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No more comments

2010-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

As of today, no one will be allowed to comment on my posts. Those blood sucking spam people are continually making advertising comments to my posts.

Thanks for understanding.

Anonymous comments to my Blog

2010-04-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

I would appear as there is yet another way to send spam over the internet. I have "anonymous" people posting all sorts of crap as comments to my blog posts. I don't know how to stop this. I'm sure I could go in and delete all of them but that wouldn't stop it so why bother. For some reason, the comments have been confined to just one post. How long before they start posting to the others I wonder.

April 21, 2010. Today is Professional Administrative Assistant Day. Woo Hoo!! I asked for a gift certificate from our local greenhouse. I got a chocolate cake and lunch. I seem to have an ongoing lack in my ability to communicate with people. I try to make myself clear but it seems to me like people just don't listen to me. Aren't hearing me, or maybe just don't care what I'm saying. How do I fix this??? I know, I should be grateful for the cake and pizza and I am, I just don't need the calories!

Hannah has been living with us since October. In a few short weeks she's going to be gone. Back to KC to live with her mom. I am going to miss her so much. She's been such a fun little thing to have around and has been a bright spot for me. We are having her graduation party at our house and I have been working every spare moment trying to get the flower beds cleaned up and planted so that everything will look nice. I gave up on the house and hired two local girls to help me with the cleaning.

Have not been doing a lot art wise for awhile. There are just not enough hours in the day!!! I am taking a day off this weekend and doing a enamel class. Will try and post pics soon. Am needing to get my web site updated and haven't had the time to organize the stuff for this either.

Pre-ordered the movie - Avatar yesterday. Saw it and loved it!!! I'm hoping my neices, Cassidy, Tory and Alex and come watch with me soon.

That's all for today folks. Till next time------------------
Donna

Epoxy

2009-10-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

Today is the day I decide it's time to put another layer of epoxy on the floor mosaic at the South door. It's only needed it for 4 years but you know how these things go........ It wasn't one of those 'I need to do this now' things so I just kept putting it off.

Planning ahead, I asked B to build me a box to set over the entire mosaic (3' x 2') so that once I had the epoxy on and spread out, I could protect it from the cats. I knew the majority of them would be out for the day but I wasn't thinking about just the cats but also the cat hair. I didn't even want to think about how bad it would look with a fine layer of cat hair stuck to the top of it. YUK.

So, all the cats except Desa are out, I have the area cleaned and the epoxy is getting spread out. I'm thinking things are going fairly smoothly. Wrong. This is when Desa decides to jump from a chair into the center of the mosaic, and the epoxy. Well CRAP! The epoxy project is on hold for the moment because B and I have to give Desa a bath. I don't know what ingesting epoxy will do to her but we're not taking any chances. Besides, she's now got epoxy on all four paws so I can't have that mess strung out throughout the house. Desa's never had a bath before but takes it better than I had anticipated.

Ok, now Desa's locked in the bathroom (kitty jail) and it's back to the epoxy job. I get it all spread, cleaned up the surrounding area that's been strewn with epoxy (thanks to Desa) and have blown all the bubbles I can see out. We put the box over it and let Desa out of kitty jail. Time will tell how good it's going to look and how much epoxy is still stuck in Desa hair.

Ahhhhhh, life at our house............

The shoes that fart

2009-09-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have shoes that fart. As if I NEED anything else on or around my body to make fart noises!

Recently, I was shopping with a friend and had a little time to kill while waiting for her to finish up one of her stops. I saw a Macy's store and went in. Keep in mind I NEVER go to Macy's. Too rich for my budget. Anyways, I see they are having a shoe clearance sale. Who can resist a shoe clearance? Certainly not me.

Sure enought, I find a pair of cute, cute, cute flip flops in my size and for an excellent (cheap) price and purchase them.

I am wearing my cute new shoes and have discovered they somehow create a little suction to the bottom of my feet and then make a not so discrete "Pffffft" noise when the suction breaks.

Great, it now sounds like I have the walking farts. So am I going to stop wearing my cute new shoes? Of course not, I'll just have to be discrete when I'm walking in them as to not offend anyone.

Wisconsin Trip

2009-07-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

B and I just got home from Wisconsin. We went up to the Menominee Indian Reservation for a family reunion. This reunion was the first of it's kind as the participants were descendants of Alexander Robinson (1772 to 1872). Alexander was married to a Menominee woman named Sasos and I am a descendant of that union. Other family descendants included those descending from the union of Alexander to Catherine after Sasos'es death. It can get rather confusing but thru the efforts of a few, we all came together to honor grandfather Robinson and meet family that until recently, many of us never knew we had. The story of Alexander Robinson is a interesting one. I've been told a family member is publishing a book on grandfather Robinson. When it is complete, I will happily forward the information to anyone interested.

It was my idea to go to Wisconsin for the reunion on our motorcycle. I remember telling B that it would be a perfect time to go up as the weather should be good at this time of year. Not too cold and not too hot. What is they say about the best laid plans? Well, for the most part the weather did indeed cooperate with us. However the last two days on the Motorcycle found us trying to make it home in 100° plus heat and very high humidity. NOT FUN. For anyone who has not experienced traveling by motorcycle in really hot weather....let me tell you.....don't. It's miserable.

