Samantha Pierce

I went to dance class tonight (I skipped last week because hubby was sick). Our teacher was on her way back from visiting family in New Orleans so we were on our own during class. After class we sat and talked over a bottle of wine for a while. It's amazing that we all come from extremely different back grounds and have completely different life experiences (I'm currently the baby of the group) but we can find common ground and comfort each other in times of crisis. I've lost count of how many times we've rallied around a member of the group who was going through a rough patch. I know they'd do the same for me if I ever needed it. It's good to have friends.

Judge Samuel Alito has been confirmed to the SCOTUS despite various chicken little performances by opponents of his nomination. Better him than me. Here's what others are saying: Parableman, The Alito Vote, Partisanship, and Balance La Shawn Barber, Alito Confirmed For Supreme Court Booker Rising, New Man In Black Michelle Malkin, ALITO CONFIRMED

I heard Senator Kennedy going off during the debate in the Senate over Samuel Alito's nomination to the SCOTUS yesterday. I wonder if he really believes half of what he said or if he was just putting on a good show for those voters who expect that kind of thing. The people of Massachusetts have my sympathies (but then again, we do have Charles Schumer to deal with here). Michelle Malkin live blogged Kennedy's melt down yesterday. She even has video if you're inclined to self torture.

Booker Rising, Coretta Scott King Dies At 78 La Shawn Barber, Coretta Scott King, 1927-2006 Fox News, Coretta Scott King, 78, Dies

Somali Mothers in U.S. Want to Send Wayward Sons Home Some Somali mothers in Rochester, Minn., want to send their teenage sons, who they say are selling drugs and running foul of the law, back to Somalia. It's an extreme measure, but one that the moms feel they need to take. For the past decade many Somali families have immigrated to Minnesota, and in many cases fathers are largely absent. I've had a few unruly relatives sent packing to get them out of the clutches of some unsavory elements so I can understand the reasoning of these women. I've even had a few relatives that I wished would be sent back until they got some sense. These women didn't go through all that they went through to get to the US just to have their children, their future, get taken from them by a life of crime. So they send them back home where life isn't so easy so the kids don't have time to act up and where they can be under the watchful eyes of relatives from the old school. Most kids ge...

This week I am thankful for/that: Today is Thursday. I remembered that today is Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday. The day after that is Saturday. Plain old simple cough syrup, store bought (store brand too). Back in the day you would have to cook up your own. The stuff I took last night went to work as soon as I was done swallowing. It only lasts for 4 hours but that's really all I needed. "I want cheese!" Said by Sophia as she jumps at the end to let you know how earnest she is. Still haven't been able to squeeze that request out of Isaiah though. The kids are in better shape than mommy and daddy. What are you thankful for?

As the Senate prepares for debate and a vote on Samuel Alito for the SCOTUS pro-abortion advocates are sounding, to my ears, increasingly desperate. That's certainly the impression I got while listening to this NPR report this morning. As the Senate begins final debate on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, some states are imposing or considering broad restrictions on abortion. The ultimate goal is to force the high court to revisit its 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade. First things first, over turning Roe v. Wade will not be an end to abortion on demand. It will mean that state governments (elected officials all accountable to the people who vote them into office) will have to decide how abortion is practiced in their states. Now the fact that abortion supporters are so keen on not allowing this to happen suggests to me that support for abortion is not as mainstream as some would have us believe. I really don't have much sympathy for anyone who fight against letting parents know th...

Some wretched virus has caught up with hubby and I. Hubby's going around coughing and moaning a lot but he doesn't seem willing to slow down at all. Lucky for him most of his work can be done sitting down. I on the other hand am not so lucky. There's really no way to do laundry, dishes, dress the kids, or wait with the boys for the school bus while curled in the fetal position shivering. I dosed myself up with DayQuil first thing this morning but it doesn't do anything for the fatigue I'm feeling. But this is the best I've ever felt while sick. The sore throat that I felt descending on me early Saturday morning has already started to go away (honey and lime juice in hot water is way better than any sore throat lozenge). I don't have that much of a cough and I'm not as congested as I thought I would be. My head does hurt when the drugs wear off and going to bed at eight o'clock at night doesn't seem to be doing much for my fatigue. All this is to ...

Your Birthdate: June 17 You tend to find yourself lucky - both in business and in life. And while being wealthy is nice, you enjoy sharing your abundance with others. You put your luck to good use: you are very ambitious and goal oriented. Often times, you get over excited and take on more than you can manage. Your strength: Your ability to make your own luck Your weakness: Thinking you can do it all Your power color: Bronze Your power symbol: Half Moon Your power month: August What Does Your Birth Date Mean? (Via Vegan Momma .) You are Zoe. While most others see you as a stone-cold [censored] and yes woman to the captain, you can be both a loving wife and quite emotional - though you never let it show. Which Firefly character are you? brought to you by Quizilla (Via Momento Moron .)

