bad blogger am I

I suck at remembering to post blogs, and I realized that last week as I was talking to myself as if I was posting something in my blog. I do need to be better at finding the time to post new thoughts and pictures and revelations, and hopefully one day I will start doing this daily. I will just post pictures today with funny tags on them.

First, the costume for Joseph that I designed for the Christmas play at church. This was all my design, no pattern or instructions, all me. :) It felt like Project Runway, as I was working on it.



Both princesses before going to Christmas Eve church, and watching Santa drive through the neighborhood on a fire truck. It's exciting every year.





The Nativity at church. Big Princess was Mary, and Little Princess was a lamb. It was truly a beautiful scene, thanks to the director (of both the choir and children program).



The kids racked up on gifts.




The cat wasn't really into it.




My favorite gift was this Cadillac sewing machine. :)



Lastly, Daddy Princess (oh, I mean the King) fell asleep at the 4th and final Christmas.

love.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.

1 John 4: 7-8

The Fix

The Fix

There recently was an article in the St. Petersburg Florida Times. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on: "How Would You Fix the Economy?"

I think this guy nailed it!
_____

Dear Mr. President,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the "Patriotic Retirement Plan":

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed..

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage – Housing Crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes...

Mr. President, while you're at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I'll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!


If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you know.


If not, please disregard.

checking for a fever

"I already got my ten'chur!" Little Princess said with a scowl, upon waking from a late afternoon nap.

at the pharmacy

I think I need to protect the pharmacy because I'm not sure if this customer experience was above and beyond, or if it was right, so I will not reveal the name.

On Monday I had to get a refill of my ADHD medicine, and the way you have to do it is go to the doctor, get the written prescription and take it to the pharmacy to get it filled. I think it has something to do with it being an amphetamine, and they don't want just anyone to get it. It can be an annoying process, but it has to be done. I went to the pharmacy to get the prescription filled and had to wait because the girl said that the pharmacist was on her lunch break, and that's cool I can just shop around the store. Well, I had Little Princess with me so it got to be pretty annoying trying to keep up with her and keep her quiet, and wait on the medicine. When it got to the time when my meds are ready I was just ready to go.

Yesterday morning, on Tuesday, I opened my medicine bottle to take my daily pill and they didn't look right, they were blue instead of orange, so I was scared to take them. I knew that I would have to return them to the pharmacy and get the correct prescription, but I was really scared to, what if I looked like a drug seeker? I knew that the pharmacy opened at 9, so I got myself and LP ready and headed off to get this whole mess straightened out. I still had the original packaging and receipt, so I felt like I should be safe, if they didn't fill it then I may have to go to my doctor's office and get another prescription, oh what a nightmare I was sure this was going to take all day.

We got to the store and to the pharmacy to where I waited my turn to talk to the pharmacist and I gave her the whole bag with the receipt, and the pills and the patient education thing, and I told her that I got these yesterday, but they aren't orange like they should be, and she took them from me and said, "I'll get this figured out for you, no problem." Little Princess then had to use the potty, so I told the pharmacist that I'll be right back, and she even showed me a restroom that was right next to the pharmacy so I didn't have to go to the front of the store. We eventually get back to the pharmacy counter, and the pharmacist gave me the bag with the correct medicine, she appologized for the mistake (apparently they have a new intern), and she credited me the whole amount for the medicine!

Great customer service, that's all I'm after. :)

funny conversation

A conversation between me and Little Princess, this morning.

Little Princess: "I want something to drink."
Me: "Do you want some milk?"
Little Princess: "yeah, but I don't want chocolate in it"
me: "so you just want plain milk?"
Little Princess: "Yeah, just plain cold milk on a sunny day." :)

It is about the experience.

I have found a great store, Aldi. I am very glad I was told about this great find, the milk is $1.49 per gallon, and they have a lot of other things there, including toys, interiors, and of course groceries. The store is pretty small, so once you get past that, it's awesome. I also appreciate that you have to buy the bags to put your groceries in, because that way I remember to bring my own. Also, you have to pay a quarter to get a cart out of the cart area, but once you put it back, you get your quarter back. I think this is great idea because there aren't carts left all over the parking lot, like at other stores. I drove home from shopping at this store today, just feeling so good about my whole experience there. :) Great smiles too because I got a chuck roast there for only $7.68, and it is cooking in the crock pot, I love crock pot days. :)

morals

I wonder if people realize that when they have stuff on their cars that represent themselves to a specific group; like a specific SEC team, or political party, or even something about their own stance on something like, say, a fish that says "Truth" is eating another fish that says "Darwin," and then they drive like assholes, I will be the one that thinks all people with that symbol or sign on their car are assholes. As people we should be nice to each other, even when we feel a sense of annonomity in our cars, especially if we want to represent a political group or advertise a religious belief.

