25 random things about me

1. I have lived in 3 different states - Louisiana, Oklahoma and California.

2. I took my first plane trip when I was just a month old, flying with my family from Baton Rouge to Oklahoma City so that my father could finish his graduate studies at Oklahoma State.

3. When I was 9 months old, a bout with the flu left me with minor brain damage.

4. I learned to read before I spoke my first words.

5. I love to write as it has been one of my lifelong passions.

6. I used to be active in Girl Scouts.

7. I was named for both of my grandfathers.

8. I have a weakness for anything sweet and will occasionally splurge.

9. I prefer watching sports over soap operas.

10. I have a scar on my left ankle from getting my foot caught in a bicycle wheel when I was 2 years old.

11. I am trying to save some money for a trip to France next year - it will be my first trip outside North America.

12. I will turn the big "4-0" on August 11th. No plans as of yet.

13. I have a unique sense of humor which I inherited from my father.

14. I started dedicating my life to Christ in 1996. Since then, I've rarely missed church except for a couple of times.

15. I'm a big person with a big heart, always willing to help in a pinch.

16. I have five spoiled cats, all of them "senior citizens."

17. I am blessed to have a lot of church friends.

18. I am a shy person by nature but will open up once I get to know people.

19. I always sleep with the fan on at night, no matter how hot or cold it is.

20. I collect autographs.

21. I like to take pictures and believe in the expression, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

22. I always make sure to bring my camera when traveling or going to events such as a wedding, party or shower.

23. I have narrow feet which sometimes makes it hard for me to find shoes that fit.

24. I always like to read the sports section while I am eating breakfast.

25. I always make sure to thank God for everything.

Barack Obama becomes U.S. president

I, like many of you here and around the world, have witnessed history being made. Barack Obama has been sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America, becoming the first African-American to hold the nation's highest office.

Let us all support him in his endeavors.

Abby: King’s message still rings true today

I got this from today's "Dear Abby" column.

Dear Readers:

Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. — the great American civil rights leader, martyred in 1968, who dedicated his life to furthering equal rights for all Americans.

When King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he said: “Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”

With bloodshed and violence still such destructive forces in this world, there is much to be learned from his insight, his wisdom and his example.

~ABBY


Today is the day we observe the birthday of the greatest civil rights leader to have ever lived. Like Jesus, Dr. King sacrificed his life so we could fight for ours. We should do what we do best and continue to honor his legacy.

Some more law-related articles on autism

Special-needs Girl Scout troop rejects girl with autism, saying she poses a "danger" to others
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/AutismNews/story?id=6325522&page=1

Woman fights church decision to ban autistic son from attending services
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/Autism/story?id=4980885&page=1

Autistic kids allegedly cuffed, told to fight
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5825945&page=1

Father outraged that teacher convicted of hitting his autistic son still being paid
http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/Local/article/165790

8-year-old autistic girl taken from school in handcuffs

http://www.kxly.com/global/story.asp?s=9669140
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6640478&page=1

After reading these articles, I think school officials went a little too far. They should have found a better way to handle the situation without resorting to arrest. She should have simply been allowed to wear what she was wearing to the party. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Atlanta Braves go east to find a free agent - Far East, that is

After being spurned repeatedly in their attempts to sign free agents, the Atlanta Braves managed to land one - from Japan.

Kenshin Kawakami, a 33-year-old right-handed pitcher, becomes the first Japanese player in franchise history. Kawakami, who played 11 seasons for the Central League's Chunichi Dragons, signed a three-year contract.

Kawakami, along with another free-agent signee, Derek Lowe and offseason trade acquisition Javier Vazquez, should help boost the Braves' starting rotation in 2009. Third baseman Chipper Jones, who had earlier criticized the team for failing to re-sign longtime ace John Smoltz, said that Kawakami has the ability to succeed in the American major leagues.

Don't know if Paul Harvey really said this, but it is wonderful‏

HOORAY, HOORAY, HOORAY for Paul Harvey. I myself have been grumbling and wondering how a handful of people have been able to take our right to pray in public places away from us.

Folks, this new year is when we RE-TAKE AMERICA .

Paul Harvey says:

This is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles.

One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep.Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority rules! It's time we tell them, You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!

God bless us one and all ... Especially those who worship Him , God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all. God bless our military who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.

Let's make 2009 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions .. And our military forces come home from all the wars.

Keep looking up.

'AND THAT'S THE REST OF THE STORY' .

Random acts of kindness

Although the economic situation may be uncertain, simple acts of kindness may be one of the few supplies we have an abundance of. A generous act, whether it be by a close friend or a complete stranger that we've never met, can brighten the mood of both giver and receiver.

Here's an example of one: At the produce stand at the Wachovia building downtown in Atlanta, GA, two strangers paid for an elderly woman’s purchase. They apparently didn’t know each other and/or her but split the cost between them. The act touched many people, including the elderly woman.

I'm sure that we've all been touched in one way or another, whether we have done something for somebody else or they have done something for us. Offering to pay bills. Picking up the tab in a restaurant. Buying clothes and supplies for people who are poor or homeless. Helping somebody carry groceries to their car. Mailing a card/letter to or visiting somebody who lives alone. Visiting elderly or disabled people who are in the hospital or live in a nursing home. Babysitting the young ones in an emergency. Giving a ride to somebody who lacks transportation. Lending an ear to somebody who needs to get something off their chest.

The opportunities are endless.

Check out this site

Here is the link to a blog written by my friend Arlene Culpepper:

http://www.whatisupwiththisworld.blogspot.com

Being a legal professional, she always has an interesting perspective about what is going on around the nation and around the world. Feel free to check it out.

Aspergers family

Here is a great blog about a family with Aspergers, go check it out:

http://www.mylifewithaspergers.com/

New year, new beginnings

New year, new beginnings…We try to put whatever happened in the past year behind us and focus on what lies ahead of us. In other words, we should try to start off with a clean slate and not one that is all written on. We eat black eye peas to bring us good luck and make resolutions which we sometimes forget about. So let’s cast all our worries aside and start fresh for 2009.

Happy New Year

Wishing everybody a Happy New Year!! :-)

I'm watching college football all day and eating black-eye pea jambalaya with cabbage. There isn't a better day to relax and kick back.