McKenry Thoughts

America Exceptionalism -- he is an American Hero

2010-10-30T14:43:00.002-04:00

I received this from my cousin and thought it would be nice to post it on my blog. It concerns the actions of those involved in the rescue of the Chilean miners earlier this month. The author of this article is below. I wish I had the date of it to go with it.

I believe God gave this man a gift that he would use to rescue those miners. I give our Lord credit for the rescue of these miners by men He gave knowledge to the men who built the drill and those who guided the drill to the place where the minors were trapped.

CBS? NBC? ABC? An American Hero??

While the White House may not believe in American exceptionalism, I do. And I'm thinking there's a whole bunch of people in Chile that would agree.

Regarding the mine rescue, did you know:

The guy that designed the rescue module was a NASA Engineer?

The Drill was made by Schramm Inc. from Pennsylvania .

The Drill Bits were made by Center Rock, Inc., located in Berlin , Pennsylvania .

The lead driller Jeff Hart and his team are from Denver , Colorado . They are on loan from the U. S. Military in Afghanistan , where they are drilling water wells for our Forward Operating Bases.

He spent the next 33 days on his feet, operating the drill that finally provided a way out Saturday for 33 trapped miners. "You have to feel through your feet what the drill is doing; it's a vibration you get so that you know what's happening," explained Hart.

Hart was called in from Afghanistan , "simply because he's the best" at drilling larger holes with the T130's wide-diameter drill bits, Stefanic said.

Standing before the levers, pressure meters, and gauges on the T130's control panel, Hart and the rest of the team faced many challenges in drilling the shaft. At one point, the drill struck a metal support beam in the poorly mapped mine, shattering its hammers. Fresh equipment had to be flown in from the United States , and progress was delayed for days as powerful magnets were lowered to pull out the pieces.

The mine's veins of gold and copper ran through quartzite with a high level of abrasive silica, rock so tough that it took all their expertise to keep the drill's hammers from curving off in unwanted directions. "It was horrible," said Center Rock President Brandon Fisher, exhausted after hardly sleeping during the effort.

Fisher, Stefanic, and Hart called it the most difficult hole they had ever drilled, because of the lives at stake.

"If you're drilling for oil and you lose the hole, it's different. This time there's people down below," Stefanic said.

"We ruined some bits, worked through the problems as a team, and broke through," Hart said. "I'm very happy now."

Miners' relatives crowded around Hart on Saturday, hugging and posing for pictures with him as he walked down from the rescue operation into the tent camp, where families had anxiously followed his work.

"He's become the hero of the day," said Dayana Olivares, whose friend Carlos Bugueno is one of the miners stuck below.

In a different day and age, Jeff Hart would be the most famous American in our country right now. He would be honored at the White House. School children would learn of his skill and heroism. But because Jeff Hart works in an industry currently being demonized by (insert name for the clowns currently running our country), more people in Chile will celebrate this symbol of American greatness than in America , itself.
- Michelle Malkin

'Real' Vampires Burn 'Twilight' Books - Video - WTAE Pittsburgh

2010-10-19T19:37:00.001-04:00

'Real' Vampires Burn 'Twilight' Books - Video - WTAE Pittsburgh

A group calling themselves "Bloodsuckers Against Twilight" stage a book-burning protest, torching copies of the popular vampire novel.

I think this is just wrong. We should not be burning any books in this day and age. I have not read the book and do not plan on reading it. That is one way to show your dislike of a particular author and book.

I have never read the Harry Potter series either. Nor did I watch any of the movies. I did not feel the need to burn that book because I was against what it was about.

One book burning I am glad that never happened was the burning of the Q'ran. As a Christian, I was against that from the very beginning. I especially did not like that the man planning on this was claiming to be a Christian. That kind of hatred is not what Jesus taught. You change people through love and forgiveness not through violence and hatred.

Thousands of Doctors May Quit Medicine Over ObamacareThousands of Doctors May Quit Medicine Over Obamacare

2010-03-21T11:55:00.000-04:00

Nearly one-third of physicians in the U.S. could leave the medical profession after Obama’s healthcare reform plan becomes law, according to a survey published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

In the survey, 29.2 percent of practicing physicians said they would quit practicing medicine or retire early if faced with the healthcare reform.

“What many people may not realize is that health reform could impact physician supply in such a way that the quality of healthcare could suffer,” said Jim Stone, a managing partner with The Medicus Firm, a national physician search company that conducted the survey.

But just 3.6 percent of those polled said they prefer the status quo and feel the healthcare system does not need an overhaul.

“Allow me to emphasize that 96 percent of the physicians surveyed in our report are in favor of health reform, in some form or fashion,” Andrea Santiago, a spokeswomen for The Medicus Firm, told CNSNews. “To me, the fact that so many physicians surveyed want health reform, but relatively few are in favor of the current legislation, was one of the most significant, telling results.”

Other findings of the survey include:

28.7 percent of physicians favor a public option.
46.3 percent of primary care physicians — family medicine and internal medicine — feel that health reform will either force them out of medicine or make them want to leave medicine.
36 percent of physicians would not recommend medicine as a career.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 661,400 physicians and surgeons in the U.S. in 2008.

Special delivery gets USPS attention (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-03-12T00:49:00.000-05:00

Special delivery gets USPS attention (OneNewsNow.com)

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 3/11/2010 6:30:00 AM

After settling a small dispute, a Michigan post office is giving religious speech the stamp of approval.

Michael Shanton ran into a snag while distributing Christian literature outside the Farmington Hills, Michigan, post office when a Postal Service official said he was in violation of a section of the Postal Operations Manual, which prohibits individuals from issuing "pamphlets or flyers" that are not official government documents.

"He was situated on a public sidewalk in front of the post office, and one day a postal official came out and said, 'No, you can't distribute literature here. You're not allowed to distribute literature anywhere on the property of the federal government,' and he essentially was threatened with arrest," explains Jonathan Scruggs, attorney with Alliance Defense Fund (ADF).

