Recycled Comments

I once lamented to [my mother-in-law] that I really did not care for gardening and felt a bit inferior. Her reply was--"you can sew clothes and I can't"...

I'm banking on the "you can sew clothes" too.

...Remember what bloggers blog for readers to read should reflect the personality of Jesus Christ our Savior.

That was my whole point: bloggers don't blog for readers to read. Readers choose to read what they say and draw conclusions on what it's reflecting and in turn often project themselves on the blog author. That happens a lot.

Janae has a way with words too. Is she your most verbal one?
Um, no.... she is highly "nonverbal" in the English language. What I've reported her saying here is usually just a quick phrase that slips out and surprises us.

Don't girls always like to talk like they know what they're talking about, even if they don't?
Shhhhhhh! Don't give our secret away!!!

"Where there is no vision the people perish:" Prov. 29:18a
some of your comments made me think of this verse.
I was thinking the same verse when I wrote that post. Glad I conveyed that message without even quoting that verse!

What Do You Think?

The template here is old and outdated. I have 3 children now but by the background pictures on my blog, you would think I only had 2.

Yet I get a lot of comments about the background so I don't know if it would be worth replacing/changing/deleting/just leaving. When I blog, I don't actually see the pictures unless I go to my site directly. So, the background is more for the reader's benefit and not mine so much.

What do you think? Should it change? Yes? No? Maybe so?

Please reply with your opinion and no matter what you say, please include your email address. I want to personally respond to each idea, tip and comment.

If you would rather not publicly post your idea here, you can email me at tobyzluv "at" gmail "dot" com (I assume everyone would know how to decipher my email from that. Just trying to avoid public search engines that offer free spamming....)

I am wide open for your discussion!

Your Comments Published

Probably the one who always wanted you to prepare his plate has figured out how to get his food some other way by now and is not starving.
That's right. It was my brother Zack. He has Downs Syndrome and as a small child, needed a lot of care and assistance. I was that care giver and assister for him. He grew to only let me get his plate of food, as well as want only my help with many other things. And now he's grown, quite the uncle and is a big help around the house. "I'm seventeen!" he'll tell us over and over... "You know why? Because Dad said so!"

Next time we get gas I'll have to try and find the button! :) thanks for informing me ahead of time that it is impossible to find.
The following comment will help you "find" that button...

Often the emergency shut off button is on the building.
Somehow I knew this person would say that! My question is... why would they put the button clear across the lot, on the building, several yards away from where the gas spill would be happening? It must not be THAT big of an emergency when gas spills. Or, maybe the gas station knows that the farther away the button is from the spill, the more gas will spill and the more somebody will have to pay for gas....? Now that's an idea.

You haven't failed as badly as I did if they aren't [potty] trained by 4.
4 would be awesome. At this point, I'll be satisfied to have it done by 16.

Build Noah's Ark!! The children will love that.
Landon actually mentioned this yesterday and thought we should just build an ark. Although, I think he'd like to have it just for a playhouse; not because the basement has a tendency towards leaks.

Potty training...well, they say every child is different (whoever 'they' are).
THEY are definitely right. I wish THEY would have advice for all the DIFFERENT children though since THEY seem to be so smart about what THEY SAY.

Was the slime a result of the toothbrush taking a vacation?
That must be what happened at your house once. Another good guess would've been along the lines of toddlers transferring saturated toothbrushes back into the toothbrush basket which in turn causes a collection of slime to build up. You get the idea.

Recycle that tooth brush to cleaning dirty corners in the bathroom, ie tubs and where toilet sits on the floor.
Great idea and one I plan to do when my kids are older. At this point, they have proven on many occasion that they are not shy about the toothbrush they put in their mouth and would use Toilet Toothbrush without care. Even just to suck on. Yeah... we just won't go there yet.

If the tooth brushes are stored standing on their handles so that the bristle ends can air between uses they probably don't develop the slime deposit so fast.
You know, I have thought of that suggestion since you mentioned it. I will actually have to blog about one reason why that can't work as much as I wish it could. (in a nutshell, we have no extra counter space for a tooth brush cup [nor do we have adequate space between shelves] and one of us has a toothbrush that has a handle that doesn't fit in cups very well... specifically toothbrush cups.)

