"I remember asking God for someone like you. HE opened his file cabinet and took out a folder, and gave me the closest HE could find to my request. I thanked HIM!

HE said that I'll have to work hard on it though, but it has everything that I asked for. I smiled. HE smiled back.

So far, you've cared for me. You've been worried when I'm out. you've laughed at me, angry at me, and you showed how you love me like nothing in this world. And I'd like to show you how special you are in my whole lifetime."

D loves to write me love letters and give me little tokens of his affection from the first time we fell in love.

Love letters are an important part of our relationship. When Sky came into the picture, we were both sucked in the responsibilities of parenthood. And we took those little notes for granted. And along with the notes, our love seemed to fade away with it it too.

We almost gave up on us. I almost gave up on us. I'm glad I didn't and we consciously made a decision to love each other EVERY single day. Specially in times that we both seemed to be UNLOVABLE :)

In this day and age of material world that we live in. It is IMPORTANT that we VALUE what matters most. GOD. LOVE and FAMILY. Attending that Marriage Encounter weekend opened our hearts and our minds. A lot of drug addicts, street kids and criminals are fruits of "broken" or "unloving" marriages.

Attending a Marriage Encounter is not for "unhappy couples", but for good marriages. Good marriage is defined as not a "picture perfect" marriage, but a couple WHO would DO everything GOOD to make their marriage work. If you wish to attend, just email me or drop by Worldwide Marriage Encounter Philippines for information.

In This Issue:

Escondido News:
1. PTA Meeting – 10/14, 7:00 PM
2. Donut sale – 10/17, at drop off and recess.
3. Spooky Hop – 10/24, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
4. Auction Babysitting – 11/8
5. Escondido Silent Auction Party – 11/8

District News:
6. School Board Regular Meeting – 10/14

Community News:
7. Palo Alto Children's Theatre Auditions for A Christmas Carol – 10/14, 15
8. SOS Stressed Out Students: A Community-Wide Follow-up – 10/15
9. Parent Ed Presentation: From Conflict to Cooperation – 10/22
10. "Scaremeadow" Haunted House – 10/24, 25
11. Marsh Madness 10K/5K Run/Walk 2008 – 10/25
12. Sports opportunities for your child

–

1. PTA Meeting – 10/14, 7:00 PM
In the library. Includes discussion and vote on supporting Measure N, an update on Escondido Wear and an auction update.

2. Donut sale – 10/17, at drop off and recess.
This sale raises scholarship funds for the 5th grade Mt. Hermon Science Camp.  Donuts are $1.00 - a dozen for $10.00!

3. Spooky Hop – 10/24, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
Come join us for the annual Spooky Hop on October 24 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm in the MP room.  All kids and parents are welcome to join us for pizza and a dance. It's a lot of fun to get everyone together and raises funds for the 5th grade graduation.  Admission is $5.00 and includes the dance, pizza, dessert, and a drink.  Extra items are $1.00.  Come in costume, or not!  Just come for a rockin' good time.

4. Auction Babysitting – 11/8
The Escondido Auction is around the corner, so make your babysitting plans with Girl Scout Troop 60943. On November 8th the Escondido MP room will be available for babysitting care of GS Troop 60943,  who will offer a safe and fun place with games, snacks, activities, outdoor play, movies, and books. The cost for the first child is $20 and $15 for second/third sibling. Checks and cash welcomed, (checks payable to GS Troop 60943). Sign up at the Escondido front office. Registration forms also available at the auction table before/after school. Deadline for registration is November 3rd at the office, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Contact Lourdes: 650 321-5860 (hm), 415 518-6224 (cell) barajaslm@alum.calbekeley.org
Or Christy: 650 906-2050 christy.wolf@yourbrandhere.com

