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bekealynne
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Name: Bekea
Country: United States
State: New Jersey
Gender: Female
Interests: reading the good stuff: ethnographies, cultural musings, saramago, solzhenitsyn, george r.r. martin (thanks to dan), louis de bernieres, and children's books, just to name a few... most anything outside. autumn. attempting to write. cooking/baking. people people people. wanderlust. kenya (thanks to my beautiful african sister who has stolen a piece of my heart for all time). new jersey - the garden state. CEFC. orange just about anything except the fruit. my very loved friends, all hundreds of miles from here. dancing when no one is watching. tea. and coffee. and steamed milk. and the conversations those things often inspire. daniel dedrick.
Expertise: just about nothing - though eastern university granted me a BA in anthropology/missions, so i must have done something right there... and i do an awful lot of teaching stuff, even though i'm in no way certified in any state of the union.
my brother had a business card: jack of all trades, master of none. i think that's one of our family mottos...
Occupation: grr. let's not get into that j
Message: message me
AIM:  fourfroglegs
Member Since:
5/12/2005
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| As has been pointed out by several other posters, Xanga appears to be a pretty dead place right now. But I've decided to pop on over for a post. To be honest, chasing around Ainsley and incubating Seedling is quite demanding, and posting here just has not been a top priority. I'll get on Facebook pretty regularly because it's quick and I can do little snippets on my status or check on other people (since the majority of my friends are indeed on there, not to mention their photos)... But here, well... I like to read Jerusha's and Sarah's posts... Juli if she ever does. Anyone else? ................ No, I thought not...
Today is the first really nice day we've had in a long while, so I'm feeling very ambitious. We bought Red Currants and Raspberries today to plant somewhere around the house. Dan has really been wanting to grow both of these for some time, so he is particularly excited. We're going to watch the sun for a few days to just be sure of where we want to plant them... Oh, that's right, the precipitation is supposed to resume tomorrow. Well, we can't always win. For now they sit in pots on our porch. Not to mention I need to get some soil and whatnot to supplement our measly offerings. I've also got an inclination to wash our car, clean out the garage and clean out the baby's room (which means I need to post that desk we've got on Craigslist, for free if I'm being fair  ). We shall see what gets done. Probably not even half of it.
Don't bother asking about baby names, as even when we do finally decide on one we won't be sharing until he arrives. Be glad you can benefit from the tech's loose lips that we even know the gender... It's more than I would have liked to know. 
Aaaaand the screaming begins. Someone has arisen and is probably hankering for some food since she flat out refused to eat her PB&J, fruit cup and milk I got her when we stopped for lunch at Cosi's today. That sandwich was good, the girl didn't know what she was missing! Teething has made her a very picky eater. 
So begins the end of anything I had hoped to get done today... Alas, alas...
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| Note: Not written by me, but by a friend who has allowed many of us to use it...
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.
Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.
The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.
How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:
To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.
To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322
To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.
To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.
To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.
To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.
To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html
To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.
To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.
If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react. | | |
| Waiting for an ebay auction to end in half an hour, so I'm passing the time doing things that have little value, so I can only half pay attention to them Let's indulge...
1. Do you like blue cheese? LOVE! But I can't have it right now 
2. Have you ever drank? yup. don't we need to? I mean, water counts, right?
3. Do you own a gun? No, but Dad has quite a few
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? I never really liked Kool-Aid.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not usually, though I did a few weeks ago 
6. What do you think of hotdogs? I only like Yankee Stadium dogs (may they RIP), ones from the streets of NY, and the best ones are found here: Hot Dog Johnny's.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Those Bass-Rankin made for TV ones. I love those!
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water
9. Can you do push ups? um, no.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? my engagement ring/wedding band
11. Favorite hobby? Reading. when Ainsley's napping and I can hold a book freely.
12. Do you have A.D.D.? No
13. What's your weight? ha. not fair.
14. Middle name? Lynne
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? 29 minutes left. I hope I win. We could really use this stroller.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? milk, water, tea.
