To be in Public or not to be

(just a heads up, my browser will not let me edit or use proper paragraphs lately on this blog site. I was a good english student and this drives me crazy!) AGAIN! with the breast feeding in public controversy. This time brought to us by the military. There were some pictures take of women in uniform, nursing their babies. They looked happy and content. As any mother would be in this situation. I am not against breast feeding at all. But, I'm also not going to judge you if you don't breast feed. Either way, breast or bottle, works just fine. I attempted breast feeding. Miserable failure! My kids didn't want to latch on. Aria and I fought it for about a month. After a month, I was like this is nuts. I just want her to eat. She was a good eater. I decided if I had that happen again, I wouldn't even force the issue. I tried with Taryn for 4 or 5 days. No go, no problem. She is healthy. Breast feeding would've been cheaper, but bottle feeding is a pleasent option in this house. I still feel like I have that closeness with my kids. Whether you breast feed or not, your kid is always going to have a special attachment to their mom. Don't kid yourself. My problem sets in with PUBLIC displays of breast feeding. We have a lovely (and I say that with my teeth clenched) gal at my church who is one of these pro breast feeding types. Pastor will be right in the middle of the sermon and there she is, nursing away, 4 seats away from me! (she also gave me a very unneccessary, pity look when I told her I don't breast feed) "It's so natural" is the common excuse. So is burping and farting. That isn't condoned in the public square. Would you birth your child in front of the whole church?! (well there are alot of attention whores out there) Would you concieve your child in front of the church?! I know I'm getting ridiculous, but c'mon! Some things are meant to be private. Why does our nudity censor disappear when it comes to breast feeding? Any other time, whipping out your boob in public would be frowned upon, not to mention indecent exposure! But we'll sweep that aside cuz there's a hungry baby there. Go into a designated area and take care of business. Peeing is natural,too, but we don't squat where ever and let nature take it's course. Or, how about, heaven forbid you give your baby a bottle during those public outings?! For crying out loud. They are asking us to respect their decision. Well, how's about you respect our right to not be exposed to your breast every time little Jimmy or little Susie wants to eat? I will admit, I'm about as far right on the modesty issue as one can be, but it's really, offensive and frankly distracting to the rest of us. Stop being so self-centered.

Why I sort of hate the month of April

Earth Day. I hate April because of Earth Day. Look, I turn of my lights when I'm not in the room to save $$ on my electric bill! Not to "save the world"! People who buy electric cars are certainly entitled to do so and have every right in the world. But, where, pray-tell, does the electricity to run your stupid vehicle come from?! Oh, wait! I know! A magic unicorn who runs on a magic treadmill in the middle of Kentucky and eats butterfly farts for energy. That's where electricity comes from. Seriously, there's a word for you hippy-morons out there and it rhymes with dip-nits. Anyway, so now that I have a child in the public education system, we get bombarded with Earth Day memorabilia all month long. Apparently the cirriculum hasn't changed much from when I was a kid, tho. It's still turn off your lights, shut off the water jibberish from my childhood. Aria was pleased to report she tattled on me to her class that I always leave the water running when I brush my teeth. Yes, I do, but it's because it takes like 5 minutes for the hot water to travel from one end of the house to the other! I'm mostly okay with it, tho. Whatever. I don't mind bringing my unused grocery bags (yes, I use plastic ALWAYS!) to the Walmart recycling bin. If there were a recycling center close by, I might even recycle more paper and cans. I don't have a problem with these things. I do have a problem with a group of people telling me or my child that the world is going to implode if we don't do what we can to recycle.reduce.reuse everyway, everyday, earthday! The mindset of these people, sadly, is a belief in mother earth, not a Creator of the universe. Their world view is pretty narrow, and as such so is their tolerance. WE are the only ones who can save the world. We created this mess, so WE must fix it. My belief is that God created everything we see and use. And that HE supplies all our needs and HE is in control of everything. And if HE decides that the world will end, it will. There will be nothing that WE can do to stop it. It's actually pretty liberating and a relief to know that the things I do today, 10 years ago, 10 years from now, will NOT destroy the world; whether it's drive my car, throw out my garbage or leave the water running. Now, I'm not going to delibrately leave the water on, that adds up finacially. But, I'm not going to be guilted into feeling bad about living! Again, feel free to recycle as much or as little as you want. It won't change the outcome in the end, tho. We are to be good stewards of the land, and I believe that also goes hand in hand with common sense. If there is a naturally occuring good being produced, and we have the ability to gain access to and use it, we should! If we can find ways to make that product benefit millions, it just makes sense to keep producing and distributing it for others to enjoy. And if we can find ways to duplicate it or even reuse it, all the better! But doing it in the name of saving the planet is foolish and ignorant. I did however observe Earth Day like I normally do; I drove to work, I washed my laundry and dishes, I vacuumed my floors, I threw out my baby's dirty diapers, I turned on my lights when it was dark so I could see to cook dinner on my electric stove... I lived out my ordinary life on an ordinary day! Happy EVERYday!

Stay-at-home mom vs. Working mom

I would put my self right in the middle. I don't work full time, I don't stay home full time. I know plenty of moms who do one or the other. Here's the thing: they're all pretty good moms. Now do they live up to MY standards? No. Does that matter? No. Do stay at home moms deserve to be called lazy an out of touch? NO! Do working moms deserve to be called neglectful and selfish? NO! But both sides to a pretty good job at judging the other.

I read an article, it's coincidence that it came out the same day as this Ann Romney controversy is to me no accident. The article was about a mom who was a stay at home mom, SAHM from here on out. She was exasperated with the endless questions of how's the bon-bon's and life must be easy for you from her condescending working mom friends. She laid out her typical day (which I might add was somewhat exaggerated) for these moms to contemplate. Basically, she kinda made her kids sound like all they do is scream, cry, pee, and sleep thismuch. Now, kids have their moments, but they aren't like this ALL THE TIME! Some of her comments were funny and I could identify with some as well (I never thought putting my kiddos in the basket of a shopping cart was dangerous! Honest!). Now, however, this was her side of the story. I know life is busy, but how stressful one makes it is kinda a personal choice. If bringing your daughter to ballet class is too stressful, don't do it! If you can't handle that, then don't... duh. I know you want to give your kids the best opportunities, but if it stretches you too thin, the only one to blame is you. Work or not. Working or not has nothing to do with this issue. It about our assumptions, our opinions, what we do or don't put on our plate.

To me, dusting isn't a big deal; I live in an area with hardly any paved roads. It's dusty all the time! So, I'm not quite as anal about dusting. Someone else may have the opinion that dusting must be done weekly, and if they go to someones house like mine and see it's dusty, well to them, clearly, I work too much and don't take good enough care of my home. Or the other way: I am pretty anal about laundry. I hate having piles of laundry. When it does pile up, I do it all in one day. I get it over with. I don't drag it out because to me, a pile of dirty clothes is just plain nasty. Now someone else may have the opinion of laundry as I have about dusting. But when I go to someones house and notice a HUGE laundry pile, I tend to judge them rather harshly. It's not fair but it's how we all are. Some moms notice the littlest things about their own kids or other kids. It's their gift, tho annoying, it's what they're good at. Perhaps it's the competitor in all of us that wants to be better than anyone else, but we tend to notice the negatives to make ourselves feel better. But there's no reason for it, really.

SAHMs do what they do and do their best, I'm sure. They take pride in being with their kids full time, caring for them %100, running the house. Working moms also do what they do and do their best. They take pride in earning an income, helping their kids with homework, keeping up with the dishes, running the home. However, we both work hard to keep our family, our kids and our sanity in check all day. To ultimately criticize one group over the other is plain ignorance. To say one group doesn't have a say in something because their lack of experience with the other group is just plain mean. As women, we all devote our time, energy, love to our families and home. Pitting one side against the other is counter-productive. Each side probably envies the other on certain days. We all want to be the perfect mom, who can juggle home, kids, marriage, social gatherings, bills, pets, dusting, laundry and still make cookies and drink a hot cup of whatever before going to bed at a decent hour. It never goes as we plan and why should it? Life is full of surprises, unexpected's, uh-oh's. Saying a working mom has it harder or easier doesn't matter. We will always have our opinions, our perceptions... it's maybe not fair, but it really fine. But when your kids have a mom they love, no matter what they do or don't do, the rest just plain doesn't matter.