5. Escondido Silent Auction Party – 11/8
Our catalog is filling up with many fun items: Disco bowling, co-ed
kickboxing and beer, and a gourmet pizza party.  Thank you for all of the
awesome donations! We will continue accepting new donations all the way up
to the event.
If you haven’t already, please consider donating something -- especially hosting a party in March or April.  What about a Bollywood party complete with movie and spicy snacks, or a Tamales cooking class and dinner, or a Saint Patrick's Day party with Irish music and Irish coffee?  The options are limitless and time is of the essence!  Any ideas are welcome.  Feel free to talk about your ideas with your Silent Auction Co-Chairs, Nazy Attarzadeh (fattarza@yahoo.com / 650.949.5514) and Alicia Thesing (aliciathesing@yahoo.com / 650.278.1343).  And, of course, underwriting is always an option.  This event is the sum of many parts.  Come be a part of it!

–-

6. School Board Regular Meeting – 10/14
Tues. Oct. 14, Agenda: http://www.pausd.org/community/board/agenda.shtml

--

7. Palo Alto Children's Theatre Auditions for A Christmas Carol – 10/14, 15
3:45pm.  Age 8 - high school.  A dazzling musical retelling of one of the most touching and enduring holiday tales of all time, this version of Scrooge's magical journey is brought to life with a brilliant score by Tony Award-winner Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical) and Oscar Award-winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast).  A Christmas Carol is a delightful production that has every bit of entertainment you and yours could want for the holidays!
Auditions will consist of learning a few bars of a song and a short cold reading.  All materials will be provided - just show up with your enthusiasm!   Rehearsals are generally Tues.-Fri., 3:45-6pm.  Show performs Dec. 5-20, 2008.
Info: Palo Alto Children's Theatre, 463-4930, http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/childrenstheatre.

8. SOS Stressed Out Students: A Community-Wide Follow-up – 10/15
The Palo Alto Council of PTAs presents video highlights from the Sept. 26 SOS Keynote Event at Stanford University, featuring  Dr. Ken Ginsberg, David Elkind, Dr. Madeline Levine, and Denise Clark Pope, followed by a live discussion with other parents and educators on what we can do at home and at school to build resiliency in all our children and teenagers.
Free, open to everyone.  Live Spanish translation provided.
Wed. Oct.15, 7-9pm, Pre-event informal reception at 6:30pm.
JLS Middle School, 480 East Meadow, Palo Alto
For Childcare RSVP to carrie_manley@yahoo.com
More info at http://www.paloaltopta.org, including an order form to purchase a DVD of the complete event for only $4, including shipping.
Info:  http://www.paloaltopta.org

9. Parent Ed Presentation: From Conflict to Cooperation – 10/22
Setting limits for your children is an important part of their development and we've all had difficulties doing this at some time. A strategy of setting limits built on connection and cooperation will last throughout adolescence.  Come hear Cynthia Klein speak on the topic, talking about brain development and how we allow freedom and more negotiable limits as our children mature.  Cynthia has been teaching parents for 20 years how to develop a mutually respectful parent-child relationship so they will have a profound positive influence in their children's' lives as they mature.  www.bridges2understanding.com
Oct. 22, 7-9pm, Addison MP Room, corner of Webster and Addison, Palo Alto
Co-sponsored by Addison, Fairmeadow and El Carmelo PTAs
Spanish Translation and Child Activities free of charge
Open to all PAUSD parents

10. "Scaremeadow" Haunted House – 10/24, 25
The public is cordially invited to visit the 15th Annual Scaremeadow Haunted House at Fairmeadow Elementary School, 500 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto.
Also, Gunn Robotics Team members have designed and built a robotic haunted mansion that will be on display outside the Scaremeadow Haunted House and will be available, via silent auction, for one lucky family to display at their residence on Halloween night.
Fri. Oct. 24, 6-9pm and Sat. Oct. 25, 1-4pm. and 6-9pm.

