Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Prop 8 Protesters Targeted the LDS Los Angeles Temple

I got this from my mom in an email today. (she is really on fire lately) I thought everyone should know, since I couldn't really find it in any news. Not locally anyway. Even if you are not of my religious persuasion, I think these people need prayers.
I was shocked that the police are not really doing anything but keeping protesters out of the temple grounds. Are these not hate crimes? Are these people not intent on violence? Silent and peaceful protests are a right everyone should have, but this is way beyond that. There is a personal account I will put up later today, but I'm a little busy right now. Peace, Love and Prayers,
The Almighty Liz

The LDS Temple in Los Angeles was under siege yesterday by 2,000 protesters angry over the Church's role in passing Proposition 8, forcing the closure of the temple. According to reports, a gay activist called the temple saying they would be protesting outside the temple permanently until there is gay marriage.Signs were hung from the fence around the temple and protesters screamed in anger, snarled afternoon rush-hour traffic and said, "This isn't going to stop us.If we do this we have a chance." "We're going to fight it until the world changes," protesters claimed."Shame on you," chanted the protesters. Outside the temple, grafitti was scrawled on the walls and signs hung, "Go back to Utah," and "Go to hell Mormons." Their signs said, "No on H8."Protesters promised to go after the Church's tax-exempt status and harass Mormons who had donated to the cause, listed on a website Mormonsfor8.com. The promise was to make the Mormons pay for their role in the passage of Prop 8.One LDS member in the area said, "I don't quite understand our police response (even though I'm one of the police). If this was happening at a Jewish synagogue or a Catholic church, we would be arresting people for hate crimes. As it is at the moment, protestors are sitting on the walls of the temple and the police are on the grounds inside. Church members in our area were called last night to come down to the stake center and spend the night protecting the building from vandalism -- it's like 150 years ago."To see a news report on these events click here. This was the politics of intimidation and harassment, targeting the LDS church, though many other churches had helped in the effort-and a sample of how the homosexual agenda has spread across the nation. It was like San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsome, said when he illegally started marrying couples in the city before that America was going to have this whether you like it or not.It will not be about people being able to vote their conscience, or calmly assess the issues and consequences, but about threats and vilification. Other churches who participated in the effort have not been similarly targeted.The LDS Church is, of course, in no danger of losing its tax-exempt status. The only donation made to the campaign according to records was $2,078.97, an expense which covered the travel of church leaders who went to California to meet with the coalition. The Church insists that by law it has the right to speak out on moral issues.Threats from Blogs Target Christians A Worldnetdaily.com article noted that homosexual blogs have been boiling with threats toward Christians. Burn their [blank] churches to the ground, and then tax the charred timbers," wrote "World O Jeff" on a blog. On another website "Tread" wrote, "I hope the No on 8 people have a long list and long knives." On another website, a contributor wrote, "Can someone in CA please go burn down the Mormon temples there, PLEASE. I mean seriously. DO IT." On another website "scottinsf" wrote, "Trust me. I've got a big list of names of mormons and catholics that were big supporters of Prop 8. . As far as mormons and catholics . I warn them to watch their backs." Another blog entry: "If you're planning a heterosexual wedding in California . be prepared for picketers. Designate someone to watch the parking lot . You're going to have lots of unexpected expenses. Add $500 to your budget for security. . Be prepared for the flowers not lasting to the reception or the tuxedos showing up two sizes too small or the music at the reception being a way too loud or the cake tasting a little funny," stated another threat. "Be afraid. Be very afraid. We are everywhere." Thus it continues on and on and Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs for Liberty Counsel called the statements "hate crimes" for their intent to create violence against someone based on their beliefs and called on the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and "other leaders within the homosexual lobby" to call for an end to such threats. Thus, the true colors of some of those who push this agenda are in clear display. It is a kind of domestic terrorism designed to silence and quell anyone who oppose this agenda as it marches through our nation. On the same day, this happened, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued a statement calling for mutual civility. "No one on any side of the question should be vilified, intimidated or harassed." Lawsuits against Prop 8 At least three lawsuits have been or are in the process of being filed protesting the passage of Proposition 8. Andy Pugno, attorney for the Protect Marriage coalition said, "The lawsuit filed today by the ACLU and Equality California seeking to invalidate the decision of California voters to enshrine traditional marriage in California 's constitution is frivolous and regrettable. These same groups filed an identical case with the California Supreme Court months ago, which was summarily dismissed. We will vigorously defend the People's decision to enact Proposition 8 . . . "It should also be noted that the ACLU recently made this same "constitutional revision" claim in a nearly identical matter in Oregon and it was unanimously rejected." Family Leader's attorneys agree with this estimation.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Need a Laugh?

I sure did! I got this as an email from my mom this morning. Every so often, she hits the jack pot.

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - - she loved to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart:
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against him are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.
1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute intervals
3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's? rest-room.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away.'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the? bedding department.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the '? Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
And last, but not least
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled? very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'??

