Here's a Halloween video I made with "One True Media" composed of pictures of my silly family (and a few friends)
Enjoy!
Becky Taylor
October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween
As usual, we didn't have very many goblins show up for trick or treat at our house. I suppose it's because our neighborhood is too small, and the houses too spread out compared to some of the others in the area. We only had about twenty kids total in two and a half hours time.
I loved trick or treating as a child. The little town I grew up in was always bustling that night. I remember kicking through the leaves as I made my way through every yard. Back then, people gave out really good stuff like home made popcorn balls, full sized candy bars, and candied apples!
That, along with everything has changed. Things just aren't as much fun as they use to be. But then, maybe that's just me.
Here's a few pictures of my favorite trick-or-treaters.
(Aren't they adorable?)
Esther and Philip
And let's not forget their Mommy
Mamaw's lil Pumpkin, Baby James
Grandson Jayden and Great-Nephew, Britton
Shaina, Kayla, Jayden and James
My nephew Chad and his wife, Carrie (aka Mr. and Mrs. Amos Yoder)
My Sweet little Warrior from Day's Gone By ... Adam (about 2003)
.jpg)
May good memories of Halloween 2010 haunt you for years to come!
Becky Taylor
October 31, 2010
I loved trick or treating as a child. The little town I grew up in was always bustling that night. I remember kicking through the leaves as I made my way through every yard. Back then, people gave out really good stuff like home made popcorn balls, full sized candy bars, and candied apples!
That, along with everything has changed. Things just aren't as much fun as they use to be. But then, maybe that's just me.
Here's a few pictures of my favorite trick-or-treaters.
(Aren't they adorable?)
Esther and Philip
And let's not forget their Mommy
Mamaw's lil Pumpkin, Baby James
Grandson Jayden and Great-Nephew, Britton
Shaina, Kayla, Jayden and James
My nephew Chad and his wife, Carrie (aka Mr. and Mrs. Amos Yoder)
My Sweet little Warrior from Day's Gone By ... Adam (about 2003)
.jpg)
May good memories of Halloween 2010 haunt you for years to come!
Becky Taylor
October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tribute to Juanita
My mother passed away six years ago yesterday. Every year I try to do something special to mark the anniversary of her passing. This year I decided to edit the video slideshow we showed during her visitation and at the funeral. Here it is:
Monday, October 25, 2010
DogGone!
My dog, Jordan, is twelve years old and definitely showing the signs of old age. (Aren't we all?) He's seems to be having a little more difficulty than usual these last couple weeks.
It probably has something to do with us having company, the full moon, and the cooler weather.
The poor old guy is deaf and has bad hips. His OCD tendencies are also getting worse with age. He's a sheltie and they're known for liking to have things just "so-so". They don't deal all that well with change.
So, as I was saying ... Jordan woke me up to go outside at 2:30 this morning. At least he's still waking me up to go out, and not doing his business in the house, right?
I let him out the front door, then walked to the kitchen to get him the treat he always expects when he comes back in. It took me about 30 seconds. When I got back to the front door, I couldn't see him in the yard anywhere.
Oh brother!
I walked out onto the sidewalk to see if he'd gone around the corner. He wasn't anywhere in sight.
Then it occurred to me that I was standing out there in my pajamas, alone at 2:30 in the morning under the light of the full moon, and no one in the house knew I was even awake, much less outside.
I suppose I watch too many crime and forensics shows because all sorts of things started running through my mind.
For starters, there are coyotes in the woods surrounding our cul-de-sac. I was concerned that one could grab my poor little dog (or even me) a bit too easily.
I also realized my husband was sound asleep and would not likely hear me scream.
The boy may, or may not hear me should I scream in the midst of a grizzly demise, but chances are he'd roll over and go back to sleep anyway.
So, there I was outside in my pj's looking for my dog (who couldn't hear me calling him) in the middle of the night under a full moon, the week of Halloween no less.
Did I mention I probably watch too many crime shows?