11. Marsh Madness 10K/5K Run/Walk 2008 – 10/25
On Oct. 25, the Palo Alto Family YMCA in collaboration with the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital hosts the Second Annual Marsh Madness 10k/5k Fun Run at the Palo Alto Baylands.  Marsh Madness is an annual 10K/5K running and walking event created to raise funding and awareness to combat growing youth health problems, including poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, youth obesity, and adult-onset diabetes.
Details and registration:  http://www.marshmadnessrun.net.
Volunteer info: http://www.marshmadnessrun.net/volunteer.html
Questions: Jason Berry, jberry@ymcamidpen.org, 856-YMCA

12. Sports opportunities for your child
Sports: basketball, sailing, archery, football, lacrosse, soccer (AYSO and CYSA), swimming, and tennis. http://info.paloaltopta.org/sports

To make an announcement in the Escondido eNews or to subscribe or unsubscribe to eNews, please email Simon Firth at eNews@EscondidoSchool.org The regular distribution schedule for eNews is Sunday evening, so please send edited announcements prior to Sunday.

Place:           SanSai Japanese Grill
Address:      39 N. Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
Date:            Wedsnesday, November 5, 2008
Time:           7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Place:           Visitor’s Center at the Lindell Pavilion
Address:      5595 Grand Drive
St. Louis, MO 63112
Date:            Friday, October 24, 2008
Time:           5:00 PM

Place:           Saint Louis University Carlo Auditorium
Address:      3550 Lindell Blvd. - Tegeler Hall
St. Louis, MO  63103
Date:            Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time:           4:00 PM Reception
4:15 PM – 6:00 PM Lecture

We hope to post pictures and share some stories about the week in the days to come.

Thank you Lord for providing, guiding, and speaking truth into the lives of many students, teachers, administrators of the schools and the people at the church.

Until that happens...

Thank you Lisa and Joann for your hard work putting this event together!

Thank you Feltners, Fazekas, Tarkiewiczs, and Walkers for opening your homes and preparing food for the group!

There is a leaders meeting and training session this coming Saturday the 18th at 9am.  Please make sure to be there on time.

We look forward to sharing with and hearing from you.

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving!  I am super grateful to my girls for being my inspiration to start, and be a Modern Mama!  Motherhood is truly a creative adventure in itself.

Modern Mama needs your feedback on events and overall improvement!  Please participate in our [really very short] survey and you will win a prize!!  (okay, not everyone, but a few of you ....) 

Only the first 100 respondents will be included in the draw for some fantastic prizes:
- A Prizepack including:  A Sephora samples goody bag, a copy of The Book Of Mom and a Mally Bib!
- A one-year Modern Mama Membership for you and 4 of your fellow mama friends!  (the Modern Mama Membership is being launched Fall 2008)

The survey itself should take less than 5 minutes to complete, don't forget to include your email address (last question) if you want to win a prize!  Complete Survey Now!

Modern Mama is also looking for focus group attendees who will ultimately be eligible to participate on the advisory board (tell us what Modern Mamas in Edmonton really want!).  Email connie@modernmama.ca today if you're interested! 

Upcoming fun in the City .....  The Welcome Wagon Fall Baby Shower is on at the Marriott River Cree Resort for new and expecting parents on Sunday October 26.  Don't miss it!  (It's free!)  I will be there promoting Pregnancy Awareness Month!

Read Sherry Devlin's Missoulian spotlight. And the Indy review.

Saturday, Oct. 18: We welcome Missoula novelist David Allan Cates, for a reading and signing of his new novel, Freeman Walker (Unbridled; $25.95). 7 pm.

Read the Missoulian's feature on Freeman Walker.

This time around, Woody brought some other ideas of ways to have fun with Kasey and Maddox...escape plans. Saturday afternoon, while Matt was out getting something for lunch, Jenna had let the dogs outside to play in the backyard. After a while, she noticed Maddox at the door, fratically trying to get her attention to let him inside. She let him inside and thought briefly that it was odd for him to want to come inside while his friends were still playing in the backyard. He immediately ran to the window at the front of the house and began crying. Jenna went to see what he was looking at and why he so desperately wanted in the front lawn. To her surprise, she found Kasey and Woody prancing around the driveway!

