I live there- in the ghetto. Ok, well far from it, but our house falls apart in some pretty amusing yet also frustrating ways (it's 70 years old so it's entitled I suppose) and I often feel like I live in a warp ghetto type of dwelling sometimes. Some parts of our home and yard are fixed up quite nicely so it's funny to go from one nice room into one not-so-much nice room.
We are attempting to fix up the interior and exterior of our home but this falls second to paying it off - so it is happening fairly slowly. I think our mortgage will be paid off before we get rid of our chicken wire & plaster walls (yes, that is what they are actually made of...probably with a mix of yummy asbestos). We recently had a sprinkling system (yes, we have been hand-watering for FIVE years now...well, Mark has) installed with some other large project landscaping work (with the contractor from HELL!) and they showed us the part of our pipes that they cut out. The insides were CORRODED to say the least and they lent us an amused recommendation that we outta have them changed out within the next 2-5 years and wondered how we felt about drinking out of them. I figure what hasn't killed us yet so.....well, thgouht it admittedly might someday, which is why we plan on SELLING before replacing the pipes becomes a bigger necessity- for now I settle for less-than-ideal water pressure, flatter-than-usual hair, and the thought that maybe the corrosive elements will be found one day to really enhance our biological makeups...? :)
Right now, however, the most unusual problem at hand (b/c I could count on all ten fingers and toes and still have unusual problems that constantly beckon us to fix them in one mind numbing way or another) is our hot water knob in our shower (our ONLY bathroom and shower since we are renting out our basement still..only until next Spring whoo hoo!) - it isn't entirely functional currently.
When Mark and I were first starting to date I remember him telling me he'd had a huge plumbing issue with his shower and the knob broke and he couldn't find a replacement (which happens when nothing in your house is STANDARD b/c it's so old)- but since he wasn't planning on renovation quite yet he found a knob that would at least 'grip' the metal protruding turn thingy and work. Well, that knob has recently become stripped an no longer performs so we are knob-less with no options until we really do renovate it (a year + from now is the plan! Which will put us fixing it up to sell it, so sad.). So for now we turn on the hot water in the shower with a little wrench with apparently very desirable red handles that is very popular with Slade. That means it'll go missing very soon never to be found again. I realize this could be so much worse and that we are lucky to have all we do - just thought I'd share some recent semi-misery in our slightly ghetto dwelling. Haha. We're seriously so blessed aren't we?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
An opportunity...
Ok, so here's an easy opportunity to start becoming more political for the good of all. Though you may not be politically driven or harbor significant interest in this realm - it greatly affects you, your family, and your friends nonetheless...daily (which many of my friends and family have come to realize when they voted Romney or themselves on the election ballot instead of the lesser of two 'evils', way to go guys).
You can go to Change.gov to get set up to receive email updates regarding the progress of the 'transition team' for B.O., follow their blog, and they even offer folks like us "from all walks of life" a chance to voice our opinions on their website. I have, and I encourage you to do this as well. Consider the following 'form' email an invite from me to you:
Hey,
President-elect Obama's Transition team is inviting Americans from every walk of life to share their stories, experiences, and ideas.
I just shared my thoughts on an issue that's important to me, and I thought you might like to, too:
http://www.change.gov/yourvision
Thanks.
You can go to Change.gov to get set up to receive email updates regarding the progress of the 'transition team' for B.O., follow their blog, and they even offer folks like us "from all walks of life" a chance to voice our opinions on their website. I have, and I encourage you to do this as well. Consider the following 'form' email an invite from me to you:
Hey,
President-elect Obama's Transition team is inviting Americans from every walk of life to share their stories, experiences, and ideas.
I just shared my thoughts on an issue that's important to me, and I thought you might like to, too:
http://www.change.gov/yourvision
Thanks.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Stop Picking On Boys
I just read Dr. Laura's most recent blog posting (if you aren't on her notification list you should be- even if you don't agree with everything she says - the part you would agree with offers such GREAT insight it makes it so worth it! You can subscribe or read HERE.) The posting is about the realities of how males vs. females learn and how it is hurting the boys in our lives. I totally agree with her on this issue especially b/c I can already see such a profound difference in how my son is so different in his learning and behavior than girls. My husband and I definitely learn and respond to things differently and just read any relationship book out there - they all seek to build bridges between the two sexes to help them relate better and amplify their separate greatness in a wonderful way. Read the Proclamation To The World and it says the same thing- we're different because that's who we ARE and have always been. I agree with her that we really should have different curriculum for boys v. girls in the education system for all things equal. It's in our genes and why we were created - why in the world should we detrimentally fight it- the differences are what make us amazing and how we fulfill the measure of our creation, let's work with them instead of against them! :)
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Stop Picking on Boys!
November 20, 2008 on 12:12 pm | In Boys, Children, Education, Gender Email This Post I am so unbelievably sick of academic feminist organizations perpetually whining about their imagined assaults on girls in education. A long time ago, The American Association of University Women once had me give a keynote speech at one of their luncheons. I looked around the room of successful and powerful (mostly older) women, and wondered why they had to have a meeting to complain about how difficult it is for women to succeed…when we had a room chock full of women who had incredible accomplishments because of their efforts and sacrifices.
I didn’t get a standing ovation and never got invited back.
The truth interferes with the perpetual “we are victims” mentality of the feminist activists. Here are the facts:
* 2/3 of all learning disability diagnoses are for boys
* 70 percent of all D’s and F’s go home with boys (they’re not challenged appropriately)
* 90% of school discipline referrals are for boys (it’s hard to make boys sit still)
* 80% of all Ritalin takers are boys (yeah…drug the little buggers into submission - a kind of psychological castration, I’ve always thought)
* 80% of school drop outs…are…boys!
* Fewer than 40% of college students are currently males (making it harder for girls to find a date)
Girls, in general, are surpassing boys in school in all subjects except math and science - and that gap has been closing quickly
Other facts are that boys are more competitive, energetic, visual, physical, risk-taking and so on than are girls. Boys need a different learning environment than girls. The “girly”-oriented educational system in the United States demands that boys become like girls or be medicated.
Boys need more physical movement in the curriculum. They need recesses to work off that male energy, they appreciate reading more male-friendly subjects, they like projects, and they enjoy competing rather than cooperating and all getting the same grade. Boys do better with male mentors, and boys need teachers with more of a sense of humor toward “boy antics” without punishment or demeaning reactions.
I believe boys and girls should have separate classrooms, curriculum, teaching styles, and completely different academic environments.
The beginning of the feminist attack on the educational process proclaimed that girls were being short-changed. Maybe so…and, if so, maybe the best thing for girls is a girl-centered and oriented academic program.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
With Kids Like This...
When I first moved into this ward I kept hearing about this family over and over again - about all of the wonderful things that they do for others and how wonderful they are in general. I thought to myself that they were too good to be true and they must have some serious flaw- like the husband is a lousy abuser or something...oh how I was wrong (I am a lot, I'm very aware).
They are the most genuine, sweetest, most giving, loving, good-natured family I've come across in a long time (well, ok using extremes too much can head you in the direction for an out of balance view, but they are pretty darn great people). This is a family of 10 with children ranging from like 22 down to 5 years of age. My husband is the scoutmaster in our ward and they have like 4 boys in the scouts right now with one on the way and they are just the best boys. They always make it to the holidays where they have to put out flags - first thing in the morning and then again at night (yes, Mark has to do this so we can never go anywhere on the holidays unless someone fills in..which they do- the rest of the ward is pretty good too) to earn money for Scout camp. They are very funny boys who do not dress to impress and don't care (in a good way, of course) but are good to everyone. The kids love their parents and their parents are just great good people. I have witnessed no ill-conceived, flagrant self-importance from them- which is fairly unheard of these days for many that I meet (I, myself, always feel the battle)- and they seem very level-headed for their ages.
I asked the mother once how she raised such an exemplary family and she just humbly said that if her kids were good then it was only because she prayed a lot and accepted all the callings offered to her. Again, total lack of the need to be seen as magnificient in the eyes of all.
A few Sundays ago we had a Primary Program (I'm a Primary Teacher for the Valiant 10-12 girls) and we practiced the program before Sacrament began. One of their little girls is shy and was very frightened at having to get up and recite a line she was given. The first Sunday practice her mother (who is also a Primary Teacher) held her steady and she whispered it all the while trying to escape. This past Sunday her mother was absent but her brother who is older was present. When she got up to speak her line she did so alone - in a sob - then fell into the arms of her waiting brother. He cuddled her and patted her back and whispered sweet things to her for the rest of the practice. When the actual time came to recite in front of the audience, she did a great job- no problem.
This isn't the first, second, or even third time that I've personally witnessed this boy in particular looking out for other children with sincere love and humility. I told Mark about it and he added many stories to mine of the service these kids have done for one another as well as others outside their family. They are a truly inspiring bunch - definitely worthy of the praised they are often given. I hope someday to have kids that are always on the look out of what they can do for others - to others with true love and a serving heart!
I feel like there are fewer and fewer women, which I come in contact with, that I can look to for inspiration and the pure love of Christ these days, especially when it comes to child-rearing- but this mother is certainly one of them. There are a handful of others in our ward who I view as exemplary parents (the kind I have a goal to be like) and great people in general. They're the ones who are very active in the ward and in doing good to others, sacrificing some of life's little and big pleasures to meet the needs of others and carry the Spirit with them, and when you meet them out in the street or call them for parenting advice (as I have on more than one occassion thus far) they're always willing to talk to you and share with you their experiences and are concerned for you as much as for themselves. That is the genuine good stuff that society needs so much more of. How often do we see these kinds of parents or families portrayed - in an enligtening and uplifting way- these days? I cannot name one show (though, I do not yet watch Disney- maybe a few of you could recommend some shows that are ok, Slade's only got eyes for Baby Einstein).
With kids (and parents, of course) like this we can really change the world. Man, how I appreciate the worth of fantastic parents who truly love their children and fulfill their roles. That's what this life is all about! Aint it GREAT!!!
They are the most genuine, sweetest, most giving, loving, good-natured family I've come across in a long time (well, ok using extremes too much can head you in the direction for an out of balance view, but they are pretty darn great people). This is a family of 10 with children ranging from like 22 down to 5 years of age. My husband is the scoutmaster in our ward and they have like 4 boys in the scouts right now with one on the way and they are just the best boys. They always make it to the holidays where they have to put out flags - first thing in the morning and then again at night (yes, Mark has to do this so we can never go anywhere on the holidays unless someone fills in..which they do- the rest of the ward is pretty good too) to earn money for Scout camp. They are very funny boys who do not dress to impress and don't care (in a good way, of course) but are good to everyone. The kids love their parents and their parents are just great good people. I have witnessed no ill-conceived, flagrant self-importance from them- which is fairly unheard of these days for many that I meet (I, myself, always feel the battle)- and they seem very level-headed for their ages.
I asked the mother once how she raised such an exemplary family and she just humbly said that if her kids were good then it was only because she prayed a lot and accepted all the callings offered to her. Again, total lack of the need to be seen as magnificient in the eyes of all.
A few Sundays ago we had a Primary Program (I'm a Primary Teacher for the Valiant 10-12 girls) and we practiced the program before Sacrament began. One of their little girls is shy and was very frightened at having to get up and recite a line she was given. The first Sunday practice her mother (who is also a Primary Teacher) held her steady and she whispered it all the while trying to escape. This past Sunday her mother was absent but her brother who is older was present. When she got up to speak her line she did so alone - in a sob - then fell into the arms of her waiting brother. He cuddled her and patted her back and whispered sweet things to her for the rest of the practice. When the actual time came to recite in front of the audience, she did a great job- no problem.
This isn't the first, second, or even third time that I've personally witnessed this boy in particular looking out for other children with sincere love and humility. I told Mark about it and he added many stories to mine of the service these kids have done for one another as well as others outside their family. They are a truly inspiring bunch - definitely worthy of the praised they are often given. I hope someday to have kids that are always on the look out of what they can do for others - to others with true love and a serving heart!
I feel like there are fewer and fewer women, which I come in contact with, that I can look to for inspiration and the pure love of Christ these days, especially when it comes to child-rearing- but this mother is certainly one of them. There are a handful of others in our ward who I view as exemplary parents (the kind I have a goal to be like) and great people in general. They're the ones who are very active in the ward and in doing good to others, sacrificing some of life's little and big pleasures to meet the needs of others and carry the Spirit with them, and when you meet them out in the street or call them for parenting advice (as I have on more than one occassion thus far) they're always willing to talk to you and share with you their experiences and are concerned for you as much as for themselves. That is the genuine good stuff that society needs so much more of. How often do we see these kinds of parents or families portrayed - in an enligtening and uplifting way- these days? I cannot name one show (though, I do not yet watch Disney- maybe a few of you could recommend some shows that are ok, Slade's only got eyes for Baby Einstein).
With kids (and parents, of course) like this we can really change the world. Man, how I appreciate the worth of fantastic parents who truly love their children and fulfill their roles. That's what this life is all about! Aint it GREAT!!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I wear ALOTTA black
A great percentage of my wardrobe is black. I haven't tried to consciously made a statement (good or bad) with my clothing since I don't know when- so it's not that I think of myself darkly or that I have deep thoughts or anything- its just so easy to match things with. I don't care to dilly dally (is that how you spell that?) with trivial things like that anymore (let's be honest shall we, I've got the husband, don't have to compete with other girls at my place of employment, and Slade could care less how I dress so....the obvious conclusion is the one I have subconsciously drawn I'm assuming). I just like to have a closet where I can just grab something comfy from and be on my way. My only issue with this color is that it more clearly reflects my deodorant stripes which I very commonly obtain whilst dressing myself in haste to maximize my 'me' time while the baby sleeps. I'm not the only one who has noticed this about me - one time one of my Primary Girls noticed I wore something non-black and sat in wonderment all through Opening Exercises.
Laura Ingrahm ran a segment on her program the other day about dressing the part as there is a new company out where the Pres. is a young guy who discriminates against people who dress up for the job- preferring those who dress more honestly and comfortably. Would I be a better mom, wife, teacher if I dressed differently, or am I good b/c now I don't let it rule me so much anymore? I think how you present yourself (talking aesthetically here right now) makes a big difference in what conclusions people draw about you. I know Sarah has said in her blog that if someone doesn't 'thrill' her upon first meeting then they're pretty much going nowhere with her- I relate to that in my own way, but much less so now that I'm a SAHM. I think it goes much deeper than that though. When I met Mark I was anything but impressed. I thought he was stuck up (he's just so smart, relaxed, and well mannered what was I to assume compared to my flighty, ill-grounded, social obsessed self?) but was mostly unimpressed with him b/c he dressed very poorly (who wears flannel and genuinely holey pants anymore?!?) thus deciding that he wasn't someone I really wanted to associate with based pretty much on that alone- shallow huh (he was my home teacher though, so the inevitable did happen). When I got over myself and realized I was being too superficial I got to know the real Mark and now I'm grateful he condescended to marry me...truly I am (I'm not saying this is Sarah's motivation at all for saying this- it just jumped out to me as her sense of humor does and got me thinking). Mark is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, blah blah blah. Every day he surprises me with something new- usually an epiphany from me when I realize how far advanced in thinking skills and such than I am (though I credit myself with actually coming to that realization- and that's progress!). Though it takes time to get to know Mark, it is definitely worth the effort as my own family has found (well, I would say that wouldn't I?). Mark is the kind of person who if he can't say anything nice, well, he just keeps it to himself and is generally amused by it and that's enough for him, sometimes he shares it with me and then knowing he does that keeps me guessing about things from that point on. I've never met a man like Mark and believe me, back in the day I had my fill of dating and meeting guys. Without going on endlessly about my admiration for this guy- would things have been different if he'd dressed differently or dressed differently now?
What I guess this all comes from is how much of competing with the Jones' we do without really thinking about it anymore and what kind of people we become for that. Though I am proud of my beater car and she's been very good to me- I still feel a tinge of jealousy when I see a car with all 4 hubcaps and a shiny paint job pass me by. I know that it's more important to pay off our mortgage asap and have food on our table, and not have to be 'bailed out' of life by others...does what I wear matter?
Weight gain aside (I'll post soon on my new results after attending the gym religiously for a month...so it's less of an issue now) am I now the typical Mormon SAHM that I dreaded so much before I became one? If I am then why didn't I do this sooner? No more wasted money, time, worry and the like- I'm a free bird livin the sweet life. Ok, seriously, do I need a change- what do you think I'm missig here? Haha
Laura Ingrahm ran a segment on her program the other day about dressing the part as there is a new company out where the Pres. is a young guy who discriminates against people who dress up for the job- preferring those who dress more honestly and comfortably. Would I be a better mom, wife, teacher if I dressed differently, or am I good b/c now I don't let it rule me so much anymore? I think how you present yourself (talking aesthetically here right now) makes a big difference in what conclusions people draw about you. I know Sarah has said in her blog that if someone doesn't 'thrill' her upon first meeting then they're pretty much going nowhere with her- I relate to that in my own way, but much less so now that I'm a SAHM. I think it goes much deeper than that though. When I met Mark I was anything but impressed. I thought he was stuck up (he's just so smart, relaxed, and well mannered what was I to assume compared to my flighty, ill-grounded, social obsessed self?) but was mostly unimpressed with him b/c he dressed very poorly (who wears flannel and genuinely holey pants anymore?!?) thus deciding that he wasn't someone I really wanted to associate with based pretty much on that alone- shallow huh (he was my home teacher though, so the inevitable did happen). When I got over myself and realized I was being too superficial I got to know the real Mark and now I'm grateful he condescended to marry me...truly I am (I'm not saying this is Sarah's motivation at all for saying this- it just jumped out to me as her sense of humor does and got me thinking). Mark is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, blah blah blah. Every day he surprises me with something new- usually an epiphany from me when I realize how far advanced in thinking skills and such than I am (though I credit myself with actually coming to that realization- and that's progress!). Though it takes time to get to know Mark, it is definitely worth the effort as my own family has found (well, I would say that wouldn't I?). Mark is the kind of person who if he can't say anything nice, well, he just keeps it to himself and is generally amused by it and that's enough for him, sometimes he shares it with me and then knowing he does that keeps me guessing about things from that point on. I've never met a man like Mark and believe me, back in the day I had my fill of dating and meeting guys. Without going on endlessly about my admiration for this guy- would things have been different if he'd dressed differently or dressed differently now?
What I guess this all comes from is how much of competing with the Jones' we do without really thinking about it anymore and what kind of people we become for that. Though I am proud of my beater car and she's been very good to me- I still feel a tinge of jealousy when I see a car with all 4 hubcaps and a shiny paint job pass me by. I know that it's more important to pay off our mortgage asap and have food on our table, and not have to be 'bailed out' of life by others...does what I wear matter?
Weight gain aside (I'll post soon on my new results after attending the gym religiously for a month...so it's less of an issue now) am I now the typical Mormon SAHM that I dreaded so much before I became one? If I am then why didn't I do this sooner? No more wasted money, time, worry and the like- I'm a free bird livin the sweet life. Ok, seriously, do I need a change- what do you think I'm missig here? Haha
Monday, November 17, 2008
Big Little Blessings.
I think Slade is finally beginning to cooperate with me and give me some more 'me' time while he is awake. I was cramming everything I could into his naps (tidying, getting ready, couponing, etc...) but I haven't been getting much done lately due to his decrease in the number of naps he takes (we're down to the one now, oh so sad). Now, he is learning to play more on his own so I can work on my 'to do's' again and it's great! I'm getting a lot more completed on top of giving him all of the attention and love he needed (I know this b/c if I do not give him enough he will come and demand some more until he does get enough...have I mentioned he's quite the momma's boy?).
While I was couponing this afternoon he pushed his little push lawnmower around the livingroom and back to his room all the while saying/humming "Dadadududordadududu" continuously. It is seriously the cutest thing ever. Only now that he is becoming more independent I am missing the dependency a little...sigh, I'm a woman! Now when he walks by me while self-entertaining I just have to grab him up and smother him in kisses. He lets me do this for awhile then pushes me away so he can continue on his pathway to greater learning and development.
