Anti-hate, Pro-reason

There are two major topics, about which I have recently decided to remain (mostly) silent while others argue - abortion and gay marriage.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is very much against both of these, as most everyone knows.  But I can't seem to get wholly behind that.  Here's why:

Free agency.

Do I believe that homosexuality fits in with our Heavenly Father's plans for us?  No.

Do I believe that abortion is wrong, and is a form of murder?  Yes.

I believe that life begins at conception, and that every baby has the right to a life, regardless of whether we think that life is good enough, or convenient enough to suit our tastes.  And I believe that to follow God's plan, a marriage should involve a man & a woman - and only ONE of each.  I believe that sex should be saved for marriage.

I also believe that more we follow God's word, we open ourselves up to receive the many blessings He has promised us... and I have found this to be true in my own life.  That's not to say that our lives will be a straight drive down easy-street, but it DOES get much easier to weather the storms.

So why don't I argue against gay marriage, and laws against abortion?

Because I believe in Free Agency.  I believe that, according to God's plan, we were sent to this earth with the gift of Free Agency - the ability to make our own choices, right or wrong, without being forced one way or the other.  That being the case, while I may not agree with someone's choice, I realize it is also not my place to force them to live by my beliefs. (I also realize there is a fine, fine line to walk, with that statement.  I'm not naive.)

This also means that, while I may dislike/disagree with the choices, I can still accept and befriend the people making those decisions.  I am not a homophobe, uneducated, a bigot, an ignorant redneck, or a hater.  I'm a human being.  I am a Christian, but I'm just as flawed and errant as the next person.  I'm nowhere near perfect, and I acknowledge that.  Being "good" doesn't necessarily come any easier to me, as a Christian... I have to work at it, just as much as the next person.

I guess this isn't so much a silence, as just a different argument (or lack thereof).  But I'm hoping that maybe people will start to realize that the situation isn't as black & white as the media, and the extremists want to make it.  It's just some food for thought.

P.S.  I think it goes without saying that I'm in NO way speaking for the church, or anyone else.  These are MY opinions.  Take them, or leave them.

Where Has the Time Gone?

Okay, I really let this blog slide.  Honestly, I've had a lot on my plate for the past several months.  I still do, but it's mostly under control, so here I am.

Let's see, here's some of what's happened since I last wrote:

• I finished my first 6-month session of courses with Western Governors University, with 23 credits completed!
• Best Hubby Ever's car died a miserable death, and had to be junked, so we're trying to get by with just one vehicle (and occasionally borrowing my aunt's car).
• BHE's "temporary" promotion became a permanent position!
• We're in the process of buying a home, and hopefully closing soon! ^_^
• I worked several craft fairs over the holidays, and a few of them were even successful. 
• I've spent so much time at the local library, that the librarians know who I am without asking... and they don't even bother calling me when something I've requested comes in, because they know I'll be there within a day or two. ^_^"
• We've ended up with another cat, although he's staying outdoors.  I guess I'll have to start calling them She-cat and He-cat for the purposes of this blog.

I'm sure there have been some other happenings, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.  I will try to be more consistent in updating!

65 pounds of tomatoes

That's what we've harvested from the tomato portion of our garden, so far.  We've already canned two batches of salsa.  Tomorrow, we can another two batches.  

Hooray!

(I'm so sick of seeing tomatoes. lol)

A Little Update

I've been a terrible blogger.  I can hardly believe that it's been almost a month since I've written anything.  I must say, it's been a busy month, full of many blessings. :)

I've finished 4 of my courses already!  I have one more to finish, before I add any others... but it requires two research papers, so it's going to take me a while.  Well, at least another week or two.

My partner-in-crime and I have been canning like crazy.  So far, we've done two batches of summer squash, two batches of pickled jalapenos and serranos, a batch of bread and butter pickles, green beans, and salsa.  Today, we're canning pumpkin! :)  On top of that, I've got a ton of shredded zucchini to put in the freezer.  I think we'll have plenty of zucchini bread this fall and winter!  I have to say, I'm really digging this gardening and food preservation thing.  

Because of all this, my aunt and my dad decided to give me my grandmother's pressure cooker.  After all, I'm the only one who's used it in years.  Anyway, I love it.  I'd rather have that well-used, older than I am, pressure cooker than any bright shiny new model, any day.  I guess I feel like using the same one my grandmother used keeps her spirit alive.  I feel the same way about using her old sewing machine - an old White machine, from the 50's, maybe.  They make me happy.