Jenna ushered the two of them inside and went to work trying to determine how Kasey and Woody had managed to escape without Maddox. Did the doors get opened somehow? Nope. Were there holes somewhere that allowed them to wiggle free? Not that she could find. Perhaps they had jumped over the fence? No, that didn't make since either since Maddox could jump way higher than Kasey. Then, she saw something out of the corner of her eye, by the crab apple tree...a dog's face peering under the fence, into the yard, from the other side. It was the neighbor's Golden Retriever, Ceaser! It appears that Kasey and Woody had an accomplise on the outside, helping them to dig this hole and the two of them were able to wiggle underneath before the hole was big enough for Maddox to go with them.

Luckily the weekend was beautiful and we were able to take Kasey, Maddox, and Woody to the Marymoore dog park both days. They were able to run around and play in water for hours.

Woody has quickly made himself at home with us and is proving to be quite a big help for Kasey and Maddox in both the home security and early wake-up call departments. Kasey also appreciates the tag-teaming help Woody is providing for her against Maddox. It's really nice to see how much fun the three of them have together.

For more pictures, click here.

Once I realized it wasn't the apocalypse and I wasn't going to have to put on my rain coat and hack some zombies, I busted out the reading material. I just bought a bunch of candles as well as Swish: My Quest to Becomes the Gayest Person Ever, so I'm all set.

Anyone else affected by the outage?

by Rebecca Wetherbee

Oct. 9, 2008

Elon University’s college Republicans and Democrats debated last night on America’s education system, environment, economy and war in Iraq and foreign policy.  Each team was composed of four students, two from Elon’s undergraduate school and two from Elon’s law school, who explained and defended the policies of their candidates.  Chase Rumley, executive president of the student government association, moderated the event. 

The debaters’ dedication to their respective candidates was fierce and unabashed, though often their responses were reminiscent of the prolific political commercials on television this time of year—the content was driven more by criticism of the opposing candidate than by the plans and policies of their own.

The war in Iraq and the economy proved to be the most divisive topics, but consequently inspired some of the most powerful rhetoric on behalf of the debaters.  Daniel Shutt and Nick Oschner revealed their parties’ plans for handling the Iraq War. 

Oschner, a republican, promised that McCain had a plan which would ensure victory for the American people.  “We can’t make America safe by withdrawing in defeat from Iraq,” he said. 

According to Shutt, Obama’s plan is decidedly different.   “We’ve got to begin responsibly withdrawing our troops from Iraq,” he said.  “The first day that Barack Obama takes office, he will give the military a new mission: to end the war.”  As far as a timeline, “military experts tell us we can get our troops out in about 18 months,” Shutt said. 

The debaters agreed that diplomacy is an essential part of good foreign policy, and Obama plans to follow in the footsteps former presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Nixon and Reagan.  “Sit down with your friends and your enemies,” Shutt said.  “Tell them what you want and use carrots and sticks to reach your objectives.”

This idea of round table diplomacy is equally appealing to McCain who, according to Oschner, wants to start a discussion between American and Iranian diplomats. 

Daniel Jessup defended McCain’s ideas for strengthening the economy.  “We actually need to go in directly and buy the houses mortgaged and refinance that way,” he said.  “The treasury department has to buy those loans from individuals and the bank.” 

Jessup emphasized McCain’s desire to keep taxes low.  “He’s going to cut the corporate tax rate from 25 to 35 percent,” he said.

Obama, on the other hand, plans to cut the most taxes for individuals.  “The Tax Policy Center has said that Obama’s plan provides three times as much tax relief for families,” said Amanda Duberman.  “Ninety-five percent of families are going to get tax cuts.  No family or individual making more than $250,000, [will] see a raise in your taxes.  They’re going to go down.”

