Natalie Wood's Favorite Scent

pc: wikipedia

Lovely Natalia/Natasha Zakharenko, aka Natalie Wood the actress, drowned under mysterious circumstances in 1981.  That  was a sad November day for my sister and me as we were fans of the actress.  My younger sister even copied her hair-cut.  Our youngest daughter shares her birth day; and if I were to name the girl-crush of my teen years, it would have been the beautiful Ms Wood. 

Ms Wood's favorite perfume was Jungle Gardenia  by Tuvaché.  Her daughter,  Natasha Gregson-Wagner, had fond childhood memories of her mom wearing it often; and has recently honored her thru creating a new fragrance called Natalie.  Her mom's favorite scent, gardenia  was combined with hers, orange blossom.  Ms Gregson-Wagner has described it as  "a nice, happy smell."  I bought a sample before fully committing. I was running low on my Jo Malone collection; and I did not want to completely run-out of  Eau Des Merveilles by Hermes (I consider it a precious farewell gift from my now-living-in-Europe son). 

Not bad. It's a thumbs-up from me and hubby. It reminds us of the land of our birth. Gardenias were a common garden plant and a familiar aroma in our country.  I need to know other people's thought, though. I am especially interested in its staying-power. I will begin its official use tomorrow, and see how it goes during morning church services.

How Natalie Wood's Daughter is Keeping Her Legacy Alive

Shop  Natalie fragrance HERE

US Schoolchildren Dumber Under President Obama

pc: the federalist papers

Robert Gehl reports that schoolchildren in America got dumber under President Obama, according to a group that ranks exam scores worldwide.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development produces an exam administered every three years to 15-year olds in 72 countries. The exam tests reading, math and science knowledge.

The results? American schoolkids saw an 11-point drop in math and flatline scores for reading and science, FOX NEWS is reporting.

For the first time, Obama’s America fell below the average set by the OECD  and failed to crack the top ten in any of the categories.

As it stands now, according to the results, thanks to Barack Obama and his failed education policies, children in the Slovak Republic are better in math than Americans are.

So what were Barack Obama’s disastrous education policies? Or, is it possible, that in many cases, school districts, and schoolchildren, rise and fall regardless what the policy is from bureaucrats in Washington?

Barack Obama opposed private school vouchers – where parents receive taxpayer dollars to send their children to schools that are succeeding. Donald Trump has said he supports then.

Obama’s Education department was obsessed with making sure African American students and other students of color did not receive harsher punishments or reprimands than other school kids. They were also focused on limiting physical punishment of children at school altogether. That is not likely to be a central focus under President Trump.

Obama also demanded stronger regulation of for-profit colleges and universities. Many large, for-profit schools have shut down because of Obama’s enforcement efforts.

Last month, the Career Education Colleges and Universities association said for-profit colleges are ready to educate 5 million career professionals.

It put out a statement from former Speaker Newt Gingrich, calling on the federal government to stop targeting for-profit colleges. Gingrich was an early supporter of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

Instead of fighting for-profit colleges, Gingrich said the government should work with the schools to help Americans develop skills needed for good jobs and better pay.

Full Article here -- >> HARD TRUTH




5.27 12

Refugees: Up Close and Personal

They were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and had fled to Tanzania because their mother was targeted as an enemy of the state for her outspoken support of women's rights.  The entire family of 8 was able to immigrate to Canada as refugees; and after a few years, are now Canadian citizens.  Four of the kids visited their friend WN in town for a long weekend.  She happen to be one of our son's BFFs; and the group willingly and enthusiastically squeezed-in a concert by his Symphonic Band at Wheaton College.   Who cares that their trip from Winnipeg to Illinois took 14 hours,  and that their designated driver had not slept fitfully for 2 nights?!!  There is nothing like the energy level of the youth.  Maybe the two plates of fried rice, Mongolian Beef, and 2 dishes of Chicken at our fave Vietnamese restaurant did the trick.  There was no need for take-home boxes, LoL. 

my fave: Papaya Salad

Carolyn Hart, soprano

God Help Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos

(A)  It will take God's  grace and supernatural power 

to overcome the iron-grip that is the  teacher's Unions. 

