Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year 2011~ God's Speed~

Today’s events in Northwest Arkansas changed the direction of my New Year’s blog post a smidge.  I’d planned to list the things I learned in 2010 and how I hoped to apply that knowledge for personal changes in my life during 2011.

Being awakened by gale force winds, sirens and news flashes that people just miles away had just lost their lives, has a tendency to alter one’s perspective. It's a little more real.

As you read mine please add your own. Here’s mine:

God is good ALL the time, regardless of what happens to me personally, He is sovereign and is plan is perfect. 

Prayer is highly underestimated.

Being prepared for the unexpected but probable is paramount; whether it is weather related, family, self-imposed or caused by others.

It’s wise to know who my true friends are. It’s wise to know my strengths and weaknesses well. Prayer is highly underestimated.

Always live within my means. 

Stuff is just that – stuff. Stick to the basics because they make me happier.

The less I have the more it does.

I need to stay informed~ Readers are Leaders  

Community is essential to life.

If not me, who? If not now, when? 

Always listen to that quiet, still voice inside and react accordingly

Experts are mostly self proclaimed aggrandizers, or people who others need to be there for their own ends.

I can’t change anyone, nor should I try. I can be sure I have my facts right, and be an example to others.

Truth is not subjective. 

Cliché’s are repeated for a reason.

Anything worth having MUST be worked for.

My word is more valuable than anything else I will ever have. 

Words are powerful. In the beginning was the Word. They easily wound others, sometimes forever. 

Right is not always legal and legal is not always right.

Relationships require work, often hard work, yet worth every resulting tear. 

Prayer is highly underestimated.

My children watch me more than they listen to me and what they see matters the most. 

People crave relationships. 

No one has it all figured out, not even close. 

Everyone struggles and needs friends. 

Every passing face on the street represents a story as compelling and complicated as my own. 

People can be hard to love and even harder to like. 

Humor at others expense is mean rather than funny. 

People armed with facts don’t get angry and those with conviction hate violence.

Humans cannot destroy the planet but we can make it a horrendous place to live. And we are

Prayer is underestimated. 

Debt is an evil that eagerly devours souls. 

Helping people is messy business but the rewards are eternal.

Most of what we see is only the impression of what we believe we see. 

Ignorant people are easily manipulated, effortlessly frightened and therefore follow those who only APPEAR to be knowledgeable and valiant. 

Knowledge is power.

Pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you. 

Everyone you meet is better than you at something. 

Comfort is an addiction in this world that wrecks dreams and breaks people

I am not the center of God’s Universe, He is.

Everyone is a hypocrite. 

Things are never as bad or as good as I think they will be. 

Nature is a natural sedative. 
Work smart, not just hard. 

Time is a treasure; we never know how much we have. To waste it is unconscionable.

Everyone has a purpose

Car time is the best time with my kids, everyone grows closer. 

Prayer is highly underestimated  

I need always to put relationships over rules

GOD IS IN CONTROL

These are the top 50 things that I either learned or were reinforced in my life throughout 2010:
    To apply my knowledge I am embarking on a life altering quest in 2011 which I am calling “The Intentional Interactive Existence.”
   Taking my 5 top priorities in life: God, Family, Friends, Community and Job and breaking them down as simply as possible so that I can make a concerted effort to become a more faithful servant, devoted wife, blessing to my children, authentic friend, helpful neighbor and diligent worker.
    Each week over the next five weeks I am going to journal about my quest and I invite you to share with me, and others that might be reading this blog, things that are helpful.  Books you may have read, people you’ve talked with, experiences you’ve had, etc. It all counts in growing the mind and spirit.
   I truly believe that we are a people who need each other and my prayer and desire of my heart is to help be a catalyst to build stronger families and communities, starting with my own.
     My first step is to examine my relationship with God. I desire to have a more intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe. I will accomplish this through spending more time intentionally getting to know Him by
1)    Prayer
2)    Reading the Word
3)    Spending time with people of faith,
4)   Glorifying Him by gracefully spreading His message through my words, actions and deeds.

 Step 2 in my quest will be Family, followed by friends, community and job.

Time to help Neighbors

Crazee Weather in NWA

This morning around 5:30 Mike and I woke up to a tornado warning in our area. The rain was torrential and the swift winds blustered about, tossing stuff everywhere.
We jumped up (well as fast as two older people half asleep could) grab the emergency radio, flashlight (the electricity was off) and dashed down the stairs to the awaiting concerned pack of Masterson pooches.

Freckles, our Australian Shepherd and Allie, Bichon Frise, were no trouble getting to the basement. Max, the 90lbs Golden Retriever puppy, however was a different story. After much persuading with yummy snacks he finally conceded to join the family in safety.

We took cover for nearly 30min, until we received the all clear. Trudged back up the stairs with the brood of hounds and the “emergency” paraphernalia we had gathers.

About the time I found the stove top coffee maker, got it set up and turned on the electricity blinked back on.