You didn't mention me either. I fit in none of said categories. I am the sister commenter.
Elaborate more than that and I will design an unsaid category for you.

I was determined to comment, but could think of nothing to say. So, consider yourself commented...;-)
This is the best comment I have ever received. I am inspired by your determination.

Recycled and Rehashed Rudiments Recomposed

You should get a cat like mine! ;-) Male, neutered, no roaming, no heat...perfect! :-)
That's a good idea. I'll take him.

I've always felt rather guilty for not liking dogs and cats--I mean it's about as mean and uncaring as you can get not to like a fluffy cat or something :)
I'd actually take a bug (up to a certain size) over a dog. Bizarre, I know.
Bizarre as that is, I can almost agree with you (but I still detest bugs). Don't feel guilty. I too hate cats.

Okay if it is okay for you to not like bugs then I can still hate frogs!!! I am so sure you know what my great sister did to me at Christmas. It is funny now but not at the moment. If you don't know just ask her I'm sure she would love to tell you.
I support your right to hate frogs. But, I also support my right to not hate frogs and your sister's right to do what she did on that fateful Christmas day. I loved that story. :)

This turned out to be a "bugable" blog. You may need to invest in some bug houses. We ARE getting into the buggier time of the year.
I agree with the first and last point you made in your comment but I strongly disagree with investing in bug houses. For one, that would not be an investment. For two, I would not invite a bug to live anywhere (he can find his own house). And for three, I do not want to own a house a bug is welcomed to live in. But, I do understand what you mean.

Notice your comment from Celular. It seems to come from Brazil.
I have an idea it's actually an automated advertising system that's apt to appear on your blog if your blog's Word Verification is not enabled. In one night alone about a year ago, I received over 230 such comments.

The opposite of "far-sighted" is "near-sighted", not "short-sighted". Although I was very flattered that you considered me intelligent enough to diagnose your eye condition from afar, without actually seeing you, I thought I'd better correct your misconception.
Thank you for enlightening me. I "see" your point now. Are you also saying that if you saw me, you'd be able to tell me whether or not I need glasses? If that's the case, I'm sure you're cheaper than an Opthamologist. I'll be right over.

As far as a time for "Everything under the sun," I think it still proves my point that DST wasn't invented by the time of the "publishing" of Ecclesiastes, as it wasn't listed, but I suppose there is a "time" to change the time. (or at least now there is)
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes was not referring to things that may happen under the sun somewhere in the near future unless you line that up with the verse that talks about "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse..." That's how we got DST. Somewhere in the future, they'll be making us change our clocks several times in one day... if we don't stop the waxing evil of the seducers.

What time did the alarm go off?
It was right around the time I wrote that blog -- around 7:30 - 8 in the morning. Since the happening of DST, most of my children are still enjoying sleep at that hour. (or is it me enjoying them sleeping???)

Pagers sound good. The expense of that would probably have to be taken out of some of your local taxes. Since it is done by volunteers, there would be a longer list of people who would volunteer than would be needed at any given fire. It would be costly.
Those are all very valid reasons and I'm sure probably applicable in our small town. Interestingly enough, the sirens went off the other day and no body responded: I inadvertently and unintentionally had a colleague staked out near the fire station just before the siren went off. They reported that no one single person responded to the call. Just think of all the small children that were awakened needlessly by the pointless alarm. It's a shame -- in more ways than one. (I hope the person that dialed 911 didn't really need help...)

One thing I learned: You can tell if there is a storm coming by watching the behavior of the kids. They get very restless and don't pay attention as well.
And then when they finally settle down and go to sleep, the siren goes off. I know that story well.

Questions and Comments Recycled

Is the pain Jean's younger sister (PVE) or the unchanged clocks?
It is entirely the unchanged clocks! Shame on you for considering otherwise!

I'm talking (so is Oswald Chambers) about the human mistakes we make, or wrong decisions, or even the good ones. Just because it always has happened that way, doesn't mean it always will. We have to trust God, pick up our feet and go to!
I see the intent of your encouraging quote and the sweet spirit in which you share it. I also remember in one of your other comments that you mentioned you are unmarried. The best advice I can give you for when you marry is to remember that, "What the good man does is always right!"

Your sister has a Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MegaPixel, Digital SLR with an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens.... She wishes.
Reality is her camera is only a PowerShot A720 IS 6x optical zoom, 8.0 MegaPixels, purchased off of Amazon.
Thank you for your honesty. We hope you will find your heart's desire someday so you can quit coveting.

Oh yes, and about the Bible versions... :D can you guess? I'm so strongly KJV only that it would knock your socks off if you only knew... :D ;)
That was my first and only guess. :)

ahh Court, you are so short sighted.
Actually, the Opthamologist says I'm far sighted but since it's been a few (read like, 10) years since I was last tested, I should maybe go in for another exam. Especially after your abrupt diagnosis.

So why not rebel, and never change your clocks?
Because I like talking about a problem that I didn't create and pretend that I know how to fix it when I really don't. Like a politician does.

Or move to Arizona; they use common sense, like yours, and don't adjust their clocks.
I now see why a lot of elderly people move down there -- it's not the climate or the weather: it's the absence of DST! They wait until they're advanced in life to the point that they feel they must get everything in their life straightened out before it's too late. Including their time.

Haven't you ever considered all the people who get work just because of DST changing? My brother's company worked for 3 months fixing all the issues DST created for its clients. That was work for 70+ people for 3 months!
Thanks for helping me make my point: look at the money it cost the company. Knowing your brother, he could've easily made money doing something far more profitable anyway.

As a side note, evidently this DST came along after Ecclesiastes was written. I don't see changing your clocks anywhere in his list of things for which there is a time.
And that was quite a long list.

Ecclesiastes does say there is A Time for EVERYTHING under the sun.
But creating things that shouldn't be happening under the sun is not good. (read the account of creation in Genesis. The only thing close to DST that God created was the fact the He gave man freewill.)

I would occasionally take an elderly sister to visit another one who was a shut-in. The shut-in refused to change her clocks "from God's time". I think she actually thought that CST was "God's time".
We need more people like her today.

Are all your clocks in agreement now?
One word: not yet.

Your Questions and Comments Recapped

So your house flooding is only mild, huh? No "big" news?
Right. You answered your question. If you have any other questions you would like to ask and then answer on my blog, feel free to do so.

Your blog should get hits off of Google news.
Yep, any day now.

I think your idea of every once in a while answering questions and commenting on the comments is a good blog post.
Glad you think so. The problem is... I can't do this unless people comment/ask a question! So........ the ball is in you's/ya'll/your (depending on your geographic location) park.

What camera does your sister use?
Um, it's gray... small -- somewhere between a Elf and Rebel (can't remember the name). It's a Canon. It has a button you push when you are ready to capture the picture. I think it has a few flash options. I don't know much about it except that it's a digital and she bought it somewhere off the Internet. I also know that when I take a picture with it, it doesn't get as fancy as it gets when she takes the picture. I honestly think the camera is partial but if you're still interested, perhaps she will take the liberty to post her camera details on this post's comment box. (hint, hint)

In reality we limit God when we say "it'll always happen this way because it always has..."
Great point and a very good thought. I would agree with that on every aspect of life except for the function of the sun rising every morning and my husband not changing the clocks. Some things are never meant to change because they are unable to change because God made then unchangeable.

Question? How do you set a sundial ahead or behind one hour?
Just like I do with all the clocks in my house that I haven't changed yet: do math. Add or subtract an hour, depending on the time of year. I have an idea that changing a sundial is as lofty an idea as expecting my husband to automatically change our clocks. So, I probably wouldn't spend too much time figuring this method out.

Just in case you think I am as organized as my youthful sister (P.V.E.) it is now Tues . afternoon and most of the clocks in this house that I might be remotely concerned with are still on winter time.
I feel your pain.

