Libertarian

What is a Libertarian?

Let's start with Webster's definition:

libertarian: A person who upholds the principles of individual liberty especially of thought and action.

Libertarian: a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles.

Libertarians believe in, and pursue, personal freedom while maintaining personal responsibility. The Libertarian Party itself serves a much larger pro-liberty community with the specific mission of electing Libertarians to public office.

Libertarians strongly oppose any government interfering in their personal, family and business decisions.

Essentially, we believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit as long as they do no harm to another.

In a nutshell, we are advocates for a smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom.

I've been saying that I lean libertarian well I have officially declared myself to be a Libertarian.

It's fitting that they were founded the year I was born.

I'm so flabbergasted by what is going on in the government right now that I'll refrain from commenting at this time.

Unschooling analogy

I have always loved the analogy of the vegetarian in regards to unschooling.

You have read about being a vegetarian and decided that you agree with the principles and you want to find others to talk with.

You join a group of vegetarians and you say that you have read about it and believe that it's a good thing. You want to eat healthy and change your lifestyle but you really can't give up that weekly cheeseburger or chicken a few times a week.

So you ask other vegetarians how they came to completely give up meat. You are really interested, you believe in the principles and want to implement this lifestyle.

Some people tell you that they aren't completely vegetarian and they think it's ok if you eat a little meat a few times a week. Do what is right for you don't worry if other people think you are a vegetarian or not...

So basically do what you want, eat meat and call yourself a vegetarian.

Bring this to unschooling...

Someone has read about unschooling and believe that it makes sense and want to meet others that unschool.

So they join a group to meet unschoolers and ask a question, something like this.

I really want to unschool, it seems right for my family, it makes sense but I just can't give up math. I used math because it seems to be one of the big hang ups.

So people say well it's ok, I'm not really an unschooler, you don't have to give up formal math lessons or anything. It's ok to limit and control your child's life and to implement lessons. Do what is right for you, who cares if others say you aren't really unschooling.

Why is it that people seem so willing to give advice on something that they aren't even doing?

If someone wants to be a vegetarian than help them, but if they decide they just can't give up meat then that is their decision but they are not a vegetarian.
They can eat more vegetables and choose their foods wisely.

If someone wants to unschool but just can't get out of the box and just can't shift their paradigm, fine.

Don't call yourself an unschooler, if you can't let go of traditional school plans then relax a bit and be a homeschooler.

Why do some want to carry a label when they aren't actually living it? I just don't get it.

So if you really want to get unschooling, read, research, ask, shift, get out of the box and find others who are really unschooling and pick their brains.

Same if you want to be a vegetarian, which I'm not so I can't give you advice on that.

I like meat :)

I am a full fledged unschooler though :)

My kids are wonderful

My hormones have thrown me this week and today was really bad.

My blood pressure keeps surging, I'm crying, I was dizzy and anxious...

Kieran brought me food and stayed and watched me for a bit.

He also loaded the dishwasher and ran it.

Cassie and Jared joined me in bed while I was trying to relax and was crying.

They tended to me with hugs.

They have also been playing great together today.

Brennan fed the animals and all of the kids have been checking on me often.

They even fed themselves too and had very few conflicts today.

It has made dealing with this a little easier.

The last time this happened was November. I did not have any symptoms in December.

I hope these herbs kick in soon, it's been 4 weeks now and UPS better show up tomorrow because I don't have any for Thursday.

Respect

My friend over at Heart Rockin Family has started something awesome.

There is a picture on my sidebar you can click on to check it out.

Here is a link to her blog post.

Internet

My internet went down at 2am and I wasn't happy about it. I didn't get online until 5pm.

Tragic isn't it?

I can admit it, I need the internet.

I love the internet!

So many of my friends live in my computer.

I missed it, I missed you.

Pitiful, I know...

I'm just rocking out right now, listening to the Scorpions and chillin.

My blood pressure has been surging the past several days so I'm just trying to deal.

Waiting for the herbs to kick in.

The weather sucks.

I'm so exciting right now...

Christian or not? or what?

Some of you will know exactly what I'm talking about and some of you won't.



I'm not judging anyone for their choices or beliefs, I did enough if that when I was holier than thou.



Over the past few days I've been talking with others who are on this same path.



For the past few years I have been undoing what 10 years in the church did to me.



