Genesis Moments - A Writer's Journey

Whirlwind Week: From End-of-Year Concerts to PA Primaries to Aquafina Flavorsplash!

Oh, this has been an INSANE week with everything cramming into one week. We had end-of-school activities from music concerts to ballet performances. Then, the PA Primaries hit this week - where I sat in the rain handing out candidate literature followed later in the week by a very fun blogging event (I will get back to in a minute) to wrapping up with our church yard sale-bake sale on Saturday morning and finally our neighborhood community day of which I was in charge in the middle of the day on Saturday.

Whew. No wonder I needed a nap today! Too bad it just happened to be the same afternoon my husband just secured a load of old lumber from a deck which he decided to cut and sand into usable boards.

Me- ZZZZZ,

him - BZZZZZZ,

me -ZZZZ,

daugther - "Mom, I need help on my paper about plastics",

him - bzzzzzz, her - "Mom, how do you do an annotated bibliography?"

me - zzzzz,

dog - scratch, scratch "I want my dinner"

me - giving up and getting up, dangit. A mom's work is never done.

But, starting with last weekend, we had an end of the year ballet performance through the school. Lindsey played Miss Muffett. I would post the picture of her and the cute little ballerinas playing spiders but I am afraid other moms might not be so happy to have their kids broadcast to the world!

Then, Brian left town for the week - which he has not done in MONTHS - leaving me at the polls fulfilling our committee person duties on Tuesday. It was wet and cold. I ended up coming home for a couple of hours, going back and packing up the literature and then returning towards the end of the day. A representative for one guy came at the end and he was fun to talk to - just to have someone out there with me. Being a committeeperson is a great way to serve the community since you need to know the candidates and what they stand for! It helps when you go place your own vote too!

Wednesday brought bible study at my house in the morning and Lindsey's end-of-the-year music concert in the evening - which we won't belabor since it was "okay" but Lindsey's trumpet valves stuck and some of the singers needed to be booted off stage sent back for more lessons on volume and pitch.

Thursday, I joined Jo-Lynne and Melissa riding into Philly for a very fun event with Aquafina Flavorsplash, Mom Central and other area mom bloggers at the amazing Morimotos. Couldn't miss that event!

As far at the Flavorsplash, I especially liked the berry blend and no, I don't have the sucralose issues others seem to have with the drink and I enjoyed several of the samples.

Front Row: Sarah, Heather, Mel, Jo-Lynne, Beth, Elizabeth; Back Row: Holly, Teresa, Shannon, Debbie, Michelle, Sarah, Melissa

I thought I wouldn't like sushi but after carefully watching what I ate all week - I found I could eat pretty much anything and I did -sadly {for my diet's sake}. I just love food (and the lychee cosmos!). Jo-Lynne does a great write-up on the event HERE! I enjoyed catching up with my friend Debbie from Mamanista and then with some of the Philly Social Media Moms who went to Jone's to hang out afterward and continue the socializing!

 

 _________

But, I can't end this post without a quick picture from Community Day. We had fun with the Phillie Phanatic stopping by - thanks to a wonderful neighbor's Phillie connections!

   

And, here are Brian and Lindsey making their getaway after opening the Suburban door and letting my huge ceramic platter of homemade brownies crash to the ground. They went and bought some replacement goodies - whatever would travel well in saddle bags. Crazy but I love 'em.
   

Disclosure: I wrote this post after attending an event sponsored by Aquafina FlavorSplash and Mom Central. I received FlavorSplash goodies and a gift card as a thank you for posting.

Learning New Things All The TIME!

Latest Updates:

** Last night I attended an Energizer event with Maria Bailey of Mom Talk Radio and MomSelect where we learned about the new battery charger which is quite cool. Great to see Maria and her kids too - who traveled all the way from Florida with her for this experience. Sounds like they got to see some other cool Philly sites too.

Watch for more details on an upcoming video contest by Energizer with amazing prizes and a nice little giveaway I will be hosting here on this site after the official launch in about two weeks.

