tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9681003107518863662024-02-06T23:43:48.917-06:00Mere's MusingsMere's Musings is a stew pot of the random thoughts that are tossed about this gray matter of mine.
So basically everything I wish I could tell someone but that no one really wants to listen to.
Inclusive of matters related to health, spirituality, my children, random facts but definately not limited to these topics whatsoever!Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-8641870557948281162012-03-14T16:30:00.000-05:002012-03-14T16:30:02.260-05:00DVT? what's that to me?DVT? What’s that to me?<br />
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DVT is not a new form of cable or live TV recording or the latest all terrain vehicle. It’s a medical condition. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. The DVT usually becomes fatal when it travels from the deep vein and travels to the lungs. <br />
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According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the United States up to 600,000 people are diagnosed annually with DVT. One third of those diagnosed die (usually within a month of diagnosis), one third have a reoccurrence, and another third will have long term complications. <br />
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Can anyone get a DVT? DVT is not obsolete for any age but increasing age is a risk factor. Other risk factors include hospitalization for an illness, recent surgery or trauma such as a fracture or sprain, history of a clotting disorder, cancer and cancer treatments, pregnancy and the first 6 weeks after delivery, birth control or hormone replacement products, family history of DVT, extended bed rest, obesity, smoking and prolonged sitting when traveling. <br />
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How do I know if I have a DVT? DVT is often diagnosed with an ultrasound when commons symptoms appear such as recent swelling of the limb, unexplained pain or tenderness, redness of the skin, or skin that may be warm to the touch in a localized area. <br />
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If you have any of these symptoms, it is an emergency and you should seek medical attention immediately. <br />
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Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help prevent DVT’s. When traveling, get up and walk around every 2-3 hours, wear loose fitting clothes, and drink plenty of water. <br />
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Research is ongoing to further define the cause, treatment and prevention of DVT. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/blooddisorders.Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-11508813437288483132012-02-16T19:24:00.001-06:002012-02-16T19:31:58.628-06:00Pantry Wars<img alt="" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /><br />
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Forget Chopped and Rachel Raye, Pioneer Woman and Bobby Flay. My friends and I have created the next Food Network sensation.<br />
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Pantry Wars.<br />
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The week before payday (all us government folk, get paid once per month) when it's at least seven more days before you can go to the grocery store or more than a night before you can call in pizza - - - and whatever is left in the pantry is what's for dinner. Usually it's the random ingredients that have escaped the normal cooking routines, maybe the cans of stuff that really aren't anyone's favorites. Pulling off a successful dinner is often nothing short of the work of a magician. <br />
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Enter Panty Wars. The intro theme song starts with twitter like birds chirping in the bright sunshine and a day calendar marking the grand day of the month, pay day .... in cartoon animated style .... happy families are enacting bountiful meals and fun chatter at restaurants ...... then as the black and white day calendar flips .... the chirping eases, the theme song slows as does the countenance of the meal participants. By day 25 .... dinner time turns stormy as kids are pushing away plates of plain noodles and disappointed looks at another night of sandwiches or worse..... CEREAL!<br />
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The animated mom donning an apron and a weary look throws open the pantry to find three items staring at her - the personified non-perishables - hide their eyes as if its been months since seeing the light of day. <br />
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And then the big words pop on the screen --- PANTRY WARS!<br />
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The challenge - use those few remaining food items to pull off a successful dinner.<br />
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Successful contestant and fellow Pantry Wars creator pulled off success a few days ago. Cara Thomas with her ingredients ----- hamburger, rice, rotel and CHEEZ WHIZ. She whipped them together into a casserole and all five of her kids voted it one of the best dinners she's put together.<br />
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I've participated in this game many a time, sometimes successful, sometimes disastrous. Recently I had 4 tortillas, a can of kidney beans, half a packet of taco seasoning, 1 chicken breast, some minute rice and less than a 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. I baked and shredded the chicken. Warmed the beans mixed with the taco mix on the stove and cooked the rice. The rice was a little sticky and of course I was out of butter, so I stirred in a tablespoon of whipped creme cheese. From this handful of mismatched ingredients I made "big ole burritos". Layered all the ingredients in the tortillas and wrapped them up Chipotle Style. Loved by all. <br />
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Contributing creator aka my BFF, Shannon says she often makes the aforementioned combo sans tortillas and pulls it off as "naked burritos".<br />
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So keep your eyes peeled and your DVR's ready - Pantry Wars just may be the next big hit!!!<br />
Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-52780679097144955432012-01-30T08:00:00.000-06:002012-01-30T08:00:30.181-06:00Gramma's Green Thumb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFDeeB5gX4v-qsEQ3iAY-dqA2k-KzmSfWBwDXykdJ-CqO6kxjTB6S5x0vn5uym1-a7VGA1ByTNS7nKG5PlSuL8HZHu_e5uNLm9RBoclPMUSjCNuerB2lDU6658jhDBfW_TB-HWc7cOJA0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFDeeB5gX4v-qsEQ3iAY-dqA2k-KzmSfWBwDXykdJ-CqO6kxjTB6S5x0vn5uym1-a7VGA1ByTNS7nKG5PlSuL8HZHu_e5uNLm9RBoclPMUSjCNuerB2lDU6658jhDBfW_TB-HWc7cOJA0/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This Monday Morning I walked into my office and found an explosion of new growth on my "African Beauty" my affectionate name for the African Violet I rescued and revived. A few months back - my colleagues and I "cleaned house" in our wing. One thing we found was a near dead African Violet in the conference room. African Violets have always been a sentimental plant for me. My gramma used to always have several amidst her cadre of plants growing in her home. So when I saw the sad office African violet - a twinge of emotion - probably a mix of the happy memories in my grandmothers home and the sadness I still feel in her absence - I volunteered to do my best to resuscitate it.<br />
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Mind you - I have two plants in my home and one in my office. All three of which my mom says are "easy" plants to grow. I lack a lot in the green thumb department. I nearly failed College Botany with our plant projects where we had to grow an assortment of plants. EEK. So for me to resuscitate such a delicate plant was nothing short of a miracle. <br />
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With some assistance from a Plant Expert colleague, I trimmed two of the remaining green leaves, grew roots on them for a few weeks and then delicately planted them in some fresh soil. For what seemed like FOREVER, it was just two old leaves stuck in a pot of soil. Then one morning, I came in and two little leaves were poking their little green heads through the soil, like sleepy children early in the morning, peeking out of their covers. <br />
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As much as I often dread Monday mornings, I like coming in to see the growth on my African Beauty. It seems like the quiet always does her good. But this morning - wow! - she has really taken shape. As I watered her with her special food this morning, I though my gramma would be so proud of me! And then I laughed to myself - because I can just imagine me telling her and her with her typical nonexcitable self would spat "well, sis, that isn't hard to do, anyone could do that". I loved that woman! Oh... and today my African Beauty reminds me of how much I miss her. But so happy for all that she has passed on to me. <br />
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Grandma, if you can hear me now, I hope I have made you proud. Love you and miss you so much!Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-36321085959597696412012-01-28T17:09:00.000-06:002012-01-28T17:09:04.153-06:00More Christmas Recipes Part Cuatro - Sticky Buns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQp7ek8f0jXbGZH7gE5RkAsAy3nvB_CO7HpJj-BZl1S36uiaMDTwRA52Brko7GpetaaYIeF811jsipPNPj29goysm81MzYnhCFKznS5hOUh_oWKzGWkxovfvMcOcy3Q-9m2aJLijbk1Rb/s1600/IMG_3488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQp7ek8f0jXbGZH7gE5RkAsAy3nvB_CO7HpJj-BZl1S36uiaMDTwRA52Brko7GpetaaYIeF811jsipPNPj29goysm81MzYnhCFKznS5hOUh_oWKzGWkxovfvMcOcy3Q-9m2aJLijbk1Rb/s320/IMG_3488.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sticky Buns / Monkey Bread / Pull Aparts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">--- Whatever you call them ---- </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But for Christmas Even Morning - They were a flop - see Above</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I thought they have to be better --- so I changed them up from the original pinterest recipe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just put about 1/3 stick of melted butter, squirted syrup all over the bottom of a pie plate, threw in about 1/2 cup of brown sugar, a handful of pecans and sprinkled with a nice coat of cinammon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Baked at 350 for 20 mins and got this....</div><br />