I decided to wake my husband so he could help me look for Jordan. At least then I'd have an eye witness should a coyote (or serial killer) attack. I was on my way back to the house when I spotted Jordan's tracks in the dew on the grass. They seemed to lead to the neighbors yard.
I followed them, and sure enough there came my dog walking up the neighbor's driveway in no particular hurry. My guess is he saw their porch light on (it usually isn't) and got confused about which house he was suppose to return to.
The neighbors live down the hill from us and it's quite a jaunt for an old dog with bad hips, so who knows the real reason he was down there. I'm just glad I found him before either of us were attacked and dismembered.
It was a bit scary but I'll still go in search of my dog in the middle of the night if the need arises. I'm just thinking I'll carry a weapon from now on.
Becky Taylor
10/25/2010
Imaginary Jobs - Imaginary Money - Imaginary Right to Child Support
I filed an appeal to the decision the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) made concerning my employment status. It was rejected.
Their excuse: I didn't send it in on time.
Their suggestion: Hire an attorney and take it back to court.
Um, ok. Like it wouldn't take a couple years to work through the system, not to mention if I could afford an attorney, I wouldn't be filing for an increase in child support. Adam will be eighteen in about a year and a half, and then the child support ends anyway. I need it NOW.
Walt and I were watching a report about the economy on the news last night. They showed a room packed full of 40, 50 and 60 something year old people who have been looking for work for two years now. They have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Most of them had college degrees, many on a masters level yet there they are now,some of them teetering on the edge of homelessness.
Walt looked at me and said, "Oh, but just imagine how much they should be making with the degrees they all hold."
It was a joke, of course. If the nationwide mindset was like that of the CSEA and my ex husband, that whole room full of people would be expected to live off their imaginary incomes.
The CSEA is out of touch with reality in my opinion.
The ex? Not only is he out of touch with reality, after ten years, he's still proving to me why he's the "ex" to begin with!
I've been repenting daily for my attitude toward the system. I've been asking God to forgive me for the way I feel about the ex at the moment. It's not healthy for me.
So ... Bless 'em Lord! (And thank YOU for being my true Provider!)
Becky Taylor
10/25/2010
Their excuse: I didn't send it in on time.
Their suggestion: Hire an attorney and take it back to court.
Um, ok. Like it wouldn't take a couple years to work through the system, not to mention if I could afford an attorney, I wouldn't be filing for an increase in child support. Adam will be eighteen in about a year and a half, and then the child support ends anyway. I need it NOW.
Walt and I were watching a report about the economy on the news last night. They showed a room packed full of 40, 50 and 60 something year old people who have been looking for work for two years now. They have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Most of them had college degrees, many on a masters level yet there they are now,some of them teetering on the edge of homelessness.
Walt looked at me and said, "Oh, but just imagine how much they should be making with the degrees they all hold."
It was a joke, of course. If the nationwide mindset was like that of the CSEA and my ex husband, that whole room full of people would be expected to live off their imaginary incomes.
The CSEA is out of touch with reality in my opinion.
The ex? Not only is he out of touch with reality, after ten years, he's still proving to me why he's the "ex" to begin with!
I've been repenting daily for my attitude toward the system. I've been asking God to forgive me for the way I feel about the ex at the moment. It's not healthy for me.
So ... Bless 'em Lord! (And thank YOU for being my true Provider!)
Becky Taylor
10/25/2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Willfully Underemployed
Since June, I have been in the throes of a child support adjustment review. I originally asked for the review, since it's been what ... eight years since I've had an increase? For that matter, I've never requested any changes at all.
My bad!
Meanwhile,both mine and my husband's businesses have all but bottomed out along with about 20% of the rest of Georgia's residents. (The actual unemployment rate in Ga is around 12% which is among the highest in the nation, but that only includes those who are still drawing unemployment checks. Most of the unemployed have already exhausted their benefits.)
The original findings determined I was due more child support ... and a fair amount at that.
That didn't sit well with the ex, who filed a protest. His theory was that I didn't deserve an increase. He thought the amount of child support I receive should be based on what I am capable of making instead of what I am actually bringing in.
