Thursday, July 21, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
A Glory Box Party. With blindfolding.
"Thursday, 11 March 2010 00:00
A GLORY BOX PARTY
My eldest granddaughter, Calais, was about to turn 13. I thought back to when I was that age. What were my ambitions in life? You guessed it; I just wanted to be a mother and a wife. Was that wrong? Were these natural instincts unhealthy for me? No one pressured me. I don’t recollect any conversions or any determined actions of my mother to make sure I walked this path. After all, God made us this way. It is the most natural and honest heart’s desire we can have. To deny these maturing feelings, we in fact, embrace a lie.
My heart aches for the precious young ladies of today’s society who are laughed and scoffed at if they should be brave enough to voice their heart’s desire for marriage and motherhood. Instead, they are encouraged into a career with the boon of extra income and to satisfy immediate desires offered by a materialistic and selfish society.
Apart from prayer and example, what can mothers and grandmothers do? The one thing in my life that kept me focused (and I didn’t know the Lord then) was my Glory Box. My very first babysitting job for a neighbour scored me my first tea towel and the beginning of my box. I began work at 15 years of age and, from time to time, I would buy things and put them away. It was amazing how much I accumulated over the years.
Whenever someone came to visit I would eventually get around to asking if they would like to see my Glory Box. I loved pulling everything out, wrapping it up and putting it away again. Americans call it a “Hope Chest” and I showed everyone the hope that was in my heart of one day becoming a wife and a mother. When I married at 23 years old my Glory Box was very much appreciated! I had prepared for this since I was 13 years old and at long last I could empty it and use everything! This was my glory.
Sadly, I did not encourage my own children in this. Now, however, I wanted to resurrect this old custom for my grandchildren. Not only that, I longed to make it a family tradition.
Natalie, Calais’ mother and I spent hours planning what we could do. We agreed that at 13 years Calais was already a woman, albeit a young one. We decided on a surprise dinner with a few selected guests who had already been building into her life. Formal dress, waiters, four-course meal, tables set with a full set of cutlery and so on. For this special occasion we decided HOME was the best place. With six younger siblings ranging down to two years it was going to take a bit of ingenuity which larger families never seem to lack.
The formal homemade invitations were mailed out to ladies only. There was a big SHHHhh! on each one to keep it a secret. The waiters were her father, grandfather, brother, uncle and two younger sisters. Calais’ friend, Lauren, and her parents were in on the conspiracy and helped in the surprise. They invited Calais to go with them to a “flash” restaurant which meant everyone had to dress formally. Her first formal dress! Finding a modest formal dress for her age wasn’t easy but was finally achieved.
On the night Calais was duly blindfolded. They set off in the car with vigorous conversations and loud music playing to confuse her whereabouts; then turned around and headed back home. What a surprise to find herself back home with a room full of ladies seated around beautifully set tables.
Aunty Kay used to be a window dresser and what she achieved with a few balloons and ribbons was amazing. She made the most beautiful topiaries as centrepieces and set the table as beautiful as any wedding. We were waited on hand and foot.
During the evening different ones shared advice and gave items. The highlight was the GLORY BOX. My husband Bill, Calais’ beloved granddad, made it especially for her. In fact, as the guests were arriving he was still putting the final touches on it. Guests brought gifts in keeping with the theme. My Scriptures for Calais were:
1 Corinthians 11:7, “The woman is the glory of the man.”
Proverbs 12:4, “A virtuous woman is the glory of her husband”.
Proverbs 18:22, “Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing”.
“From now on,” I encouraged her: “Keep your focus on preparing for that day when you become the glory of one special man whom God has already chosen for you. There is no need to look for him. God will bring him to you. Remember, ‘No fishing’ for the attentions of young men who will no doubt try to gain your attention. Wait patiently for God’s surprise. If you run ahead of God you will miss out on His special plan for your life.”
Inside the box was an album with encouraging notes, letters and poems to Calais that she can reread at her leisure. She absolutely loves it and we now have many families wanting to do the same for their daughters.
VAL STARES
Gold Coast, Australia
P.S. Down Under readers use the word ‘serviettes’ for ‘napkins’."
A GLORY BOX PARTY
My eldest granddaughter, Calais, was about to turn 13. I thought back to when I was that age. What were my ambitions in life? You guessed it; I just wanted to be a mother and a wife. Was that wrong? Were these natural instincts unhealthy for me? No one pressured me. I don’t recollect any conversions or any determined actions of my mother to make sure I walked this path. After all, God made us this way. It is the most natural and honest heart’s desire we can have. To deny these maturing feelings, we in fact, embrace a lie.
