Monday, August 31, 2009

2009 College Football Picks Week One

College football season is upon us. Each year our family participates in doing college football picks weekly. I put together the list every week and it's always fun to see who wins. At the end of the season we have a party to celebrate the winner. Last year our winner was dad and the trophy was a football mug. I've decided to post my picks each week for those of you who would like to play along. I love college football and can't wait for the season to begin!

Name:____________________________

Score:___________

2009 Football Picks
Week One

Thursday, September 3, 2009
North Dakota State at Iowa State
South Carolina at North Carolina State
Troy at Bowling Green
North Texas at Ball State
Utah State at Utah
Oregon at Boise State on ESPN 7:15 p.m.

Friday, September 4, 2009
Tulsa at Tulane

Saturday, September 5, 2009
Portland State @ Oregon State
Central Arkansas at Hawaii
Towson at Northwestern
Montana State at Michigan State
Appalachian State at East Carolina
Minnesota at Syracuse
Navy at Ohio State
Liberty at West Virginia
Toledo at Purdue
Northern Iowa at Iowa
Western Kentucky at Tennessee
Jacksonville State at Georgia Tech
Youngstown State at Pittsburgh
Northeastern at Boston College
Nicholls State at Air Force
Weber State at Wyoming
San Jose State at USC
Nevada @ Notre Dame
Western Michigan at Michigan
Baylor at Wake Forest
Georgia at Oklahoma State
Jackson State at Mississippi State
Missouri versus Illinois
Rice at UAB
Southern Illinois at Marshall
Citadel at North Carolina
Middle Tennessee State at Clemson
William and Mary at Virginia
Louisiana Tech at Auburn
Missouri State at Arkansas
Charleston Southern at Florida
Wofford at South Florida
Richmond at Duke
Florida Atlantic at Nebraska
Connecticut at Ohio
BYU versus Oklahoma on ESPN 4:00 p.m.
New Mexico at Texas A&M
Louisiana Monroe at Texas
Northern Illinois at Wisconsin
Northern Colorado at Kansas
North Dakota at Texas Tech
Mississippi Valley State at Arkansas State
Massachusetts at Kansas State
San Diego State at UCLA
Indiana State at Louisville
Western Carolina at Vanderbilt
Idaho at New Mexico State
Alabama versus Virginia Tech
Stanford at Washington State
Stephen F. Austin at Southern Methodist
Central Michigan at Arizona
Buffalo at UTEP
Idaho State at Arizona State
Maryland at California
UC Davis at Fresno State
Sacramento State at UNLV
LSU at Washington

Monday, September 7, 2009
Cincinnati at Rutgers
Miami at Florida State

Tiebreaker: Total score in
BYU versus Oklahoma_________

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Law of the Harvest

As I was eating my lunch today -- corn on the cob from our garden -- I was thinking about the law of the harvest. I marveled at the fact that two or three months ago we planted a seed in the ground and now we have ears of corn to eat. Planting seeds, watering, fertilizing, weeding, and finally harvesting. It's cool to be able to see the whole process and "reap what we have sown". This is the gospel law of the harvest. You reap what you sow.

Of course, we are not just talking about corn and zucchini. But it's a wonderful analogy. Our thoughts and actions are what we sow, and the consequences of such are what we reap.

People who make poor choices must reap the consequences of those choices.

Also, the law of the harvest says we need to work for what we get. If we want to eat corn we need to plant the seed, nurture it, and then comes the harvest.

This is what I was talking about when I was talking about socialism and the sense of entitlement that people in this country seem to have. They want something for nothing. This is contrary to the gospel law of the harvest.

"No matter how it is disguised, getting something for nothing is contrary to the gospel law of the harvest: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7; see also 2 Corinthians 9:6)." -- Dallin H. Oaks

There you have it, from the mouth of one of the 12 apostles. Anyway, this is what I was thinking about during my lunch today.

That's my two cents.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Relief Society Lesson -- Unselfish Service

I just finished teaching my lesson this month. So I thought, once again I would post my outline/visual aids. Enjoy!


Unselfish Service
Elder Dallin H. Oaks
April 2009 General Conference

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” Matthew 16:25

It is not easy to give up our personal priorities and desires.

“He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity.”
-Gordon B. Hinckley

We do not serve our Savior well if we fear man more than God.

“We cannot walk as other men, or talk as other men, or do as other men, for we have a different destiny, obligation, and responsibility placed upon us, and we must fit ourselves [to it].” -Elder John A. Widtsoe

The values of the world wrongly teach that “it’s all about me.”

The plan of the gospel of Jesus Christ lifts us above our selfish desires and teaches us that this life is all about what we can become.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Cocaine Tainted Money

I just read a news article that stated that 90% of US currency is contaminated with cocaine. Isn't that a sad commentary on our society? Some of the major cities such as Detroit, Boston, Orlando, Miami, Los Angeles, etc. had 100% of their bills test positive for cocaine. Salt Lake City came in at 77%. Don't worry, there's not enough cocaine on the bills to affect your health. But the bad thing about this is that people who handle money a lot, i.e. people who work in a bank and use counting machines, are being exposed to the cocaine when the money is counted. The cocaine becomes airborne, they breathe it in and can test positive for cocaine on a drug test.

