March 15, 2014 Saturday

Fat Burning video with Denise Austin.  Good cardio




Ephesians chapter 4 - Maturity in the body of Christ.  We are all parts of the body of the church of Christ, each with their own gifts.  I was also reading from an old copy of the Lutheran this morning about living in a world of mixed faiths and why did God let that happen?  We believe what we know and have to learn to accept others for their beliefs, is what the article said.  Does that work with what you believe?


On this day:
L.B.J Calls For Equal Voting Rights 1965
2012 - worked on cards.  Marty had a huge sport card collection.  When he passed away the family decided that his two girls - Chris and Nicole could have the collection and whatever they could get from it.  So far, it is sitting in Dee's basement, still in progress.  Anyone interested?


Parenting - I had a great time at family movie night at the Buffords last night.  We watched Frozen which I really did want to see, I love the animated movies.  It was so nice to watch the two sets of brother and sister respond to each other.  They are a great family. 


Book Club -  Blood and Beauty, about the Borgias.  I have not read about the family and history before, but it sure is interesting.


New Orleans -  Can't learn about New Orleans without this history:

Hurricane Katrina[edit]

An aerial view of flooded areas of Central City and Central Business District, with the New Orleans Arena and the damaged Louisiana Superdome at center.

Main article: Effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans

The city suffered from the effects of a major hurricane on and after August 29, 2005, as Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the gulf coast near the city. In the aftermath of the storm, what has been called "the largest civil engineering disaster in the history of the United States" flooded the majority of the city when the levee and floodwall system protecting New Orleans failed.^[26]
On August 26, tracks which had previously indicated the hurricane was heading towards the Florida Panhandle shifted 150 miles (240 km) westward, initially centering on Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi and later shifted further westward to the Mississippi/Louisiana state line. The city became aware that a major hurricane hit was possible and issued voluntary evacuations on Saturday, August 27. Interstate 10 in New Orleans East and Jefferson and St. Charles parishes was converted to all-outbound lanes heading out of the city as well as Interstates 55 and 59 in the surrounding area, a maneuver known as "contraflow."
In the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina continued to gain strength as it turned northwest, then north towards southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi. On the morning of Sunday, August 28, Katrina was upgraded to a top-notched Category 5 hurricane. Around 10 am, Mayor Nagin issued a mandatory evacuation of the entire city, the first such order ever issued in the city's history. An estimated 1 million people evacuated from Greater New Orleans and nearby areas before the storm. However, some 20% of New Orleans residents were still in the city when the storm hit. This included people who refused to leave home, those who felt their homes were adequate shelter from the storm, and people without cars or without financial means to leave. Some took refuge in the Superdome, which was designated as a "shelter of last resort" for those who could not leave.
The eye of the storm missed the heart of the city by only 20–30 miles, and strong winds ravaged the city, shattering windows, spreading debris in many areas, and bringing heavy rains and flooding to many areas of the city.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Not like Katrina though.

March 13, 2014 Thursday

Going to work today, maybe the gym on the way home?


Isaiah  chapter 40 - Even in our darkest hour, when we have lost all hope - God is there ""but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not  be faint."  Keep the faith!


On this day:

1993 - The "Superstorm" hit the eastern United States. About 270 people died. (March 12-14)
1998 - My friend Norma and I went to a women's retreat at a camp for the weekend.  It was a new experience for us two Lutherans, as it was a Pentacostal church that hosted this.  Never turn down an opportunity to learn or experience something new.  We really enjoyed it.


Parenting -  They were talking about spanking children on television today.  Even young children still in diapers.  I don't ever recall spanking my kids.  How does a behavior episode escalate to a point with spanking being the only remedy?  Just wondering.


Book Club - Blood and Beauty - now that I am reading it I see little things about the Borgias on TV and on this day Cesare Borgia died.  ?  Looks like a good read


New Orleans -  Lets find out a little more;

Spanish rule[edit]

Main article: Spanish Louisiana

In 1763 following Britain's victory in the Seven Years War, the colony west of the Mississippi River was ceded to the Spanish Empire as a secret provision of the 1762 Treaty of Fontainebleau, confirmed in the Treaty of Paris. This was to compensate Spain for the loss of Florida to the British, who also took all Louisiana east of the river.
No Spanish governor came to take control until 1766. French and German settlers, hoping to restore New Orleans to French control, forced the Spanish governor to flee to Spain in the bloodless Rebellion of 1768. A year later, the Spanish reasserted control, executing five ringleaders and sending five plotters to a prison in Cuba, and formally instituting Spanish law. Other members of the rebellion were forgiven as long as they pledged loyalty to Spain. Although a Spanish governor was in New Orleans, it was under the jurisdiction of the Spanish garrison in Cuba.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!

March 12, 2014 Wednesday

I know Im going to have to shovel today.  Slept in.


Matthew Chapter 7 - This is about the golden rule.  The study guide suggests you look into the word therefore in the reading.  It separates Jesus from other religions that use the same advice.


On this day:
1989 - The world wide web was born.  Wow!  what an impact on us.


