Shootings in CT

MORGAN FREEMAN ON THE SHOOTINGS YESTERDAY:

“You want to know why. This may sound cynical, but here’s why.

It’s because of the way the media reports it. Flip on the news and watch how we treat the Batman theater shooter and the Oregon mall shooter like celebrities. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are household names, but do you know the name of a single victim of Columbine? Disturbed people who would otherwise just off themselves in their basements see the news and want to top it by doing something worse, and going out in a memorable way. Why a grade school? Why children? Because he’ll be remembered as a horrible monster, instead of a sad nobody.

CNN’s article says that if the body count “holds up”, this will rank as the second deadliest shooting behind Virginia Tech, as if statistics somehow make one shooting worse than another. Then they post a video interview of third-graders for all the details of what they saw and heard while the shootings were happening. Fox News has plastered the killer’s face on all their reports for hours. Any articles or news stories yet that focus on the victims and ignore the killer’s identity? None that I’ve seen yet. Because they don’t sell. So congratulations­, sensationalist media, you’ve just lit the fire for someone to top this and knock off a day care center or a maternity ward next.

You can help by forgetting you ever read this man’s name, and remembering the name of at least one victim. You can help by donating to mental health research instead of pointing to gun control as the problem.”

I will not honor the killer.

I will do as Morgan has asked and remember the lost.

Charlotte Bacon, 02-22-06
Daniel Barden, 09-25-05
Rachel Davino, 07-17-83
Olivia Engel, 07-18-06
Josephine Gay, 12-11-05
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04-04-06
Dylan Hockley, 03-08-06
Dawn Hochsprung, 06-28-65
Madeleine F. Hsu, 07-10-06
Catherine V. Hubbard, 06-08-06

Chase Kowalski, 10-31-05

Jesse Lewis, 06-30-06
James Mattioli, 03-22-06
Grace McDonnell, 11-04-05
Anne Marie Murphy, 07-25-60
Emilie Parker, 05-12-06
Jack Pinto, 05-06-06
Noah Pozner, 11-20-06
Caroline Previdi, 09-07-06
Jessica Rekos, 05-10-06
Avielle Richman, 10-17-06
Lauren Russeau, 06-?-82
Mary Sherlach, 02-11-56
Victoria Soto, 11-04-85
Benjamin Wheeler, 09-12-06
Allison Wyatt, 07-03-06

And, this from Proverbs 31 Ministries:

Many times it’s hard to know what to do or say in times of tragedy, or how to process through the pain… Proverbs 31 Ministries has compiled these resources to help you. We’ll continue adding to it for you and are praying.

1. 4 Free Resources for Ministering in Times of Tragedy {Source: Pastors ToolBox with Rick Warren: http://pastors.com/resources-tragedy/

2. Terrorism and Other Man Made Disasters {Source: Christian Emergency Network}:http://community.christianemergencynetwork.org/emergency-directory/natural-disasters/terrorism-a-other-man-made-disasters3. Three Rules for Teaching Kids About Tragedy {Source: Focus on the Family with Juli Slattery}:http://www.focusonthefamily.com/broadcast/todays-spotlight/articles/three%20rules%20for%20teaching%20kids%20about%20tragedy.aspx

4. Evil in Connecticut {Source: Focus on the Family with Jim Daly}: http://community.focusonthefamily.com/b/jim-daly/archive/2012/12/14/evil-in-connecticut.aspx

I wasn’t sure really what to say but I felt that I should say something.

Much love to you all.

Blessings – always.

Jerry Ann

Sick

Well, I haven't been feeling well at all, and was trying to keep it at bay.  It turns out I have bronchitis, sinus infection and borderline pneumonia. Joy.  Having nothing of an immune system doesn't help.  And now, after a steroid shot (which I like a lot more than the pills - no bitter after taste, or graduating down the script), and a z-pack on the road to recovery.

I have done everything I was supposed to do.  Claritin D for the post-nasal drip. Vapor rub and breathe-right strips so I can sleep at a 90 degree angle. Rest...well, that one, not so much.  Drinking lots of water. And it gets me and hard.

So no IV therapy on Friday.  I am feeling sluggish this week anyway, I think, from doing the garage on Saturday, and was really looking forward to my medication.  It helps so very much in my day to day activity. My stamina, but not my immune system.

Ugh.

Well, rest it is...and soup.  Yes, soup.

Hope all of you are staying healthy.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Wraps

I am now addicted to these wonderful wraps.  I have to choose whole grain when possible, and whole wheat.  I am able to have tortillas and bread now, and no added sugars are so very important.  These met the criteria needed. They include whole wheat, oat bran, flax seed, and no added sugar of any kind.

I found these, and some others I have yet to try.  These rock! For only 50 CALORIES! I had one with some crunchy peanut butter, and a half of banana for breakfast/lunch today.  It was so good I wanted to share.

Okay, maybe it has been my lack of bread products lately (6 weeks), but these tasted really good.

Try them, just because I said so.  (I purchased these at Publix, and have no sponsors. My recommendation ONLY.)

Enjoy!
Jerry Ann

Prism - 6 Weeks

Today marked my six weeks accomplished (I have used that word more in the past 4 days) with continuing in the program.

You can opt out of weighing, but I decided to get on the scale.  I am 11.5 lbs lighter.  I haven't done the measurements, and need to as my clothes are much looser.  Any pound that is gone from me is one I will not miss. So I am thrilled with the results.  Almost 2 pounds a week for a loss.  Great!

I have struggled, been tempted to cheat, not continue, and just give up several times.  I have had encouraging friends and family to keep me going.  My goal is to be a healthy me.  Whatever that weight is, I know that it is much less of me now.

So, God is in control of my habits.  Trying to get a handle on letting go when I give things to God.  I am good with giving Him everything, but then take it back when He doesn't answer when I want him to, or how I want Him to answer.

So.

Another day.

Accomplished.

Blessings abound.

Love,
Jerry Ann

Garage done!

These are some of the before pictures of the garage.  The table and couch have gone to homes that will love them as much as we did.  Other items either needed to be organized or moved to another area.  Lots of it had to go find its way out the door...period.

What I thought would never happen, did today.  The garage was a clutter zone filled with everyones stuff.  All of the things that never get put away from where they came.  All of the things that should either go out the door to the charity in need, or in the trash has now been disposed.

YES!

Stephen helped me against his will, but the goal was met today.  I had been working on portions of it for about two months now.  But this afternoon a tennis ball was hung from the ceiling, and the SUV parked nicely inside.

I am feeling accomplished again. Two days in a row.

So goal met.  I still have some things that need going through, but that is for another day.

Happy December 1st.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann