Have You Ever Read The Preamble?

Let me refresh your memory.

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our prosterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States."

This was an introductory phrase written to outline the Constitution's guiding principles. Just think of the Preamble as a 'The DUMMIES GUIDE: To The U.S. Constitution.'   Does the average American take these words to heart?  My wager is to that question is, 'No.' If one was to take the preamble and breaks it down into parts just what does it mean?  Well for me the following are my core principals as a human being, citizen, defender of freedom, and most importantly as a parent. 

"WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union,"  We are to come together as a nation. To work together as one, to reach across the aisle and compromise for the common good of man.  Has anyone seen this lately?

"Establish Justice,"  We have built a system of local, state, and federal laws. However, Lady Justice has been hog-tied. Justice has become unbalanced to give those with monetary means the ability to by pass common sense and decency through loop holes.  We need to put her blinders back on and take lawyers' fingers off the scales.  (Sorry waxing poetic there.)

"Insure domestic tranquility," We could not have 50 unique states trading and using 50 monetary systems -- trade is crucial to a 'union.'  We had to come together to have a single focus for roads, laws, immigration standards, language, and lay the framework to keep peace. It also means we (individual states) have equal representation in Congress based not only upon state population -- the House of Representatives but; representation not based upon size -- the Senate.   This also includes the role of the Supreme Court to insure no laws are unjust under the Constitution.

"Provide for the common Defense,"  this is our five branches of military, national guard, para-military, and public education (police, fire, and to me education because an educated UNION is more apt to be secure.) We had to have a 'common defense' to secure our national borders.  We have to have a 'common defense' to fight diease.  We have to have a 'common defense' to assist citizens during natural or man-made disasters.  We have to have a 'common defense' because we are humans who need the security of knowing we (the U.S.) will be here (collectively) tomorrow. 

"Promote general welfare,"  Now many folks have issue with the term welfare but, the actual term was originally used as such.

World English Dictionary  welfare (ˈwɛlˌfɛə) — n, 1. health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being in general http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/welfare

Only later did this word come to mean government assistance.  The general welfare in my opinion can be simply summed up as:  "I am my brother's keeper."  I have the responsibility as a citizen to assist those who need a hand up.  I have no issue helping those out of work keep their homes, feed their family, educate their children, and have access to medical care through paying taxes or contributing to charity. Because until the last head in our country has a safe place to lay his/her head; we have failed to protect ourselves.

The final part is: "and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our prosterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States."  This is me simply outlines national goals of being a union; free to speak, become educated, seek medical assistance, congregate, build homes, set aside for our future & our childrens' future, find redress of concerns, worship, live, work, dream, hope, move about the country; etc.  Our Constitution is what we make it. 

Without folks actually learning what is in the document; we can never be truly free.

Steps off soapbox, heads into the classroom...............

Chrysalides, Earth Day, Egg Hunt, Confetti Eggs, Egg Golf

It has been a rather busy week; the boys and I are watching our Painted Ladies quite closely now.  The fifth catepillar was not dead but, was later than its siblings crawling to the top -- by a full three days.  Good thing I waited to transfer them into the butterfly garden.  So any day now, we will have five butterflies to release.

So now there are five; with them growing darker by the day.

BTW Did you know that trees can be wind burned?  Well we found out our pear trees are having a rough time due to all the high winds we have been having. 

We planted 2 peach trees with the help of Sid and 12 tomato, 6 zucchini, and four watermelon for our Earth Day contribution.  I just love that happy face!

 On Easter Sunday, before our grand daughters Jaylin and Sarah along with Zephyr zipped outside to find the bounty the bunny left for them.  We watched the video HE HAS RISEN as our lesson about the meaning of and importance of celebrating Easter and the life of Jesus. 

 Then the kiddos took turns whacking each other on the noggins with confetti eggs.

 Then for a little entertainment by Grandpaw, he practiced his golf swing with a few of the confetti eggs.

Sid loves golf just as much as his dad!  

Banjo of course loved all the attention he received this weekend from Sid, Junio, Jayline, Sarah, Saenz, and Zephyr.  Banjo even was the object of a few confetti eggs' attention. Thanks for bringing the girls down; hope ya'll come back real soon please.