Others in our community did not fare as well at least three people were killed in Cincinnati as this line of storms moved into Northwest Arkansas, knocking out power and closing the regional airport. Lots of injuries were reported, as well as widespread damage.

Please keep our friends and neighbors in your prayers and let’s keep our  ears open as to how we can come alongside those families affected by this event.


Thursday, December 30, 2010

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

I know it is not morning but there are a few stories that need highlighting. Although things are still moving a little slow in the political realm (it could still just be me), I anticipate come Monday things will begin to warm up in preparation for opening day January 10th. 


Double Dribble or Dipper? 

Michael Wickline wrote an article today in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette that should cause pause for all Arkansans, especially those in District 54.

Fred Smith, State Rep.-elect (D-Crawfordsville) for district 54 and a former Harlem Globetrotter, faces a charge of felony theft and a complaint filed by Willie Gammon, Smith’s former opponent in the Nov 2nd election, with the state Claims Commission alleging that Smith does not meet the residency requirements for office.

According to the article Mr. Smith has been charged with “theft of property delivered by mistake, after a Division of Legislative Audit in a review of the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2007, found the Dermott Special School District issued a duplicate payment of $29,250 to Smith’s nonprofit group, Save Our Kids, using federal Title 1 grant funds and both payments were cashed.”

When asked about the charges Smith was quoted as saying “I am not aware of the charges. ... I don’t know what you are talking about, to be honest with you.” I find that extremely unlikely since he was on trial on November 22 by Circuit Judge Sam Pope, who has yet to hand down a verdict.

Gammon alleges that Smith has lived in Walls, Miss. for the last several years therefore he is not eligible  to serve in the Arkansas legislature.

According to the Arkansas Constitution a  person "convicted of embezzlement  of public money, bribery, forgery or other crime" is not eligible to serve in the state legislature but evidentially the House of Representatives has some discretion in these matters.

If convicted of either I would say the people of Arkansas have some voice in this matter~

The Daily Journal has more on the story here~ http://ow.ly/3wlIF

  
Arkansas’s Historical 2010 Political Year in Review~  

“It was a banner year for political headlines in Arkansas. Retirements of veteran lawmakers, heated and crowded primaries, and some hotly contested general elections turned the state's political establishment on its head.  Several of 2010's storylines are likely to bleed into 2011.”

TalkBusiness.net has become for me a wonderful source of news happening in Arkansas. Here is their assessment of 2010 Top Political News Stories. I encourage you to visit their site frequently and follow them on twitter and facebook.



 
         FEED

@Region8News

Arkansas lottery scholarship awards could be cuthttp://bit.ly/hfKmQE

Chrysler recalling trucks and SUVs http://bit.ly/eVRPUe

@ArkTimes 

Our list of NYE events: http://ow.ly/3wfSu

@TimesRecord

Fort Smith area New Year's Eve happenings:http://ow.ly/3qhTL

SPORTS: Sugar Bowl Preview — UA tackle DeMarcus Love focused on Buckeyes http://ow.ly/3wafu





Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

Kudos to Arkansas Officials!

“Arkansas House Chief of Staff Bill Stovall says top officials in the chamber won't commute any more in state vehicles.”
How exciting! The decision was evidently made because of the latest brouhahas with the AGFC and AHD.
There are only four vehicles in the mix here but this is a wonderful step in the RIGHT direction. Voters should be flooding the office of Mr. Stovall with affirming phone calls, emails and even perhaps a fruit basket!
Thank You Bill for making one of the first steps of the new session in Arkansas politics to help Arkansas government become more fiscally responsible!






Frogger gets gigged
If you are going to emulate video GAMES in real life, make sure you are fully prepared for the consequences.  In South Carolina a 23-year-old BOY decided to realize his lifelong dream of becoming the star of Frogger. He soon found out his dodging skills where not up to par when a SUV squashed him.
The friends that he had discussed his delusion with earlier were shocked because he was so good at the virtual game. They believed that the SUV driver must have done something wrong. Congress is now looking into the situation and considering legislation to prohibiting SUV’s from driving on four lane highways.
All participants are resting well today.







Charles  rangels in funds
You really can’t make this stuff up. Rep. Charles B. Rangel is now imploring the American people to help support his legal defense fund.
After 40 years of pilfering and unethical shenanigans in the House he has established a new defense fund to help pay off past legal expenses and to deal with pending and new complaints.
Three hundred thirty three US House members voted to censure Rangel (D-N.Y.) while 79 sided with the self indulgent, degenerate public servant.


Up, Up and Stay Home
Arkansans are use to a dip in fuel prices this time of year, but as has been discussed time and time again, times are a changing.
Across the nation prices have risen on average 37 cents in the past quarter reaching $3.05
Here in the “Natural State” the average price per gallon has soared nearly 25 cents in the past month, reaching $2.93, the highest in well over 2 years and 44cents since September.





Once Again Big Brother is Poking His Nose In
The SEC is expressing great interest in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Zynga concerning information related to trading activity, according to a report from Dealbook.
This is the story Microsoft faced in 1985. Bill Gates ultimately agreed to an IPO after the strong arming of the SEC.



