SandyMiller's Blog

With Halloween right around the corner, I was wondering what  everyone thinks of the law forbidding convicted sex offenders of participating in  Halloween activities?? They must stay indoors, with lights off and apparently post warning signs? Good idea or not? Are we protecting our children or violating the rights of the offenders? 

I've heard  moms talking about Sara Palin, V.P nominee, and  they don't know how she can focus on such an important job as Vice President of the U.S. when she needs to help a pregnant  teenage daughter and  care for an infant with Down's syndrome.  I think the republican party thought by nominating Palin... they would gain those Hillary Clinton supporters/women voters.  But, women are the ones I'm hearing complain. What are you hearing?? 

Okay, this probably seems strange to some of you... but I'm interested in finding  a duck hunting lease in Missouri.  Is this even possible? Not a big Duck Club or anything like that.  My  son loves to hunt... and property to hunt on  is getting tougher and tougher to find.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!! Future Mom of the Year. LOL.

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This happens all the time and it's soooo frustrating!! 

I'm doing some remodeling in my home and was looking at a few websites to see what my options are to replace my stair-rails with wrought iron. So, when I received an e-mail with "stairrail" in the subject line, I opened it thinking a company was sending me information.  What I found was a sexually explicit e-mail, complete with filthy language, pictures and who knows what... IF I  had clicked on the link.  First of all, who are these people who send the e-mails?  Why do they "trick" you into opening the nasty messages  by putting things like stair rail in the subject line, and what in the heck do they get out of it???  I  have all kinds of filters  but they still make it through. I can guarantee I've never been on a website that would put me on some kind of  mailing list to receive these... or they could just put "nasty filthy sexual trash" in the subject line, instead of trying to trick me into opening the e-mail!   We just did a story on a young boy who googled pokemon and ended up on one of these sites... ITS RIDICULOUS!   Laws? Regulations? Monitoring? Hello????

"The idea of girls administering a vicious beating so they can post the video online may seem shocking, but it's becoming an increasingly common scenario, according to experts and news reports".  (This statement from a Google News article.)

Are you kidding me?? What is this world coming to?  Let's talk about it.  Is it not enough discipline when these kids are young?   Not enough parental involvement ? (do you know what the text messges say on your kid's phones, do you have their password to check myspace accounts, do you know who they hang out with).  Maybe we should allow more discipline in schools  ( I remember getting a swat for talking in class... that's right talking! (Not doing drugs or  fighting in school)  Did things go hill when moms went to work and didn't stay home with the kids?  Somewhere, somehow...  SOME  kids are not learning the difference between right and wrong!  They're not afraid of getting in trouble.  They're not afraid of the wrath of parents, the law or God.  

 

It's March... Spring is in the air... Love is in the air... and at my house, a crazy bird is in the air.   I live in an atrium ranch home, so there is a wall of windows off of the living room. There is a robin that keeps hurling itself at my windows. I feel terrible, I know it's hurting itself... not to mention the big mess it's leaving on my wood deck.   So, I taped ribbons on the windows to try and scare it away. That only worked for a couple of days. Help!! Anyone have any ideas of what I can do to help this poor bird??

You know it's tough to keep up with what's "in" and what's not as far as women's health and beauty.  Well,  I've done my homework (with some help from friends) and I thought I'd share :

Fall 2007- Put away the bronzers and lip gloss.  This fall , "Glam" is back.  Smokey eyes are all the rage. Look for dark blues and  smokey grays to really give you the "sultry" look.  If you're doing the "big eye" thing... then stay neutral on the lips. But... ruby red lips ARE  back!  (especially for the young ladies)   If you're going bright on the lips, then compliment it with a neutral all-over lid color and a little mascara. The key... don't focus on both the eyes and the lips at the same time, its one or the other.  White-tipped nails... GONE!   Rich red polish will "nail" your fall look.

Next Question (for me): Does permanent hair removal really work? Ahhh, to never have to shave your legs or underarms again!!!  If anyone's had it... let me know!

Anyone out there with any thoughts or questions? I'm getting quite the group of "experts" to call on that seem to really know their stuff!!

It's day 3 of the teacher's strike in Cahokia... forcing the school football team to forfeit Friday's game against Carbondale.  The team is undefeated at 4-0... this will put them at 4-1 (which is a huge deal for these guys).   I don't know the rules...  but it seems to me the game could  be rescheduled for a later date so they don't have to take the loss.   Don't get me wrong... I admire teachers and believe they're  not paid nearly enough for what they do, each and every day,  for our kids... our future!  I also know how hard the boys work and wish there was a way they didn't have to "take a hit".

The Fox 2 News Edge debuts this Sunday at 10 p.m. It will follow Fox 2 News at 9.  I'm excited about being part of the team bringing this new format to St. Louis viewers. It's another option at 10 p.m.  and the look and feel is very different. Check it out and let me know what you think!

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted last week in a case involving illegal interstate dog fighting. My son is a high school quarterback, and Vick is one of the NFL players he has always admired...until now, because I will no longer allow it. Vick has a rare combination of speed, elusiveness, field awareness and passing ability. He apparently also has a rare combination of cruelty and a lack of common sense. On Monday NFL commissioner Roger Goodell intervened and ordered Vick to stay away from training camp until the league completed its review of the case. The wheels of justice grind slowly, and the case might not be deposed until after the football season. What should be his fate?

I found a great new website!   It's www.shakadoo.com    It's all about your shak (home) tips for decorating, gardening, electronics... everything! Check it out and let me know what you think.  

A question for you... how do you feel about  a "suicide watch" for people in jail charged with murder?

Christopher Vaughn, the man orignally from St. Charles, charged with killing his wife and three children was just extradited back to Illinois where the crime took place.  His attorney says he will plead "not guilty". Prosecutors say he did it. He's been put on suicide watch so he doesn't take his own life while imprisoned.  I've heard people say that's a good thing and others say, "let him do it, it'll save the taxpayers a lot of money if his case doesn't go to trial."   Thoughts anyone?

Vacation time next week, yea!!!   I've decided to do a little camping and float trip.  I've floated the Current, Jack's Fork, Meremec and Huzzah... I'm looking for a good "new" float that's still fairly close... any ideas??

I've received several e-mails asking my thoughts on poor Miss USA falling on her tush during las week's Miss Universe Pageant. (I competed in the Miss USA pageant years & years ago). Here's the deal... they give you a donated swimsuit (that doesn't fit well) it's held in place with firm grip (someone sprays it on you bum and you stick your swimsuit in place) then they give you donated shoes (not broken in yet and usually extremely high heels) then ask you to walk on the slick flooring on the stage and up and down stairs (without looking down because you need to maintain eye contact with the judges).  It's amazing to me someone hasn't broken their neck!  Miss USA did what you're told to do by pageant officials... if you fall, just get up like nothing happend and keep smiling!!  It was a "graceful" fall and she still looked beautiful!  

Only two weeks of school left and I feel like my kids are "checking out"!  Honestly, I think  I am too. Parents need that summer break as much (or more) than the students.  So, how do you keep them focused for that last couple of weeks? 

And, as long as I'm at it... why is that girls seem to do much better in school than boys??  In my opinion, girls are much better at organization, taking notes, fine motor skills, and listening.  Boys... need more "hands-on", projects to use large motor skills,  and activities rather than lecturing and note taking.  Is the classroom set-up for girls? What are the boys to do??