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Yeah - and when I don't measure exactly - it's way easier for me to calculate WW points -- this looks about like 3 points per bun. :)Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-76388806050590078682012-01-28T16:42:00.000-06:002012-01-28T16:42:30.848-06:00More recipes from Christmas - Pineapple Centerpiece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54Q2rRoPF9BHeGMsLFkaQm49GdtB_EUHH9SOY_tfAw_F0uqatp8bmVnPFvty-F9IN0RMruFtxKyxEO2xrCIRb3m8NGEdpk_mVfJN9sRQ9hjoabZSB21CCZFZ8ZMqU6BiytBA9DJme85Y9/s1600/IMG_3498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54Q2rRoPF9BHeGMsLFkaQm49GdtB_EUHH9SOY_tfAw_F0uqatp8bmVnPFvty-F9IN0RMruFtxKyxEO2xrCIRb3m8NGEdpk_mVfJN9sRQ9hjoabZSB21CCZFZ8ZMqU6BiytBA9DJme85Y9/s320/IMG_3498.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Pineapple Centerpiece</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My family loves fresh fruit - so for breakfast on Christmas eve morning - with my failed sticky buns (recipe to follow) - I cut up some fresh pineapple. (BTW on sale at ALDI this week 99 cents)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I though what a waste of the pineapple top so I stuck it down in the middle of my cut up fruit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Parker came down for breakfast - first thing he said "I like what you did with the pineapple mom" - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">so I left it and got several compliments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-77867632420065238842012-01-28T16:34:00.000-06:002012-01-28T16:34:47.340-06:00Recipes from Christmas Take 2 -<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is my mom's classic recipe - however - I replaced ham with bacon and cooked in the crock pot. And it was delish - USSS!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT998x9RNBcmF_cnSlQTW7e6DPgQwTT_kQrRI53fM1ZDw3OSNsFrfX8oypfPKoR8cFV36sut9k_A3tsee_1YZB93cZKRyFZciHqaFw7jhFXV87Mhur55_tcf8vM2c8z8Ow8UT9X4Yq55a_/s1600/IMG_3489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT998x9RNBcmF_cnSlQTW7e6DPgQwTT_kQrRI53fM1ZDw3OSNsFrfX8oypfPKoR8cFV36sut9k_A3tsee_1YZB93cZKRyFZciHqaFw7jhFXV87Mhur55_tcf8vM2c8z8Ow8UT9X4Yq55a_/s320/IMG_3489.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Wash and peel your desired amount of potatoes - these potatoes were perfect for my small crockpot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZShkHh8gIKS3hr73z9SfjrkwqFj6DPqP_80y6dq2oYLPtI-i1HQvmWRNIR6w_kcW1J5dTt_4n3lXhMPSCrpYHpR7D5ADc6MQkP4qmTQ6bAhFHWxt_LkfFyEz6DXwd_UfhXqm2Ux0ssewt/s1600/IMG_3490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZShkHh8gIKS3hr73z9SfjrkwqFj6DPqP_80y6dq2oYLPtI-i1HQvmWRNIR6w_kcW1J5dTt_4n3lXhMPSCrpYHpR7D5ADc6MQkP4qmTQ6bAhFHWxt_LkfFyEz6DXwd_UfhXqm2Ux0ssewt/s320/IMG_3490.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Slice by hand or in your hand food processor ( I LOVE MINE)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vBdsgQn95Kaa4C8O4BeEJ3AbVNTIMK-wQXJu9XMOsSedL1iKIv-jZ2j_7d90aK3hVXxAdfMYsML255t6geI37Lam2GzG8hnaml0bwccynIRKpfzD5cGtAjobVQGEgE4esXT1u0-gPR-b/s1600/IMG_3492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vBdsgQn95Kaa4C8O4BeEJ3AbVNTIMK-wQXJu9XMOsSedL1iKIv-jZ2j_7d90aK3hVXxAdfMYsML255t6geI37Lam2GzG8hnaml0bwccynIRKpfzD5cGtAjobVQGEgE4esXT1u0-gPR-b/s320/IMG_3492.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Cube velveeta, grab a stick of butter, milk, and bacon (I cheated with pre cooked bacon)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> *like my velveeta cuber? It came with a random block of velveeta a few years back, Love it*</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alternate layers of sliced potatoes, cheese, butter, salt & pepper until you fill 3/4 of your crock-pot. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhlL2hKwT9boQdczbQsmhp4ZCOgKDPcZFGsjdfb5AIVyvVgwm9K7sRylRBVVoTHcd1cBC7VwUbZ9thxdox6FapQMePC33Q7jcrXpvSvV0RqWdvt5srgfJgmqypnJ-XCxGJ_SQqmYQrx6d/s1600/IMG_3494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhlL2hKwT9boQdczbQsmhp4ZCOgKDPcZFGsjdfb5AIVyvVgwm9K7sRylRBVVoTHcd1cBC7VwUbZ9thxdox6FapQMePC33Q7jcrXpvSvV0RqWdvt5srgfJgmqypnJ-XCxGJ_SQqmYQrx6d/s320/IMG_3494.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fill with milk until you can see it about half way up your potatoes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cook on medium for five - six hours or until potatoes are tender ....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD5IPFeccSVFRdprXZPVN89NE636RckVMUzMsk5l49z0dv7f4mKWtoORFxlkktZB6V_wEW9lLKX6tSn8wZgqU48U1T-h9b1JiyRiDumib8oZvfGBe-8nasK77hU4skhGpiXKclS4ab4rB/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD5IPFeccSVFRdprXZPVN89NE636RckVMUzMsk5l49z0dv7f4mKWtoORFxlkktZB6V_wEW9lLKX6tSn8wZgqU48U1T-h9b1JiyRiDumib8oZvfGBe-8nasK77hU4skhGpiXKclS4ab4rB/s320/IMG_3501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the result is yummy potatoes!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not super pretty - but super yummy - I promise!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-70825276198977150562012-01-28T16:13:00.000-06:002012-01-28T16:13:36.667-06:00Recipes from Christmas pt 1 - Veggie SlawI never followed up from all my Christmas recipes.... So a month later I'll post a few. :)<br />
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After a long day in September tromping all over the Tulsa State Fair the kids and I took a load off our feet in the Oklahoma Building in front of the cooking demo. You know the guy that is selling the $5000 cookware - but you get free samples as he demonstrates... Yeah, so he made a veggie slaw - no cook btw - so who knows why it was in the show. <br />
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ANYWAY - the recipe stuck and we have it now about once a week. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">VEGGIE SLAW </div><br />
Shred as much or as little of your veggies - any kind carrots, peppers, broccoli, squash, cabbage (i tried celery once, but didn't work so well) - in your food processor. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then the magic ingredient, *drum roll*</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> an APPLE. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Core and then shred in food processor with veggies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9niDCtactPk5C-NkbaplL_nMnoHc2NFLkjXsC2fArczgG1V24UNyae6ITMCHQCzbnjtQt3wu5XD88DuqO2gxklx9DGvEvGgTO1mfcPnDDTEX0z6NdQHpKN0VD1QlZDrPv4u-Iyp5mR_Ix/s1600/IMG_3496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9niDCtactPk5C-NkbaplL_nMnoHc2NFLkjXsC2fArczgG1V24UNyae6ITMCHQCzbnjtQt3wu5XD88DuqO2gxklx9DGvEvGgTO1mfcPnDDTEX0z6NdQHpKN0VD1QlZDrPv4u-Iyp5mR_Ix/s320/IMG_3496.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Toss all shredded veggies and apple with raspberry vinaigrette</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and for some extra texture I add a small handful of pecans. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwssGlqsNSjbTQeUByxtdjzoxGdlBKWLOpLJxthOz8wXXNGDsYUMw98t236wTOmCIb2otq1DIrx5N-sojwnktWE5Yn-D_gWDLsmUnwJaR8rcsO5ImF1NhiYR7oZ4vpHSj9D7Mh6dnszUP/s1600/IMG_3497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwssGlqsNSjbTQeUByxtdjzoxGdlBKWLOpLJxthOz8wXXNGDsYUMw98t236wTOmCIb2otq1DIrx5N-sojwnktWE5Yn-D_gWDLsmUnwJaR8rcsO5ImF1NhiYR7oZ4vpHSj9D7Mh6dnszUP/s320/IMG_3497.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So YUMMY and Super Easy!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And my kids eat it! And they don't know it's full of all kinds of good veggies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!</div>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-47653868543223923042011-12-20T16:57:00.000-06:002011-12-20T16:57:27.815-06:00Christmas Meal Planning Via PinterestYeah - I'm addicted to Pinterest. I have planned our two days of Christmas meals with recipes from Pinterest. Here we go ....<br />
<br />
Christmas Eve:<br />
Morning - <a href="http://all-things-delicious.blogspot.com/2011/03/sticky-bun-breakfast-ring.html">Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring</a><br />
Lunch - <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187251296976300170/">Creamy Tomato Soup</a> & <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/211035932508325262/">Grilled Bacon & Cheese Sandwiches</a><br />
Dinner - Mom's Brisket, Scalloped Potatoes, Veggie Slaw with Raspberry Vinaigrette (These will get there own Pinterest entries, by yours truly), corn, & for dessert <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/184084703488428542/">Strawberry Pretzel Salad</a><br />
<br />
Christmas Day:<br />
Morning - we have a traditional big country breakfast :) Yummy!!<br />
Lunch - Leftovers of course!<br />
Dinner - <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/184084703488396586/">Mexican Chicken </a>in the Crockpot served with rice and tortillas <br />
<br />
The Morning After:<br />
Morning - back to muffins, cereal and fruit<br />
Lunch - Sandwiches (the boring kind)<br />
<br />
Plan to sprinkle the weekend with my New <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/184084703488424155/">Coquito</a> Recipe! <br />
<br />
Next week... New Year's Weight Watchers Recipes! haha. until then.....Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-58729111126538830202011-12-18T10:27:00.000-06:002011-12-18T10:27:18.390-06:00Coquito - Christmas In A Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJbZsp6cVe0RVWubvWm4RkRs-odxw_f2F_RNpzTR3kZj0k8WgWskjg7PUYTDFBBiuLK3MeKeI9uRMvQk1riAmVTnTuvUO26cZ9O9qB1AtVScR8yDoxsxtfAWAICyHQDD_e0dBM23xkRq-/s1600/Christmas+in+a+cup" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJbZsp6cVe0RVWubvWm4RkRs-odxw_f2F_RNpzTR3kZj0k8WgWskjg7PUYTDFBBiuLK3MeKeI9uRMvQk1riAmVTnTuvUO26cZ9O9qB1AtVScR8yDoxsxtfAWAICyHQDD_e0dBM23xkRq-/s320/Christmas+in+a+cup" width="239" /></a></div>At a Christmas party last week, my friend Tonia brought the most amazing holiday drink, a Puerto Rican twist to egg nog - Coquito. This yummy drink is egg less and delish-ous - ness!! So of course I recreated some for our family afternoon Christmas get together that is taking place this afternoon. I'm hoping to get rave reviews - if not - more for me!!<br />
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<br />
<b>Coquito</b><br />
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<b>1 can of Evaporated Milk ( I used the a low fat version)</b><br />
<b>1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk (again, a low fat version)</b><br />
<b>2 cans of coconut milk (I used Silk Coconut Milk in the refrigerator section, since I couldn't find the canned)</b><br />
<b>1 cup of raisins</b><br />
<b>Cinnamon and Nutmeg to taste - I like a lot </b><br />
<b>1 tsp vanilla</b><br />