He's such a wonderful, fun, miraculous BIG little boy blessing in my life...I still cannot fathom that I grew him in my belly! I can't say enough about how grateful I am for the amazing blessings that children are. I can't wait for our next!
While I was couponing this afternoon he pushed his little push lawnmower around the livingroom and back to his room all the while saying/humming "Dadadududordadududu" continuously. It is seriously the cutest thing ever. Only now that he is becoming more independent I am missing the dependency a little...sigh, I'm a woman! Now when he walks by me while self-entertaining I just have to grab him up and smother him in kisses. He lets me do this for awhile then pushes me away so he can continue on his pathway to greater learning and development.
He's such a wonderful, fun, miraculous BIG little boy blessing in my life...I still cannot fathom that I grew him in my belly! I can't say enough about how grateful I am for the amazing blessings that children are. I can't wait for our next!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Just like my mother...
When I was younger - full of youthful desires and wanting to be trendy- I dared to watch Friends. When it first came out it rocked TV as we knew it b/c it wasn't on HBO but was all about sex - lacking any kind of moral system or sense of principle. My mother would walk into the room while it was on (which it wasn't supposed to be) and I would always think it was just my rotten luck that she walked in at the wrong time b/c something 'bad' would be on - and my mother would exclaim how horrible the show was and turn it off. At the time I understood why she did it and that it was a useless show, but now the implications are made so much more manifest now b/c society has shown itself to be lacking some serious morals in many many areas- and it all started somewhere right? It's all about what we take in then what we do with it without realizing where the breakdown occurred.
Now, my 'entertaining' TV of choice is Law and Order- go figure. I can't watch much more b/c it's either completely devoid of morality or, well, OK, guess there's just not much you can watch these days that you'd watch with the prophet and that's why I make the conscious effort not to get caught up in it and waste my valuable time (i.e. time to myself while Slade is sleeping). Mark walked in the other day while it was on, after taking Slade and our dogs for a walk (when I do my TV watching) and watched it for a moment then made the same exclamation my mother used to. "Honey, this stuff is pure junk and outlandish- why are you entertained by it?" At first I balked against him, can't a girl have some entertainment? But since then I have consciously tracked what I watch and am astounded at the content that is in the programs that I considered more harmless- they are still infiltrated with sex, lies, and all things bad and not praiseworthy. Now that Slade is getting older, I have an obligation to not just not have these things on when he's around, but to not watch them myself - removing the Spirit from our home very unnecessarily.
I'm always surprised by the amount of shows that people tell me they follow and proudly give praise and credit to- not just that the majority of the programs are questionable- but that I can't figure out where they get the time. Any free time I have now I am reading, figuring out how to be a better cook and planner, or being active with the baby (ok, and blogging- darn it if I didn't try to cut blogging out). Where does their time come from and what is the worth of these shows really worth to them? Though, I do admit that I can't seem to place a limit on the amount of news I take in- I must know what is going on, especially as of late. At the gym, in the car, during lunch - Slade will be very likely know who Bill O'Reilly is and what 'No Spin' is before he can formulate an sentence. News is my indulgence and I come by it honestly (my mother was a Rush junkie - every car ride growing up...).
When I was younger I was obsessed with how I looked (granted I was about 50 lbs. lighter then and younger so it was fun to be that way back then) - and thinking often on social things or being trendy. Now as a SAHM, I am anything but trendy and I care less than you can imagine about what people think of me as a person, as a citizen I try my best to do my part and I greatly appreciate it when others do the same, no matter how I view them personally - and I feel I am much more reflective on what needs to change to make me a better person and therefore mother to what will someday, God-willing, be a big family of my own.
We just went over the Be-Attitudes in our Valiant class this last week and the girls had such amazing insight into what we're here to be and accomplish. So many wonderful parents in our ward who try so hard to not let their children be exposed to the ills presented so readily in the media. They do not even allow their children to watch the 'editted' version of these shows. Even when the movies or shows come on regular TV in their editted form- we do not want to support them as we've seen this only propagates more of the like until it gets to the point that it's become 'normal' to us and those with morals are considered out of the norm.
I write this post in one of my forthcoming efforts to encourage others to watch what they watch and who watches them. We ARE in the Last Days (don't forget the prophets would preach for awhile before the tumult really hit, the Lord wants to give us a good fighting chance before he enacts the inevitable). Can we really afford to not use our time most effectively or waste it on things that seek only to remove the Spirit from our lives and the lives of our children? We must expect more from ourselves and those who represent us for the good of our country and brothers and sisters everywhere. The most important part of this equation is our children - they will be the ones who have to go out and make the biggest choices of any generation thus far, how prepared are they going to be by our own hands?
By small and simple things are great things accomplished. One thing follows another - nothing is meaningless to our lives- it will affect us, all of us. Our job, first and foremost, is to choose what we let in and what we let out which will make us who we desire most to be- how we spend our time is who we are and become.
(I just read THIS on Dr. Laura's blog- funny timing huh?)
Now, my 'entertaining' TV of choice is Law and Order- go figure. I can't watch much more b/c it's either completely devoid of morality or, well, OK, guess there's just not much you can watch these days that you'd watch with the prophet and that's why I make the conscious effort not to get caught up in it and waste my valuable time (i.e. time to myself while Slade is sleeping). Mark walked in the other day while it was on, after taking Slade and our dogs for a walk (when I do my TV watching) and watched it for a moment then made the same exclamation my mother used to. "Honey, this stuff is pure junk and outlandish- why are you entertained by it?" At first I balked against him, can't a girl have some entertainment? But since then I have consciously tracked what I watch and am astounded at the content that is in the programs that I considered more harmless- they are still infiltrated with sex, lies, and all things bad and not praiseworthy. Now that Slade is getting older, I have an obligation to not just not have these things on when he's around, but to not watch them myself - removing the Spirit from our home very unnecessarily.
I'm always surprised by the amount of shows that people tell me they follow and proudly give praise and credit to- not just that the majority of the programs are questionable- but that I can't figure out where they get the time. Any free time I have now I am reading, figuring out how to be a better cook and planner, or being active with the baby (ok, and blogging- darn it if I didn't try to cut blogging out). Where does their time come from and what is the worth of these shows really worth to them? Though, I do admit that I can't seem to place a limit on the amount of news I take in- I must know what is going on, especially as of late. At the gym, in the car, during lunch - Slade will be very likely know who Bill O'Reilly is and what 'No Spin' is before he can formulate an sentence. News is my indulgence and I come by it honestly (my mother was a Rush junkie - every car ride growing up...).
When I was younger I was obsessed with how I looked (granted I was about 50 lbs. lighter then and younger so it was fun to be that way back then) - and thinking often on social things or being trendy. Now as a SAHM, I am anything but trendy and I care less than you can imagine about what people think of me as a person, as a citizen I try my best to do my part and I greatly appreciate it when others do the same, no matter how I view them personally - and I feel I am much more reflective on what needs to change to make me a better person and therefore mother to what will someday, God-willing, be a big family of my own.
We just went over the Be-Attitudes in our Valiant class this last week and the girls had such amazing insight into what we're here to be and accomplish. So many wonderful parents in our ward who try so hard to not let their children be exposed to the ills presented so readily in the media. They do not even allow their children to watch the 'editted' version of these shows. Even when the movies or shows come on regular TV in their editted form- we do not want to support them as we've seen this only propagates more of the like until it gets to the point that it's become 'normal' to us and those with morals are considered out of the norm.
I write this post in one of my forthcoming efforts to encourage others to watch what they watch and who watches them. We ARE in the Last Days (don't forget the prophets would preach for awhile before the tumult really hit, the Lord wants to give us a good fighting chance before he enacts the inevitable). Can we really afford to not use our time most effectively or waste it on things that seek only to remove the Spirit from our lives and the lives of our children? We must expect more from ourselves and those who represent us for the good of our country and brothers and sisters everywhere. The most important part of this equation is our children - they will be the ones who have to go out and make the biggest choices of any generation thus far, how prepared are they going to be by our own hands?
By small and simple things are great things accomplished. One thing follows another - nothing is meaningless to our lives- it will affect us, all of us. Our job, first and foremost, is to choose what we let in and what we let out which will make us who we desire most to be- how we spend our time is who we are and become.
(I just read THIS on Dr. Laura's blog- funny timing huh?)
Friday, November 7, 2008
Slade Pictures....
Before I begin- I just want to throw in that today (due to a lot of built up stresses in many areas of our life right now) I needed a good friend but I didn't really know that until she showed up on my doorstep...with cake. The Lord knows what we need and when we try to do our best He blesses us. Thank you, friend, for your time and love today, it was much needed and appreciated more than you probably realized at the time- may we all try to be more mindful of one another and look outside of ourselves more for opportunities to serve! Taking care of each other is what life's all about afterall! :)
Moving on - it's been awhile since I've posted any pictures of our boy- he is a beautiful growin boy!!
Slade has been growin 'toofies' and tantrums this month:
Nov. 7th, 2008 (13.5 months!)
Up close N Personal (the kid never stops, like his mother and father, the wheels never stop turnin!)
Slade has been growin 'toofies' and tantrums this month:
Nov. 7th, 2008 (13.5 months!)
Up close N Personal (the kid never stops, like his mother and father, the wheels never stop turnin!)
The kids wheels are always turnin- much like his father!
Ah, the plunger. Sanitized to death so that you could become my child's favorite walking toy!
I have thoroughly sanitized our plunger and it's use is no longer that of a plumbing tool, it is for some reason Slade's fav. toy!?
Ah, the plunger. Sanitized to death so that you could become my child's favorite walking toy!
I have thoroughly sanitized our plunger and it's use is no longer that of a plumbing tool, it is for some reason Slade's fav. toy!?
Slade is always giving these odd punch-drunk, come hither looks & he LOVES the ladies!
Cruisin right along!
Robin (Maya), Mad Scientist (Lily), & Dande-lion (Slade)
By the end of the night my Lion had turned back into a big sleepy baby!
Cruisin right along!