Denver, Denver, Denver *shakes head*

Oh Denver, you never learn! As a former Broncos fan (yes, I was a kid, but still followed the game even then), I can say this is why I left you: You'll never learn! Loyalty means nothing to you. Tebow gave you a dream year then you dumped all over him. Now please don't get me wrong. No one loves Peyton Manning more than me. I've been very up-front and honest from the start about that. Ever since that MNF game against Tampa Bay in 2003, when Peyton lead the Colts in the last 5 minutes of the game from a 3 TD deficit to win, I have followed his career very closely. I've been reading a lot on these recent developments, and one author in particular, Mark Kriegel has an obvious dislike for Manning. To sum up Mr. Kriegel's opinion, he thinks Peyton is an old, spoiled-brat princess QB who is money hungry. There are quite a few, to my surprise, who feel the same way. In my view, Peyton saved the Colts a whole lotta mullah when he didn't re-sign with the Colts. That freed up a lot of cash for Irsey to play with. Peyton was pretty vocal in his desire to play for the Colts and remain in Indy. Irsey saw a crack in the door and foolishly opened it wide. Peyton is a gamble as far as his longevity's to play, I understand that. All it could take is one bad hit and he's done. But, BUT this is Peyton Manning! To have him donning your colors is a blessing! He is master of the game (tho his obvious weakness is playoffs). To have him sitting on the sidelines would be good enough. Peyton is a competitor, tho, naturally he wants to play. But, Irsey, has to look to the future, and I guess for whatever reason, he didn't see having Peyton on his sidelines make sense. So let the negotiations begin! In walks, Miami, Arizona, San Fran, Denver... the list grew. They all, rightly so, want Peyton. Peyton went for Denver. I'm not sure what he's seeing in Denver. Frankly, San Fran was his best opportunity at a Super Bowl. Tho, I understand Denver may sign Jeff Saturday and Dallas Clark from Indy also. This may help Denver, but their defense needs work, too. But I really have to lose what little remaining respect I had for John Elway. He went from wanting to work with Tebow to kicking him to the curb awfully quick. Elway's in this for instant gratification and he will pay for this. He was very critical of Tebow at the beginning of the year. As the year went on, he hopped on the Tebow train faster than most did. He then closed the season saying Tebow was the man and he would work with him to make him great. Now, if Peyton Manning was banging down my door, I'd sure jump at the opportunity to have him on board. However, I would not throw my other players under the bus, esp. after stating how making them #1 was my first priority. John Elway looks like a donkey's bottom. He'll pay dearly for it if the Denver fans don't get the excitement and success they did last year. This obvious hate for Tebow is totally uncalled for. He proved he can work hard, work well with others and get the "W". His players respect him, his coaches like him, his fans love him... what is up?! I read that Tebow will most likely be going to the Jets (ugh!) and how they will want him to live in New Jersey to keep him away from the *sinister voice* evils of New York and that "he'll need his hand held here". REALLY?! Because he clearly led a life of debauchery in Denver and Florida and everywhere else he's been. It all comes down to this: the media (cuz this is where these ridiculous stories originate) are waiting for Tebow to stumble and fall, so they can "drive by" and "shoot" Tebow while he's down. "See we told you he's a fraud" they'll mock. But, I'm off topic. Tebow isn't a conventional QB. Who is? Brady? Manning? Favre? McNabb? Montana? Moon? Young? Elway?... sheesh I could go on and on. All these QBs have different styles, different strengths, different ways of getting the "W". Tebow is no different. "Well, his passing ratio is low and he is totally inconsistent throughout the game" So? Was this not his first year starting? Of course he's gonna have pretty low stats... he's not Hercules! For crying out loud, people! He's the model citizen, so he should be a model QB too?! Knock it off. Give him a chance. He's proved his work ethic and willingness to learn and GET BETTER! Give him the chance and I'm sure he'll prove a lot of nay-sayers wrong. But, Elway listened to the pathetic media, and dropped the guy like last years fashion line. I'm so glad to see Manning get a chance to play again and I really hope he does well and proves Irsey a moron. I hope Tebow does the same to Elway. What a great team Manning and Tebow could've been and Elway could've shown Irsey what loyalty is. But, no. Time will tell if these decisions will haunt the guys in the suits and prove their disloyalty towards their players. I could never be a Denver Donkey fan now, and it'll pain me to see see Manning in that ugly orange uniform! As well as Tebow playing for hot-head Rex Ryan... oi!

Happy birthday, Shosh!

To my sister, Marcia, I hope you know how proud I am of you, how proud I am to be your sister, how wonderful a mom you are to Reagan. I love you and miss you terribly. Hope your birthday is fantastic!!

SIX years already?!

Indeed, today, my little Aria is 6. I still remember her birth day so vividly! What a fun, memorable day. The party planning is coming along; she is so excited to have her friends and Spongebob there (her 2 favorite things)! I say it over and over, but I can't believe she is 6. She really is so grown up: she a wonderful help with her little sister, she is polite, she listens pretty well, she is very loving and thoughtful, and she is doing so well in school. I am so proud of her and glad God gave her to me and her dad!

Happy, happy birthday, Aria Marie!! I love you so very much:)

Where to, Mr. Manning?

Jim Irsay just made a HUGE mistake. Who would willing let go of Peyton Manning?! "It's the business end of football... get used to it" I hear the excuse. Forget that! Peyton put Indy on the map, he brought a franchise to the elite list, he broke numerous records... to have him sitting on the sideline would be a blessing. He could mentor the next in line QB, he'd be an outstanding offensive coach. Plus, he still may be able to play next year. WTF, Irsay?!?!? You are a moron. That and loyalty means apparently nothing to you. Business end! BAH! The best business would be keeping Peyton around, no matter what. Now, Peyton is hot on the market (get the hint, Irsay? Everyone wants him!). He's interviewed in Denver, Arizona, Miami, and I'm sure there's more to come. I read something, hopefully just a rumor, that if Peyton is signed in Denver, the Broncs would let Tebow go. Again, sheer stupidity. I hope that is not true. Tebow proved he's a fighter and willing to improve. Who wouldn't want that to work with? There is just so much wheeling and dealing in the NFL. The days of loyalty and playing for one team for your career are long gone. It's sad to see. I did laugh when I read that if Peyton came to Denver, he could mentor Tebow like Favre did Aaron Rodgers. HA! The whole reason I started disliking Favre is when Rodgers came to town and Brett started whining that it wasn't his job to mentor anyone. (sure it is, Brett. It's like passing down traditions to your kids; unless you don't want them doing anything like you did, teach them everything!) This scenario in Denver would be good, but if the rumor is true, it wouldn't matter. The only thing is, I used to be a Broncos fan before I became a 9ers fan. (ps, I am loyal, and won't switch teams) But if Peyton goes to the Broncos, and Tebow stays... wonder if God is telling me something!

I've HAD it!!!

ENOUGH of the bullying from the left. I'm done. The 3 issues I'm about to dive into are all hot areas of discussion right now, locally and nationally. I'm done with the left and their condescending, holier-than-thou fake disgust over anyone who they view as inept and unqualified just because their views differ from the left. I will start with Kirk Cameron, then one of my favorites, Rush Limbaugh, and end with a more local story, Judge Cebull.

