Moral or Not?

Where have I been? Obviously not following the controversy of Embryonic Stem-cell Research. I humbly have to admit that I did not know what was involved in this science until I read about President Barack Obama's policy switch on federal funding of this research. I decided that I needed to do a little reading to know what exactly the controversy was about.

Stem cells are seen by many researchers as having virtually unlimited applications in the treatment and cure of many human diseases and disorders including Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer, strokes, etc. Stem cells come in three general types:

Embryonic stem cells are a type of cell that can be coaxed into developing into all of the 220 types of cells found in the human body (e.g. blood cells, heart cells, brain cells, nerve cells, etc). In the past, they have always been derived from human embryos in a process that causes the death of the embryos.

New research is developing techniques to convert skin cells into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS cells) that emulate embryonic stem cells. Fortunately, if iPS cell technology develops as expected, it will eventually replace the need to derive stem cells from embryos

Adult stem cells bear some similarities to embryonic stem cells. Research using adult cells has a two decade head start on embryonic stem cells. Adult cells are limited in flexibility, and are only capable of developing into a few of the cell types.

As a Pro-lifer, I struggle with the concept of using embryos for stem stell research. I am thank-full for the iPS cell technology and hope that it continues to progress to the point that Embryonic Stem-Cell Research is a thing of the past. I have to say that at least with Obama's policy switch some rules were put into place. Creation of embryos is not allowed. The embryos must come from the leftover embyo's that remain in "banks" This research is also not to be used for cloning research.

So, what is your opinion? Moral? or Not?

Jingle All The Way!

How many of you never watch a commercial for fear that you might hear a catchy tune that just will not let you go? I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Think about some of the most memoriable commercials and what many of them have in common. Because of the wonderful invention of PVR, I almost never have to watch a commercial. So, technically I should never encounter that catchy jingle that just wants to roll around my head and interupts those many more important thoughts. Unless... a commercial actually starts before my fingers make it to the "skip forward" button on the remote.

Well, I've now got the Comcast.com jingles. I just love them so much that I've included them in my blog. After youv'e watched the first one, scroll to the next. They are actually brilliant! A genius in marketing was definately involved in this one!

C. O. M. C. A. S. T

Today

Today
Author Unknown

We shall do much in the years to come,

but what have we done today?

We shall give our gold in a princely sum,

but what did we give today?

We shall lift the heart and dry the tear,

We shall plant a hope in the place of fear,

We shall speak the words of love and cheer

but what did we speak today?

We shall be so kind in the afterwhile,

but what have we been today?

We shall bring each lonely life a smile,

but what have we brought today?

We shall give to truth a grander birth,

And to steadfast faith a deeper worth,

We shall feed the hungering souls of earth,

but whom have we fed today?

We shall reap such joys in the by and by,

but what have we sown today?

We shall build us mansions in the sky,

but what have we built today?

'Tis sweet in idle dreams to bask,

but here and now do we do our task?

Yes, this is the thing our souls must ask,

"What have we done today?"

Scrapbook Shopaholic

Have you ever told yourself to stay away from a certain store because you know you will buy something that you really don't need? Well, I have been telling myself to stay away from scrapbooking stores due to the fact that I have enough paper and embelleshments to do at least two full scrapbooks. But I'm certain most of you know how it is. Everytime they strategically come out with new patterned paper and cool embelleshments! Well, I just didn't have the willpower to stay away this time. After a trip to Clipper Street, and of course some additions to my current line of scrapbooking supplies, I just have to get down to business and get some pages done. Some neutral paper for those serious pictures.

Some red, black and white paper and ribbon for those romantic pages.

Some bright green stripes and solids for a variety of pages.

The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.

Carl Jung

Recycle Me!

This project was to turn a plain black Rubbermaid garbage can into a nice looking recyling can.

The reason for this creation was to encourage a friend to put it into their apartment in the hopes that they might recyle their many cans. She loves pink, and black is one of the main colours in her apartment decor.

One reason for encouraging the use of this nicely designed recycling can is so that they can take part of the "Go Green" movement. This should satisfy Willetta a tad. The other reason is to help me support our International student's rugby team. They are currently fundraising some money for their new rugby uniforms. One of the fundraising activities is collecting soda cans and trading them in for some money. I promised my friend that if she would start collecting her cans I would take the cans weekly from her place. We'll see how this goes. I'll be sure to update how she does!

Good-morning!

What a wonderful and refreshing thing to hear first thing in the morning! I was signing Cayden in at his daycare and watched as this darling little girl was trying hard to get my son to respond to her morning greeting. "Good-morning Cayden", she said. No response from Cayden as his mind was set on joining the boys in the far corner. "Good-morning Cayden", she says again. This time she tapped the back of his head. Still no response. As a mom that wants her son to be polite I said "Cayden, Alexis has been saying good-morning. You need to say good-morning to her". He responds with a mumbled "Good-morning", and trotted off to join the other boys. With a grin Alexis emphatically responded with "Top of the morning to you"! I really had thought I had heard wrong and looked over only to see the teacher in stitches. I had definately heard right. I've just had to share the story with others. It was so sweet.

Hard At Work As Usual

Wow, just look at the Dynamic Dispatch Duo at Denbow! Can you believe that work actually does get done in this office? Well, the story is that we took a bit of a time-out to process some serious and unexpected news. I had just hung up the phone after a routine weekly check-in to one of our largest local suppliers of forest-by-products. I recieved the unexpected and undesired news that due to the continuing struggles in the world market that mills would need to take an extra shut-down break. All I could do was let out a loud groan followed by something that went along the lines of " HOLY SH____" Well, needless to say it was then time to just put our feet up, close our eyes, lean back and just relax for a moment before we had to get back to business and dissappoint many of our wonder equine clients. The great news is that just four weeks later were back on track and able to deliver to them with ease once again.