Sunday, October 25, 2009

Rules for Raising Children

An old friend had emailed me the gist of this article back in 1999, and another good friend reminded me of it just today, wondering where she could find it since she was thinking it quite appropriate to start teaching her nearly 2 year old son. :) Her query made me go in search of it, and although I found the hard copy of the original email, I also found the expanded , and apparently original, version online. So I am posting it for your amusement, even if you don't have children, but especially if you do. :)

Laws Concerning Food and Drink; Household Principles; Lamentations of the Father

Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cereal grains, of the corn and of the wheat and of the oats, and of all the cereals that are of bright color and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the quiescently frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the living room. Of the juices and other beverages, yes, even of those in sippy-cups, you may drink, but not in the living room, neither may you carry such therein. Indeed, when you reach the place where the living room carpet begins, of any food or beverage there you may not eat, neither may you drink.

But if you are sick, and are lying down and watching something, then may you eat in the living room.

And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as they were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination to me. Yes, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke. Drink your milk as it is given you, neither use on it any utensils, nor fork, nor knife, nor spoon, for that is not what they are for; if you will dip your blocks in the milk, and lick it off, you will be sent away. When you have drunk, let the empty cup then remain upon the table, and do not bite it upon its edge and by your teeth hold it to your face in order to make noises in it sounding like a duck; for you will be sent away.

When you chew your food, keep your mouth closed until you have swallowed, and do not open it to show your brother or your sister what is within; I say to you, do not so, even if your brother or your sister has done the same to you. Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food; neither seize the table between your jaws, nor use the raiment of the table to wipe your lips. I say again to you, do not touch it, but leave it as it is. And though your stick of carrot does indeed resemble a marker, draw not with it upon the table, even in pretend, for we do not do that, that is why. And though the pieces of broccoli are very like small trees, do not stand them upright to make a forest, because we do not do that, that is why. Sit just as I have told you, and do not lean to one side or the other, nor slide down until you are nearly slid away. Heed me; for if you sit like that, your hair will go into the syrup. And now behold, even as I have said, it has come to pass.

Laws Pertaining to Dessert

For we judge between the plate that is unclean and the plate that is clean, saying first, if the plate is clean, then you shall have dessert. But of the unclean plate, the laws are these: If you have eaten most of your meat, and two bites of your peas with each bite consisting of not less than three peas each, or in total six peas, eaten where I can see, and you have also eaten enough of your potatoes to fill two forks, both forkfuls eaten where I can see, then you shall have dessert. But if you eat a lesser number of peas, and yet you eat the potatoes, still you shall not have dessert; and if you eat the peas, yet leave the potatoes uneaten, you shall not have dessert, no, not even a small portion thereof. And if you try to deceive by moving the potatoes or peas around with a fork, that it may appear you have eaten what you have not, you will fall into iniquity. And I will know, and you shall have no dessert.

On Screaming

Do not scream; for it is as if you scream all the time. If you are given a plate on which two foods you do not wish to touch each other are touching each other, your voice rises up even to the ceiling, while you point to the offense with the finger of your right hand; but I say to you, scream not, only remonstrate gently with the server, that the server may correct the fault. Likewise if you receive a portion of fish from which every piece of herbal seasoning has not been scraped off, and the herbal seasoning is loathsome to you, and steeped in vileness, again I say, refrain from screaming. Though the vileness overwhelm you, and cause you a faint unto death, make not that sound from within your throat, neither cover your face, nor press your fingers to your nose. For even now I have made the fish as it should be; behold, I eat of it myself, yet do not die.

Concerning Face and Hands

Cast your countenance upward to the light, and lift your eyes to the hills, that I may more easily wash you off. For the stains are upon you; even to the very back of your head, there is rice thereon. And in the breast pocket of your garment, and upon the tie of your shoe, rice and other fragments are distributed in a manner wonderful to see. Only hold yourself still; hold still, I say. Give each finger in its turn for my examination thereof, and also each thumb. Lo, how iniquitous they appear. What I do is as it must be; and you shall not go hence until I have done.

Various Other Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances

Bite not, lest you be cast into quiet time. Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; nor rub yourself against cars, nor against any building; nor eat sand.