** to learn more please use the link above.

Republican collectivism (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-03-12T00:24:00.000-05:00

Republican collectivism (OneNewsNow.com)

Larry Elder - Syndicated Columnist - 3/11/2010 9:55:00 AM

The most disturbing part of the ObamaCare debate is not about where Republicans and Democrats disagree, but where they agree.

Take this issue of those with pre-existing illnesses. Many Republicans actually support government action to prevent insurance companies from refusing to insure them. Ignoring the benefits of cost-lowering free market competition and the role of charity, many Republicans believe it acceptable to force an insurance company -- in business to insure against unknown risks -- to "insure" someone currently experiencing a known risk.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., supports legislation to "eliminate pre-existing conditions" as a reason for a carrier to deny coverage. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., says government needs "to take care of things like pre-existing conditions so that that doesn't stop [people] from getting insurance." Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, supports prohibiting "insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing medical conditions or charging higher premiums to people who are sick."

But this should not surprise anyone who observes the allegedly "fiscally conservative," "pro-free market," "limited government" party in action. From the acceptance of the New Deal to government bailouts of private industry, Republicans -- sooner or later -- go along.

*** to learn more please click on the link above.

BREAKING NEWS: Court says 'under God' constitutional (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-03-11T23:38:00.000-05:00

BREAKING NEWS: Court says 'under God' constitutional (OneNewsNow.com)

Associated Press - 3/11/2010 3:10:00 PM

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal appeals court in San Francisco upheld the use of the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" on U.S. currency, rejecting arguments on Thursday that the phrases violate the separation of church and state.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel rejected two legal challenges by Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow, who claimed the references to God disrespect his religious beliefs.

"The Pledge is constitutional," Judge Carlos Bea wrote for the majority in the 2-1 ruling. "The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation through the proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our Republic was founded."

*** for more of the story please click on the link above.

A human kiddie shield (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-03-11T02:18:00.000-05:00

A human kiddie shield (OneNewsNow.com)

Michelle Malkin - Syndicated Columnist - 3/10/2010 10:00:00 AM

Have you noticed something about the audiences that President Obama has cherry-picked to cheer his government healthcare takeover roadshow? They're getting younger and younger.

On Wednesday, Obama brings the traveling campaign to St. Charles High School in St. Louis, Mo., for a closed-door, invitation-only speech. If he doesn't end the endless "No More Time For Talk" talks soon, he'll be peddling Democratic reconciliation tactics on "Dora the Explorer" and "SpongeBob SquarePants."

But desperate times call for demagogic measures. True to form, the Obama White House is wielding the human kiddie shield as its last-stand defense for Demcare.

On Monday, Obama surrounded himself with a ticketed-only crowd of Arcadia University college students in Pennsylvania (sprinkled with purple-shirted officials from the Service Employees International Union, natch). The Washington-based commander in chief traveled outside his Beltway bubble to a campus bubble to trash the political climate, which he leads.

"That's just how Washington is. They can't help it," he pontificated as the idealistic young students nodded like empty bobbleheads. "They"?

*for more of the story please follow the link above.

GOP Filibuster Stops Obama Nominee, With Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln's Help -- Politics Daily

2010-02-10T01:41:00.000-05:00

GOP Filibuster Stops Obama Nominee, With Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln's Help -- Politics Daily

Craig Becker, President Obama's nominee to the National Labor Relations Board, was stopped by a Republican filibuster Tuesday more than 10 months after Obama chose him for the post. The Senate voted 52 to 33 to move Becker's nomination forward, but that fell well short of the 60 votes required to overcome a GOP filibuster. Fifteen senators did not vote because of snow storms wreaking havoc on Washington's airports.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's choice to take a vote on Becker's nomination Tuesday, knowing it would fail, raised speculation that President Obama will use a recess appointment to install his nominee without the approval of the Senate, a maneuver used often by President George W. Bush and derided by Reid at the time.

*** Can everyone say, hypocrite to Harry Reid? ***

Saudi Arabia Shifts Course on Child Marriage - AOL News

2010-02-10T01:26:00.000-05:00

Saudi Arabia Shifts Course on Child Marriage - AOL News

(Feb. 9) – For the first time, the Saudi Arabian state has intervened in the marriage of a preteen girl to an older man, leading some campaigners to speculate that the kingdom could be about to ban the cruel and archaic practice of child marriage.

The government-run Human Rights Commission (HRC) has hired a lawyer to review the case of a 12-year-old girl who was paired off with her father's 80-year-old cousin last year. The girl's mother opposed the marriage and attempted to secure a divorce, but suddenly dropped the case earlier this month with no explanation.

You Can Get A DUI Without Driving Your Car

2010-02-07T01:21:00.001-05:00

You Can Get A DUI Without Driving Your Car

It seems like it could be a storyline out Steven Spielberg's 2002 movie, Minority Report: a Minnesota man was convicted of a DUI offense in a car that wasn't moving. What's even more surprising: the car wouldn't start at all.

As it turns out, getting a bit tipsy and stumbling out of the house to sleep it off in the car may make you a felon. It happened to Daryl Fleck.

DUI Poll

You be the judge: should Fleck have been convicted of DUI?

5%Yes
94%No

Total Votes: 25,704

Percentage after my vote. I do not condone drinking but I cannot believe the reason giving for this man's arrest.

Take back America Peacefully

2010-02-05T02:16:00.002-05:00

If you agree that government has become corrupt, pass this along to others. It's important that we take back America next November.

Form your own opinion, even if you disagree with this issue, but at least read it. You and I owe that to our country

All I ask is that you consider the suggestion here.

The entire Congress of the United States is corrupt. And I mean both Houses and I mean both major parties.

I realize that a few Members of each House are trustworthy, but, as a group
they are absolutely the most corrupt bunch to ever disgrace our Nation.

In November of 2010 the entire House of Representatives will stand for re-election;

all 435 of them. One third of the Senate, a total of 33 of them, will also stand for re-election.

Vote every incumbent out.

And I mean every one of them. No matter their Party affiliation.

Let's start all over in the House of Representatives with 435 people who have absolutely no experience in running that body, with no political favors owed to anyone but their own constituents. Let's make them understand that they work for us.