** Oh, just learned InDesign today. I just couldn't figure out the original edition that I got in my Adobe Creative suite years ago. InDesign was the upgraded Pagemaker and has become even more user friendly each year. I just downloaded the trial version and YEAH!!!! - works great! I was used to Quark Express but we changed computers and darn it if the new one didn't have a small floppy drive to reinstall the program. The latest InDesign is close enough to Quark that I just had to learn a few tools to get me going.

Great InDesign tutorials HERE: Lynda.com (You can get basic instruction but more in-depth tutorials need a subscription) and AdobeTV.

I am learning all this to work on a media kit for my husband over at The HandyGuys Podcast. I think the first draft turned out pretty good. I'd share it but I'd have to kill ya. Just kidding but sharing a media kit is kinda like talking about weight and age. You just don't do it unless it is a close friend who will keep it confidential. Of course if it is a company wishing to know your rates, share away because that is why you create one to begin with.

** And, just started a REAL LIVE freelance assignment (if I can write to the right specifications and get paid promptly) that I would LOVE to tell you about - once the article goes online and I receive my first check. Then, I can brag about it. But right now, I just need to focus on writing! But, I am excited. This is a move in the right direction of submitting content and actually getting paid for it. Wow, I know - new concept.

** But, I am also adding content these days to Keystone Conservative which is fun and the other writers are great. Let's me have a home for politics which I really don't want to do here - even if I do anyway sometimes.

** AND, BIG MomSpace event going for Mom Bloggers this weekend on Saturday morning. Check it out! It's not too late. Some of my best blogging buddies are on the speaking panel and the very cool Joey Fortman is running this shin-dig. Don't miss it!

** Oh, the Lord is good as always. Weather is beautiful and I hope to enjoy it this afternoon with a long walk with a good friend. Hope you make the best of it too.

You know you have avoidance issues when . . .

You know you have avoidance issues when you choose this (the steaming pile of manure and straw that is carried out of each horse stall we help clean weekly in exchange for free lessons):

 
  OVER this:

   

AND, this:

 

Serving it up at The Kitchen Table

My post about the Westminster Shorter Catechism and the show Lost is being featured today over at The Kitchen Table. Click HERE to check it out!

CPAC 2010: Interview with Brett McMahon, ABC Rep and VP of of Miller & Long concrete construction

At CPAC 2010, I had the opportunity to speak with Brett McMahon, ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) Rep and VP of of Miller & Long concrete construction.

I talked to Mr. McMahon to discuss his growing concern over the outrageous paybacks Obama is giving Big Labor and how those paybacks will affect job growth.

Because of our unions here in PA, I was interested to learn about several of his national concerns which included:

·        Radical Labor Nominee – The defeat of SEIU lawyer Craig Becker’s nomination to the NLRB yesterday was a win, but Obama may still appoint him during recess despite bipartisan opposition.

·        Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act – Unions won’t give up on their #1 priority forcing unionization on workers and businesses.

·        Union-Favoring Project Labor Agreements – Obama is encouraging these requirements on big federal construction projects, favoring unions and stifling competition in an already struggling construction industry.

·        Jobs Bill – If the Jobs Bill passes in its current form, Big Labor is set to receive a big bailout for its failing pension funds.

·        Health Care Reform – Between the Cadillac health care tax exemption and the Merkley Amendment, health care bill paybacks will excuse Big Labor from big health care penalties and force more construction workers into Obama’s public option.

PROBLEMS in PA include: Union only labor contracts. Union preferences in state procurement.

WHERE'S THE FAIR COMPETITION? Hello people. How does one make it as the small business person when they don't get a chance at the jobs? AND, what about the crippling small business healthcare changes in the construction business? Check it out yourself! Take a second and watch the video below.

For more information, visit www.abc.org, www.TheTruthAboutEFCA.com, or www.TheTruthAboutPLAs.com.

 

When Mom Goes Beserk

The words "women" and "hysterics" just seem to be drawn together kinda like men and baseball. Whether a man ever watches or plays the game, certain gender words seem to magically connect.