I got to see lots of my relation on the reservation. All my Aunts and some of my Uncles. Cousins and other people I've met over the years when I was visiting. I really enjoy my time with the Aunts. For one thing they are a ton of fun to be around and are GREAT cooks. For another, it is always interesting to find out new family information or hear new funny stories. I wish I could see them more often.

Traveling to another part of the US is interesting to me as I notice the difference in how things grow and the differences in business, farms and residential areas. I noticed the blooming time for flowers in Wisconsin is a good month behind ours. So many beautiful Pines and Spruces. Lots prettier than the ones in Kansas. I also noticed how many farms and country residences were so neat in appearance. Hardly ever did I see a place junked up like I did in Colorado last fall. And the farms, they were huge. Lots of outbuildings and I notice most had working silos. The silos in this area have not been used in years. It is rare to see one with even the top still on it while it's not uncommon to see a tree growing out of silo top. Weird.

On the way to the Reservation we drove to Lake Michigan where I remembered gathering smooth stones and lake glass when I was young. B had never seen Lake Michigan so it was something new for him. I waded on the shore but didn't find any lake glass this time.

It was a good vacation for us. I'm anxious to go back again. Maybe late next summer.

One thing about being on a motorcycle for hours at a time. Theres not much to do except look at the scenery and think. I did a lot of both.

I have almost nothing new to show anyone. For several months I have created almost nothing. I sleep a lot, and have gained too much weight. Why? A very deep depression has been my bedfellow for months now. A lot of the reason has to do with the realization of just how easy it was for my ever dwindling family members to believe the worst about me. It has hurt me deeper than anything has for a very long time. There hasn't been a day in the last 7 months I haven't struggled just to make it through the day. Something else I thought about were my ever present loathing of the Jehovah Witnesses. I've come to realize the problems I have with some of my family cannot be completely blamed on the JW's. The relationship I don't have with my mother and 2 of my 3 sisters is really about their choices. The JW elders can give them council but they cannot make them write me letters and declare me dead to them. Only they can do that. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: Any religion that tells you who you should and should not talk to is a CULT not a religion.

Relationships are based on choices. Do we want to make the time it takes to have a relationship? Do we want to give people the benefit of the doubt or is it easier to just write them off?

Lightening

2009-05-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Lightening update. Am I even spelling that right? Oh well, I'm willing to bet everyone knows what I'm talking about. We've gotten almost everything fixed or replaced now. The hot water heater still needs looked at and the gutter still needs fixed but I think the only left on the buy list is the air cleaner. We heard from the adjuster yesterday and he's turning in all the bills to date. While I am thankful that we have insurance, it still leaves us with the $1,000 deductible to come up with.

Sadly, I have no flowers planted as of yet. It has rained, and rained and rained here. Almost nothing planted in the garden as well, for the same reason. When it finally does dry up a little I guess I'll take a day off work and plant as much as I can. I'm back to working at the greenhouse part time which is handy for picking my stuff up (almost too handy - know what I mean)? So far the rain has kept me from buying anything except three trees. I wouldn't have purchased them but I was afraid someone else would and there were only 7 of that kind left. The kind I purchased are Robinia (Purple Robe). We already have one and just love it. It has flowers in the spring that look just like purple wisteria. So far they seem to be just about totally pest/problem free as well. I would also like to try a pink flowering dogwood but have some serious reservations as to if I can find a place in the yard it would like.

Am trying to get back to going to the Rec for exercise. I had fallen off the wagon for health reasons but am trying to get back in the groove. Wish me luck!
Fortunately, I have two ladies I see at the Rec that are just too much fun. Just the thought that I'm going to spend some time with them helps to get me moving.

B and I are going to Wisconsin for our summer vacation this year. There is to be a reunion on the Indian reservation where my mother grew up and we have decided to attend. There will be tons of family I don't know there as well as family I do know. We are taking the Trike so will plan a couple of extra travel days. I haven't been to the reservation during the summer months for several years. My last two trips were both during the winter months. This trip will be in June so I don't expect it to be overly hot between here and there - which will be nice for motorcycle riding. I think I'll try to drive some this time as it's gets pretty boring just riding all the time.

And so ends this episode of my oh so exciting life. I'll try and have some pics next time.

Lightening

2009-04-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Lucky us. Our house got hit by lightening on Sunday night. The list of damage is too long and depressing to type in. I'm including only one picture which is of the bent gutter and the hole where a can light used to be. I hadn't realized lightening did such weird stuff but the extent and randomness of our damage has opened my eyes somewhat.

The other picture is of a necklace I just finished for one of the nieces. It holds a tube of chap stick. I hope she likes it.

For those of you that do not know, I have a flickr site. It's a site where you can download pictures. So far I have almost 200 of them on my page - hesshatcreek. It has turned into a fun site as I get feedback from other people who have interests similar to mine. Another site I like is etsy.com. It's a site where all sorts of artists hock their wares or talents. It's a fun site as well.

A couple of other web sites I like are: http://soniacreations.canalblog.com and www.polymerclaydaily.com. Eventually, I would like to find a way to have links to these site from this blog or my web site. I haven't taken the time to research this yet. Just not enough hours in the day - know what I mean.

Got my latest issue of Bead and Button today so I'm off to drool over all the new things I can learn how to do.

Till next time.

I need a week off!

2009-04-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

OMG, I am so behind in everything it is just unreal. I need a week off just to re-organize, finish some things up and clean my house. But,,,,,,let's get real..... it ain't gonna happen. I can't take a week off right now and if I did, seriously, just how much house cleaning would I REALLY get done? But it's a nice fantasy.

