Ask a child in kindergarten what their favorite class is and I bet 9 out of 10 say recess.
I have to agree with them. Recess is a blast!
Here’s how we have fun at recess and in class.
Volunteering in Tesla’s classroom is very rewarding.
~P.
Jan 29, 2012
Facebook Mad Lib #2
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Jan 29, 2012
Facebook Mad Lib #1
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 Candle lit deer Personal Ad Mad Lib Contributed by Dannielle Albert |
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Jan 28, 2012
Off with his head
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Choosing the next King
Almighty God used his servent Samuel to establish the kingship of Israel. Samuel was instructed to invite Jesse, a sheep herder to a sacrificial ceremony. During this ceremony, the future king was to be appointed. Jesse arrived in Bethlehem with six of his seven sons.
Each son was brought before Samuel for God to decide if he was worthy of the kingship. Jesse’s six sons were presented and each rejected. God instructed Samuel to ask for the seventh son. Jesse had let him in the fields with the herd. When the youngest son, about seventeen years old arrived, God found him to be worthy of the title “King of Israel.” David was immediately anointed a chosen man of God.
The Philistine’s were gathered in Judah on one side of a mountain while the Israelites were gathered on the other side of the creek. The Valley of Elah separated the Philistines from the Israelites and there they engaged in an ongoing war.
The Philistine champion, Goliath of Gath made trip to the valley each morning and evening for forty days. He was a giant of a man, standing over nine feet tall and armored to the hilt for battle. He taunted the Israelites challenging them to “choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.”
David was in Saul's camp and Goliath in the Philistines camp
David, still a teenager was sent to the battle zone by his father with food and words of encouragement to his seven younger brothers. When David arrived, he saw and heard the words of the giant Palestine but he did not run in fear. Fearless, David declares he can slay the giant because he is a chosen servant of God.
The Israelites were dumb-founded by the young man’s bravery but not convinced he would be their saving grace. They offered him their best spears, swords and armor but David passed on their gifts. Carrying his shepherds’ staff, he made his way to the creek choosing five smooth stones from the stream and put them in the leather bag at his waist. David approached Goliath with his sling in his hand and said “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin but I come against you in the name of the Lord. Today I will strike you down and behead you.”
Enraged, Goliath charged David. David slipped a stone from his bag and slung it at the Philistine. The stone struck Goliath in the forehead and he fell, face first, onto the ground. David ran to the giant’s body, pulled out the dead man’s sword, and sliced off his head. The Philistine’s retreated in fear and King Saul was pleased. He appointed David a high rank within the Israelite army.
Michelangelo's "David with the head of Goliath"
David was the underdog. How David stacked up against Goliath?
David:
- Scrappy teenager
- Sheep herder
- Rags for clothes
- Slingshot and 1 stone
- Faith in God
Goliath:
- 9 Foot 6 Inches
- Trained warrior
- Fully armored
- Multiple weapons
- Defied God
What it boiled down to was faith. David had faith in God to protect him from Goliath and lead him in slaying the giant who defied God.
Give it up for the little guy!
~P.
Jan 28, 2012
Money printing and torture
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A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens writes about two cities in his novel, one in France and the other in England during the year 1775. He contradicts himself in the opening of his novel stating, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” The state of good or bad times depended on who you were in that era.
France was printing and spending money wildly, but that didn’t solve the country’s financial problems. The country had stooped to torture as punishment for committing a crime. The punishment did not fit the crimes committed.
English government was unorganized and the country was consumed with crime. The citizens were spooked by religious prophecies and tales about ghosts. No one was safe from the threat of robbery or the possibility of death in leaving one’s home.
During this year, the people living in these two cities continue forward on the road of life before them regardless of personal danger.
(Summary of Chapter 1)
~P.
Jan 28, 2012
Take that Friday!
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It’s something everyone dreams of having but rarely ever achieves.
Every new day is a chance to give it another shot.
You start at perfect because you just woke up.
Within seconds you determine your situation.
Alive and …….
- kissed by Dale as he left for work. He’s in just so freaking awesome. I take my turn in the shower at risk. Dale takes long showers, the water may be cool to cold. Errr….
- ah….the shower is hot! I grab a pair of jeans and I like how they fit (Goodwill bargain new size 14 Old Navy jeans $5.99, a YCP T-shirt (L) $5, matching socks, and Nike sneakers (Goodwill, $4.99) and finally my Harley jacket ($350.00 Laugermans; my former life.)