Anyway, I thought this was interesting so I thought I would share it on my blog. And since lately, I've been talking about the sad state of our society, I thought I would use this as yet another example.

That's my two cents.

If you would like to read the article, click on the title and it will link you to the article.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Nothing Is Free

Nothing is ever free. It may be free for some people but somebody always has to pay for it. This is what people don't understand about socialism. Take for example the CARS program a.k.a. cash for clunkers. It sounds like a great idea. You buy a new car, trade in your used car and get $4500 from the government. This may be good for the automakers and a few people who buy new cars. But, where is the $4500 coming from? Taxpayers like you and I. And who else suffers from this socialist program? The used car industry. And those who buy used cars. Because of the cash for clunkers program there are far fewer used cars on the market. Therefore the law of supply and demand says that when supply goes down and demand remains constant or goes up the price will go up. This is what is happening to the used car industry. The price of used cars is going up because there are not as many used cars on the market. So, in actuality, the cash for clunkers program is actually costing society instead of helping. This is what socialism does. It benefits a few at the expense of many.

It is the same thing with health-care reform or in other words socialized medicine. I posted a YouTube video of Ronald Reagan's response regarding socialized medicine. It is 10 minutes long but if you have the time is worth watching/listening to. What happened to the days when people actually paid for services they received? When I go to the doctor, or dentist, I pay cash. When I need medicine, I pay cash. There is a need for government-funded health care for those who can't afford it. But for the majority of citizens of the United States of America, the health insurance programs available through employers or self-pay is sufficient. Granted, health care is extremely overpriced. But that's another story.

My point is, that nothing is free. Someone always has to pay. We live in a society where debt is at an all-time high, people's sense of entitlement is at an all-time high, and it seems like nobody wants to work anymore. People use other people's money to buy things they don't need, they expect to get something for nothing. And then they don't want to work to pay it back. When the debt gets too high, they just go bankrupt and wipe clean the slate. It is not right. Especially when you are the debtor and are owed a lot of money. But, this is how society is now. And with Korihor in office, things are spiraling downward even faster.

That's my two cents.

Reagan On Socialized Medicine

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Socialism in the United States

A friend sent me an e-mail with these quotes. It's pretty scary that 65 years later, Norman Thomas's prediction is now reality.

A Socialist Party candidate for President of the USA, Norman Thomas, said this in a 1944 speech: "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But under the name of liberalism, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." He went on to say: "I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democratic Party has adopted our platform."

"The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." ~~Margaret Thatcher

The stupidity of my fellow American citizens still amazes me. It's hard for me to fathom that anyone with half a brain would vote for Obama. Or as I like to call him, Korihor. It is obvious to me and many others that he is destroying our country from the inside. As I have said before, he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. But I can't place all the blame on him. He is just the instrument in Satan's hand. The American people gave him the power he now has to destroy our wonderful country. Along with many others in political office. It hasn't taken very long to turn a once free, moral, hard-working, God-fearing country into the socialistic, amoral, apathetic, expecting something for nothing country we've become.

As Margaret Thatcher said, mine and other taxpayers money will eventually run out. The smart people who are wise with their money are having to bail out, against their will, all the stupid people who make poor financial decisions i.e. stimulus package, CARS program, so-called health care reform, etc.. The hard-working, moral taxpayers can only support the lazy, amoral, good for nothing leeches for so long. Socialism doesn't work.

That's my two cents.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Homegrown Corn

Yesterday Dad harvested our first two ears of corn from our garden. It was so exciting. This is the first time we have ever tried to grow corn. I was able to sample it. It was delicious. Although it was harvested a little early, the kernels weren't quite mature but they were still really sweet and delicious. Just a little small.

It is so cool to be able to eat vegetables that were grown in your own garden. Mom also made a delicious zucchini casserole out of homegrown zucchini from our garden. It is fun to learn how to grow different vegetables. This is what the prophet has asked us to do, to learn how to grow a garden. It is very rewarding to plant a seed and watch it grow to produce different crops. I am so excited that we actually got some corn harvested from our first attempt at growing it. And it was delicious! I look forward to eating many more ears in the coming weeks.

We also got our wheat grinder back from the repair shop and were able to grind some wheat and make some wheat bread yesterday. It was fun. And quite delicious. I'm not a big fan of wheat bread but for being 100% whole wheat bread it was good. It was fun to watch wheat kernels turn into bread in a matter of hours.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Drug Addict Celebrities

Why is it that every celebrity death seems to be caused by drugs? I should say, drugs used in an inappropriate manner. I just read an article on the Internet that Billy Mays, the commercial pitchman who died recently from a heart attack, had cocaine and prescription painkillers and tranquilizers in his system. The autopsy reported that cocaine was the cause of his heart attack. I need not mention the other much more famous celebrity who recently died because of drugs. It saddens me that people think they have to deal with their problems by using drugs. I cannot understand the pressure/stress that extremely famous people must endure. But there must be a better way to deal with it,than turning to drug abuse. The answer of course is the gospel. But, if they had the gospel in their lives, they probably wouldn't be celebrities. The two lifestyles are not conducive with each other. Except for Donny and Marie of course :-). Anyway, it just really saddens me when I hear people throwing their lives away because of poor choices. More specifically, turning to drugs to deal with their problems.