makes me proud

I was approached last night by a lady in our church who said that little princess was so sweet to the other kids, and both princesses play well with others. That really makes me feel good. I try to lead by example, not just by what I say, and I feel like that will lead my kids to treat others with kindness.

clarity in the sunshine

After picking up Little Princess from school today I met a friend and her kids at the park. What a beautiful day it was too! The sun was out, after many rainy cool days and there was not a cloud in the sky, just some plane exhaust that Little Princess pointed out to be in an "X." I guess it was the sunshine and the great conversation, but I realized that I am in a place now where I am at my happiest. I have great friends, my family is healthy and we are happy. I think all I needed was a sunny day to feel better. I also realized something else while watching the "Real Time with Bill Mahar," some people have no sense of humor. I like being able to laugh at fake news shows, and yellow journalism, but there are people that take everything to be true, and can't laugh at it. Maybe that's sad, but I think it just makes it funnier.

friends forever?

I have been preoccupied with thoughts of past friendships lately. I guess, I was really hurt, more than I realize, by a girl that I had been friends with for so long. Anyway, she dumped me because I think too liberally for her taste. I am one of those people that will be friends with you 4EVR. I really don't like holding ill feelings toward others, I am actually really easy to please, in fact, I avoid confrontation so much that I will sit and take it so that I won't have to deal with jealousy or hate. Those are two emotions that I feel like are a waste of energy. Anyway, I haven't blogged in so long because I couldn't get these friendship thoughts out of my head. I really don't get not setting the differences aside and remaining friends with people. I hope that the friends I have know that I'm in it for a lifetime, that's just how I am. I find that if my feelings are hurt, I can just let it go, and maybe not spend so much time with that person that hurts me, until eventually we are no longer in each others' life. It just isn't healthy to hold feelings of doubt with people you love.

and, I also just wanted to say that I think making anonymous comments on someone's blog is a pansy-ass cowardly thing to do.

so I pray...

and I let everything go to God. I deleted a post I made that was highly negative, and unnecessary. I, on impulse, said OMFG on some poll, and I have asked for forgiveness on that. The god I believe in forgives me, forgives all sin. I don't need to be judged by other people who may like to think they are higher on some totem pole of whom God loves because they may think they live their life with no sin. One thing that I am sure of, we are all with sin, and I believe that we are all forgiven. I believe in the Trinity, and with that, I am forgiven of my sin. I pray about it, and I let God take care of it from there. I don't need added stress in my life, and I know God doesn't want me to have it either.

Does that answer your question Anonymous? LEAVE ME ALONE! Please!

If I were a millionaire...

I would hire Tim Gunn as my personal stylist, and Jeff Lewis as my house remodeler and decorator. Well, and I'd probably have to let Bravo in, after everything is fabulous.

from the mouths of babes...

I got Little Princess's laundry out of her room, and she was sitting on the floor with her head down, like she was sad about something, so I pressed, "what's wrong?" and got no response, then finally I asked, "did Molly-Face say something ugly?" to which she nodded her head, and I asked, "what did Molly-Face say?" and she lifted her head looked at me and said, "shit." I told her that Molly-Face can go home now, because we don't need to say words like that here.

For those of you that may not know, Molly-Face is one of her imaginary friends.

generosity among children

I just want to say that I love how both princesses, whenever they have any bit of money, want to donate to The Congo mission trip that our church is sponsoring. To give a little history with that mission trip; The Doctor and his wife, who is a midwife, are helping women with health issues in The Congo, and to hear their stories about living out there helping others, really makes me want to go help them too. I'm glad that we can donate funds to help with their trip though.

I need to say...

If you see things one way, then you need to step out of the box and look in a different point of view. For me, it's talk radio. The conservatives in that format are usually painfully annoying to listen to, but I feel like I need it to understand that p.o.v., just so I can move on better. My feelings just get hurt much too easily, and I realize it's because I'm so sensitive and insecure, but how do I fix that? I try to understand.

money

Whenever we think we will be able to save money, an expense comes forth and we have to buy stuff. I have to take the girls shopping for church shoes today, since it's after Labor Day, I don't want to be the mom that has her kids dressed in white shoes tomorrow. Sorry honey, I will have to spend some money today...