Kirk Cameron has just as much to believe that homosexuality is wrong as a person has the right to believe Big Foot is real. The reason he gets called out is because Hollywood has locked arms on this issue and won't back down. Since Hollywood owns the actors and the cameras and the media, their agenda, their point of view is out there for everyone to see, and ultimately accept. If you don't, you will be chastised, ridiculed, made fun of and even boycotted. I honestly have to say I never had Kirk Cameron poster on my wall as a kid. I'd really have to think hard as to what show it was exactly that made him famous. I am aware that he is very bold in his Christian faith, so he obviously has a bulls eye on his back in Hollywood. It's complete hypocrisy. The typical Hollywood actor will advocate for standing up for yourself, being true to yourself and be proud of who you are, except if you're a Christian. In that case, the typical Hollywood actor criticizes you, is very skeptical of you and frankly thinks you are a crazy, narrow-minded zealot. (Never mind, Scientology, Kaballah or mother earth lovers. YOU all are given the free-pass card cuz you don't align yourself with those crazy Christians!) The one, probably most important detail that these so called progressive thinking actors forget about those crazy Christians is that we believe in something detrimental to our faith: FREE WILL. The gift of eternal life is just that, a GIFT. We can either accept it or deny it. We will answer for those decisions ultimately, but if you want to live a life of sin, a life of denial, YOU CAN! Christians are only trying to live out our faith by practicing what we preach. If the Bible instructs us of something, we are called to live it out, by faith. To be ridiculed for doing something that otherwise would be considered noble is hypocritical. Kirk was put on the spot, he was asked a question, and he answered it honestly. Did he call for all homosexuals to renounce their ways, to covert to Christianity to vote for Romney? Heck no! Was and is this being insinuated by the reporting on this story?! You better believe it!

Why do I like Rush Limbaugh? He is fun to listen to and he articulate what I believe so well. To assume because I listen to him makes me some dummy without a brain is, in fact, something a dummy without a brain would think. Those who say they can't stand him are entitle to think that, however, I would probably be correct in assuming that that person never listened to Rush and is just spouting off whatever MSNBC says. Now, Rush recently has been lambasted with criticism over some things he said about a faux college student TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESS over BIRTH CONTROL! (why congress is worried about birth control and not rising gas and food prices is a mystery to me) This *wink,wink* student, Sandra Fluke, is an advocate for women's rights and this is her platform. Considering this is her "area", she is about as clueless as I am about quantum physics. Birth control is covered by most insurances for medical conditions other than birth control. And if your place of employment doesn't cover it, regardless of reason, that issue needs to be taken up with your employer, not the government. The employer decides what is covered and what is not. They make the decision based on what they can afford to cover. Now, birth control is readily and cheaply available. If Ms. Fluke is stating that women going to Georgetown can't afford birth control, how the hell are they affording to get educated in GEORGETOWN? But, how the media is stating that Rush thinks all women on birth control are prostitutes, is something I don't follow at all. I was actually listening to him the day this all started. His point, tho blatantly construded by the media, was this woman was basically complaining to our leaders that she and her friends were so sexually active, they needed help paying for what most of us have to pay for out of pocket anyway. She admitted, without out and out saying it, we are all too busy having sex we can't afford our birth control; we can't work because of all the sex, we can't study because of all the sex... that is pretty much admitting towards slutty tendencies, is it not? She would rather you and me pay for her lack of moral judgement and character, than take responsibility and pony up the cash herself. Now, I agree Rush could've articulated this point a bit better, and he admitted to this in his apology, but when it comes down to it, we are quick to defend a woman who advocates promiscuity at astounding levels or a guy who calls it as he sees it? In my opinion, I'd much rather defend a guy standing up for what is right, than for a someone who is clueless about her cause all the while promoting a dangerous life style at the same time. This is not about birth control. It's about our moral compass. Birth control is just an easy, knee jerk way to get people wound up and cry foul at the first possibility that our rights are being tampered with. When in fact they are, but not by the people being portrayed. When our President pretty much orders an entity to provide something, he is not only totally overstepping his bounds, but he is totally imposing his will over ours.

Judge Cebull is receiving locally what Rush is nationally. Cebull made the mistake of forwarding a joke to some friends and eventually was found and made public. Would I have forwarded this joke, no. No.1 , I read the joke and I didn't get it. Honestly, I didn't understand it! No.2, I don't get stuff like this in my email. However, have I ever shared a joke with someone in the past? Yes. So, I am automatically a racist? Who hasn't heard or told a joke, about females, Huttrites, Indians, people from Joplin, people from Chester, people from North Dakota, people from Mexico, men, whites, blacks? Hmm?? HMM??? Are we all racists? There are quite a few hoity-toity, offended beyond measure who are quick to assemble a lynch mob because they are so superior in their intellect they never have commented an offense as rash as this! The nerve. Never mind the guys 40-plus years of non-partial work. In all of his previous cases, he has shown no tendency of racism EVER. But let's throw that all out the window, because clearly, this man's right to his opinion over shadows his ability to be a fair judge. And I really like how not liking Obama's policies = racism. So much for bringing everyone together! Granted sharing this from his work computer was a lapse in judgement, but again, those who are blameless may cast the first stone. There's a lot of stone throwing, but if we were to apprehend what these holier-than-thou types had to say on their "free time" at work, I wonder if the stones would drop. (for my first witness, I call the "honorable" Bill Maher)

The hypocrisy in the left and the media (can you tell who's who?) is obvious. If you don't agree, I'm sorry, you're one of them, and someone I've had it with.

Think ahead for others, please

When will courtesy, even in our own judicial system, exist? I do not mind, really, being selected for a jury pool. I know this is a civic duty and I'm pretty much fine with that. However, when I'm given a WEEK notice, I'm not as understanding. Some of us have to make work arrangements, daycare arrangements and all for perhaps not, as a lot of these trials end up being cancelled. Plus, when I do have to attend, I'm really not being compensated for money lost from not working my job. I think one gets what, $40 a day. Sorry, I make a bit more than that in a day. Aren't most trail dates set months in advance? Getting a weeks notice seems a bit ridiculous if that is the case. In my nursing job, there is me and one other nurse who work. And she works full time at the hospital on top of this job, so her availability to work for me at moments notice is pretty slim. What do I tell my patient if none of us can show up? It's just plain rude to have this kind of a heads up. If anyone who works in a court system somewhere is reading this, here's an FYI fer ya: Consider that the people in the jury pool have jobs, kids, responsibilities outside of what you're doing. Giving us 2, better yet, 3 or 4 weeks notice is MUCHLY appreciated!

My new 10

You all know the pain scale? 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain... yes? Well, I have found my new 10. Yeeow-zaw! I have had back problems for a while now: degenerative disk disease, mild arthritis... it usually requires a cortisone injection 1 o 2 times a year to be tolerable. It had been almost 100% for quite sometime. In fact the night before my new 10, I remarked how good I had been feeling. I went to bed that night (Wednesday) with a mildly sore back (which is normal for me, esp. after some house cleaning), and thought nothing of it. I got up early Thursday morning and started getting ready. I bent over to pick up some clothes and just like that, I'm in major pain and can't move! Horrible. I was still determined to get ready for work, I thought maybe this would pass, like a cramp does. Not so much. To walk, to stand, to sit, to lay was sheer agony. I honestly was pretty scared. It took one hour for me to dress myself. I managed to get out to our living room and had to sit in the recliner before I passed out from the pain. I could not get up! It was a very dismal feeling. I waited for Tony to get home from work. (fortunately, Aria was at Uncle Dustin and Auntie Kim's house that morning and Taryn was sleeping soundly in her room). Tony got home and i was in a sort of panic: there was no way I could go to work much less get out of that recliner. Tony made a few phone calls for me and then we discussed what to do next. I took a muscle relaxant and would see if that would help while Tony slept. He got in about 3.5 hours of sleep when Dustin showed up to drop off Aria's stuff the the night over with them. Talk about good timing, cuz as he walked in, the school called to tell us to come get Aria from school as she wasn't feeling well. So Dustin, bless his heart, went to Chester to get Aria and Tony helped me get ready to go to the ER. I couldn't stand up straight, and to move was terribly painful. I kept saying I hope I'm not being a baby about this but it's seriously the worst pain I've ever had. We got to the ER. The doc didn't think it was disk related, but ordered x-rays to be sure. If I had symptoms like numbness and such, he would've ordered an MRI, but I didn't have those symptoms. Getting on the x-ray table was rough, but we got it done! The x-rays didn't show much changes from previous ones, but he did not that the normal curve that is in the lower spine on me today was completely straight due to muscle spasms. Yikes! I got Morphine and Toradol IV and that was a bit helpful. Tony remarked that I was catching up to his ER experiences as that is what he gets for kidney stones. Toradol is a great drug. I spent most the day in the chair or up trying to walk around. The doc encouraged me to get up and walk as long as I could tolerate. I've been taking strong pain meds and anti-inflammatories, and it seems to be working, slowly. I woke up Friday morning feeling a bit better. Saturday, if it weren't for my left side feeling so tender, I'd feel pretty good. Once this lets go entirely, I'll be working on getting a strong core and strengthening my back. I will have to be very careful, esp. bending over, and use my legs. Tho, I must add that went I bent over, I was sitting. I do not want to go thru this again! Throwing out your back, as they say, is much more painful than it sounds. It should be called so painful you can't move or do anything for yourself back... or SPYCMODAFYB.

