Stuff That Matters in Life

Katy’s Weblog

(See the beginning of my transmission problem here)

Today I got my Honda Odyssey back from the dealer – with a new transmisson that cost me the labor of $839. That’s expensive, but not as expensive as the entire transmission. I give accolades to Honda for their customer service. Diamond Honda was also very diligent in keeping me informed of the progress. And they washed my car, which really really needed it.

So I survived without my van for 3 days! Yes, it is possible to live with one car. But I think we used up more gas by having me drive my husband to work and then picking him up.

This says it well:

Lisa, Kathryn – I must say I didn’t love Rudy’s line: “How dare they question whether Sarah Palin has enough time for her children and the vice presidency? They would never say that about a man…”

I understood the politics of it and liked the turnabout. But I do think that the concerns aren’t crazy, even if so many of Palin’s liberal critics are offering them in the worst and most disgusting bad faith.

Read more of “Is Sarah Palin a bad mother?”

(See the beginning of my transmission problem here)

I am happy to report that American Honda has agreed to pay for the part for a new transmission, providing I pay for the labor.

I am satisfied with this arrangement. I think that’s fair. Though the labor is a little expensive (the dealer said it would be about $800), it’s better than paying $3000 for the entire thing.

Read more of “Honda Odyssey transmission approved”

Our pastor mentioned this book in one of his sermons, so I requested it at our local library (I love the library!).

Salzman is a great story teller. He transforms his simple experiences into anecdotes that paints for us a picture of life in China on a local level. He shares his experiences with the people he meets in Changsha as an English teacher in 1982-84.

If anyone thinks Communist government is good for the masses, this book will dispel those beliefs. Salzman does not have an agenda to put down the government nor go out of his way to show us the tyranny of the Communist rule. Simply showing us the way people live and the way they react (i.e. to a woman’s suicide at the college) made me realize the freedom we have in America that we take for granted.

Even though I consider myself more American than Chinese, I was able to relate to much of the Chinese mentality of obedience, respect for authority, and politeness.

I recommend this light reading book. I would like to write like Salzman one day, and to share my life experiences in a way that is interesting for others to read.

A caller to Stand To Reason said that the only pro-life advocates she has heard are men.

She insisted that since men cannot understand what it’s like to experience an unwanted pregnancy, it would be better if there were more women pro-life advocates.

First, this caller needs to open her eyes. A simple Google search for women pro-lifers will show her such influential groups as Concerned Women for America, Feminists for Life, and the Susan B. Anthony List.

Of course, Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” of Roe vs. Wade, is a pro-life advocate.

In fact, 51% of women are pro-life, according to the Center for the Advancement of Women.

Now, with Sarah Palin, who had every reason to choose abortion with her 4th pregnancy, we have a pro-life advocate who can speak from experience.

Who would ever want to run for public office??

Palin’s children may be straight A students, or doing hours of volunteer work, but will the media write a front page story about that?

If you advocate abstinence, and if some people do not follow your advice, does it mean your stand on abstinece is wrong or unworkable?

I like to play tennis, and I tried to get my kids to play tennis. My son even had private tennis lessons. But none of my children share my interest in this sport. You might question how effective I am as a parent in influencing my children to play tennis, but it has nothing to do with how I play tennis or the game of tennis itself.

Even if Palin’s daughter had an abortion, against the belief of her mom, it still would not disqualify Sarah Palin as a pro-life advocate.

The Palins’ statement: “Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media, respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.”