Books vs. Movies

On Tuesday night I saw "My Sister's Keeper" at the dollar show with some friends. I read the book, by Jodi Picoult, and LOVED it, so of course I wanted to watch the movie. Well, the problem with reading a book then seeing the movie that is based on that book is there is so much detail left out, and they have to put in all those cheesy voice overs to catch up anyone that hasn't read the book before the movie. I would also advise that if you have seen the movie, you really should read the book, the story is so much better. The lawyer is funnier, I was glad that my TV boyfriend, Alec Baldwin, was who played the lawyer, but he is funnier in the book, and on the movie he's so much more serious. The brother is so much more of a bad kid in the book, which I think works better when he spills the beans in the courtroom. The main thing though, that I found the most annoying was how Hollywood changed the ending of the story. I really can't even believe that Jodi Picoult let them get away with that bullsh*t! They even added some crappy voice over to make up some sum-up of what they are doing now. Total crap! READ THE BOOK! I think that if I'm going to be able to enjoy movie and book then I need to watch the movie first and then read the book, that would help the movie to make more sense and if I liked the movie then there's a good chance I would like the book too. You would have thought that I would have known this already. Hopefully that was my last time to watch a movie that was based on a book I read. It was still a great time out with my friends though, and I'm glad that the other girls that read the book agree with me. :)

stuff

I saw a bumper sticker yesterday, "the best stuff in life is not stuff." I saw this just after thinking that I was feeling so happy, just driving listening to the radio, and in a very very good mood. I saw this bumper sticker and it made me smile even more. I like thinking that it doesn't matter what I want, which seems to grow daily, it's what I have and how I am so grateful for the many blessings in my life. If we don't stop and enjoy life sometimes we could miss it.

on doing yard work

I have always hated yard work. I remember having to do it when I lived at home with my parents and the house we grew up in had a huge yard, so there was extra work. Well, the house we have now, with husband and kids, also has a big yard, and I just let the husband do the outside while I kept the inside. I started noticing things outside though, like how there are a lot of bushes growing out of control, the fact that kudzu has taken over some parts of the yard, and I think that since the yard is so big the husband is able to mow the grass, and after about three hours he's done. This makes him too tired to do the rest of the grooming. I have been thinking about it for a while now, especially since I have been told by several of my mommy friends that they LOVE to work in the yard, it makes them feel good. Well, that thought really pepped me up to get out there today and do some yard work while the husband was cutting grass. I lasted for about an hour and a half, but I cut down a lot of over grown bushes that we didn't even plant, they must have grown from seeds falling out of trees and planted by our lovely Mother Nature. The two little princesses helped by dragging the limbs and tree scraps to the side of the yard where our garbage is picked up. We all worked together in the yard this morning and it did feel really good. I have a lot left to do, but I do feel really good about what I have started, and before long it will be time to plant perennials and I can get some crocus bulbs and maybe some daylily bulbs to plant and have some more lovely flowers around the mailbox and in the flower beds in the back yard. All of this makes me smile even while typing. Amazing, really, seeing how much I dreaded the thought of working in the yard, and after I have, how good I feel about it.

now that I know...

I have ADD, or ADHD, one of those, I can't remember and I remember after finding out I was very adamant that I did not want to be on medication! Well, I finally gave in and got prescribed some meds and now things are going so much better for me and my family. It's amazing, if you need it, it works for you. I don't like the idea that drugs are what people turn to for a quick fix of things, the FDA and drug companies get on my nerves sometimes because they will not catch some awful thing that can happen to some people and then it's too late because people have already died from having a heart attack or stroke or something, then the drug is recalled and it's back to the drawing board. I realize that with most of those diet drugs, there is no quick fix the best thing for you in that regard is diet and exercise which is a lot of work, and I think it's the same thing for mental health, you do need to see a therapist if you take drugs to help you mentally as well as physically. I have noticed a difference since taking the medicine, when I shop I am more focused on what I need and not what I see that just ends up in my cart, I can focus on what I'm doing around the house, not distracted by whatever, and I am not as stressed out. My doctor told me that there isn't any anti-anxiety thing in this medicine that I'm taking, but it's probably helping with that because I'm able to get stuff done.

Health Care

I can only type what I know.
1. America is rated 37th in health care with our current goings on.
2. I have a great insurance company to cover me.
3. If I want to keep my current insurance through this new bill currently trying to be passed, then I can.
4. There are many hardworking Americans that can not afford insurance and they don't qualify for Medicaid.
5. Medicare is run by the government.
6. Drug companies make a killing on treating symptoms that may not need to be treated.
7. Many Americans have bad habits that have made them unhealthy, if we can somehow change that way of living we would cut a lot of medical costs for them.
8. We need to have some sort of tort reform, because many doctors are afraid of being sued after caring for a patient.
9. We aren't going to have good health care without sacrifice.

and I agree with him (a Republican):

[Heath care reform] really should start with children, the eating habits, the school lunch program, nutrition, and getting them off Adderal. It seems like that's the drug of choice of the hurried parent. – Rep. Jack Kingston

in the middle...