- drove my reliable Honda ($42) safely to campus with no red lights and I wasn’t even trying. Seriously.
- pulling into my favorite area to park a student waved and pointed towards her car. I smiled, put it in reverse and was ready….cause no one but me was getting this prime parking spot! I grab my book bag and coffee and make a bee line for the doors. Out of the corner of my eye (perfect vision $24o0. Lasik) I see Allyson Rump, a friend who is involved with the campus newspaper (The Spartan. Check it out!) and we gravitate towards each other. I asked how she was and she said good. She inquired in return and I gushed how awesome my day had been so far.
- woke up on time, coffee is made and delicious, car started, no traffic or light issues and I’m ready for the day. It’s been great. Allyson stops and says, “I’m going to make it even better!”
- for the first time I notice she has a baking tin in her hands and I stop also, taking a swig of my perfect coffee. “I have cookies!” and she pulls back the tinfoil covering the sugary delights! Allyson rocks!
- continuing towards the humanities building, I see my friend Justin smoking outside, but not 25 feet from the building and I resist the urge to bum a smoke. I refuse to waste any money on cigarettes but don’t want to become a cig bummer.
- someone held the entrance door open for me and I followed a trail of students up a floor. Again, the door was held open. Arrived at Geography class, door propped open and took my chosen seat (first seat in the first row, desk and chair not welded together and closest to the door. I’m the special person in the class.)
- Books and pen were in my bag and I placed them on my desk, began eating my cookie and actually had time to jot down some notes for this blog. I had no specific reason why I wanted to take notes, but I am glad I did.
- class wasn’t bad and my professor’s lectures are at least interesting. She has travelled extensively and I’m wildly jealous. Fifty minutes later I was out the door first and on my way to Tesla’s school.
- I arrived early and had lunch with Tesla and her classmates. The pizza was pretty damn good but I passed on the carrots. So did Tesla. I finished the little bit of pizza Tesla didn’t want to eat. We went outside for recess and I was surrounded by fifty little kidlings. We played tag and ran around the playground trying not to crash into each other. All the kids wanted to be “it” at some point, the bad part was they all wanted to tag me! Tesla and Bria each held my hand walking back into the school.
- we worked on journaling in Ms. Dettinger’s class. I don’t just help Tesla of course, but all the kids. They are so adorable! You need the patience of a saint to be a teacher though. Volunteering works perfect for me.
- back on the road, listening to my fuzzy sounding radio but thinking at least I have one. Immediately the radio shuts off and I was WTF? Thirty seconds pass and it comes back on. I sighed and rolled my eyes upward, “Yes God, I am thankful for even little things.”
- ran into someone I knew and talked a bit about both our divorces. According to this person, the word is John isn’t to happy with his latest girlfriend. I had to giggle as it’s not the first time I heard that. John will never be happy with any female in his life.
- on a whim I stop at a kids clothing consignment shop and find three gymnastics outfits for Tesla. One is brand new from Danskin! ($14 total for all three)
- called Tesla and told her about the outfits. She was very excited and wanted to know when I would come pick her up. I told her I would talk to her dad about spending some time together. She wanted me to talk to him immediately, but I’ve found email and texting to work much better. Tesla and I chatted a little more and then she had to go. It was just awesome seeing Tesla at school and not having to deal with her father, his gf or any of their drama!
- talked to Dale and we decided to meet at Chili’s for dinner. We had won a gift card awhile back and not used it yet. I took a seat at the bar and waited for Dale to arrive. The classic margarita was soothing and the surrounding smells made my mouth water. We moved to a booth and had chicken alfredo and steak for dinner. I fell in love with Chili’s guacamole sauce. Yummy! 🙂
- went home, walked Ying, talked to my mom and later to my sister. Suz is all moved into her new place and lives right up the road from us. Awesome! Tesla and Blaine will see each other so much more!
- watched some TV with Dale. This show about a store called Obscura is really bizarre. I liked it!
- climbed into bed, next to my awesome man and realized “in my world, I had just had a perfect day.”
I’ll take that Friday and many more, just like it!
Life is good, enjoy,
~P.