That's my two cents.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Pierce County Fair

The Pierce County fair is this weekend here in Graham. It is located at frontier Park on Meridian. I have never been but I thought maybe you guys would be interested in taking your kids there. It looks like admission is five dollars for adults and three dollars for kids six to 15. I posted a link to their website if you click the title. It starts today , the hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Anyway I just thought I would let everybody know in case you were interested.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Relief Society Lesson Provident Living

Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually
Elder Robert D. Hales
April 2009 General Conference

The Principles of Provident Living
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1. Joyfully Living within Our Means
2. Being Content with what we have
3. Avoiding Excessive Debt
4. Diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies.

“We can’t afford it, even though we want it!” or “We can afford it, but we don’t need it—and we really don’t even want it!”

The Foundation of Provident Living Is the Law of the Tithe

Establish a Family Budget

Avoid Excessive Debt

Of course some debt incurred for education, a modest home, or a basic automobile may be necessary to provide for a family.

In seeking to overcome debt and addictive behaviors, we should remember that addiction is the craving of the natural man, and it can never be satisfied. It is an insatiable appetite.

That is the end of my outline/visual aids but I also had some quotes that I use during my lesson from president Kimball. So I will add those here:

We have been counseled to participate in home food production and storage.

The Lord has urged that his people save for the rainy days, prepare for the difficult times, and put away for emergencies, a year’s supply or more of bare necessities so that when comes the flood, the earthquake, the famine, the hurricane, the storms of life, our families can be sustained through the dark days.

We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden as neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities.

I hope that we understand that, while having a garden … is often useful in reducing food costs and making available delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, it does much more than this. Who can gauge the value of that special chat between daughter and Dad as they weed or water the garden? How do we evaluate the good that comes from the obvious lessons of planting, cultivating, and the eternal law of the harvest? And how do we measure the family togetherness and cooperating that must accompany successful canning? Yes, we are laying up resources in store, but perhaps the greater good is contained in the lessons of life we learn as we live providently.

We encourage families to have on hand this year’s supply; and we say it over and over and over and repeat over and over the scripture of the Lord where He says, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” [Luke 6:46.] How empty it is as they put their spirituality, so-called, into action and call him by his important names, but fail to do the things which he says.

As we become more affluent and our bank accounts enlarge, there comes a feeling of security, and we feel sometimes that we do not need the supply that has been suggested by the Brethren. … We must remember that conditions could change and a year’s supply of basic commodities could be very much appreciated by us or others. So we would do well to listen to what we have been told and to follow it explicitly.
-- Spencer W. Kimball

Definition: Provident-adjective
1. Providing for future needs or events.
2. Frugal; economical.

These were all of my notes that I compiled for my lesson last month. I don't know why I didn't post this earlier I guess I thought I had done it already. You may want to go reread elder Hales talk from which this lesson was based.

One other thing I shared with my class during my lesson was an interesting tidbit I learned while watching BYU TV several weeks ago. John Bytheway was giving a talk in which he mentioned that we have been counseled by prophets for several decades to have a years supply of food on hand and to learn how to plant your own garden. Yet when Y2K rolled around and the world was telling everybody to get prepared, food storage within the church went up 800%. Isn't that ironic that members of the church will listen to the world but not to prophets of God?

That's my two cents.

Monday, August 3, 2009

August Family Home Evening





We had our monthly Family Home Evening/family dinner yesterday. Lisa's family was in charge of table setting. They did a picnic theme because the main dish was fried chicken. It turned out really cute. She even had a bucket full of IBC root beer/cream soda. They also brought a pineapple Jell-O which was delicious. And Mercedes made some peanut butter cookies. Michael's family was in charge of dessert. Derrinda made a yummy banana cream dessert. It tasted like banana cream pie. Juliets family was in charge of side dish. She made some delicious cheesy mashed potatoes. I had dad help me make some breadsticks which turned out delectable. That new bread machine rules supreme. It does most of the work and the bread turns out as good or better than a restaurant. And of course, mom made the fried chicken. Everything was super delicious.

Michael was in charge of the lesson this month. He did a great job teaching about family history/journal keeping. I really enjoy our monthly family home evening/family dinners. It is always fun to get together with family and have some good food and a spiritually uplifting lesson. Thanks everybody for making it a success.

Zucchini Bread Recipe

Recipe obtained from all recipes.com

Mom's Zucchini Bread

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour Ready In: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Servings: 24

"Really, really good and moist- my kids eat it as quickly as I can make it. Bread will freeze well, and keep in refrigerator for weeks."

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 1/4 cups white sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

*we omitted the walnuts and substituted chocolate chips. Very yummy.