Leave the cat alone, for what has the cat done, that you should so afflict it with tape? And hum not that humming in your nose as I read, nor stand between the light and the book. Indeed, you will drive me to madness. Nor forget what I said about the tape.

Complaints and Lamentations

O my children, you are disobedient. For when I tell you what you must do, you argue and dispute hotly even to the littlest detail; and when I do not accede, you cry out, and hit and kick. Yes, and even sometimes do you spit, and shout "stupid-head" and other blasphemies, and hit and kick the wall and the molding thereof when you are sent to the corner. And though the law teaches that no one shall be sent to the corner for more minutes than he has years of age, yet I would leave you there all day, so mighty am I in anger. But upon being sent to the corner you ask straightaway, "Can I come out?" and I reply, "No, you may not come out." And again you ask, and again I give the same reply. But when you ask again a third time, then you may come out.

Hear me, O my children, for the bills they kill me. I pay and pay again, even to the twelfth time in a year, and yet again they mount higher than before. For our health, that we may be covered, I give six hundred and twenty talents twelve times in a year; but even this covers not the fifteen hundred deductible for each member of the family within a calendar year. And yet for ordinary visits we still are not covered, nor for many medicines, nor for the teeth within our mouths. Guess not at what rage is in my mind, for surely you cannot know.

For I will come to you at the first of the month and at the fifteenth of the month with the bills and a great whining and moan. And when the month of taxes comes, I will decry the wrong and unfairness of it, and mourn with wine and ashtrays, and rend my receipts. And you shall remember that I am that I am: before, after, and until you are twenty-one. Hear me then, and avoid me in my wrath, O children of me.

Monday, October 19, 2009

My kind of vacation!

Sweet travels: Top 10 chocolate museums
Globe-trotters with a passion for tasty confection can mix pleasures
Reuters
updated 11:23 a.m. ET, Fri., Oct . 16, 2009


SYDNEY - For people who love chocolate and love to travel, what could be better than a chocolate museum? VirtualTourist.com compiled a list of the world's top 10 chocolate museums.

1. The Cologne Chocolate Museum; Cologne, Germany
Located on the Rhine River, this futuristic building gives visitors three floors of chocolate history to ponder, but the real center of attention here is the famous chocolate fountain. Museum staff dip waffles in the hot liquid for salivating guests.

2. Musee les Secrets du Chocolat; Geispolsheim, France
Complete with theater, tea room, and gift shop that sells chocolate pasta, chocolate vinegar, chocolate beer and decorative antique chocolate molds, this museum is every bit as elegant as the country it represents.

3. Pannys Amazing World of Chocolate, Phillip Island Chocolate Factory; Newhaven, Phillip Island, Victoria, Canada
This facility houses such tongue-in-cheek exhibits as statue of David replicas, a Dame Edna mural and an entire chocolate town. Aside from the eye candy, visitors are treated to real candy with a chocolate sample upon arrival.

4. Choco-Story Chocolate Museum; Bruges, Belgium
In addition to dedicating a section of the museum to the health benefits of chocolate, this museum also houses a quirky collection of chocolate tins that pay tribute to the Royal family.

5. Museu de la Xocolata; Barcelona, Spain
The sculptures at this museum are so impressive, you'll forget you're looking at chocolate. Subjects range from copies of serious religious works to whimsical cartoon characters.

6. The Chocolate Museum (Musee du Chocolat); St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada
This museum pays tribute to the Ganong Bros who were candy makers in the area and who have the distinction of introducing the world to the iconic heart-shaped chocolate box, many of which, not surprisingly, are on display here.

7. Choco-Story Chocolate Museum; Prague, Czech Republic
Chocolate may be a feast for the palate, but this museum is truly a feast for the eyes. With collections of stunning antique chocolate wrappers and demonstrations of the chocolate making process, it's hard to know what to look at first.

8. Candy Americana Museum, Wilbur Chocolate; Lititz, Pennsylvania
Started when the wife of the company president began collecting chocolate memorabilia at flea markets and antique shows, this now over-30-year old museum still admits visitors for free.

9. Chocolate Museum; Jeju-do Island, South Korea
While the chocolate workshop, "Bean to Bar" showroom, and art gallery are all impressive, perhaps this museum's biggest draw is their working San Francisco-style trolley car.

10. Nestle Chocolate Museum; Mexico City, Mexico
Known more for its modern design and the speed with which it was built (by most estimates 75 days from start to finish), this futuristic building is an exhibit in itself.


Copyright 2009 Reuters. Click for restrictions.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33342249/

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Stryper's 25th Anniversary Concert Tour

Here's some highlights from Christian rock group Stryper from their 25th Anniversary tour, on the heels of their latest release, "Murder by Pride." They were one of my all time favorite groups in the 80's-90's, but I was not allowed to go to rock concerts back then, so now I finally got to see them live! Thanks for a great concert that didn't disappoint an old fan!!

See the pictures here:



See video from the concert here:



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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Making Lemons out of Lemonade

I was looking at a random adoption site, and came across this special needs dog, a poor guy who is paralyzed in his back end due to a ruptured disk and gets around in his own custom "wheelchair." However, I love the picture they included for him. For a guy dealing with such issues, he sure looks like he's happy as a clam despite his circumstances!!

Chiquito

Thank You NaMona Freckles Morrissey for becoming the Pal for Paws Sponsor of Chiquito.
Breed:Pekingese
Sex: Male
Age: Approx. 7 years
Color: Red
Size: Approx. 13 pounds
Status: Available with Foster
Good With Kids: Yes
Good With Cats: Not Yet Determined
Good With Dogs: Yes

This one comes with wheels!! Some dogs have special collars, some use special harnesses,but our Chiquito has a doggie wheelchair that was made just for him. Chiquito came to us after a disk rupture left him paralyzed in his back end and unable to walk. He had already perfected his "scooting skills" and can zoom around the house like nobody's business using those powerhouse front legs, but now he is truly mobile. Chiquito loves getting into his chair and going for walks outside to explore the world. He goes everywhere as fast as possible and with the most determined (and comical) look on his face you have ever seen. Folks can't help but laugh out loud when Chiquito comes speeding by, so taking him out for a stroll is like spreading sunshine in the world. This little guy has an amazing spirit and is looking for an extremely special home where he will be adored for the character he is and cared for with love and patience. To find out more about Chiquito, email his foster at: lostdogbarb@gmail.com.

To meet Chiquito at an adoption event, please e-mail mailto:dogs@lostdogrescue.org?subject=Chiquito,Male--Pekingese or call (703)295-DOGS.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

What should we re-name Satin?

The winner is.....GALEN! (named after the technomage on Babylon 5) Thanks to everyone who participated!

So, we have a new cat that we adopted to be a playmate for Mochachino, since Gigi wasn't too fond of being around him. We found Satin at a cat rescue that I volunteer with, and he's about the same age and temperament as Mocha. They are getting along great (see the video of them below). We are OK with the name Satin, but also threw around some other names as ideas. So we are putting up another survey to see what you all think. Thanks for voting!



Click Here to take survey


CS Lewis' "The Great Divorce" be be a film

'The Great Divorce' to Get Movie Treatment

Film rights to C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy secured by Beloved Pictures

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Heaven has been depicted on the big screen before, but never quite like this -- as the most beautiful landscape you've ever seen, but every blade of grass is so hard it actually hurts your feet to walk on them, and a single leaf so heavy you can't lift it.

Such is the creative depiction of heaven by C. S. Lewis in The Great Divorce--great fodder for a filmmaker with a rich imagination and a love for the work. And now it appears that the story has found just that.

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Beloved Pictures announced Monday that it has secured film rights to the story, and that David L. Cunningham (To End All Wars, Seeker: The Dark Is Rising) will direct. Cunningham, 38, is a Christian and the son of Youth With a Mission co-founders Loren and Darlene Cunningham.

The Great Divorce tells the story of one man's journey--on a bus!--from the post-apocalyptic wasteland of a grey town to the outskirts of heaven.

"We are tremendously excited to bring one of Lewis's most profound stories to the screen," said Beloved Pictures CEO Michael Ludlum. "We believe that this story, much like the Chronicles of Narnia, will resonate with a global audience."

Beloved is currently seeking investors for the film, which may begin filming sometime in 2010. A release date has not yet been determined.