Oh yeah- and some fun Halloween Pics for Terra (Happy Birthday you wonderful girl!!)! And yes, I do realize that his his costume is very much high-water wearin, but what do you expect for a $10 Wal-Mart cheapie? When he was standing it looked great and he got lots of compliments. No face paint this year, it was all I could do to hold him down and smear some gold glitter on! Unfortunately we couldn't snap any with a smile- he was too busy trying to figure it all out, but at least he didn't tear his hood off as he is wanton to do with head coverings since he figured out how to use his hands. Daddy has declared next year he will be something manly and not a 'dande-lion'. We had a good time but I think next year we'll try to get him together with his adorable cousins for some Halloween time for the Taylor Tots! A new tradition perhaps?
Robin (Maya), Mad Scientist (Lily), & Dande-lion (Slade)
Some of Slade's ward buds- not many male buds yet
Kairi & Jakey the Lion AND Slade the Lion & Mommy
Kairi & Jakey the Lion AND Slade the Lion & Mommy
By the end of the night my Lion had turned back into a big sleepy baby!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Last Night, Good Bye Blog!
Last night after I had finished clipping my final billionth free coupon for the night around midnight (thanks Katie!) I cleaned up the living room and was turning out the light when I heard Slade stir and cry something out. I stopped in my tracks to listen for anything further to see if he needed me to put him back down (he's been teething and waking himself up a bit lately). The next thing I heard was, "Momma, momma, momma."
I went in to see if he was ok and found he was still asleep and must have been having baby dreams with me in them? :) I tucked him back into his blanket and rubbed his tummy before heading back out.
Lately he has really become a momma's boy even moreso than before, if possible, and has demanded my attention more now by his now clearly enunciated, "Mommas". I can't even put into words the love that I feel in my heart for my little boy or how important I feel when he calls for me. I get choked up just writing about it.
To make a sweet moment sweeter, I then crawled into bed and my sweet husband rolled over and demanded that I cuddle him and told me he loved me. Despite my weaknesses, mistakes, crazy antics, and the like - I have a place in my boys hearts that rises above all that and sees what I hope oneday to become.
Thank you Heavenly Father for sending us your children who remind us what love and purpose are. Thank you for repentance, forgiveness, unconditional love, forever families and divinity. I have much to be thankful for this season, and I am.
On another, final note - I have much sadness in my heart over what is transpiring politically and even more sadness for the lack of interest in the population both for and against Obama. It is a sigh of resignation from many who declare by quoting the 11th Article of Faith about supporting our leaders that they will too support Obama and hope that come next term we can replace him with someone better. While this is part of a good solution, I can't help but feel that there is unfinished business to these declarations. What I wish I also heard was genuine worry about the future and determination from my fellow Americans to resolve to do whatever they can to be stalwart and actively fight for the rights of our freedom and for the lives that are taken away. As has been seen, it hasn't helped to go from term to term voting but not doing much in between times- where much is given much is required. I may express my thoughts and feelings on this matter more freely than some may think I should, but I have come to a point where I cannot stand by while our country goes to pot. I can come up with no pretty words to describe the insanity that has come of this election- this one much more so than previous ones b/c it has marked a huge precedent- you don't have to be qualified, noble, honest, virtuous, of good report, or praiseworthy to become president of the greatest nation on earth. You don't even have to be able to pass credibility with the military itself- you just have to be a good deceiver. That people knew so little about this candidate's past and the things they did know of his beliefs were anything but impressive to downright evil (is there any other term for the murder of our children?)- is what has thrown me for such a negative and mind boggling loop that I cannot fathom what their justifications could be for nevertheless lending their support to him and his causes. Despite my negative perception of many of my fellow men right now, I do not feel that anything is unsalvagable at this point.
I have such little free time between my mothering and wifely duties that I feel blogging has fallen to the very bottom of my list of importance. It started out with good intentions, but with the turn that has taken place in society, I can't justify using any more of my little free time spewing forth negativity (unfortunately that is all I have been feeling these days...in the extreme)- besides I've been falling behind on my couponing/shopping! In the not too distant future I will be deleting this blog as I refocus my energies where I feel they will matter most- on my family, growing my family, and becoming more actively involved in my community, state, and country. Feel free to email me anytime on my progress on becoming a better citizen at taylor.elisabeth@gmail.com or with ideas of your own.
Some may think my excessive persistence to 'choose the right candidate' as of late may be overstepping the situation and that the end of times will wait as it always has, but I believe differently and do not wish to lose any more of my precious time figuring I'll have more time to make a difference down the road, especially when I have an example to set for my child(ren). I believe we're near enough to that point that much is required of me now.
Thanks to everyone for your support and happy blogging.
I went in to see if he was ok and found he was still asleep and must have been having baby dreams with me in them? :) I tucked him back into his blanket and rubbed his tummy before heading back out.
Lately he has really become a momma's boy even moreso than before, if possible, and has demanded my attention more now by his now clearly enunciated, "Mommas". I can't even put into words the love that I feel in my heart for my little boy or how important I feel when he calls for me. I get choked up just writing about it.
To make a sweet moment sweeter, I then crawled into bed and my sweet husband rolled over and demanded that I cuddle him and told me he loved me. Despite my weaknesses, mistakes, crazy antics, and the like - I have a place in my boys hearts that rises above all that and sees what I hope oneday to become.
Thank you Heavenly Father for sending us your children who remind us what love and purpose are. Thank you for repentance, forgiveness, unconditional love, forever families and divinity. I have much to be thankful for this season, and I am.
On another, final note - I have much sadness in my heart over what is transpiring politically and even more sadness for the lack of interest in the population both for and against Obama. It is a sigh of resignation from many who declare by quoting the 11th Article of Faith about supporting our leaders that they will too support Obama and hope that come next term we can replace him with someone better. While this is part of a good solution, I can't help but feel that there is unfinished business to these declarations. What I wish I also heard was genuine worry about the future and determination from my fellow Americans to resolve to do whatever they can to be stalwart and actively fight for the rights of our freedom and for the lives that are taken away. As has been seen, it hasn't helped to go from term to term voting but not doing much in between times- where much is given much is required. I may express my thoughts and feelings on this matter more freely than some may think I should, but I have come to a point where I cannot stand by while our country goes to pot. I can come up with no pretty words to describe the insanity that has come of this election- this one much more so than previous ones b/c it has marked a huge precedent- you don't have to be qualified, noble, honest, virtuous, of good report, or praiseworthy to become president of the greatest nation on earth. You don't even have to be able to pass credibility with the military itself- you just have to be a good deceiver. That people knew so little about this candidate's past and the things they did know of his beliefs were anything but impressive to downright evil (is there any other term for the murder of our children?)- is what has thrown me for such a negative and mind boggling loop that I cannot fathom what their justifications could be for nevertheless lending their support to him and his causes. Despite my negative perception of many of my fellow men right now, I do not feel that anything is unsalvagable at this point.
I have such little free time between my mothering and wifely duties that I feel blogging has fallen to the very bottom of my list of importance. It started out with good intentions, but with the turn that has taken place in society, I can't justify using any more of my little free time spewing forth negativity (unfortunately that is all I have been feeling these days...in the extreme)- besides I've been falling behind on my couponing/shopping! In the not too distant future I will be deleting this blog as I refocus my energies where I feel they will matter most- on my family, growing my family, and becoming more actively involved in my community, state, and country. Feel free to email me anytime on my progress on becoming a better citizen at taylor.elisabeth@gmail.com or with ideas of your own.
Some may think my excessive persistence to 'choose the right candidate' as of late may be overstepping the situation and that the end of times will wait as it always has, but I believe differently and do not wish to lose any more of my precious time figuring I'll have more time to make a difference down the road, especially when I have an example to set for my child(ren). I believe we're near enough to that point that much is required of me now.
Thanks to everyone for your support and happy blogging.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A New Challenge...
No one said life was going to be easy did they? Yesterday to last night I was so on the edge of my seat that I gave myself 'the runs'. When it passed the point of no return for the Electoral Votes (yep, California is definitely going to be the first geographic location to get hit with all the good stuff then fall straight into the ocean when the Time comes) - I was aghast for the first half hour. I honestly hoped that something would happen and the race would be so close but that McCain would be victorious. I won't quote direclty what my landscapers said to me giving reason as to why they personally didn't go to vote yesterday because it was very racist (at this point I don't expect any better of them), but they, like I, truly believed that some other power was going to intercede to prevent baby killer Barry O. from getting anything more from the American people than he already had. I told them how close the race was and they needed to go vote, but they insisted even going so far as to bet me money (I suggested the remainder due on our contract and man do I now wish I would've put it on paper) it wouldn't happen. As close as the race was in Utah specifically I can only assume it was because the 30% of registered voters that didn't make it to the polls thought their votes would not make a difference- another disappointment.
The worst is yet to come my dear ones.
The 2nd Coming is, well, coming. How will it get here, you may wonder? Because of lack of morals, personal responsibility, ignorance, and sheer laziness (jsut to name a few) from the American people. Haven't we seen it happen time and time again in the scriptures? The population is overrun by those who are meritless except in their demonstrated propensity to seek power in any way they can obtain it then force their guitless greed upon others. During this time there are religious figures who present themselves in the form of prophets and believers who go against the grain and attempt to change the hearts of the people but it is alas too late. Destruction is laid down upon the land and those who are the least culpable are the ones spared to start anew? So I ask myself, why did I really ever expect any other outcome than what we've asked for?
The worst part of this, for me, is not that I just couldn't' believe it that baby-killer Barry O. was the winner, but I didn't realize the implications of this beforehand....fully. I quickly realized..fully...that the reason he won is that my fellow Americans voted for him to as a huge percentage of the population- especially the new voters that came out of the woodworks to do so. There are several implications here but the most concerning to me was that many of the votes came from those of my same religion. I need go no further on this line of thought b/c it is just too mind boggling for me to speak on and the truth of it speaks for itself - but I will say that the economy takes a backburner to the reason why God put us here on this Earth. Without our lives there would be no other worries. Without our future generations there is no future. Without values and morals there can be no inspiration from God for that is who He is and why He created us and gave us free agency to use well and appropriately. Our reason for being created speaks for itself here.
For anyone who has not yet taken the time to read about Obama's past from an objective party - you will find many disturbing details and facts about his rise to power, it is certainly still worth finding out about to understand what is to come. I'm not talking about the political jabs everyone emails around or that I've featured here on my own blog- I'm talking about the real reality of his past and what he has actively stood for.