I should add that Tony and Aria were so wonderful to me. They always are, but they went above and beyond! Tony took over in every aspect of the household; from cooking, to cleaning, to baths, he was so helpful. And Aria, my little attentive nurse; she would look at me every so often and say "okay, mom, time to walk again", and she would even try to help me up and let me lean on her shoulder as I shuffled throughout the house! If I asked her to get something for me, she wouldn't even complain or procrastinate! Such a sweet family that I have been blessed with- thanks Lord!

to speak or not to speak

Do you ever let your emotions rule your words? Is it okay to express your honest opinion to someone, no matter how close, or is it better to jut let it mellow and keep your mouth shut? Am I a good friend for being honest about an issue that I think needs to be addressed or is it not my place to say anything. Are you a better friend/family member if you say your 2 cents and risk the relationship or keep quiet and keep the peace? I'm really struggling with this issue right now. Some things need to be said, need to be addressed, need to be brought into the light, but I'm no diplomat. However, if I say nothing, nothing will be done... things will continue to escalate. Would you rather, HONESTLY, know the truth or enjoy the rose colored glasses? Because knowing the truth could be somewhat hurtful, it could cause tension, it will not be nice. But by not saying anything, is that just as bad or worse? I thought people want transparency, they want honesty. Or is that just lip service? I say I want honesty, but ignorance is bliss. What I don't know won't kill me... same for you? I want to do the right thing, but what is the right thing; the truth or silence...

football, politics, & a PSA

Hellooooo out there?! What has happened to the people that I follow on this here blog-thingy? Look, I know life is busy; I have 3 jobs and 2 kids... got it. But, c'mon, man! Update your blogs people before I call the FBI on you (seriously, tho... weird things have been happening lately and I tend to think the worst right off the bat... so... there...)

Super Bowl is this weekend. Apparently, I'm the only female in my church who cares as they scheduled a baby shower that afternoon! I offered to help thinking the shower would be Jan. 29. Not one to back out of obligations, I will be late for our annual Miller Super Bowl Party, but at least it's still on! I am rooting for the Giants. It's almost cliche when the Pats make it to the big one. Plus, I love the Manning brothers. And speaking of that, what is up with the Colts, Jim Irsay and Peyton!? Irsay, the owner of the Colts, has one bad season in like 10 years and now he is cleaning house? Jump to conclusions much? Throw 'em under the bus, yes? Instant gratification, huh? Obviously, the team revolved around Peyton, but sheesh, I think Irsay is over compensating for something... and I think he's the one to blame, not Jim Caldwell or anyone else. Peyton is right; what Irsay is doing is not promoting a healthy environment in that building. Must be awkward to be hosting the Super Bowl in that location, and Peyton's brother is there! Now, I honestly don't know if Peyton will play again. I, as a fan, hope he does, but as a health care professional, don't know if he should. He could be putting himself in a dangerous position. However, if he rehabs well and becomes a free agent, I HOPE he considers the '9ers. Alex Smith needs either 1, to be replaced, or 2, mentored. A LOT. Peyton would look good in red and gold!

Whoa, the GOP primaries are heating up. Am I the only one who is totally disappointed with the potential nominees? If Romney get the nomination, it'll be McCain 2008 all over again. If Gingrich gets the nod, well, we'll see... he about as unpredictable as the weather in Montana! I like Rick Santorum, but he's lacks experience on a world level... and Ron Paul is just a wacko. Now, this is very disheartening to me. Obama is a moron; this should be a slam dunk for Republicans in 2012! But, they can't nominate a worthy contender. Obama could be re-elected because Republicans are too PC. It's stupid and it's maddening. Sorry, but for you Obama-lovers out there, we're screwed as a country if he's re-elected. His failure as a president is America's success. How can we vote for a guy who doesn't see any good in the Keystone Pipeline project?! In one sentence, he says we need to create more jobs, then the next sentence, he doesn't think the Keystone Pipeline is good for America. You bum! You hypocrite! You socialist! As Aria used to say, "Obama NO!"

This next topic I need to apologize in advance. I will be extremely vague and it's only because I don't want anyone thinking I am picking on them. I just need to say it and be done with it. There are a lot of fad diets out there. People, including myself, follow one or many of them. However, when you're behavior borderlines cult like behavior, when you obsess about it to the point that people become uncomfortable talking to you at all, maybe it's time to dial it back a notch or twenty. If it works for you, great. But that doesn't mean it will work for everyone that same way it did you. If you want to share your success, then great, but understand that when you stop taking your ridiculously overpriced magic shake drink, or stop obsessing about how margarine will give you dementia, that the weight will probably come back on and it'll be on to the next thing. Like it or not, to lose weight, it's about portion control and exercise. I don't like it, but that's all there is. And I am becoming increasingly surrounded by these (sorry, wack-jobs) who think food is killing us! "Too over processed!" "Too much preservatives!" "Too much corn sugar!" I'm sorry, but we will all die. So enjoy life, enjoy food, enjoy the fact that while you bemoan the evils of *cue suspenseful music* big farming, people like me are thinking "coo-coo for cocoa puffs" about you. This has been a public service announcement for whoever.

You may laugh at me if you like

Okay, I have this phobia... and it's completely irrational, but here it is:





wait for it...




wait for it...






do I have your attention?






tah-dah...

Go ahead... laugh. Here's the thing, these things are creepy huge! Something about how massive the propellers on them are, the massive, imposing smoke stacks on them... I can't really describe it, but I am totally freaked out by cruise ships. Perhaps it the falling hundreds of feet to a watery grave and no one knowing what the heck happened to ya scenario. Or we're all at the whim of the waves bit, but, ack! it gives me the willies!


Then this solidifies my fears... (look how freaking huge it is! It could probably crush Joplin and maybe Inverness at the same time!!!)

Oh. My. Lanta!

*horrified gasp* and it's underside is showing.... EEEKKKK! Seriously, am I the only one spazing over this?!

Let me be honest. The Titanic fascinates me, but horrifies me. Maybe it the out in the middle of nowhere for miles and miles... it sounds downright hopeless and scary to me. I did a massive research paper on the Titanic in college. It was riveting for me, but I really have no desire to EVER go on a cruise. Pearl Harbor, was haunting to me... that big ship, the Arizona just feet below the surface... it was an act of God that I didn't lose my grip on the memorial site. I like to swim and I can swim, but something about a vessel that huge submerged underwater CREEPS THE HOLY HANNAH OUT OF ME.

If any of you are lucky enough to win a cruise, and are able to invite friends, you have my happy permission to pass on me. I like my feet on dry, solid land!
(This is all related to that cruise ship that tipped over by Italy recently... yes, I do keep a paranoid watch on all these occurrences!)

