I needs me one of those...

Experimental Hybrid Cars Get Up to 250 Mpg

University of California, Davis engineering professor Andy Frank built a plug-in hybrid from the ground up in 1972 and has since built seven others, one of which gets up to 250 mpg. They were converted from non-hybrids, including a Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Suburban.

Frank has spent $150,000 to $250,000 in research costs on each car, but believes automakers could mass-produce them by adding just $6,000 to each vehicle's price tag.

So far, DaimlerChrysler AG is the only company that has committed to building its own plug-in hybrids, quietly pledging to make up to 40 vans for U.S. companies. But Toyota Motor Corp. officials who initially frowned on people altering their cars now say they may be able to learn from them.

I hope Toyota and Honda jump on this bandwagon too. The first van that come out as a plug-in hybrid, I'm trading my Sienna in that day.

Nugget, Where are you?

Loba made it back home, but Nugget didn't. I hope he's not hurt somewhere. Pray that he is found.

Glad I live in Texas

I hope this doesn't happen here.

Because Of You

Don’t ever sell short what God can do “because of you.”

It means simply what it says: “…because of you…”
because of who you are
because of how you live
because of the way your faith affects everything you do
because of the way you carry on your life
because of the reality of Christ in your life.

That’s it. No more; but certainly, no less. Paul is suggesting that living your life with a sense of purpose that comes from your faith in God is enough to convert someone.

It occurs to me that this could be applied to all believers in relation to life in the world among people with whom we work and associate who are not believers. General rule: don’t leave the world. (Where would you go, anyway?) Stay in the world – in relationships with unbelievers – for the chance that someone may be converted “because of you.”


(1 Corinthians 7:16).

What Your Husband Wants

Affection
Approval
Appreciation

A loving, tranquil home. (no nagging)

Go home and give your husband and kiss and hug and tell your husband that you love him, you appreciate all the hard work he does.

From the book:
The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands

(from a radio program Focus on the Family)

Unusual

It's unusual...
That we have our staff meeting on Thurday
That I pay my babysitter on Thursday
That I eat dinner with my sister on Thurday

So it's not unusual that I think it's actually Friday.

I woke up this morning an hour late because last night I thought it was Friday. But as I was dreaming, Eddie told me otherwise. I jump out of bed, and immediately called my boss. I hate when that happens. It's nice that I got to sleep in, but when I get to work I feel that I've wasted my whole morning...

Oh well. Tonight is Friday Night.... Yeah.

The ? Song

On Elmo's World whatever the topic is about (ie. Birds), Elmo will sing a song about it. He says "Let's sing the Bird song". Then to the tune of Jingle Bells he sings

"Bird, Bird, Bird,"
"Bird, Bird, Bird,"
"Bird, Bird, Bird, Bird Bird"

Now with Isabel, she if we say sing the Baby Song or the Dinosaur Song or the whatever song. She'll sing using whatever word we substitue to the tune of jingle bells.

So Cute.

Back To School - Back to Sleep

I can't believe another summer is almost over. Last night we gave out school supplies to some inner city kids. Next week we are going to have our last backyard bible study with these same kids, so we're going to have a party. Most of these kids has now started attending our church, this summer was a great success.
If you've never participated in a mission project, I highly recommend it. The benefits are great. This December we are going to visit an orphanange. Isabel doesn't know it yet, but most of her stuffed animals will be donated. Not that I don't like stuffed animals, but with her allergies they do more harm than good. She'll for sure keep her Elmos. Last night was another successful night at putting Isabel to sleep. I think we are on a winning streak. I now have my sleep back.

Random Thoughts

Last Night...

Well I put Isabel and Emma in bed at 8:15 they are watching Elmo, hopefully Isabel fee asleep. I know that Emma is asleep. Just finished watching a new show from ABC family called "Beautiful People" I liked it. It will become one of my DVR events. I missed the first 30 minutes. But guess what it's showing again. Yeah!