All I know is this weekend though busy -- was just a peaceful weekend spent with family.  We will continue to pray for world peace, happiness, blessings, and guidance for all!

Happy Easter!

From Henny Clampett to Poultry of the Manor

Hubby gave me two wonderful gifts for Christmas. A new refridgerator which was delivered this morning.  The second is pictured below .  A 1981 Volvo 242.  I know I know --- a thirty year old car.  See I am not your usual hen; I love cars with real metal bodies and ooomph.

Take me to a car show; and I would be content to look, dream, remember all the models I have loved in the passed: Saab, Jaguars, Volvos, VW Bugs, VW campers, Corvettes, Renaults, or classics -- Nash, Model Ts, Thunderbirds, Cadillacs as long as it was a model from the 80s or earlier.  

That is why I could not part with the Ford farm truck nor, did I want to buy a newer model car. To me they all look alike with no character. But, we sorely needed a car or extended cab truck to get around. My farm truck has only a bench seat and a stick shift --- not conducive to a six year old straddling the gear shift with car seat in tow and a teenager.


I found a listing on Craigslist and just got that feeling it was going to be a winner.  So with cash in hand; off we went to San Antonio.  While my Volvo has high mileage; I drove it home a hundred miles with the a/c on with no troubles. It is a straight shift, all original parts to include windows. The interior has been well taken care of and has a few dings in the back -- this car is 16 feet long so no wonder.  There are a few cosmetic items to be  addressed like balancing tires, window tinting, new tail light covers, and speakers etc.

One day I hope to have my new baby which I am calling 'Shiekh' purring (inside joke with my husband) just like he did in his hey day because he has spunk. Thank you, Hubby.

This is hubby trying to find the short in our phone lines in the attic.  Grrrrrrrrrr, he was getting frustrated and has to now check all the junction boxes because he could not get the inside line to 'hang up.'  I don't blame hubby, going up in the attic makes me feel whoozy.  I would not want to be up there either. 

We have plans for the rest of the year with hubby.  So, if I don't see ya'll who pass this way.  Happy New Years and Best Wishes in the new decade / year.

///////signed//////
Hot Rod Chicken
~:>

Before and After: Silver Bullet 2 Maybe?

We bought this Honda Civic in 2004 in Maryland.  This car was an excellent choice at the time because we needed something affordable and large enough to accommodate a 6 year old boy and teenaged girl.  Flash forward to 2011 and now hubby will be driving this Honda Accord.  In an effort to make their car models more fuel efficient; Honda shrunk their car sizes.   

This is his Accord which has enough back seat space for a 12 year stretching giant, 20 year old woman, and a 6 year old cubby.  Wooo Hooo! It rides so much more smoother than the Civic; we will miss the original Silver Bullet who had driven us around for over 240,000 miles.

This week will be busy our plans are to take the boys fishing, installing new phone cable, and hopefully visiting either the San Antonio Zoo or Texas State Aquarium.  How about that for homeschool fun?  The added bonus is Dad has this week off and will lend his take on our adventures.  Waaaaaaaaaaaaay cool in my book. I was wondering do ya'll have any traditions you ring in the New Year with.... say like a party or fireworks?

Leaves, Gifts, Dinner Oh My

Merry Christmas to all who pass, we have been enjoying the time hubby has off from work.  We have him home another week ---- yeah. 

Cubby Bear has already used his tool set Grumpy Gramps to put together the bird house you sent him.  I will take pictures of it after he paints it.  Those are real tools, Dear Reader and not plastic.  A truly inspired gift for a hard working Cub. ~:> 

I believe all was excited by their gifts.  We had fun watching the boys zip through the wrapping paper and such while drinking our morning coffee in front of the tree. Yesterday, I spent the day baking and made: 6 buttermilk pies, 3 pumpkin cheese cakes, 2 lemon angel food cakes and 4 dozen cookies.  Then today, we shared our table with Mrs. Lily and her mom both are excellent friends and I hope this becomes a tradition for us.  Our Christmas dinner was as follows:

I made 'Dana' the duck and the spiral ham Grumpy Gramps sent to us as our main course.  Doesn't she look absolutely yummy?  She has a orange glaze and was stuffed with mushrooms, apples, carrots, oinions, celery, and spices from Flartopia. 