My heart aches for the precious young ladies of today’s society who are laughed and scoffed at if they should be brave enough to voice their heart’s desire for marriage and motherhood. Instead, they are encouraged into a career with the boon of extra income and to satisfy immediate desires offered by a materialistic and selfish society.
Apart from prayer and example, what can mothers and grandmothers do? The one thing in my life that kept me focused (and I didn’t know the Lord then) was my Glory Box. My very first babysitting job for a neighbour scored me my first tea towel and the beginning of my box. I began work at 15 years of age and, from time to time, I would buy things and put them away. It was amazing how much I accumulated over the years.
Whenever someone came to visit I would eventually get around to asking if they would like to see my Glory Box. I loved pulling everything out, wrapping it up and putting it away again. Americans call it a “Hope Chest” and I showed everyone the hope that was in my heart of one day becoming a wife and a mother. When I married at 23 years old my Glory Box was very much appreciated! I had prepared for this since I was 13 years old and at long last I could empty it and use everything! This was my glory.
Sadly, I did not encourage my own children in this. Now, however, I wanted to resurrect this old custom for my grandchildren. Not only that, I longed to make it a family tradition.
Natalie, Calais’ mother and I spent hours planning what we could do. We agreed that at 13 years Calais was already a woman, albeit a young one. We decided on a surprise dinner with a few selected guests who had already been building into her life. Formal dress, waiters, four-course meal, tables set with a full set of cutlery and so on. For this special occasion we decided HOME was the best place. With six younger siblings ranging down to two years it was going to take a bit of ingenuity which larger families never seem to lack.
The formal homemade invitations were mailed out to ladies only. There was a big SHHHhh! on each one to keep it a secret. The waiters were her father, grandfather, brother, uncle and two younger sisters. Calais’ friend, Lauren, and her parents were in on the conspiracy and helped in the surprise. They invited Calais to go with them to a “flash” restaurant which meant everyone had to dress formally. Her first formal dress! Finding a modest formal dress for her age wasn’t easy but was finally achieved.
On the night Calais was duly blindfolded. They set off in the car with vigorous conversations and loud music playing to confuse her whereabouts; then turned around and headed back home. What a surprise to find herself back home with a room full of ladies seated around beautifully set tables.
Aunty Kay used to be a window dresser and what she achieved with a few balloons and ribbons was amazing. She made the most beautiful topiaries as centrepieces and set the table as beautiful as any wedding. We were waited on hand and foot.
During the evening different ones shared advice and gave items. The highlight was the GLORY BOX. My husband Bill, Calais’ beloved granddad, made it especially for her. In fact, as the guests were arriving he was still putting the final touches on it. Guests brought gifts in keeping with the theme. My Scriptures for Calais were:
1 Corinthians 11:7, “The woman is the glory of the man.”
Proverbs 12:4, “A virtuous woman is the glory of her husband”.
Proverbs 18:22, “Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing”.
“From now on,” I encouraged her: “Keep your focus on preparing for that day when you become the glory of one special man whom God has already chosen for you. There is no need to look for him. God will bring him to you. Remember, ‘No fishing’ for the attentions of young men who will no doubt try to gain your attention. Wait patiently for God’s surprise. If you run ahead of God you will miss out on His special plan for your life.”
Inside the box was an album with encouraging notes, letters and poems to Calais that she can reread at her leisure. She absolutely loves it and we now have many families wanting to do the same for their daughters.
VAL STARES
Gold Coast, Australia
P.S. Down Under readers use the word ‘serviettes’ for ‘napkins’."
"God's Plan of Annihilation Is More Pleasant in the Long Run." Rly. Srsly.
This is from a Talibangelical site, "Above Rubies" under a section called "Women's Devotionals."
No, I'm not making this up. I don't have to. I never have to.
Yes, who brought that gosh-durn spirit of tolerance into religion, anyhow? That durn pussy Jesus!
No, I'm not making this up. I don't have to. I never have to.
"3. YOU HAVE TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY IN THE LAND
We must not tolerate the enemy. He must be wiped out completely. The Bible does not mince words when it tells us how to deal with evil. Read these instructions: Drive out, destroy, pluck down, dispossess, smite, utterly destroy, make no covenant with them, show no mercy, make no marriages with them, destroy their altars, break down their images, cut down their groves, burn their graven images with fire, have no pity on them, destroy them quickly, overthrow their altars, break their pillars, burn their groves with fire, hew down the graven images of their gods, destroy the names of them out of the place, blot out their remembrance and make no mention of the name of their gods! You can read these in Numbers 33:50-55; Deuteronomy 7:2-5; 9:3; 12:2-3; 25:19 and Joshua 23:7.
This is certainly a little different to the spirit of tolerance in the church today!
Why is it so important to utterly destroy the enemy? Because, if we leave any vestige of the enemy’s ways, they will come back to plague us over and over again. God’s plan of annihilation is more pleasant in the long run."
Yes, who brought that gosh-durn spirit of tolerance into religion, anyhow? That durn pussy Jesus!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Slutwalk Comes to London
Very important anti-fundamentalist message. Thanks, slutwalk.
Slut Walk was first held in Toronto earlier this year after a police officer caused outrage by stating that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised" during a speech to university students.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
US cop finds starving, caged 6-yr-old eating her own flesh to live | The Asian Age
US cop finds starving, caged 6-yr-old eating her own flesh to live | The Asian Age What the world needs now: more random parenthood.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Right-Wing Spin: OBL Death Proves Torture Works!
But of course they would say that, would they not?
Torture at Gitmo leads to OBL Death down the line.
Torture at Gitmo leads to OBL Death down the line.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Christian Domestic Discipline (The Mayburg Chronicles)
You just can't make this stuff up. And I don't have to. I never have to.
The Mayburg Chronicles.
Contains the full text of "Ask and Ye Shall Receive," "Seek and Ye Shall Find," and ""Knock and the Door Shall be Opened."
Print: $19.92
Download: $14.95
It's just like light fluffy Harlequin Regency Romances, except, um, like, not.
Hat-tip to Jesus' General, "Submission And the Paddle."
The Mayburg Chronicles.
Contains the full text of "Ask and Ye Shall Receive," "Seek and Ye Shall Find," and ""Knock and the Door Shall be Opened."
All the married ladies of Mayburg know that irate husbands spank. In this series of three inspirational historical romances, three young women learn the same lessons. Lily, Daisy and Lizzie are just three of the women brought to heel by their men in this print version that combines three novellas featuring action, adventure, inspiration along with a healthy dose of spanking. The Mayburg men have their hands full, but one thing is for sure - they are all up to the task of making sure their headstrong wives honor the vow to obey.
Print: $19.92
Download: $14.95
It's just like light fluffy Harlequin Regency Romances, except, um, like, not.
Hat-tip to Jesus' General, "Submission And the Paddle."
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Hooked on Health Care
Hello, gentle readers of my poor neglected blog.
Blogging just isn't the same since the Bushist Fascists were finally rustled out of town. I used to think (until maybe five minutes ago, even) that it was my personal life that was posing an obstacle to blogging, and now I fear that is not so. I think it's more the Obama Letdown Syndrome, if you catch my drift. Beyond that, I won't go there. It's very very STFU. See how very shut up I am become? And of my own free will. Now, that's slick.
On an unrelated note, via the great PZ Myers of Pharyngula, a classic bit by eminent Fetus-Firster Rick Santorum, a guy good for bringing one a toothy sparkly smile:
The Frothy Mix of Lube and Feces Speaks:
Yes! They want to get you Hooked on Health Care!
Blogging just isn't the same since the Bushist Fascists were finally rustled out of town. I used to think (until maybe five minutes ago, even) that it was my personal life that was posing an obstacle to blogging, and now I fear that is not so. I think it's more the Obama Letdown Syndrome, if you catch my drift. Beyond that, I won't go there. It's very very STFU. See how very shut up I am become? And of my own free will. Now, that's slick.
On an unrelated note, via the great PZ Myers of Pharyngula, a classic bit by eminent Fetus-Firster Rick Santorum, a guy good for bringing one a toothy sparkly smile:
The Frothy Mix of Lube and Feces Speaks:
Think about how they view you," he [Santorum] told the crowd of Republicans. "They view you no different than the drug dealer views the little kid in the school yard. They want to get you hooked, they want to get you dependent. They want to get you relying upon them for your wellbeing. And once they've satisfied you, giving them that drug, that narcotic, then you'll be reliant on them and, by the way, you'll also be less than what God created you to be."
Yes! They want to get you Hooked on Health Care!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Guess what? Libya is all Hillary's fault! Woo hoo!
The Clinton Derangement Syndrome raises its itchy greasy acne-pocked sexist head once more, with a fab slam article on how Libya is all Hillary's fault (plus it's Bill's fault, too) accompanied by an unflattering picture because why not, eh? They print unflattering pix of Gaddfi, don't they?