What we now have on our hands - I am now speaking to those of us who not only care about protecting everything we've worked for but wish to protect the values and morality that still do remain in our society - is a New Challenge. How many of us are active in not only being good examples of our faith but actively in society? How many of us seek to understand more about the political direction our leaders are taking us into? How many of us just wait to find out about candidates until the night before we go to vote instead of watching them throughout their 'reigns' to ensure they're doing their jobs and speaking up if they don't? What do we really know about what goes down in Congress or about the personal agendas of these people?
Our New Challenge is to get out and get active - more active than you may have ever been before in your lives for a purpose. My purpose truly and completely presented itself in the form of my child and future children. Never did the importance of it all hit home or resonate more with me than when I felt life within my own or when I passed life through my body and have fought hard since to protect it and love it as much as humanly possible. Never did the realities of where our futures are headed sit with me as they have now and I am worried b/c I know that part of the problem is that I am not doing nearly enough and I daresay the same goes for many of you out there. Greedy people will continue b/c they are motivated by greed and power- what of those of us who do not have those motivations? We cannot sit back and be overrun. History has been made here- history that takes us closer to The End. Where will you be found in the End? The sides were laid out long before we came here. They exist and they are real. Let's get out and get something done.
I will also continue to pray for my country and its people because there's nowhere else I'd rather be (well, I say that now...). I thank God everyday for what I've been blessed with. I support my country and I obey the laws of the land. As long as Obama abides by his extreme promises and doesn't attempt to push his excessively degenerative baby killing agenda any further than he already has- I will also support the office of the President.
The worst is yet to come my dear ones.
The 2nd Coming is, well, coming. How will it get here, you may wonder? Because of lack of morals, personal responsibility, ignorance, and sheer laziness (jsut to name a few) from the American people. Haven't we seen it happen time and time again in the scriptures? The population is overrun by those who are meritless except in their demonstrated propensity to seek power in any way they can obtain it then force their guitless greed upon others. During this time there are religious figures who present themselves in the form of prophets and believers who go against the grain and attempt to change the hearts of the people but it is alas too late. Destruction is laid down upon the land and those who are the least culpable are the ones spared to start anew? So I ask myself, why did I really ever expect any other outcome than what we've asked for?
The worst part of this, for me, is not that I just couldn't' believe it that baby-killer Barry O. was the winner, but I didn't realize the implications of this beforehand....fully. I quickly realized..fully...that the reason he won is that my fellow Americans voted for him to as a huge percentage of the population- especially the new voters that came out of the woodworks to do so. There are several implications here but the most concerning to me was that many of the votes came from those of my same religion. I need go no further on this line of thought b/c it is just too mind boggling for me to speak on and the truth of it speaks for itself - but I will say that the economy takes a backburner to the reason why God put us here on this Earth. Without our lives there would be no other worries. Without our future generations there is no future. Without values and morals there can be no inspiration from God for that is who He is and why He created us and gave us free agency to use well and appropriately. Our reason for being created speaks for itself here.
For anyone who has not yet taken the time to read about Obama's past from an objective party - you will find many disturbing details and facts about his rise to power, it is certainly still worth finding out about to understand what is to come. I'm not talking about the political jabs everyone emails around or that I've featured here on my own blog- I'm talking about the real reality of his past and what he has actively stood for.
What we now have on our hands - I am now speaking to those of us who not only care about protecting everything we've worked for but wish to protect the values and morality that still do remain in our society - is a New Challenge. How many of us are active in not only being good examples of our faith but actively in society? How many of us seek to understand more about the political direction our leaders are taking us into? How many of us just wait to find out about candidates until the night before we go to vote instead of watching them throughout their 'reigns' to ensure they're doing their jobs and speaking up if they don't? What do we really know about what goes down in Congress or about the personal agendas of these people?
Our New Challenge is to get out and get active - more active than you may have ever been before in your lives for a purpose. My purpose truly and completely presented itself in the form of my child and future children. Never did the importance of it all hit home or resonate more with me than when I felt life within my own or when I passed life through my body and have fought hard since to protect it and love it as much as humanly possible. Never did the realities of where our futures are headed sit with me as they have now and I am worried b/c I know that part of the problem is that I am not doing nearly enough and I daresay the same goes for many of you out there. Greedy people will continue b/c they are motivated by greed and power- what of those of us who do not have those motivations? We cannot sit back and be overrun. History has been made here- history that takes us closer to The End. Where will you be found in the End? The sides were laid out long before we came here. They exist and they are real. Let's get out and get something done.
I will also continue to pray for my country and its people because there's nowhere else I'd rather be (well, I say that now...). I thank God everyday for what I've been blessed with. I support my country and I obey the laws of the land. As long as Obama abides by his extreme promises and doesn't attempt to push his excessively degenerative baby killing agenda any further than he already has- I will also support the office of the President.
Friday, October 31, 2008
No Wait...
Ok, so I thought I'd found a pretty good poem (in my last post) to describe my feelings as of late towards the crazy politics that are going around, especially in light of Obama's latest debacle - the infomercial to top all ludicrious infomercials if there ever was one.
Anyhow- someone sent me these yesterday and I laughed until I feel off my seat...well, almost. I unfortunately respond better to crass humor than sugar coated ill-founded sensitivities when I'm between a rock and...a bunch of dim witted Demo's who want to 'redistribute' what I've worked hard to gain for myself and my own!). I can't afford to raise my son in a society devoid of personal responsibility ya'll::
Forrest Gump's re-vamped explanation for worldy woes:
Mortgage Backed Securities are like boxes of chocolates. Criminals on Wall Street stole a few chocolates from the boxes and replaced them with turds. Their criminal buddies at Standard & Poor rated these boxes AAA Investment Grade chocolates. These boxes were then sold all over the world to investors. Eventually somebody bites into a turd and discovers the crime. Suddenly nobody trusts American chocolates anymore worldwide. Hank Paulson now wants the American taxpayers to buy up and hold all these boxes of turd-infested chocolates for $700 billion dollars until the market for turds returns to normal. Meanwhile, Hank's buddies, the Wall Street criminals who stole all the good chocolates are not being investigated, arrested, or indicted. Mama always said: 'Sniff the chocolates first, Forrest'.
On a(n) (ironically) related note: The bailout, a different perspective Back in 1990, the Government seized the Mustang Ranch brothel in Nevada for tax evasion and, as required by law, tried to run it. They failed and it closed. Now we are trusting the economy of our country to a pack of nit-wits who couldn't make money running a whore house and selling booze?
The Republican Fisherman: a woman in a hot air ballon realizes she is lost. She lowers her altitude and spots a man fishing from a boat below. She shouts to him, "Excuse me, can yhou help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am." The man consults his portable GPS and replies, "You're in a hot air baloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude. She rolls her eyes and says, "You must be a Republican!"
"I am", replies the man, "How did you know?"
"Well, answers the balloonist, everything you tell me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you're not much help to me."
"The man smiles and responds, "You must be a Democrat."
"I am,' replies the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," says the man, "You don't know where you are or where you're going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and now you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but, somehow, now it's my fault."
Anyhow- someone sent me these yesterday and I laughed until I feel off my seat...well, almost. I unfortunately respond better to crass humor than sugar coated ill-founded sensitivities when I'm between a rock and...a bunch of dim witted Demo's who want to 'redistribute' what I've worked hard to gain for myself and my own!). I can't afford to raise my son in a society devoid of personal responsibility ya'll::
Forrest Gump's re-vamped explanation for worldy woes:
Mortgage Backed Securities are like boxes of chocolates. Criminals on Wall Street stole a few chocolates from the boxes and replaced them with turds. Their criminal buddies at Standard & Poor rated these boxes AAA Investment Grade chocolates. These boxes were then sold all over the world to investors. Eventually somebody bites into a turd and discovers the crime. Suddenly nobody trusts American chocolates anymore worldwide. Hank Paulson now wants the American taxpayers to buy up and hold all these boxes of turd-infested chocolates for $700 billion dollars until the market for turds returns to normal. Meanwhile, Hank's buddies, the Wall Street criminals who stole all the good chocolates are not being investigated, arrested, or indicted. Mama always said: 'Sniff the chocolates first, Forrest'.
On a(n) (ironically) related note: The bailout, a different perspective Back in 1990, the Government seized the Mustang Ranch brothel in Nevada for tax evasion and, as required by law, tried to run it. They failed and it closed. Now we are trusting the economy of our country to a pack of nit-wits who couldn't make money running a whore house and selling booze?
The Republican Fisherman: a woman in a hot air ballon realizes she is lost. She lowers her altitude and spots a man fishing from a boat below. She shouts to him, "Excuse me, can yhou help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am." The man consults his portable GPS and replies, "You're in a hot air baloon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude. She rolls her eyes and says, "You must be a Republican!"
"I am", replies the man, "How did you know?"
"Well, answers the balloonist, everything you tell me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you're not much help to me."
"The man smiles and responds, "You must be a Democrat."
"I am,' replies the balloonist. "How did you know?"
"Well," says the man, "You don't know where you are or where you're going. You've risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and now you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but, somehow, now it's my fault."
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Catching Up...
This is for those of you who have been wondering what I've been up since my last Captain Moroni-esque diatribe. I have been busy learning about how to Obama-proof our portfolio....seriously. There is nothing more important I could dredge up to post about right now than the balance our nation currently hangs in with this upcoming election. You may think it's not worth your time to delve into or figure out for yourselves and already 'know' who you're voting for...but do you really? Though McCain is certainly not the Republican ideal candidate, think about what we're left with otherwise...
We have simply worked to hard to lose it all if Obama gets elected. I feel literally nauseous daily and can't turn on the news anymore...I am so worried about what is going to happen to our nation when he steps in. Does anyone know what he's promised to do FIRST. Go check out the Freedom of Choice Act and NARAL HERE - he's committed himself to both unwaveringly and consistently. The only change Obama will be able to produce is the way his followers feel about him when they discover he is just an idiot in wolves clothing. Does anyone read what he has proposed, or better yet has anyone gone to his website to put in their own financial figures to see just how much Obama is going to save you the taxpayer? Mark and I would save $34- sweet! How I love doling out MY hard earned money to people who have had every chance my husband and I have had in this life to get an education and work hard- EVERY CHANCE- and yet they cry b/c they don't make as much as the big bad CEO's. Go out and work an honest day and work your way up like they did and then come back to me crying about it...but in the meantime stay outta my pocket!!!