Jan 27, 2012
Chips & Salsa $1.70
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Jarrito's Mexican soda
Move over big bagels, burritos are in town! The Azteca Mexican Grill opened on Grantley Street four months ago, taking the place of Big Apple Bagels. I stopped at Azteca for dinner and to chat with Ayala, a full time employee of the grill.
Ayala said he enjoys working at the Mexican grill and the rush of student customers keeps him busy. During the busiest parts of the day, he has one or two employees join him in making Mexican meals quick and easy. The restaurant décor is southwestern with colorful sculptures and pictures on the walls. There are seats at a bar area as well as individual tables. A unique display advertises Mexican soda called “Jarrito’s” and is available in multiple flavors.
- Pork quesadilla
The menu is simple: burrito, taco, quesadilla, fajita or salad. Decide if you would like vegetarian, chicken, steak, ground beef or pork. I had the pork quesadilla with fresh Pico de Gallo salsa. It seemed a bit dry to me and I immediately began eyeing up my boyfriend’s chicken burrito. He graciously shared it with me and my taste buds did a little happy dance when I bit into the juicy, bean and rice loaded burrito. The burrito blew the quesadilla right off my plate.
Ayala told me the salsa and chips are made fresh so I asked him for a few to sample. The tortilla chips are kept in a toaster and came out warm and crunchy. The homemade salsa was mild, chunky and obviously fresh. A handwritten sign on the counter informed me of many future lunches. “Chips & Salsa $1.70.” A second sign advertised a large coffee for $1.00.
My conclusions of Azteca Mexican Grill; the menu is reasonably priced for college students, the serving portions are large and overall the food tasted good. The Flex card is accepted for payment and the college WiFi signal is available while dining.
I’ve already been back once since my first meal at Azteca, just for the chips and salsa.
“Chau!”
~P.
Jan 26, 2012
I’ll call the police
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“I will call the police,” I heard, walking towards the gymnastic center’s doors. I could not believe Heather was threatening to call the cops on me. Well, actually I can. She sounded just like John. His voice was still on my mind.
John and I ran into each other earlier that day, at our family doctor’s office. John had Heather’s son at the office. I was just leaving after a follow-up concerning my meds. My stomach was nauseated almost daily for a month and I couldn’t control when I might throw-up. It didn’t even have to involve John. It crossed my mind I might be pregnant, but the test clearly showed only one line. Anyone need the other pregnancy test?
I asked my future ex-beloved to explain why our doctor had no record of Tesla’s atv accident and he said he had not spoken to John about any possible injuries. John insisted our doctor would put that in writing for him and I said, I will believe it when I see it. Which is worse? Not telling me Tesla had an accident on the atv or telling me he had her checked by a doctor when he hadn’t?
Tesla has gymnastics once a week. My time with Tesla on a personal level is severely restricted. When I do get time with Tesla one-on-one, I have to sign an agreement that it’s a one time visit. John is adamant that this is how the judicial system wants our custody agreement handled. I think he is just a control freak. Now this week at gymnastics, Heather had Tesla and her girls at the gym but John wasn’t present. He texted me “sick” after I asked twice why he wasn’t there. Now I had just seen him earlier in the day at our doctor’s office. Less than four hours later he is too sick to take Tesla to gymnastics? Why wasn’t I contacted so I had the opportunity to spend more time with Tesla while her dad was “sick?”
Gymnastics is over….the waiting room is jammed to the hilt with squealing children in spandex and parents trying to get them in or out. Tesla’s coat was on and I took her hand to walk towards the door. I had already asked John twice if I could take Tesla home because, I knew she would ask me. No go…he was fixated on Heather taking Tesla home. When changing clothes, Tesla asked me in the bathroom if she could go home with me. I told her I couldn’t take her home with me. Next, of course, she asked me to take her to her dad’s. I told her I couldn’t, she would have to ride with Heather. Tesla was not happy, but I told her I would see her again, as soon as possible.
“Pattie! Pattie! Stop, Tesla is going home with me! I’ll call the police!”
Now I am no fool and I have no interest in having the cops come to my daughter’s gymnastics studio. Heather must have had it in her head (or it was put in her head) that I would sail out of there with Tesla in tow and she would be left behind with only her daughters. How the hell would she explain that to “The Man?” What made me giggle inside, though I was nearly at my boiling point on the outside, was “what the hell would she say to the cops after I left to take Tesla home?”
9-1-1 Operator: 911, what is your emergency?