I only have just a little bit of time this morning to post this. I'm off to Kelley's soon to finish up some work in one of the hallways. One of these days I'll take some pics of all the work I've done there and post them on here. But, not today. Working for Kelley is a lot of fun. She's so young and funny. I really enjoy the time I spend with her and her family.

Pictures today include some new earrings I made, some bunny jewelry I made and then gave to Kelley and her girls and 2 bracelets and a pine needle gourd I made for a reunion in Wisc.

The reunion in June is on the Menominee reservation in Wisconsin. Its the first Robinson decendent reunion. Another reunion this year is the Coopman reunion in Iowa in May but I won't make that one. I'll contribute some things to it as well but haven't picked anything out yet. My sister and niece were in charge of the quilt this year and I'd like to see it when finished as I think it'll be pretty. Lots of butterflys.

B's birthday was last month. On the 14th actually. He turned 53. A niece has a birthday on the same day - she turned 13. For reasons I won't vent about on here I didn't share in her celebration. I did think about her and hope she had a good day. Anyways, B got a GPS from the girls and I which he liked a lot. As he gets older, I find it harder to buy things he really likes. Anyone else have this problem? His kids and Emma were home for the day which was nice. They all got to do a little fishing. Glad the weather cooperated for them.

On the day of B's birthday, wouldn't ya just know it but some Jehovah's Witness's showed up. I wasn't home at the time but him and the girls told me about it later. Not a surprise to find out that the adults sat in the car and sent two young boys to the door. Well, as much as I hate the Jehovah's Witnesses, B hates them 10x's more. But, he kept his temper because they were just boys and told them to go back to the car and tell their parents not to stop here again. I asked him why he didn't march down to that car and read them *&%$* parents the riot act and he said it was cuz he didn't think of it at the time. Damn cult.........

Back to something more cheerful. I'm back to working at the greenhouse part time. I've cut back my hours this year to only working one night a week. However, I've taken on a couple of landscaping jobs so there's goes the time I gained by cutting back on greenhouse hours. Luckily, one is just a plan to work on. The other may involve some physical labor but am not sure when it might start. I got a new laptop so I can put the landscape stuff on it and take it with me when I go out. Very nice. Speaking of the laptop..... with our tax refund, B got a new trailer for the Trike and I got the laptop. Which just about took all of the refund. I'm still looking for some cycle boots but have had no luck whatsoever in finding any. I'll keep looking.

Suppose to get our waterfall installed this spring. Have talked to someone about putting it in for us as I've come to realize B and I will never get it in. Have had the parts for almost 5 years now.....it's time it got done. We have also decided we will try to find someone to build the West deck for us this summer. It's a job we could do ourselves but just don't want to. That's what savings accounts are for - right?

Till next time,

2009-02-18T13:19:00.000-08:00

My recent posts have included information on the Jehovah's Witnesses. I have a HUGE problem with this organization and honestly and with my whole heart believe it is not a religion but a CULT. I will continue to post periodically about the Jehovah's Witnesses but have decided to give it a rest for immediate future. Just thinking about those people depresses me immensely and this feeling is something I don't enjoy. So, I've decided to go onto other things for a bit.

The kittens at our house are now almost 7 weeks old. I took them to the vet and had them and their mother (Piper) all fixed on Monday. Piper's first Mommy will be taking Piper back as well as one of the kittens at the end of this month. I have found a terrific home for the female kitten in the litter but still have 3 more males to find homes for. I had all of the kittens spoken for at one time and then just about everyone backed out on me. They are all staying in my bathroom for the time being but I tell you, I'm ready for them to move out! 1 mother and 5 kittens poop way too much for such a confined area!

I will be going to KC for a class being taught by Sarah Shriver the weekend of the 28th. I'll be delivering Piper and her baby to their home then. If you have a couple of minutes I hope you will google Sarah and check out her work, she's awesome. I'm very excited to be taking a class from her. As well as getting to see my polymer buddies :o)!

Recently, I've been working (on weekends) at a new house in a nearby town. Kelley is a real joy to work for and has been so much fun to be around. She cracks me up though because she is always telling me how selfish she is yet at the same time she's sending me home with a new tea, homemade cookies, or sachet for my undie drawer. She and her husband have the cutest and nicest(almost) 8 year old identical twins. The whole family is just great. So far I've wallpapered in the master bedroom and am currently painting in the living room. I'll try and post some pictures one of these days. Since I have kittens without new homes, I'm trying to talk Kelley into letting me give each of the girls a kitten for their Birthday next month. Wish me luck!

Not much else to tell. Hopefully, I'll have some new pictures to post next time. See ya.

Part 3

2009-02-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

I have to say I truly never thought I'd see a cross in connection with the Jehovah's Witnesses. I clearly remember the elders teaching us that Jesus did NOT die on a cross but a stake. So what's this cross doing on the cover of the Watchtower? Then....... when I look at the logo for the Masonic Organization what do I see but an exteremly similar cross logo. I had read some connecting references between the Masonics and Jehovahs Witnesses (JW's) but didn't ever think I'd see anything as plain (and telling) as the two pictures attached to this post. Amazing.

In 1928, Brother Rutherford discontinued the Cross and Crown logo stating it was Babylonish. I'm not sure what that means but it doesn't really matter.