<b>1-2 cups of light Rum (from 0-2 cups its still yummy)</b><br />
<br />
<b>Put in Blender for 3-5 mins. Pour in container with a seal, drop in 3-5 cinnamon sticks) Refrigerate until chilled. </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>ENJOY!! </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-65967694049170752412011-12-07T06:30:00.000-06:002011-12-07T06:30:11.735-06:00DissappointedFor the past two weeks, a family close to ours has lived out a nightmare at Union Public Schools. I am so sad and disappointed that a wrap around program - well intentioned I believe - was so poorly managed and administrated at the 6th grade center. See her story below....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
December 5, 2011<br />
<br />
To Whom It May Concern,<br />
<br />
In August, our daughter started 6th grade at the 6th/7th Grade Center for Union Public Schools (UPS) after going to Anderson elementary through grade school. We and our children loved Anderson Elementary and we assumed we and our children would love the other UPS.<br />
<br />
This letter is to share with you our experience in the first 9 weeks of school at the 6th / 7th Grade Center of UPS.<br />
<br />
We were aware early on that the kids were divided into (what we thought were harmless) “<strong><span>color groups</span></strong>”. As you will see, we no longer believe that to be the case and in fact believe UPS is <strong>segregating</strong> children based on a perceived “need” by UPS.<br />
<br />
The school’s website states: “the 6th grade is divided into teams which consist of a core group of teachers & 140 students…<strong>Each team is designated by a <span>color name</span> & offers the same curriculum choices. </strong> The student’s core classes are located in the same area of the building as their locker. When students change classes they usually only travel across the hall except when attending electives.”<br />
<br />
Children are, essentially, <strong>segregated (from each other/other kids) by <span>color group</span>,</strong> as they are confined to their color group’s area of the building, except for electives. They are, therefore segregated, truly, <strong><span>by color</span>.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The children in one <strong><span>color group</span></strong>, in particular the yellow group, were chosen, specifically, to be in the yellow <strong><span>color group</span></strong> to participate in the <strong>Carrera Program.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
The Carrera website, itself states this about the Carrera Program:<br />
“The CAS-Carrera Program is an intensive, multi-year after school program for high-risk high school students. It runs year-round, five to six days each week and serves teens until they complete high school.<br />
<em>Through a youth development approach, the CAS-Carrera Program addresses the underlying factors associated with teenage pregnancy and childbearing, such as poverty, school failure, unemployment, and inadequate health care.</em><br />
<em>The program seeks to improve access to health care (including reproductive health services), reduce sexual activity rates, increase contraceptive use, and reduce pregnancy. It has seven components, including employment and academic assistance, family life and sexuality education, performing arts experience, sports training, and mental and physical health care.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Population Served</em></strong><br />
<em>The evaluated CAS-Carrera Program served low-income, high-risk boys and girls, aged 13-15. (Note: the program is currently starting with youth aged 11-12; this profile is based only on the programs evaluated with older teens.)</em><br />
<em>The majority of participants (60%) were African American; 39% were Hispanic. Only one in three participants (35%) lived in a two-parent family, and the majority of teens (61%) lived with an unemployed adult and/or received entitlement benefits.” <strong>[i]</strong></em><br />
<br />
Our daughter was miserable the first couple of weeks because none of her friends from elementary school were in her <strong><span>yellow</span></strong><span> <strong>color group</strong></span>. She did, however, make new friends, quickly, in her <strong><span>yellow color group</span></strong>.<br />
<br />
On November 10th our daughter came home from school excited because the children in the<strong><span> yellow color group</span></strong> were “specially chosen” when they were in 5th grade to be in the<strong> <span>yellow color group</span></strong> “to be a part of a special program. “<br />
<br />
She said the <strong><span>yellow color group</span></strong> was going to <strong>get paid weekly</strong> <strong>for participating</strong>, which will add up to be around $900 in their very own savings account by the time they graduated from Union Public Schools. She explained they would have “job class” and that this program would help them get into college when they graduate.<br />
<br />
She gave me a packet of forms to be signed and turned in ASAP or else she <strong>would have to switch to another <span>color group</span> that wasn’t going to get to do all of these great things and then would have new teachers and friends</strong>.<br />
<br />
The cover letter stated:<br />
<br />
“Your child is invited to be among 220 sixth graders who have the opportunity to participate in an exciting, nationally honored program that will follow them through graduation from Union High School. They will have enrichment opportunities; decision making, pregnancy prevention, educational stimulation to improve their lives, extended learning time, extracurricular activities, individualized academic & talent development, & guidance through the changes of adolescence combine to support your student’s total development.<br />
<br />
The students will get:<br />
<ul><li>Daily one on one or small group tutoring.</li>
<li>College entrance test preparation.</li>
<li>College trips.</li>
<li>Individual academic plans.</li>
<li>Weekly job club class.</li>
<li>Financial literacy.</li>
<li>Savings account.</li>
<li>Exploring career choices.</li>
<li>A paid stipend.</li>
<li>Weekly medically & scientifically comprehensive sex ed.</li>
<li>Mental health services.</li>
<li>Power groups led by professional counselors.</li>
<li>24 hour counseling & crisis intervention.</li>
<li>Full medical & dental care.</li>
<li>Music, dance, writing, & drama workshops.</li>
<li>Discover talents & build self esteem.</li>
<li>Lifetime individual sports including golf, tennis, squash, etc.</li>
<li>Expanded learning opportunities are available.”</li>
</ul>After reading the above, I thought it sounded like a great program! Who <strong><span>wouldn’t</span></strong> want their child to be a part of it? My first thought was: shouldn’t the school be providing a majority of the these things minus the savings account, the weekly stipends, medical services, dental services, mental health services, & the weekly comprehensive sex ed?<br />
<br />
The <strong>first thing that concerned me</strong> was the weekly comprehensive sex ed. <br />
What exactly will they be teaching our child? We feel that is our responsibility to educate our children on sex ed……..not the school and not the government.<br />
<br />
I called the program director & asked what kind of “sex education” would be taught to our child.<br />
I was told that Mr. Carrera is an “above the waist” kind of guy & that they are all about teaching abstinence, hygiene, & focusing on school, career choices, & extracurricular activities to get kids excited about their future.<br />
<br />
The Carrera Program website, however, says:<br />
<br />
“<em>The program seeks to improve access to health care (including reproductive health services), reduce sexual activity rates, increase contraceptive use, and reduce pregnancy.” <strong>[ii]</strong></em><br />
<br />
I told them we already have excellent insurance and that she would not need the medical / dental coverage. They said we would just use it as secondary and, for example, “if your child needed braces they would pick up the cost that the insurance didn’t pay.” <strong>I was told to just check yes that we wanted medical services on the packet</strong>. I thanked them for talking with me.<br />
<br />
That evening as I sat down to fill out the program application I turned to the page following the cover letter and saw: “<strong>Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program</strong>”. <br />
<br />
Below the heading was the programs description and philosophy which read,<br />
<br />
“<em>The Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program uses a long term holistic approach to empower youth, to help them develop personal goals and the desire for a productive future, <strong>in addition to developing their sexual literacy, education them about abstinence, and the consequences of sexual activity</strong>. Guided by a philosophy that sees youth as “at promise” instead of “at risk”, Carrera works to develop a participant’s capacity and desire to avoid pregnancy. The program model also provides opportunities for young people to discover interests and develop talents, as well as emphasizing education and employment.”</em><br />
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My next question was: <strong>Who decided and how was it decided which students are considered high risk and would be in this group?</strong><br />
<br />
The Carrera Program states on their website:<br />
<br />
“The CAS-Carrera Program is an intensive, multi-year after-school program for high-risk high school students. The evaluated CAS-Carrera Program served low-income, high-risk boys and girls, aged 13-15. (Note: the program is currently starting with youth aged 11-12; this profile is based only on the programs evaluated with older teens.)” [iii]<br />
Let me tell you a little about our family. Our daughter lives with her biological, happily married parents who love & care about her. She has a brother, a sister, a dog, a rabbit, 2 ferrets, 2 hamsters, & 3 African dwarf frogs that live under that same roof. She has extensive extended family that is very involved in her life. Her parents are active in her life. She plays the viola in orchestra. She is in Honors English. She loves to read. She has played soccer since she was 5 years old. She attends church on a regular basis & has a relationship with Jesus. She has been taught to care about & respect others. She has been taught our family values. She has numerous friends & a caring heart. So how in the world was she deemed at risk?<br />
