Gratitude Friday

Just a quick little post before my gratitude list...

In the 5 years I have lived here we have had exactly 1 kid knock at our door on Halloween - hence we turn off the light and don't buy candy. Tonight we have had 3 knocks and I can actually hear kids. My studio is in the front of the house and I have heard groups of kids walking by. We didn't get candy so we had our light off and didn't answer when they knocked but it is just really odd that this year we got them. I really don't remember seeing more kids in the neighborhood. Every year I am a little sad it is we don't get them and then this year we probably could have had about 20. Not many but more then the whole last 5 years combined.

I am thankful for...
1. Burt's Bee Replenishing Lip Balm with pomegranate oil! It smells so good but also relieves my dry lips. It is just a little thing that makes me happy and so I am thankful for it.
2. Airborne as I felt like I had a cold coming on but the Airborne seems to have chased it away.
3. The leaves changing. It is just so beautiful and a just a wonderful reminder of the nature's cycles. And the enormity that has on our lives.
4. A perforated French Bread pan....Michael bought it for me this week and I am loving it!
5. The right to vote. Michael and I voted early this past week.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life

Blog Hopping Thursday

Creative Kismet - No-Mold Polymer Skull Beads - with Halloween coming tomorrow and Day of the Dead on Saturday it could be fun project!

Inspire Me Thursday - " A weekly dose of inspiration for mixed media artists and creative types to nurture their muses and CREATE!"

Molly Chicken - Fabric Pom Pom's - I just think they are pretty and fun!

Vote ... don't vote....

Doing Not Thinking Challenge

I haven't done an update for the challenge in a few weeks so.....

Here is the update for my Goals for the Doing Not Thinking Challenge:
1. I am at 107 books so passed my goal.
2. I feel I got a good grasp on making my own bread but still not to where I want it.
3. And I feel the same about making homemade buns.

Opie Taylor/Richie Cunningham for Obama

We were in Sam's Club about 30 minutes ago and someone was talking about an ad for Obama from Opie Taylor. And I hadn't seen it - I come home and opened a link to magazine site online and in their side bar there was a link to the ad. It is really good so I am glad I saw it.

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Gone in 60 seconds

I just haven't had time to write as my parents were here Friday to Monday. Then it was catching up on work Tuesday and Wednesday. And now today leaving for Denver. But will be back tomorrow night. So hopefully I can do a post this weekend about all the fun we had when my parents were here. It was great to see them!

So for now off to Denver.

Flickr Mosaic

1. Darby takes a walk., 2. Dinner on the back deck..., 3. 4x400, 4. My purple all star for the first time at the park, 5. Keith Olbermann on TV, 6. Cherry Limeade, 7. Italy / Tuscany - Grosseto: Happy flutter ........ Italien / Toskana: Frohes Flattern ( 1.005☺36 ), 8. Chocolate Chip Cheesecake with Raspberries, 9. Art Journal--No Words, 10. And then there is silence, 11. Curved Sky - Musee d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain Nice, 12. Tap the Maidens
{photo credits are listed above}

Q&A:
1. What is your first name? Darby
2. What is your favorite food? Chinese Food
3. What high school did you attend? Millard North High School
4. What is your favorite color? purple
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (really don't have one but to pick someone Keith Olbermann
6. Favorite drink? Cherry Limeade
7. Dream vacation? Italy
8. Favorite desert? Cheesecake
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? mixed media artist
10. What do you love most in life? quietness
11. One word to descibe you? nice
12. Your flickr name? darbyart

Wanna play? So here's the deal...you answer the 12 questions about yourself. Type your answer to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL's into the Mosaic Maker (or make it yourself in photoshop). Have fun!

Happy Birthday wishes for my sweetheart!

Alas, the soon-to-be birthday girl is already in bed with an icky tummy tonight. So while I'm still working late, I'm sending her not only quick-healing well wishes to get better, but I want to be the first to tell her:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARBY!!!!

I love you very very much and hope we all have a wonderful day celebrating your very special day!!!

<3

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. For warm fuzzy socks with Halloween pumpkins on them
2. For finding a letter that Michael wrote to me for Christmas 2 years ago. It made me cry and be so very thankful for knowing and being with such an amazing man.
3. For actually feeling tired tonight. I often suffer from insomnia so being tired and knowing that when I go to bed in a few minutes I will actually sleep is truly a wonderful thing.
4. For thousands of bloggers banning together to talk about poverty and raise awareness.
5. That my parents arrived to help celebrate my birthday. I haven't seen them since my last birthday so I am very thankful for this time to see them as I miss them lots!

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life

Blog Action Day: Poverty - Part 3

And to end the Blog Action Day....


(click on picture to go to source of it)

It is my hope that we can end poverty in our lifetime.