I have always been average. I was average while in school, in athletics, average sized... well, average in everything. I am very moderate with my political views and religious beliefs, and I think I'm an average stay-at-home-mom. Today, while doing laundry I was watching "Wife Swap," and even though I like watching shows like that, I know that I'll never be a part of one. Not only because I don't have a face for the camera, but I also think the producers would look at me and think I wasn't extreme enough for their show. I would love to have some self-discovery through change like that, or have someone from one of those home improvement shows come and redecorate my house, but again, I don't think my way of living is extreme enough. I'm actually glad that my house isn't as messy as the people on that show "Clean House," but I would still like someone with a vision tell me how to organize and clean and show me what to throw away. I like my place in the middle though, I don't want to be the kind of person that can't hear another point of view, or is so ridged I can't function with everything just so. I would LOVE to have my house clean and decorated and done, ready for any company to come by, but it's the whole doing it that is difficult for me. I guess I can just blame it on my ADD, or ADHD, whatever it is that I have, and get on with my day, right here in the middle, standing on my line that was drawn in the sand.

ceos-rate-obamas-performance.html: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

ceos-rate-obamas-performance.html: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

a future photographer?

I have left my camera in Little Girl Princess's reach, and the pictures she takes are... well, they're interesting.

after a long much needed break...

I stopped reading other people's blogs for a while. I don't know, I guess my self-confidence is low enough that I couldn't handle it. My house is messy, my kids aren't perfect and sometimes I feel like I am just too over-whelmed to continue as a stay-at-home-mom. I read a few blogs today, and I have found that if I just read a few at a time, I can be enlightened, and I can also understand better that we are all in the same boat here. The truth is that I like being a SAHM, it's just that I want to make my own income, mainly so that I can afford big house projects (for someone else to do). I have enough trouble keeping the house organized and clean without worrying about decorating. A little bit at a time is how I'm handling it now. This summer though, I have been trying to concentrate on the kids having fun, and participating in many adventures to remember before they head back to school. When they are in school will be a good, no a GREAT time to get into the beautification process of my house. :) I just can't believe that Big Girl Princess will be in 3rd grade, and Baby Princess will be in 3K! I guess that makes her Little Girl Princess now...

This blog started to talk about something totally different, and ended up on the kids growing up and me being kind of frightened by it. I'm not sad, I am very glad that I am able to see them grow up and get older. I often think though how weird it is that I am a SAHM, I never ever thought I would be, but here I am, and it's a great way to build a foundation for my kids. I sometimes wish that I studied home economics past high school though.

Small-claims court

I remember being completely addicted to those shows, like "Judge Judy," or "Cristina's Court," but I stopped watching them, because I really didn't have the time to watch TV once I got better from the surgeries and chemo treatments. Today I watched "People's Court," just because it was on, and for old times sake, and I really couldn't handle watching it. Our world is full of complete idiots! I guess I liked watching it before because my self-confidence was low and I felt better knowing that at least I'm "not as bad as they are." Really, it's sad, but I'm not to be pitied, I'm really pretty embarrassed that I used to watch that crap so much!

What's up?

This morning, a few minutes ago actually, I saw a preview for a movie "Julie and Julia," based on two true stories, and I teared up a little bit. It looks like a movie that will truly touch me though. "Julie & Julia" trailer.

The Mom's "Salary"

Stay-at-Home-Moms are seen differently by different people. On Bravo we learn about "Real Housewives," that aren't really housewives, and NOT real just portrayed a certain way for TV. I am told often, by different people, about how great the sacrifice I'm making by staying at home to care for my children. This is what I think though, as soon as I made a salary for what I did as a real stay-at-home-mom, I would not be appreciated and probably resented. According to a story on Yahoo! , I would make about $122,000. I think (just my opinion, BTW) that the same people who say we should be paid for what we do would jump up and say that we shouldn't be paid for what we do because it's not really that much work. To tell you the truth, I would like to make money so we could have a second income - it would be really nice in the current economy, but I think about what I would have to spend my money on. I would have to hire a babysitter, a cleaning service, if not a cook then we would have to buy our meals somewhere, a seamstress (since I have started sewing the kids clothes), a personal assistant to attend PTO and room mother meetings, and possibly a massage therapist because I would go crazy and be very tense. If I made my own money I would want to be able to buy myself new clothes and shoes and spa appointments. If I had to pay for the stuff that I do now then I may think it's not done to my approval, so I would feel like I was doing twice the work, just for the second income. Money doesn't buy everything, and I guess not my sanity.

