What is the difference between me and a muslim?

EVERYTHING!

These women are taught that anyone outside of Islam should die and that they will merit blessing if they or their children kill and die while murdering infidels.

I am not a muslim.

I am a God-fearing American woman that loves the Torah.

Just because I wear a scarf on my head, doesn't make me a muslim. I am angered by the ignorance of people in America. Wake up America. Know thy ENEMY! This country was founded by God Fearing Men and Women. The women covered their hair. This isn't anything new.

But muslims are not God fearing. They are an ignorant nation that are fueled by their mullahs and hate. They are brainwashed from birth to kill and hate. We should pray for education for their children so that they will break the cycle of hatred and pain.

 

There are even groups of Christians today that say that based on Paul's letters women should cover their heads. 

Learn the difference people.

   

There is a big difference between muslims and everyone else in the world. They want Jews, Christians and everyone in between dead. 

POSTSCRIPT: This is just my venting. Don't take it personally. This is my response to ignorance so I don't let it get to me. After I post I let it go. Arrrgghhh...

How-To

Day 4

http://www.scrollpublishing.com/store/head-covering-history.html

(I thought this site was interesting...)

 

I wasn't feeling great today and when I took my medicine to help with the pain, I got terribly sleepy. So in spite of that, I had a good day. 

I had my Toastmaster's meeting today and even gave a speech! I have missed about 4 meetings and in Toastmaster time, that's a long time. The presentation went over well. It was my first time to cover my head and give a speech. I have minutes of trepidation, but they pass as far as what people might think or say... Prayer time this morning was wonderful. Zee came in and was listening to my prayer. He said, Eema, you used to wake up and do Yoga early in the morning and now you Pray. Prayer is better. It's strange how one day I have great Torah study and have a struggle to pray and another day I'll have great prayer and struggle to study. I guess as long as I keep trying they'll mesh. :-)

Day 3

Yes, I took another picture while in my cubicle during my break. Silly yes, but I just want to show that you can have fun with Frum Fashion.

I was reading Mishle (Proverbs) 16:3 Turn your deeds to HaShem and your thoughts will be set aright. It doesn't say that we would be set aright and then our deeds would be towards HaShem. It's also like pretending to be happy. This is actually a very wise teaching. If you pretend to be Happy, guess what? You will end up actually BEING happy. Dressing like this keeps me on my toes. I think twice before I say things unworthy of my Father. Shouldn't I do this regardless of what I wear? Yes, but I kid you not... people expect me to be better. I expect me to be better. I still have to work on reminding myself about prayer. I've caught myself midbite. It's better than forgetting altogether. It's a discipline. Boundaries are good. Look at children without boundaries. They are wild and without peace. Same with this child. When I forget who I am, it's easy to be like everyone else. When I stand for something BIGGER, I act on my best behavior. Don't believe me, try it!

Day 2

Today was a good day, but I was tired. That makes me a bit more sensitive. So honestly I felt pretty weird today. There was some doubt niggling at me. I didn't give in, but it was a challenge. Hopefully with more sleep and a shorter day, I'll be in a stronger frame of mind. It's easy to obey when things are going well, it's even easier to get lazy and blame it on the world around you.

I could post and say for HaShem's sake that today was a splendid adventure in obedience, which it was, however I want to be honest in the event that you are struggling with the same thing. My day went by smoothly, but it was a challenge to stay focused and excited about this today.

Tomorrow I face the second facet of the challenge of modesty. Being in a leadership role. I was elected as club president for this term for Toastmasters and I have my first executive meeting tomorrow at lunch. I won't be acting president until July 1st, but this will be the first time I will see my fellow Toastmasters and I will be learning my role as president in the coming weeks. They won't say anything hurtful, but I'm going to need strength to face my peers.

As an only child with a cleft palate, all I wanted to do was blend in. But it never worked that way. So then I tried being in the spotlight. That felt a lot more fun, but I would always be exhausted and then have to deal with the over analysis afterward. I don't worry so much anymore, but it does take extra effort that my flesh would rather avoid. It's easy to try and look like everyone else and to speak like everyone else and to do what others do. It's not easy to go against the flow.

This is not a truly difficult thing. I'm not in a burn unit after a major skin graft and struggling with my new face and neck. I'm not a mother with 20 children struggling to keep my children fed. I'm not homeless and hoping my family will find a safe place to sleep. So, keeping in perspective, this simple act is not a big deal. It is where I am. It is where He wants me to be.

Modesty in a Crazy World... Day 1

Well, my first day to work in modest dress was not as scary as I thought it might be. The skirt and modest blouse has been an easy transition. I've been doing that for about 2 weeks, but the head covering was a different thing. In a bigger town, this wouldn't have even been an issue.

My manager was understanding and was accommodating. My friend Kathy understood completely. I had friendly looks. No one really asked any pointed questions. One of my team mates asked how I tied the scarf. She asked if it had to be really tight to stay on. I told her it was not tight at all.

I'm looking forward to putting together another Tznius outfit (The Hebrew word for modest).

I was able to pray a lot and even had a chance to study the Parsha (Chukat) for the first time in a long time. It was a good day. I am looking forward to finding more time for prayer and study and to see the Creator continue to do amazing things.

My New Chapter

OK. Well I always keep things interesting. At least I know I keep my family on their toes. I have spent the past few years ignoring something very important. Simply because it was too painful. But now that I am in a place where I can think a bit more and try to deal with the pain. I'm sure we've all had times of doubt and times when it's just easy to ignore the big Elephant in the room. You can get through the days without much introspection. Well this big Elephant has made a big pile of poop and I have to do some major spring cleaning.

As you can see with these pictures, the world doesn't care about much any more. What they think is clothing with purpose and thought is really a reflection of their soul. What a sad picture we are as humans.

 

 It wasn't very long ago when men and women both took their modesty seriously. When Adam and Eve realized they were naked, our Creator's answer was to provide clothing. He wanted to cover our nakedness. For generations the ones that acknowledged a higher power took this simple every day action very seriously. Once children were allowed to rebel and were saved from consequences of their actions, their desire to cover themselves in honor to their Creator died. I'm not saying that people who do this are less hungry to serve their Maker than others that do, I'm simply stating that the ignorance is evident. People dress for comfort now. This is their main focus. "I want to be comfortable". I can understand this.

I am sharing this post to explain why I am making a change in my life. My action to worship my Creator will upset those around me. I love my family and only want to at least say, these are my actions in honor to God. Nothing more and nothing less. What I am doing is not for comfort. It's not for my husband. It is not for organized religion. I'm not Jewish nor do I have plans to convert. I do believe that my Creator has given specific instructions for a happy life. It doesn't take much to infer that God wants women to be women and men to be men. My life is as unorthodox as any I can imagine, but I can still take steps be more sensitive to God's voice. I know that my beliefs don't mesh with my extended family's, but I still love my family.

  

These women are from four very recognizable religions. Are they trying to flaunt their holiness? No. They are trying to cover the blessing of their beautiful body fearfully and wonderfully made, it is not something to take lightly. They aren't fanatics. There is a time to be naked and a time to be clothed. I choose to embrace modesty in this way. I see androgynous people all the time. I can't tell whether they are men or women. There are no rules any more. I believe that we should cover our heads in honor to God when we pray. I think it is a physical sign of our spiritual covering. It's not a ritual. It's a tangible sign for an invisible communication. I have been ignoring my spirit for far too long so that I can be comfortable around the places I have to go. Even when I was confused about where I stood, God was always there. He never left. I know that I will upset my family by doing physical things to walk the path God has set for me. I don't think that doing these things will make me holier or somehow get my brownie points. I have never believed this. I do believe that by obeying my Father in Heaven I am acting as an obedient child. Nothing more and nothing less. I can not expect my children to obey me, if I am not willing to do the same. I know that thought without actions is dead. Your words mean nothing if they are not followed up with actions. Boundaries are good. They keep wild dogs from entering a home and keep food on a plate. I'm not in bondage to an ancient God. This is not cafeteria. I can't pick and choose what I will do in obedience to my Father. But He knows if I'm just not able to eat lima beans without gagging. He loves me anyway. I dropped the trash when He asked me to take it out. But I'm going back and picking up the remaining garbage on the ground and cleaning up my mess. In embracing this lifestyle, I am keeping my thoughts constantly on my Maker. Instead of pretending I don't hear Him because His commandments are not popular, I am publicly stating that I am different. People stare anyway. I have a cleft palate. Now they have something else to obsess about.