Blog Action Day: Poverty - Part 2

Just sharing some good links in surfing through the Blog Action Day posts from other participants.

Blickchick: SharedBliss: Poverty of Body, Mind, & Spirit - Really good entry and especially like the quote from Ghandi again..."Poverty is the worst form of violence."

Thoughts from a Sometimes Desperate Housewife: Help Me Donate to Heifer International for Blog Action Day!

Change.org - learn about causes, connect to good people and non-profits, take action

GoodSearch - Is like Ripple that I wrote about in my last entry but this search you get to chose the charity. And I don't think you do that on ripple. I think ripple is powered by google and goodsearch is powered by yahoo.

Digital Photography School has images of poverty on their blog today for blog action day.

I might share some more links later.

Blog Action Day: Poverty

With our economy in such a state, I think many of us are thinking about the what ifs. I know because we are self-employed, this is on our mind greatly. Prices going up and less people buying. It is a tough situation that makes us and many Americans feel powerless and nervous of what the future holds.

Right now we are able to pay our bills and do some nice things once in awhile but there are many things we don't have that I know we both just wish was a little easier...such as health insurance. We are not poor but I think of those that are...that I know are far worse off then us. I feel horribly sad that our country stands by watching so many suffer here and around the world.

In the USA there are 37.3 million people living below the official federal poverty level. Working 2 or more jobs and not able to pay bills, living without proper food, housing or healthcare. We are suppose to be the richest country in the world yet we have 37.3 million people living below poverty level. There is something fundamentally wrong with that to me.

As I said Michael and I aren't poor but we do have a budget and we are self-employed so it means that our work isn't consistent. But even though we at times struggle when we have it - we do give to others who are worse off. Helping out others in need. Now online there is so many ways to get involved also and donate, write, think and be active in creating a better world. Of course the Ghandi quote is coming to mind I am sure to many today - "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

Here are some easy ways to get involved....

Check out 88 ways to do something about poverty RIGHT NOW

And also check out the list of resources on Blog Action Day. So many wonderful organizations that could use some help.


Ripple is a search engine that donates money to charities for each click and search.

October 15th Blog Action Day

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

The Story of Stuff

A twenty minute video that was very interesting about what consumerism is doing to us and our planet.

Click on the image below to get to the video....

Doing Not Thinking Challenge

Here are my Goals for the Doing Not Thinking Challenge:
1. I made my goal. I have read 101 books (after tonight that will be 102).
2. Made a loaf of bread yesterday and enjoying a tuna fish sandwich at this moment.
3. I hope to make some buns this week just not sure I will have time.

Cheering for Father Farrow

I was sent this in an email this morning it is from one of the links at the end. I read this and was really cheering for Father Farrow. There is some things bolded - I bolded them as they were important to me. I also have one astrick that will be explained at the end.

This is one of my big issues when I vote. I vote for someone who is for equal rights of ALL PEOPLE not just hetrosexuals.

Father Farrow risked his job, which he's held for 23 years, because he, and all other pastors in the Diocese of Fresno, were asked by their bishop, to (illegally)* promote Catholics to vote "Yes" on Proposition 8, and he felt a moral obligation to break his vow of canonical obedience by preaching the following sermon:

As most of you know, I was appointed pastor here at the Newman Center on April 15th of this year. When I arrived, I set out to address a series of various projects to repair our facilities. To date, most of these deferred maintenance items have been addressed. In the middle of dealing with contractors, the parish finance committee, the building department of the diocese, neighbors, etc., I received a FAX from the bishop's office on the 30th of June. It was the bishop's pastoral letter for the month of July.

This single FAX threw my whole summer, and in fact, my whole life into a turmoil. Recently, I was speaking with some of our parishioners who advocate for the ordination of women. In the course of our conversation, a question arose which has haunted me: "At what point do you cease to be an agent for healing and growth and become an accomplice of injustice?" By asking all of the pastors of the Diocese of Fresno to promote Catholics to vote "Yes" on Proposition 8, the bishop has placed me in a moral predicament.

In his "Pastoral," the bishop states: "Marriage is much more than simply two persons loving each other. Marriage is naturally, socially, and biologically, directed to bringing forth life."

Actually, there are TWO ends to marriage: 1) Unitive and 2) Procreative. The unitive end of marriage is simply a union of love and life. The Procreative end is, of course, to create new life. It is important to understand that the unitive end of marriage is sufficient for a valid marriage. The Church sanctions, and considers a sacrament, the marriage of elderly heterosexual couples who are biologically incapable of reproduction. So, if two people of different genders who are incapable of reproduction can enter into a valid marriage, then why is that two people of the same gender, who are incapable of reproduction, cannot enter into a valid marriage.

The objections which are raised at this point are taken from Sacred Scripture. Scripture scholars reveal the problematic nature of attempting to use passages from the Hebrew Scriptures as an argument against same gender relationships. Essentially, these scriptures are addressing the cultic practices in which sex with temple prostitutes was part of an act of worshiping Pagan gods. With regard to the Pauline epistles, John J. McNeill, in his book: "The Church and the Homosexual," makes the following point: "The persons referred to in Romans 1:26 are probably not homosexuals that is, those who are psychologically inclined toward their own sex--since they are portrayed as 'abandoning their natural customs.'" The Pauline epistles do not explicitly treat the question of homosexual activity between two persons who share a homosexual orientation, and as such cannot be read as explicitly condemning such behavior. Therefore, same gender sex by two individuals with same sex orientation is not "abandoning their natural custom."

In 1973, as a result of a greater understanding of human psychology, the American Psychological Association declassified homosexuality as a mental illness. In 1975, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (the Church's watchdog for orthodoxy) produced a document entitled: "Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics." In this document, they made the most remarkable statement. They stated that there are "homosexuals who are such because of some kind of innate instinct." While these statements are hardly glowing affirmations of gay and lesbian persons, they represent a watershed in human perception and understanding of gay and lesbian people.

These new insights have occurred as a result of the birth and development of the science of psychology and understanding of brain development in the 19th and 20th centuries. The California Supreme Court cited and quoted an amicus brief filed by the APA in the Court's opinion issued on May 15, 2008 that struck down California's ban on same sex marriage. Specifically, the court relied on the APA's brief in concluding that the very nature of sexual orientation is related to the gender of partners to whom one is attracted, so that prohibiting same sex marriage discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation, rather than just imposing disparate burdens on gay people.

In directing the faithful to vote "Yes" on Proposition 8, the California Bishops are not merely entering the political arena, they are ignoring the advances and insights of neurology, psychology and the very statements made by the Church itself that homosexuality is innate (i.e. orientation). In doing this, they are making a statement which has a direct, and damaging, effect on some of the people who may be sitting in the pews next to you today. The statement made by the bishop reaffirms the feelings of exclusion and alienation that are suffered by individuals and their loved ones who have left the Church over this very issue. Imagine what hearing such damaging words at Mass does to an adolescent who has just discovered that he/she is gay/lesbian? What is the hierarchy saying to him/her? What are they demanding from that individual? What would it have meant to you personally to hear from the pulpit at church that you could never date? Never fall in love, never kiss or hold hands with another person? Never be able to marry? How would you view yourself? How would others hearing those same words be directed to view you? How would you view your life and your future? How would you feel when you saw a car with a "Yes on 8" bumper sticker? When you overheard someone in a public place use the word "faggot?"

I remember the first time I heard that word, faggot, I was hanging out with my cousins. They all played on the football team of the Catholic high school in our town. One of them spat out the word in the form of a curse. I was just a kid in the 5th grade, I'd never heard the word before, and so I asked: "What's a faggot?" A faggot is a guy who likes other guys, was the curt reply. Now pause. Think. What would those words mean to someone in junior high school who discovers that he/she is attracted to people of their same gender? The greatest fear that he/she would have is that they would be rejected by the people they love the most--their family. So, their solution is to try to pass as straight, deceive, and in effect--lie. Of course, this leads ultimately to self loathing. It should come as little surprise that gay teenagers have elevated suicide rates. According to the Center for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (1999), 33% of gay youth will attempt suicide.

The bishop states: "The Church has spoken out constantly that those with a homosexual orientation must be respected with the dignity of every child of God. Every individual is created in the image and likeness of God and should never be subjected to prejudice or hatred." A pious thought uttered by a cleric, robbed of any substantive meaning, as the executioner begins his work. Only a few select people actually read those documents. What most Catholics hear about being gay or lesbian at their parish church is--silence. A numbing silence, which slowly and insidiously tells them, "You don't belong here, this is not for you, and you are not welcome." It is not the crude overt vulgarity of some churches. But rather, it is the coldness of a maitre d' who simply won't seat you, or the club which has put you on a waiting list with no intention of allowing you to join. And simply asks you to wait in polite almost, apologetic tones.

In effect, the bishops are asking gay and lesbian people to live their lives alone. Why? Who does this benefit? How exactly is society helped by singling out a minority and excluding them from the union of love and life, which is marriage? How is marriage protected by intimidating gay and lesbian people into loveless and lonely lives? What is accomplished by this? Worse still, is to intimidate a gay or lesbian person into a heterosexual marriage, which is doomed from its inception, and makes two victims instead of one by this hurtful "theology." This "theology," which is parroted by clerics in polished tones from pulpits, produces the very prejudice and hatred in our society which they claim to abhor.