Sewing

I have just started sewing, and I love it. I find that it is the best therapy ever. I am able to think and be productive unlike running which is just thinking with no productivity. I know that if my feelings are hurt then I close myself off, and avoid all confrontation because I don't want to cry. Sewing has helped me spend less time on the computer, which I find very unhealthy if you spend a lot of time without other adults to keep you company, as most stay-at-home-moms will do. I have been able to make two dresses (so far) for both of my children, I'm currently working on the third in a different more complicated style. I was going to not sew today because my "teacher" and I will usually sew together on Tuesday and Thursday when both kids are in school. I am thinking though, that with some left over fabric I may try making a skort for little princess since I am borrowing that pattern. I spent too much time on Facebook this morning, which lead me to read other stuff on other sites and I need to take a break again. I have thought about going unplugged for a week, but my idea was quickly shot down from other family members, I may have to get that idea going again. We can all use our creative juices and not watch TV or "play" on the computer. I feel domestic on a whole other level when I sew, I was able to see talent in my work right off (not to toot my own horn), unlike cooking which always seems like such work to me. I am proud of the dresses I have made for my kids so far, and that just makes me feel good. There are times when I feel like the worst mom ever, and I compare my own mothering to other peers of mine, but this makes me happier, and therefore I feel like a better mother for it. Now, I'm off to sew! :)

Speaking of learning the hard way...

Last night I watched the movie of the Natalee Holloway case on Lifetime Movie Network. I found it very disturbing, not just because of the tragedy their family endured, but also because of kids traveling abroad without their parents. When Mommy and Daddy aren't there, you do feel a sense of freedom, you can get away with a lot more, the same rules you have at home don't apply here. I was reminded of when I took a student trip to Russia after my junior year. Beth Holloway now goes to different schools and talks to kids about how you need to have a plan to get home, and don't change your plans, always stay with your group and have a plan to get back home. Thank you "N" for making sure I got in the same cab as you when we were leaving that restaurant where I drank entirely too much vodka in a foreign country where I didn't know how to speak the language that well. I haven't done the 12 steps, but I know that if I did, when I got to step 8, I would definitely appologize to you because I put you in that position of responsibility when we were in Russia.

Learned the hard way

Many of life's lessons I have learned the hard way. The lesson I learned yesterday, was no exception. I have been warned, in fact by a fellow blogger I'm a Mom?!, to not take my kids to school in my pajamas. I still told her, that I would because it's not like I would have to get out of the car, and she still warned me that maybe I haven't *yet*. Well, yesterday was the exception.

I left the house with plenty of time to get dressed, but I thought better of it, I can just take Big Girl Princess to school, drop her off then take a shower and get dressed, go to Pilates class, and get on with my day. I just put a sweatshirt on over my pajamas, and wore some flip flops and was out the door. Well, on our way there, I was thinking that my car was making weird noises, but I just went on ahead, I'll fix it later, whatever it is. I got on the street that her school is on and my car starts shaking, and I'm sure something is terribly wrong. I was able to make it to the drive that goes into her school parking lot, turn my hazard lights on and pull over. I stepped out of the car, and walked around to the other side to see that the right front tire was flat, and we're talking FLAT! Well, now I'm shaking, trying to call the husband, to tell him, and find out how I get that road side assistance that comes with our car insurance, but he didn't answer his phone so I left him a voice mail. I then realized that I still needed to take Big Girl Princess to her school safely. She couldn't just walk across the parking lot by herself, so I walked with her, and with Baby Princess, who was also in her pajamas, to the sidewalk in front of the school building and sent her on her way. I walked with Baby Princess back to the car, where I got her back in her seat with the seat belt on, and proceeded to go ahead and change the tire, since husband still hadn't called back, and I was still unable to reach him by phone. Another mother drove up and asked if I wanted some help, kidding that we need to find a man to help us. I told her that I was just going to change it, and she was telling me that I didn't have to do that, but I asked her if she ever had to learn how in her drivers ed class, to which she said she did. I continued to get the jack under the car, to change the tire and there she is right next to me wanting to help. I felt like this was so nice of her, and then another mom showed up to help out. This is one thing I love about where I live and where my daughter goes to school, I have met some very, very nice people there. Another mom even stopped to see if I was okay, I actually know her, so I thanked her and sent her on, since we (me and these other two stranger moms) seemed to have it all covered. We were successful in changing the tire, all three of us, so I then got home and dressed and went off to get my tires looked at and had to replace both front tires, but they wouldn't be ready for another few hours. This gave me and Baby Princess some time to meet some friends for lunch.

I think this is why we have friends, to make us smile even when we have a day as tragic as this one was. Yankee Belle and I met up and let the kids play while we ate lunch and I was able to tell her about what happened, which as it turns out is a pretty funny story. I'm safe, my kids are safe, my car still runs, we're all good. I was talking to YB about my blog, and my latest post being about Evolution vs. Creationism, and we realized that I pissed off God, and he was showing me who was boss by flattening my tire! I'm just joking - I don't think God works like that.

a touchy subject...

I didn't want to go here, but I have been thinking a lot about it. I heard a story on NPR about it and husband told me today about a debate he has been having with some friends about it. Evolution vs. Creationism.