Jessup, however, was skeptical about Duberman’s claims.  “Senator Obama has a record of raising taxes, so now we’re supposed to believe that he’s going to cut taxes on 95 percent of Americans?  I don’t think so,” he said.  Jessup also accused Obama of defending Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac during their financial decline because his campaign was one of the main recipients of their political contributions, which Jessup says amounted to over $200 million during the course of their existence.  

Regarding the nation’s wave of foreclosures, both candidates agree that the top priority is to keep Americans in their homes. 

Summer Nettleman described McCain’s environmental policy as one which prioritizes energy independence.  Nettleman cited the Lexington Project, a brainchild of the McCain campaign which will “expand domestic oil as well as natural gas resources, by, yes, drilling.” she said.  “Drilling the outer continental shelf, because in the continental shelf alone there are 77 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.” 

Nettleman also described McCain’s competitive environmental programs such as a $300 million prize for the invention of a more effective battery for hybrid electric cars.  Additionally, if consumers purchase a zero-emission carbon vehicle, they will receive a $5000 tax credit as part of the Clean Car Challenge. 

Obama agrees that the U.S. should promote responsible production of domestic oil and natural gas.  “We want to increase natural gas production in places like Montana, North Dakota, Arkansas, Alaska,” said JC MacCallum.  However, “Obama requires that 10 percent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2012, and an increase of 25 percent by 2025,” he said. 

That is not Obama’s only long term goal—he also hopes to reduce America’s carbon emissions to 80 percent below the country’s rate in 1990 by the year 2050.  McCain has a similar, though less ambitious goal, to decrease carbon emission to 60 percent below 1990 standards.  “However, he recognizes that these things take time.” Nettleman said.  “They don’t happen over night.  You have to be realistic with how they’re actually going to work.”

When it comes to America’s education, democratic debater Sapriya Khazanie was quick to criticize the Bush administration’s act No Child Left Behind. “The problem with No Child Left Behind is that it left money behind,” she said.  “The Bush administration did not properly fund No Child Left Behind.  In an Obama/Biden administration we will create an environment where we address the issues that were not addressed in the initial drafting of the legislation.”

Obama also plans to create an American Opportunity Tax credit which would give citizens $4000 to put toward higher education. 

According to Barron Thompson, McCain believes that “everyone with an intellectual aptitude, interest and career goals should be able to attend a four-year university.”  The key to making tuition affordable is to redistribute money wasted on pork barrel spending into education.  “We need to simplify and increase higher-education tax benefits… We need to give parents and students real tax incentives,” Thompson said.  “We need to shift some of this to above-the-line tax deduction and get a dollar for dollar return on investing in education.”

Khazanie thinks tuition funds could come from yet another source—military funding for the Iraq War.  “We spend $10 billion a month in Iraq,” she said.  “That money can be reallocated to scholarships.” 

There are a number of issues surrounding education on which the candidates agree: it is essential to recruit more teachers at a higher pay-rate; the government needs to invest money in community colleges and technical institutions; and financial aid applications need to be more simple and straight-forward in order to get more people to take advantage of them.    

October 10
Parsons The New School For Design
www.parsons.newschool.edu

November 6
CREA New York
www.creaworld.org

     I had gotten away from the beast wife, I had all my things and I had began to get my independence. I had began to see clearly and I had began to plan out how I wanted to be. I done all this thinking on my own while I would go outside, quite frequently actually, with my newly acquired friends...cigarettes!

     I loved them! I felt like I had been missing out on something, but they made me feel at ease. They were a relaxing part of my day. I had built up to a pack a day. But they gave me that time to go outside and enjoy the cold weather, which I already loved, and look around and have some quiet time by myself.

     I had a house, a good job, a divorce on the way, and a vision on what I wanted. By going outside on those cold, February nights in early 2006, I felt at ease with myself, for the first time in many, many years.