Why do people think that McCain and Palin keep urging us to check Obama's voting record or past for that matter. It isn't a matter of being his past, it's a matter of what he's chosen to follow for exceedingly long periods of time in his past and who he has CHOSEN to associate with. The truth is staring people blatantly in the face and yet... he is "The One". To steal a quote from Sean Penn (who I dearly detest yet find interesting he said), "I hope that he will understand if he is the nominee the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be." Wow, provokative insight from a bleeding heart goonie.
What it all comes down to though is personal responsibility- any nation that doesn't expect this from its citizens is surely a nation doomed to fail. If for no other reason of detesting this exceedingly arrogant and ignorant man, think of God's first and most important commandment - THOU SHALT NOT KILL. There is no greater or lesser reason given what Obama stands for that we need to have to know than this - this is a man NOT nearly worthy of the Presidential office and the honor it affords (do you even know how Obama got elected into office in the first place? Go check it out it makes for very interesting and even more disturbing reading). God will NOT provide inspiration to such a man. Take it to the bank.
Someone recently sent me the following poem that gets right at the heart of what I've been feeling lately.
'Twas the night before elections and all through the town Tempers were flaring Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe with a cat in my lap had cut off the TV Tired of political crap.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
‘On Fannie, on Freddie, On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi’ He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause and as he flew out of sight I heard him laugh at the nation who wouldn't stand up and fight!
We have simply worked to hard to lose it all if Obama gets elected. I feel literally nauseous daily and can't turn on the news anymore...I am so worried about what is going to happen to our nation when he steps in. Does anyone know what he's promised to do FIRST. Go check out the Freedom of Choice Act and NARAL HERE - he's committed himself to both unwaveringly and consistently. The only change Obama will be able to produce is the way his followers feel about him when they discover he is just an idiot in wolves clothing. Does anyone read what he has proposed, or better yet has anyone gone to his website to put in their own financial figures to see just how much Obama is going to save you the taxpayer? Mark and I would save $34- sweet! How I love doling out MY hard earned money to people who have had every chance my husband and I have had in this life to get an education and work hard- EVERY CHANCE- and yet they cry b/c they don't make as much as the big bad CEO's. Go out and work an honest day and work your way up like they did and then come back to me crying about it...but in the meantime stay outta my pocket!!!
Why do people think that McCain and Palin keep urging us to check Obama's voting record or past for that matter. It isn't a matter of being his past, it's a matter of what he's chosen to follow for exceedingly long periods of time in his past and who he has CHOSEN to associate with. The truth is staring people blatantly in the face and yet... he is "The One". To steal a quote from Sean Penn (who I dearly detest yet find interesting he said), "I hope that he will understand if he is the nominee the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be." Wow, provokative insight from a bleeding heart goonie.
What it all comes down to though is personal responsibility- any nation that doesn't expect this from its citizens is surely a nation doomed to fail. If for no other reason of detesting this exceedingly arrogant and ignorant man, think of God's first and most important commandment - THOU SHALT NOT KILL. There is no greater or lesser reason given what Obama stands for that we need to have to know than this - this is a man NOT nearly worthy of the Presidential office and the honor it affords (do you even know how Obama got elected into office in the first place? Go check it out it makes for very interesting and even more disturbing reading). God will NOT provide inspiration to such a man. Take it to the bank.
Someone recently sent me the following poem that gets right at the heart of what I've been feeling lately.
'Twas the night before elections and all through the town Tempers were flaring Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe with a cat in my lap had cut off the TV Tired of political crap.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
‘On Fannie, on Freddie, On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi’ He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause and as he flew out of sight I heard him laugh at the nation who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think on this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Kids & Sugar
I still get those emails from Baby Center weekly regarding how my child is progressing as in what to expect and that sort of thing. They're short but informative and I usually glean something from at least one of the articles that are contained therein.
One such article was about a new study on kids cereal. It talks about how there are only a few handful of cereals that could be considered 'healthy' or nutritionally based for our kids. It 'spoke' to me because lately I've been having struggles getting Slade to eat his veggies but anything sweet he'll gladly indulge in (not that I let him indulge, mind you, but I do give him some of both worlds. I have not given him the really sugary ones that the article points out as being the worst because come on, they really do taste like straight sugar and I don't want to use up Slade's precious tummy space on them.
When I got married and Mark saw how I really ate (a diet that had an evolutionary basis on what foods could fit into a kitchen shared by 5 other roommates coupled with my erratic eating habits besides) he told me that I ate like a 2 year old and I needed to step it up. I ate infrequently, not always very healthy, and there are many a common food that I just never developed a palate for- much to my mother's dismay. As a child you'd find me sitting at the dinner table alone at 8pm while my parents waited me out trying to get me to eat my food. After I threw up spinach my mom just gave up. I eat healthy, just sparingly.
Now that I have a child who is growing quickly but has a small stomach I try to be very careful about what I allow into his body and I try to expose him to as many good foods as possible so that he can develop a taste for them early on as I apparently never did. Unfortunately for him he never tasted many of the healthy foods in my breast milk so he has yet to develop a taste for them now, but I continue to keep exposing him to them in hopes that one day he'll want to be more like his father and eat it all no matter what. (I can just hear Teresa laughing at me saying I watch what Slade eats b/c she is still better than I and does not condescend to feed Maya fruit snacks, Twizzlers, or Doritos just yet but hey- I do it sparingly, I promise!). The genes in my family would work against Slade but the gene's in Marks' are in his favor, so though he may look nothing like his father, perhaps he will obtain something useful otherwise from him.
Anyhow, I was not surprised to learn that Fruit Loops had 50-60% sugar versus the 1% or whatever it was of Cheerios. I worry every day about whether or not Slade has gotten a sufficient amount of his food groups every day according to what he should be in taking for his age group (protein, dairy, breads, combination foods, veggies, fruits, iron...) and I completely have a meltdown over dinner often when he'd rather throw his broccoli on the floor than put some in his mouth...but such is life. Until he figures it out I've got some multi-vitamins to fill in some of the gap and I'll just keep being a veggie pushin momma until he learns to love them! These days I'm all about length of naps, how many times he poops (the consistency, amount, color, etc...), if he's getting enough reading, playing, socializing, exposure to sunlight.... Am I the only mother who goes bonkers over such things? On another note, am I the only mother whose son refuses to sit in a shopping cart at his age? He fights me the whole shopping trip- oh the stares!
One such article was about a new study on kids cereal. It talks about how there are only a few handful of cereals that could be considered 'healthy' or nutritionally based for our kids. It 'spoke' to me because lately I've been having struggles getting Slade to eat his veggies but anything sweet he'll gladly indulge in (not that I let him indulge, mind you, but I do give him some of both worlds. I have not given him the really sugary ones that the article points out as being the worst because come on, they really do taste like straight sugar and I don't want to use up Slade's precious tummy space on them.
When I got married and Mark saw how I really ate (a diet that had an evolutionary basis on what foods could fit into a kitchen shared by 5 other roommates coupled with my erratic eating habits besides) he told me that I ate like a 2 year old and I needed to step it up. I ate infrequently, not always very healthy, and there are many a common food that I just never developed a palate for- much to my mother's dismay. As a child you'd find me sitting at the dinner table alone at 8pm while my parents waited me out trying to get me to eat my food. After I threw up spinach my mom just gave up. I eat healthy, just sparingly.
Now that I have a child who is growing quickly but has a small stomach I try to be very careful about what I allow into his body and I try to expose him to as many good foods as possible so that he can develop a taste for them early on as I apparently never did. Unfortunately for him he never tasted many of the healthy foods in my breast milk so he has yet to develop a taste for them now, but I continue to keep exposing him to them in hopes that one day he'll want to be more like his father and eat it all no matter what. (I can just hear Teresa laughing at me saying I watch what Slade eats b/c she is still better than I and does not condescend to feed Maya fruit snacks, Twizzlers, or Doritos just yet but hey- I do it sparingly, I promise!). The genes in my family would work against Slade but the gene's in Marks' are in his favor, so though he may look nothing like his father, perhaps he will obtain something useful otherwise from him.
Anyhow, I was not surprised to learn that Fruit Loops had 50-60% sugar versus the 1% or whatever it was of Cheerios. I worry every day about whether or not Slade has gotten a sufficient amount of his food groups every day according to what he should be in taking for his age group (protein, dairy, breads, combination foods, veggies, fruits, iron...) and I completely have a meltdown over dinner often when he'd rather throw his broccoli on the floor than put some in his mouth...but such is life. Until he figures it out I've got some multi-vitamins to fill in some of the gap and I'll just keep being a veggie pushin momma until he learns to love them! These days I'm all about length of naps, how many times he poops (the consistency, amount, color, etc...), if he's getting enough reading, playing, socializing, exposure to sunlight.... Am I the only mother who goes bonkers over such things? On another note, am I the only mother whose son refuses to sit in a shopping cart at his age? He fights me the whole shopping trip- oh the stares!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Baby Sage
My new adorable niece Sage was born last Thursday, Oct. 2nd after a long and grueling pregnancy for Katie & Ryan (full of constant sickness, p.e.'s, and fun shots!). It's disturbingly odd how similar our birthing experiences were- long hard labors resulting in emergency Cesarean's. Boy oh boy are we happy we were born in this day and age versus back in the day- otherwise childbirth would've ended us!
All are doing well and parents are taken with their new little girl- and a bit stressed.
Parenthood is hard ya'll!
Ryan, Sage, Slade, & I right after birth!
Proud Momma Katie & Baby Sage
Proud Daddy Ryan & Baby Sage
All are doing well and parents are taken with their new little girl- and a bit stressed.
Parenthood is hard ya'll!
Ryan, Sage, Slade, & I right after birth!
Proud Momma Katie & Baby Sage
Proud Daddy Ryan & Baby Sage
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Poor forlorn souls...