Now for the Beth-Sarim fiaco. Beth-Sarim means the House of the Princes in Hebrew. It is a house built in San Diego, California for the purpose of acquiring that property and building the house for the faithful men of old (Abraham and etc..) who will soon be resurrected by the Lord.

When, in 1925, Abraham and the rest of the biblical patriarchs (sometimes referred to as the Hebrews 11) didn't show up, some of Rutherford's followers left the fold. Others believed the Hebrews 11 crew would be here shortly. For this reason, Rutherford decides Abraham and Company are going to need a home. He gave instructions to build them a house. But, not just a simple house - a mansion. The house is built in 1930 and is held in trust for the Hebrews 11. The actual title to the house has several interesting points regarding naming the dead prophets who will reside there and said tilte would be held in the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The trust also states that Joseph F. Rutherford shall have the right and privledge of residing on said premises until the same be taken possession of by David (one of the Prophets listed in the deed) or the other men dedicated to Jehovah.

After Rutherford's death the Beth-Sarim house was sold. In 1975 the Watchtower Society publishes a book stating the Beth-Sarim house was built for Brother Rutherford's use. Rutherford had said it was built for the Hebrews 11 use. Obviously someone is telling a untruth here. Does it matter if it's Rutherford or the Watchtower Society? Not to me.

1929 - Concerned about the many false prophets in the world, the Watchtower provides the following instructions: "While they claim to speak in the name of the Lord, their predictions neither come true not tend to magnify Jehovah's name. According to the divine rule they prove to be false, and the Lord promises that in due time he will deal with them as he does with all hypocrites. Matt. 24:51."

Hypocrites huh? It has always been my opinion that Hypocrite is the JW's middle name. How unfortunate the Watchtower has just predicted the end of it's own kind. This is just too funny! Also, who are they talking about? False Prophets and predictions - the only people I see making predictions are the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Honesty

2009-02-07T04:33:00.000-08:00

Below is a comment I received on this blog. Initially I deleted it as my feeling that anyone posting under 'Anonymous' has no right to leave comments in my blog. But, then I had second thoughts...............this is actually a good opportunity to prove a point about the Jehovah's Witnesses. Thanks Anonymous! I have a few things to say regarding this post following Anonymous's comments.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Part 2":

Jehovah's Witnesses consider the Holy Bible to be the ONLY final authoritative word of God.

Yes, until they learned better, Jehovah's Witnesses celebrated Christmas and had the cross on their literature. They also did not understand the importance of political neutrality. When it became apparent that these practices were part of false religion, they rejected such.

Have you actually read anything printed by Jehovah's Witnesses since 1928? You might want to do so that you can be more accurate about teachings that have become clarified throughout the years.

This is a bit like reading a science book from 1928. Or a book about computers from 1928. Or a medical textbook from 1928. If the AMA existed in 1928 (I don't know if it did or not) it would likely be touting practices that would be considered a bit silly today due to increased understanding of how the human body works. It would be dishonest to quote such and apply it to the organization of today. Much clarity has come since then, and more is to come. By the way, the place to get ACCURATE information about Jehovah's Witnesses is found at www.watchtower.org. You won't find the truth about Jehovah's Witnesses at those other places. That is, if you are interested in honesty.

I'm not sure what made this joker think I was going to end my history lesson with 1928. It won't end there I assure you.

I absolutly love this guys last comment about honesty. He sends me this ANONYMOUS and then makes a comment about Honesty. Any JW I've ever met has no concept of the word. If I understand the comments above, it would be an error for me to hold the current organization responsible for the comments and actions taken so long ago. HOWEVER, this is the same organization that feels fully justified in holding ME accountable for comments and actions taken more than 30 years ago.

Another comment about Honesty. When the JW's are baptizing people do they tell them of the consiquences of that baptism? No they do not. Does anyone think baptizing young people (under the age of 18) knowing what their life could be like if they don't stay in the organization is Honest?

Again. This is not a religion - it is a CULT.

More later.

Part 2

2009-02-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

To continue on with the information I found out about the Jehovah Witnesses (JW's). Some of the information came from the site: www.watchman.org.

The Jehovah Witness organization was started in 1876 by Charles Taze Russell. By 1877 he had joined by a member of the Second Adventist organization named Nelson Barbour. Russell publishes the first issue of 'Zion's Watch Tower' which is the forefunner of today's WATCHTOWER in 1879. Many references will be made to the Watchtower as it is a key publication for the JW's.

In 1889, Russell release Volume II of the Studies of the Scriptures and predicts the Battle of Armageddon will end in 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present ridership. Take note of this because it's the first time the JW's predict the end of life as we know it.

1910 - Jehovah's Witnesses are told not to read the Bible by itself, because it is not the final authority. "Futhermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the "Studies of the Scriptures" aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references, and had not read a page of the of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures". (Watch Tower, September 15, 1910, p. 298).

Am I understanding this correctly? If I never read the Bible but instead only the Studies of the Scriptures I would only then understand what the Bible said? Does this make sense to anyone? Who falls for this kind of bunk? Certainly not sane people in my opinion.

1914 - the end of the world as we know it. Remember reading about this in your history book? Me neither - BECAUSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

1917 - Joseph F. Rutherford becomes the JW's 2nd President. Nelson Barbour is identified as "the Evil servant" of Matt.24:48-51. Hmmmm, wonder what Nelson did to fall out of favor with the JW's?