I have been dealing with this "out of the matrix" experience since 1996. It's not going be easy nor will it be the latest fad. I welcome questions and look forward to this new page in my life.

2006

Did you know?

Did you know that Tzipi wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up? I learned that yesterday. I know it will change, but I think it is really cool. Watching kids decide their interests combined with a career and viola! 

We went to Wal-mart and in order to keep the gimmes at be, the phone camera is my best friend. They dreamed of birthdays and Hanukkah. :-)
Zee was thrilled because the Toy Makers put Zee's 2 favorite things together. Hot wheels and Toy Story. Way cute. Look at those eyes!!!

Well, I just wanted to post these two pictures. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Trip to Grandma and Grandpa's House

  Here's Tzipi asking... are we there yet?

Here's Zee wishing he was out of the car. 

Here's my Mom holding her attack duck. Ducks are mean when they are boys without girlfriends. Gotta get them girls! 

The kids playing in the wading pool.

  The most spoiled  loved chicken in the world.(Yes, she's in the kitchen.)

This was my favorite thing to do. Hold Chickens. This was a tiny chicken, so it made it even better.

Tzipi was getting sniffed by Buddy. If she hadn't wiggled away, he would have nibbled some hair. (What she doesn't know won't hurt her)

Zee is playing target practice with Grampa with a bee bee pistol.

It was really cool to watch the animals go for shelter, just minutes before a storm hit. Dad had to extinguish the fire before it started raining. So much for smores this night.

I love this picture. This bottle has a hole in it that Zee shot with the beebee gun. The goats are interested in everything we do, can you tell?

Dad's goats think that they are dogs. Biggest dogs with dangerous horns. They are tons of fun though. 

We napped and rested and just played with animals. It was very restful. If I hadn't caught Tzipi's cold, it would have been perfect. I came home and slept all day. Driving back home was really tough. I was so tired. Thank goodness for Dayquil or I wouldn't have made it to work this afternoon.

I went to the doctor yet again. This time it was my annual. I wish all doctors were like Dr. Merki. He is patient and quiet and listens very well. He seems to really care. He gave me different medicine and suggested we try Physical Therapy in a couple weeks. It's gonna be a while before I can see the Neurologist and other specialist that I can't spell.  So we'll see.

I know I didn't write a bunch. I just really wanted to post the pictures before I fell asleep. Thanks Mom and Dad for such a nice time. I love you both!

A much needed vacation...

  

I may not blog much for this coming week. I'll be too busy doing something different. Playing with chickens, nuzzling goats, avoiding guard ducks, and whatever else I can find to do at my parent's farm. Napping sounds good. After lunch schedule: Nap.  The kids are totally ready to spend some time with my parents. I'm ready to be away from work for a while. 

Avi will be at home with Bunny and he will be working. 

I go back to the doctor this Thursday for the blood test results. Then on the 3rd I go back to the doctor for my annual. Thank God for insurance or I'd be freaking out with all of these bills I'd be making. Maybe I can ask the doctor for a better pain medicine. The one he gave me doesn't work at all.

And I know Tzipi will want me to push her in the swing at Grandma's house for hours. That's her favorite thing.

(Yes..I know her arms are in the wrong place in this car seat.)

Grandma and I are looking forward to being together, cooking together, hugging the kids together, napping together, playing with our fancy phones together, and talking for hours about Stampin' Up and other things.

I know Grandpa is excited, but I'm not sure what he has planned. I haven't talked to him much since he's been out of town. It's his Birthday on Friday so I figure he's excited about having his kids around him on his special day.

The two pictures of the kids are from our last trip to my parent's house. The kids grow fast!

Not asleep at 3 am

 

I should be asleep. Tzipi and Avi are. (Zee's at a slumber party, so I'm not sure he's sleeping.) 

No fair. 

Thankfully it is Saturday so I can rest, but I have a bunch of things I need to do. 