     I had always been an athletic-type person. I ran a marathon, ran track and cross country and played basketball in high school. If I ever got involved in any type of athletic activity, I could hold my own and have a good time at doing it. So for me to be smoking was a ludicrous and idiotic thing for me to do, but it's what I needed at the time. For some reason it worked.

     I had slowly began to smoke at work, and then around my friends. I knew that as soon as I pulled that pack of Marlboro Milds out of my pocket, I would get shocked and questioning looks from people. They all said the same thing, and that was what the hell was I doing. Well I was enjoying life!

     My mom didn't take to kindly to it either, although surprisingly enough, she didn't give me too much shit either. Neither did my dad. But my sister? I caught hell. And I told them all the same thing, it was only a faze.

     I felt good about myself and those damn things helped me. I don't know why or what it was about them, but damn it, they were good!!

[gallery] Come dressed as an animal, fierce or friendly. The party starts at 7pm. There will be prizes and cheap drinks till 10:30. All are welcome and don't be shy!

I know everyone would like to do something different so below is a listing from the nice to the naughty.

For Pet Owners

Get your baby all dressed up and ready to go. The Capital Humane Society is holding it’s annual Halloween Pet Parade Sunday, October 26, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Easton Town Center, Town Square for more information and to register please feel free to visit

http://cahs-pets.org/get_involved/special_events.htm and feel free to look at there other services to volunteer or maybe even adopt a furry friend. There are plenty of animals out there needing homes.

To scare the crap out of yourself lol

http://www.terrorpark.com

Cooper Stadium after dark transforms into a haunted ghost ground. Yes be very afraid it is not the same ballpark you see during the day. It is the 10^th and final year and it sure to make you scream. Going on every weekend in October the stadium is located every weekend in October! Located just west of downtown on Mound St. Watch for signs to Cooper Stadium off I-70. Print of the coupon off the site and you get $2 off$ 13 dollar admission, and children under 12 can not attend, it is quite intense. I do not know how long the coupon will last so hurry.

Highball Halloween masquerade on High, http://highballhalloween.com/ is bringing the creativity back into costumes. According to the site there will be costume contests which include “Best Tag Team (for teams of 2 or more people),  Best King and Queen (Drag, that is), Best Celebrity Look-a-like and Most Artistically creative. Contestants will register at the High Ball check-in station, on the east side of the High Ball Costume Runway, the night of the event. ” fashion Designers you also will want to look into this to have your creation walking down the runway during the fashion showdown. There will be music laughter and plenty to see It will be a huge event you will not want to miss. So to participate, volunteer etc please visit the website listed above for more information.

Admission is FREE

Maybe you would rather do something spicy.

Kahoots Halloween Ball www.kahootsonline.com

4522 Kenny Rd, Columbus, OH 43220 Friday October 31st

Kahoot’s is an upscale Gentlemen’s bar offering all day and night, this Halloween night 2008, the ladies will be dressed up in your favorite costumes. There will be drink specials all night. You must be 21 and over to enter.

BOMA http://www.myspace.com/officialboma

October 30^th Trauma 2008 is coming which they describe as “Trauma is a fetish extravaganza and freak show extreme!”

The atmosphere is beautiful and will take your breath away for every event. The food is incredible, the staff is some of the coolest people you want to meet, with different theme rooms you will forget you are in Columbus and travel to different places so when they throw a theme party I am telling you now, be there.

There are rules which you will need to view go to and to purchase tickets and more information please visit http://www.evolvedbodyart.com/trauma/

The Pink Kitchen started last year, as a culinary fundraiser for breast cancer. For just P200, you'll get to sample quite a number of good food.

Well, I'm hoping to just drop by after my class at Gold's gym and see an old acquaintance. Is he still as hyper as he was before? Hahahaha... We'll see.

I do hope next time there will be a charity for Poverty and Hunger. When that kind of event comes. I'm volunteering for it.

In the meantime, you may visit www.icanserve.net for more information.

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