It wasn't all bad and I'm not badmouthing anyone in particular.



I have come full circle I guess, I have gone back to the beliefs of my youth.



I believe in God, I believe in creation, I believe in prayer and I believe that God hears me.



I don't need to go to church to believe.



Sometimes he answers too.



I always prayed when I was younger, I wasn't living in a manner that some would call a believer.



No matter where I was or what was going on I knew that God loved me and he was watching out for me.



In 1994 I was baptized and attended the Church of Christ for 10 years. I went through many changes, I also had 4 kids during that time. I learned alot about the Bible and heard many a man preach the gospel.



I became the *perfect Christian* remember when I do something I do it *right*



I also lost a little bit of myself by trying to be something I wasn't. I also looked down on the weak, judged people, I even went up against my grandpa about baptism being essential for salvation. He was the most *christian* person I have ever known and I was telling him like it was.



Anyway I have come to the conclusion that I'm really not a christian anymore. Not in some manmade idea of christianity. I don't prescribe to any religion or teachings or thou shalt nots.



I believe in relationship with God, he created me, he knows me, he loves me.



If a christian just was someone who believes in Christ that would be fine but it's turned into this whole religion and churchianity. Christians are not all nice and fuzzy, some are downright judgmental.



So I am continuing on this journey called life trusting in my creator and praying a lot.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Unwanted :: get rid of unwanted pests


2. You’d better :: you better, you better, you bet, when I say I love you, you say you'd better... (The Who)


3. Woman :: You can change my world (Scorpions)


4. Weighed :: I weighed myself yesterday...


5. Upright :: piano


6. I feel :: fine


7. Ill :: be back


8. It’s like :: this


9. Poor man :: Rich man, Poor man


10. Great :: White (band, I love Great White)

Want to play?

Luna Nina

Family sticker

Well it cuts off my family I guess it's too big...

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

This is cute, I got it from Sandra's blog.

We also have two guinea pigs but the only pets they had were cats and dogs.

Special friends

Jared taught his buddies how to play Texas Holdem.

All or nothing

This tends to be me, I do have some perfectionist tendencies. I say if I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it right.

I have a very hard time with moderation, balance is a difficult place for me to find. Yet is seems I'm always striving for that balance between all or nothing.

I can eat too much, drink too much, bitch too much, care too much etc.

Or not at all...

Several years ago when I found out that Christmas wasn't really Christ's birthday I sold all of my decorations and didn't do Christmas. I can be irrational that way, I regret that because I sold some things I can't replace.

Over the years I really have tried to find that balance but it is a difficult task for me.

It could also be why I am a radical unschooler, if I wasn't I'd be a drill sargeant.

It could also explain why my house is either clean or it looks like people live here all day.

It was easier to keep up on housework when the kids were little, now it's too much.

I am a loyal person though, if we become true friends then I am your friend for life. It doesn't matter if miles and years separate us, you call on me I'm there.

If I find a product or service that I like, I'm a repeat customer and I tell others about it.

I can also get on any one of my soapboxes at any given time and once I get going just sit down and hang on until I'm finished.

As much as moderation is the key, it isn't me.

Life with me is anything but boring.

20 years!!!!

Jason and I have officially been together for 20 years today.

Wow, that is just not possible because I'm too young :)

Yep, just like this year is my 20 year high school reunion, no way!

The truth is that we are totally in love just like we were at 17 and 19.

We have grown together, not grown up, Jason won't ever grow up :)

We live and learn and love, we are totally in sync and completely in love.

Thanks for all you do and who you are and for dealing with me all of these years.

Here's to the next 20!!!!!

This is the link to last year's post.

Denial

In honor of this historic event I am inviting a few of you to join me in denial.

You know who you are!

I won't force you, last I checked this was still a free country, we shall see.

For the next four years you can find me here on a river in Africa...

BWHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

I know it's so profound but I've said enough, you know how I feel.

I could really rip right now cause the hormones are ripe but instead I'm going to watch the House of Payne with my kids and laugh :)

HA HA HA

The jokes on us!

Texas Holdem

The kids and I just learned how to play Texas holdem.

At first it seemed confusing because of all of the terms and rules and rounds of betting. We modified it a bit for our purpose and it is pretty fun.

Last night all six of us were playing and it was a really great time together.