Now, you read about women and their hysterics but when I hear those words, I used to mentally picture ladies in Victorian dress doubling over in impolite laughter, heads tilted together with gloved hands covering their giggles, until the other night. . . when I experienced the UGLIES of true hysteria.

I truly went into hysterics at my children. MOMFAIL but I did it. I began screaming until my husband started yelling at me to stop. I really don't know what came over me . . .

EXCEPT. . . a three hour car ride late into the evening after which we pull up in front of our house - after the last half hour of anxiety slowing rising over everything I needed to do at home after three long days away - AND then, as I am standing with my arms full in the freezing snow at the front door, my dear adorable pre-teen (as in not so small anymore) daughters plop themselves in the middle of the open front door squealing and screaming their own loving hugs around our house sitting beagle who was quite happy at all the attention - all of whom were oblivious to my horrific plight.

WHY? Because, who notices the packhorse at the back?!  Me, yes, that would be me.

"MOVE!" {decibles increasing . . } "MOVE, MOVE, MOVE" {Going scratchy soprano here} "MOVE OUT OF THE WAY!"

I started and almost couldn't stop myself. Well, technically, my dear innocent husband already in the warmth of the house also staring out at me - also oblivious - told me I was being rude. "yeah, um, well, um. . . {insert lame excuse here} . .  . they were in my way."

I tried every excuse in the book to justify my reaction (to myself silently - mind you - since I wasn't about to admit defeat just yet). But, I realized that however right I tried to sound in my own ears, I still owed them an apology BECAUSE IF ANY OF THEM EVER TALK TO ME LIKE THAT, more hysterics are coming. So, I did apologize to my girls and gave them big hugs. Not so surprisingly, they weren't that shocked at seeing me get upset and then getting over it and loving up on them. It happens, ya know. They push me to the edge.

I think it took my husband more by surprise because we really don't yell and scream around the house. We AVOID conflict at all costs and get along pretty well. And we like it like that even if some things that should be said aren't. I told him later that I apologized to the girls. He appreciated that.

The EPIC mom fail moment was over but I won't forget it for awhile but I am hoping my daughters do. They are getting older and REMEMBER things now. It's kinda scary. They learning to cope with the world. I don't want them yelling and screaming either . . . but unfortunately, it does seem effective at times, doesn't it? BUT does it truly get the desired effects in the end or do those who hear you screaming get so tuned out that they stop listening - WHICH may be a good lead-in to a post on the political conference we were just coming back from when all this happened! We'll see.

CPAC 2010, XPAC, Suitcase Pack and off we go to D.C. this Thursday

 
The Peppel family is road tripping! We've been stuck in the house with piles of snow surrounding us and now we are skipping out of town - and even letting the girls get out of school for 2 days to do it. They are a little young but my husband was determined to have them participate.

AND, no . . . this is no ordinary jaunt. We are going to CPAC (the Conservative Political Action Conference) this weekend in D.C. The funny thing is that I looked all over the site and only really found these quotes to describe the event which has boasted the likes of Rush Limbaugh and many more notable conservative pundits:

“CPAC has consistently over the years championed those ideas that have made America great: limited government, free enterprise, low taxes and a strong national defense.”

- Vice President Dick Cheney

 

“.. A showcase of the heart and soul of American conservatism”

- Los Angeles Times

 

“ CPAC is the preeminent yearly gathering of conservative activists.”

- The Washington Post

The Washington Post gets a thumbs up for the most succinct answer. I heard about the conference through two past attendees and talked my husband into going (whom I am delighted to say is totally on the same page - well, for the most part, with me politically. I tend to get a little artsy, crunchy on his conservative All-American ways but we do well to balance each other out.) We are both definitely for SMALL government and encouraging jobs in the business sector and telling the BIG government to BUTT out and keep their hands off our money where it can be helped!