What's on my mind lately...

1. My heart breaks for the town of Sidney and for the family of Sherri Arnold. Not a happy ending. I have to admit when they found her shoe, I feared the worst, but hoped for the best. It gives me the chills to think that something like this happened in small town Montana. *just a little factoid for ya- I originate from this region; born in Sidney and lived in Bainville, MT till I was 4!*

2. Speaking of chills, we have a tier 3 sex offender living just a few blocks away from our home. Tier 3 means the probability of them commenting the offense again is high. I am spooked out like you have no idea. Before this week, I would not have been quite so paranoid, but after this Sherri Arnold thing, one never knows. I will be monitoring my girls and my neighbors kids very closely...

3. *on to happier things* I've recently discovered the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He is SOOOO funny! He's been on since 2004 or 05, I think. Thanks to late nights with Taryn, I've "found" him! My DVR captures every episode, so no, I don't stay up that late every night! His hand puppet rabbit, Sid, is simply hysterical.

4. NFL PLAYOFFS!!!!!! and guess who's playing??? MY '9ERS!!! Woo-Hooooo! I have to say, I think their chances against the Saints are good. Saints offense against '9ers defense will be a barn-burner. I am really impressed with Jim Harbough and what he's accomplished this year. I am even warming up, slightly, to Alex Smith.

5. Tim Tebow. You know what, I love how people can't figure out what the hype is all about. It's pretty simple, folks. We are a country that is desperate for a hero; someone who is genuine, humble and good at what they do. Tebow embodies all of that. And the come-from-behind spirit that envelopes all of that is magnetic. Who wouldn't want that in their own life. We're all kind of living vicariously thru Tebow. From the start of his NFL career, I've said just give him a chance. The nay-sayers were abundant. It's fun to watch the majority of people eat crow.

6. Apps. I am slowly learning about you. It's been a rough ride for this techno-phobe. My Asus tablet is the coolest thing ever, but it has so much to it that I may die and not scratch the surface on what that has to offer. I've recently started a daily devotional on it, tracking my weight loss, playing piano, listen to Pandora, and have a grocery list that is in progress. I'm still struggling to get rid of my paper day planner and use the one on the tablet. Baby steps, friends... I'm getting there!


7. Aria starts full time kindergarten next week. I'm sad all over again. I wonder when she's at school how she's doing, what she's doing, if other kids are nice to her, is she using her manners... I don't know these things! It drives me crazy. I almost want to put a camera in her backpack just to see how her day is like. She comes home from school everyday with the same answer to "how was your day?" with "Fine" and "what did you do today?" with "I can't remember" (money well spent, taxpayers!). I really won't do that, cuz it's weird, but I just miss her all day. It's part of growing up and I accept that, I just don't like it! Speaking of growing up, she has her first loose tooth! Ack!


8. Taryn is rolling over, grabbing for things, laughing a lot... it's such fun to see how much they grow. But, again, FAST! I love how when I go into her room after a nap or what-have-you, she may be crying her lungs out, but when she sees me, I get the biggest, toothless, grin from her. Love it!

10. Fall continues here for now. This weather is down right balmy! It's been 40 to 50 degrees since September! And windy. Whoa the wind. They're talking winter rears it's ugly head after the weekend, and I know it's mid-January, but I'm not ready!

11. Tony's health is good for now. A CT done just a few weeks ago revealed nothing: no stones in either kidney. Our insurance provider just changed to Blue Cross Blue Shield. I'm glad to have them as I know they provide good care (we had Aria insured with them for the last 3 or 4 years), but the rates are stupid. I'd say a 3rd of Tony's check goes to insurance premiums. Obviously, he needs it, as do we or anyone for that matter, but it's getting very pricey, as I am sure most of you can agree.

12. Chai Latte via my keurig and I have been having a date every evening after the girls are in bed. It's honestly, and maybe a bit pathetically, bliss!

I had a very nice holiday, spent time with great family and friends and enjoyed hearing from many of you over the season. I am TRULY blessed with the people in my life. Here's a pic of my beautiful daughters! *a mom has to brag!*

love/hate

My love/hate relationship with technology continues. I got an early Christmas present: Asus touch pad. It is sweet. I am really new to the app world and frankly don't know where to start. When we were in Billings, Tony waited in line at Best Buy for 5 hours to get it for me. How nice is that? It's been fun playing around with, tho. I have one app downloaded so far and it may be my only one: Angry Birds. This is the most stupidly addicting game ever!

So I've been loving that and then reality kicks in. Somehow, my email account was hacked and people on my contact list have been receiving emails from "me". It's in my name, but it's not really me. It's spam. I've gotten them from others in the past, but when it happens to you, it's a really helpless feeling. And angering. Why are there assholes out there who have nothing better to do than do stuff like this?! People like this, if caught deserve severe punishing in my book. I don't care who you are, if this is a fun hobby for you, let's erase your identity and memory for funzies and see how that feels! The microsoft people at hotmail have frozen my account for now while they verify some information I sent to them to get my account back, but it really makes me mad that I did nothing wrong and I have to suffer. What about the $#!+ who did this? What happens to them? Probably nothing. That's the thing with being online... you can be anyone at anytime. So, there's my hate. Right when I start to love technology, I'm reminded why I hate it!

So if you're reading this, and you're on my contact list, I'm sorry. I haven't emailed anyone in about a week and a half, so if you have something on your subject line from me recently, it isn't me. I was just telling someone the other day how glad I am to have the same email from day one and now it looks like it may have to change. We'll see. Again, sorry about all of this.

30 Days of Thankfulness

First off, I am such a slacker in the NFL department. I'm really sorry for this. And it would be such a great year for me to post stuff as my '9ers have one of the best records in the league! I've been watching regularly, however, so I am fully aware of what is going on and such. I'm truly missing Peyton Manning, as I'm sure the Colts nation is too.

Now, on to other things! As you should know, Thanksgiving is this Thursday. We are going to Billings to celebrate with my family. I honestly can't remember the last time I spent Thanksgiving or Christmas with them in Billings. I am really looking forward to this trip. As we get ready to reflect on how blessed we are, I thought I'd post mine here, one for each day of the month of November. I could probably go past 30 easily, but these stand out the most.

1. I am thankful for our beautiful daughter, Taryn Kennedy, born this year. She is healthy, sweet, and such a joy to our family.

2. I am thankful for my husband's health. It's sad how a major medical issue can make you appreciate a "normal" healthy day. This year has been a challenge for us, for sure, but we're stronger than ever as a couple and I am so glad Tony has recovered almost 100%!

3. I am so thankful for my family! They really are the reason we made it thru this year. Rick, Debbie, Dustin, Kim, Craig, and Heidi went above and beyond for us. I don't know if we'll ever be able to repay them or know how truly grateful I am for each of them. My mom and dad, and my awesome sister, Marcia checked on us often, send cards and balloons/flowers. Tho they weren't here all the time, their prayers and support were just as meaningful. But over all of that, they are all wonderful people to not only know, but be related to!

4. I am thankful for my friends. So many of them called or emailed to check on me. I want to single out a few as their friendship means more to me than anything. To Kris, no matter how long we go between face to face visits, we just pick up where we left off! I love that about us! To Amy, your emails always make me smile and I learn so much from you - your a wonderful example of a mom to me! To Joette, our friendship has really grown this past year. We are kindred spirits! To my sister, Marcia, you are my sister and greatest friend. I can express any thoughts or emotions to you and you just get me. You are a great listener, great advice giver, great mom, great everything. I'm so lucky to be your sister! To Heidi, as an adult, I was always looking for that "perfect" friend; someone to drink coffee with, someone to laugh about the silliest things with, share the latest with. My search ended when I met you. You really are my best friend! Thank you, ladies:). I'm a better person cuz I know all of you.