They are answerable to us and they simply have to run that body with some common sense.

Two years later, in 2012, vote the next third of the incumbents in the Senate out.

We can do the same thing in 2014 and, by that time we will have put all new people in that body as well..

We, the People, have got to take this Country back and we HAVE to do it peacefully.

That's what the Framers of our Constitution envisioned.

I am also suggesting term limits on the NEW BUNCH -- 4 YEARS FOR REPRESENTATIVES two terms that’s all.

AND

12 YEARS [2 terms] FOR SENATORS.

NO EXCEPTIONS. THE LONGER THEY STAY IN OFFICE THE MORE POWER THEY GET AND THEY LOVE IT AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET RE-ELECTED.

WE HAVE TERM LIMITED THE PRESIDENT –

NOW LET'S TERM LIMIT THE LEGISLATORS.

And we do away with their Special Retirement system and their health program (they should have same health programs everyone else in America does). We should also eliminate the Committee System, where every single bill can die in ten different ways. Finally, we should eliminate the rider system, where any bill, no matter how urgent or minor, can have dozens of amendments attached to it, whether the amendment has anything to do with the bill or not. When they are through serving their country they go back to being private citizens.. They should view their service as a privilege; after all it was designed to be a part time job to represent the voice of the people, NOT the special interest groups and those who can do favors for them.

If they don't like this proposal then don't run for office…

Please, if you agree,

send this (as I have done)
to absolutely everyone whose email address

appears in your address book.

This thing can permeate this Country in no time.

Let's make it happen.

VOTE THE POWER ABUSERS OUT........LET'S TAKE AMERICA BACK !!!!!!!!!

IF YOU disagree,

THEN DO NOTHING.........

Obama's fiscal freeze follies (OneNewsNow.com)

2010-01-27T23:20:00.000-05:00

Obama's fiscal freeze follies (OneNewsNow.com)

HOLMES: Response to airliner attack is legal theater of the absurd - Washington Times

2010-01-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

HOLMES: Response to airliner attack is legal theater of the absurd - Washington Times

Loosing a job

2009-12-18T23:35:00.002-05:00

Well, I have become one of the unemployed this past Wednesday, December 16, 2009.

Am I upset? Not really. I think it was time to be moving on. Not my decision really but it was my Lord who may have closed a place that I had become comfortable. I know that sounds crazy to some people but to others it makes a lot of sense.

Let me try to explain. I have recently followed the direction of the Lord and am now back in school. At 45, I am now a freshman attending Strayer University's only line courses. It worked great while I worked. It will still work great now that I am unemployed. I am going to move forward. It is not time for looking back. If I did that I would loose my bearings and who knows what else would happen. I am keeping my eyes on the Lord.

Do I hold any anger towards my ex-employer? No, I don't blame them for anything. I am the one to blame for my mistakes. I would recommend anyone who wants a good start to apply there. Though staying there would have to be a decision you make on your own. So what am I saying? I am saying that the work is good, though they are sending work over seas, and it is tougher than you may expect. But if you are willing to learn and work hard, working at Prudential may just be the place for you. But it did end for me.

Now I have to start all over. I am going to have to apply for unemployment, get my money from my Prudential stock and try to roll my 401K into either an IRA or CD. I also plan to go to the temp agency that sent me to Pru (short for Prudential) a little over 8 yrs ago.

So what is it like to loose a job? Sometimes it is gut wrenching and unexpected. Other times you kind of know it is coming. It is the on these occasions that you can prepare. I have been thinking about this for quite some time now. And for just over a month, I have been praying about it and thinking of my course of action. It has led me to trust in the Lord and plan for saving money and open another checking account. The second account is for school and any money I receive back from my loan.

So, did you loose a job just recently? How did you cope with the news? Was it the gut wrenching and unexpected one? Or was it something you sort of knew was going to happen? I know there are a few ways to loose a job. One is to be fired or terminated. Another is lay offs. The last I can think of is a place of employment just closing its doors. None are easy to go through. But you don't have to give up. Praying can and will help given time. Moving forward is all you can do. I can't say how long it will take to find something new, not even for me. But I know the Lord will help me through.

The Keswick Theatre

2009-11-27T18:11:00.000-05:00

The Keswick Theatre

If you like "Straight No Chaser" and live in the Philly area, they have a concert at
The Keswick Theatre for either $32 or $25 dollars per ticket. This is a Christmas Concert!

If you don't know who they are; then check YouTube.com and type in Straight No Chaser in search.
You will find out just how funny they are.

One More Minute

2009-08-07T21:25:00.001-04:00

This is my entry for Calamari’s Music Contest.

I am using the songs:

After Dark

One More Minute

Love Shine

So without further adieu …

It was well after dark. She had just finished watching Love Shine. She should really be getting ready for bed because she had to get up early for work.

“One more minute, just one more minute please. I want to read this new manga,” and with that she read until she fell asleep.

The alarm went off within minutes after she fell asleep. “One more minute,” She moaned. “Please give me one more, minute and I will be ready to wake up,” she hit her snooze button. From that moment until forty minutes later, she would hit the snooze button. Now with a jolt she woke up. She no longer could take her time and get ready for work. The shower would have to be skipped and her hair well let’s just say it remained unwashed.

She rushed out the door almost forgetting her brief case. She had to turn around and retrieve the brief case from the table where she had left it. She had to sprint to the bus stop. The bus was already there. One more minute! Please wait just one more, minute! she thought as she ran at top speed.

She was able to catch her regular bus and was on her way. She liked this bus; It dropped her right at the door of her job. By the time the bus reached her office, it was five minutes late. She pushed her way off the bus. She ran to the door and went to her seat. Taking the report disc from her brief case, she inserted it into her computer. Only one part had to be completed for the presentation that was scheduled at two.

At one, the boss told her that it was time for them to assemble for the presentation. What? I thought it was scheduled for two! She thought in dismay. “I need one more minute, boss. I want to check some of the calculations again,” She lied. She cursed herself for spending too much time in front of the television last night. Sleeping in had not helped her either. She was ready half an hour later.

Two hours later, she sat at her desk. Her portion of the presentation went over like a bomb. She had lost the company the account. She was in for a reprimand. Maybe even be fired over her biggest blunder ever.

On someone’s radio she heard, “We are still going on without any accomplishments ….” The story of her life is one more minute. Just give me one more minute and look where it got her.

Raven Vs The Huge Hulking Mass of a Bodyguard

2009-08-07T20:15:00.000-04:00

It was another beautiful July day in New York City. The young master of the house wanted to go to Central Park for a walk. It was a strange time for the young master to take a walk. The day was not only beautiful it was a hot and humid summer day. The young master usually went to Central Park after the sun went down. What was so special today for him to walk in the park in the heat of the day?

The young master called for his bodyguard a bit begrudgingly. He would like to go out just once without that trigger happy man. He has gotten into many fights because of misreading the situation. The young master just hoped that today would not be like every other time they have walked in Central Park.

The bodyguard came around front with the limo. The young master groaned. Why does it always have to be the limo? Why can they not use one of the less conspicuous cars. He reluctantly got into the car. The bodyguard smiled and drove to the park. They got stuck in traffic just a block from the park. The young master was itching to walk in the park during the light of day. "Just park the car," he sighed at the bodyguard. "We can walk from here."

They walked the block in mere minutes. The young master lead the way to the lake in the middle of the park. It was one of his favorite places in the park. As they came out of the tunnel there was a flash of light. Enough to blind even those who were in the sunlight. That flash made the bodyguard tense up. Was someone trying to take the life of the young master. He pulled his gun from its shoulder holster and pushed the young master behind him. He fired even though he could not see his opponent.

The bright light was that of a ship appearing out of nowhere. It was too big for the lake. The bullet shot by the bodyguard ricocheted off the hull, hitting a light post next to the lamp. From there it ricocheted and hit a young looking person on the deck of the ship. There were yells of anger as the young blond person fell from behind the wheel. The people on board were scrambling to get to the young blond. All but one person ran towards the young blond person. A young girl with long dark braids looked out at the people staring at the ship. Her eyes were burning with anger. Who would dare to shoot at her ship, let alone her crew. Her eyes were drawn to a huge hulking being that looked somewhat human. "You there! Did you fire that shot?" She yelled down a this hulking creature.

The bodyguard just grunted and pointed his gun at this diminutive girl in answer. He pulled the trigger again, this time he intended to hit the girl yelling at him. Being a man of few words, he let his actions speak for him. The young master's safety was his only priority. He looked back at his young charge and was surprised to see anger on the young man's face. But he did not have time to worry about that look. The people staring at the ship had let out a gasp. He turned and saw the bullet he fired just hanging in mid-air. This angered the big man. He stepped away from the young master as he holstered his gun. He reached behind his back and pull his favorite weapon. The tommy gun had a sawed off stock and the barrel had been modified to his specification. He wanted to see if a hail of bullets would be stopped; as the single bullet had been stopped. He put the cartridge of bullets in place and pulled the trigger. There was one draw back with the tommy gun, you could not aim it. When the people heard the staccato gun fire they dove for shelter. This fight was about to get hard core.

The spray of bullets were cutting a path straight for the girl. Her eyes opened wide. It was like she never saw that many bullets come out of one gun before. "This is going to take some concentration," she said with disgust. "The spray is almost to wide to get them all. If I don't get them all, some of those strange beings will be hit by a bullet." With a wave of her hand she stopped the bullets. Another wave and hail became a rain storm without being too lethal. A third wave took the strange looking gun out of the huge creature's hands.

As the gun started to fly out of his hand, the bodyguard pulled something else from his coat pocket. He was willing to let the tommy gun go as a distraction. He had a running start and for the first time in his life threw his black jack at someone. It went flying and hit the girl just below the shoulder. The bodyguard smiled wickedly at the sound of her gasp in pain. His run brought him very close to the ship. He could make out the name of this strange ship. It was called the Ark. It was time for him to fight this puny girl face to face. He was going to take the fight to her and find out what she was actually made of.

"Raven," a young male voice called out. "Wolf is ok! You don't have to fight anymore!" But the girl called Raven was beyond hearing her young crew mate. This being had found a way to break through her defenses. This was no longer a fight. It was about to turn into a war. Looking about her for weapons, she smiled at the though of bringing this man down to her level. She looked over the side but could not see the creature. "Hey, no fair hiding mister." Raven yelled still looking for the big creature. That was when she heard a loud noise by the bow. There standing like a mountain was the bodyguard. He had taken advantage of her being distracted by being hit to climb a nearby rock face. It was a bit lower than the bow but he made it in one leap with about an inch of dropping to the walk below. He had fallen forward upon landing to stop from falling backwards. That is what caused the noise but it did not bother him one bit. He was here to kill this assassin. After that he could get back to the young master.

Raven could not believe this guy was boarding her ship. She was infuriated and she waved her hand. This sent her new weapons flying towards the hulking bodyguard. At the same time the bodyguard had pulled his pistol and fired. ...

...The weapons Raven chose to send flying were sharp, large railroad type spikes. She sent them flying right at the invader on her ship. She hoped a few would hit their mark as the invader (Raven no longer saw this person as a male or human.) advanced toward her. The invader's gun blazed fire as it continued to bark out round after round. Each bullet hit one or two of the spikes and knocked them to the ground. Infuriated, Raven looked around for bigger solid and pointed weapons. One projectile from the invader's gun hit the deck close to her right foot. Startled, Raven continued with the railroad type spikes. But with each wave she sent; her control wavered. I'm about to reach my limit, she thought.

The bodyguard was almost taken by surprise by the shear number of spikes flying his way. He started to fire continuously and change the cartridge rapidly if he wanted to avoid being hit by the spikes. As he fired he noticed that the spikes were coming slower and slower. This gave him a slight opening. He aimed at the little black haired girl and pulled the trigger. A smile crossed his beefy face as he notice the bullet hit the deck near the girl's foot. He noted that she got a start from that near hit. It won't be long now. She was tiring. He would wait her out by taking out her spikes. When she no longer had any strength to hurl spikes; he would take her life.