Answered Questions and Comments

Once again, answering your questions, replying to your comments and thanking you for giving me something to blog about today!

I presume that somewhere along the line of events you took Alex off of the couch so that he didn't fall by himself. Or is he actually capable of climbing down on his own?
I personally took him off myself that time but we think he should learn to do it by himself pretty soon if he's going to be on the couch anyway.

Do you ever wonder why 2 ancient ladies read and comment on your blog?
No, why do they?

The mystery item that A. swallowed will either digest or pass of its on accord.
Then let's hope he never finds it on the floor again.


How do you get the back ground on your blog with the pictures of your kids?
I take a picture of my kids every time I blog and hyperlink it carefully into each post. Then I shrink the pixels so that you can't tell they are actually older in the picture than they look. It takes me about 1 hour and 37 minutes to set it all up because they have to wear those same outfits every time and they're usually in the laundry. No seriously, the picture, the idea, the background, it is all copyrighted so you can't have it anyway so don't ask. But, if you must know... it's embedded in my template through the logistics of HTML. Go ask my sister how she did it.

"Do not fear for I am with, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Excellent reminder. I see now why the Bible also talks about posting the Words of the Lord on the door posts of our houses and hanging them on our children's necks: I would forget them otherwise. Thanks for "posting" that today for me to see. I needed that.

Commenting on Comments and a FYI about Xanga

...so we're sound asleep and at exactly 3:00[am] our computer starts blaring this music!!!! It's NEVER done that before!... So we've now decided to never read your blog again lest all your posts come back to haunt us.

That must be my problem too. Thanks for pointing that out. I will never read my blog before bed again. Not that I normally do but really, reading it at any time of day is obviously before bed. I hope you realize that too and will stop losing sleep over music at 3 AM. Isn't that an awful experience?

Should I move to Milford?

The never ending journey that so many young people find themselves in a perpetual state of asking: what should I do with my life? But, this young reader has stepped one step beyond her peers by asking the highlighted question above instead. The question that obviously purposes the idea of moving out of her "state" in finding what she should do with her life. To all you single girls out there, maybe get specific about what you should do by asking something very defined like this young reader did. Because, watch this: I will answer that question now, giving the asker no reason for doubt or worry: YES. See how easy that was?

Now, a comment for xanga readers...

Thank you to all who left your blog addresses recentely, especially you xanganites. I was pleased to make your aquaintance and sorely regret to say that my computer is not on good terms with the domain you use in which to blog (xanga) so I am unable to read your sites. Please do not be offended when I never comment on your sites: I go to them once in a great while but usually only when I'm in the mood for my computer to go offline unexpectedly. Trying to comment is next to impossible because of all the reconnecting I have to do, if I'm lucky. I can barely see your photos unless they quickly load before my computer disconnects.

So, my apologies for not commenting on your sites and for not putting footprints there. You all were so kind to comment here and let me know that you read my blog. I wish I could return the favor but I am unable to do so due to a technical difficulty... which is really a sad thing in this technically advanced world we live in.

Your Questions Answered

A few of you have asked questions in your comments and I have sorely neglected to respond. I decided to do that here and thought maybe if any of you have other questions, I'll just respond to them on a weekly basis or something. I may not have advice but I probably have an answer for you. Sorry for the delays but hopefully you won't have to wait so long next time.

(By the way, if you asked me a question and I don't have it here, ask again because a lot of them got lost in my inbox somewhere and I was having a hard time digging them up.)

Does Toby read your blog regularly?
Yes, he does. And he actually likes it when I blackmail him.

By the way, have a very happy anniversary. Is it today?
Thank you very much and it was Friday, the 15th.

awww! That fateful night in November....
I disagree. And you would too if you contemplated the fact that you would have no neice or nephews to photograph had your brother-in-law not proposed to his girlfriend: your sister.

I am just wondering if you are praying each week for an unmarried friend?
No, I pray for one a day. So far, no body is married but a couple have prospects that they didn't have at the beginning of my prayer resolution. The only problem is that the prospects are not the right ones. So, I am learning how to pray specifically... or stop praying altogether unfortunately.