Many nights we are all doing various things so it was nice for all of us to play together.

Usually it's me and a couple kids playing games because everyone doesn't always want to do the same thing.

We are pretty good at it now and it gives us a different card game to play.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Arrival :: flight


2. Vomit :: No vomiting allowed!!!!


3. Fit :: I'm working on getting fit


4. Stutter :: badeep badeep that's all folks


5. Lifestream :: I think that's a website


6. Tread :: Don't you dare , don't you tread on me, don't you tread on me. (Damn Yankees)


7. Desire :: I desire to remain free


8. Freezing :: It is freezing here in the south, take that Al Gore!


9. Permit :: permit me to speak freely


10. Crinkle :: crinkle cut fries

Want to play?

Luna Nina

A new (to me)wine I tried

It's called Malbec, this is the brand I tried.

I copied the text and put it in quotes.

"Originally grown in the Southeast of France, this grape has turned into the premier wine from Argentina, where it has found the most propitious ecological features for its development. Argentinian malbec has become worldwide known and has been awarded well-deserved medals in enological contests.

It acquires different features according to the weather and soil conditions where it is grown. In the area of Maipú, Mendoza, it reaches its highest development, surpassing other regions in the country.

It produces wines of pleasant taste, medium body with certain earthy notes and an intense purple color. Of vigorous texture and taste, it has a touch of rusticity in the palate.

Cluster: mid-sized and quite loose.

Grapes: Spherical, small or medium-sized, bluish black in color, thin skin and soft pulp.

Ripeness: first late season."

Wine Spectator "Best Buy" (from wine.com)

"Black cherry aromas followed by light floral notes and some toast. A soft mouthfeel with sweet black raspberry and cassis fruit flavors layered with hints of coffee, chocolate and spice. Concludes with a long lingering finish with ripe velvety tannins."

I really liked it, I drink Merlot and Cabernet, if you like red wine give this a try.

Jason also bought a Cabernet from Argentina, I haven't tried it yet, probably will tonight.

I love trying new wines but never know what to try, the store owners are very knowledgable about wines.

Ohh it's so good :)

Cheers!

new website

My friend Joanne has her website up and running, it's called An Unschooling Life

She will also be started up Unschooling Voices blog carnival again soon.

Go check out her new site, she is also running a contest

Good Bye Zula

Zula was one of the long time residents at the Elephant Sanctuary.

Homemade game

This is what Cassie and Jared were doing while I was taking a bath last night.
All of the smudging is fog.


They used a Star Wars toy for the controller.

I think we'll wait a while longer before painting her room.

They are so creative, I love all of the stuff they come up with.

Kaplan Video

Dark or Milk?

One of the yahoo groups I'm on has been talking about chocolate.

I am curious as to what chocolate people prefer, this is a little informal poll.

I absolutely love dark chocolate. I mean if I need some and only milk is available then I will eat it, but that is the only exception.

My favorite brands are Godiva and Green's and Black organic.

Godiva is expensive and I only get that once or twice a year, hmmm it's a new year...

I can get Green's and Black in the grocery store, I usually get the 70% cocoa but once in awhile I'll have the 85%.

Don't put any fruit or nuts or coconut in my chocolate either!

If I have anything in the chocolate it's more chocolate. Godiva makes a dark chocolate with chocolate mousse in the center. Now that is heavenly, melt in your mouth good.


So what do you prefer?

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Resolution :: the computer screen size


2. Break :: Break the chains that bind


3. Tied :: tongue tied and twisted


4. Suffering :: pain and suffering


5. Instead :: Instead of Education


6. Slash :: Guns and Roses


7. Divorce :: disillusion


8. Cough :: I cough a lot


9. Happy :: Happy and free


10. Sniffle :: cold? allergy? sniff sniff

Want to play?

Luna Nina

My vacuum sucks!

I mean that literally!

I love this thing, I bought it a week ago and I can't stop using it.

The day after we got it Cassie was vacuuming her room and she sucked up a belt. It literally wrapped around the brush tightly. Jason had to take it apart to get it out and it broke the vacuum cleaner belt.

I had to go down to the store and buy a belt the next day. I was so bummed because I wanted to vacuum that night.

Then I was vacuuming near the computer and it sucked in the cord to Kieran's new gaming headset. It chewed up the cord and he was upset because he just got them two days before.