As the fight continued, the young master had asked the crew for permission to board the ship. He told them that he would get the bodyguard to stop the fight. Suspicious the young Rat lowered the ladder so the young strange could board. The young master thanked Rat. Then he turned and walked towards the fight.

Raven started to loose her concentration. Fewer and fewer spikes were sent towards the invader. Her eyes blurred as sent another flight of spikes towards her enemy. Again she sent another wave of spikes. A burst of light exploded behind her eyes which caused her to grab her head in pain. The invader had a smile on his face as he dodged the slower flight of spikes.

"Bastard!" Raven yelled in anger and pain, "Just what the heck are you! You should be dead by now!"

The bodyguard shook his head almost sadly. Almost buy not quite for he intended to drop the now smoking unusable pistol. He would use his stilettos for the next part of the fight. He saw the girl as she slowly fell to the deck. This was his chance to plunge one of the stilettos into Raven's heart. Raven struggled to get up but she was spent. She could no longer concentrate on the spikes. The dull ache of a headache kept her from focusing. The bodyguard stopped and stood above the young assassin. Blood dripped from many wounds where the spikes had hit him.

"Yikes, you're a monster after all." Raven whispered. "Why don't you feel like I do? You should have dropped before me!"

The bodyguard smiled as he knelt above Raven. His hand raised and came down quickly. Raven screamed and closed her eyes.. A sickening thud was heard by both combatants. Raven felt her chest for blood. There was none. A voice reached her ears at this time.

"S...stop both of you." the voice said in gasps. "T...there was no n...need to s...start this f...fight. I...i was n...never in d...danger."

Raven opened her eyes. Above her stood a beautiful young man. He had been impaled by the knife meant for her. The tip of the blade went through the torso of his body and dripped blood on Raven's clothes. From above this beauty a horrific cry of "Nooooooooooooooo!" was heard. For the first time the bodyguard spoke. The one word was filled with great anguish.

"Y...young l...lady, c...can y...you m...move? I...i am a...afraid t...that I...i am a...about to c...collapse on t...top of y...you." The beautiful young man stammered in pain. Raven scooted out from under this beauty a bit reluctantly. The moment Raven cleared the young man collapsed in a heap. The bodyguard reached to pull out his stiletto but a hand on his wrist stopped him.

"Pull that out now and he will bleed to death." The girl with the black braids wheezed out past a yawn. "You need to get him to a doctor's now or he will not make it. We can call this fight a draw due to being interrupted."

With that said Raven turned hobbled away. She watched as her crew came to helped the injured man. They would get the two men off the Ark so they young man could get to a doctor. They had no concept if this place had hospitals or not. The moment they were no longer touching anything attached to the Ark, it disappeared from the Central Park lake.

A few weeks later, the young master was brought home by the butler. The bodyguard was not allowed near the young man for a period of six months. He nearly lost his life at the hands of the young master's father. The bodyguard was glad that the girl's advise saved the young master.

The end.

Mr. Duck

2009-08-07T20:13:00.001-04:00

This is going to be a short story of Mr. Duck.
Who is Mr. Duck? Well let me tell you.
He was a mascot that I drew in high school.
He is a mallard with an attitude.
I had at one time posted Mr. Duck at Tokyopop on a dare.
Lately, I have been wondering.
What if I wrote a story about him this time?
Could I capture the plucky mallard in words?
Would anyone read it?
Well will you?

It was the midday with a bright, bright sun. Once again the Missus was out shopping.
This left Mr. Duck to once again watch the kids. He had plans but dropped them
when the Missus stated that she needed to go shopping.
"Why am I such a pushover?" Mr. Duck thought. "I had a golf date planned with the guys.
But, nuuuuu, I had to let the little lady go shopping. Once again I canceled my plans."
So Mr. Duck sat there on the prickly, itchy nest. He sat there warming the children yet to
hatch. Grumbling and mumbling. Complaining and whining.
And then it struck him, the Missus was out for quite some time.
"What is she buying anyway? Just how much is she spending?"
Putting his head down, Mr. Duck just gave in to his fate this time.
"Next time, I am going to tell her absolutely not! I will not watch
the kids. I have a life too you know!" And with that he fell asleep.

What Is Obama Trying to Cover Up? by Hans A. von Spakovsky and Todd Gaziano on National Review Online

2009-06-22T14:08:00.001-04:00

What Is Obama Trying to Cover Up? by Hans A. von Spakovsky and Todd Gaziano on National Review Online

Shared via AddThis

Daniel's Glove

2009-06-22T12:27:00.001-04:00

A sister in the Lord shared this with me in an email. I want to share this with all of you. I hope it will bless you as much as it has done me.

An Anonymous Story called "Daniel's Gloves"

(Author Unknown or is it? Please. Read on.)

I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.

As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.

I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.

We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.

Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.'

Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.

I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.

'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.

'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'

'Have you eaten today?'

'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'

'Would you like to have lunch with me?'

'Do you have some work I could do for you?'

'No work,' I replied 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'

'Sure,' he replied with a smile.

As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?'

' St. Louis '

'Where you from?'

'Oh, all over; mostly Florida ..'

'How long you been walking?'

'Fourteen years,' came the reply.

I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'

Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.

He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God

'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'

'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.

'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'

I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'

'What?'

'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'

'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'

My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'

I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.

He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite.. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.

'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.

'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.

'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'

'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'

'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'

He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.

'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked.. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'

I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'

'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'

'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'

'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.

A long time,' he replied

And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'

'I'll be there!' was my reply.

He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'

'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.

Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them.... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.

Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office.. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...

'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'

My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed.

This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day!

'Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen.'

I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.

GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

Been a while

2009-04-03T21:47:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone!