Fastfoward to today...

Didn't finish watching the show. Isabel was calling saying that her hour long video was finished. I proceeded to get into bed with her, because she asked. I feel like Buddy the Elf, you know from the movie. We really need to get her a twin bed.
I'll look into it.

Somebody give me a gun...

I want to shoot somebody, specifically my sister. I called her this morning and asked her if she locked the gate. "No, but the latches are on, that's all that counts right?".... "Uh, no... don't you think that Loba is smart enough to get out?"

I ran by her house this morning to put the lock on the gate. The gate was wide open with no dogs in sight.

Lord, please bring them home again. I promise I'll take all precaution to see that they don't get out again. Microchiping, 15 ft fence, barbed wire, you name it I'll do it.

They're Back

Last Monday night, my sister called to tell me that my dogs had escaped from the back yard for a second time. I really didn't have the money to get them out of the shelter, assuming that the shelter would find them. I visted both shelters in Arlington and Grand Prairie to see if they were there. Then I would call everyday. I was a little concerned, but I told God that if he wanted me to get the dogs back then he was the only one who knew where they were at. He'd either have to lead me to them, lead the dog catcher to them or find them another good home. Either way I would be content in knowing that God had a plan.

Well guess what. Saturday night my sister went to her house and they were in the back yard. We still don't know how they got there. We are thinking that they found their way back home and that the neighbor might have let them in. Anyways, God is so cool. Now question becomes should I get them microchiped in case this happen again. It will cost $50 a piece. Ouch.

Hidden Talent

Your Hidden Talent

You are both very knowledgeable and creative. You tend to be full of new ideas and potential - big potential. Ideas like yours could change the world, if you build them. As long as you don't stop working on your dreams, you'll get there.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Asleep at last, Asleep at last...

For the last week I've been at battle with Isabel and her willingness to fall asleep in her bed. This has been a problem ever since we took the pacifer away from her 3 weeks ago.
Last night, she didn't even want to enter the hallway that led to her bedroom. She kicked and screamed. I finally got her to calm down and lie in her bed. I layed on the floor next to her bed and put my feet on her bed and she put her feet on top of mine.

Tonight, she said goodnight to Papa, went to the bathroom, we read 2 stories, drank some milk and went to bed. As we were walking to her room she said "Mommy, you sleep on floor, ok?" I stayed for about 5 minutes and left, with her still awake, and I haven't heard from her since. I'll check on her in the next 20 minutes. Hopefully she's knocked out.

Kate Hudson on Monogomy

Just read an article talking about Kate Hudson and her thoughts on monogomy

"I don't believe (monogamy) is realistic. But, I believe that we, as people, have the power to make it happen."
She added: "I will not disrespect my husband and stray."
"If for some reason, that's what he has to go do, I just don't want to know. As long as things are good in our house, just please, don't get caught."

Does she not worry about diseases, hepatitis and AIDS to name a few?
She is so naive. Sounds to me that she has very little faith in her husband, herself as a wife, and her marriage.

Love Triangle

Andres (my friends son who is almost 2) is in a love triangle between my two girls. Some days he chases and kisses Isabel (who is 3 months older than him). Lately he's been fascinated with Emma (my 10 month old). Yesterday they were sitting face to face kissing with their mouths open. Not just a peck either, but they would sit there for more than 5-10 seconds at a time.
It was too cute. Later Eddie asked Emma "Were you kissing Andres?"... She promptly shook her head no, denying the whole incident ever happened.

Rescue Me #1

"Rescue Me" is going to be a series of stories told to me by my husband who is a fireman for the City of Richardson. This story is very greusome, so don't read if you have a weak stomach.

The call came in around 3:30 in the morning, motorcycle accident. They still don't know exactly how it happened, maybe he fell asleep, maybe he was drunk, in any case he's dead.
White male, maybe in his 30's, can't tell because he was missing his head, and part of a leg.
Looks like the head got smushed into his body, and the top was blown off somehow. The head wasn't severed, it just wasn't there by any means.