At this same time the Watchtower publication predicts God will destroy all Churches wholesale and the church members by millions in the year of 1918. (p.485).

1918 - Churches are not destroyed 'Wholesale' or otherwise. Another prediction bites the dust.

Another book is published. This one is titled "Millions Now Living will Never Die". Pages 89 and 90 state: 'we confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob to the condition of human perfection'. The new fateful date of "1925 is more distinctly indicated by Scripture because it is fixed by the law God gave to Israel" (Watchtower, September 1, 1922, p. 262).

In 1923 the Watchtower again makes reference to 1925. "Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures". (Watchtower, April 1, 1923, p. 106). Scriptures - aren't those the passages in the Bible? The Bible the Witnesses were told NOT to read? So which is it? Read the Bible, Don't read the Bible. I'm confused.

Again, the Watchtower states "The year 1925 is a date definitely and clearly marked in the Scriptures, even more clearly than that of 1914". (Watchtower, July 15, 1924, p.211).

1925 - Abraham and company are not resurrected. Hmmmmmmmm.

It is at this point that I find the JW's have a Cross on the Watchtower. I am stunned to say the least. I remember being taught that Jesus did not die on a Cross but on a Stake. The cross symbol was strictly forbidden and looked upon with disgust. Now I find out the JW's used the cross on their prime publication until the year of 1928. Not only do they have a cross but the whole logo mirrors the Masonic logo of the same time frame. Interesting don't you think? I have pictures. Will post next time.

Bye for now.

New pics and interesting info

2009-02-01T17:39:00.001-08:00

Pictures today include: Piper's kittens, a paper job I just finished, my new toad house as well as some new jewelry I'm doing.

Ok, so I'm NOT sure the info I'm about to pass on is interesting to anyone other than myself but in the effort to save just one person the crap I've been through, I'll post anyways.

We have some kittens at our house. Piper had 5 babies on January 3rd. They are now 4 weeks old and getting to be so much fun. Playing with each other and with Piper. The kittens are all given away and Piper is going back to her 1st mommie - Bryanne. I'll only have my Desa in the house then but it's ok, she's my first kitty love and is getting old enough to be a tad bit calmer these days. I'm going to be as attached to these kittens as I am Piper which is going to make them leaving difficult. I can't keep them all but would if I could. I'm finding as I get older I am getting more attached to my animals than I did when I was younger. I'm not sure this is a good thing.

Anyways, on to the information. Some of this a good number of my family already know. It has to do with my mother becoming a Jehovah's Witness when I was about 12. From then until the day I turned 18 I had to go to the Kingdom Hall for meetings 3 times a week. I don't ever remember ever being asked if I wanted to go, it was expected of me. When I was 16 I let the elders and my mom talk me into getting baptized as a JW (Jehovah's Witness). I'm not at all sure talk me into is the right terminology. I feel like it was more like 'guilt me' into. At 16 I was a real sucker for the guilt card. Then when I was about 20, I got kicked out of the JW's - they call it 'disfellowshipping'. How come I got kicked out? I smoked cigarettes.

For those of you that don't know - getting disfellowshiped means this - you are now to be shunned by all members of the JW's (Jehovah Witnesses). If you get disfellowshipped and some of your family members - such as your parents and siblings - are JW's, they are instructed to shun you as well. I recently read where some in the mental health field liken disfellowshipping to post traumatic stress syndrome. After all I've been though I can certainly see the connection. For anyone going through both, I can only be amazed they are still alive and functioning at all.

There are 6 of us and at age 18 we all left the JW's. 15 years ago, 2 of my sisters (having rejoined the Jehovah Witnesses) declared me dead to them. I am no longer to have any contact with them or their kids. It was very traumatic for me to loose 2 sisters and 7 nieces and nephews all at once. My mother never declared me dead to her but to say we have a relationship today would be a stretch.

It was at that time I started telling anyone who would listen I thought the Jehovah Witnesses were a CULT. I did not feel any religion, organization, whatever..... who told their members who they could and could not talk to was a Cult. I feel the same today. Have the rules for disfellowship from the JW's always been the same? Nope. In fact it wasn't until 1952 the JW's adopted this practice. Smoking is just one reason for disfellowshipping. Also included, but not limited to, are: Drug use, Adultery, Associating with disfellowshipped people including, friends and family, selling tobacco, obscene speech, sexually perverse practices within marriage, such as oral or anal sex, working in a gambling institution and wilful non support of family. Interesting enough I didn't see mental abuse but did see physical abuse.

I remember my sisters telling me if I would only go back to the JW's they could love me again. Which is why I'm so vocal about conditional love. I didn't let them, nor will I ever let anyone, tell me if 'you do this, or believe that' I can love you. What a bunch of crap. Again, who but a cult member tells anyone they can only love them if they a member of the same religion.

For some reason, I recently starting thinking about the Jehovah Witnesses and got curious about their beginning and what other people were saying about them. Was it possible I was the only one to feel as strongly as I do about the Cult? I had members of the Witnesses tell me I was just bitter. Hell, I knew that. That doesn't mean I didn't have some valid arguments.

Now that you have a little history about my life, I'll start to tell you a little of what I've found out about the JW's. My purpose for this? Well, obviously it's not to make brownie points with the witness members of my family. It is my effort to help to spread the word about this Cult and encourage everyone to close your door to the Jehovah Witnesses. Any Witness reading this is free to point out mistakes should they find any.