I believe in God, and I'm comfortable with my belief, it's something I've always had, and it makes me feel good. I do believe though that there is more fact in science. The way I see it may be a little too tidy but I like it. I believe that billions of years ago God created the world we live in, it looked much different that it does now, because of evolution. He made the world before dinosaurs and everything. I believe that human beings are the most intelligent life form now through evolution. Human beings are capable of having (maybe creating) a god, or a higher power and having/writing a Bible to get the story of creationism. I think that what the Bible holds are stories. If we really all came from just two people in a garden somewhere we would all be related, it is not possible with our DNA for us to be intelligent people capable of learning, communicating, believing in a higher power, and writing a book called "THE BIBLE" if we were all cross-bred. I like this belief. That's just what it is though, it's my belief, I can see where both would work.

I do not think that creationism should be taught next to science unless it was a parochial school. I went to a Catholic school, and learned both, but I think that in public school, students should be taught science. Not everyone believes in God, and that's okay. Our first amendment right, in our American Constitution gives us a freedom of religion. Not everyone is Christian, so I don't think we need to worry about teaching any kind of religious point of view to public school students.

thought it was funny, thought I'd pass on...

10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage is "Wrong"

1) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

2) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

3) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

4) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

5) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Brittany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

7) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

9) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans

Wicked

****SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't seen "Wicked" and would like to, and you don't know the story, don't read anymore, unless you don't really want to be surprised, then please continue on.

The play opens with the Wicked Witch of the West being dead, and we are reminded of one of the last scenes in "The Wizard of Oz" where Dorothy has killed the witch with water. Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, is discussing how she was not actually friends with Elphaba (the wicked witch of the west), they just knew each other from when they went to witch school and they happened to be room mates way back when. We soon discover that they are actually friends, but only behind closed doors, because Ga-linda (with a "Ga") doesn't want people to know that she is actual friends with this freakish green being. Let me break in here, how many people have you known to be like that? "Good" for show? Ga-linda continues to sing and dance and be "good", and I am thinking that she is just like Elle Woods (you know, from Legally Blonde?) trying to show Elphaba how to be "popular".

They now have a project ahead of them, get to see the Wizard of Oz, to find something for a teacher they share. We then discover that Elphaba can read this spell book written in some secret language, therefore she was used by her teacher and the Wizard and she is able to make things right for her sister (who was in a wheelchair) making her able to walk again. Meanwhile, they (Wizard, Glinda and the teacher) all figure out a way to set up Elphaba and Glinda says, "she'll come back for her sister!" By this point of the play, I'm pretty irritated, this beautiful "Good Witch" is just plain bitchy and not good at all! Elphaba is the good one, made to be evil because she is green, I'm guessing, and since differences can't be good let's alienate her some more. They do claim to be friends throughout the play, but not ever in front of others, that part I thought to be kind of sad.

There were some love stories in there that I didn't quite grasp, but it's a good play. You should see it, even if I ruined it for you. :)

Spring break

We just got back from Seattle, and I have much to write, but let me just make this post about the recycling that goes on out there. EVERYTHING! I was very impressed. My sister who lives in the city, by law has to recycle all paper and plastic and aluminum and put food waste in compost. If failure to do such she gets fined. I was thinking about how far Alabama is from that. We would go to restaurants and they also had separate trash cans for recyclables and trash. I remember when I moved out here from SLC, UT there were recycling bins next to most trash cans in 1993! Now, in 2009 in Alabama and not all garbage pick-up even has recycling pick-up. Crazy!

on owning a home

My parents told us, after we bought this house, that we will now never be rich. I thought they were crazy, I mean home-ownership put us in middle-class, right? Well, the problem is, we have to fix stuff all the time! I sometimes wish that I had a millionaire uncle that was very generous so that I could just go to him when I needed something for the house.

mean girls

I am sure most of us have seen that movie, "Mean Girls" based on that nonfiction book "Queen Bees and Wannabes". I found the movie very entertaining and funny, and so true to how it is in high school and wanting to belong so badly. The "B" in my name, btw, is for "Becca" not "Bee". Anyway, I was reminded of this today while watching a show that I TiVoed. It was the reunion show for The Housewives of Orange County. They are all very beautiful women, and I guess "hot moms", but they are so ugly to each other. I was totally blown away at how mean they are to each other behind their backs and then had to own up to it on TV for the reunion show. I wonder how beautiful people in beautiful homes can be so ugly, appearances can be very deceiving.

I guess I'm still affected by it, and had to write about it, and I don't know where else to go with it. I'm sure I'll have something more upbeat to write next time. :)

The Mecedes Marathon (or Half - Marathon if you're me).