(B)   link:

The 2 Groups that are Very Much Afraid of Betsy

(C)   Christians and Parents -- let us unite in prayer, in the name of the Lord, 

 over this battleground in U.S. children's lives and futures

While I was Driving, 3: Car License Plates

 More interesting-looking license plates that I've managed to capture on camera  (without causing a car accident), thank God.  

Let's Go To
The Happiest Place on Earth!

Disneyland, California

blog post: License Plates, Part 2


blog post: License Plates, Part 1

Boycott List: In Support of President Donald Trump

Edited 06/19/2017:  In case you’re keeping track, here is a complete list, courtesy of the Anti-Trump group of companies who they say is safe to shop at because they eschew Trump products.

Meaning – if you’re into this sort of thing, you should NOT spend your money at these places/companies.

Note: The list also includes companies who have pulled their advertising from the website Breitbart, or who have made statements of “inclusivity and respect”, similar to Target’s “Gender bathroom” statement.

Do your shopping wisely ... Put your money where your mouth is -- according to your conviction.  Here a little, there a little will add to much $$$ down the road (my words in italic):

1. Alibris (books / movies)
2. Amazon Fire Alternatives
3. American Giant
4. Ann Taylor
5. Apple
6. AppNexus (ad tech, dropped Breitbart from its network)
7. Asquith London
8. Athleta
9. Banana Republic
10. Barnes & Noble
11. Barney’s
12. BCBGMAXAZRIA
13. Bellacor
14. BellJar
15. Bergdorf Goodman
16. Best Buy
17. Burlington Coat Factory (02/14/2017)
18. Castellano (Fair Trade)
19. Chobani
20. Chromecast
21. Cotopaxi (Ethical)
22. Crate & Barrel
23. Current/Elliott
24. Cuyana
25. Diapers.com
26. Dress for Success
27. Eddie Bauer
28. Eileen Fisher
29. Equipment
30. eShakti
31. Etsy
32. Everlane (Ethical)
33. Farfetch (designer)
34. Fashionable
35. Frye
36. Gap
37. Garnet Hill
38. Google
39. Google Play
40. Grubhub
41. Guideboat Company
42. H&M
43. Half Price Books
44. Holt Renfrew (Canadian)
45. Honeyfund (honeymoon contribution site)
46. Hot Topic
47. Hulu
48. IKEA
49. iTunes
50. J. Jill
51. J.Cavallo
52. JCrew
53. Joie
54. Jos. A Bank
55. Kaelenn
56. Kay Jewelers
57. Kellogg’s (stopped advertising on Breitbart)
58. Kindle & Audible Alternatives
59. Kmart
60. Kobo Glo HD
61. Kobo Touch 2.0
62. Kohl’s
63. Lady Grey Jewelry
64. Land’s End
65. Local & Lejos (Ethical)
66. Local women’s shelters (often women arrive w/ just the clothes on their backs)
67. Lyft
68. M.GemiO Out of the Closet
69. Mario’s (Designer)
70. Marmi Shoes
71. Mela Artisans
72. MelissaMcCarthy.com
73. MMLaFleur
74. Modcloth
75. Mohinders (Ethical)
76. MZ Wallace
77. Net-a-Porter
78. Netflix
79. Nic & Zoe
80. Nisolo Shoes
81. Nook GlowLight Plus
82. Novo Nordisk (stopped advertising on Breitbart)
83. Old Navy 
84. Patagonia                                                                  
85. Penzeys Spices
86. Places to Donate Shoes or Clothes
87. Pottery Barn
88. Powell’s Books
89. Public library audio book services, i.e. Hoopla & Overdrive
90. Rag & Bone
91. Red Envelope
92. REI
93. Reitmans
94. Restoration Hardware
95. Roku
96. RW & Co (Canadian)
97. Saks Fifth Avenue (Luxury)
98. San Diego Zoo (stopped advertising on Breitbart)
99. Scoutmob (Indie / Maker)
100. Scribd
101. Sears
102. Sephora
103. ShopBop
104. ShopMyExchange
105. Signet Jewelers
106. Sling
107. Sophie Theallet
108. Sundance Catalog
109. Sur La Table
110. Talbots
111. Target
112. TicTac
113. Tiffany & Co.
114. Tiffany’s
115. TOMS
116. Trump-Free Wedding Registry Options
117. Ulta
118. UncommonGoods
119. Ursa Major
120. Vanguard Funds (Stopped Advertising on Breitbart)
121. Victoria’s Secret
122. Vince.com
123. Vudu
124. WarbyParker (stopped advertising on Breitbart)
125. Wearpact
126. West Elm
127. Williams Sonoma
128. World Market
129. Xbox
130. YOOX.com (Designer)
131. YouTube
132. Zara
133. Zola