All the while I was going to the Kingdom Hall I remember hearing about the true believers (meaning the JW's) and how they suffered persecution by the sinners of this world. Going all the way back to the biblical times. I thought that meant the JW's had been around for forever. That the religion was 'older than dirt' as my husband would say. Not so............

According to my research the JW's were founded in 1870 by a man (a mere mortal) by the name of Charles Taze Russell. If the religion was formed by an human, and therefore imperfect man, how can any modern JW say the religion is 'the Truth'. Doesn't using the reference of 'the Truth' imply it's without flaw? If today's members of the JW's are in 'the Truth' is it unreasonable for us to hold them to a higher standard? In my opinion all Witnesses are begging to be held to a higher standard. But, I'm getting off my history thing here. Charles Taze Russell meets the Second Adventist Author, Nelson Barbour and in 1874, Barbour convinces Russell of the invisible presence of Christ. Perhaps I'm just stupid but I just don't understand such a concept. What is the 'invisible presence of Christ'? If it's invisible, how do you know it's there? I've asked co-workers what they think such a comment would mean and they are stumped as well.

Russell and Barbour jointly publish the Three Worlds or Plan of Redemption in 1877. This book told of their belief that Christ's second presence began invisibly in the fall of 1874. Russell then goes on to publish the first issue of "Zion's Watch Tower" which is the forerunner of today's "Watchtower" in 1879.

Again I ask, who believes this stuff? The second presence of Christ began in the fall of 1874? How do they know this? Remember, it's invisible. I'm already thinking 'how'd this crack pot get even one person to join him'? The history of this Cult reads better than a soap opera. I will continue with more information about the Jehovah's Witnesses next time.

Bye for now.

Changes

2009-01-16T09:20:00.000-08:00

One thing you can always count on is changes. Changes in your life, changes in your loved ones lives, changes in your appearance (I'm getting that dreaded double chin - YUK) and changes in your relationships.

Sometimes changes are for the better, sometimes not. But, that the Nature of the Beast so they say.

A change for B and I recently was the death of his mom. I called her Mom when I was with her and Mom Hess the rest of the time. Now, I know lots of women who are less than fond of their mother-in-laws. I wasn't one of them. I loved Mom Hess a lot and know she loved me. This is not to say Mom Hess couldn't be a real challenge from time to time but I don't know one of us who can say, any and all of our loved ones are a challenge, from time to time. Anyways, Mom Hess could be and often was - abrasive. She was also brutally honest. You never had to wonder where you stood with her because she'd tell you. She could hurt your feelings if you let her. However, Mom Hess was also the strongest person I've ever met. Any one of the tragedies she had been through in her life could have been enough to break a person. She buried three of her kids and one grandson but it was the last tragedy which was the hardest on her. Losing B's Dad was hard on us all but especially Mom Hess. He's been gone almost 10 years now and is still thought of so often by B and I. About a year ago Mom Hess was going through a bad time with her kidneys she told me how much she missed him and she was ready to go and join him. Just before Christmas she got her wish. Although we were sad to see her go, I think we were both glad to know she had gone to join Dad. Know what I mean? Mom Hess was always very good to me and I will miss her.

Another change for me is the occurrence of yet another rift in my family. I don't want to go into any detail other than to say it's caused yet more trouble for a family already drowning. What I do want to say about recent events is this: I don't believe in 'conditional' love. I don't think it's right for someone (anyone) to say "I can only love you if you do this, or believe this, or whatever". I don't love that way. I don't put conditions on people I love. If I love them, they are free to be themselves. Just as I am free to be myself.

I've been doing some research on a 'religion', and I use that term loosely, as of late and will be posting some interesting facts soon. While I hear it's a mistake to talk about religion, I think you'll understand more of why I've chosen to do so once I get into it. And, your always free to skip those posts should you want to. One of the things I just love about the Internet is the information on it and the freedom to research or skip the information you just don't want to deal with.

Creative me............... Haven't done much as of late. Family trouble and events have left me more depressed than cheerful. A bright spot has been some kittens born at our house. I've been making a few 'cat coozies' to go with the babies when they leave but not much else. Have a wallpaper job coming up which will give me a little extra spending money - who can be depressed about extra spending money! Am exercising again. YIPPEE! Seriously, I know it's good for me, just not that much fun all the time.

Well, that's all for today. Next time I hope to add some new pictures and then on to the other issue I talked about.

Take care everyone.

Oct 08

2008-10-28T12:23:00.001-07:00

Well, wanted to get a blog entry in for the month of October. About didn't make it as the month is almost over. Just under the wire as they say. A few new pictures today - art work, family and vacation pics. I see more of one of my neices now - Reannan - and couldn't be more thrilled about it. She and her little boy are a real ray a sunshine in my life. I call him baby K and he's 9 months old now. Is already walking and almost always has a smile on his little fat face.

B and I had a good time in Colorado except when my cell phone got stolen. Amazing how violated one feels when something personal is stolen. Went to the wedding, saw my girlfriend and nephew, both entirely too briefly, and then headed for Durango and Mesa Verde. I loved Mesa Verde and didn't like Durango. There wasn't anything to do there. Spent a couple of hours at the shops downtown looking a things only rich folk could ever afford. And spread out???? I've never seen a town layed out so strange. Durango has to be 5 miles long from one end to the other with a small grouping of businesses then a 1/2 mile of nothing and then another small grouping of businesses and then another 1/2 mile of nothing and so on. Strange................ We were to spend 3 days there but left after 2.