It has been a while. I was really busy in March online. I started a new blog here about my faith and to share stories that I have written about my faith. I worked hard on my Mid-Summer Story Exchange. I have all but the last 6 hours completed. I have posted most of the story here. I am slowly posting the story at Heaven Bound Messages.
Now I have accepted another challenge to create a character. One that I have not thought of before. It was hard but one night I had a dream (no I am not now to believer in dream interpretation unless ... but that is for my other blog Heaven Bound Messages.)
I have also been reading some books. All are in one stage or another. I am currently reading Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America by Chuck Norris, Deceived On Purpose by Warren Smith, It I-5 Killer by Ann Rice *may have to check the authors name*, many manga, and picking up my reading in Faith Undone by Roger Oakland. Yes, I can keep the different books straight. Some of the books I am reading about faith or deception, I will discuss in Heaven Bound Messages.
The one book I am reading is a real life murder. I have always liked reading these books. I like how the crimes are solved. One of my favorite Ann Rice titles is The Stranger Beside Me about serial killer Ted Bundy. That was one scary book. It is not really known how many people he killed. It is well known that he accepted Christ a few years before his death. That is something I really want to research.
I also like to read manga. This comes from a drift from reading American and some Canadian comic books. I have always been facinated by Japan since doing a report in Civic Class in Junior High.
I was having a hard time at work. To the point that I could have been fired. So last month I tried to keep my head in the game at work. I think I am doing better but I have to have a meeting with my AM (Area Manager) to find out how well I am doing.
Then there is my 4 night a week that I am out of the house. I love going to these but have decided to not go to one quite so much. I am out Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night. Sunday is Church (I use to go Sunday morning and evening. Now mom is going on Sunday morning instead of Saturday night). Monday is Home Fellowship (Bible Study). Tuesday is Singles Home Fellowship (Bible Study). Wednesday night is Church (mid-week service). So what am I dropping. I don't like that word but it has to do. I am going to stop going to Singles. It depends on often I go back. I want to put more work into Heaven Bound Messages, writing stories and my testamony and possibly starting my own parttime business.
Shock! Did RoseAnn just say start a business in this time of woe for the economy? But it has been kind of "haunting" me since I got the news at work. I have asked my cousin how she started her business. I will let you know how that goes. It could also end up being a ministry. Who knows!
Wow that is a lot of stuff. April is going to be just as busy. I have to finish my story, start a new story about a new character that I have created. Then I am taking some classes at church to on Stress Incedent Management and Police Chaplancy. I have gone through a chaplin training course about two years ago. So I am looking forward to these classes. Plus I am going to the last few Singles this month.
Tomorrow, I am going to have blood taken for blood tests (High cholestoral) and and an EKG. My doctor wants me to have these done. Then I have an appointement for a mammogram in a couple of weeks. Again for the doctor. I have skipped these for the past two years.
Well, I will keep you more informed from now on. I will have more time starting in May.
I hope you are all doing well.
Talk to y'all in a little bit.
RoseAnn aka Mack

Being Sick

2009-02-15T21:33:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been sick and really hated it?
No!
You have never been sick and hated it?!
Can that be for real?!
What if you were sick over a 3 Day weekend?
Oh, that changes things you say.

Well, I got sick on Saturday of this weekend. A 3 day weekend. My stomach literally hurt with cramps. I could not say if I had an intestinal virus, IBS or a slight case of food poisoning. The one thing I was happy about is that I did not throw up. (Sorry to those who get sick easily). I had a difficult time all day. But thankfully I could sleep most of the day.

My little nurse Maya (my Rat Terrier) was by my side all day long. She slept with me in the afternoon and in the early evening. She took care of me. I could not eat dinner. Mom made biscuits, pepper gravy and sausages. I happen to love that meal. But as she was cooking it, my stomach was very upset. At that moment I thought if I didn't lay down that I would throw up.

After watching two and a half shows on Animal Planet, I went to bed for the night. At least I tried. I think I finally stopped running to the bathroom around 1 or 2 AM. Maya woke me up at 6:30 to take her out for her to go potty. But my stomach was still cramping. So I went back to bed. I slept until almost 11:00 AM. I was kind of shocked. I rarely sleep that long on a Sunday.

So with the cramping still going on into the late afternoon. I decided not to go to church tonight, even though I did not run to the bathroom all that much today. It was the cramping that truly kept me home.

I am hoping to have a better nights sleep. And that all will be good tomorrow. Otherwise my weekend will have been spent being sick. That will totally ... well lets just say that I will be sad.

I hope that your 3 day weekend (if you have one) is much better than mine.

God Bless.

Taking Computer Vacation

2009-02-12T22:31:00.002-05:00

Last week I did not log on to my computer. Let me tell you that was a hard thing to do. I really, really, really wanted to log on and log into the net. But, I prevailed until either Monday or Tuesday night.

That night (which ever it was) I logged into LoS and updated the forum I modify. News and stuff from the world of anime and manga. I can check my mail with my iPhone. I delete the ones I don't want to read. But that was not logging onto my computer. That was managing my email. (I am deluded; so let me be.)

So here I am today on the computer. Ace of Cakes is on TV right now. Earlier, I went through 30 email (so much for managing the mail - he he). Then I went to facebook.com, amazon.com and then logged on to my gmail. No new mail there. Then I came here to do something for the Bible. Then I noticed that I could have more than one blog. Woo Hoo! So I spent some time to create a new blog. It is called Heaven Bound Messages. If you have time please check it out.

So this weekend I have to do some writing, my taxes (don't want to wait until the last day again), and maybe some shopping (yea, I will be visiting amazon.com again) and do something for my new blog. I have a few ideas already.

Well here in the eastern part of the US the time is now 10:46 PM. I should just watch the rest of Ace of Cakes then get ready for bed. Have to work tomorrow. But then it will be a three day weekend. Hope to see you later. (well seeing is kind of silly on a blog site unless you include a photo - hint, hint)

Tribute to Myron Cope

2009-01-31T20:40:00.002-05:00

My cousin sent this to me just in time for the Super Bowl.

I do not know who wrote it so I cannot give credit were credit is due.