Parenting - Do you monitor how much time your kids are on the internet and what they are doing?
I can't imagine how hard that would be and what the far reaching effects of that behavior would be.  I love the web and the electronics, but I can see the world changing in how we relate to each other.


Book Club - Blood and Beauty (Borgias) by Sarah Donant.  Now this should be an interesting read.  Just opened it up last night.


New Orleans - Just a little more history:
Short History of New Orleans

By Sharon Keating

• 
  

Wayne Keating

More Images (3)

The French:
LaSalle claimed the territory of Louisiana for the French in the 1690’s. The King of France awarded a proprietorship to the Company of the West, owned by John Law, to develop a colony in the new territory. Law appointed Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville Commandant and Director General of the new colony.
Bienville wanted a colony on the Mississippi River, which served as the main highway for trade with the new world. The Native American Choctaw Nation showed Bienville a way to avoid the treacherous waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River by entering Lake Pontchartrain from the Gulf of Mexico and traveling on Bayou St. John to the site where the city now stands.
In 1718, Bienville’s dream of a city became reality. The city streets were laid out in 1721 by Adrian de Pauger, the royal engineer, following the design of Le Blond de la Tour. Many of the streets are named for the royal houses of France and Catholic saints. Contrary to popular belief, Bourbon Street is named not after the alcoholic beverage, but rather after the Royal House of Bourbon, the family then occupying the throne in France.
The Spanish:
The city remained under French rule until 1763, when the colony was sold to Spain. Two major fires and the sub-tropical climate destroyed many of the early structures. Early New Orleanians soon learned to build with native cypress and brick. The Spanish established new building codes requiring tile roofs and native brick walls. A walk through the French Quarter today, shows that the architecture is really more Spanish than French.


Enjoy the day!  Make it Memorable   Happy Birthday Barb!  today!

March 11, 2014 Tuesday

If you Conga you live longa.  That's what Rita says.  Nice warm up, leg exercises, weights for the arms and then some salsa.  Been doing this one for probably 12 years at least. 


James chapter 3 - Taming the tongue is the title.  It is hard to not lash out sometime, but its worth trying.  All of us have said things we regret.


On this day:
1702 - The Daily Courant, the first regular English newspaper was published.  I can think of a million things that I wish the newspaper hadn't said.  Especially in today's news, they are biased, inflammatory and vicious.  And that's just the readers remarks..
1994 - Aaron and his friend Mike came over for pizza.  This was important to me because, Aaron was 16 and I was divorced from his dad.  It meant so much to me to see him.


Parenting -  A lot of families end in divorce, more then half of marriages today don't last.  That is a bad statistic.  How people care for children after the divorce is huge for the kids.  I, fortunately had little trouble as my husband moved to Florida.  It was tough on them, there is always the abandonment issue.  But even with Aaron's Mom being divorced (from the same guy) we kept an open friendly kids first attitude between all three families.  It doesn't work that way with everyone.


Book Club - Finished the book and met with the club regarding The Nine.  We were fortunate enough to have a judge sit in with us on our discussion.  Feeling very enlightened.  We are now moving on to Blood and Beauty about the Borgias by Sarah Dunant.


New Orleans History lesson:

1803 view of New Orleans, looking upriver from the Marigny Plantation House, by J. L. Bouquet de Woiseri

In 1805, a census showed a heterogeneous population of 8500. comprising 3551 whites, 1556 free blacks, and 3105 slaves. Observers at the time and historians since believe there was an undercount and the true population was about 10,000.<sup>[


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Barb!</sup>

March 10, 2014 Monday

Did some aerobics this morning.  Get moving to some music, c'mon spring in 10 days!


Chronicles chapter 24 - Old testament story about Joash.  If I heard this before I have forgotten.  Joash became king when he was 7 and was watched over by the prophet Jehoiada.  When Jehoiada died at 130, Joash did not have his own faith and turned to worship other gods.  I guess the message here is get your own.


On this day:
1957 - Osama Bin Laden was born.  Now that was some bad leadership!
1992 - Aaron's school was in a choir competition at Macomb College.  I believe I filmed the entire concert if you have some time.  Why is it?  that your seat and the child you are filming never have a clear view of each other.  The problem being, you find a seat before the group enters and unless you are dead center in the front row, you are out of luck.  If you stand in the aisle, you were still in someone's way.  I stood in the back a lot of times and zoomed hoping for the best.  I have a lot of footage of the kids, as you do of your favorite child, pet, boat, car etc.


Parenting - I think kids are nurtured in a special way when parents make sure to attend the events they are in all through their lives.  Your time and presence are invaluable to them.


Book Club - The Nine, the Secret world of the Supreme Court.  We meet tonight, I have 80 more pages to read.  It has been an interesting read, if you can stick with it.  The information about the individual Justices and the cases they made decisions on is well explained, but make sure you have your legal dictionary out.


New Orleans - Here are 10 facts abut New Orleans:


Fact 1
The official elevation of New Orleans is two feet below sea level, making it especially susceptible to flooding.

Fact 2
Named after Orléans, France, the city is notable for its French Creole culture and cuisine.

Fact 3
The term "Dixieland" arises from the state currency that was used in New Orleans, the "dix," when states were using their currencies.