I've never heard of such a thing and was reasonably content the magistrate would find no reason to change the first ruling.
Wrong!
The Child Support Enforcement Agency determined that I am indeed "willfully underemployed" Translated, this means that since I have a college degree and theoretically could be working in a hospital lab, but am not, I somehow have only myself to blame for my recent financial woes.
I am absolutely blown away by this. It's downright ridiculous!
I tried to explain to them why I was unable to work in the lab for the last couple years, that being because my son has had special needs which required me to be available at a moments notice.
I told them how I'd started the coaching business in order to try to have a steady income and keep my schedule somewhat flexible at the same time.
I mentioned the fact that over the last ten months I've applied for many laboratory jobs and actually landed four interviews only to be rejected every time.
Yes, I have a college degree and laboratory experience. I am also fifty years old and haven't worked in a lab for over six years. Hospitals aren't exactly clamoring for bench techs like me. If they do happen to be hiring, they prefer someone a little "fresher" than a fifty year old grandma who hasn't peered through a microscope since Shep was a pup!
Shame on the Child Support Enforcement people! Double shame on my son's father! I've not caused one moments trouble with them, yet when I ask for something I rightfully deserve I am slapped in the face with a label such as "Willfully Underemployed?"
Until this happened I've often defended the CSEA. I always thought their bum rap came from lazy, good for nothing mothers whose only desire in life was to get "even" with their ex's and make them miserable ... then were disappointed when a "fair" ruling was made in favor of the fathers.
That mindset is definitely history. They are every bit as pious and uncaring as all the rumors would indicate.
"Willfully Underemployed" Yeah, sure ... me and about four hundred thousand other people in the state of Georgia!
Sleep well tonight, CSEA! (And may the bird of paradise fly up your nose!)
My bad!
Meanwhile,both mine and my husband's businesses have all but bottomed out along with about 20% of the rest of Georgia's residents. (The actual unemployment rate in Ga is around 12% which is among the highest in the nation, but that only includes those who are still drawing unemployment checks. Most of the unemployed have already exhausted their benefits.)
The original findings determined I was due more child support ... and a fair amount at that.
That didn't sit well with the ex, who filed a protest. His theory was that I didn't deserve an increase. He thought the amount of child support I receive should be based on what I am capable of making instead of what I am actually bringing in.
I've never heard of such a thing and was reasonably content the magistrate would find no reason to change the first ruling.
Wrong!
The Child Support Enforcement Agency determined that I am indeed "willfully underemployed" Translated, this means that since I have a college degree and theoretically could be working in a hospital lab, but am not, I somehow have only myself to blame for my recent financial woes.
I am absolutely blown away by this. It's downright ridiculous!
I tried to explain to them why I was unable to work in the lab for the last couple years, that being because my son has had special needs which required me to be available at a moments notice.
I told them how I'd started the coaching business in order to try to have a steady income and keep my schedule somewhat flexible at the same time.
I mentioned the fact that over the last ten months I've applied for many laboratory jobs and actually landed four interviews only to be rejected every time.
Yes, I have a college degree and laboratory experience. I am also fifty years old and haven't worked in a lab for over six years. Hospitals aren't exactly clamoring for bench techs like me. If they do happen to be hiring, they prefer someone a little "fresher" than a fifty year old grandma who hasn't peered through a microscope since Shep was a pup!
Shame on the Child Support Enforcement people! Double shame on my son's father! I've not caused one moments trouble with them, yet when I ask for something I rightfully deserve I am slapped in the face with a label such as "Willfully Underemployed?"
Until this happened I've often defended the CSEA. I always thought their bum rap came from lazy, good for nothing mothers whose only desire in life was to get "even" with their ex's and make them miserable ... then were disappointed when a "fair" ruling was made in favor of the fathers.
That mindset is definitely history. They are every bit as pious and uncaring as all the rumors would indicate.
"Willfully Underemployed" Yeah, sure ... me and about four hundred thousand other people in the state of Georgia!
Sleep well tonight, CSEA! (And may the bird of paradise fly up your nose!)
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