5. I am thankful for my jobs. I have 3 of them and enjoy the all tremendously. My home health job is fun and I really look forward to every day I go there. I have made some really great friends at the foot clinic and art center. These jobs keep me busy and grateful to be able to contribute financially to our family.

6. I am thankful for our vehicles. They run well and in about 18 months, will be paid off! I'm also thankful I have my dream car, '65 Mustang!

7. I am thankful for our warm, spacious home. Well, I could use an extra room or 2, but all and all, I love my house. It's fun to keep up and improve.

8. I am thankful for my husband, Tony. We met when I was 17. I have known and been with him for almost half of my life already! And you know what, I love him more and more the longer I'm with him. He is probably the funniest person I know, he tries very hard to be good to me, he is an excellent daddy, he's so handy around the house. He's the perfect husband. I'm blessed he chose me as his wife.

9. I am so thankful for Aria and Taryn. I was sick the other day and Aria was a little nurse to me. She was so sympathetic and helpful. She makes parenting so easy! She is just a real good kid. She's funny, sweet, and talented. I'm real blessed to be her mom. Taryn is a blessing, too. I'm learning so much as her mom, and it's so fun! I'm totally biased, but I have the best kids.

10. I'm thankful for Tony's jobs. He really is the breadwinner and he brings it! On top of being a great dad, husband, and all around fix-it guy, he's a wonderful provider for my family.

11. I'm thankful for my dogs. I really love my dogs! Sadie is over 10 years old, and it makes me sad to think that she has less time than more left with us, tho she certainly doesn't act like it. Riley is my girl. She's such a loyal dog and I love her devotion to me. Cooper, while he tries my patience, he's really a sweet dog. Aria pulls, tugs, and jumps all over him and he is very tolerant of her. That and they are all pretty good looking dogs, too. Again, I'm totally biased!

12. I'm really thankful for my parents. My dad is and always has been my hero. There's something to be said about someone when people still ask about him even tho he's been gone from this area for 13 years. My mom has a very tender spirit and sees the good in anyone or anything.

13. I'm thankful my brother came home safely from Iraq this past September. I am extremely proud of the military members of my family. It give me great pride to hang my flag in their honor every holiday.

14. I'm thankful to live in Montana. And be an American. We live in the best country in the world and the best state in the union.

15. I am thankful for my keurig coffee maker. I love that machine. It makes me delicious coffee every day. Whether it's love or addiction, I don't care! I love it!

16. I am thankful for Walmart. It has low prices and one stop shopping. I don't care who you are, there's something to be said after a long day at work and a long grocery list, to do it all in one building and then get home definitely has it's perks!

17. I am thankful for the NFL. Really. I love this game! I love the action, the suspense, all of it. I may not understand some things, but I get most of it and it's just a lot of fun for me.

18. I'm thankful our freezer is full of meat again for the year. We filled our deer tags and it's really our meat supply for the year for us.

19. I'm thankful I live in Joplin. I didn't always feels that way. We first moved here, I was one un-happy camper. But, with time and with kids, and a few people that came into my life, I am honestly content living where I do. It's safe and quiet.

20. I am thankful for smokers. Really. Next time you see a smoker thank them! They keep our taxes lower, they help pay for others health care. That is really nice of them. Granted, I'm married to one, but if there were no smokers, you and I would be paying a lot more in taxes. You better reconize and respect!

21. I'm thankful for my church and for their support this past summer. I am not able to be there often because of work and all, but I feel loved and cared for there. My desire is to help give back more, esp. once Taryn is a bit older.

22. I'm thankful that I can worship God as I wish in this country. While at times, I may feel oppressed by narrow-minded atheists and agnostics, we all are able to worship as we wish.

23. I am thankful I am a Christian. God revealed himself to me and I have been chosen by Him! Thank you Lord for a deep faith in you!

24. I am thankful for ears to hear wonderful music, eyes to see my beautiful daughters, legs to carry me thru the day, arms to hugs my husband, and voice to laugh at stupid, but humorous jokes.

25. I'm thankful for my LPN degree. I worked really hard for it and am really proud of it, too. No matter what may happen in life, I'll always have that to support myself and family.

26. I'm thankful for my TV and satellite. Is TV watching a hobby? For me, yes it is, as well as a friend and therapist. Is this healthy? Don't care.

27. I am thankful for the traveling opportunities I've had up to this point (if you know my husband, you'd understand why I'm grateful!). I've been to California, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Minnesota, Washington, and Hawaii.

28. I'm thankful for flat rate phone bills. When our phone company quit charging for every long distant call made, it was like winning the lottery. I can talk to my sister for hours and before these flat rates were put in place, well... our phone bills weren't very pretty. Now I talk and talk and talk, guilt free! Nice.

29. I was so thankful for the excellent care Tony and I both received while we were hospitalized. We had/have great doctors and our care was outstanding.

30. I am thankful to shoot a gun, buy a camper, ride a boat, play an organized sport, sing like a rock star in my car, pray to my Lord and Savior, sit on my deck, enjoy all 4 seasons of the year, love my family and friends, walk my dogs in a great town, state, country and have had 32 great years.

What are you thankful for? Happy Thanksgiving all!

Occupy Wall Street

My sister sent this to me. I've been meaning to post something on this. Dave took the words right out of my mouth (he does a much better job of it too!).

