I was just reading a news article about help and the home owner dilemma, a real mess to be sure. President Obama was in my home state this month and addressed the government plan on funding to help struggling homeowners in foreclosure and this article was reporting on it. It shared how great the intentions are but how little good will come of it. The problems suggested are first, the number of homeowners that qualify for the aid are very small because the qualifications are so limiting and second, refinancing at a low interest rate over a longer period doesn’t solve the real problem because selling the home can’t recoup the debt. I agree with these problems.

I may have a school girl mentality, but this whole mess seems a lot easier and more basic to me than complicated economics algorithms. A mistake was made, but instead of erasing we’re piling on more scratch marks. The mistake involves two sides: the lenders and the buyers. Lenders created a stage of inflated home values, made it easy to buy into and buyers did. I use the term mistake loosely because cheating would likely apply with great accuracy. However, because there were a lot of innocent people affected I think I’ll stick with mistake here. I just want to know how much it would cost for an eraser? Why can’t we just erase the untrue and inflated values off existing mortgages? If we can pull billions of dollars out of thin air to ’stimulate’ our economy, why can’t we just erase what never existed? The banks can’t claim they’re losing because it was all make believe to begin with, in fact they’re at greater risk of default and losing by doing nothing.

Why can’t the good and honest people still paying on their mortgages be released from the cheating and lies of the industry controllers? You wouldn’t even need to refinance, just write off the unrealized inflation value that doesn’t exist anymore. This is the real problem and it’s what needs to be addressed. In fact, in my area a common scenario is a home costing $300,000 three years ago and those same homes are worth half that today. Nothing changed with the homes, just the make believe bubble surrounding them. Can you imagine having to sell and move knowing that you’d still owe $150,000 AFTER you’d sold your home? Neither can I.

So I’m just wondering how much an eraser would cost in all this. It seems like erasing not bailing is a better verb for this particular situation.

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Perspectives Blogging Business

I just returned from my son’s Kindergarten musical. It’s so amazing to see them growing so fast right before your eyes.

I’ve been so impressed with the music program at my children’s elementary school. Their teacher does more than just teach a few songs to the student body. Every age group is given a time to perform in their own program. Every program incorporates kids playing instruments, doing some simple choreography and singing all as part of a themed program. Often it includes highlights for solos and narration speaking parts. The stage is decorated to match and programs always accompany a performance. I’ve been around to a few other schools and I find very few put this much into their music department and concerts, especially at an elementary level. It is so rewarding for everyone involved.

Here’s some highlights from this one:

Taylor took ample opportunity to pose for the camera. What a character!

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Family Parenting School Sharing Motherhood

It’s possible that I’m insane, but I’m really excited about a new project cropping up on my horizon. I know, it’s not like I’ve already got a plethora of them right? It’s not like I haven’t been complaining about my lack of steam to get them completed lately either right? I know, I may need to be committed somewhere in a little white jacket. Especially when you find out what this project is in and how excited I am about it!

This week we received a brochure for a new school opening in our area. The concept is “Classical Education” and as I skimmed the reading list for this 6-12 program I found myself rubbing my chin thinking on what a great list it was. I looked at their curriculum overview and found myself wishing I could sign up! As hubby and I talked on our walk last night we discussed how sad it is that neither of us feel really well versed in literature. I recognize names, some works I know I “studied” in school but remember so little if anything, but the vast majority I know nothing of and have never read. How sad given how much I love reading and how much I’ve been reading lately. So my new project is to make my way through this core reading list of over 100 titles and to take up the challenge of some of the curriculum topics. I may not qualify to sign up as a student but that doesn’t mean I can’t learn all this stuff. Besides I’ve always been a trial by fire person and have managed to learn a great deal teaching myself.

It’s kind of sad when you think on how we spend so many years being exposed to a vast array of education topics, but as we “specialize” our field continues to narrow. By the time we’re adults most of us have chosen a field of expertise or study and while we may know a great deal about that we are likely very ignorant of other topics.

It made me really question when the last time was I chose to learn something just because. Obviously, my answer was lacking and it’s time to fix that.

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The man guilty of getting me into blogging stopped about a year after I got going. I’m happy to report that he’s decided to jump back in! This time he’s taking a more defined approach and more focused topic. I don’t pretend to understand half of what he shares but I’m happy he’s sharing again. He still manages to throw in his personality, no matter how techy, like his first article with a blaring stop sign image and a title that reads: Don’t Read This Blog.