Let me start by saying this was my first time. I thought that this one would go so well that I would be ready to do the full marathon next year. Well...the half was much tougher than I planned on, so I think I will master this before moving on to the full. Not to be a "Negative-Nancy", but as the full marathoners kept passing me, I was pretty sure that I needed A LOT more training, and I'm only human. :)

The day started very early and COLD. My friend M.S. picked me up and we carpooled to the race together. We got free parking on the street in front of the bus station, and went to the Boutwell Auditorium to use the bathroom and check our bags in the "sweat check", and stretch and drink more water, and eat a few more calories, and drink more water... you know, regular pre-race stuff. Well, M.S. decided that she didn't want to wear her sweat shirt through the race and she didn't want to leave it in the street, so we walked back to her car to leave it there. It was a good thing we parked so close to the bus station, we were able to go in there to use the restroom one more time, and it was so warm in there, very nice. :) We then jogged to the starting area, inside that crowd which is normally very uncomfortable to me, but it felt nice and warm inside that crowd. We just listened to our iPods and waited for the gun to go off. BLAST! I was off! walking...walking...walking...seeing others jump up to hit the starting banner...walking...pass the starting banner and I was off to a nice slow jog. Bye, M.S., she was off and I was going at my slower more comfortable pace, lip-syncing the songs I was listening to and seeing the crowd in front and behind and to all sides of me. By the time I got to about the 20-30 minute mark I had to pee really bad, so I started walking until I got to the next pit stop where I was able to relieve myself and then started running again. I couldn't believe that I was only at about 3 miles, it felt like much longer, but I pressed on. I eventually heard, "Mommy!", and there was husband with kids offering me a hug.

This really made me smile and feel good. Husband asked, "How's it going?" I said (iPod was on, so I was probably talking pretty loudly), "I really have to pee!" He said that there were some port-a-potties just beyond the next water stop, that was great, I was going to go and then start running again... I got out of the potty, said good-bye to the husband who wanted to get my picture leaving the "bathroom", and went off running again.

My head said, "run" but my body said, "oh no you didn't!" So, I was able to go to a power-walk kind of pace. My knee was starting to hurt, but I was okay, I was half-way there. Just as I was passing Ruby Tuesday on Highland Avenue, I was being lapped by that famous Kenyan guy that wins all marathons, David Cheruiyot. He finished in 2 hours and 23 minutes! That was about mile 9 when he passed me, and I eventually passed a police officer who was calling a medic for a woman that was hurt, and I felt safe in case I couldn't go on with my knee hurting. I got to almost mile 11 when I thought that I couldn't go anymore and sat on the curb. A woman passed me and said, "if you sit, you won't finish!" I knew she was right, and told her that I was just stretching because my knee hurt. I got back up and continued walking, and a woman walked up to me (one of the many spectators) and handed me some gel packs, which is jelly-type stuff to rub on injured muscles. I thanked her, sure she was an angel and pulled my pants up and rubbed it on my knees and shins and continued, and it worked! I was able to push on to the finish line and I finished the half marathon in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

I'll be back next year. :)

My favorite signs:

Run like you stole something
The pain you feel is just weakness leaving the body
If you think running a marathon is bad, try Chemo
Cancer Sucks

Debt Diet - the rules

1. I must make a list before going to the grocery store, if it's not on the list it is not legal. Also, just so I won't be "working the system" I will only include things I need on the list. To be clear; Wine - need, gossip magazines - want. To help with this list, I will also make my menus for the week(s) to help with planning. Sometimes I do have to go to the store in the middle of the week, for milk or bread or something, on these occasions I must have a list, and still can NOT stray from that list, if all I need is milk, then that is all I can get.

2. NO DRIVE-THRUS. I can not just decide that tonight I don't want to cook and get the kids something at a fast-food restaurant. I have the menu prepared, therefore I can prepare that meal, as I should have the ingredients since I most likely got them at the store. The only time there is an exception to this is if I am very ill and can not get up from the bed to cook dinner, my plan is to stay healthy throughout the month. :)

3. We will still give to our church, this includes dinner on Wednesday nights.

4. Super Bowl Sunday, we can still order pizza. This is a tradition in our household which we will keep and Super Bowl Sunday just happens to fall on the first day of February.

5. Playgroups. On playgroup days I will have to bring a snack that can be made from what I have in the kitchen. I can NOT just go pick something up at the store on my way to playgroup.

6. Moms Night Out. I will have to go to these events with cash, and I can't spend past the cash that I have. If I have to use my check card, or credit card, then I will have to own up to it.