Hey it's Thursday again! It's amazing how this day creeps up on me so often . I mean, it happens every week you'd think I'd be prepared already. Consequently I'm drawing a blank about what to be thankful for. Well, I can think of a few things. I'm thankful for/that: I got a lot of laundry done this week. I got most of the laundry I did put away. I got to take a shower yesterday. Hubby got an extra teaching position this semester. It's still unseasonably warm. What are you thankful for?

Yesterday it was all scary slick outside. On my way to dance class I got to an intersection and couldn't stop. I was on foot. Now all the snow has melted (there wasn't that much to begin with). It's rainy and as dreary outside as it gets. On days like this (which usually occur in the spring and fall) I think to myself that this must be what London is like. The heat in the house has hardly come on at all this morning either. That's great for the heating bill but this is January in the north east. We're usually hip deep in snow by now. The low temperature for tonight is predicted to be a more seasonable 26 degrees F. With all of the rain falling today things will be quite slick by nigh fall.

You scored as Chalcedon compliant . You are Chalcedon compliant. Congratulations, you're not a heretic. You believe that Jesus is truly God and truly man and like us in every respect, apart from sin. Officially approved in 451. Chalcedon compliant 100% Pelagianism 50% Nestorianism 33% Modalism 33% Monophysitism 33% Arianism 0% Apollanarian 0% Adoptionist 0% Docetism 0% Donatism 0% Albigensianism 0% Monarchianism 0% Gnosticism 0% Socinianism 0% Are you a heretic? created with QuizFarm.com Well that's relief! I was going to save this for my regular Frivolous Friday post but it was so interesting that I went ahead and posted it today. It is rather telling that most of the questions on this quiz (relating to some doctrinal conflicts in the first few centuries of church history) dealt with the nature of Jesus Christ. What you think about him really does colour the rest of the way you think about Christianity. I found myself going way back to things I learned as a child before I co...

NPR had this report about the mass extinction of frogs in the Amazon rainforest on a few days ago. Scientists are concerned because they believe climate change has led to the over growth of a fungus which they believe is responsible for a mass extinction of frog species going on in the rainforest. My thoughts on this are, there have been mass extinctions before. The diversity of species of frogs in the rainforest arose after some past extinction event. If the diversity that we have become familiar with came about after a previous extinction event wouldn't the diversity of species establish itself again? I think the answer to that question is yes.

I heard this on the radio two days ago squeezed in between the wall to wall Alito confirmation hearing coverage. Apparently trees (and other photosynthetic plants) produce methane, a greenhouse gas, and so contribute to global warming. And here we all were planting trees to deal with all of the noxious carbon dioxide heating the place up only to find that those wretched trees may be thwarting our efforts! One scientist noted that we might have to reconsider planting trees to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions. Does this mean I have to go raze my garden? Tim Blair takes note of this potentially devastating turn of events, TREES! IT WAS TREES ALL ALONG . Paul of Wizbang weighs in as well, Save The Planet- Clear Cut The Rainforest . I was going to say something about poor scientific practice and people getting carried away with irresponsible claims not supported by the information at hand but do I really need to? We've been listening to conflicting doomsday claims about the state of ...

What's my major? You scored as English . You should be an English major! Your passion lies in writing and expressing yourself creatively, and you hate it when you are inhibited from doing so. Pursue that interest of yours! English 83% Journalism 83% Art 75% Dance 75% Sociology 75% Linguistics 67% Biology 67% Mathematics 50% Psychology 50% Theater 42% Chemistry 42% Anthropology 42% Engineering 25% Philosophy 25% What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com Seeing as I had to answer a tie breaker question I think I would qualify as a jack of all trades. What it all comes down to, I think, is that I like to observe people and things. (Via TulipGirl .)

Hubby is furiously live blogging the Alito confirmation hearing. His latest post is Alito Hearings, Day 4, Round 2 . There several other posts up covering the hearings at Parableman .

Today I'm thankful that/for: Being tickled by Sophia. She seems to think it consists of poking me in the stomach with her finger and saying, "ticky ticky ticky." Continued success in potty training Ethan. He's well on to his way of one whole week of keeping his underwear clean. Now I have to devise a suitable reward for him. Sis 2 is coming to visit this weekend. Shopping is sure to ensue. Oops, that's next month. The kids have been healthier than usual this winter. No one's had anything other than a runny nose that lasted for a few weeks. I haven't gotten sick yet this winter either. Hubby made dinner all by himself with out being asked on Saturday. I'm hoping we can expand this to other days of the week on a regular basis. Listening to Sophia count to two. She's very proud of that accomplishment. The days are getting longer. We're one week closer to spring. People who are willing to give of themselves, up to and including their lives, to hel...

