STRAIGHT UP FROM BEN STEIN!!!

I REALLY LIKED THIS AND THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE ITS LONG BUT WORTH IT.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away. I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where theAmerica we knew went to. In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:

This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking. Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem. We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said okay.Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing yet? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not, then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein

TEN THINGS I AM GRATEFUL FOR RIGHT NOW THIS VERY MOMENT

I decided I better put some things down that I was grateful for being as when winter like weather shows up I tend to really be a Negative Nelly. Here is my sad attempt.

1. I am grateful for baseball playoffs and the Yankees, without which October would be lumped in the worst months category.

2. I am grateful for soda without which I would not make it through most days or meetings.

3. I am grateful for my family because they love me no matter how grumpy I get, they are so polite and just tell me not to come around till I cheer up, so I will be very excited to see them all in April:)

4. I am grateful for my roommates, who let me live with them and tease them relentlessly

5. I am grateful for Ashley when she flips the breaker with her heater, because she reminds me what it would be like to not have power and how to be prepared if the lights suddenly went out while I might be doing things that could be dangerous. like shaving.

6. I am grateful for Kacee and all her many cooking adventures, she really knows how to make new recipes, my dad was very grateful he didn't have to buy salt lick for his cows this year he just used some loaves of Kacee's bread.

7. I am grateful for Cassie and how she holds leverage over my head so she can stay in the COT, this teaches me that I should not kick people out on the spur of the moment and that I should consider what they can do for me first. well played cleave well played.

8. I am grateful for my other friends who day after day wake up and decide they still want to be friends with me.

9. I am grateful for the guys who park their 4-wheeler and motorcycle, and truck which is a trash can on wheels right in front of our house so I have to park down if front of someone elses house, this teaches me to be forgiving, and work on my anger by not pushing his bike over or letting the air out of the tires, and I get a little excercise, I guess we both win.

10. I am grateful for floor burns on my elbow so that every time I put my arm down and wince in pain I can remember that I am 27 not 16, the next time I decide that I want to throw my body across the gym floor in an attempt to save a ball when we are losing by ten anyway!

This is not the list for the Month or even the week, its basically for the moment I was writing this, it could change tomorrow I will keep you posted.

Whats new? o wait nothing

I think they are about to shut down my blog because it has been non active for so long! j/k, a lot of it due to the fact that nothing new ever happens, I don't have a computer at home, and I usually just put most of it on facebook. Anyway I will try and get better at updating what is going on, mostly I work and then work some more so nothing to exciting to report.

MISSING MY NEPHEW

SHAWN MACINTOSH DEC 20TH 1994- JULY 28TH 2009

Why did he have to go So young we just don't know why Things happen half the time Without reason without rhyme Lovely, sweet young man, Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew, Cousin, Makes no sense to me we just have to believe

he flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And he walks with Jesus and his loved ones waiting And we know he's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout me

Loved ones he left behind Just trying to survive And understand the why, Feeling so lost inside Anger shot straight at God Then asking for His love, Empty with disbelief Just hoping that maybe

he flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And he walks with Jesus and his loved ones waiting And we know he's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout me

It's hard to say goodbye His picture in our minds They'll always be of times will cherish And we won't cry 'cause he flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees And he walks with jesus and his loved ones waiting And we know he's smiling saying Don't worry 'bout meDon't worry 'bout meDon't worry 'bout me

Shawn helping out at the cow herd

I tried to get a picture of him and Ron and I had them both smiling until Ron had to turn at the last minute to hold on to the cow he was holding the rope to, its still a great picture though.

Shawn getting ready to ride the cow, he was off to quick for me to get a shot of him on it:)

LORD OF THE DANCE

So I have loved Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance for as long as I can remember, so when I heard it was in Vegas I had to go. Kacee and I went down last Friday to Planet Hollywood and we had 14th row seats. Well a couple minutes after is started they asked us if we wanted to move down closer because some people did not show up, that's right we scored 2nd row seats right in the middle!! it was just how I dreamed it would be. They are amazing, their legs really do fly about as if independent from their bodies. I want to go again.

WHAT THE COW HERD!

Well we had our yearly cow herd where all the family comes home and we mark the calves so we know they are ours. We had a lot of people there. We had Steph & Clint and their 5 kids, Derrick & Ashlie and their 6 kids (Shay was up north), Kyla & Ron and their 6 kids, Dallas and 2 of his kids as Emilee did not make the trip due to recovering from having their baby and Westyn stayed home to help her. Then their was ME, and my mom and dad. So we had quit a crew. Also we had a bunch of Chynoweth cousins that came to help. It was a lot of fun and we love to do it every year. I took a lot of pictures because I was the only one with a camera. I guess when your a mom and you have 3 or 4 kids you start to forget little things like cameras :) way to many other things to worry about. I only put a couple of pictures on here but I put about 80 on facebook if you wanna check those out. If you have a weak stomach you might want to stay away from a few of them:) poor Ashlie (Derricks Fiance at the time, wife now:)) is still recovering from what she saw.

These are in not particular order.

Everyone just resting after we got them where we were going.

This is on my dad's property in Horse Valley, there is a little indent in the side of this sand stone Mt, and he wants us all to eventually carve our names in there, of course I was the first one to start being as I am the most important and loved child:) I just need to add my last name and then make it deeper.

Me and Landyn just hanging out

This is Trey, Clint, and Dallas. Derrick is on the other side. Everyone else was either walking, riding the 4-wheelers or riding in the trucks.