Twas the night before the Super Bowl, when along the gulf shore,
Steelers fans were praying for “just one more;”

The players were nestled all snug in the sack,
With visions of the first NFL Six-Pack;

Coach Tomlin was young, but wise for his years,
So I drifted off to sleep without any fears;

When at the stadium there arose some strange chatter,
The Cardinals feared, what was the matter;

We heard “Okel Dokel”, we heard “Double Yoi,”
We jumped from our beds, our hearts jumped for joy;

He stood at the fifty with a grin ear to ear,
Steelers fans everywhere started to cheer;

Then in an instant to our surprise,
This little old man had tears in his eyes;

He went to the booth and there took his chair,
While Terrible Towels waved in the air;

Then over the airwaves came his shrill voice,
The Steelers Nation began to rejoice;

He said, “I am back, but you know I can’t stay,
I just had to see my Steelers play;

From my home up above, I have a great view,
But I wanted to celebrate here with you;

So bring on the Birds, we’ll send them a flyin’,
On the way back to Phoenix, they will be cryin’;

Ben, Hines, Troy, Jeff and all of the rest,
No matter the outcome, to me you’re the best;”

The airwaves went silent, the stadium still,
Was this just a dream, it seemed so real;

In our team we have faith, in our team we have hope,
But the game’s not the same without Myron Cope

Time to move on.

2009-01-19T20:28:00.001-05:00

I had started this before the Inauguration but only got to complete it now.

It is time to say good bye to one president and welcome a new president.

I do hope that President Bush will no longer be blamed for every little thing. For the first time ever I found out that a President is responsible for the weather. Yet, he could not stop Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. He was responsible for the levies breaching with a storm surge that topped 30 feet. Levies that were build well before he became our president.

But now he is done. He can relax and enjoy life once again. But what will history say of this man who was our president? I hope that it will be kinder than the people, media and his liberal colleagues were to him while he was in office.

Now it is time to move on. The country will have its first black (actually mixed race) president. What will this president do? How will the country view him? Is he ready for the stress that comes with the office? We will not know right away will we? Well I do wish President Obama the best and will pray for him.

From OneNewsNow

2009-01-18T16:46:00.001-05:00

ACLU targets minister over city council prayer

Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 1/18/2009 4:00:00 AM

The ACLU recently pounced on Roanoke, Virginia, Vice Mayor Sherman Lea over a prayer.

Lea, who is also an associate pastor at a church there, made an indirect reference to Jesus in his prayer at a city council meeting. A person in attendance objected, claiming it is illegal and offensive. The ACLU of Virginia has threatened a lawsuit.

The city's attorney, who has advised dropping mention of a deity in prayer, has mistakenly interpreted the law, according to Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel and dean of Liberty University's Law School.

"Obviously saying the name of God, saying the name of Jesus, does not violate the Constitution," he points out. "Despite the ACLU's rants [and] even the misguided legal opinion of the governmental attorney in this case, the name Jesus is still constitutional."

Staver says America's foundation is based on Judeo-Christian ideas, and Founding Fathers practiced it. "From the very history of our country, in fact the Constitution was indeed birthed on the platform of prayer by government officials -- and not just some 60-second prayer before a meeting, but a three-day prayer in a church," he adds.

Lea has requested the removal of his name from the rotation of ministers who pray at city council meetings. Liberty Counsel's website provides information for the public and government officials with "dos and don'ts" concerning prayer.

Nathan's Japanese Birthday Dinner 1/17/09

2009-01-17T20:12:00.003-05:00

Hello again,

It is me once again with something fun today. My friend and brother in Christ, Nathan celebrated his 30th birthday last week. Today his sister Natalie, friends Arlene, Frank with Frank's children (sorry I will not name children under the age of 18) and myself would take Nathan to dinner. We went to a Japanese restaurant called Hibachi Japanese Steak and Bar B Q. I fell in love with the food about 3 or 4 years ago so I mentioned taking Nathan to the restaurant at Sunday night services at church prior to his birthday. She thought it was a good idea. We had thought about having the dinner last weekend. But something came up and our plans changed.

It was this change that made me think of inviting Frank. Arlene wasn't sure if he would make it. You see Frank is divorced and gets his kids every other weekend (if he is so blessed). This weekend was his time with the kids. As it turned out he and the kids came with us.

Did I mention that the place we were going was to be a secret. Nathan said that he thought that he knew were we were going. And he would say something about Hibachi. But we would not confirm or deny that he got it right. We just told him that he thought he knew where we were going. We just would not give it away .

I found out that it was the first time that Nathan and Natalie would be going to this type of restaurant. I did not know that it was Frank and his kids first time. Arlene and I were old hats at dinning at this restaurant. I was going to enjoy introducing new people to my favorite type of food.

We had reservation for 4:30 PM and got there right on time. The only person I was worried about was Natalie. You see the only chairs I knew of were like bar stools. Nat is shorter than I am and she has a handicap. She uses crutches to walk. But the Lord was watching out for my sister. He provided a room that had a lower table and chairs. And we had the room to ourselves for our entire meal.

We were served a salad and then our appetizers were served. Prior to eating we said a prayer for the meal. I was the one who said that pray. I kept it short and simple.

The unique thing about this table is that the grill is built right in. Arlene and I were use to the show that was to come. And a show it was. The cook made sure to speak to each of us but more so to the kids. He set the grill on "fire" and cracked the eggs with his metal turner. He even made an onion volcano. The kids loved it. After the meal was cooked, our chief asked if we wanted to catch a shrimp. All but Nat tried. Of course Frank and his kids were the only ones that were able to catch the shrimp. Nathan, Arlene and I all missed.

The meals were all great. It was then that I learned that Frank (a pro with the chop sticks) and his kids have not been to a restaurant like this. They enjoyed the expenses but tasty meal. We all agreed that this was not an everyday restaurant. We would come for special occasions. I explained that my mum and I come in (prior to getting Maya) only when we got coupons in the mail.

After our meal Arlene, Nathan, Nat and I had Green Tea Ice Cream. I love the stuff and I learned to make it from vanilla ice cream and a Green Tea mix I would get from an Oriental Market. I had asked that happy birthday would be sung to Nathan. Well just before we left our waiter came out with his gong and sang happy birthday. It was cool. Nathan was given a bowl of vanilla ice cream with a candle in it. We waited until he finished that and the waiter took our bill. I will not bore you with the total.