Heather: I need the police to chase down Patricia Crider. She left with her daughter, Tesla and is driving her home.
9-1-1 Operator: Your name is?
Heather: Heather King.
9-1-1 Operator: Your relationship to Patricia?
Heather: She is my boyfriend’s wife and he told me not to let Patricia drive her daughter home because…..we just don’t want her to…..
Obviously, Heather did not call the police, even after I told her to “go right ahead.” Just more ridiculous threats in front of all four children. Heather insisted I started the drama because I yelled at her. Seriously, I barely speak to Heather and she was the one “chasing me down.”
Heather has no business telling me what I can or can’t do with my child. I don’t want to hear her telling me to “take it back to court if I don’t like the decision.” What I don’t like is her big mouth filling my ears with what she thinks. I don’t care what she thinks. She is just a tool and hasn’t realized it yet.
I wonder what people at church think about Heather and John’s newly formed family. Does the pastor dance around the fact that they are both married to other people? I am embarrassed that I can’t get John to go forward with the divorce proceedings. I don’t want my child growing up thinking it’s ok to be married to one person but screwing someone else. Neither of them seem to mind that they are setting a terrible example for their offspring.
No shortage of writing material here.
~P.
Jan 20, 2012
Chill Preach!
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I take comments on my blog without flinching. Whether you are on Team Pattie, my classmate, part of my family, a friend, or my husband’s girlfriend I read what everyone writes. I’ve never had my feelings hurt by comments. Good or bad…I take, learn from them and move on.
There have been many “religious people” commenting on my blog about my faith and the dangers of creating a new religion. I read your comments. I let you preach. It’s all cool. I’ve managed to grow super thick skin. A personal fact about me: I have a very stong, undeniable belief in God. Now today I noticed a pastor had posted on my Facebook “sick” under my Lady Gaga blog. (http://girlboxer1970.com/2012/01/01/lady-gaga-leader-of-the-church-of-ga/)
I asked her if she read the paper and she said yes. I asked if she knew it was fiction and she didn’t care what it was in my world, to her it was “sick” and the rudeness of her answers followed by “Anything else?” prompted me to write:
Nope, nothing else. I’m glad my Religions professor liked it. Your rudeness makes me glad i don’t even know where your church is.
That comment on FB caused her to shoot me this private message:
Look, first off missy I don;t know why you even ever requested my friendship. I ignore all the weird things that you post and quite honestly I don’t mind just deleting you so goodbye. Oh and Patty… if I would ever have to put the book down for a minute I would.
Fine by me.
Amy deleted me immediately. Now most of the preachers and religious folk realize it was a college final paper. Some even complimented me on it.
Amy did not and now….she is gone.
I’m sorry I couldn’t save her.
~P.
Jan 17, 2012
$19,851.62
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Wasted money
That is a huge chunk of money isn’t it? There is so much a person can do with almost $20,000 it makes my head spin.
Ready for the shocker? $19,852 is what it cost the tax payers to give John Allen Hughes a fair trial.
First let me tell you about Hughes.
I started a book about Beaver Hole in Warrington Township and here is a little piece of it. http://girlboxer1970.com/2011/03/07/wet-dirty-and-now-single/
I’ve learned since starting this book, that Hughes was man who murdered Sheila L. Deller of Dallastown with an ax and dumped her body along the creek at Beaver Hole on February 20, 1992.
The most costly expense was Hughes court appointed lawyer. That bill came to $9080.00. My jaw hit the floor when I read who his attorney was: Douglas France. France is also my husband’s lawyer, or at least one of them. He apparently needs two to get what he wants all the time. I am willing to bet my future ex hubby has spent more on divorcing me (or avoiding divorcing me) than York County spent on convicting John Allen Hughes. Hughes’ trial has been the most expensive in York County’s history.
In 1997, France managed to get this ax murderer a life sentence instead of the death sentence. What does Hughes do after his “win” but hang himself in the prison. France was very disappointed at his clients suicide. Seriously? Disappointed? I say Hughes saved York County a small fortune by offing himself. The last thing people want is tax money paying for this fucking ax murderer’s life long existence in prison. I’ve read Hughes past and childhood. I’ve talked to some of his friends. Yes, his life was fucked up as a child but that is not an excuse to bash someone’s head in with an ax.
My curiosity made me check online to see who is on death row in York County. (York Daily Record)
As of January 2011, there are 10 people on death row in York County cases, including a pair of brothers who were convicted three years apart for the same double murder.