I still live in this fairy tale land where one day we’ll figure out the ideal project we can work on together and transform into a dynamic duo. Until then, I’ll just nod my head as if I understand all that stuff he writes about. I’m thinking his recent employer really nailed it with his current job title “Talented Man of Mystery.” By the way, I’m not making that up, that’s really his title.

I’ve had reason to reflect lately on the difference between knowing what you think and thinking what you know.

A tongue twister and brain bender to be sure, but it’s really not that hard a concept to grasp. Most of us think what we know, we don’t actually know it. I say this because most of the information we absorb isn’t neutral fact, but rather disputed opinions and beliefs. I’m sure this is where the wisdom came from the concept of “taking it with a grain of salt” which to me always meant remembering that there’s room for error.

In no arena does my tolerance, or lack of, for this problem reach boiling point faster than in the social realm. It seems that some people have so much time and energy to waste that their entire existence appears to circle around the discussion of things they think they know about others. Perhaps this is the real definition of gossip. It may not always be intended to slander another or scar their reputation or name but the result is inevitable. It is the very spirit of rumor and mischief, of discord and strife.

Have you ever paused to listen to the way so many people speak today? Listen closely and I’ll bet you’ll hear what I hear. The absolute resolution in their voice is unmistakable. They often speak as if they were not only there when the event unfolded they are discussing, but they take on a film director’s role, doing all they can to ensure the proper level of emotion and interpretation are present during their story telling. Many throw in impersonations from facial expression to voice inflection throughout the dialogue. It’s astounding. Some people must have a lot more time than me or they have found a secret, time traveling transporter allowing them to pop in all over the globe to witness these stories and events.

Equally disturbing to me is the level of absorption from the listening party who takes in every detail as pure truth. Not only do they believe it completely, but if riled with enough passion they’ll quickly assume the ranks of story teller themselves sharing the same story to a new audience. It has to be one of the greatest vices of the human race. The wake of destruction is greater than that of any Tsunami or other natural disaster, yet the only tool required for success is a sharpened tongue willing to spread the disease. I can’t imagine any other force that can so swiftly or completely spread the work of destruction.

Every story is just that - a story. It is painted by the author and thus framed by the personal interpretations and character traits of the artist. Facts are seldom presented and even when they are there is so much cloud cover to sift through that they end up distorted. You may not be able to control what others choose to share, but you have complete control over what you choose to listen to, believe, and more importantly repeat. I think there’s wisdom in taking time to determine if you think you know something or if you actually know what you think.

And in review of my blog, this is a topic of which I obviously have a strong opinion! LOL

Point of View Truths
If You’re Going To Write
What’s In a Name?

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Emotions Relationships Perspectives Blogging Deep Thoughts Intellectual

Grandma Pope always remembers these little holidays and my kids SO love the spoils!

Thanks Grandma!

I don’t know why, but I find myself reflecting a lot lately. Today, I was thinking about what I might want to share on my blog and found myself searching the archives from February 2007 and 2008. I’m stunned again by the details of life that are kept there, little things that I wouldn’t have remembered today although I’m sure at the time I thought I’d never forget. There is value in recording those simple things.

I was asked this week again to do a workshop this summer on the concept of recording life stories using today’s resources. I’m hoping it will give me the necessary motivation to complete a few of my related projects. I’d like very much to have more to show in my presentation and not just what’s available. It’s had me thinking more on what types of books I’d like to do for my kids and for myself. I was hit with the idea of title in my sleep the other night of “Coming Home” as a possible title for books for each of my children. I’d like to take their very wonderful and personal stories of their adoptions from copies of special letters and paperwork and compile them into a beautiful hard bound book. In the past I’ve used sheet protectors and binders, but I’d like very much to convert it into a finished work for them.

Reading my blog entries from the past, I’m also about ready to tackle making a hard back book of them. It is the most wonderful combination of scrapbooking and journaling for me. I loved reading about the little victories a few years ago for each of them as well as being reminded of how quickly they are still growing. You always think you’ll get around to the most important projects and yet they keep slipping ever so quietly into the background.