via The Federalist Papers Project

I am so very disappointed to see many of my fave retailers on this list.  I hope that someday I will be able to shop at their stores once again without feeling that I am contributing to foolishness, intimidation and a lack of decency/common sense; as well as to the unbridled disrespect of our POTUS.  If nothing else, my boycott will curb my unwise money decisions as a little more thought will go into my purchases. It's all good, then!

Valentines Day: Let your man be the initiator

Remember Ladies, every man is afraid of SOMETHING. That's one of the ways you know he's in love with YOU. He's afraid of LOSING you. If you are always having to CHASE him, BLOWING UP his cell phone, HITTING him up on facebook, text messaging him ALL the time, he's probably NOT in love with you. Never CHASE love and affection or attention. If it's not given FREELY then it's not worth having. Be careful of COMMITTING yourself to someone who is not committed to you. Judges 16:2 ... Am I RIGHT Brothers or am I WRONG? #LOVEisaVERB 


Maranatha

James Ford, Jr

The book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo called He's Just Not That Into You, affirms the above; and most importantly, so does Scripture.

Betsy DeVos: You go, Girl!

Why I am not in a panic mode over  Betsy DeVos -- "a Reformer who is not buried in the beauracracy" -- as U.S. Education Secretary. Reason (b) is a good one.

pc: wikipedia

(a)  School Choice; and a chance for a better education.  

(b) $7 Billion Dollars down the drain and nothing to show for it.  Read it, and weep.


BILLIONS Spent for Education Under Obama had NO impact on Achievement


(c)  Loosening the talons of Teacher's Unions; and Accountability of Teachers for student failing grades

Yes to Better Education


(d)  The love of money $$ (but, of course!)

Why the Liberal LEFTISTS are Afraid


(e)    PARENTs will get  involved!  

The Secret Ingredient to School Success


(f) Many Democrats/Liberals were going nuts, throwing temper tantrums, and endlessly speaking on and on.  Thus, it was a big hint that  a very good albeit threatening-to-them-and-the-status-quo candidate was up as a nominee.  

So, NOPE to whiny snowflakes being rewarded for their demands!

Refugees Index of Welcome Mats

How does your country rank?

Survey Results:

The Refugees Welcome Index ranks 27 countries across all continents based on people’s willingness to let refugees live in their countries, towns, neighbourhoods and homes. By Amnesty International, Year 2016

More here ...  REFUGEES WELCOME SURVEY 2016

Taking action

I recently answered a questionnaire sent to my home by the R N C . As in the U.S. general elections of  year 2016, my commitment was cemented not only by my taking the time to respond, but by my financial donation as well. (Note:  as in political life, so it is in church life -- put your money where your mouth is!!! Just sayin') 

NOTE that the Republican National Committee's chairperson is currently  Ronna Romney McDaniel, and not Reince Priebus .