I'm so confused as to where baby-killer Barry O. is coming from when he talks about making it so everyone can get a good education. I thought it was already that way. There are funds aplenty- I repeat, aplenty- allocated in scholarship form, pell grant form, and yes, even pay-back form- heaven forbid- for anyone to obtain these days. So why is it that he keeps pushing the issue about changing the educational system to make it so everyone can afford to go. I know of illegal immigrants who attend college on a free ride whereas my husband and I, our siblings, our friends, etc. all paid or earned our way through college ourselves. We don't have any special powers and none of us came from privileged backgrounds (well, other than being born into the greatest country ever) - so how in the world is it that we were able to make it through college and obtain worthy employment you might wonder- as this is in direct contradiction to what baby-killer Barry O. is preaching these days - we worked for it. Hold onto your shorts, I know that's a crazy idea when there are people who can be taxed (i.e. have their hard-earned money stolen from) whose money can go towards putting some good for nothings into college instead of their own children.
Let me just say that the reason the economy is in the shape it is in is because of the good for nothings that won't get their lazy butts out into society and educate themselves willingly or well and WORK. Pretty simple huh, and I didn't even go to school for political science and have no strong background with policy or issues. Does it make sense to you to go out and get a mortgage with an ARM that will rise as it ages? If you couldn't afford the REAL amount in the first place and had the bad sense to go get into it anyhow, what makes you think you'll be able to afford it when reality strikes? I have friends who'd love to get into a house, but can't afford to right now...so they rent. We need to work the words "can't afford" into the American language because apparently they are currently meaningless. Whenever a commercial came on the radio or TV touting that you don't need credit to get a loan with them I would get so furious - what in the heck do ya think is going to happen eventually when we're lending to people who can't seem to make a good financial decision to save their lives (much less care about what it does to the economy?). It's just like how shoplifters raise the cost of products for the rest of us who've always paid for what we need or want. The problem isn't just the greedy lenders and the presidential candidates both know it. Who wants to be the one to point fingers at fellow Americans and tell them to quit spending/stealing from other Americans with their lousy mathematics and even worse reasoning skills when they're trying to push for election? No, instead let's cop out and point fingers at companies who aren't having to suffer consequences from their stupid lending and could care less - that makes it all better doesn't it?
Baby-killer Barry O. likes to talk about his poor pathetic background and can really empathize with the poor, needy, and humble folk out there - but I think I can do a better job explaining things here but I definitely won't be popular for it or gain the vote of the free-loaders out there as he is. Despite my father suffering an untimely and crazy death I completed high school with great grades and honors courses to boot. I then went on to attend a community college where I was on the Dean's list consecutively via my own hard work (there's that dang word again - sorry if that is getting to harsh for some bleeding hearts out there). I moved to UT where i worked to gain residency and go to college on my own dime (unfortunately I was not clever enough in high school to go after scholarships- though my father's accident and demise and caretaking needs did dissuade me somewhat during that time- but I'll not blame anyone but myself for having to work my way through college and pay for my own education. When my brother and sister were hit by an DRUNK uninsured illegal without a valid drivers license I stepped up and cared for their child for quite a while while they recovered - using their own funds and insurance through the whole process (fyi the illegal suffered a broken ankle, was released from the hospital and NEVER prosecuted despite our attempts to get the legal system to do so - illegals are tricky to catch don't ya know?). I did eventually graduate with my college degree - worked and paid for...hmm....
My husband worked incredibly hard during high school getting perfect grades and earning full-ride scholarships to go to college. After he completed a mission which he had worked hard and PAID FOR himself, he returned to college picking up his scholarship and completing a BS in Electrical Engineering with a near perfect GPA graduating Summa Cum Laude - top honors. He now works hard- at least 50 hours a week to pay our mortgage and provide for his family. We don't use credit that we can't pay off in the same month, we live well within our means, save money with each paycheck for our own retirement, pay for our own insurance, raise our own children, I price match and use coupons religiously, we have modest furnishings and vehicles which are all paid for, we pay a minimum 10% tithing to our church and then 50% of our paycheck goes to the freeloaders and some worthy governmental programs, pay additional on our mortgage each month.... Does my husband gain spiritual, mental, and whatever else fulfillment from setting up electrical systems at poop plants everyday? Um, no and often times he really doesn't enjoy it all that much - but he does it because that's life- it's WORK regularly interspersed with the things that really matter about life- family and fulfilling our Creator's purpose for us - obtaining contentment versus riding wave after wave of passing pleasure and appeasement bringing no good to pass. He is also a Scoutmaster for our church and is often gone as soon as he gets home from work to help make some kid's parent's dreams come true of having an Eagle Scout to their credit (a worthy goal which is also becoming more extinct with society's standards of honor today). Thus, I care for our son very full-time which is hard hard work at times, man it's worth it- but it is work to raise human beings...well to be worthwhile human beings anyhow. Would it be easier for me to do whatever I wanted with my time when I wanted to - HECK YES it would. Are there times when I wish I had more 'me' time - HECK YES - but having a family is what it's all about, not free rides for the life wasters out there. So why do the freeloaders get so many handouts and so much sympathy while we're the ones actively DOING to keep society afloat?
So please tell me some more about how you're going to save the economy baby-killer Barry O. by making education available to the masses (which it already is in gazillions of ways) - but please expound upon your plan somewhat and tell me some about how you plan to get their lazy butts to complete high school so they can take advantage of the opportunity which you so willingly would like to provide to them using my husband's hard earned tax dollars. I love to hear about handing my hard earned money over to these poor forlorn souls who just keep getting kicked down by life and can't do a dang thing for themselves. I just wonder what's going to happen when all of your followers who do currently pay taxes but refuse to populate the world (via murdering babies as well as not having them voluntarily) adequately get old and have no one but my children to pay for your retirement bills.
Hmm...I propose a novel idea- let's place some expectation upon the American people who are looking for free handouts left and right from the big bad CEO's who have worked hard their whole lives to get to where they're at. In fact, in today's address to the people in Indiana he proposed that some of their children might someday be the CEO's running the great businesses (not likely given their free-loader mentality, but let's see where this line of thinking takes us...) so wouldn't that make them the evil doers who are enabling society to function today through jobs and taxes? Rob the rich to save the lazy-a_s poor who put us into this predicament with trying to beat the Jones' and grabbing onto ridiculous mortgages they couldn't afford then getting mad at the 'greedy' companies who laid it out for them to begin with. In fact, the same companies baby-killer Barry O. pushed to hand out sub prime loans to the people who couldn't afford it but wanted to have it all anyway- who now gets to blame greedy companies b/c none of his followers are smart enough to look at his political past to see what he has really been doing this whole time in his political career or otherwise- gotta love it.
Here's my plan to save the economy- make people get off their butts and go do some actual work to contribute to a better society. Give them good credit when they do something to actually deserve it , then let them go out and buy a house at a good rate that they can afford to live in and one day pay off. Of course, that would involve people doing actual work and contributing themselves, which would take away 98% of their complaining time towards the rest of society who doesn't have time to complain, or defend their rights and property b/c they're too busy out trying to create jobs and save the economy from the ruin the lazy good-for-nothings of society keep putting it into. With nothing to complain about and work being done I foresee actual and real changes happening and the economy never falling into jeopardy at the hands of the freeloaders again! Start working and stop trying to find ways to pass heinous and unholy laws to murder babies who would otherwise become taxpayers to save our country in the not too distant future- wow, what a concept.
FYI- to any of you who do read this and make it this far and have more of the freeloader mentality versus the worker's mentality- I do not write for your sake- I write because if I don't get it out of my mind somewhere I'll got mentally insane from the injustice of it- but perhaps it'll make you look into things further to prove me wrong but teach you more in the process, in which case- I'll take it! I watch politics because they are so important in our society but I swear before this election is through I will have a full-fledged ulcer. I absolutely have no stomach or anxiety check for the crazy things that are being proposed or the full-fledged idiocy of baby-killer Barry O's following. I can hand out candy and get simple minds to love me, but who says that candy isn't full of poison. Try going the extra mile to find out more about baby-killer Barry O. and I think you'll change your tune (if you haven't already knowing his feelings towards murdering innocent babies)....again though, that does take work.
Let me just say that the reason the economy is in the shape it is in is because of the good for nothings that won't get their lazy butts out into society and educate themselves willingly or well and WORK. Pretty simple huh, and I didn't even go to school for political science and have no strong background with policy or issues. Does it make sense to you to go out and get a mortgage with an ARM that will rise as it ages? If you couldn't afford the REAL amount in the first place and had the bad sense to go get into it anyhow, what makes you think you'll be able to afford it when reality strikes? I have friends who'd love to get into a house, but can't afford to right now...so they rent. We need to work the words "can't afford" into the American language because apparently they are currently meaningless. Whenever a commercial came on the radio or TV touting that you don't need credit to get a loan with them I would get so furious - what in the heck do ya think is going to happen eventually when we're lending to people who can't seem to make a good financial decision to save their lives (much less care about what it does to the economy?). It's just like how shoplifters raise the cost of products for the rest of us who've always paid for what we need or want. The problem isn't just the greedy lenders and the presidential candidates both know it. Who wants to be the one to point fingers at fellow Americans and tell them to quit spending/stealing from other Americans with their lousy mathematics and even worse reasoning skills when they're trying to push for election? No, instead let's cop out and point fingers at companies who aren't having to suffer consequences from their stupid lending and could care less - that makes it all better doesn't it?
Baby-killer Barry O. likes to talk about his poor pathetic background and can really empathize with the poor, needy, and humble folk out there - but I think I can do a better job explaining things here but I definitely won't be popular for it or gain the vote of the free-loaders out there as he is. Despite my father suffering an untimely and crazy death I completed high school with great grades and honors courses to boot. I then went on to attend a community college where I was on the Dean's list consecutively via my own hard work (there's that dang word again - sorry if that is getting to harsh for some bleeding hearts out there). I moved to UT where i worked to gain residency and go to college on my own dime (unfortunately I was not clever enough in high school to go after scholarships- though my father's accident and demise and caretaking needs did dissuade me somewhat during that time- but I'll not blame anyone but myself for having to work my way through college and pay for my own education. When my brother and sister were hit by an DRUNK uninsured illegal without a valid drivers license I stepped up and cared for their child for quite a while while they recovered - using their own funds and insurance through the whole process (fyi the illegal suffered a broken ankle, was released from the hospital and NEVER prosecuted despite our attempts to get the legal system to do so - illegals are tricky to catch don't ya know?). I did eventually graduate with my college degree - worked and paid for...hmm....