While we waited until the check was paid, Nathan and Frank's son got into a song battle. They were using songs from and changing the words to match the name of the person they were singing about. It was very funny. Some of the songs I remember were Prince's "Purple Rain", "When the Dove Cries", Barry Manilow's "Mandy" and a few show tunes. Needless to say Nathan blew away his competition. Since we arrived in two cars. Frank would meet Arlene, Nathan and Natalie back at Arlene's house. Arlene would drop me off at my home. But it was not an uneventful ride home. Nathan hopped up on good food and Green Tea (we think) would continue with his songs. Poor Arlene had a hard time driving and me giving directions from the restaurant to my apartment because of his funny songs.

All in all it was a wonderful night spent with family and good food. The Lord did answer my prayer for the meal.
I will not always be able to write a blog a night but wanted to share this with you. It was a great godly experience that brought us all a bit closer.

Another significant thing about this group was that we were all in a dinner murder mystery play given about a year ago for the Singles Ministry at our church. So we were close already because of that experience. This brought us closer. I sort of wish we could have invited more people but that would have made communication a bit hard. The tables only seat 8 people and our small Tuesday night Singles Fellowship is a bit larger than 8 people.

Well I want to wish you all a good night and blessed dreams.

Introduction

2009-01-16T19:35:00.002-05:00

Hi! I am new to Blogger.

My name is RoseAnn. I was born in Pittsburgh. I am currently living just outside of Philadelphia. I am 44 yrs old and the oldest of my 3 siblings. I have one sister, she has 3 children, and two bothers. The older of the two boys is married and has two step children. The baby of the family is also a brother. He too is married and like my sister has 3 children. I will tell you more about my family in a later blog.

I am an American football fan. As a matter of fact I tell people during football season that I bleed Black & Gold. Yep, I am a Pittsburgh Steeler fan. No matter where I lived in this great country called America, I have always been true to the Black & Gold. My underdog team is Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I have been a fan of the Bucs since they were announced as an expansion team in 1976. I was very happy when they won the Super Bowl a few years back.

Well since I now live in the Philadelphia, I cannot see my beloved Steelers all the time. Everything is Eagles this and Eagles that. I cannot stand the Eagles. They are a bunch of cry babies. Though I am hoping that my Steelers will face them in the Super Bowl this year. (see my pole that is available until 11:59 PM on 1/18/09) Though I will miss the play off game on Sunday. As much as I like football, I will not give up going to church on Sunday night. I will have to have my mum tell me who won the Pittsburgh/Baltimore game.

When we lived in Chambersburg PA, I started to read comic books and real life murder mysteries. I had always liked cartoons so the natural jump was reading comic books. I have had large collections from time to time. Some of my more favorite comic books were "Fantastic Four", "X-Men", "Batman", "The Dark Knight", "Badger", "Teen Titans", "The New Teen Titans" and a few that people never heard of.

The books I read were from murders that happened in the areas around Chambersburg. I was about 13 or 14 when I started to read these. Now here is a twist. I can't stand horror stories or movies. So why did I like real life murder stories. Maybe it was because I liked murder mysteries. But the real life murder stories would scare the heck out of me. And I loved that. I would read and marvel at the way the police would try to find the murderer. If caught then I liked the legal side with the attorneies. I still like to read those books but now it is just hard to find one that will interest me. My favorite author is Anne Rule. My new favorite is watching TruTV.

From comic book to manga and form cartoons to anime. It was only natural for me to look for something more sophisticated to read and watch. I am amazed by the way things look real in some of the manga and anime. It just blows me away.

I have lived in 9 different place. I may tell you about each place I lived in a later blog. I was born in Pittsburgh. We then moved to just outside of Gary Indiania. After that we moved back to Pennsylvania. We lived in Irwin and later moved to Erie. I started school in Erie. After my baby brother was born we moved to Buffalo New York. Then from there it was North Kingston Rhode Island. From Rhode Island we moved back to Pittsburgh. Then it was 11 months in Cross Lanes West Virginia. From WV we moved to Chambersburg Pennsylvania. Then from there we moved to Philadelphia. I moved to Laurel Delaware for a few months until I learned my dad had cancer. I moved back to Philadelphia. My dad died on June 2, 1996. I have been living in the Philadelphia area ever since. My mum lives with me now.

At 25, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. This I will definately share this with you in a different blog or two or three or more. It is something very near and dear to my heart. It will also explain some of the stuff I will say later in my introduction.

I will not bore you with my working history. I will just let you know that I am a Senior Claim Examiner at a well known insurance company. I may let you know which one sometime but not today. I have been working at this insurance company since (temp work) 2/2001. I was working there listening to the radio when all hell broke loose on September 11, 2001. Now 7 years later, I am still happy with my work but it is getting boring now.

I have been on antidepressants since February 2007. I know some of you are surprised by this statement. I mean come on, this girl just said that she gave her life to Christ a few paragraphs ago. Well that doesn't mean that I am not human with human problems. Again I will go into all of that when I start my blogs about Jesus Christ.

Just this past March I adopted a Rat Terrier pup. Her name is Maya. She brings me joy. She makes me laugh. Can you believe that her previous owner just thrust her into a Pet Smart employees hands and left her there. She was fostered by one of the vets that have an office there. If I had not adopted her she would have been put to sleep. The doc could not take in one more dog for too long. Maya celebrated her first birthday in May with me and my mum. Mum did not like the idea of me getting a dog. She has warmed up to Maya and now loves her just as much as I do. I have posted some video of Maya on YouTube.

Within the past few years I have once again put my hand to the "pen". I have been writing stories. Those I will share here as well with a link to where I post my stories.

So let me end this to say that in the days of old I would be called an "Old Maid". Yes that means that I am still single. And that I like. No I do not cat around either. I am already married to the One who loves me most. Unless He brings me into a relationship.

Well that is my rather long introduction. I hope to get some feed back soon. Oh, be watching. I may have a new post up every once in a while.