I called Jay and he brought a new headset home and all was well.

Later I was vacuuming in my room and I sucked up a USB cord, chewed the hell out of it.

My husband said he is going to make the house cordless. HA!

Today I started vacuuming again, my room is so clean, I was sucking up cobwebs this time.

It's a joke now, there goes mom sucking again.

I love to vacuum, it's great therapy...

Tonight I was working on Cassie's room. I packed up several boxes to put in the attic and picked up all of the stuff on the floor, you have no idea how dirty her room gets.

Every little thing that can get on the floor is on the floor, it happens every couple of weeks.

I clean it when I'm pre-menstrual, gotta use those hormones for good. My house is clean one week out of the month, the rest of the time I seem to let it go.

I moved everything out of the closet, we have mice terds around the perimeter of her whole room so we were busy cleaning that up.

We have now trapped 9 mice, I really hope that's it.

We got two for one last night and Jason said that disproves the saying that the second mouse gets the cheese.

I felt bad looking at the little buggers but I can't have them in my house leaving evidence everywhere, I mean everywhere and running around scaring me.

Awesome commercial

I saw an awesome commercial tonight about how the system fails students, it is geared toward higher education but it speaks volumes about school for all.

Kaplan University is the one putting on the ad campaign.

I searched high and low for the commercial but I can't find it online, all I'm finding is the articles.

The link will give you a glimpse of it and I hope the video will be available online soon.

I loved it!

After Midnight

This piggyback's off of my last post.

Thanks for the comments from my fellow night owl cyber friend's :)

It is the dawn of a new day, this is my new day, I am awake, I feel good after midnight.

Of course the hot bath helps a ton I have been going all day, work, work, work...

I used to believe that the time of day we were born coinincides with our sleep/awake patterns.

I have met many people over the years that do make that ring true, but some who didn't.

I guess that is true with anything, we can find enough evidence to make or break anything.

Nothing is absolute because people are people, we are unique even when we have many similarities.

I love being up at night, I shop at night, I clean at night, I ummm do things at night.

I am in such a fog most of the day, so I was born at 11:48 pm and I have always been a night person.

It is hard for me to fall asleep, it's been that way since day 1.

My husband has the ability to go to bed late and get up early for work, he also can take 20 minute naps and be refreshed.

If I try to take a nap it takes me a looooong time to get comfortable, I have to be in my bed for starters.

He naps on his lunch break if he is tired, I have read that people who power nap are able to recharge and be alert.

Well I can't do that, but I am alert now :)

Hey it's almost time for House of Payne...

The kids have summoned me :)

The other side of the clock

I have always been a night owl, it was torture to get up and go to school for all of those years.

No matter what, I was up late and got very little sleep.

In highschool I used two alarm clocks, one by my bed and one on the other side of my room, so I had to get up to shut it off.

That was actually my boss' idea, I worked as a hotel maid and had to be there by 8am on weekends.

It didn't work though, I would just get up and go back and forth for at least 30 minutes most days.

When I did work, I worked the swing shift, I was in college and had morning classes, go figure.

My children have inherited my night owl tendencies.

You could say some is because of environment but if that were true I would have adapted to the dayshift.

Lately though we have gotten even later.

We have started a 2am ritual of watching House of Payne. We absolutely love it, it is hilarious, the kids get all excited when I stay up and watch it with them.

It seems that they have headed into going to bed at 4am, sometimes later.

I don't get as much sleep as the kids but I guess they need more.

I love the freedom we have to sleep when we want, it's important to find your natural rhythm.

I think it's detrimental to try and force sleep, just like it's detrimental to force anything on another person.

disqualified?

My internet was down and I didn't post yesterday.

Sheesh!

I had some thoughts that I wanted to get down and now I have to find them again.

I realize how much I have invested in my internet service working.

It is really difficult to be without internet when you expect it to be there whenever you want it.

bigger kids = bigger stuff

Remember how easy it was to take care of babies and toddlers?

I'm not saying it wasn't a lot of work. I know, I have 4 kids.

What I mean is it's different now that they are older and bigger.

When they are small it's easier to keep up with housework. It's easier to breastfeed and change diapers and carry your baby around.

Sure you are sleep deprived, I still don't get as much sleep as I would like.

I guess I am just seeing how much stuff we have and how big the kids are.

There is more dishes and more laundry and more toys and projects and clutter then ever before.

I can't seem to keep up with everything.

I do ask for help, but this goes beyond dishes and laundry and sweeping the floor or feeding the dogs.

We have too much stuff and not enough space.

I have to figure out how to organize and declutter.

We just moved Jared out of our bed and into the boys room, so now there are 3 beds and 3 boys sharing that room.

It is piled with stuff.

Jared's clothes and lots of his toys are in Cassie's room.

I would like to find an easy system of storing stuff so it's easy to take out and put back.

It's just so funny because people used to tell me that it gets easier as they get older.

I guess we trade off the constant physical care of a newborn to the mental energy it takes to parent older children.

My kids are so wonderful, I'm not complaining at all.

I love this life, I'm just overwhelmed with the stuff and need to find a way to fix it.

If anyone has decluttering or storage advice, let me in on it.

Unconscious Mutterings

1. Confirmation :: reservation


2. Verse :: phillipians 4:13


3. Authorize :: authorize that
   
4. Blog :: I dig blogs


5. Thirty :: something


6. Heir :: I'm not an heir to anything although I swear I was born for royalty. That is another topic :)


7. What are you doing? :: duh! Just took a bath, had some wine and I am muttering...


8. Complaint :: file a complaint


9. Leave :: me alone


10. Tune :: 1.fm high voltage kick ass rock.

Want to play?

Luna Nuna

V

Some of my peeps recommended that I watch V for Vendetta.

I love that, I have peeps :)

They just got an inkling of my view on government and thought I would appreciate the movie.

Have you seen the movie?

Oh my gosh!

This is not my usual movie, I mean I like comedy/drama type stuff I'm not usually into this,but I totally loved it.

People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

My political views have been expressed briefly and are in my politics folder.

I admit to being tame, I didn't want to offend anyone.

Guess what?

I'm so sick of political correctness, I'm sick of people being offended by every turn, I'm sick of walking on eggshells. I may not ever write publically how I really feel about the Obamanation. I will continue to write about living and learning and my view of it all.

Trust me, I have kept many of my real opinions quiet...

If anyone is offended by anything I say then they don't know me, they aren't ready to know me.


If I offend you then go shift your paradigm and come back and see me.

To mommy

Cassie made this for me last night, she usually draws elephants for me. I guess she felt like a little addition instead.



My other kids don't do stuff like this but she loves numbers, last week she was working on multiplication.

Never been schooled...

parents who instill fear instead of trust

I am always amazed by the poor parenting that I see.

I know some people are just clueless, or some are repeating bad habits from their own parents.

There are many of us who had terrible childhood's, yet we choose to break away and do it differently. We choose trust and respect instead of fear and punishment.

I think it falls right into choosing to homeschool instead of sending our kids away to an institution.

The things I hear from the kids who play here always make me go WTF?

Tonight the girl tells me that her mom is going to take away her tv. I asked her why, she said because she had it up too loud, I have to keep the volume below 20 or she'll take it away.

This is a small example of how they are in constant fear of what will be taken away, being grounded, getting spanked, yelled at or just plain not allowed to do anything.

Tonight I said your mother needs to get over it, then I realized I said it out loud.

I just don't get it.

The boy has gotten in trouble for asking to eat over before, he got summoned home and had the third degree about whether we invited him or he invited himself.

They never want to leave, they are here as long as they are *allowed* to be.

Sometimes I'm not in the mood to be their parent also, but I realize what they are living with and I feel for them.

I just don't get why some people treat their children so badly and their kids live in fear.

It's asinine!

I just wish I could slap people upside the head and give them a clue about the lasting effects of their stupidity.

First post of the New Year

I wasn't sure what to write about.

I decided to tell you about the dream I had last night.

It seems like I have had this dream twice now.

I remember getting a baby, not having one but someone giving us one. I don't recall the details. In the dream it seems like maybe he was abandoned and someone found him and knew that I love babies and I would take care of him.

He is a black baby and his name is Jakeel.

In the second dream there is some reference to legalities and we start searching missing persons and wonder if I'm going to get arrested for not contacting the police right away.

It's bizarre really, I can still picture the baby in my mind.

The truth is I do love babies and I would raise another as long as I don't have to give birth.

I'm at a point right now of actually enjoying being out of the baby stage.