America has chosen a new president

Sorry, I just don't see or feel the "hope" that everyone is talking about. Instead, what I do see is "change" – as in a change in our abilities to discern right from wrong. Nowadays it's all about rights, choices, privacy and tolerance – and as promised, our new president will be leading the charge, as well as the "change" on all those fronts. And I beg to differ, Mr. President, but living in the bluest part of the bluest state, I can truly say there IS a liberal America and there IS a conservative America. Unfortunately as history has shown, it's a lot easier for the conservative to become liberal rather than the other way around. But regardless of how I feel, he is now our president. He is now my president. So whether you voted for him or not, please remember to pray for our new president.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
I Timothy 2:1-4

Below is a commentary that should prepare you for the days to come. Click on link to read entire article.

LINK: America Has Chosen a New President

Given the scale of the Democratic victory, the political landscape will be completely reshaped. The fight for the dignity and sanctity of unborn human beings has been set back by a great loss, and by the election of a President who has announced his intention to sign the Freedom of Choice Act into law. The struggle to protect marriage against its destruction by redefinition is now complicated by the election of a President who has declared his aim to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. On issue after issue, we face a longer, harder, and more protracted struggle than ever before.

Without doubt, we face hard days ahead. Realistically, we must expect to be frustrated and disappointed. We may find ourselves to be defeated and discouraged. We must keep ever in mind that it is God who raises up nations and pulls them down, and who judges both nations and rulers. We must not act or think as unbelievers, or as those who do not trust God.

Freaky Friday

Thanks to Ray for the picture above. I'm utterly speechless. So let me cut and paste something I read from another blog:

Have a safe weekend, everyone. Whether you dress up and go to a party, or stay home and read about the Reformation, take a moment to do something real. Have a meaningful conversation with an old friend, pray for the election, thank God for His blessings, help a neighbor. Then kick back and eat an entire bag of candy corn, realizing that even in the midst of pagan holidays, a sketchy economy and a divisive election, God is indeed good.

And please remember to pray for Pastor Ray, as he continues to minister to the sheep in his flock :)

Can your Craigslist do this?

Browsing Craigslist is hard work. All that clicking and back and clicking and back... And reading all those lines and lines of listings can be real tiring on the eyes. But hang on, I'm going to show you how to improve your Craigslist experience 100-fold by using a frames template!

Yes, I know frames is sooo 90's. But frames is the perfect way to navigate through CL. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Dump Internet Explorer. This only works on Firefox. LINK

Step 2: Install Greasemonkey script (while using Firefox). LINK
On the right, select "Download Greasemonkey"
A new page will load and you will click on green button "Add to Firefox"

Step 3: Quit and restart Firefox
A little monkey face will show up on the bottom to show that it is active

Step 4: Install Craigslist Greasemonkey Script. LINK
Select "upgraded script locally" A pop-out window will appear and you select "Install" button. Note: This is an updated script whereas I have an older script, so yours may not look exactly like mine. But very similar.

Step 5: Quit and restart Firefox
Go to Craigslist.org and see the difference

Step 6: Install Craigslist Image Preview. LINK
Select "Install this script" A pop-out window will appear and you select "Install" button.

Step 7: Quit and restart Firefox
Go to Craigslist.org and see the difference

To manage your scripts, in Firefox under the Tools menu, there will be a Greasemonkey menu item for you to enable or disable the script. Hopefully these instructions will work for you. If you have questions, feel free to contact me.

As shown above, this script is invaluable for apartment hunting. It's also great for those ads that you MUST see a photo, such as furniture, rugs, or clothing. I've been using this script for years now and I can't tell you how much time it's saved me – but don't hate me for waiting this long to share with you all :)

Now you too, are equipped to become a professional Craigslist stalker (like myself). Happy shopping!

9 more years...

Only nine more years of happiness... and then she turns into a teenager :(

Jaden's Red Egg Party

Last Sunday we gave up a birthday party at Chevy's just to attend Jaden's Red Egg party. Hmm, Mexican food or all-you-can-eat buffet...? Decisions, decisions... Haha. It was a no-brainer. We decided to go to the buffet because I wanted to see Grace and Owen (she was sick and didn't go). And also I wanted to see Mary (oh wait, she wasn't invited!).

In the picture above, I think that is Jaden. You see, all day, every time Jimmy passed by, he was holding a different kid. When he greeted me at the door, I looked at the kid he was holding and I was about to say, "Ya know Jim, he doesn't really look like you. Are you and Jeanie having problems...?" But before I could speak, he quickly told me that this one wasn't his. Whew!

This picture reminds me of the group photo from the Untouchables.
(Minus the vests, guns and cigars.)

Now Matt secretly wants a baby boy too, but is afraid to tell Cez.
Don't worry Matt, your secret is safe with me!

If you want to stay at a buffet for 3 hours, you need to keep the kids occupied.
We could've stayed 4 hours if those darn batteries didn't die!

Now introducing Mrs. and Mrs. Fong. Remember Yes on Prop. 8!

Jaden is looking at Will's shirt because it smells like Mongolian BBQ.

This was the best party ever! Everywhere I looked, someone was walking around taking pictures. I didn't pull out my camera until after my 3rd plate. Special thanks to staff photographer Will!

Fleet Week

Last Friday we went to Fleet Week for the first time ever. We went with the Young family (minus Al). Traffic was horrible, and Christine missed most of the show because she parked a mile away. But since I was a passenger and the only other adult, I had the luxury of drop-off service along with the kids :)

I only brought one lens, my VR 70-300mm. With the big zoom lens, you get the illusion of shooting along side of them, which is pretty cool. But being on the ground, it's quite a challenge to crank your neck up, hold the big lens still, while trying to focus on tiny objects that zip across fast. My neck was a little stiff the next day, but well worth it. Hope you like my pics.

Look what came in the mail today!

Wow, that as fast!! I haven't even received a billing statement yet.

Timeline:
Sept. 7: Apply for card
Sept. 12: Received card
Sept. 18: Finally activated card (after sitting on my desk for a week)
Sept. 22: Email from mygpsoffer.com confirming activation and stating that the Garmin will arrive in 10 weeks
Sept. 25: Used my card to charge some gas
Oct. 6: Email from Amazon with tracking number
Oct. 8: Arrival. Woohoo!

Just think, I could've gotten it even sooner if I activated it right away. You can still get yours here:

Free GPS with Discover Card

30% cashback from Ebay, Paypal and Livesearch

I blogged about this before

Thanks to Andy for the tip. As of right now (10:30 p.m on Saturday), it is 30% if you search "Cheap Wii" at Live.com

Not as good as last time's 35%, and this time the cap is $200. But now you're allowed to redeem the rebate TWELVE (12) times instead of three!!

This is a super deal for anything under $650 and the rebate is automatic after 60 days. But act fast! If it's like last time, they can pull the deal at any time (or reduce it to 10%). And then you'll be sitting there knowing you blew it.

Please revisit my previous entry for details.

Tuesday morning update: it is now 20% at 10 a.m. If history repeats itself, it will fluctuate around 15-25%, but you never know, so check live.com often.

Link: 35% cashback from Ebay, Paypal and Livesearch

Yearbook Yourself

Yes, I have absolutely nothing better to do in my life than to do this.

LINK: Yearbookyourself.com

Friday Freebie

Good until the end of the year. Perfect for your holiday photos. Click on photo to download PDF coupon.