I’m trying to keep the motivation flowing by finding more ways to harness the work already done and making it more visible, more tangible. I tend to think of big projects as things that have to be started from scratch or as completely new, forgetting how much work is already done. It reminds me of my 8th grade art teacher scolding me each time I’d completely erase my work wanting to start over instead of using what I’d already done and improving on it. Obviously, I still struggle with that! *giggle*

A few years down the road I’d like to look back to today’s date and read about something small that I’ve forgotten. So here’s a few for the record:

1) It’s now been nearly 7 weeks that Blake and I have been taking our nightly walks. We spend just under an hour putting those Christmas pedometers to good use.

2) I got my new file sharing blog started for all my church stuff. Now I know just how outdated this blog’s software is!

3) I spent a few minutes with the kids yesterday painting…we all had a good time!

And here’s 3 things I’m working on:

1) Updating this blog and publishing some of it a book.

2) Continuing my photo backup and album project.

3) Writing.

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I love history. The more I learn, the more I love. This week I’m reading The American Lion, Andrew Jackson in the White House. As soon as I saw this book’s title I knew I wanted to read it.

As a young girl, my sister and I would listen to dramatized tapes going to bed. We had all the scripture stories and in our later years we got the American history set. The Andrew Jackson tape was one of my favorites. I can still hear the voices and repeat the lines shared between a young Andrew and an angry British military officer over his refusal to shine the man’s boots.

“Sir, I’m a prisoner of war, and prisoners cannot be forced to act as servants to enemy officers.”
“You’re not a prisoner of war, you’re a rebel and traitor and…”
“And I will not clean your boots!”

Then there was the sound of human anguish as the angry officer slashed at young Andrew with his sword. The memories are as vivid in my mind now as the images that flashed through my mind then.

Fueled by my memories, I’ve jumped into this book. It is interesting to me to read it on the heels of our most recent presidential election. There are many similarities that could be made. According to history, Jackson was the first president to be referred to as the people’s president and his presidency brought about great changes. He was the instigator of the democratic party with an avid belief that the power belonged with the people.

What strikes me though is how obvious it is to me that with the passing of time the memories and stories become clouded, fuzzy and even romanticized. There is an unwritten assumption by most people that our early history was a time of greater civility, less politics and better morals. The truth is, all the same problems existed then that do now in these areas we just have more people and a more assessable media. Reading about the political stories behind early leaders of this country leaves no doubt that politics have always been played out in the wings. In fact, Andrew Jackson blamed the ferocity and meanness of his 1828 election campaign as the reason for his wife’s death. I think the human appetites and hunger that plague the human spirit have always been present and always wreaked havoc on mankind when given the upper hand.

I like learning simple things like the fact that Andrew and Rachel never conceived a child and became parents to two through adoption. I didn’t know that and it strikes a personal chord with me. These simple stories and details help me understand historical figures better and makes them more than a name on a page.

I like reading facts of things that happened without personal opinions leaving the reader to make their own determinations of all the good and the bad. I like being reminded of things I’m sure I heard in school but had long since forgotten. Things that now have more meaning to me like how the civil war sparks were flying hot with South Carolina at the time Jackson was elected…more than 30 years before the war broke. I find myself asking the same question of him that I did of Obama, which was why you’d even want to be president coming into a term when there are so many big problems and unrest. To really appreciate the situation at the time Jackson became president you have to put a few critical pieces in place: The time of war and unrest with the Indian nations was at its peak, Florida and the majority of the west were still under foreign control presenting a constant worry of attack, the new nation was still in its infancy determining what roles the federal government would and should play, and South Carolina’s growing push for secession fueled by their success of ignoring a federal law they didn’t like many years before - an action that had been purposely unaddressed so as not to cause more problems. As if those big ticket items weren’t enough, Jackson experienced problems within his leadership circles when his own Vice President, Calhoun, resigned to head up the rebellion and hopeful secession of South Carolina, sharing and spreading the view that state right’s were more important than federal ones. Now I ask myself, who wants to take on that kind of mayhem? And yet he did, the nation was secured and still functions today because of it.

I think the past gets fuzzy. I think it gets clouded with the formation of political parties and definitions, a travesty in my opinion. Some of our best presidents like Lincoln were of parties newly formed, some short lived. The party didn’t define the leader then anymore than I believe it does now. I don’t think where we are today is that much different in regards to serious crisis and human problems than it was many years ago. I think we experience the problems we do because of human will and spirit and we triumph those problems for the same reason. I think there’s more lessons in history than we may recognize.

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When there’s snow on the mountains in the Phoenix valley, that’s chilly for AZ.