You're Welcome.
The Almighty Liz

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

DisGUSted!

I know this has been done to death by almost everyone else today, but this is my blog, which gives me the ultimate power to do whatever I want on here. (I mean, is it my World, or what?)
So, we now have Obama as president. I read on somebody else's blog where a person (who obviously voted for the warthog) said something to the effect of if the administration does well, will we all eat crow in four years? I think I replied that the only thing we will all be eating the next four years is cow turds.
I can only remember feeling emotions this strong in a country wide manner once; after 9/11. Don't get me wrong, I have an enormous sense of pride and patriotism for the good ole USofA. This was something more than that, and on that fateful day, I felt for a short time shocked, at a loss, much compassion for the victims, and horribly vulnerable. Quickly after, I felt an overwhelming rage at the people who would dare do something so atrocious, and an overwhelming desire to get them, and make them pay. This feeling has not really diminished all that much over the intervening 7 years, and I believe we have done good things in Iraq to this end, as well as other equally desirable ends.
Today, when I heard it for the first time, on the radio, my overarching desire now is to batten down the hatches. Become as self-sufficient as possible, so if the world ends, I will be prepared. Even if that means learning to garden, lol! Seriously though, I just have this burning and renewed desire to not be dependant on anybody, least of all the government at this juncture.
Am I frightened? Not really. Worried some, sure. However, I, for the first time, have undeniable testimony of what the various Prophets and Presidents of my religion have been teaching for decades; become self-reliant. Get my food storage in. Pay off all unnecessary debt. Be prepared financially for all things, especially the end of all things as we know it. I hate to get preachy, but look at what we just elected for the leader of our country. If that's not a sign of the times, I'd hate to see a real one.
The Almighty Liz

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Halloween!!

Well, how's was everyone's Halloween? Ours was great!! Not only did we have our awesome Haunted Treasure Hunt party at our house, but we had a Trunk or Treat with our fabulous new Ward at church, Jonni got to go on her very first field trip this week to a pumpkin farm and she had her very first Halloween parade at school (I forgot my camera!!), and apparently our neighborhood is the place to trick or treat in town. Seriously, John took the kids whilst I stayed home to man the fort, and I barely got to sit down, the doorbell rang so much! I actually ran out of candy. In an hour. And I wasn't givin' it away by the handful either. Once I saw how many kids were out there, I was only giving a piece or two at a time. I've never ran out before, much less in that short a time! Also, John said the whole neighborhood really gets into it. Lots of decorations, and tons of people out on their porches to hand out candy, instead of inside their houses. Needless to say, when the kids got home from their forays, their little trick or treat pumpkins were super heavy and overflowing. So much fun!! (and OHHHH, the candy rush!!) I did manage to get a few pics of the eventful evening, and the pumpkins we carved this year.

Here's the pumpkin Jonni got to bring home from her field trip to the farm. John helped her carve it.
Here's the pumpkin John brought home from work. They had a pumpkin carving contest, isn't that cool? We so love his new job. The pumpkin was supposed to be a scary leech-like alien thing, but I think it turned out being a happy looking smiley face. Funny!

Here's Jonni in her costume; she was a bat. I made the costume myself, despite having no sewing skills whatsoever. My friend Elise did help sew on one of the wings with her sewing machine, but everything else was me.


Here they both are, triumphant in their spoils. Erik wanted to be a pumpkin monster. I let him pick out everything in his costume. It was the easiest I've ever done. Sweat suit and mask. I love that kid.
So, I hope everyone had as good a Halloween as we did. John is already planning for next year. With this enthusiastic a neighborhood, he's brewing elaborate plans indeed. Good times for all!
The Almighty Liz




Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The Halloween Party!!

This last Saturday we had our Halloween Party, and I will just go out on a limb here to say that fun was had by all! John and I had a blast running around trying to make sure everything went smoothly, and the adults had a good time hanging out at the house and/or watching their children try to find the buried treasure on the haunted trail and house. I got some pictures even! John has some up on his blog too, along with his version of events, and for some more click here to get to Timpani's blog; http://quisandvance.blogspot.com/
This is how it went;
The kids arrived and I gave them the first clue; a piece of a treasure map. They had to use that piece to find the other pieces hidden in the graveyard (our backyard) and other places to find the witch that would tell them where they needed to go and who to talk to in order to find the treasure, while avoiding the Grim Reaper who was making his rounds in the field behind the graveyard. They then had to then go through the haunted house (our garage) by passing through the mad scientist's laboratory (our library) to get to the ghost who hid the treasure who would then tell them where he buried it. The kids did pretty well with only marginal help from adults. Meanwhile, the adults kicked back and had some dinner in the house (not the haunted part). I made chili (which everyone but Todd thought was too hot!) and potato soup. It was loads of good fun, although if we do it next year, I won't be feeding everyone again. Too much work on top of all the other preparations!! And now for the pics!