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The information required was: participant’s contact information, medical, dental, vision information, child’s primary care physician information, last physical, a request for <strong>all insurance information</strong>, allergies, asthma, special needs, medications, immunization information, dentist information, last dental exam, insurance, last vision screening, and vision service provider, all fairly typical participant information.<br />
<br />
However, as I moved to the next page Medical, Dental, and Vision Screening Services, it was evident that the guardian must check: “Yes, I want my child to receive services through the program” or “No, I do not want my child to receive services through the program”. If, “Yes”, the following consent must be completed:<br />
“If yes, I, __________, the parent or guardian of __________, hereby <strong><span>give my consent to the staff of the Carrera Program to travel with my child to and from his/her appointments. I give my consent to the Carrera Program to accompany my child to his/her medical appointments, to communicate with health professionals regarding the health of my child and to receive prescriptions on behalf of my child.</span></strong>”<br />
<br />
I was shocked, to say the least. Does someone really think we are going to give <strong>someone else</strong>, <strong>someone </strong>who cannot possibly care as much as we do about our daughter, permission to take her to the doctor, make medical decisions and pick up prescriptions <strong>without our input or knowledge</strong>?<br />
<br />
If I am unable to take our daughter to the doctor then her father will take her, if he can’t then her grandparents will, and if they can’t then we <strong>might consider</strong> letting someone, we appoint, to take her.<br />
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Furthermore, if we chose the medical services, our only option <strong><span>is</span></strong> to <strong>give the program permission to obtain medical, dental, vision or mental health</strong> services, such as: obtaining prescriptions (birth control), consent (<strong>for us</strong>) for medical services (physical, mental, dental or vision exams or an abortion!) <strong><span>without our prior or post consent or knowledge!</span></strong><br />
<br />
If, “No, I do not want my child to receive services through the program”, the following consent must be completed:<br />
“If no, I, __________, the parent or guardian of ____________, certify that I do not want my child to receive medical and/or dental services through the program. I understand that I am able to change my decision at any time during my child’s participation in the program.”<br />
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Where is the box that states we would like medical services through the program but we will not allow anyone but the child’s parents to take them to appointments, communicate about the health of our child, and get prescriptions? They must have left that out. I can’t even go to the doctor and pick up my husband’s medical records or talk to them on behalf of my husband without him signing a release due to HIPPA so if I can’t do that with my spouse why should the <strong>Carrera Program </strong>staff have permission to do that with our <strong>minor child</strong>?<br />
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<strong>Why</strong> would I give people I don’t even know that <strong>much access </strong>to our child? Plain and simple: <strong>I would not!</strong><br />
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<strong>I was alarmed</strong> with the control and access this program would have to our child and the decisions<span> they</span> could make affecting our child (medical, dental, mental health) <span>without</span> our input and decided to do further research.<br />
<br />
I found the Carrera program states they teach abstinence but found, according to their <strong>own </strong>statistics, <strong>the Carrera program girls were significantly more likely than the control group girls</strong> to use Depo-Provera, a <strong>prescription birth control method that the staff can obtain <span>without</span> parental</strong> knowledge because consent was given when signing the program papers!<br />
<br />
Most young people in both the Carrera program and control groups reported the use of condoms. <strong>Why</strong> does the program encourage Depo- Provera and condom use if they “solely teach” abstinence?<br />
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From the Carrera Program statistics, <strong>while fewer girls in the program got pregnant they were more likely to abort the baby than in the control group</strong>, based on their own statistics on the website. [iv]<br />
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If we want our child to receive medical services, we must sign this release, which also gives the Carrera Program (who want me to believe they teach abstinence only) permission to obtain birth control and permission to assist our daughter in obtaining an abortion, should she get pregnant, all without our knowledge or input!<br />
<br />
Another form is an Education Release and Consent Form to grant permission for the Carrera staff to:<br />
<br />
<em> “Access all of the child’s school records. Advocate for the child by picking up the child’s report cards, transcripts, IEP’s, and attendance information. Meet with the school officials regarding matters involving the child in the absence of a parent or guardian. Permission to request information from relevant schools concerning the child’s test scores, performance levels on standardized tests given during the school year or any other test administered by the school. Permission to advocate on behalf of the child and to gain access to the aforementioned information from this date forward <strong><span>through the duration of time the child will be in attendance at this school</span></strong>.” </em><br />
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Again, we are our daughter’s best advocate for her best interests and therefore will be present for ANYTHING concerning our child until she becomes an adult.<br />
<br />
The final consents are <strong>mental health counselor sheets</strong> and the Application Documentation Checklist. The checklist of items that must be included are: the participant data form, medical consent form, education permission form, a <strong>copy of: the child’s transcript, social security card, birth certificate, immunization record, insurance cards<span>,</span></strong> and their school schedule.<br />
<br />
Why do they need these things? If this program is partnered with Union Public Schools they should already have a majority of that information. Have they ever heard of identity theft? Identity theft is a huge problem in this country! Our daughter’s pediatrician doesn’t even have her social security number, let alone a copy of the card and I trust him with her life!<br />
<br />
After spending significant time researching the Carrera Program, we decided our daughter would not be participating in the Carrera Program. Unfortunately, because <strong>UPS waited 12 weeks into the semester to share this information with us, </strong>they had already started having the weekly classes……..sex ed during science, power counseling group during another class, job club during another class. Our daughter was being told she needed her paperwork to be returned or she would be kicked out.<br />
<br />
I called the program director and said that she would not be participating in the program. The program director said that she could pick which color group our daughter would like to be moved to and reassured me that they would make the transition for her easy. However, a week went by and she/we never heard anything. I finally went to the school and met with her counselor. I told her which group we wanted and she said she would get her classes switched. Our daughter was finally moved to another <strong><span>color group</span> </strong>on Monday, November 28th (it took them 2 weeks to move her). We thought this would be the beginning of a short transition, however, we quickly learned that would not be the case because she was now academically behind her new <strong><span>color group</span></strong>.<br />
<br />
<strong>We were once again shocked when </strong>we found out on the first day of our daughter’s classes in her new <strong><span>color group</span></strong> that not only did they segregate the students <strong>by color and possibly socio-economic status </strong><strong>(by <span>choosing</span> who would be in the yellow group based on their presumed at risk status based on their parents’ assumed socio-economic status),</strong> but they are also giving them a false sense of success by <strong>not requiring or expecting the same caliber of class work, class performance, homework or book work!</strong><br />
While UPS website says the color groups have the same curriculum, <strong><span>they do not</span></strong> and <strong>they are treating the color groups differently. Each</strong> <strong>color group</strong> has a team t-shirt except for the gold and yellow color groups. The kids have noticed they are the only groups without one. <strong> </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The curriculum and expectations for the Carrera group is different from the other</strong> <strong>color groups</strong>.<br />
<br />
The <strong>yellow (Carrera) group</strong> VERY RARELY has homework and the other groups have homework on a <strong>daily</strong> basis.<br />
<br />
The <strong>yellow (Carrera) group</strong> <strong>was told they would never have homework. </strong> Why is that? Do they think it won’t get done? Does the school think they can’t do it?<br />
<br />
In <strong>the yellow (Carrera) </strong>group’s Honors English and Reading class, they read for an hour and write in a journal or write a story that is no more than a paragraph long. In the <strong><span>other color groups</span>, </strong>they have already completed multiple book reports and are currently working on writing their own story.<br />
<br />
In <strong>the yellow Carrera </strong>group math class, they have only gone over multiplication on worksheets. <strong>In the other <span>color groups</span>, </strong>they are <strong>near completion </strong>of chapter 3 in the textbooks (multiplying & dividing decimals and learning factors).<br />
<br />
In <strong>the yellow Carrera </strong>group, they are doing very little academically compared to the <strong><span>other color groups</span>, it seems, </strong>instead of following the curriculum as the <strong><span>other color groups</span> in </strong>6th grade are doing.<br />
<br />