We not only herded the cows but we had to herd all the kids as well, so we just loaded them all in the back of the truck so we could move them from place to place.

This is dad and Shawn

This is my dad about ready to cut out some rocky mt oysters. Shawn wanted to make sure we got this documented. Thanks Shawn

This is me and my mom

BEES GAME MAY16TH 2009

Well I decided to go to SLC and visit some friends and watch a Bees game. It was a lot of fun and even though it was minor league it was good. The Bees are the Angels farm system so a few players have been up playing the Majors and back down. I have a picture of one down lower.

Me and Melinda getting ready to go in. My friends Selina and Brianne also came with their husbands.

Freddy Sandoval made is Major League debut against the New York Yankees on September 8Th, 2008 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim California. I was going to get his autograph but I didn't have anything for him to sign.

MOVING

Well I am moving again. I think this will be about my 11th or 12th time moving since I moved to Cedar, But my Bro is getting married and I am glad but I do hate to move. So I will try to post some pics of my new place I am sure it will be awesome, probably the bathroom at the park because that is about all I can afford these days:)

Easter 2009

Well this year for Easter we were told to be expecting a special guest at 6:30 Sharp on Sat! so we all waited and pretty soon a car pulled up and stopped on the white tarps that were set up and when it pulled away.............It left behind these 3 showgirls who did a lovely show to "super trooper" from Mama Mia. It was pretty funny, Then they held a photo shoot afterwards and then disappeared as mysteriously as they showed up. We got it on video if anyone wants to see it, I think we will be posting it on youtube soon.

My Mom:)

Aunt Renon, My Mom, and Aunt Katherine

A CHILDHOOD MEMORY REVISITED

Well a friend convinced me the other day that I needed to purchase some Rollerblades with her and we could take it up again in our spare time. Well I gave in and decided to do it. Lets just say I am not as good as I used to be. I used to be so good on those things I was out of control. This time I could barely stand up. I don't know how I used to ever cruise around on those things. I did get some pictures from our first outing but a few of them ended up with me on my face. I'll post those later. Which is more than I can say for some people who made fun of me for falling but were to afraid to try the spin move so they stayed safely in the vertical position(KACEE). Anyway I guess we will test these out from time to time and get some practice in. I will probably be passing them on to my nieces and nephews soon though. However if they land me a HOTTIE like this then maybe I will keep them!!! o and just for the record I did get the spin move down.

A BIG.......

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their comments on my last post. I had a little vent session. I do try to keep in mind that people just care and that's why they ask. So again thanks and I will keep an open mind when that question comes along which it has been increasing in the last weeks due to one of my best friends getting married next weekend!! can't wait for the wedding reception where unmarried people are targets for those people who just want to know "what you have been up to and why you are not married,but all your friends are?" and I am sure I will get it about 527 times:) I will remain calm and simply answer "I just haven't found someone that can put up with me yet" (which really means I just haven't found someone good enough yet, but people think I am a high maintenance broad when I say that) so I will keep it simple to avoid a longer discussion:) so excited!!!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I just wanted to address a few questions that I frequently get asked and I think my friend Kyle says it best, so below is the answers to some questions so people can stop wondering or asking:) You have now been warned and this is your last chance to stop reading if you don’t want an ear full. Okay I tried to warn you…..Okay people. This has been on my mind a lot and thanks to a few of my fellow co-workers it has got me a little wound up. First off let me address the married people that got married right out of high school. I am so happy that you found your “true love” in high school and may your life be nothing short of a fairy tale. BUT that is not how it happens for everyone. I know you are just trying to be nice, but there is never a time to ask someone, “why aren't you married?” NEVER! To me, that is like asking someone, Why are you so fat? Yeah there is probably a reason, but it still doesn't make it right.
This hasn't really bugged me until the last couple of months. I get the question, “why aren't you married?” at least once a week and that's just by one co- worker. After hearing this over and over, I finally just said I rather find the right one the first time, then the wrong one and get divorced! That got her silent for a few minutes as this hit a little too close to home. Plus I have seen too many people get married too young and feel like they missed out on too much and result in acting like a teenager in their forties. You know the people I am talking about. The ones that want to hang out with the daughter and all of her friends. The mom that wears the tube top and daisy dukes, that shouldn't’t EVER wear one or own one for that matter. Let’s just say if it takes two tube tops to go around you, maybe a tube top is not your best option. Or if you have to cut Levis into daisy dukes, because you just can’t find your size. You shouldn't wear them…EVER!
I just get sick of everyone worried about me not being married.WHY DO YOU CARE?! I know you just “want me to be Happy,” but if that is true then send me on vacation or better yet, bother someone else with your dumb questions, that is what would make me happy.
Now for the reasons I am fat. I eat too much, I eat late at night. I eat right before I go to bed. I love candy. I don’t exercise enough. I eat past the full feeling and to the point of getting sick. I eat because I can. I eat because I am worth it. I eat when I am sad. I eat when I am mad. I eat when i'm, happy. I eat to celebrate. I eat when I am stressed. I eat greasy food. I love cheese. I love bacon. I think everything taste better with cheese or bacon. I want to eat just writing about food. Well I gotta go, I am getting hungry. As always have a good week! Until next time!

Random happenings

Just me and my mom before we headed out to do some shopping This is my friend Theresa that came to visit form Nebraska, She was here for a few days and it was a lot of fun. She should really move back here. She loves it here. She is always saying how she likes being here cause everyone looks so different and she absolutely loves girls with "Utah hair".

My newest niece

I decided since I had nothing going on I would share a picture of my new niece. She is wicked cute.