saying something stupid. I would be Forrest Gump meeting President Kennedy. So I made sure we had good seats, so I could snap a few pics when he threw out the first pitch. It went well, I was happy.
Scott made sure we bought programs when we walked through the gates, because last time he discovered they gave away prizes if your program number was called.
Around the 4th inning, he said he would be right back he had to go to the restroom. I thought "yeah right he's gonna hit up the snack bar". So 15 minutes go by, still no Scott. Then, on the big screen, they posted the numbers for winning program #2, and mine won! I had no idea where to take it, and still no Scott! Now I was getting antsy wondering where he was. But I didn't call him, in case he was in a bathroom stall...
So a couple of innings go by, and they call out the next winning program..it was Scott's!!! The man behind me told me to play the lottery. He told me where to take them to claim my winnings, and Scott arrives. Before I could "DUDE WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN" him, he said he had been waiting in line to get me an autograph, but there was a cut off line. I said "aww, that's okay.." he cut me off, and showed me the ball and said (dramatically) "too bad I was in front of it"..I about passed out in front of 10,000 people. He also got a couple of pics while he was in line. Apparently, he had been planning on it all day..
He said when he got to him, he told him "this is for my wife, she is a huge fan, but was too nervous to come", and he replied "well tell her thank you very much, I appreciate it, and thank you for coming out today", and Scott said "then he shook my hand", I said "OH MY GOD WHICH HAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", LOL.
We collected our loot (2 shirts and around $40 worth of vouchers), sat down, the Biringham Barons were winning, it was the Top of the 8th. He said "I'm thirsty", I said "I am too, lets go". So we hijacked it outta there, beat traffic, and went to Sonic. The Barons ended up winning 6-1, which keeps my streak perfect when attending professional baseball games, the team I root for always win. I should probably attend more Braves games.
oh!!
AND!!! Elliott Sadler won in Pocono today. I've been a fan for a couple of years, and his is the first win I have got to see!!!
I am not a very emotional person, I tend to keep my feelings (of love and joy) locked inside, I don't like showing my "sensitive" side. When Scott and I got home, I was still gawking at the ball, and he picked it up and said "do you know why I did this?" I was expecting him to point downward, like he does every time I ask him to do something, typical man, and I said "why", and he said "because of that". I said "what", and he said "your smile. To see you smile". I sat for a second, then started yelling at him for making me tear up.
Son of a %^&*#!
~

^^^^^
After you sit in the direct 99° Alabama sun, literally soaking in your own sweat, and eating 2 slices of pizza, this is what your picture will look like :)