Dave's Take on Occupy Wall Street
By Dave Ramsey
"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Yeah, that's great. But what do you want? What are your goals? What are your demands? What result are you looking for?
The beauty of being vague is that anyone who has any emotion can get caught up in the excitement and join your crusade. They'll just get mad at something and assume that you're both mad about the same thing. Put a few hundred of these people together, and boom. You've got a crowd, a headline and a lot of attention … but no message.
A lot of people on Twitter are saying I totally agree with the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) demands and goals. The only problem is that I have no idea what their demands and goals are. And neither does anyone else. If all you ever do is stomp around, yell and hold up signs protesting a million different things, sure you'll get some attention, but over time, you'll just look foolish. You end up coming across like a three-year-old having a temper tantrum.
This is what's happening to the OWS movement. They're being discredited because no one has stepped forward and really stated what it is they're after. The whole group is coming across like a bunch of jacked-up, jobless, wannabe hippies. That's not going to change anything in this country. You've got to state your goals clearly if you want to accomplish something.
So in the absence of any clear goals, let me comment and offer some helpful advice in some areas that seem to be getting a lot of disorganized OWS attention.
"No Government Bailouts!"
Banks and big companies should not receive taxpayer money for a bailout while their CEOs are making hundreds of millions of dollars. If that's your gripe, then you're protesting in the wrong location. Pack up and head to Washington, D.C., to deliver your message to the current administration. Don't get me wrong—I totally support a company's freedom to pay their leaders well. I just don't believe that I, as a taxpayer, should subsidize those huge salaries in the form of taxpayer bailouts. I pay my own team members; I don't need to pay everyone else's too.
By the way, you may be shocked to learn that the Tea Party agrees with you on this one—and so do I.
"Down With Corporate Greed!"
Gordon Gekko was wrong. Greed is not good. Greed is bad—very bad. It's a spiritual disease, and it is a disease that sadly affects a lot of companies across the country. If you believe a specific company is acting purely out of greed, then don't just get mad—do something. Point out where and how they're greedy and let the world know. Stop doing business with them. If enough people listen to you, the company will get the message because you'll hit them where it hurts: the bottom line. If they don't get their act together, then they'll go out of business and another business will take their place.
But if you're saying that all businesses are greedy and that capitalism itself is evil and ineffective, then I'm sorry—you're just being stupid. You're being misled and misinformed by some of the louder voices around you. Are you wearing clothes? Have you eaten any food lately? Do you have an iPhone in your pocket to check in with Twitter and Facebook while you're out marching around? Good. All of those products and services are brought to you by quality companies dedicated to serving you well in a capitalistic system that works just fine.
"Wall Street Is Evil!"
If you have this painted on a sign, well, now you just look ignorant. Wall Street is a street that people drive on. The New York Stock Exchange is a building where people exchange stocks in New York. This is the flea market of the financial world. Don't turn Wall Street into some terrible monster attacking American citizens. It's just a road with some buildings on it.
But here's what happens. Sometimes when people don't understand something, they start to fear it. And as the fear grows, it turns into anger. But just because you don't understand something, you shouldn't see it as bad or frightening or a conspiracy. You should just think of it as an opportunity to learn something new—something that could actually be a blessing to you.
For example, imagine a group of natives out in the jungle in the farthest part of the world. I mean, picture a group of people who have never seen anyone outside of their tribe and have certainly never seen any kind of machine. What would they think if they saw a Red Cross helicopter land near them? And what would they think of the strange-looking men and women who jump out of the chopper and start walking toward them? They'd be freaked out! They wouldn't know or care if the Red Cross was there to help them with food or medicine. They'd think it was the end of the world or something because their minds would be totally blown!
I hate to say it, but a lot of OWS protestors are just about as uninformed as those jungle natives when it comes to how the American financial system works. A road and an office building. That's Wall Street.
"Wealth Redistribution Is the Answer!"
I've heard a lot about wealth redistribution over the past few years, and I'm sure you've heard it too. Call it whatever you want, but this is how it usually sounds to most Americans: "We are the 99% of Americans who don't have as much as the 1%, so we're mad and think the government should take their wealth and property away so that we can have a piece of it. Wealth inequality is a moral breakdown! We should all spread the money around so everyone gets a fair share!"
I have my toughest critique for those who believe this: You are a thief. When someone takes my money and gives me no say in the matter, that's called theft—whether they're using a gun or the government. At the core of this demand is envy. And that's not the same as jealousy. Jealousy just says, "I want what you have." Envy is a different beast. Envy says, "I don't think I can ever have what you have, so you shouldn't have it either." Decades of horrible economic teaching and the politics of envy have kept this monster alive and growing and moving forward.
This way of thinking makes you assume that all rich people are evil and have scammed their way into wealth. That may be true in the tale of Robin Hood, but I choose to live in the real world. Sure, there are some scoundrels, but the vast majority of successful men and women got that way by working hard and serving people—lots of people. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates changed the world in ways we're just now starting to realize. Their positive impact on the world has helped all of us live better lives, and they made fortunes for themselves by doing so. Why is it that you're holy if you help one person but evil if you help a million? That's just stupid.
A good friend of mine is a country music legend. He's made a bazillion dollars over his career, and he just bought a $400,000 car. He's worked like a crazy person his whole life, spending decades in tour buses, writing songs in the middle of the night, and entertaining enormous crowds of cheering fans. He paid a price to get there, and I'm happy for his success. Would it be right for me to walk into his house and demand my "fair share" of his wealth? Heck no! I'm a terrible singer! I didn't do one thing to contribute to his success, so why would I be entitled to a share of his wealth? He's given me years of entertainment through his music. That's my fair share of his hard work.
My problems aren't his fault. And my problems aren't McDonald's fault or Home Depot's fault or Walmart's fault, either. My problems are my fault! And the more people these companies serve, the more money they make—and that's none of my business! If you don't like McDonald's, then here's an idea: Don't eat there. But don't walk into the restaurant and demand a portion of their proceeds for the day.
When you scream, "I'm in the 99%!" you just look like a whiner. Those of us willing to pay the price to win look at you and shrug. Heck, when it comes to the music business, I'm in the 99% myself! But that doesn't mean I have to tear Toby Keith, Brad Paisley or even Kanye down. Oh, and a special note just for Kanye: Capitalism has been pretty good to you. I celebrate your success, but you look a little hypocritical protesting capitalism while wearing a $50,000 watch.
Celebrate the Land of Opportunity
This is the greatest country on the planet, but even here, you're not guaranteed wealth, talent, fame, a full head of hair or six-pack abs. Those things are not in the Constitution. You are, however, guaranteed the freedom to make your life what you want it to be. And when you do that, when you build your life around your dreams and passions and hard work, you're guaranteed the right to keep it. No one has the right to take it away from you.
So to summarize, I'm not very impressed at the moment. I'm not impressed by your temper fit. I'm not impressed at your lack of goals and focus. I'm not impressed by the fact that the only thing I see about your movement is ignorance, immaturity and envy. Grow up—and get a job.
Yes, there are jobs out there. There are jobs out there that haven't even been invented yet. Go create the next Facebook or Weed Eater. Go pick up so much dog poop that you can start your own fertilizer company. And stop complaining that companies are TOO RICH while also complaining that they aren't RICH ENOUGH to hire you! I've seen a lot of you guys. I wouldn't hire you, either. But if you take all of that energy and excitement and pour it into something new and creative, you'll get the chance to serve a whole lot of people really well, and over a decade or two, you'll get to become the very thing you're now protesting: rich people who actually earned their money.

A term used a bit loosely...

Definition of BIGOT
: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance (taken from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)

So, am I a bigot? I was called one today, and it got me thinking about the word, it's meaning and is it used out of context. I'll present my case and let you decide.

There was an article in one of our local newspapers about a man who lived across the street from a business. Every day, according to the article, the man and his wife are subjected to an image that is offensive to them on an employee of that business vehicle: the silhouette of a naked woman in the rear window (like the mud flaps, just much bigger in size). The employee, a female, was approached by this man to move her vehicle. She didn't. So he went and asked the employer to tell this woman to move her vehicle. She did... for one day, but was back at it again the next day. So, this man called the cops, stating that this was akin to soft-porn and he wanted it removed. That's a brief summary of the article. I, maybe stupidly, read the comments and was stunned! Probably about 90% of the comments thought the man was in the wrong and needed to leave this woman alone and "turn his head away" if it offended him so bad. It's her right and freedom of speech, after all, to put whatever she wants on her vehicle. "get a life!" was a popular statement. I must admit, my blood was boiling a bit, so I posted a comment on there myself. My point was how if anything that is viewed as offensive, based on what I'd read, we could also apply that theory to religious symbols, too. Don't like it, turn your head, right? Well that's when I was called a bigot. (I wonder if we turned the story around and the woman had a cross in her rear window and the guy took offense, what that story would play out as). So, I go to church and the sermon was based from Jonah 4. Basically, how after Jonah went to Nineveh, he still wanted to see the Ninevites smite as he felt they didn't deserve God's compassion and forgiveness. The pastor went as far as to call Jonah a spiritual bigot. (how weird that this word would cross my path twice in one morning?!) I could identify a bit with Jonah and his attitudes. But my question was who is bigoted: Me or the people on the other side of the naked silhouette chick issue? They are just as stubborn and sure of their beliefs as I am. Or is bigot too strong a word for all parties involved. I tell myself these hoity-toity know-it-alls are seriously confused and lack simple understanding of respecting our fellow man. I will admit there are certain behaviors I won't do around certain people as it's a respect issue. I'm not so crass as to force my will on everyone! If this guy truly did ask this woman to move her vehicle and she didn't just to get a rise out of him, that's just plain bullying. Now, if I had a neighbor who did something similar, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't call the police on them. But I still think it's a respect issue. Anyway, I know as a Christian, we are to love people and show them the love of God, no matter what. But, we are also to be discerning of this world and follow God's will/laws. In doing that, am I a bigot? If I expect other people to understand that about me, am I a bigot? Why is it that when it comes to religion, the bigot is usually the person who holds the higher standard of morality. I was also compared to the Taliban, who last I checked murdered people for not agreeing with them. I really don't want to kill anybody ever, regardless of whether or not one agrees with me! But seriously, I know it's easy to condemn and hard to forgive, but if I condemn, I'm a bigot, if I forgive, maybe I'm becoming relaxed in my moral values. I struggled with the hypocrisy of it all; how a religious symbol can enrage the same group of people and a naked image of a woman won't. Are they the bigots? Is it my place to say if anyone of us is bigoted or not? In our society, it's seems more acceptable to just go along with whatever feels good. "If it doesn't bother me, who cares?" I am finding that I'm not apart of that group. I want to take a stand, a strong stand, against what I feel is wrong. If I do that, am I bigoted? If I believe homosexuality is wrong, am I a bigot. Or is that the word to throw at me to shut me up? If I believe a man standing up for what he thinks is wrong is okay, are we both bigots? Or is that word being thrown at us to make us feel ashamed of our opinions. When did it become to "let every person believe whatever they wanted" except when they're a Christian? I know that the Bible talks about how the world views the Cross as offensive, but as a nation who 80-some% claim belief in God, why is this even an issue? Honestly, if you couldn't tell, being called a bigot got under my skin. I kind of had thought, up until today, that I was pretty tolerant of other people's views, but maybe I'm not. Perhaps I'm a bigot. Maybe I should wear that label with pride; I've always liked the idea of being original, not like everyone else. Maybe this is it! What do you think?