When the hierarchy prohibited artificial birth control, most of the faithful in the United States, Canada and Europe scratched their heads in wonderment and proceeded to ignore them. There is an expression in theology: "the voice of the people is the voice of God." If your son or daughter is gay/lesbian let them know that you love them unconditionally. Let them know that you are not ashamed or embarrassed by them. Guide them as you would your other children to finding true and abiding love. Let them know that marriage is a union of love and life and is possible for them too.

I do not presume to tell you how to vote but I do ask that you pray to the Creator of us all. Think and consider the effects of your vote on others, especially minorities in our society who are sitting next to you in church, and at work. The act of casting a vote takes you a few minutes but it can cause other human beings untold happiness or sorrow for a lifetime. It can grant them hope and acceptance, or it can cause them to lose civil rights. It can be a rebuff to bigotry and hatred, or it can encourage bigotry and hatred. Personally, I am morally compelled to vote "NO" on Proposition 8. It is my hope that the people of California will join with those others around the world such as Canada, Europe and South Africa who welcome their gay and lesbian family members fully into society by granting them the civil right to marry.

I know these words of truth will cost me dearly. But to withhold them, would be far more costly and I would become an accomplice to a moral evil that strips gay and lesbian people not only of their civil rights but of their human dignity as well. Jesus said, "The truth will set you free." He didn't promise that it would be easy or without personal cost to speak that truth.

http://www.laprogressive.com/2008/10/11/priestly-portrait-of-courage/
http://www.bilerico.com/2008/10/catholic_priest_defies_church_over_antig.php

(* I believe in the the seperation of Church and state and if the church tells us how to vote then they should be losing their tax extempt status as they are mixing church and state. They are "giving up" that right then. It is my belief if the theology of the church is preached then the perishiners will make the right choice by God. Period. And the church wouldn't be mixing that line of church and state.)

Gratitude Friday

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." John Milton

I am going to admit it. Sometimes it is hard for me to do Friday Gratitude. And obviously life is full of things everyday that I am thankful for so it shouldn't be hard. I think though what happens is I forget some extraordinary every encounters by the time Friday rolls around. I hope to get better at being thankful for my everyday life experiences.

I am thankful for...
1. Last weekend....it was a wonderful weekend with family celebrating Frank's (Michael's Dad) 75th Birthday.
2. Being able to enjoy Frank's famous spaghetti and meatballs.
3. For our kitty cat getting better. He has skin allergies and this week has really turned a corner healing.
4. Feel the fall season really coming....the leave changing colors and the nights really cooling off so we can keep our windows open and enjoy the chilly nights under blankets.
5. Being able to decorate for Halloween. It is a fun holiday!

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life

Obama Artwork

I have been getting lots of hits for Obama Button Artwork here on this blog and my art blog. They all end up on the moveon.org free Obama buttons post but I just wanted to point out cafepress.com has some great Obama buttons and t-shirts.














Links to products for images...
Faith Hope Obama - Andy Warhol type Obama/Biden - peace hand sign - Obama Biden 2008

Doing Not Thinking Challenge

Well I thought I would get this quick entry in before the rest of the night is blocked in backing up my computer because it crashed today. I really hate the thought of going to vista but it looks like it might be inevitable.

Here are my Goals for the Doing Not Thinking Challenge:
1. I am at 98 books so far so it looks like I will be to my goal of 100 by next week.
2. The big batch of wet dough I made on Sept. 22 didn't really turn out and that is the dough I was using for bread. So I need to change it this next time around....which will be this week sometime.
3. I plan on making another batch of hotdog buns this week. Didn't need any last week so didn't make them.

Somersault

We have been busy lately as always. It feels like that is a constant state but sometimes are more busy then the normal busy. Hows that for clear as mud? I have my political post going but not finished. I have 2 other posts about just things on my mind lately in working progress but just no time to finish any of it.

But the highlight of this week....

Monday we left to go to a meeting in the afternoon and forgot the keys so locked ourselves out of the house and car. So we had to break into our house. Be prepared to giggle as you read the rest. I scooched (more like ungracefully heaved) myself through a window that we got open. As I hit the floor in a full somersault my leg got caught into the curtains but I made it in. Thankfully no injuries occurred during this amazing acrobatic exercise. Oh and all this was done in a skirt. So now I am sportin some wicked bruises because of it. Just sayin that we need to train the cats to unlock the door for us.

Michael kept saying he wished he had a camera...I was thankful there wasn't one around. I hope our neighbor didn't watch!

We are leaving to go out of town so I didn't get to do a blog hopping today because been busy packing. And hopefully tomorrow I can take time to do my weekly gratitude list. Otherwise...we will be back on Sunday.

You know what - don't vote...

Edit: Just to add this video does use the f bomb quite a bit so if that offends you don't watch.