BHE got a temporary promotion at work.  Originally, it was for only 6 weeks, but it just got extended to 6 months! :)  That'll help us get some bills paid off, and some money in the bank.  Heavenly Father truly does look out for us.  He gives us just what we need, when we need it!  I'm so thankful!

I hope to be a more active blogger in the days to come.  For now, I'll leave you with this update! :D

Follow Up - Sears

Our new refrigerator was delivered yesterday.  The delivery men were polite, well groomed, had all the necessary tools, and they were even an hour early!  The refrigerator works properly, and there's not even a scratch on it.  Big Sandy Superstores really came through!  

On the other hand, I'm thoroughly disgusted with Sears.  After numerous phone calls, and facebook posts, they are holding onto their claim that "legally" they can't cover food loss for someone who didn't pay $300 for their so-called "protection agreement."  In other words, they've found a legal way to screw over their customers.  Oh, but they can give me a $50 gift card... to Sears.  The last representative I spoke to mentioned it again, and I  told him I have no interest in ever shopping at Sears again.

I feel like I should keep fighting, but it doesn't seem like it will do any good.  All I take away from these phone calls is a greater sense of frustration and anger.

So for now, I'm counting my blessings that we actually have a working fridge, and I'll just continue to keep warning people about Sears whenever I have the opportunity.

Back to School

It's back to school time!  It's been a while since I was actually excited about it, especially since I don't have any children, but tomorrow I start my Business Management program.

So far, it looks like I'll be off to a great start.  I've already had a couple of conversations with my mentor (basically, a college advisor that actually keeps in touch and helps her assigned students progress).  Anyway, she suggested that I go ahead and take the pre-assessments for the courses that had them.  The pre-assessments show how prepared you are, to take the final assessment.  Once you pass the final assessments, you're done with the course, regardless of how much time you've spent on it.

Judging by my scores on some of the pre-assessments, it looks like I'll be completing approximately 29 units in the first session.  The minimum requirement is 12 units.  Just to give you some perspective, I only have to complete a total of 122 units to graduate and earn my Bachelor's degree, minus the 8 units that I was able to transfer from previous college experience.

So within the first 6 months, I can potentially finish 1/4 of my degree program.  I'm feeling kinda awesome about that!  Granted, I don't expect to be able to keep up that kind of momentum.  I'm not completely unrealistic.  My overall goal is to finish in 3 years or less.  Here goes nothing! ;)

Unrelated side note:  The Sears delivery service took away the dysfunctional refrigerator today.  The check refund should be processed and mailed within 7-10 business days.  We're not thrilled with that, but we couldn't get them to budge.  As for the food loss... we still haven't gotten an answer, although the senior case manager said she'd call back.  Originally, I was planning on possibly filing a small claims case, but honestly the wind is out of my sails.  I'm just tired of dealing with it.  I will say thank you to The Consumerist for posting an article about the situation!

The Sears Refrigerator Fiasco

This is a long entry, and unfortunately it's not very fun.  But I'm hoping that by getting the word out, about my experience - which, if you look at the Sears page on Facebook, it's unfortunately all too common - maybe someone else can benefit and avoid the same headaches.

We're staying with my aunt for the time being, and her refrigerator started leaking from the ice maker/water dispenser. Friday, 7/20, she and I went to Sears to buy a Kenmore that was on sale for $849. We weren't really thrilled with it, but we were limited by budget. When we got there, they had a Samsung that was only $50 more, which we liked a LOT better. The sales rep told us that it was clearance priced because someone had ordered it and then changed their mind. He assured us that it would be treated as a new purchase, and covered by the manufacturer's warranty. We paid for it, and it was scheduled to be delivered a week later (Friday, 7/27). 

SO... the delivery guys showed up, unhooked our old fridge, and brought in the new one. First off, there is a spot about an inch around where it's been scuffed and the enamel has come off. This wasn't visible at the store, and it wasn't noted in the sales rep's paperwork. Luckily, it was on the right side, against the wall, so not REALLY a big deal. Whatever.

Then, it didn't have the compression valve for the water line, so they couldn't hook up our icemaker. Okay, we're getting a little annoyed at this point, but we've been without an icemaker for a couple of weeks already and it's a cheap part at Lowes. Still not a huge deal.

They plug it in, push it back into the little nook, and assure us that it'll be to temp in a couple of hours. They go even further, and tell us to go ahead and put our food in it because "that will make it cool down faster." We questioned that, but the guy swore that's what his boss always tells them to say, and "he's been doing this for over 13 years, so he knows what he's talking about." And then they leave. They didn't even bother to level it. In the meantime, our old (still working) fridge was hauled away.