<strong>It would seem, based on what I have seen, children of an <em>assumed</em> lower socio-economic status and or different race were chosen for this “at risk” program and it would seem, the school has dumbed down the curriculum and expectations for this group. Rather than expect excellence in academia, they heap praise and money on children for completing minor tasks. If anything, this kind of behavior will create more at risk students, not fewer.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Who decided it was necessary to teach sexuality on a weekly basis? There is NO evidence this works and in fact, the opposite is true when children are constantly exposed to sexual indoctrination the more sexualized and desensitized to sexual activity they become, not less.</strong> The founder of the original program has this to say:<br />
<br />
Sexuality, according to Carrera said, should be taught weekly in middle and high schools. "It is as valuable as any academic subject. We are doing young people in public school a disservice by presenting this asshort-term, fragmented exposure," he said. "It needs to be done in a thoughtful way.""The focus of the initiative should not be pregnancy prevention, how to use a condom, HIV -- which are all important public health issues," he said. Instead, he said, classes should offer a more complete look at issues related to sexuality.’ “…comprehensive sexuality programs in middle schools beginning with giving people information about puberty, their bodies, the bodies of others, gender roles, communication with parents, and essential messages about abstinence.” [v]<br />
As far as we know, there are only two other families who also opted out of this experiment with our children. The other 200 parents have given permission for the school, the government, the Carrera program to follow their child until they graduate, even if they are taken out of the program, <strong><em><span>unless a parent rescinds their consent</span></em></strong>, the school, government and Carrera program still have access to the child, by the nature of the consent.<br />
In our opinion, this is too much access to a child without the full knowledge and <strong><span>clear</span></strong> consent of the parents and should have never been implemented in the curriculum. It should have been an after school program, <strong>as it is in other schools,</strong> where the parent must request or <strong>choose</strong> to be part of the program (perhaps they would not have gotten enough participation if it had been implemented as an after school program?).<br />
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We previously had a great deal of respect and trust in and for the Union Public School system, it’s teachers, overseers and supporting philanthropy groups/entities, but no longer do so after witnessing first-hand what they are trying to implement at the expense of not only our children, but <strong>future generations!</strong> They have jeopardized our child’s academic career through their selection process, implementation and change process, thus putting her more at risk than she would or might have been!<br />
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In case I failed to state our thoughts up to this point, clearly, let me do so now: As parents, it is OUR JOB to teach our daughter/children about sex, help with homework, seek medical, dental, vision or mental healthcare if needed and be involved in and discuss her/their academic standing with the school……… NOT THE SCHOOL’S & NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S JOB!<br />
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In closing, let me be clear on <strong><span>OUR CONCERNS/ISSUES:</span></strong><br />
<ol><li>Our daughter was chosen for this program when she was in 5th grade without our knowledge or consent.</li>
<li>Our daughter and other children are being physically, academically, emotionally, racially and socio-economically segregated from her/their peers without our knowledge for this program.</li>
<li>We did not find out about this until November 9, 2011. A full <strong><span>12</span></strong> <strong><span>weeks</span></strong> into the school year.</li>
<li>Our daughter was given the program information before we were.</li>
<li>This program was “pitched” to our daughter in a “fundraising” manner by wrapping it in an opportunity for monetary/college rewards by getting a “free savings account” of $900 when they graduate IF they participate. She was devastated & cried when we told her she would not be participating.</li>
<li>We found out about the program via a “packet” sent home with our daughter from school. This is the exact same way we find out about fundraisers and we think this is somewhat more important and life changing than a fundraiser. They did have one dinner meeting on Nov. 8th that we were invited to attend but given the short notice we couldn’t attend due to our schedule. However, had we known what exactly this meeting was about at the time we would have cancelled our plans to be there. There should have been more than one dinner & it should have been done over the summer before school ever started! </li>
<li>We were given directions (via our daughter, rather than a teacher or administrator) to sign & return the packet ASAP or she would have to switch color groups aka classes…….her whole schedule & teachers would change as the 6th grade is broken up into 8 color groups.</li>
<li>Through extensive research of the Carrera Program which claims they teach abstinence I have found that they push & encourage birth control and condoms.</li>
<li>The Carrera program <strong>is not</strong> some successful national program as purported, it is only in <strong>11 states</strong> (that is less than 1/3 of the states & it is usually in one school in that state except for NYC) and it <strong>has not been successful in achieving its own stated goals.</strong></li>
</ol>10. Union Public Schools appears to be so desperate for money that they would lower their standards just to get some federal and local funding.<br />
11. UPS thought we would sign our child, her future, her academia and her mental & physical well-being over to virtual strangers who have no stake in her life outcome beyond that of a statistic.<br />
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While this program has some good things to offer, we believe that parents have a right to know <strong>exactly</strong> what the program is all about & entails before signing their child’s welfare over to people they don’t even know for the next seven years. We should have been notified about the program before school started so that if we didn’t want our child in the program they could have started in the appropriate color group in the beginning of the year. We also feel that it has no business taking away from the standard curriculum during the school day. It should be offered as an after school program!<br />
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Thank you for your time. Thank you for your assistance. Feel free to contact me at <span>mirandayarrington@gmail.com</span><br />
if you have any questions.<br />
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I look forward to seeing <strong>ALL CHILDREN and people treated with the same dignity and respect they are entitled to in spite of their race, creed, color (group) and/or perceived socio-economic standing in Union Public Schools and everywhere!</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Chris and Miranda Yarrington</strong><br />
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[i] http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/viewprogram.aspx?id=50<br />
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[ii] http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/viewprogram.aspx?id=50<br />
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[iii] http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/viewprogram.aspx?id=50<br />
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[iv] http://www.emcf.org/fileadmin/user/PDF/Results/eval_CAS-CarreraEvaluation2001.pdf<br />
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[v] http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/education/20111005/6/3614Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-43716295358196530382011-11-10T09:27:00.000-06:002011-11-10T09:27:08.874-06:00Holiday Dinners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzePQHF3OMndKi9XmVycUDlNuzadwE-muhj8ZNTkX5_QAjRPtZ4gNHrdloR4dKQTI6meNpCZgkuYemnf2yuQOuxy0BABn-iOmfygbudK69vHVBXHEsJ-jVS6W-NXQylWURZLEYtjs_Pq0/s1600/june+cleaver+turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzePQHF3OMndKi9XmVycUDlNuzadwE-muhj8ZNTkX5_QAjRPtZ4gNHrdloR4dKQTI6meNpCZgkuYemnf2yuQOuxy0BABn-iOmfygbudK69vHVBXHEsJ-jVS6W-NXQylWURZLEYtjs_Pq0/s320/june+cleaver+turkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Holiday Dinners</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In my young adult years, I always had the fantasy that I would be the Martha Stewart of the holidays - emerging from the kitchen, June Cleaver style, gracefully placing a beautifully roasted bird in the middle of a table welcomed graciously by smiling family members. The turkey beautifully browned on a porous polished plate exuding an aura of practically visible smells of deliciousness. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Two years ago, my family promised to indulge my fantasy. It was my turn to host the holiday gathering. I spared no restraint and graciously invited 25 people over for a holiday feast. I began diligently searching for recipes, both new and great family classics. I Googled videos on how to stuff my 28 pound bird as I held him hostage in my deep freeze. I meticulously spelled out the menu and intentionally told everyone NOT to bring anything because I had it covered. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The night before my turkey was well stuffed; all the prepping that could be done was done. The table was set with Martha style fashion. As I tucked myself into bed, I envisioned the compliments and approving oohs and ahhs from my guests as they relished my sensational entrees and sides. I woke up way before the sun to get my fabulous holiday performance started. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the sun came up and the delicious smells were pouring from my kitchen the first phone call came. It was from family out of town… apparently it had snowed last night and in the midst of my dinner preparations I had missed the catastrophic downfall outside. They couldn’t come. Although disappointed, I dismissed my regret and assured myself that despite being down to 10 guests, we will just have plenty of leftovers. Then the next phone call came, apparently, the downfall was way worse than I realized. Our local friends and family were imprisoned by the snow and would not be able to make it either. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fighting back tears of anger at Mother Nature and disappointment that all 25 guests would not be basking in my culinary glory, I heard a whimper in the living room. My daughter is holding her stomach looking at me with droopy sad eyes and complaining she doesn’t feel good. She is shadowed in by my husband and my mom, who had agreed to stay the night to help me with the preparations, all in a similar shade of dysenteric green. They all three took a quick u turn out of the living room to their respective bedrooms. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Unbelievable. It seemed my pinnacle of holiday dinner mastery had just been flushed to nonexistence. I dropped my head in my hands on the counter as I surveyed all the savory dishes around me. In bounced my 6 year old son, the remaining household member who hadn’t succumbed to the stomach bug. I grasped to my last bit of hope and boosted him up on a bar stool to take in the bounty that was waiting display for the holiday table. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">He slowly scans over the buffet of holiday exclusives and then looked up to me with his cute brown eyes and gently requests, “Mom, can you make me a peanut butter and jelly?” </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">However fantastic or disappointing your holidays may be – don’t forget to be safe with your holiday dinners. Even in the most ideal situations, turkey safety requires diligence. Here are a few basics:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• Eating within two hours? Keep the food at least at 140 degrees. Keeping food warm is not enough.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• Eating much later? Remove stuffing and refrigerate. Cut turkey into small pieces and refrigerate. Refrigerate potatoes, gravy and vegetables in shallow containers.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">• Reheating? Reheat thoroughly to 165 degrees or until steaming and hot. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For more holiday meal safety tips, go to www.cdc.gov/features/turkeytime. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-14918565851620906432011-10-23T18:38:00.001-05:002011-10-23T18:39:29.651-05:00Custard Filled Baked Apples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRL2rvxsf6En_5LI4pwLZV4aF_W1CNz-7XCOm_SXKKqVJ2s6zFNhp1XQgL40Mh9pFsPD9q4ls6X0wjT84YcpdlfU54qaoo8B3nIPBYMYjnMG0e3xGZfaMHlNoPk6WRdwHfSZHYiVH2fhqv/s1600/custard+filled+baked+apples" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRL2rvxsf6En_5LI4pwLZV4aF_W1CNz-7XCOm_SXKKqVJ2s6zFNhp1XQgL40Mh9pFsPD9q4ls6X0wjT84YcpdlfU54qaoo8B3nIPBYMYjnMG0e3xGZfaMHlNoPk6WRdwHfSZHYiVH2fhqv/s320/custard+filled+baked+apples" width="239" /></a></div>Jess and I have been hooked to the local phenomena of www.pinterest.com - however today we got a little creative and went out on our own. The result Custard Filled Baked Apples. Here's the recipe we followed for the custard.<br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">1 1/2 c. applesauce<br />
1/2 c. sugar<br />
1/2 tsp. cinnamon<br />
3 eggs (beaten)<br />
1/4 tsp. salt<br />
1 1/2 c. milk</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">We hollowed the apples, filled them with the custard mixture and then baked them for 450 for 10 mins then 350 for 30 mins or until custard is firm. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Enjoy!! </span>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-34882968536429417152011-10-07T08:25:00.000-05:002011-10-07T08:25:00.055-05:00Gory Zombies<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Z9mtAX-6M6mexT6EkDn2lEiqvwPC1ulf1_HBiF4vMUi4S2wbU8yLTZzkgUQwzT8LWpZapwI1xGiz4QLHJHBIHTZ-Q6_2GHJYk82oE0NCxe-kFLZGVXsaSHMgGQeZRdzKZIkt2T6erqb/s1600/trick+or+treat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Z9mtAX-6M6mexT6EkDn2lEiqvwPC1ulf1_HBiF4vMUi4S2wbU8yLTZzkgUQwzT8LWpZapwI1xGiz4QLHJHBIHTZ-Q6_2GHJYk82oE0NCxe-kFLZGVXsaSHMgGQeZRdzKZIkt2T6erqb/s1600/trick+or+treat.jpg" /></span></strong></a><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Every year, on Halloween night our costumed pack of pirates and witches, clowns and punk rockers round the blocks with candy toppling out of their over capacity plastic jack-o-lanterns making Hansel and Gretel like trails down the sidewalk. As the night draws to an end - long past routine bedtimes, the kids’ energy has dwindled and we hit that near melt down moment of the night when face paint is smudged, costumes have ripped and someone has lost their shoes. </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span></div><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>However, our group pushes on because we know that the pinnacle of the night is just about to arrive.</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>It’s THE HOUSE.</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>You know THE HOUSE in the neighborhood where the home owners have spent weeks in preparation and hours of hard work to make over their welcoming home in to the house of horror. Where tulips bloomed in the springs, grave stones dot the front yard. A looming fog sits heavily about the once bright white picket fence. A red eyed crow peers down from an upstairs window. Blocking the sidewalk and driveway are characters layered in tattered clothing, disguised in atrocious masks holding weapons marked with their kill. </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>You as the parent move slowly while holding your child’s hand and reassuring them that there is nothing to be afraid of. You can feel fear stiffen their muscles and the suspense unexplainably has the same effect on you as you tensely head across the front of the house. Even though you know it’s coming, you’ve seen it before, year after year --- out jumps the Werewolf that sends both of you airborne. You both scream and run down the street. And then when you know you are out of harm’s way – you look back –you see the terror producers laughing and you chuckle too. You let out a knowing sigh, as they got you again. </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>This fall, a real predator has its eyes on you, waiting for the perfect environment to claim you as prey. It’s not a werewolf, or a vampire or some silly Halloween prank. </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>It’s the FLU. </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>And unlike those crazy people who want to get a “scare” out of you. The FLU wants to take your life from you. Maybe it’s only a week of your life as you lay in bed with fever and chills or maybe it is your life entirely. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 30,000 people are hospitalized and 10,000 people die from the flu EVERY year.</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1Z9mtAX-6M6mexT6EkDn2lEiqvwPC1ulf1_HBiF4vMUi4S2wbU8yLTZzkgUQwzT8LWpZapwI1xGiz4QLHJHBIHTZ-Q6_2GHJYk82oE0NCxe-kFLZGVXsaSHMgGQeZRdzKZIkt2T6erqb/s1600/trick+or+treat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>The CDC recommends that everyone older than 6 months should receive an annual seasonal flu vaccination. For those younger than six months, take careful precautions to protect them from those that are sick or have a fever. Flu.gov provides in depth information on the dangers of flu and how you can protect yourself from its attack. </strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Don’t let the FLU be the DEATH of you this Halloween season. Get a Flu Shot today!</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f6b26b; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-32063005468280151702009-12-18T10:10:00.003-06:002009-12-18T10:23:26.492-06:00It's NOT too late!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQnnZsCCgpSX7d696wpcI0CC8Fnu0RanNXwMgLjN9c5AIu6k0tPU1Q3q02whBvBmLMdl8uWG2meOgr5HYm0lRleWnnVwGoNUwwpxcAZ9_cAv3JYHUvel6eG9-p1KNMCW0omoBVspLlkI3/s1600-h/flu+shot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416612598930404930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQnnZsCCgpSX7d696wpcI0CC8Fnu0RanNXwMgLjN9c5AIu6k0tPU1Q3q02whBvBmLMdl8uWG2meOgr5HYm0lRleWnnVwGoNUwwpxcAZ9_cAv3JYHUvel6eG9-p1KNMCW0omoBVspLlkI3/s320/flu+shot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Flu may seem to be waning, but I promise you this is just the calm before the storm. H1N1 flu is definately on the decrease - largely in part due to the huge vaccination efforts by yes, your government. Oops sorry that's another post! :) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Seasonal flu typically peaks in February and must I remind you H1N1 flu began it's sweep in the spring. This is a perfect time to still get your H1N1 & seasonal flu vaccines. The lines are short and there is plenty of vaccine. Come January or February - you will be in the same position as the desperate parents furiously looking for a zhu zhu pet this week. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Make it easy on yourself - take advantage of the kids being out of school - visit your local health department and get everyone vaccinated. It will be the best gift you can give this holiday season... Good Health. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tulsa Residents:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tulsa Health Department</div><br /><div>5051 S 129th East Avenue</div><br /><div>Tulsa, OK </div><br /><div>Monday - Thursday 8-4 </div><br /><div>Friday 8-11</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tulsa Health Department </div><br /><div>1416 E 15th Street</div><br /><div>Tulsa, OK</div><br /><div>Monday - Thursday 8-4</div><br /><div>Friday 8-11</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tulsa Health Department</div><br /><div>315 S Utica</div><br /><div>Tulsa, OK </div><br /><div>Monday -Thursday 8-4</div><br /><div>Firday 8-11</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Collinsville Health Department</div><br /><div>Call for Hours</div><br /><div>596-8650</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bixby Health Department</div><br /><div>Call for Hours</div><br /><div>369-3155</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sand Springs Health Department</div><br /><div>306 E Broadway</div><br /><div>Sand Springs, OK </div><br /><div>591-6100</div><br /><div>Mondays & Wednesdays 8-11 & 1-4</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Creek County Health Department</div><br /><div>Call for Hours</div><br /><div>224-5531</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Neighbors Along the Line</div><br /><div>5000 W Charles Page</div><br /><div>Tulsa, OK</div><br /><div>Monday Evening December 28th</div><br /><div>430-630</div>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-62297141324551005362009-12-11T15:44:00.003-06:002009-12-11T15:50:58.698-06:00Thank You!