Drug Testing for Government Aid

There are a good number of states now requiring mandatory drug testing for people to receive government aid.
I am not opposed to this stand, but it worries me.
This stand allows the government to step into our lives and tell us what we are worthy of receiving.
I hear the cry from the hardworking people stating they must take a drug test to get employment.  Well it is not the company requiring the drug test, it is the insurance provider of that company that does not want to take a risk on a drug user.  I understand completely, but for the hardworking citizens to claim they have to take a drug test in order to be employed is slightly incorrect.
This cry that I hear also comes with a preconceived notion of those receiving aid.  Most assume people receiving aid are lazy, wishing to just ride on the coat tails of those hardworking citizens.
There are probably an equal number of people receiving aid who wish they did not need that aid, as those who wish to ride the coat tails and be jobless.    You can not just speak to those who wish to be jobless, the words and actions of those making bold statements hurt and shame those who honestly need the assistance due to their situation.
I agree that government aid needs to be spent on what it should be spent on (food, housing, utilities, gas to seek employment or further education), but in taking away the right to aid for those that truly need it (children) is taking away security in knowing they will have a meal, heat, and a roof over their head.
I understand that many states will continue to send aid to a family member who will care for the child, but that means pulling the child away from a home environment that may not be as bad as those hardworking citizens assume.
I think it is a fine line. 
The government starts drug testing to ensure government aid is not being spent on drugs.  Well, then there is always the same aid being spent on alcohol, cigarettes, unneeded home decor, unneeded clothing, hair accessories, tattoos, cable....where does it stop???
How much do we let the government invade?

Change Of Plans

I barely started this blog, quite a while ago, and realized I didn't know what I wanted to blog about.
I am not a writer, never aspired to be. Well there were a few years there, as a young teen, when my best friend and I began writing a "story", but that's better left in her boxes and I am hoping that box got lost. I am not a writer. I write when I feel compelled and what I feel compelled to write about. So mostly I write recipes. Okay, I copy them down (hang head in shame).
So while pondering for over a year on what to blog about, I have decided to write about happenings and opinions and whatever hits me at the moment, that I find important or raise that almighty head scratching moment.
So here it is, my opinions, my passions, my life.

Linky giveaways

One of my favorite blogs in hosting a week full of giveaways!

Today you need to go over and sign up for the Navigating History giveaway.  Follow her rules and you will have a chance to win a subscription to Navigating History ($49.95 value).  Check out the website http://navigatinghistory.com/home you will be impressed!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Playdough

Why I haven't ever made my own playdough, I will never know.  I suppose it is because the only times my kids have been interested is when they have found a tub of the real thing laying around somewhere.
After my children got into some rather poorly made commercial playdough last night and spending hours cleaning up the mess (thanks mom for doing most of the work during clean up), I decided that something had to be done.
So I decided to make my own!
Super easy, super cool and so not messy!!!

I colored it with Kool-aid (thanks Kool-aid).

So if you haven't tried it..do it, even if you don't have kids...try it, it is fun!  You can make animals for yourself or put it in a plastic bag and give it to the kids on the block (they will appreicate you)!

Here it is:

1 c Flour
1/2 c Salt (I used table salt, not course so it would mix in well)
1 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 c Water
1 tbsp cooking Oil
1 Kool-aid package (any brand does work) or few drops of food coloring

Put all into heavy pan and onto stove on med high.  Stir all together and heat until the product pulls away from the sides or balls begin to form. 
Once the product is to the desired consistency, dump onto countertop and let cool.
When cool enough to handle, knead until smooth.
I then poured in the koolaid package and knead it into the dough.

Wah-lah!! 
Kids are loving it!!  Of course I double the initial ingredients, but still only added one package for the color. 

It is not messy, does not stick to anything and when you wash your hands the tidbits that are there, come right off.

Awesome stuff!!   I will never buy commercial playdough again!

Early Visitor

My mother arrived safe and sound today for her Thanksgiving visit.  I am grateful she is here and thankful to the Lord for bringing her here safetly.
We have had a great day, it lifts my heart when she is around.
Can't wait for the sun to arrive tomorrow so that we can have another blessed day!!

Things that made me smile today

I love the days when my kids do something that make a smile come to my face the entire day.

My 4yo son as playing with his siblings and began laughing hysterically.  His laughter is so contagious!  Everytime I think about his high pitch laughing, I smile.

My 3yo daughter took the independance to rinse her own hair in the bathtub.  She said "don't you rinse, I will do it."

My 10yo son cleaned his room without me asking.

My 6yo son wanted to keep an eye on his baby sister.

My 17yo daugther made her 3yo sisters bed without being asked.

The baby..almost 2, she is such an independant little person, took my hands and guided me to the living room to dance with her.

It is days like today when I stand back and look at them individually and wonder how I got so lucky!

I love you guys!!

Enthusiatic Again

I began my blog and was still feeling a bit uneasy about what I should post.  I have decided I will post about what my heart feels compelled to post and maybe as it goes along, it will become a blog specific to one topic.  For now, please bear with me while I find my niche.  I hope you will stick with me for the ride.

I will be adding recipes as I have time to type them out.  I love new and exciting recipes.  Most of them will be made with ingredients you can find anywhere.  I am not much of an exotic ingredient finder person.  We don't have many stores here to chose from, so we get what we can.

I will be blogging about my new passion of Triathlons.  This really isn't a new passion.  I have wanted to complete an Iron Man for as long as I can remember.  I have decided that NOW is the time.  I want to begin training my body.  I promised the other day that I would complete one, even if it was only a 1/2 Tri, by the time I was 45..that gives me 8 years.  I have found one that is only 6 months away.  I am not sure I will be up for it, but I am going to begin pushing myself..I don't plan on placing, I just want to finish.  But make sure you visit here as it gets closer, because those goals may have changed!!

I will also be discussing home education.  We are currently using the fabulous K12 systems, but have homeschooled utilizing resources we have purchased in past years.  The transition has been difficult, but we are sticking with it.  I will discuss the pros and cons of both. 

Along the lines of home education, I will be covering Tot School.  This is a new phrase to me, but something we have been doing informally for a while.  Anyone with a tot has done this in some form.  I plan on organizing ours a bit and making it more "educational" for my tots.

I know there will be other things that will be blogged, but I am hoping maybe, just maybe, I can get a few interested in any of the above.

Thanks for coming to visit and I hope one day I can be added to the list of your favorite blogs.

Bless,
Joede