 
         FEED

@Region8News

Jonesboro Police responding to accident on Stadiumhttp://bit.ly/h4GoH4

State files petition against Mayor-elect of Region 8 cityhttp://bit.ly/f4cNe8

Arkansas to observe Civil War's 150th anniversaryhttp://bit.ly/eS8LOe


@KATVNews

Lawsuit filed against former Bella Vista officerhttp://bit.ly/hoOYAU

Pine Bluff mayor, aldermen would take pay cutshttp://bit.ly/grJOiN

Mega Millions ticket from Arkansas worth $1Mhttp://bit.ly/eHgwtB

@WashingtonPost

China tackles car glut and pollution, which may harm U.S. auto sales in the nation. http://wapo.st/hRE5S7

Airlines play huge game of catch-up in NYC areahttp://wapo.st/hFWGes

South Korea's Lee calls for six-party talkshttp://wapo.st/eb1MW9


@WeeklyStandard

On Taxes and Debt: http://snipurl.com/1ql925

Two-Thirds of Independents Support Repeal:http://snipurl.com/1qkzz

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know



Fuel Prices Explode
Pump prices jet over $3 a gallon for the first time since Oct 2008.


http://www.talkbusiness.net/article/RISING-GAS-PRICES-AN-UNWANTED-CHRISTMAS-GIFT/1304/








Trucker's on Stopwatch


http://www.thecitywire.com/?q=node/13287       
     
On Dec. 23, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued proposed new hours-of-service rules that would require commercial truck drivers to complete all driving within a 14-hour workday, and complete all on-duty work-related activities within 13 hours to allow for at least a one hour break.







Police Officer deaths up 37 percent


http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2010/dec/28/us-police-fatalities-jump-37-percent-2010/
Police Officer deaths in America rise 37 percent in 2010. Fifty-nine police officers were killed by gunfire in 2010, while 73 officers died in traffic incidents






Arkansas Highway Dept Crowds the Roads


http://arkansasnews.com/2010/12/28/murphy%E2%80%99s-law-for-asphalt-czars/
Evidentially the Arkansas Highway Dept has as the same challenge as the AGFC... excess vehicles.




               FEED


@ArkansasOnline
Public meetings set over Garland County jail plans: HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — A Garland County official says it i... http://bit.ly/fEQtsB


In LR’s classrooms, chalkboards go digital: With a touch of an icon, a swipe of a hand and the drag of a finger,... http://bit.ly/f38Moa


Blizzard piles 2 feet of snow on Northeast: Thousands of travelers trying to get home after the Christmas weeken... http://bit.ly/gINTd9



@Region8News
$900K in #marijuana found in AR homehttp://bit.ly/glAxgk




@ArkansasBuzz
Weather causes delays at Little Rock airporthttp://bit.ly/f0s4Ze


@RasmussenPoll
Obama: Strongly Approve 28%... Strongly Disapprove 39%... Approval Index: -11... Total Approval: 47%… http://tinyurl.com/preztrack


Just 21% Want FCC to Regulate Internet, Most Fear Regulation Would Promote Political Agenda...http://tinyurl.com/RR4700



Monday, December 27, 2010

Morning Roll Call~ News You Need to Know

The news in Arkansas seems to be moving a lil slow this morning, or it could just be me. Here are some headlines that caught my eye.


Bill update for Arkansas    
http://www.arkansashouse.org/bills
As of today there are 61 pre-filed bills awaiting our 88th General Assembly, follow the link above to review them. I encourage you to peruse each one, choose one or two that you might be willing to research and become help others understand.




US Senate Confirms Chris Thyer As US Attorney In Arkansas

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article.aspx?aid=125074.54928.137203
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Jonesboro attorney Chris Thyer as U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Arkansas.








Arkansas Gird your Loins~

Home sales in the Faulkner, Grant, Lonoke, Pulaski and Saline counties tumbled 31.2% during November, Northwest Arkansas, which fell by 41.9%.





WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON LAST WEEK?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) gave a true picture of how the Obama Administration will advance their agenda in 2011.









               FEED


@thecitywire


Outside the Wire: Not happy or secure: A new Harris Interactive poll finds that just three in 10 Americans (30%)... http://bit.ly/fw3ArE

Local Wire: Sugar Bowl: Ohio State uses ‘Seinfeld Defense’ with NCAA: story by Gary Brown, president of College ... http://bit.ly/heptBV

Local Wire: Regional bankruptcies and incorporations: Following are recent bankruptcy and incorporation filings ... http://bit.ly/hy1Ei6

@robybrock


The politics of True Grit. Fun story by @suziparker on what Rooster's eye patch really means.http://bit.ly/eQsxWf

ICYMI #ARLeg Conservative groups confident in their social agendas come Jan. http://bit.ly/huMUhW


Ark. tourism sees Q3 gains; holding steady year-to-date. http://bit.ly/eUU8l8