Our side dishes were: a kicked up Stove Top Stuffing with Dana's leftover diced items, mashed sweet potatoes, Greek salad above, 3 veg medley, tsatzki, hot crab & bacon dip,  

Deviled eggs provided by our hens, biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and rolls served with iced tea.   It was such a good meal and so special having the ladies over we sent them each home with their own pies.  We also gave the neighbors two pies, a cake, and cheese cake since, they had family coming in for a visit.  My motto -- "Take care of your neighbors and perhaps they will take care of you when help is needed."

Tomorrow will be another long day for hubby and I since, we are going to a car dealership to buy a new car.  Hubby's has 240K miles on his Honda so it's best to get him a car since he puts a 1,000 miles a week to and from work. 

Whelppers peeps, I am eggshausted.  I just wanted to wish all who pass this way a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Much love and well wishes I send to all on this most beautiful night.

)))HUGS(((
Mal

25 Christmases On Our Family Tree

Our boys started our tree decorating this year.

The  angel topper from my first away-from-home tree, 1986, Clark Air Base dormitory while, stationed in the Philippines. 

She still gets a spot near the top out of respect.

I started collecting ornaments (or items I deemed ornaments) from every where I went on active duty.  There are memories here from: San Antonio, Clark Air Base in the Philippines, Canada, Mexico, Guam, Korea, Hawaii, Iraklion Air Station on Crete, Ankara Turkey, Egypt, Italy, Portugal, Germany, France and all the other places I visited.

 After hubby and I married in 1996; we added the items made by hand from our children while they were in diapers

Others were made by them in school.

 Others are from the different tastes of my decorating whims and fancies like: unicorns, butterflies, dragonflies, ribbons, bows, cartoon characters, rocking horses, wooden ornaments, bisque, bamboo, military inspired.  We never throw away any ornament unless it is broken glass -- all others are revamped to be included still because they are a part of our history.

Each year, it is fun to unwrap these gifts from our past with our children.  I love the questions they ask and tell them where the decorations come from -- either a exotic place or a Wal-Mart in Germany; the looks on their faces are usually quite priceless. 

Later if my new camera works well with me; I will add another picture when the sun sets for more natural lighting. Tomorrow the kids and I will make some more ornaments to add to our forever collection.

Merry Christmas!

I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS

The begining of our Christmas season.  A fir tree my hubby picked out and it smells so lovely; I may just stay downstairs tonight to sleep on the couch beside it.

Cubby is supervising Daddy's work and

  fills the reservoir of the tree stand.

And I received two packages this afternoon.  The first one I opened was from FLARTOPIA.  I love this lady's blog and going there just makes me hungry as all get out.  For the last month, I have enjoyed reading her blogs about a kitten named Smokey they fostered but, her gardening and cooking posts are too yummy.  I happily gain about 5 pounds just reading her posts. This gift box was from a blog giveaway I won by answering a Can You Guess post. OMG! these herbs smelled just delightful, I plan on using them this week and may just buy a goose for the oven instead of a turkey.

My next treasure was from 'Over the Pond,' at My Brother Andrew blog.  Ms. Janet writes a beautiful blog about raising awareness for Progressive Bulbar Palsy, a motor neuron disease that her brother Andrew has.  She included a very kind and touching note which I intend to treasure for years to come. Thanks for your kind words Ms. Janet!

Ms. Janet is also the sister to Big John who writes Going Gently; I adore his blog as well. (Though John often accuses me of being crazier than a box of frogs -- I enjoy his humor just the same.) 

  I have been following all the updates from the sales wrist bands, donations, and events which have posted from around the world.  She is still raising monies to further the cause and you may find the wristbands on eBay using this item number:

'We are now selling MND wristbands on Ebay ! Andrew and Jayne spent most of yesterday sorting it all out-you can check it out , item no 220699576026.'

Today, our family will join her fight and awareness blog by posting this picture of the wrist bands on our Christmas tree.  

STAY WARM, ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

A THANKFUL Lifetime in an hour

 

May your Thanksgiving feel as warm and wonderful as ours.  May you find the happiness deserved in the friends and family around you.  Just remember to give thanks for all that you have in your slices of heaven.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

From Our Family to Yours

Mal, Gil, Lisa, Saenz, Zephyr,

Sonic, Banjo, and a cast of 1000s.