In case you were wondering, I've not been well the past few weeks. Ever since I got the shingles, I guess. So I went to the doctor and am waiting on lab tests. After we see what interesting things my blood says, we'll check out several options, MRI, nerve tests, and whatever else they suggest. The doctor gave me some pain medicine just to get me through the week. 

I'm grateful that my job isn't physically demanding. I'm grateful I have so many praying friends and family members. I'm grateful I'm not alone. I'm grateful I have internet. I'm grateful I have insurance. I'm grateful I have transportation and fuel. I'm grateful I live in America. And finally, I'm grateful that this too shall pass.

I'll keep posting and let you know when I know something.

I think I'll eat something and try to go back to sleep. 

Children

Leelee came over and took some pictures yesterday. I love them! Zee and Tzipi are growing so much. This summer is going to be so much fun. Just had to post my favorite picture.

I'd rather blog...

 

This is what I should be doing. I would love for my house to be clean.

I don't really believe that a clean house is a sign of a wasted life, but I do think that there are better things, more important things than a clean house. A fully cuddled daughter. A happy well-adjusted son. A happy hubby. A well rested mom. I will rest and have a bit of fun, and then I will do all the necessary things to get the house in order. That's my thought for today.

Zee's Presentation

 

I so wish I could be a fly on the wall in Zee's class tomorrow. It sounds like they had a conversation today about Horny Toads and Mrs. Trevino could see that the kids' curiosity was peaked. So she asked Zee to give a presentation on horned lizards tomorrow (Friday the 14th of May). I helped him get his work together with pictures and he even came up with a word search game for his class. He's so excited and it's contagious. It's like each time I prepare for a presentation at Toastmasters, only it's his schoolmates that he will be presenting to. It's a bit different when we present to our peers as opposed to our friends and family. I'm very proud of him! I haven't even a clue when he might be asked to give his presentation, so I can't plan to take my lunch to see it. I don't want to freak him out or make him nervous, so I'll just imagine how great and awesome he'll be!

Tzipi can RIDE!

 

This picture doesn't show it, but Tzipi learned how to ride without training wheels yesterday! She totally got it, problem is, she goes 100 miles an hour! I'm freaking out so I can't take a decent picture, but she rode while Hester was here, so she can vouch for me!

It kind of freaks me out, though cuz she is so little. Part of me is so excited and part of me is like, WHAT?! I CAN'T LOOK! AAAHHHHhhh. To stop, she just falls off. I know practice makes perfect, but makes mom a nervous wreck.

Oh and Dad? Your Grandbaby got to wear her swimming suit to school and wanted to take a bath in it, and sleep in it. Thanks for the fish genes. It's your fault. (Just kidding, I love it!)

Ok, gotta get ready for work. It's gonna be a great day or ELSE! :-)

This is my brain... after work.

Who is more excited, ME or Tzipi?

I know her birthday isn't for 8 months, but she's finally at the age where I can give her a big birthday party and with BARBIE! If you were at Zee's last birthday, you'd think I've been doing big birthdays for years, but Zee didn't get a real party until he turned 5. I went all out in Wyoming, but he was a baby and was quite overwhelmed. So we mainly had nice dinners and gave him 1 present. It was after he turned 5 that I started going with the traditional party. So Tzipi will turn 5 this year and I've been really excited about this party. 

 

I spent hours playing Barbie as an only child. I had the whole nine yards. But I can already tell it's going to be a bit more challenging than it was when I was little. Have you noticed that it's not about the clothes anymore? When you go to the store the clothes selection is relegated to a tiny portion and the rest is based on movies and toys for Barbie. You don't have different outfits to mix and match and if you do they are slutty clothes. Back in the 1950s they had real working zippers and tiny buttons! I had some of the outfits. I can tell already that I'm going to be sewing a lot of clothes in the next few years. I even went to Ebay and they don't have a great selection. I had an old Barbie catalog from an antique store and I used to sit and dream of what Barbie used to be. Ken had a rifle that was made from steel and wood! Not plastic. My mom spent her creativity making a very specific wardrobe for her dolls and hand made furniture. I loved her handmade stuff a lot more than the pink plastic stuff. Mainly because life isn't pink. Why does everything have to be pink? I am kind of realistic. I want a white fridge and stove, so my Barbie should have white too. Or heck, stainless steel! Tzipi probably won't care.