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4O_5VAbqm-aocVcsIG6p630NxojSCIK7tOk-rybkQLuxnKN2S8kcBVtAR0Z4UaeqnImPpf_JA8eggrzt6pH96kxQvAvaeX1lAD72L71pS2u7NOJRcExLFXtYnqSUt87zG9tAoJR-cYRS/s1600-h/groceries-main_Full.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414099323891741714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4O_5VAbqm-aocVcsIG6p630NxojSCIK7tOk-rybkQLuxnKN2S8kcBVtAR0Z4UaeqnImPpf_JA8eggrzt6pH96kxQvAvaeX1lAD72L71pS2u7NOJRcExLFXtYnqSUt87zG9tAoJR-cYRS/s320/groceries-main_Full.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Thanks to the Southwood Choir who brought two overflowing bags of groceries and a TURKEY! I must say whoever did the shopping must know us very well because all of our very favorites were in there! Apple Juice! Goldfish Crackers! Chocolate Pudding! And all the vegetables. Thank you so much. WE have an amazing church family.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>GOOD NEWS! Devon is starting work on Monday. The job is a contract position. We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to what lies ahead!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-85204937676231257882009-12-09T06:17:00.004-06:002009-12-09T06:55:27.726-06:00Making my list, checking it twice....<span style="font-family: georgia;">The Maynard Family is going on month five. Five months of being a one income household. I have to say up til now things have gone pretty smoothly. This week, though, was a real humdinger. :) I think the reality of the saturated job market, Devon's end of football, the ever slimming budget, and the pressures of life collided into one big train wreck at our home. Don't freak out -- we're cool, I just want to be real. Life's been hard this week. <br /><br />For the past year, Devon & I have bragged to one another about how fabulous our marriage has been. I guess after 12 years of being together, our lives together finally seemed to meld. Don't get me wrong, if you've been around us you can hear us banter, but especially in this last year we have really hit a pinnacle of satisfaction and comfort in one another. We also feared that where the Devil sees spiritual success he will attack fiercely to tear apart. Reassuring one another and keeping our spiritual shield up, I think these past five months we have handled the pressure of joblessness well. Since 80% of divorcees cite financial problems as the culprit of the failure of their marriages, I know Devon and I have to protect our marriage with a vengeance. I am so grateful that our troubles have kept us clinging and not fleeing from one another. <br /><br />The day after Devon was laid off, I started a list on my phone notes. I titled it "Blessings from God". I knew at that moment God would provide for us, but I did not want to forget all the little things that he sent my way. This week as we've dealt with our struggles, I have returned to my blessings list to remind my self of the great Jehovah Jirah who foresaw the unforeseen and began providing before we could even know our needs. I thought I would share a few of these blessings with you today....<br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">No more Oklahoma Tax Commision payments - We paid off our taxes with Devon's last paycheck (OTC is a long story, I can share with you another time, just pray you never owe them money) :)</span></li><li>Severance pay & unemployment<br /></li><li>Affordable insurance through my job</li><li>Qualified for reduced lunches @ kids school<br /></li><li>Opportunity to pursue ministry</li><li>Alter Prayer with Friends (some great friends of ours inspired us and wept with us as we looked with fear into the future)</li><li>PAID OFF OUR TAURUS</li><li>Giving to church and to others in need</li><li>Kids Relationship With Their Dad (he is now their before and after school care, if I happen to pick them up from school, first question is Where's Dad?)</li><li>Regaining our spiritual foot hold</li><li>Gift cards given to us by friends</li><li>Demonstrating faith in action to our children</li><li>Enjoying the simple things</li><li>Love and Prayers of our friends<br /></li></ul>This is an abbreviated list, but you can see how God has blessed us in the midst of our troubles. I know this week has been tough, but we haven't lost our footholds, we put ourselves in the rock of Christ Jesus, who even if we have nothing, will be our Everything!<br /><br />1 Thessalonians 5:16-18<br /><br />Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. <br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-87356777625193397532009-11-15T18:10:00.002-06:002009-11-15T18:15:35.706-06:00My Humble Thank YouTo whoever you are.... Anonymous Santa Claus -<br /><br />Thank You! I'm humbled when given to so graciously. Thanks for taking the time to read my musings & bless you for the Gift Cards! And as you know from my previous post .... I will make them go a very long way!<br /><br />I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity. <br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Mere & FamilyMeredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-81955394458187035602009-11-10T14:14:00.003-06:002009-11-10T14:32:57.771-06:00My Obsession<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOTcuhbY_1NLfiHAqmSL3beiJq6Z7TAY7gz1QCLXAsY1OHis22A-BXkWgKQ-GXIDOLsX-n-ddFB0LZTzjsjzvS1jGGwXP-2BgQiq9UeYlKm5wR-lgs8XdJz9U76zj0kBYJV164Qwy4VKe/s1600-h/coupons.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOTcuhbY_1NLfiHAqmSL3beiJq6Z7TAY7gz1QCLXAsY1OHis22A-BXkWgKQ-GXIDOLsX-n-ddFB0LZTzjsjzvS1jGGwXP-2BgQiq9UeYlKm5wR-lgs8XdJz9U76zj0kBYJV164Qwy4VKe/s320/coupons.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402575269594643042" border="0" /></a><br />I've posted before my passion for good deals. Since Devon has been without a job - I decided to take on the couponing frenzy. I must say, it can be a lot of work, BUT it has more than paid off. A month or so back, I had my friend who is a guru of coupons come over and chat with some of my friends about the ins and outs that have worked for her. She really got me seatbelted in the band wagon. I thought I would share some great links with you that might be interested in some great deals.<br /><br />www.wickedcooldeals.com (this is my favorite! you can follow her on twitter & fb as well) Although she is not local, she gives almost daily updates on things that are free or super cheap prices. She also has some great links to those who also post great deals.<br /><br />http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/ This is a new one for me - but tuned me into the latest deal of 50 free photo cards + free shipping.<br /><br />www.918moms.com This is a no brainer for Tulsa area coupon shoppers. I find though because of her popularity - her tips often lead to quick depletion of discount items.<br /><br />www.iheartwags.com LOVE THIS for all the great Walgreens discounts.<br /><br />My favorite place to use my coupons right now is the new Super Target @101st & Memorial. They have some rock bottom new store deals right now. Today I got $77 worth of stuff for $28.<br /><br />Here's a hint of some of the things I've gotten at Target: Remember you can use a Target coupon + a manufacturer coupon on one item.<br /><br />Cheez It's $1.75 sale price with $1.00 Target Coupon<br />Quaker Chewy Granola Bars sale price $1.99 + $1 off 2 man coupon<br />Campbell's Condensed Soup sale price $0.59 + 0.30 off 3 man coupon<br />Hunts Diced Tomatoes Sale Price 0.79 + 1.00 of 3 hunts products<br />Kellogs Frosted FlakesSale Price 2.69 + $1 off each Target coupon + $1.00 off 2 man coupon<br />3 lb Granny Smith Apples Sale Price $1.89 + $1 off Target coupon<br />Coffee Mate Creamer Sale Price $1.50 + 0.50 off man coupon<br />Fusion Four Count Razers Clearance $7.68 - $3 off man coupon<br />Cover Girl Eye Pencils - 2 pack Regular Price $2.89 - $2.50 off any two covergirl products<br />Herbal Essence Hair Products $2.79 + BOGO free coupon<br />Aussie Hair Prodcuts $2.79 + $1.00 off man coupon<br />Tostitos sale price 1.75 - Target $1.00 off two coupon<br />Kleenex 3 pack pocket size 0.97 - 0.50 off man coupon<br />Target coupon $5 off purchase of $20 beauty products<br />$10 gift card with new prescription in pharmacy<br /><br />It was a bad day to be sick but a great day of deals at Target! Loved it!Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-60673396869489330562009-11-06T04:32:00.003-06:002009-11-06T05:18:49.529-06:00Your Flu Questions Answered<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0aDp3RlUa19xYJU3xUdgHer0mk-0iwEH8I4e7z424CGy70HGxlWzQWQTONnvhzFidtRvzcpt6YQy93sfmlkIzQuYiIpDwEY99BjtXdDSNl1b_3vvBdgU35EN9VMOswLfT4J9oaB1WEwD/s1600-h/flu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0aDp3RlUa19xYJU3xUdgHer0mk-0iwEH8I4e7z424CGy70HGxlWzQWQTONnvhzFidtRvzcpt6YQy93sfmlkIzQuYiIpDwEY99BjtXdDSNl1b_3vvBdgU35EN9VMOswLfT4J9oaB1WEwD/s320/flu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400948442904773330" border="0" /></a><br />Flu. It's been a heck of a flu season so far. This one will definitely be going down in the books. Thought I would share with you some of the most common concerns and information I have heard through this flu season.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flu.gov/news/blogs/directingsafety.html">Is the H1N1 vaccine safe?</a><br />Absolutely. I understand your hesitance. I too was reluctant initially. However, I never recommend a vaccine or procedure or medicine until I have done my own research. The H1N1 vaccine is made identically like seasonal flu vaccine. The CDC says that if H1N1 flu had appeared earlier - the strain most likely would have been contained in the season flu vaccine. Because of the declaration of pandemic flu, National Institutes of Health and the manufacturers were allowed to have fewer testing and clinical trials - BUT they chose not to and even conducted higher scrutiny tests than required for typical production. Millions have taken the vaccine without any complication or severe side effects... well except for that curly tail they grew.... KIDDING! Rest assured, the H1N1 vaccine is safe. My entire family has taken it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">If I have already had the H1N1 flu, do I need the vaccine?</span><br />Yes. Although you may have some immunity to reinfection, the vaccine will help boost your immunity to the H1n1 flu.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How quickly will the vaccine work?</span><br />8-12 days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When can I get a seasonal flu vaccine?</span><br />As H1N1 vaccine production slows, season vaccine production should increase. At the health department we expect shipments of seasonal flu after Thanksgiving. Seasonal flu typically peaks in February. So December is plenty of time to get your seasonal flu vaccine.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am over 64 years old, why can't I get a H1N1 vaccine?</span><br />Right now, the research is showing that young adults and children are having worse complications of H1N1 flu. Since vaccine is in limited quantity, it is imperative to vaccinate the groups at highest risk initially. I anticipate the age restrictions to be lifted soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where can I get a H1N1 vaccine?</span><br /><a href="http://www.tulsa-health.org/community-health/epidemiology/h1n1-flu-vaccinations/?lid=1617">Tulsa Area </a><br /><a href="http://www.ok.gov/health/Organization/Office_of_Communications/News_Releases/2009_News_Releases/Saturday_H1N1_Vaccination_Blitz_Locations_Announced.html">Statewide Locations</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For reliable information about the flu, visit www.flu.gov</span><br /><br />Hope this helps - feel free to send me any questions or concerns you might have.Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-54584850880130969752009-10-24T23:06:00.002-05:002009-10-24T23:09:05.695-05:00Glee owns me!Have you seen the new show on fox, Glee? I heard the buzz from friends and decided to catch it on hulu.com. Consider it a cocktail of the office, fnl, and hs musical. Despite that... it's fabulous. I have pasted in a preview from episode eight. I'm a fan!<br /><br /><object width="512" height="296"><param name="movie" value="http://www.hulu.com/embed/2QgbzljZJ5oRqBN5vjvFQg"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.hulu.com/embed/2QgbzljZJ5oRqBN5vjvFQg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" width="512" height="296"></embed></object>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-77355774205579211742009-10-17T15:10:00.001-05:002009-10-17T15:10:44.058-05:00Flu Shots?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kh_6X6C2Icc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kh_6X6C2Icc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-6913046382273089052009-10-15T05:57:00.004-05:002009-10-15T06:27:56.472-05:00How can I help you?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccwn4wkHEq7_EyFm4ixzW2uP36dXPun5XWcw-_LvkZes77ctoU7Xie-rg9nQ3zfrNIq2_lDbN-XdR9c62BcdY5Z1HWfyT-3PrtR6pf4MfWMUI5k0Akc_1aHV3nAxPX49D9m4MNgmBAkrw/s1600-h/bad-customer-service.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccwn4wkHEq7_EyFm4ixzW2uP36dXPun5XWcw-_LvkZes77ctoU7Xie-rg9nQ3zfrNIq2_lDbN-XdR9c62BcdY5Z1HWfyT-3PrtR6pf4MfWMUI5k0Akc_1aHV3nAxPX49D9m4MNgmBAkrw/s320/bad-customer-service.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392784986813359602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;">Warning to all.... This is a mini rant. :)<br /><br />This past week, I have been a victim of horrible customer service. I am beginning to feel a tad bit old when I find myself thinking things are just not what they should be.<br /><br />I'm at Arby's drive through. Of course, I had a coupon $3.99 combo meal (they're like 6.50 now - so this is a very good deal!). As often requested I notified the attendant of my coupon prior to ordering - she informs me to go ahead. I pull around and apparently she has entered the order in to the register incorrectly and now the system will not accept the coupon. Instead of simply handing me my food and taking my money. She calls a manager... who then proceeds for five minutes (I am NOT exaggerating) swiping the register at least twenty times with her "manager" card trying to correct the problem - the mean time my food is cooling off for me just outside my reach and I am loosing more and more time from my lunch. And to top it off NO APOLOGIES for my wait<br /><br />Next day - Sonic. (I really just need to take my lunch). Once again I have a coupon for a free $1 menu item. I'm in a rush - because I'm leaving straight from work to deliver an inservice at another agency. I order a Jr. Wrap - They bring me two! And of course charge me for the extra. I informed her of my correct order. Correct Action - Give me my order subtract a dollar from the total. Nope. She wants to take my entire order back inside and figure out what to do! Are you kidding me??<br /><br />Rib Crib - 99 cent kids meals - Devon and the kids came over to take me to lunch. First of all I asked for Ranch FOUR TIMES!! That's an embarrassment. And she calculated our ticket wrong - of course with regular price for kids meals.... and to top it off we had to wait nearly 1/2 hour for our food. Geez....<br /><br />Walgreens - I had a small purchase (two grocery items and a sinus wash for Parker). I went to the pharmacy counter to pay and pick up a prescription for Jessalyn. Two people in front of me. Both new customers with prescriptions. I don't know if the girl was new or just incompetent but you would have thought she was creating the next cure for cancer. Each time she stared blankly at her computer screen with the two new customers. I kid you not I stood in line for 15 Minutes!!! Ridiculous. Then when I went to check out she couldn't get the sinus wash to ring up - I said forget it. Then she rang up the rest of my purchases.... and then could not figure out how my FSA card worked! Are you kidding me? My kids were in the car, the prescription was only $10 - so I told her to forget it and I just paid cash. Seriously???<br /><br />So I know the clerk at my clinic gets tired of me harping about customer service.... but seriously you are not ruled by the register or the computer that you put data into. Your patrons should come first no matter how rude they are to you. I promise if you smile, put them first, empathize with their situation ... you are guaranteed a happy customer.<br /><br /></span></span> <p align="center"> <em>Being on par in terms of price and quality only gets you into the game.<br />Service wins the game.</em><br />TONY ALESSANDRA</p><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-35216633165952554202009-10-06T06:19:00.003-05:002009-10-06T06:27:40.324-05:00Flu Fever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVM13njKKu4vMqfY0tbqGGdIY7uELEVKQ2ZbbhcxMCaGqNbZPoszrH-8EF676hKeoxqXyo6kzroErFoEzKq328Npe1xrbJuRae50tIsn44wAVWde5EajTterLu1S5tzGYAald35eFDbmd/s1600-h/montage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVM13njKKu4vMqfY0tbqGGdIY7uELEVKQ2ZbbhcxMCaGqNbZPoszrH-8EF676hKeoxqXyo6kzroErFoEzKq328Npe1xrbJuRae50tIsn44wAVWde5EajTterLu1S5tzGYAald35eFDbmd/s320/montage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389447004324838146" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Flu fever has hit our house.... I had a strange feeling that since I was a public health nurse we would be immune to the capture of this nasty disease. I confidently sent Parker to the doctor for a diagnosis of a sinus infection and was arrogantly argumentive that he COULD NOT have the flu.<br /><br />Apparently - our pediatrician, the medical director at the health department and medimmune (the flu mist manufacturer) all disagreed with me. PBFFF!!<br /><br />So on to some pricey Tamiflu for the family and lots of TLC for little man.<br /><br />It's kind of scary with the recent H1N1 flu death this past week in Tulsa, however, it seems like almost everyone else is recovering without much complication.<br /><br />Latest news from the Health Department front... we are currently offering free flu shots at all of our local clinics. Check out www.tulsa-health.org for locations and times. We received our first shipment of H1N1 flu mist - it's in a secure bunker and being distributed to high risk areas first. The H1N1 vaccinations will be released in the next coming weeks to the general public.<br /><br />In the meantime... follow normal flu precautions and if you are sick or child is sick STAY HOME!!!<br /><br /></span></span><p> “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”- <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=31&search=Isaiah%2026:4" title="Isaiah 26:4">Isaiah 26:4</a> </p>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-37515810852810294062009-09-11T22:12:00.003-05:002009-09-11T22:21:08.726-05:00One More DayI wrote this when my dad's fight with cancer was nearing an end ..... I found it in some stuff I was sorting through today. Thought I would share since many are going through similar struggles.<br /><br />One More Day<br /><br />One season fades to the next, another holiday concludes. Family gathers then disperses. Chattering about the next get together. I, too, anticipate the future but my true fervor lies in tomorrow.<br /><br />One more day I pray, although I'm worn and my body resists, Lord just grant me one more day.<br /><br />One more day of gazing over the land. Fond memories of family, friends, and just life, replay in my mind as if it were just yesterday.<br /><br />One more day, Lord, of siting with friends bartering tales and predictions. Joking and enjoying the company of my companions. <br /><br />Lord, one more day of holding her hand my bride and best friend, my comfort and strength. <br /><br />One more day of embracing my daughter. Watching with pride as she and her husband stand together. Growing their family just as I did with mine.<br /><br />One more day of playing with my grandkids watching them run and dance and laugh. Enjoying their innocence and energy. Lord their mere presence puts a joyful smile in my heart.<br /><br />Lord, I know you promise me deliverance, freedom from pain and suffering, a new home, a new body, your angels wait for you command but for now God I just ask for one more day.Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-968100310751886366.post-5076334545775203722009-09-08T22:04:00.002-05:002009-09-08T22:15:12.662-05:00Love em!<span style="font-size:100%;">Funny things my kids said today....<br /><br />Parker has been telling us flag football is for girls. Since he plays tackle football, we were afraid he was teasing his classmates that are participating in a flag league. Tonight as we are leaving football practice - he points over to the color guard practicing on the field - See mom I told you flag football is for girls!<br /><br />Jessalyn's prayer tonight: God - please teach us to obey and not be like Jonah - because we know you will just spit us out where you want us anyway. <br /><br /><br /></span>Meredreth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/10324447813964144353noreply@blogger.com1