Human Life at Stake

"I am pro-life," Frist maintained. "I believe life begins at conception. It is at this moment that the organism is complete — yes, immature — but complete. An embryo is nascent human life."
But in spite of that, he went on: "I also believe that embryonic stem-cell research should be encouraged and supported."

How can someone who agrees that life begins at conception, support embryoic stem cell research? Did he go brain dead? I'm posting a link to this article so that everyone can be aware that

"I don't think we can dare cross that ethical divide," Coburn said, "nor should we even consider crossing it, especially when what we're seeing is so much positive research being done with adult stem-cell research and cord blood stem-cell research."
Coburn, a medical doctor like Frist, asked: "Shouldn't we try everything else but embryonic stem-cell research first? That's the question we ought to be asking our selves, because if we're going to devalue embryos, what's next?"

What's next... I'll tell you what's next. They are going to want to start creating embryos just to destroy them. Cloning is what that is called.

"Adult stem-cell research offers the promise of cures," Swann said, "not the mere 'dream' Frist spoke of today. A dream of cures through embryonic stem-cell research is a nightmare for the unborn."

Please get informed on this issue. You can read the article in it's entirety by clicking on the link below.

http://www.family.org/cforum/feature/a0037397.cfm

The Battle Begins

The sound is ear-wrenching, at least above 160 decibles, (equivalent to a jet engine close up) and the bed is soaked with a river of tears.

Isabel cried for 1.5 hours last night when I put her to bed, with and without me in her room, with and without me holding her. At 10:00 I gave up and brought her to bed with me. (I'm so weak)
Then at 12:30, Emma woke up. This never happens. She might have had a tummy ache.
Eddie was kind enough to get up with her. (Thank You)
This morning I find one of our pillows in the crib. I guess he was trying to elevate her head, because he couldn't breath through her nose well. I had to remind him about the dangers of suffocation.

I hope tonight is better.

Score:
Screaming Toddler: 1
Hopeless Mom: 0

The Ultimate Measuring Stick

10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.


These are BIG shoes to fill. I've been married for 6 years and been a mother for 2 and I'm barely realizing the significance of this passage.

Bye Bye Dr. Trevino

doc·trine ( P ) (dktrn)n.
A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.

I'm in the middle of attending the "11th annual Hispanic Women's Conference" founded by Dr. Margarita Trevino. This will be my last year. See what I didn't know was that Dr. Trevino had left her church "First Baptist in Keller" and started attending a new church called "The Wisdom Center"

Reasons for not returning:
# The conference was a general assembly instead of the usual mini conferences.
# The conference for the most part was in English with translation to Spanish, instead of all Spanish.
# There were a bunch of new speakers instead the the ones of days of old.
# They had an Anglo woman doing most of the leading of worship, trying to sing in spanish but butchering it. Although they had on the program a woman how does praise and worship in both languages. (She only sang a few songs)
# No gifts bags, but a free book from the Pastor
# The whole conference basically talked about whatever the Pastor wrote in his book. When they said turn to Chapter 24, I grabbed my bible, but realized they were talking about his book.
# The doctrine of planting a seed and reaping a harvest. Specifically $35 for a dvd, $20 for an author to sign a book, and $15,000 to help pay for next years conference.

Dr. Trevino used to be a great woman of the faith. (seems like she was just playing the part)
Now she's found the Holy Spirit, planted a $1000 seed that turned into $58000, and now all is well in her world.

Questions and Comments:
1. She had the Holy Spirit, it's not His fault she wasn't joyful, and that she had Him on a shelf.
2. The love of money is the root of all evil.
3. Jesus was not rich, and those God fearing people in the bible who were used there wealth for the Lord and realized it was all his anyway (King David)
4. The amount of money you give does not show how much you love God. Obidience to His Word does.
5. I'm going to start my own conference next year.