There are more than 200 people on death row in Pennsylvania. Since 1985, Pennsylvania governors have signed more than 300 execution warrants. Three executions have been carried out — two in 1995 and one in 1999– since a 10-year national moratorium on the death penalty ended in 1977.
York County death row inmates:
- Paul Gamboa-Taylorwas sentenced Jan. 23, 1992, after pleading guilty to the May 18, 1991, hammer slayings of four family members: his wife, Valeria L. Gamboa-Taylor; their two children, Paul, 4, and Jasmine, 2; and another child, Lance Barshinger, 2. He received a life sentence for killing his mother-in-law, Donna M. Barshinger. His case is on appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
- Hubert Lester Michael Jr.sentenced March 20, 1995, after pleading guilty to the July 12, 1993, abduction and shooting death of 16-year-old Trista Elizabeth Eng in the Dillsburg area. Michael unsuccessfully attempted to withdraw his guilty plea. Execution warrants were signed in 1996 by Gov. Tom Ridge and 2004 by Gov. Ed Rendell. His case is on appeal before the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Mark Newton Spotz was sentenced April 24, 1996, for the Feb. 2, 1995, shooting death of Penny Gunnet, 41, of New Salem, his third victim in a four-day crime spree through central and eastern Pennsylvania. Spotz also received death sentences for the murders of June Rose Ohlinger of Schuylkill County, and Betty Amstutz, 71, of Cumberland County. An execution warrant for the York County conviction was signed by Ridge in 2001. He received a stay in the Gunnet murder in 2001 and that case is on appeal in York County court.
- John Amos Smallwas sentenced June 19, 1996, after being convicted of murder and attempted rape of 17-year-old Cheryl Smith, whose body was found in West Manheim Township in 1981. Execution warrants were signed in 2001 by Ridge and in 2009 by Rendell.
- Kevin Brian Dowlingwas sentenced Dec. 14, 1998, for the Oct. 20, 1997, shooting death of Jennifer Lynn Myers inside her art and frame shop just outside Spring Grove. An execution warrant was signed in 2007 by Rendell. His case is on appeal in York County.
- Milton Montalvo was sentenced Feb. 14, 2000, and Noel Montalvo was sentenced April 14, 2003, for the April 19, 1998, stabbing deaths of Miriam Asencio-Cruz and Manuel Ramirez Santana inside the Cruz’s York apartment. Rendell signed an execution warrant for Noel Montalvo in July 2010 and signed one for Milton in January 2011. Noel’s case is on appeal to the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania.
- Harve Lamar Johnson was sentenced Nov. 16, 2009, for the April 7, 2008, beating death of 2-year-old Darisabel Baez, his girlfriend’s daughter, in York. Johnson’s appeal is before the state Supreme Court.
- Kevin Edward Mattison was sentenced Dec. 17, 2010, for the Dec. 9, 2008, robbery and shooting of Christian Agosto in York. Mattison had previously been convicted of third-degree murder and served prison time in Maryland.
- Hector Morales was sentenced Jan. 21, 2011, for the 2009 shooting death of Ronald “Country” Simmons Jr. Police said Morales broke into Simmons’ York home and shot him six times because Simmons was set to testify in a drug case.
When I found this article, I was surprised to recognize another name on the list of very bad people. I recently found on Facebook a friend of my parents from the 80’s. I see her daughter Trista’s killer is one of the people on death row. It is terrible that he is guilty, admits he is guilty yet hasn’t received the death penalty yet. Hubert Lester Michael does not deserve every breath he takes. There are actually groups online trying to get his sentence changed to life in prison. Screw that….Trista’s life was taken at 16 by a stranger who saw her walking to work at the nearby Hardee’s. Michael abducted Trista, shot her three times and left her body in the Ski Roundtop area. He deserves death but instead is living and breathing right here in our county.
The last execution in PA was in 1999. Gary Heidnik had imprisoned 6 women in his dungeon-like basement at 3520 North Marshall Street in Philadelphia and murdered 2 of them. He tortured the women he kidnapped and tried to get them pregnant. This psychopath only lived a few street from my mother’s family. I’ve been to the shopping center where Heidnik was kidnapping women from. Scary!
It’s time to get on with these convicted killers.
Electric, gas or needle?
~P.
girlboxer1970 