Aspen trees were at the peak of turning and were just beautiful.

I love Colorado and could go there every year I think. One thing I did notice this year was how many properties were for sale. When we were in the mountains, I bet we didn't average over 5 miles without seeing someplace for sale. I found this a little weird as I would think a place in the mountains would be anyones dream. Another thing I noticed this time was the number of properties with excess stuff laying about. Sometimes just plain trash and other times just an over abundance of stuff. Made me wonder if Colorado does not have any kind of recycling program. It sure could use one.

Lastly, had something happen before we went on Vacation that was a first. Our granddaughter is in preschool. We got a e-mail from the school requesting we purchase something for her fund raiser. Now, they don't have to come see you to sell you something, they can just do it over the internet. Bummer!

See ya later.

New Address

2008-09-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Where to start..........

B and I are getting a new address. Are we moving? Nope. It seems the people in our county in charge of issuing addresses have discovered they have issued several that are not correct. So, once they determine what our address really is, I get to start notifying everyone of our address change. Fun, fun, fun. At least we're not in this boat by ourselves - we have around 100 others with us so far.

Here's a pic of Desa & Piper. Piper has the most awesome 'cuddle' personality. Her and Desa are finally starting to play and get along but her and Jerry are still at the hiss/growl stage. Overall, I'm very thankful that Bryanne thought to give us Piper.

Speaking of Bryanne. She wanted a mermaid for her birthday. I had a idea of what I wanted to make her and it involved transfering some pics onto Polymer Clay. All the tutorials I found on the internet said how easy it was. NOT!!!!!! I have tried th process more than a dozen times and ways and still have not accomplished it. See the pic of the pictures and clay. The pictures are supposed to STICK to the clay. I'm gonna give this technique up for a while and do something else.

How many people can say they hay their yard? Well, for those of you that don't know, our house is surrounded on three sides by prairie hay. Once a year the neighbor comes over and hays it. It still seems a little weird to look out the back door and see big round bales of hay. Most of the time the neighbor keeps the hay or sells it but this year we donated 6 big bales to a horse rescue farm starting up in our area.

B and I had recently went to the rescue ranch and some of the horses I saw just broke my heart. I will never understand how people can be so cruel or neglectful of any animal. If those owners had to suffer the same fate as those animals I'm sure things would be a lot different.

One of the pics today is Holly (our dog) in the bucket of B's tractor. I couldn't resist taking the photo when I saw her resting there. Pretty cute - don't ya think?

B and I are getting ready for our Colorado trip. We are taking the Trike and a trailer. We'll go to my friend, Nettie's house, to see my nephew, Mitch and to B's nephews wedding and then to Durango and Mesa Verde. We haven't been to Mesa Verde before and I've wanted to see it for the longest time so I'm pretty excited about the trip. We're taking two pieces of Stained Glass (photo's here) with us. One for the wedding and the other for a friend. Hopefully neither will see their gift on this before we get there with them.

I've been trying to do some Polymer stuff but haven't got much accomplished this summer. Too busy with the flower beds and the vegetable garden. Also, I've been working on a new strawberry bed. Next to the propane tank - which needs re-painted. Another chore!

I have downloaded about 200 pictures on my Flickr site. I'll put a link from my blog to it as soon as I figure out how to do it.

For now, I'll just download the new pictures I want to post and sign off. Till next time................... Donna

Create bug

2008-08-19T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hello again -

I have some new pictures to add today - Some new items I've been working on in my handy dandy craft room (aka STUDIO). Please, let me know if you like these new things. Thank you.

Alas, I'm at work again today. My mind has been so full of new things I want to try and do in my craft room, excuse me, Studio, that I'm not a happy camper here. I want to be HOME!!! Don't get me wrong, I like my job, have great co-workers, and for the first time ever, have a GREAT boss. However, when the "create" bug gets to me, work just isn't where I want to be.

To passify myself somewhat I've uploaded a bunch of pictures on Flickr. It's a photo site where you can find tons and tons of pictures. Crafts, people, everything. Anyways, my account there is under the name - hesshatcreek - so feel free to look at all the stuff I have there.

Recent events at our house have included a swim party and yard work. Not very exciting - huh? The swim party was fun although we had a really small group this year. Yard work??? Well, we mow, I pull grass and pick stuff in the veggie garden. Cantalope is starting to come on and I think there's at least 100 of them out there. Cucumbers are slowing down and green beans are coming back on. Never a shortage of things to do at our place, thats for sure.

One of my neices - remember I have about a gazillion of them - and I took a face sculpting class in KC recently. It was just an afternoon class and we both had a good time. However, I feel very confident in saying the sculpting world has no worries of competition from us. I'm not sure either of us will ever get the hang of sculpting lips.

We have another new addition at our house. Her name is Piper and she is a black cat about 2 1/2 years old. I got her from my adopted neice - Bry when she moved to her new place and couldn't take Piper with her. She's always been an inside cat but we're working at adjusting her to be an outside cat. We already have Desa in the house and 1 house cat is enough. Speaking of Desa ...... B calls her Desee all the time. I tell him her name is DesA but he still calls her DesEE. Now he's got me calling her Desee sometimes. Men!