HOWEVER, the jury is still out for me on tax credits and how they should be used to help businesses (i.e. the film business, and it is a growing business, here in Pennsylvania.) I just joined the first ever trade organization for the film industry - the PA Film Industry Association - and I have to say I am excited to participate but I do want to help change the mindset that more and more tax credits are the answer. I agree that the 150 billion our state has invested in film since 2006 shouldn't be wasted and that we need some tax credits to remain competitive with other states but I don't want to see it inflate out of control as so many government-run incentives do. It has to stand on its own viable legs at some point which is why I love the idea of a trade organization that promotes film and its production as a business where people work hard at what they do best and are rewarded in their efforts. I think the CPAC seminars on using modern media, film and TV for positive, wholesome values will definitely be worth attending.

Which brings me to another cool event happening this weekend: XPAC. Stephen Baldwin and Kevin McCullough are working to make conservatism cool for the next generation (which will totally make the event infinitely more fun and interesting for my daughters - or let's hope so b/c I am a little worried that they are a tad young for all this at 11 & 12 but my husband was determined)!

Here's the details from the CPAC website:

"And listen up to everyone "under 30" and those that are young at heart. For the first time ever at CPAC, please check out the ultimate in cool, a lounge created just for you: XPAC2010. Events running throughout the three days of CPAC, and everyone of them designed with you in mind, so register online, then stop by, say "hi" to Stephen Baldwin/Kevin McCullough, play some Wii, XBox, or Guitar Hero, catch exclusive events designed just for you, and both evenings don't miss the ultimate XPAC events, including "10 Questions with Stevie B, Megan McCain, and Sarah Huckabee" as well as "Millennial Impact Award" given in recognition for the most important accomplishment to a conservative under 30 (who didn't wait their turn in line to make a difference.) REGISTER today and hang all weekend, free food, films, games, and more its XPAC 2010. Brought to you by Stephen Baldwin/Kevin McCullough"

 

Hey, I'm excited. I signed up the whole family because I am totally for having a little fun in the middle of heated rhetoric and intense issue crunching. On top of it all, I've been accepted as a blogger and will have to do some seriously quick typing and writing as I go to get all the goodies in -- so keep watching for new tweets (@GenMom) and uploaded posts as I write and can get near WiFi to upload.

(Oh, and I just finished Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue: An American Life". I'll have to do a book review on that one. Still thinking through some of her issues - what I agree with, what I don't. I do think the woman has done remarkable things and has such an indomitable spirit. I am glad she wrote a book about everything. The woman was slaughtered by the media, or so it seems. I really had a problem with her quitting until I read some of the trumped up legal issues she was facing. Maybe it was the smart move, maybe not? She doesn't seem done with political life and probably shouldn't be with the life she's led. I don't think she'll be happy just staying home and baking cakes. Works for me. Not her.)

Horses in the Snow

Apparently, horse stalls still need to be cleaned out even when it snows - AND especially in poor weather since horses are in longer and DON'T "hold it" until they get out in the pasture.

So, I packed up my team of horse-stall cleaning "volunteers" and fortunately, my 4-wheel drive Suburban made it over snow packed roads to the barn. The girls scooped, dumped, spread straw and cleaned water buckets after which they were then treated to horsey rides on bareback in the inside ring. The horses had to make their own paths out in the pasture. Check it out!

 
 
 
 

Oh, can't leave this picture out! Here's what I had to dig out to get to the barn:

 

Why is Everyone Getting Out of Here But ME?!

I seem to be one of the few I know - just staying put. I've had friends flying to Nashville for the Blissdom blogger's conference and other friends driving to the same hotel for the TEA Party Conference to hear the illustrious Sarah Palin.

I on the other hand have chosen to stick with my frugal ways and just stay home. Not that I don't love meeting with others who do what I do (blogging) and think the way I think (I've been Taxed Enough Already!).

But, I have to tell ya, this weekend has been heavenly. Watching the lovely soft, white snowflakes fill our yard and driveaway. Relaxing in my PJs ALL weekend as school is called off early, church is canceled and everyone hibernates (but is totally all over Facebook).

