science project ideas

I need your help. It's science project time. I need ideas for a 6th grade student project. I want to avoid the suggested sites since most other students will be searching them for ideas. It is recommended that students topic the project in earth science.

Last year, we (niece and I) worked a project on acids, bases, neutrals. She was graded a high A, of course with her techy aunt.

So blog fam, please submit some suggestions, she has to submit her project proposal on Monday.

Thanks
Sista GP

children promoting candidates

Does a parent have the right to indoctrinate their political views onto their children? At what point/age does a child get to have his or her own views?

If you received a letter from your child's (private) school requesting your permission to allow your child to participate in a campaigning session on a street corner during a school day (8AM-9AM). Would you give permisssion?

Etiquette for Nov. 5th

I was sent a list for etiquette for Nov. 5th if a particular candidate won the election for President of the United States.

The list was humorous, so I wrote a list for those in case your candidate did not win.

I have posted both lists:
If your candidate wins
1) No crying, hugging or shouting "Thank you, Lord" - at least not in public.
2) No high-fives; at least not unless the area is clear and there are no witnesses.
3) No laughing at the McCain/Palin supporters.
4) No calling in sick on November 5th. They'll get nervous if too many of us don't show up.
5) We're allowed to give each other knowing winks or nods in passing. Just try to keep from grinning too hard.
6) No singing loudly, "We've Come This Far By Faith" (it WILL be acceptable to hum softly).
7) No bringing barbeque ribs or fried chicken for lunch in the company lunchroom for at least a week (no chitterlings AT ALL! This may make us seem too ethnic.)
8) No leaving Kool-aid packages at the water fountain.
9) No Cupid Shuffle during breaks (this could indicate a little too much excitement.)
10) Please no Moving On Up music (we are going to try to remain humble.)* *
11) And number 12. No reciting The Color Purple…”all my life, I had to fight”……

If your candidate did not win
1) No rioting, don't beat up anybody (Roots, 1977)
2) Don't claim foulplay, if you haven't done your own research
3) Don't rely on "Joe's website" for all your information
4) Don't rely on just CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, etc. to supply your knowledge of what's happening in the world
5) Can't watch C-SPAN live? watch recorded sessions online
6) Got XM? listen to C-SPAN Radio
7) Got internet? a boatload of informational resources available
8) Be aware, video clips do not tell the entire story
9) Create your own opinion; don't let others make it for you
10) Continue to be active and watchful of politics in all levels of government

pro-life...pro-choice...how about prohibition

For years I have had issues with many Pro-life/Pro-Choice demonstrations. Floating signs, chants, marches, and even violence. Why not deal with the cause of the pregnancies in question?

resulting from assault:
How about free anonymous counseling for individuals to deal with the desires/urges of physical abuse? There should be a focus on rehabilitation rather than increased incarceration of offenders. What solution does just time give?
Eliminate the assault, eliminates the result.

resulting from underage ignorance:
Parents, I mean real ones, even though you may think that your teen, or even, pre-teen child is not old enough to know how babies are made really made, wake up!!! Talk to them. They may know more than you think. It is better for you to tell them rather than letting them learn from experimentation.
Teach your child that actions have consequences. Let your child know that what he/she does can have an affect on the rest of their lives.
Also parents, remember actions speak louder than words. If your child knows you are running through many men/women/both, they will think it is ok for them to do the same. How can you tell them different. You are their most influential teacher.

resulting from adult stupidity:
Now there is only one form of contraceptive that is 100%. For all others, there is a chance of failure. If you are not willing or capable of dealing with a pregnancy, mentally, physically, financially, or socially, don't do the deed.
If a contraceptive labeling states 99.99% prevention, that only means that if used according to their testing, it should work, but if it does fail, the manufacturer can't be blamed.

Condoms burst, pills reduced effectiveness by antibiotics, depo shots 3% failure first year, lost IUD (yeah that's me, but no pregnancy Thank God)...things happen
If a method fails for you, why continue to use it? I've known several women who have multiple conceptions while on the shot. Why continue to rely on it? Why not use a backup method?

I am not claiming to be perfect. I just feel more thought, research, and action need to be taken for all of us.

What are your thoughts?

Smokey says it all...

things happen for a reason

We may not understand why events occur when they do. So many of them shape our lives in preparation for what we must one day face and conquer. We must accept them as blessings to a more divine end.