This is John after all the activity. He looks a little tired and sweaty doesn't he? I can't imagine why....
This is just a random picture after the kids found and opened the treasure, which resulted in a candy frenzy. This is when everyone settled in their own little spaces to eat and enjoy the spoils. Here's Renae. What a ham!
My sister, Virginia. Isn't she cute?

Her husband Apollo, and their new baby, Lark. Two hams in one house was almost too much...

More random enjoyment of the booty.

Here's Trent on the right and Todd on the left in their costumes.

Here's Todd again. I did the make-up, and had a blast doing it. It's my first time ever doing any one's make-up too. Didn't I do great? His own sister as well as his mother didn't recognize him. His mom saw the picture and said "So who was this?" I took that pic as well. I am just the BEST!


So that concludes the Great Sever Haunted Treasure Hunt. We had a blast doing it, and I hope everyone had a blast attending!!
The Almighty Liz

Friday, October 17, 2008

Seriously Awesome Week

Have I said how much I love our new area yet? Because, man, do I LOVE our new town!
I have gotten to do all these things just this week;
Had a super good weekend to myself (see prior post).
Got to have a girls' night out with a neighbor. (we went to a really good restaurant where her husband works, although he was off that night watching their kids, and we got our extremely tasty-but expensive-meal for FREE.)
Had one set of John's aunts and uncles over for dinner. (Reid and Marsha-we laughed all night long)
Had one of my new friends from church volunteer to scrub my floors for me, since after all the other house work I did this week, I just couldn't muster the energy. We also went to story time at the library, and our kids played most of the day together, and had a blast. (thanks Elise! The floors look stellar, and you are the alltime BEST!)
John got a RAISE. (just the yearly one that everyone gets, and not huge or anything, but still ultra cool)
Jonni has her first loose tooth.
And we still have a Halloween party for all our nieces and nephews (biological and honorary) tomorrow to look forward to!
Seriously, I just don't think life gets any better! Anything better than this is just bonus at this point, for real. (not that I will turn down bonuses. That would make me a loser, and I think everyone agrees that I'm as far from a loser as you can get)
The Almighty Liz

Monday, October 13, 2008

My Weekend

Well, my weekend was not what I expected, but it sure was fun! I was supposed to go camping with my entire in-law family, but I got a cold at the beginning of last week, and so opted to not go, even though I was feeling just fine by the weekend. I didn't want to tempt fate! John decided to take the kids and go without me, so I was then faced with a whole weekend to myself? What's a girl to do...?
Well, I'll tell you. The fam left at four o'clock on Friday afternoon. And first let me tell you that I called everyone I could think of to hang out, and everyone was busy. So, Friday I went and test drove cars. Do you know, that was a lot of fun? I'm mainly doing research for when our car finally throws in the towel, so I don't have to scramble and do everything last minute. There was this one sweet little Jeep Grand Cherokee...but I won't go into details. It was painful enough to leave it at the dealership. :)
I was then going to eat dinner and go shopping, but after eating dinner, I decided I was too tired. So instead I rented a few movies, watched one, and went to bed early. Oh! I also talked to my best friend, Mary, for a bit before the movie. I just don't get to talk to her near enough these days. (Love you!)
On Saturday, after a blissful night's sleep, (no husband stealing my covers, no daughter getting me up at 2 am to tell me her bed is "messed up", ect ect), I woke, had breakfast, and decided to go shopping. I was having dinner at a friend's later that evening, and so decided to call and tell her I wouldn't call right before I left like I had planned, and wasn't sure when I would make it out to her place. Well, lo and behold, her plans for the day got cancelled, (or rather, her husband's did, and he was gracious enough to take the kids off her hands so she could come out and play), so I got a shopping buddy! Before I went over to her place, I had lunch at my favorite fast food place; Lion's Choice. I did it because I'm the only one that likes that place, ergo, I never get to eat there. Mmmm, it was soooooo good. There were some major fall sales going on when we go to the mall too, so we totally cleaned up. I don't have to go shopping for a long time now. Woohoo! We then went back to her house, ordered pizza, watched chic flix (much to her husband's dismay...sorry Erik! I didn't know when I rented them you would be watching them too!), and ate some cheesecake I purchased from our little grocery around the corner. The one with the pies to die for. Their cheesecake is very much on par with the pies. (and I am sure I gained 10 lbs in just that one evening)
Sunday was just lazy, waiting for the fam to get home. All in all though, a really good, stress relieving few days. I missed my kids and my hubby, but it was nice to have some time to myself too. To not have to be somebody's mama, somebody's wife, cook, maid, ect ect ect. To just be a girl for awhile was exceedingly nice. ;)
The Almighty Liz
ps everybody had a great time at the campout too. John took some pics on our camera phone that I would love to post, but I have no idea how to get them from the phone to the computer. Any suggestions?