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
White House Stones Afghan Women: "Gender Issues" = Pet Rocks
Yes, the liberal Democrats in Washington DC are throwing Afghan women under the bus, because gender issues are just pet rocks, see, and there's this a big fat effin' bus, see, and somebody's gotta get thrown under it, and that would be you, sweetie.
Even the Soviets and the Shah were better on the great pet rock of gender equity, were they not?
But hey, ladies, don't get your panties in a twist.
No biggie.
A senior U.S. official involved in Afghanistan policy said changes to the land program . . . stem from a desire at the top levels of the Obama administration to triage the war and focus on the overriding goal of ending the conflict.
"Gender issues are going to have to take a back seat to other priorities," said the senior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal policy deliberations. "There's no way we can be successful if we maintain every special interest and pet project. All those pet rocks in our rucksack were taking us down."
The changes come at a time of growing concern among rights advocates that the modest gains Afghan women have achieved since the fall of the Taliban government in 2001 are being rolled back.
New rules being drafted by President Hamid Karzai's government would bar private safe houses for women who are fleeing abuse and place new rules on those seeking refuge in the country's 14 public shelters, including forcing women to submit to medical examinations and evicting them if their families want them back. The proposed rules would also bring the shelters - funded by international organizations, Western governments and private donors - under the direct control of the Afghan government.
Even the Soviets and the Shah were better on the great pet rock of gender equity, were they not?
But hey, ladies, don't get your panties in a twist.
No biggie.
Fighting the War on Two Fronts
Well, dog my cat or something, I inadvertantly stepped on a twitter hornet's nest, and I'm just so sorry that I did. I mentioned in a tweet that I thought the conditions of Bradley Manning's confinement, as I understand them, seemed rather Abu Ghraib-y to me: being kept naked, in solitary confinement. Now, if this is not the case, then I will happily STFU.
If it is the case, I will not happily STFU, and my unhappiness at his being kept in such conditions does not merely include Manning's condition, but extends to anyone who would keep anyone in such conditions anywhere anytime.
I am happy to wage war on two fronts: toward the right wing, and toward the left, when it appears to be supporting things I think ought not to be supported: you know, like keeping one's fellow humans in unacceptable conditions. You don't like it? Meh.
Obama is too timid-centrist for me. Always has been, still is. I held my nose and voted for him, and I'm glad he won. That being said, I don't appreciate a lot of what he is doing, and I don't appreciate a lot of what he is not doing. However, I dislike the behaviors and goals of the rabid right wing much much much much more.
Right wing, left wing, throwing people into solitary confinement, naked, and keeping them in those conditions is unacceptable. Stripping people naked is a form of humiliation, and sexual humiliation at that, and it is not a method to address suicidality. Mental hospitals all across America are filled with suicidal people who, remarkably enough, still have their clothes on.
Rly.
ps.
Here's what Arthur Silber has to say re: Manning. Go fight with him.
If it is the case, I will not happily STFU, and my unhappiness at his being kept in such conditions does not merely include Manning's condition, but extends to anyone who would keep anyone in such conditions anywhere anytime.
I am happy to wage war on two fronts: toward the right wing, and toward the left, when it appears to be supporting things I think ought not to be supported: you know, like keeping one's fellow humans in unacceptable conditions. You don't like it? Meh.
Obama is too timid-centrist for me. Always has been, still is. I held my nose and voted for him, and I'm glad he won. That being said, I don't appreciate a lot of what he is doing, and I don't appreciate a lot of what he is not doing. However, I dislike the behaviors and goals of the rabid right wing much much much much more.
Right wing, left wing, throwing people into solitary confinement, naked, and keeping them in those conditions is unacceptable. Stripping people naked is a form of humiliation, and sexual humiliation at that, and it is not a method to address suicidality. Mental hospitals all across America are filled with suicidal people who, remarkably enough, still have their clothes on.
Rly.
ps.
Here's what Arthur Silber has to say re: Manning. Go fight with him.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Notables on Left Don 2L4O T-Shirts to Express Dissatisfaction with Obama
"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama's left/liberal critics make a fashion statement of their disapproval of his policies
WASHINGTON, DC, March 1, 2011 — In one sign that Barack Obama has alienated the left, more than a dozen blogs now promote union-made "2L4O: Too Liberal for Obama" and "2L4O: Too Left for Obama" T-shirts. . ."
You can do the same, ladies and gentlemen. Buy one, don, express. (lather, rinse, repeat).
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