For two years non-continuously starting the summer 2006, we searched for a new home. We dealt with non-responsive realtors, over-priced resale homes, non-spacious new construction homes, and many homes in fair to poor conditions. Twice invested in home inspections. I say invested because critical problems were found in each.

When son started kindergarten his behavior problems occupied much of my time, the home search time was drastically reduced. A year later we started to actively search again when a home was offered for sale on the same street as my mom. This sparked out interest again. Eventually we found a new realtor who worked with us until the end.

We never suspected to live so far from town (job, school); we sought a location where hubby could park the tractor part of his truck (over the road driver). We found a lot in a great neighborhood close to what is known to be best elementary school in county. Two months after moving in, hubby was offered an opportunity to make shuttle runs and to be home daily instead of bi-weekends. He took it.

Now, as of last Friday, unfortunate circumstances has led my niece to be living with us until at least to the end of the school year. It is a true blessing that we are able to provide her a stable, productive environment where she can make achievements in academics, physical and emotional health, and personal well-being.

We soared over a major hurdle already, fractions. She started with a frown and "I hate fractions!" to a glowing grin when she finally understood. She is as proud of herself as I am of her.

There is not much concern for the kids behavior towards each other. Since both have had limited interactions with their half-siblings, they have always treated each other as such.

It is amazing to me how the daily occupants of this household has doubled in just three months time. Adjustments will need to be made from all of us, we are willing to give this honest try.

Not sure how much time I will have for blogging, but I suspect writing, which is new to me, will be my vice for peace of mind.

So the saying is true, "Things Do Happen For A Reason"

biological nail color

I had planned a lengthly satirical post of the discovery of an alternative to nail polish. Because of my normal activities, I rarely wear anything other than clear. I hate when polish chips so easily on my nails. So a discovery of a long lasting nail color that doesn't chip or flake, has no fumes and no need to spend time at a nail salon would be a monumental discovery that deserves Nobel Prize nomination.

Earlier today, hubby and I were loading railroad ties onto a truck when one slipped and smashed the tip of the middle finger of my left hand. When the nail turned bright red, the thought of the post came to mind. But now, as it is late at night after I continued to load the rest of the ties, drove home, prepared dinner, put everyone to bed, reverted this blog to the previous template, and now write this post, my finger is almost purple, sore, and throbbing. No lengthy post tonight and maybe none for the next few days.

Although it is an interesting concept to generate the color under the nail instead of painting color on top. In this trial, it is tricky to not break any delicate finger bones and not have the "side effect" of throbbing pain.

More trials are necessary, are you interested?

blog trivia #1

A turtle walks in line

12 turtles are in front of him

3 turtles are behind him

How many turtles are in line?
What is the basis of your answer?

Obama channel, what's McCain's?

As I get caught up on my household duties after slacking for several days, here is a litte something to hold you over...


Hubby discovered the OBAMA channel (73) on DishNetwork the other day. Basically it is a replay of all the messages that have been playing over the past few months.

So I wondered, what would be McCain's channel?

How about Boomerang: (Bush's Policies) Right Back At'cha?

What do you think McCain's channel would be?

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY: fit at 40..one year goal

From Blog Pics

Every year for the past few years on my birthday I reflect on my accomplishments and seek new goals.

At 37, I started playing soccer (adult women); it was the first time ever playing any sport.

At 38, I completed the first full draft of a romance novel, my first serious writing effort.

Now at 39, my focus is on health; one of my declarations. For several years I have struggled with my weight and have tried several different "plans". I've come to understand that dieting (controlled eating plan) alone is not enough. I need to commit to a regular exercise routine. I must receive adequate rest and maintain a stable stress level.

Even though I started working towards this goal weeks ago, today is the official kickoff. The first day towards a priority goal to be a healthier me.

One year from today, hopefully sooner, I plan to post a picture of the NEW me wearing the dress pictured above. The dress is around here somewhere. The photo was the second and last time I ever worn that dress.

I know that picture was taken prior to pregnancy, prior to marriage, months before meeting hubby, but I made it half-way there before (1999) so there is no doubt that I can be...

...FIT AT 40...SEE YOU THEN! more like YOU SEE ME THEN!