The main theme to my rules is plan making, and sticking to the plans. I am hoping to stop any bad habits on spending money and I am hoping that I will have a better grasp on how much money I spend unintentionally. If any of this seems unfair to any of the other debt dieters, then please speak now so that I can change my rules and post them here.

the new me

I have been working on myself, making myself a beautiful person starting with the inside. I feel empowered doing this. I love how I feel after I run, I feel good not getting involved if it doesn't involve me, and I'm very excited to start knitting on Saturday! :) I am glad I made that list of New Years resolutions, I never would have thought how much of an impact it has on me. I have also decided that my blog has become a pretty negative place, which is no fun for me or the reader. I want to use my blog for good, make this a fun thing to read in the afternoon, or early morning, or whenever. I don't know when others do their computer time, for me it's spread out through the day - Mama needs a break!

a poem, by Queen "B"

timeless act of girl drama
regret for what is said
all girls all the time
just SHUT UP!

I thought this up while realizing that the girl drama starts early on. We can all do better by not getting involved, it will work itself out. Meanwhile, be nice to everybody!

Tagged, 2008 stuff

Random Mommy tagged me.

what did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
ran in a 10K race.

did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
i didn't make any, i don't usually, this year is just a fluke...

did anyone close to you give birth?
a lot of friends gave birth to a lot of cute babies. :)

did anyone close to you die?
No.

what countries did you visit?
None

what would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
a thinner body (I actually stole this from NLD, but I like it - sounds good to me).

what date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
november 4th, when the democrats declared victory! :)

what was your biggest achievement of the year?
hmmm, finishing the 10K race?

what was your biggest failure?
probably not reaching my goal weight.

did you suffer illness or injury?
no! i am back to healthy! :D

what was the best thing you bought?
a membership to the rec center.

whose behavior merited celebration?
my children.

whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
probably mine, when i stuck my foot in my mouth, happens too much, imo.

where did most of your money go?
buying clothes for the kids, they grow way too fast!

what did you get really, really, really excited about?
Nov. 4th when Obama won the election.

what song will always remind you of 2008?
"It's a New Day" by Will.I.Am

compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? happier
thinner or fatter? neither, the same
richer or poorer? about the same

what do you wish you’d done more of?
I'm not sure.

what do you wish you’d done less of?
still, not sure.

how did you spend christmas?
With family, all over the city.

did you fall in love in 2008?
still in love with the same husband and family.

how many one night stands?
none.

what changes did you make to “green up” your lifestyle?
light bulbs and more recycling.

what was your favorite tv show?
Survivor, sorry i just can't turn away from it.

do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
no, hate is such a strong, negative word!

what was the best book you read?
probably "The Road" - it's the last one I read, so I remember it was good, it can count as the best.

what was your greatest musical discovery?
"It's a New Day"

what did you want and get?
I can't think of any stuff I want and don't already have, it is all just stuff.

what did you want and not get?
see above.

what was your favorite film of this year?
"Four Christmases"

what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
35, and I don't remember.

what one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Probably if I had made those stockings for my sister's kids.

how would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
lazy and comfortable.

what kept you sane?
sanity is for sissies.

which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
hmmm, that's a thinker. I guess Brittney stands out the most, but I did pay a lot more attention to political stuff this past year.

what political issue stirred you the most?
the economy.

whom did you miss?
my daddy.

who was the best new person you met?
mommies from TBDMGE.

tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Don't value other people more than they value you, and don't make excuses for myself or anyone else. - I like that, so I'll steal it from Random Mommy.

quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"I woke up this morning, feeling brand new
the dreams that I been dreaming
finally came true...
It's a new day, It's a new day..."


I tag 5 people:
Blue Momma
K-Mom
Kimtastic
Yankee Bell
Seis

New Year's Resolutions

I have to admit, I don't usually make these, just for the plain fact that if I want to change something why should I wait for the new year to do it? K-Mom got me thinking though with her post about New Years resolutions, so I had some time to reflect and make some of my own. All who are reading this can hold me accountable, I am not very good at keeping these things. ;)

1. I will think before I speak. This is very important, sometimes I will say these awful snobby type things and once they are out there, they are out there, I don't apologize for them usually, I guess because it was already said. I will often lay in bed not able to sleep because of something awful I said and don't know how to recover it.

2. Train for the Half-Marathon and Marathon. I am already registered to run/walk in the Mercedes Half-Marathon in February, and I am hoping to be full marathon ready by next year.

3. No more drama for me! This is pretty self-explanatory, but if you have something to say about someone else, I don't want any part of it. Well, unless it's something we plan to confront the individual about, like an intervention or something.

4. I will do better about putting stuff away and being more organized, making the whole family part of the process. I think all our days will be better with this in action, we can all be clean and organized, and then not be frantic right before we are to leave for school or church or something, making all of us happier.

5. I want to learn something new. This is something I would like to do every year. This year I want to learn to knit. My plan is to eventually be good enough that I can knit scarves and hats for cancer patients to give anonymously at local hospitals.