of a single girl

So I suppose I should start calling myself a woman since I will be turning 35 in less than 5 months. Depressing really . . .

I have been reading the "for teens by teens" book called 'Do Hard Things' by Alex and Brett Harris. It is really good for all of us I think. It challenges adolescence and explains how in the past there has only been two stages of life; childhood and adulthood. They explain how we really need to be taking on more responsibility earlier in life so that we can have a good foundation once we hit adulthood.

I think they are right on.

I interpret in two government classes at the high school where I work and it is amazing to me how it seems that the students in our public school districts, or at least mine, are being taught that the people with lots of money are bad and that the poor people are only that way because of potiticians that are fat, rich, white, men that hate women, all republicans of course. They are being taught that the liberal perspective is that people deserve as much freedom as we can snatch from the power hungry conservatives. Freedoms such as a woman's' right to choose, freedom to love whom ever you want, freedom from religious oppression, prayer in school is religious oppression in case you didn't know, freedom from poverty. That it is the governments job, according to Locke, to protect your right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This means "making sure you can be wealthy or have the opportunity to become wealthy." REALLY??? It seems to me that the government is trying to take the money away from the people who have earned it and is trying to give it to those who have not. They are not making sure that the students understand that money is not free. I wonder if their parents are helping since they are all from pretty wealthy families. Liberal families that support Obama. I don't get it. If they want to give money away why don't they want to choose where it goes.

I have to admit that I'm not sure we would make the hard decisions to actually give more money away if we weren't forced. In one of the political surveys we took there was a question about getting rid of welfare and only having private charities. What would you do?? I think most Americans, like we do now, turn our eyes so we don't have to see the need. I know I do that. There just seems to be so much of it and I hate to say it but I think that the welfare system causes some of it. Everything boils down to selfishness. I've been saying that for years because the older I get the more I experience that even in my own life.

It is a bit scary to me that the children are being taught that having no moral standard means "freedom." There is so much more to it than that. We discussed which is more important personal freedom or public protection. Well, I think the liberal would say public protection but all the "freedoms" they fight for are destroying this nation on a family level and in that way destroying people. How many broken people can one nation produce????

In the preparation for one of the classes I was reading about the fact that our republic is loosely based on the ancient Roman republic. It lasted 500 years. We are 200 years into ours and I confidently can say that I am pretty sure we will not last the 500. Not the way we are spending, encouraging complete moral anarchy, and killing the next generations. What will the next three generations say about us and learn about this time when it becomes history? It's something that I think about all the time. And since I'm getting old I might as well say it, what is this world coming to??

Getting back to the doing hard things. I wonder what outside my comfort zone thing God is calling me to? Not politics because those people piss me off. I'm pretty sure that will never change. Why is doing hard things such a slap in some peoples face? Why am I denying their rights if I expect a higher moral standard for their lives moreover one that will make them more happy, allow them to live life to the fullest, and give them the confidence to enjoy the liberty that they have? I wonder how many single moms on welfare feel like they live in a nation where they have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They have food stamps, yes. They have section 8 housing, yes. They get free education, yes. But are they happy? Are they proud of what they have accomplished in life? Do they feel free?

Whatever, these are just a fraction of my thoughts today. They may change tomorrow.

I am a bit overwhelmed with life. The weather is getting cold here and I have to fight depression, not real, every year at this time. I hate cold. WHY DO I LIVE HERE!?! Well, three reasons: Samara, Caleigh, and Ellianna.

later - Kari

Switching things up

I have been dreading the beginning of school (work) for about a month now. If you do the math that is about half of my summer. Doesn't make much sense but it's true none-the-less true. The reason was because I was going to have to figure out the new pecking order since the top interpreter dog retired and I offered to take some of her jobs. I work with a woman that likes to control things and people and I have this horrible rebellion to being controlled. Micro-managers are not my friends. I did not know if she would "allow" me to take over some of the responsibility of the other interpreter or not. Any how, when the year started, last week, I was prepared for a fight and refreshingly there has not been one. We all have had to work together to make even the beginning of the year successful since so many cuts were made. Not unreasonable cuts but still budget cuts. So far we are all still friends, 5 days and counting.

On the other hand, at home the little man (Oliver) has totally toned down since the last post. We made it over the 1 1/2 yr mark and even though he still needs a bunch of exercise he has not chewed anything up in awhile. He has graduated to the kitchen for his daily confinement and sometimes he gets out but just sleeps on the couch. I think he owns this place now. Other dogs that come to visit are under his authority, clearly, and if they try to even sniff his bones he lays the smack down. It's cute

I was biking the other day and the wind was so strong that I was sure if I stopped pedaling for awhile the wind would not only stop me but send the bike rolling in the opposite direction. On some roads the wind was not bad but then others it was a force to be reckoned with. The next day I decided to walk. Again, the wind was really strong on some streets and not on others. I got to thinking that is how life is. I had been discussing with a friend her job and she works in a christian school and all I could think was, "Wow, you have no idea how easy that environment must be compared to a public high school." It's true, working in a public high school and being a Christian is like walking/biking directly into the wind. I didn't like the dirt being blown into my face but at the same time it makes me a stronger person. The more I endure the forces of evil the stronger I get to once again show up to work the next day. I know there are challenges in any situation after all we are all human and there will always be conflict and God is sufficient to be with us through it.
The first week I already have had a teacher make fun of people that think they hear from God, calling them schizophrenic. A teacher asked his class if they supported welfare (good, liberal) or if they liked war and killing women and children (bad, conservative). I wonder, would your child who you taught to be responsible and love God have the guts to stand up to a teacher like that?? Or the fact that in the first week I talked to 3 girls about appropriate clothing and almost got MY butt chewed for it when none of the actual administrators even cared that we could see the underwear or bras. What is wrong with parents these days?? Who lets their daughters out the house looking like a whore???? Then blame the school for making her feel bad about her appearance. I am blown away by how strong parents will fight to make sure their kids have the lease amount of self-respect, self-worth, or conviction when they graduate from high school!

All I'm sayin' is that it would be nice to just take a walk on a nice sunny day with NO WIND. Just once in a while. Get it?? Then tell your daughter to pull her skirt down and your son to pull his pants up, Please.

Thanks and God bless :)