Here it is August already and I find myself thinking "Oh no, summers almost gone and I still haven't done this outdoor project and that project and that other project". Looking at the calander I see I have plans for this weekend, next weekend and every weekend in September already. I may have to cancel some of those and stay home. Surprisingly, the weather here is not bad at all. In fact, for August, it's plum nice out. Not 100 + as usual but in the 80's. Lucky for me, I actually feel like working outside. B is helping the neighbor again this year with his hay. It benefits both our family's as the neighbor gets the help he needs and B gets to indulge his "farming" gene. It also gets him out of my hair for a few hours. Nice.

Next time I'll probably bore everyone with our vacation pics. We're going to Mesa Verde, Colo the end of Sept. We've never been there and are looking forward to the trip. Till then, please enjoy my new pictures. Bye.

Grass

2008-07-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

Grass is about to take over my life. We have had plenty of rain this spring and summer and from what I can see - we've also had a bumper crop in grass seed. I seem to be in a never ending cycle of pulling grass from my flower beds, then I go to garden (mind you the flower beds are not yet even close to being grass free) to pull grass out of the green beans, onions, etc., etc., etc., THEN back to the flower beds so I can keep chipping away at them. ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. And, if that's not enough, the weather has gotten hot. Not just hot..............hot and muggy.

Sadly, I have no new pictures to post. I meant to have some before this post but it just never happened. It's that grass thing again!

I did actually take a break from the grass pulling. I went to Colorado with my parents, my brother, his wife and their 3 girls. We took my parents Motorhome and had a good trip out and back. We were in Colorado Springs area for a week and had the best time. The girls are 12, 10 and 5. We went somewhere about everyday to do something. The girls were very well behaved and all of us got along just great. My nieces are all just AWESOME!! All 10 of them are such good girls and so much fun to be around. I don't get to see all of them very much - SAD!!!! which just stinks at times.

B and I will be going back to Colorado in September for his other Nephews wedding. Then we plan to go to the 4 corners area and spend a week riding the Trike around there. I'm looking forward to the trip although B will have to step it up a little if he's going to be half as much fun as the girls were on this last trip out.

In my spare time - which there is precious little of - I've been working on some new jewelry pieces. They are a lot different then my past stuff so I hope they go over well. Personally, I think they are awesome. Hope everyong agrees. My mom took some of my pieces to a Gold Wing Rally in Montana recently and attempted to sell some things for me. I guess one of the Rally sponsers asked her why she was pushing my stuff. I'm going to tell her next time someone asks her a question like that she can just tell them she's the Vice President of her daughters non-profit business!

Tomarrow I get to see my niece - Reannan and her friend (my newly adopted niece) Bryanne. They are coming to a swimming party B and I are having. B's daughter and our grandkids are coming as well. It'll be a small gathering but a fun one I'm sure.

Bryanne recently gave us her cat. So now we have 3 cats. Just the one full time indoor still (Desa) but the one (her name is Piper) we got from Bryanne was in the house full time. So now we're trying to teach Piper to be an outside cat. She is doing just wonderful. Almost too wonderful at times, as I get stressed out when I don't see her every few hours and have to go looking for her. She's a really little cat so I worry about something getting her while she's outside. But that's the way it's got to be. I just can not have 2 cats inside. Although I love Desa to death, one is PLENTY.

Guess that's all I know for the time being. I'll try to have so pictures to post next time. Till then..............take care.

Another Beaded Project

2008-04-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Hi again,

For the longest time I've been meaning to post a picture of the bead tapestry I did for my sisters jacket. The problem???????? I never got around to taking a picture of it before I gave it to her. I know, dumb. I asked her to take a few pictures for me and e-mail them to me. Well, she was much more prompt at doing that than I was about asking her for them. Anyways, here it is. Completely done in Delica beads. Took me months to complete as I hand loomed it. Someday, I hope to get a loom. My next bead project? Well, hopefully a tapestry for my own jacket. I'm trying to decide between two patterns. One is another american indian design and the other is a rose.

Stayed up late last night watching the Kansas Jayhawks win the NCAA tournament. I'm not much of a basketball fan but I will watch the Jayhawks occassionaly.

Till next time. Bye.

Barbie Head Hat

2007-08-16T11:59:00.001-07:00

Hi again,

Here's the picture of my niece's Barbie Doll Head Hat. This was totally her idea and design. I originally thought it might be a little on the morbid side but once she got it done I decided it was GREAT!! We had to trim some of their hair as initially it looked like a huge fur ball. You can't see it, but one of the dolls in back even has a spike hairdo going. Anyways, this hat turned out to be so cool! She wore it to the diner when we met her parents that evening and as soon as her mom saw it she busted out laughing. Her dad took one look at it and said "What the hell is on YOUR head?". One things for certain, none of her friends will have one like it.

Also included are some pictures of other recent items. The dragonfly and pin are made of polymer clay, the deer mosaic is in the floor as your going out our south door. This was an early picture of the project so I will try to update it soon. There's a picture of some beadwork I did for my jacket as well as a wreath bracelet I made last Christmas.

My current projects consist of: A beaded bracelet I'm making for a niece, 3 small stained glass projects I'm making so that I have some gifts on hand and more torso's for jewelry display.

I'm to have a booth at the local craft fair in November so I've been working on a few items for that as well. Normally, I don't like to do craft fairs but this one is the exception because I usually do fairly well with my things.

Got to get busy, still have several items on my agenda for today. Talk to you all again soon.