There was an earthquake in New York state north of the Adirondack Park this morning. Here's the preliminary report from the USGS. The 3.7 magnitude quake occurred along New York's border with Quebec in the north eastern part of the state at 10:35 AM local time this. It's always a little unnerving to be reminded that California is not the only seismicly active area of the US. Back in the 1980s there was a small quake in New York City in the early morning that had me dreaming that our apartment building was hit by a subway train. There are some fault lines that run through New York City which is part of the reason why some of the subway tracks there were built above ground. Some speculate that New York City may experience its own "big one" some day but for now there are just minor tremors here and there.

So it has begun again. Senators are busy pontificating on judge Samuel Alito's fitness or unfitness for serving on the Supreme Court of the United States. The various interest groups are going full steam ahead as well either trying to lift him up or beat him down. It's funny how, depending on who you choose to believe, he's either a social darwinist disdainful of (or even down right hostile to) all but rich white males or a paragon of virtue well schooled in the law and the responsibilities of a judge. Who are these people all performing for anyway? Oh for an unbiased evaluation of the man and his abilities! NPR is broadcasting the hearings live if you want to listen in. I find that to be a little more tolerable and less time consuming than watching it on television.

Celebra-scientists (the popular television personality scientists) are annoying as all get out. I'm watching the National Geographic channel right now. There's an overly enthusiastic herpetologist (I didn't catch his name) running around the bush on various continents screaming like a five year old on Christmas morning every time he finds something. Then he goes rushing in to pick it up. "It" being a very large and/or poisonous snake. Mean while, the natives that he's using as guides and porters are standing well back of these animals that they have to live with every day knowing all too well exactly what they are capable of. I wonder what they think about the fuss and the film crews? Celebra-scientists obviously play up to the cameras and for someone who's spent time toiling in the field and lab it really grates on the nerves. (I suppose it's also annoying because I'm generally a reserved person.) Science is exciting but not because you get to go ...

Coming soon to a community college near you! This little gem was sent to me by Sis 1. SPRING CLASSES FOR MEN REGISTRATION OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 30TH.... NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM. Class 1 How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step with Slide presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM. Class 2 The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours. Class 3 Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours. Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor --- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks. Class 5 After Dinner Dishes --- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video. Meets 4 wee...

I have this bad habbit of loosing track of the days of the week. Anyway, for my 801st post I am thankful for/that: Life. The opportunity to blog. The potty training tactic of relieving Ethan of his underwear after school seems to be working. We've got to sit with him in the bathroom to make sure he doesn't wonder off and secure a pair of underwear for himself though. Unseasonably warm weather. It's like spring here! Almost all of the snow and ice on the ground has melted. The ice mountains piled in the parking lots are still here though. Our windows are being repaired as I type. It should cut down on the chill of the downstairs. The stack of Christmas cards in our mail when hubby collected it from the post office. Cute kids, who are way too smart for my own good but at least they make life interesting. The television broke but it broke in such a way that we can put off getting a new one for a good while. What are you thankful for?

I went to bed late last night breathing a sigh of relief after hearing the totally unexpected news that 12 of the 13 men in that West Virginia coal mine had been found alive. I called it quits after feeling my stomach churn while watching Geraldo and other reporters running around in the cheering crowd of families shoving microphones and cameras in people's faces wanting to know how they felt. My response would have been something along the lines of, "How the bloody hell do you think I feel?" but I have a bit of a belligerent streak. I thought the responses of the older folk seemed strangely reserved as if they really weren't sure of what they heard but wanted to put on a good show for the camera. I went to bed thanking God for the lives of those miners. This morning I uttered a cure in my bed as I heard on the radio that 12 had actually died and only 1 still clung to life. I wondered if the group had banded together to ensure the survival of the youngest among them. ...

Egypt obviously does not find anything shameful in its abuse of Sudanese refugees but I, and others , do . A petition urging the US government to cease sending aid to Egypt is making the rounds. Sign it if you feel so inclined. Pray for the plight of those in Sudan at the mercy of the corrupt government and its militia. I'm currently composing letters to my elected officials regarding Egypt's treatment of the Sudanese refugees. Egypt Set to Deport Hundreds of Sudanese

Happy new year from the White Mountains of New Hampshire! We'll be heading back from our annual (and hopefully last) winter schlep across the northeast today. Regular blogging (such as it is) should resume in the next day or so (I'll still have to unpack once I get home).