Yes, I was invited to the Social Media Moms conference in Disney and I know several women going from here but it is not happening for me. February isn't a month to be flying all over the place. It's SNOWING, for Pete's sake and not just a little bit. We are being snowed IN. Flights are being canceled. Meetings called OFF. I'm NOT going anywhere. I am staying HERE. RIGHT HERE. (And MORE snow is coming.)

So stop by. Have a cup of hot chocolate, coffee or maybe something stronger and we'll talk. One-on-one. Not in the middle of a conference, not in a busy airport or hotel lobby, but right here, by my fireplace.

I don't know what's on your mind but tell me. While you are gathering your thoughts, I'd probably tell you that one kid of mine had her first ear infection at age 11 on Friday (woke at 1:30 crying) and that the other is growing up way too fast (12 1/2 going on 20). I'd probably tell you that I have been writing an article on the National Day of Prayer for our local Christian paper, The Voice of Grace and Truth and that I finally finished.

I'd probably tell you that I am now working on an article about the necessity and purpose of women's ministries in our local presbyterian churches and that I need much prayer because it is for a newsletter going out to all 11 of our local PCA churches and I am a little intimidated by the request.

I might even tell you that I want to pursue my doctorate in Communications, maybe at Regent College (the initial information request just arrived in the mail- YIPPEEE!) and that my husband wants to know WHY-WHY-WHY? I enjoy academics and research and the teaching that will pay for it all. I think this is new to him. I guess I should have told him that marrying him 15 years ago thwarted dreams I've had for 20+ years -- but I love him and now he needs to let me do this because he loves me.

That's what I'd probably tell you but I am wondering, what's on your mind? What are your worries, your fears? What are your goals? What are you doing about them? I like thinking through the bigger picture. Maybe I can help.

While you are thinking, here's a few pictures of the snow for you to enjoy!

 
 
 
 

Talking to kids about Haiti

"Have you talked to your kids about Haiti?" asks Danielle of Extraordinary Mommy in her recent video clip. I began to think and think. I couldn't remember telling them about it or them asking this week. I thought, well . . . . I've been gone but they were in school. They must have heard somewhere. Then, I remembered that they were out of school for half of the week for parent-teacher conferences.

I pulled my eldest daughter (age 12 1/2) into the office and asked, "Do you know about Haiti?"

"What about Haiti?

Oh, boy.

Moments later, I asked my youngest daughter who bounced in the door from a fun trip to the Y, "Do you know what happened in Haiti this week?"

No.

Where have I gone wrong? Life was busy this week. MOM FAIL. SCHOOL FAIL. In the little time they had at school earlier this week, no one told them. In the little bit of time I had with them, I didn't tell them. Their father didn't tell them. They didn't know that a major tragedy had occurred in our world - that in what seemed like seconds, an earthquake devastated a major city in a small country leaving many injured or dead.

At my kid's age, I'm not one to hold back too much. I did what I do best -I showed them via pictures on the Internet. I have found that I do better at show rather than tell anyway (just a personal observation - I like object lessons). Fortunately, they got bored of looking at cement rubble and walked away before I got to the pile of dead bodies. But, the first picture of the small, bloodied head-bandaged child looking straight into the camera touched my youngest the most. She thought that was the worst one. I am glad she didn't stick around. The pictures got worse.

I don't mind showing my kids pictures because they are at an age they don't need to be shielded as much. They need to know. They need to care too and to feel their heart strings pull for such a horrible event. They need to learn why we pray for these people, why we send money, reporters, diplomats (Hillary just arrived today), more money, clothing, even blood.

Kids need to know when BIG things happen. Things no one can control. Things that make us question God, question WHY? They need to hear us as we articulate what we think about it, how we feel about it. That's how they learn. They are only getting smarter and they need these lessons now as they face debates, write papers, and process information in more and and more intelligent ways every day.

Below is a PSA by Michelle Obama promoting the Red Cross and giving money to their relief efforts. I will honestly say, this inclusion in my blog IS NOT an endorsement of the Obama administration but I wholeheartedly stand behind giving support to the Red Cross dealing with this critical situation. For that I WILL give First Lady Obama a thumbs up!