17. Current worry? Babies. And money.
18. Current hate right now? Worries. And money.
19. Favorite place to be? The Adirondacks - no, more specifically, Noon Mark Diner.
20. How did you bring in the New Year? I don't have a new tradition yet... I'll probably be asleep wherever I am.
21. Where would you like to go? British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Germany.
22. Name three people who will complete this? no one.
23. Do you own slippers? No, but I hate having things on my feet.
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? blue
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have, but I doubt I would. I love cotton.
26. Can you whistle? yup, so can Ainsley. I've been teaching her.
27. Favorite color? Orange!
28. Would you be a pirate? Perhaps a pirate who doesn't do anything
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Anything that doesn't involve farm animals.
30. Favorite Girls name? I can't tell you that right now .
31. Favorite boys name? Or that, either
32. what's in your pocket ? nothing. I only have one back pocket on these scrubs
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Ainsley in the bath.
35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? ha! Too many. I was an ER regular.
36. Do you love where you live? Ehhh, love is such a strong word...
37. How many TVs do you have in the house? one.
38. Who is your loudest friend? I'm probably the loudest friend.
39. How many dogs do you have? Ellie Mae! Wahoo!
40. Does someone have a crush on you? I certainly doubt it.
41. What is your favorite book? no. not possible.
42. What is your favorite candy? peppermint patties - me too! me too! I loooooooove them.
43. Favorite Sports Team? Yankees! Yankees! Yankees!
44. What song do you want played at your funeral? ohhh, tough. Right now, I've been thinking of Your Long Journey by Alison Krauss and Robert Plant... I love that song.
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| Have you ever been envious of yourself? We were talking about this a bit in Sunday School today - well, it came up in a really roundabout way, but anyway...
Sometimes I wonder what happened to the dreams and plans I had made for myself 15, 10, 5 and even 2 years ago. (don't worry, this won't turn soppy, I promise) There are obviously plans that we all make that never become reality, and sometimes that's probably a really good thing (ok, probably most of the time that's a really really good thing) One has been bugging me for quite some time now, and I've got to get it out.
Back in August or September, can't remember which now, some missionary friends came by our church for a visit. They work with Moffat Bible College in Kijabe, Kenya. At the time, another missionary friend who works with Haitians in NJ was teaching our women's class. She asked us, "If you could do absolutely anything in ministry, what would it be? It doesn't have to be profound..." (I think it was a ploy to try and figure out where we can plug people in, but you know, hehe) Anyway, I looked at Linda, the Kenyan missionary, and started crying. I said, "I just want to go to Kenya. I can't help it. My heart is pulled there all the time"
And it's true. It started a long long time ago, and grew very much stronger with the sisterhood I found with dear, crazy Juli. My heart belongs to that country, and I've never so much as set foot on the continent. I had hoped to go during HS or a summer between college semesters, and yet it never came to be. The door, which I constantly tried to knock down ninja style, just never opened. My best friend Kirsten had the opportunity to go, which was an incredible blessing for her and Juli, and even myself in a twisted way (but that's how the 3 of us operate anyhow). At the time I was nearly sick with envy and grief over not being with 2 girls I loved who were both in a place I wanted to visit desperately.
I even warned Dan when we started dating that I felt led to Kenya someday, and that if he wanted to continue to date me, he had to come to terms with that. He thought about it a good long while before saying ok. (As an aside, I think he would actually be incredible there, since he has the most patient, gentle and strong spirit I've seen in one person.)
So lately I've been mourning Kenya. Linda has tried to convince me that we can still make it. She and her husband had no plans for mission work of this kind - he was a pastor with a wonderful church he had led for 20+ years in Texas. Their youngest was still in high school, others were getting married. Certainly a mid-life career change. So I know that hope is not lost for me.
But I really want to go.
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| Baby Dedrick 2.0 - Affectionately known as Seedling.
That's right, folks. I got myself knocked up again, surprise!  This ultrasound was taken 2 weeks ago, when I was 9 weeks along. That means Ainsley will be a big sister on or around June 23.
For the record, yup, we were surprised... again. haha. It's exciting stuff, though it means we'll be losing our official guest room - better come use it while you can (don't worry, we still have PLENTY of space for visitors!)
And there you have it, our big and exciting news, just in time for the holidays, hehe.
love.
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