I loved playing 'a day in the life'... Sleeping, getting dressed, cooking, shopping, visiting friends. My friend Kelly and I even had a funeral for one of my dolls that got crushed during one of my many "rearrange the room and tell mom it's clean" expeditions. I had a bunch of chairs organized and we had a shoe box casket and eulogies! It was tons of sad fun. (I really was sad, because she was an integral part of my Barbie family system). I had an African American family, a Caucasian family and an older couple that had teenagers. The Disney Barbie set made Ken and Barbie look older. It was very much like a soap opera before I knew what soap operas were. I was very serious about my Barbie world. My mom was a grown up and enjoyed the quiet calm of dressing and styling her doll. I was much more into communication and role playing. I didn't understand how difficult it is to use your imagination when you are tired and want nothing more than quiet time with your daughter. Then your daughter says, You don't play Barbies right. Sorry Mom, I get it now. 

I'm looking forward to the party, but I'm looking forward to sitting down with Tzipi and dressing and combing and cooking and listening to her imagination. I'll probably play it wrong too. :-)

Happy Mother's Day. Thanks for being a great Mom and taking the time to play with me. I love you!

Life...

 

I understand why my babies wanted to rescue this baby, but it's kind of like a dog. If we got one, I know I would be the one to walk it, groom it, feed it etc... 

Yesterday was such a good day. She ate, she danced around. I even heard her chirp. Then I wake up and she doesn't look good at all. 

My heart aches. If God goes through this with every creature on this planet, how does He keep from crying all the time? He knows what is going to happen. I don't. I have to trust that whatever happen is for the best, but it doesn't make it easier. It was fun last night when she was trying. It's like she's given up today. I didn't want this. I knew it would hurt like this.

It's been a rough week on many levels. I'll be glad when it's back to the normal boring routine.

What part of Illegal don't we understand?

I can't talk about this on Face Book because I have some liberal friends/family, and I just don't want to hear the rhetoric. But I just need to vent. I understand that this is a nation of immigrants, but just like not recycling, we can't live this unsustainable lifestyle forever. Eventually it will hit a peak and we won't be able to maintain this. We are all hurting, and the source is people BREAKING the law. Yes, they have a horrible country that doesn't provide well for its citizens, but we can't take care of everyone. We must care for ourselves. Israel has a very stiff immigration policy. People may want to move over there, but unless you can prove that you will be an asset, they won't allow you to move. They have their own battle with illegal immigration with Arabs.

Anyone can come to US and get medical care. Who pays for this? The American citizen. With a Democratic president in office, we are paying for more and getting less. I feel bad for the Mexican plight, but I also know my children are getting less of an education because we are paying more for ESL classes and GED classes for their parents. I understand that it's complicated because they have generations of family here and they want to be together. Why don't they want to go back to their country and make it better? Why haven't they used what we've given them to improve on Mexico? They are short sighted.

I think it is hilarious that there are people boycotting Arizona tea when it's made in Brooklyn New York. How funny is that?!


I'm not looking forward to the backlash nor am I looking forward to the potential war this may bring. But just like losing our planet to a pile of trash that never biodegrades, having millions upon millions of people that don't belong in this country via LEGAL channels has to eventually END.

The liberal argument is that they are human and they deserve the same life we afford. I agree. They need to go through the legal channels like any other immigrant. The summary to my rant: Immigrate LEGALLY! Obey the laws of the land!

Gorgeous Pretty Beauty Nail Salon

Rated PG 13. (Some cussing and violence) But very funny. Has nothing really to do with nails, but it's cute. 

Hester called me at about 4 o'clock and asked what I was up to. I told her I was doing nothing and enjoying every minute. She said she was going to get a manicure and thought I might enjoy coming along. Tzipi couldn't be left behind, so she came with us. The only other time I have been to get my nails done was with Mitzi, so this was my first time at an Asian run and managed nail salon. It was an experience to say the least.

The second video is more like what I experienced. Wait for a couple of minutes, and then she gets to the nail part. Thanks Hester for the spontaneity!