On the Third Day of Christmas-Ted Yoder "Little Drummer Boy"

From now until Christmas day, I will be posting some sort of Christmas related post for the 12 Days of Christmas.  On the Third Day of Christmas, I present Ted Yoder performing The Little Drummer Boy on the hammered dulcimer.  I fell in love with the sound of the hammered dulcimer from listening to the music of Rich Mullins who featured the instrument in many of his songs.

 

cureLauncher.com

It is probably safe to say that all of us, in some way, shape, or form has had their lives touched by cancer.  We all know somebody, whether it be a family member, friend, or coworker who has had to battle a cancer.  Perhaps you yourself has been on the receiving end of the diagnosis of cancer.

The care and treatment of a diagnosis of cancer has improved in leaps and bounds over the years.  Several cancers, if found and detected early, can be treated successfully.  Still, I can think of no other diagnosis that can bring a sense of fear and shock than the doctor informing you or a family member that they have cancer.

Thankfully, there are medical researchers out there working diligently to further enhance the treatment of cancer to continue to improve survival rates.  They are working on experimental drugs and conducting clinical trials to come up with the latest treatment breakthrough.  These trails need money to be conducted.

You can now have the opportunity to help with these critical projects.  Through a website called cureLauncher.com, you can now search for project where you can donate to cancer research projects.  Currently, they are trying to fund a study of a new chemotherapy drug for breast cancer patients who have had the cancer spread to brain.

If you would like to take a more active role in the treatment of cancer, please check out cureLauncher.com.  Perhaps you will find a project you believe it and perhaps you can help fund the next treatment to help defeat cancer.

On the Second Day of Christmas-A Charlie Brown Christmas

From now until Christmas day, I will be posting some sort of Christmas related post for the 12 Days of Christmas.  On the Second Day of Christmas, Linus explains the meaning of Christmas in my favorite holiday special of all time "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

On the First Day of Christmas-Darius Rucker "Candy Cane Christmas"

From now until Christmas day, I will be posting some sort of Christmas related post for the 12 Days of Christmas.  First off is Darius Rucker and Candy Cane Christmas.

Some Thoughts on the Connecticut Tragedy

Official seal of Newtown, Connecticut (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I just want to share a couple thoughts on the senseless tragedy that occurred today at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut where 26 people were murdered, 20 of which were elementary aged children.

I can only imagine what the parents of those children are going through tonight.  You drop them off at school and you expect them to come home safely after.  Never in a million years do you expect that some nut job will come in and gun down defenseless children.  Words can not express what those folks must be feeling.

Then there are those who were fortunate enough to escape unharmed.  Those parents are undoubtedly relieved that their children are safely home tonight. At the same time, they must be taking special care to watch over their children to guard against any traumatic effects.

Sadly, at a time when we should be praying for the families and for the country, there are those who are quick to pounce upon this tragedy for political gain.  Almost immediately, those on the left launched into calls for more gun controls.  How utterly reprehensible.

Equally revolting to me is the counter attacks by some of my friends on the right.  My Facebook feed was filled with counter attacks about how guns don't kill people or it's time to arm our teachers.  Some posted an equally horrible story about a man in China with a knife who injured 22 people at a school there.

I do not own a gun, nor do I want one.  However, I firmly support the right on law abiding citizens to own them.  I also believe that if you do take guns away from law abiding citizens, that criminals will find way to get guns.  They don't respect laws in general, so how can we think gun laws will work with them.

I do not pretend to know the answers on how we can prevent things like this.  I do not believe that taking away the rights and freedoms of the majority of American in the wake a tragedy like this is the route to take.

As I said before, right now we need prayer for the victims, and I believe for the country.  The last thing we need is for people to try to take this tragedy in order to put forth or defend a political agenda, particularly in the hours immediately following the shooting.  A pox on all their houses.

Music Monday-Miranda Lambert "Fastest Girl In Town"

I guess if you need a female getaway driver, Danica Patrick is as good a choice as any.

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the ACTUAL LINK POST here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.   PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Resolution

Seal of the United States Social Security Administration. It appears on Social Security cards. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last week, I shared my concern and frustration regarding a letter I had received from the Social Security Administration regarding my son and his SSI benefits.  I had already met with SSA to talk about having my son's SSI benefits increased to the full amount with no reduction.  I left the office having been told that they would be increasing his benefit to the full amount.  I thought that would be the end of it, but I received a letter from my local office stating that they needed to speak with me prior to November 30th or my son's benefit could be eliminated.

I called Monday morning and left messages for the person that I had met with on November 7th and with the person whose name was on the letter I received.  On Tuesday, I left messages with both people as well.  I also tried to speak with anybody who would answer the phone.  That person was no help at all, making excuses that they were short staffed and would not even look up my son's account.  Wednesday morning, I left messages again with the people that I thought could help me.  I never received a call back.  Thankfully, I did speak with somebody who looked up my son's records, assured me that everything was up to date, and that he would begin receiving his full benefit on January 1st.

On Friday, I checked the bank account that we are using for my son's SSI benefit and saw that he had received his normal deposit that had been reduced by the in kind support.  Today, I went into the accounts to check the balance.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a second deposit pending for my son's account.  It was for the amount that they had been reducing his benefit due to the in kind support that he had been receiving.  So, it looks like he is actually going to start receiving his full benefit this month rather than next month. It couldn't come at a better time as we have to get him a new mattress and box spring before he comes home at Christmas break.

Related articles

• Charo Boyd: SSI marks 40 years of helping people in need (heraldbulletin.com)
• Five Things to Know Before Applying for SSI for Children (sacbee.com)
• Donna Meltzer: Happy Birthday, SSI: A Safety Net for Vulnerable Americans (huffingtonpost.com)
• SSI Benefits Vital to Severely Disabled Children and Their Families (thehandiestone.typepad.com)