Fact 4
Though the culture of New Orleans is most commonly associated with the French, the architecture is dominantly Spanish, after a fire in the 1700s led to major reconstruction while under Spanish rule.

Fact 5
Nearby New Orleans is the Causeway. Stretching 24 miles, it is the longest contiguous bridge in the world.

Fact 6
One of the largest domed stadiums in the world sits in downtown New Orleans. Supposedly the Superdome is so large that condensation can create rainstorms within the dome.

Fact 7
New Orleans' most famous festival, Mardi Gras, features many "krewes" providing the floats over the days of the festival. The largest is Endymion, whose parade consists of more than seventy floats and about fifty marching bands.

Fact 8
Many words exist for the "submarine" sandwich, including sub and grinder. In New Orleans, they call the sandwich a "po'boy."

Fact 9
During the American Civil War, New Orleans was the largest city in the Confederate States of America.

Fact 10
New Orleans was one of the major points through which voodoo was introduced into the United States. The particular form that evolved in the city became known as New Orleans voodoo.


Enjoy the Day!  Make it memorable!

March 9, 2014 Sunday

Remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy.  (no exercise)


2 Peter - chapter 2 "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you."


On this day:
1936 - The German press warned that all Jews who vote in the upcoming elections would be arrested.   Spepaking of false prophets - Hitler.
1978 - I was living in lala land.  Pete, my then boyfriend, and I were going to a marriage counselor.  Now,  if you have to do that before you get married...... well you can guess.  Have to laugh at ourselves.


Parenting - Have you wondered what the "reality" shows are doing to your child's concept of reality?  I watched too many romantic movies growing up.  It isn't like that.


Book club - The Nine. Have moved on to the inmates rights at Guantanamo.  Now that is interesting.


New Orleans -
Much of the population in early days was of the wildest and, in part, of the most undesirable character: deported galley slaves, trappers, gold-hunters and city scourings; and the governors' letters are full of complaints regarding the riffraff sent as soldiers as late as Kerlerec's administration (1753–1763).
Two lakes in the vicinity, Lake Pontchartrain and Maurepas, commemorate respectively Louis Phelypeaux, Count Pontchartrain, minister and chancellor of France, and Jean Frederic Phelypeaux, Count Maurepas, minister and secretary of state; a third is really a landlocked inlet of the sea, and its name (Lake Borgne) has reference to its incomplete or defective character.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!
s

March 8, 2014 Saturday

Did some abs with Tamilee this morning.  She never seems to age, these must really work.


Deuteronomy  chapter 6 - This is just leading into the ten commandments and reminds us to internalize the Bible.  I don't have a tablet or poster or anything of the 10 Commandments.  They are the basis of our law system, you probably know, if not all, most of them.  God tells us to post them in our house, on our head and hearts, write them on your door frame.


On this day;
2004 - Martha Stewart's syndicated television show, "Martha Stewart Living," was taken off the air by CBS and UPN. Stewart was found guilty on March 3 of lying about the reason for selling 3,298 shares of ImClone Systems stock, conspiracy, making false statement and obstruction of justice. (Thous shall not bear false witness or steal)
1998 - I was up at Roscommon for the weekend and went to the little Lutheran church up there.  I like to visit other churches.  I do attend most Sundays, because I like it, but it is actually one of the ten commandments, sort of.  Number 3 is remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy.  You didn't want to hear that?


Parenting - It is a way of life to attend church.  I did as a youth, but then didn't as a young adult.  I went back when I had my daughter.  It is a fine line and an art to get your children to church, if you want to of course.  I taught Sunday School, starting when Nicole was 2 and Aaron was 9.  They had to attend or else they weren't allowed friends in or to go out for the day.  Nicole is still a faithful attender, Aaron only attends on special holidays.  I do believe that families were stronger, crime was down and life was in general more peaceful when life included regular church attendance.  There is also word that it makes people happier, healthier and live longer.  Just sayin.


Book club - The Nine - Affirmative Action.  I am not a supporter, I believe it is racist and whoever benefits does so because they can't do it on  their own.  I do believe in  diversity.  I am happy with black neighbors or Phillipino neighbors.  I love the cultures, the food , the music.  But, I don't believe we should elevate people to a level that they haven't achieved on their own, especially at the cost of leaving someone behind that deserved the spot.  Wrong message being sent.


New Orleans - Great heritage here!
New Orleans was founded in 1718 by the French as Nouvelle-Orléans, under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The site was selected because it was relatively high ground along the flood-prone banks of the lower Mississippi, and was adjacent to the trading route and portage between the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain via Bayou St. John. From its founding, the French intended it to be an important colonial city. The city was named in honor of the then Regent of France, Philip II, Duke of Orléans. The priest-chronicler Pierre François Xavier de Charlevoix described it in 1721 as a place of a hundred wretched hovels in a malarious wet thicket of willows and dwarf palmettos, infested by serpents and alligators; he seems to have been the first, however, to predict for it an imperial future. In 1722, Nouvelle-Orléans was made the capital of French Louisiana, replacing Biloxi in that role.


Enjoy the day!  Make it memorable!  Happy Birthday Anthony!