Samantha Pierce

The headline says, " Sanitation Department's slow snow cleanup was a budget protest ." The url says, http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sanit_filthy_snow_slow_mo_qH57MZwC53QKOJlekSSDJK . I think they should have gone with the text in the url for the headline. It seems more honest. Anyway, this explains why NYC seemed to have completely lost its mind during the last storm after having weathered so many others like it. These garbage men really stink. Selfish Sanitation Department bosses from the snow-slammed outer boroughs ordered their drivers to snarl the blizzard cleanup to protest budget cuts -- a disastrous move that turned streets into a minefield for emergency-services vehicles, The Post has learned. Miles of roads stretching from as north as Whitestone, Queens, to the south shore of Staten Island still remained treacherously unplowed last night because of the shameless job action, several sources and a city lawmaker said, which was over a raft of demotions, ...

Today I am thankful for/that: Ancient wisdom that is none the less relevant and applicable today. One more day. Patience. Peace. Progress. What are you thankful for?

I couldn't help it, I thought of the TSA while reading this. It wasn't for their resemblance to wisdom. I wonder if I'll get banned from flying for making this observation? Proverbs 1:20-33 20Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; 21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 22"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 23If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. 24Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, 27when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upo...

Today I am thankful for/that: God made man who touched this world and changed things for ever. Fellowship with friends from near and far. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: A relatively quiet day, so far. Lots of helping hands. Friendship. "It's covered by the warranty." Central heating. God's grace. Christmas! What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: Snow plows. Sand and salt trucks. Snow plow and sand/salt truck drivers. Sunshine. Fresh baked, well, everything. Christmas. Central heating. What are you thankful for?

Today as everyone settles down for football and turkey I am thankful for/that: The girls are still small enough to walk on my back when I need it. Homes stuffed to the gills with family. The creative planning that goes into keeping five kids engaged, happy and productive. They've made two desserts and some Christmas decorations so far today. Loved ones who are apart from us for a little while. Music. Not just enough but abundance. Laughter. Love that covers all things. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: "Can I help you with your laundry?" That just about made my week. Progress. More blessings than I know even if it doesn't always feel like it. What are you thankful for?

This is being reported as if it is some new revelation, Teacher training should emphasize the practical, panel urges . Programs that train teachers need to be radically revised, according to a panel composed of some of the country's top educators, and eight states, including Maryland, have signed on to adopt the recommendations, scheduled to be released Tuesday. Teachers are poorly prepared to meet students' educational needs upon reaching the classroom. That's not necessarily a reflection on the teachers as I've known many who desperately want to help their students but are painfully aware that they weren't properly prepared to do so and are not going to get the support they need from their school district hierarchy. Were I a teacher, or a leader in a teacher's union, I'd be demanding that schools and other organizations that claim to train teachers actually teach them how to teach. The article above mentions that Teach for America, a program that recruits...

Today I am thankful for/that: The men and women who serve in America's armed forces. The families of said men and women who must do without them while they serve. The opportunity to be an American. What are you thankful for?

This came across my inbox today and I thought I would share it. We have in the past had problems with the district doing what is required on our sons' IEPs. As in it says speech 5 times a week but the speech therapist only works 4 days a week. That so did work for us. From my experience and from talking with other parents of children with various disabilities schools are already fairly lax in adhering to what is in a student's IEP. Can't folk fall down on the job on this one. Here's the text of the email. NY SPEECH THERAPY STANDARD THREATENED More Info GET BACK ON THE PHONES TODAY! If you want to make sure your child continues to get speech therapy at school you need to get on the phone. The New York Regents, the statewide board that sets school policy, is attempting yet again to reduce the minimum educational standards for students with autism. They want to make integrated classrooms bigger, and to eliminate the minimum speech therapy standards for studen...

In yet another it's never too late to be thankful Thankful Thursday Friday post, today I am thankful for/that: God's grace. Cooking with the kiddies. Now if only they would eat the stuff they like to watch/help me cook. Fresh baked bread. "Here mommy let me help you." Even if the help isn't all that helpful at least they tried. Little sweet hearts. Central heating. Not too thrilled about the energy bill though. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: Patience. I could use a double portion right about now. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: Kind words from a friend. God's grace. Patience, I could use a bit more. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: The lives of 33 Chilean miners. The men and women who endured to bring those 33 men back to the surface. Another year of life for my third born. Baby laughter. Peace and endurance. Understanding medical professionals who work hard to get difficult individuals (i.e. my boys) the medical care they need. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: Good friends new and old. Sunshine. Fresh picked apples. A moment of quietness. All of the inventors and innovators that had a hand in bringing hot showers to mankind. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: The wisdom of others. Another chance to get it right. Peace in the midst of the storm. Laughter.

Today I am thankful for/that: Homemade caramel apples drizzled with melted crunchy peanut butter. Sunshine. Freedom. Thoughtful friends. Toothless baby smiles. A good home cooked meal. Enough. What are you thankful for?

Today we remember the evil that was done 9 years, we remember those who were taken from us, and we remember the heroism of those who rose to the challenge that day and every day since. Icarus II In the darkness I rise, long before the dawn I was dreaming of home and the life I led I can hear the sound, of the engines roar And I crave the embrace of my empty bed Where I'm safe (there I'm safe) But the call is clear, and the task is set And my enemies wait in the dark sky Do they fear the same fear, do they dream like us Do they long for the day when it's over And they're safe We are cruising above the horizon Never knowing if we will return In a moment we'll loose the destruction And we'll justify all that we burn Here the air is cold, but my thoughts are clear And so I'm wondering why I must be here For the evil that can come, from the heart of a man Must be answered in kind 'til it disappears And we're safe Now we're cruising above the horizon N...

Today I am thankful for/that: The five minute nap I got today. Homemade bread fresh out of the oven. My over enthusiastic little kitchen helpers and their faux French accents. The reviving company of good friends. The gathering together of the saints (no not the football team!). Apple picking season. Those who continually rescue us from danger. The freedom to be a jerk and the wisdom not to be. Joy comes in the morning and the mourning. What are you thankful for?