Who me? Opinionated?!

I love this band and am so excited to get their new album (it releases October 24!). I so rarely purchase CDs, esp. in the era of downloads, but some bands (note I said BANDS) deserve it and Coldplay is one of them. I'm contemplating a special trip to Havre just to buy it!

Just because baby Lisa is getting more press in her disappearance has nothing to do with race! That grandma in Glendale, AZ has every right to be upset on her granddaughter's disappearance, too. But to suggest it's race based is plain stupid. Tho she is getting some national media attention now. Baby Lisa's case is puzzling and the parents behavior is bewildering; that's why they are getting more press. Jahessye's mom did act negligently and I truly hope that adorable little girl is found safe and sound, but there is nothing race based on coverage. Unfortunately, it's luck of the draw. I guess this is the age of Obama... this is the hope and change people wanted, right?

Speaking of that, have you heard about the insane mom in Seattle? The Air Force Veteran who strongly opposed her daughter saying the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at school? Check this quote out: "It pains me to think that at a school that emphasizes thinking globally we would institute something that makes our children think that this country alone is where their allegiance lies," said Haley Sides. "This has no educational value for young children. Absolutely none." The article later states that According to the paper, the pledge will be read over the PA system every Monday and recited in individual classrooms the other days of the week. Students who don't want to participate will be allowed to sit or stand respectfully. What is the issue. Oh! Haley Sides, 26, moved to Seattle after four years in the Air Force so her 6-year-old daughter could attend John Stanford International School, which promotes the same multiculturalism that Sides says she has tried to instill in her half-Jamaican daughter, according to the paper.
But Sides became angry when the school’s new principal announced that students will be asked to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day before the start of classes. The policy, which has long been mandated by district policy but not traditionally observed at John Stanford , will start Monday. (Italics taken from foxnews.com) Never mind this school is located in America and John Stanford International School is an award-winning Seattle public elementary school. That last phrase is taken directly from the JSIS website. This woman, while clearly narrow-minded, has no case here. A silly thing to cry over, in my humble (and correct!) opinion. I am really tired of the few, yet very loud, intolerant individuals who think others are treading on their rights. What about those who WANT to say the pledge? What about their rights? What about those who want the Jesus statue to stay up at Big Mountain. What about their rights? So you don't believe in Jesus? It doesn't align with your way of thinking? So you think no one should have the privilege to enjoy their beliefs if you can't enjoy yours? I'm over people like you. Sit quietly and meditate on yourself (cuz people with your "belief" system are quite self-centered) and let those of us, who live in the land of the free and the ability to worship how we please, alone!

How 'bout them '9ers?! 5-1, people. Not bad. And I'm pleasantly surprised. The handshake between Harbaugh and Lions Coach Schwartz was a bit unprofessional, but was totally overblown. I watched it happen and Harbaugh was greeting everyone in his radius with the same exuberance. Granted, he should've toned it down for Schwartz, but to say that it was intentionally disrespectful is a bit much. I am biased, maybe, but I saw no reason for all the hoopla. Both coaches have taken teams with losing seasons and turned it around in less than a year. There's a lot of competitiveness and tension on either side. I actually liked the abrasiveness of it; this is football people! Not pansy-ball. Let's get excited and play with passion. That is what I saw after that game. It was somewhat refreshing.

I'm so excited for this coming Wednesday! Womens basketball for adult ed. I'm only hoping the women in the area don't go lame-sauce on me and skip out. If people don't show, they won't continue it. Even if you're out of shape (I know I am, but I'm working on it), just come. It's for fun... don't let me down, ladies!! Please!

Taryn is in the midst of her first cold. It's not too bad, she's mostly congested, but when babies are obligate nose-breathers, simple tasks like eating are very difficult! Poor thing! I've stocked up on Vicks Rub and Vapor to add to her humidifier in her room, but still. A couple parents, who clearly have no ability to read or common sense, over dosed their babies, so now apparently all parents will do this, so no medication to alleviate your child's symptoms. It's just like anything else in our sue-happy society: one person ruins it for everyone. My poor Ter-bear, sorry a few numbnuts ruined it for you!

To end on a fun note, I have some fun news: I'm going to dye my hair! We were watching TV the other day and during one of the commercials, Tony stops and says, "You see that chick in the commercial?" "Yeah, what about it?" "Well, I like her hair. You should try something like that." Seriously, he said that! I had thought all this time he liked my blonde hair. Well, he does, he just thinks I'd like to try something new. He's right. I always, tho never really successfully, like to change my look. I'd never considered coloring it. Till just last week. I'm defiantly gonna go with something bold. If I've been given the green light, I'm not going subtle! If I get around to it later, maybe I'll post ideas on here for fun and possible feedback. It'll be fun and I can't wait to see people's reaction! "*tsk* Oh! What did you do to your pretty hair?!" Maybe I'll be a great brunette or redhead...

A brief update

This picture is a rarity at night! Taryn is a pretty mellow baby, she just has her days and nights mixed up a bit. At least she doesn't keep us up every night. It's more like every other night. But, this momma needs her sleep... every night. Aria was the complete opposite; slept all night, every night. I know babies can do this, but I'm not used to it. However, no matter how tired I am, there's something that is very tranquil about feeding a baby at 2 in the morning with the TV quietly on in the background. I almost enjoy those moments with my Ter-bear.



This baby gift from a friend made me smile, BIG TIME! I love these and want a pair for myself! Now, I know I have been down right pathetic about posting my NFL picks and such this year. I have no good excuse for it (I could say I'm busy, but I do spend a fair amount each day on the computer. I just keep saying I'll do it later... and I don't). I have been watching it, and my '9ers are doing pretty well, I'd say. The Cowgirls are choking, to my delight. I am so disappointed that Peyton Manning is out, possibly for good. I am so glad I was able to see him play in person last February, tho. Anyway, no guarantees on when or even if I'll get to my picks any time soon, but, in case you've forgotten, as long as the 49ers are winning and the Cowgirls are losing, I'm a pretty happy girl! (on a recent newsworthy note: join me in buying Hank Williams Jr. music as I think ESPN has lost their minds. Talk about blowing a statement out of proportion! He did NOT compare Obama to Hilter, he likened it... big difference. If you don't understand that, your English teacher failed you miserably. I'm afraid a lot of today's media English and Journalism teachers failed them, tho.)


Try to guess if this is Aria or Taryn! It's Taryn, but the resemblance of these 2 is uncanny! I look forward to watching Taryn grow and see the changes and similarities between her and Aria.

I'm back to work and my mom is visiting for a few weeks to help with that transition. Aria likes kindergarten for the most part. Tony is very busy still catching up with work put on hold during his kidney stone saga. He is feeling pretty good, but gets tired pretty easily still. And can you believe it's October?! I put out our Halloween decorations this past weekend and it just didn't feel right. Granted, we were jipped out of a nice summer, but considering all that has happened, it really flew by! *probably a good thing, too!*