My husband worked incredibly hard during high school getting perfect grades and earning full-ride scholarships to go to college. After he completed a mission which he had worked hard and PAID FOR himself, he returned to college picking up his scholarship and completing a BS in Electrical Engineering with a near perfect GPA graduating Summa Cum Laude - top honors. He now works hard- at least 50 hours a week to pay our mortgage and provide for his family. We don't use credit that we can't pay off in the same month, we live well within our means, save money with each paycheck for our own retirement, pay for our own insurance, raise our own children, I price match and use coupons religiously, we have modest furnishings and vehicles which are all paid for, we pay a minimum 10% tithing to our church and then 50% of our paycheck goes to the freeloaders and some worthy governmental programs, pay additional on our mortgage each month.... Does my husband gain spiritual, mental, and whatever else fulfillment from setting up electrical systems at poop plants everyday? Um, no and often times he really doesn't enjoy it all that much - but he does it because that's life- it's WORK regularly interspersed with the things that really matter about life- family and fulfilling our Creator's purpose for us - obtaining contentment versus riding wave after wave of passing pleasure and appeasement bringing no good to pass. He is also a Scoutmaster for our church and is often gone as soon as he gets home from work to help make some kid's parent's dreams come true of having an Eagle Scout to their credit (a worthy goal which is also becoming more extinct with society's standards of honor today). Thus, I care for our son very full-time which is hard hard work at times, man it's worth it- but it is work to raise human beings...well to be worthwhile human beings anyhow. Would it be easier for me to do whatever I wanted with my time when I wanted to - HECK YES it would. Are there times when I wish I had more 'me' time - HECK YES - but having a family is what it's all about, not free rides for the life wasters out there. So why do the freeloaders get so many handouts and so much sympathy while we're the ones actively DOING to keep society afloat?
So please tell me some more about how you're going to save the economy baby-killer Barry O. by making education available to the masses (which it already is in gazillions of ways) - but please expound upon your plan somewhat and tell me some about how you plan to get their lazy butts to complete high school so they can take advantage of the opportunity which you so willingly would like to provide to them using my husband's hard earned tax dollars. I love to hear about handing my hard earned money over to these poor forlorn souls who just keep getting kicked down by life and can't do a dang thing for themselves. I just wonder what's going to happen when all of your followers who do currently pay taxes but refuse to populate the world (via murdering babies as well as not having them voluntarily) adequately get old and have no one but my children to pay for your retirement bills.
Hmm...I propose a novel idea- let's place some expectation upon the American people who are looking for free handouts left and right from the big bad CEO's who have worked hard their whole lives to get to where they're at. In fact, in today's address to the people in Indiana he proposed that some of their children might someday be the CEO's running the great businesses (not likely given their free-loader mentality, but let's see where this line of thinking takes us...) so wouldn't that make them the evil doers who are enabling society to function today through jobs and taxes? Rob the rich to save the lazy-a_s poor who put us into this predicament with trying to beat the Jones' and grabbing onto ridiculous mortgages they couldn't afford then getting mad at the 'greedy' companies who laid it out for them to begin with. In fact, the same companies baby-killer Barry O. pushed to hand out sub prime loans to the people who couldn't afford it but wanted to have it all anyway- who now gets to blame greedy companies b/c none of his followers are smart enough to look at his political past to see what he has really been doing this whole time in his political career or otherwise- gotta love it.
Here's my plan to save the economy- make people get off their butts and go do some actual work to contribute to a better society. Give them good credit when they do something to actually deserve it , then let them go out and buy a house at a good rate that they can afford to live in and one day pay off. Of course, that would involve people doing actual work and contributing themselves, which would take away 98% of their complaining time towards the rest of society who doesn't have time to complain, or defend their rights and property b/c they're too busy out trying to create jobs and save the economy from the ruin the lazy good-for-nothings of society keep putting it into. With nothing to complain about and work being done I foresee actual and real changes happening and the economy never falling into jeopardy at the hands of the freeloaders again! Start working and stop trying to find ways to pass heinous and unholy laws to murder babies who would otherwise become taxpayers to save our country in the not too distant future- wow, what a concept.
FYI- to any of you who do read this and make it this far and have more of the freeloader mentality versus the worker's mentality- I do not write for your sake- I write because if I don't get it out of my mind somewhere I'll got mentally insane from the injustice of it- but perhaps it'll make you look into things further to prove me wrong but teach you more in the process, in which case- I'll take it! I watch politics because they are so important in our society but I swear before this election is through I will have a full-fledged ulcer. I absolutely have no stomach or anxiety check for the crazy things that are being proposed or the full-fledged idiocy of baby-killer Barry O's following. I can hand out candy and get simple minds to love me, but who says that candy isn't full of poison. Try going the extra mile to find out more about baby-killer Barry O. and I think you'll change your tune (if you haven't already knowing his feelings towards murdering innocent babies)....again though, that does take work.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Lost & Found
To say that Slade gets into everything and views everything as his own personal playground would be an understatement. I didn't realize how much control he secretly has over everything until last night. I was washing dishes in the kitchen after dinner when Mark called my name in a very serious tone. Annoyed I cut off the water and answered back using the same tone in reply. Come to find that Slade had made off with the USB licensing thing that he plugs into his computer that contains the licenses to all of his music recording equipment (one very magical and expensive USB Key!). Without it his equipment is useless- can we say bad idea to #1 have it out for Slade's access and #2, well, to have it out for Slade's access?
For the next hour we tore the house apart searching for it. I initially thought that it would be easy to find and checked all of Slade's convenient hiding places (he currently likes to 'hide' everything in our bathroom trash can) - nothing. We then progressed to the idea that he perhaps threw it away into our shred bin which I dumped the week before but may have not yet been picked up by the garbage man. I headed outside while Mark scoured the rest of the house in total desperation. I pulled out our Recycle Bin over to the outside light and searched through it but only remnants of Slade's birthday party remained. With resignation and complete disgust I went through the TRASH trash can- dirty diapers, dead bird body from Mark's last hunting kill (yes, that was quite a disorienting suprise!), and basic trashy items- YUCK. NOTHING.
I came back inside determined to find at least one more place to look...the closet. He loves to put things in our closet when it's open. I open the doors and just sit there and stare trying to think back to the last week and a thought popped into my head out of nowhere- well other than the fact that I'd been praying hardcore to find it. I remembered a time like a week ago where Slade fussed when I put a pair of Mark's 'leisure' shoes away. I thought it was odd at the time, but he's fickle and got over it pretty quickly so I didnt think twice. Sure enough, when I picked up the shoes the USB thingy fell right out. Playing lost and found with Slade is just so much fun. As a side note, we also found a perfectly good binky, one of his baby toys, and 4 perfectly good tampons in the bathroom trash can. Mental note to self: Check bathroom trash can more often or keep him the heck outta there!
For the next hour we tore the house apart searching for it. I initially thought that it would be easy to find and checked all of Slade's convenient hiding places (he currently likes to 'hide' everything in our bathroom trash can) - nothing. We then progressed to the idea that he perhaps threw it away into our shred bin which I dumped the week before but may have not yet been picked up by the garbage man. I headed outside while Mark scoured the rest of the house in total desperation. I pulled out our Recycle Bin over to the outside light and searched through it but only remnants of Slade's birthday party remained. With resignation and complete disgust I went through the TRASH trash can- dirty diapers, dead bird body from Mark's last hunting kill (yes, that was quite a disorienting suprise!), and basic trashy items- YUCK. NOTHING.
I came back inside determined to find at least one more place to look...the closet. He loves to put things in our closet when it's open. I open the doors and just sit there and stare trying to think back to the last week and a thought popped into my head out of nowhere- well other than the fact that I'd been praying hardcore to find it. I remembered a time like a week ago where Slade fussed when I put a pair of Mark's 'leisure' shoes away. I thought it was odd at the time, but he's fickle and got over it pretty quickly so I didnt think twice. Sure enough, when I picked up the shoes the USB thingy fell right out. Playing lost and found with Slade is just so much fun. As a side note, we also found a perfectly good binky, one of his baby toys, and 4 perfectly good tampons in the bathroom trash can. Mental note to self: Check bathroom trash can more often or keep him the heck outta there!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Update on a ridiculous ranting
I do not recommend posting late at night after a long conversation about politics with someone who is as passionate about certain issues as you are coupled with 3 days of very little sleep (trying to learn the art of cake making for Slade's b-day party after he goes to bed). It's the kind of thing you do when you're wasted and your inhibitions are at an all time low and you say whatever is on your mind without thinking it through first. So yes, the things I said were I what I truly meant, just expressed poorly and with little tact (not that people have confused me with having an exhorbitant amount of it to begin with- but then a very tactful stance can also be seen as a very useless one in many a situation where great reform is desperately needed - as it is in this one.) That being said I wanted to revamp my last semi-ridiculously worded post about politics in regards to the also semi-ridiculous comments I received from it (who knew people have that much time to read and comment on the blogs of miscellaneous strangers - I barely have the time to catch up on emails or my own friend's blogs- wow).
I talked about being confused about why there are political parties instead of people backing other people on issues alone- wouldn't that make more sense? Start with the issues that you feel passionately about, in my case abortion, and weed out those who are not on your side. Then you go through the remaining candidates on issues of relative importance until you find a candidate you dislike the least. I did not claim to be an Independent nor that the issues I side with the most are on the side of the Republican Party. I said - why do there have to be parties instead of issues?
I then went on to wonder aloud why anyone would back Obama knowing his stance on killing babies - it is VERY extreme- as in turning your back on a dying baby from a botched abortion instead of attempting to save it's life- kind of extreme. Doesn't that just totally defeat the purpose of why we are here on Earth, rather why we come to Earth? Do you truly think God would provide inspiration to lead the greatest nation on Earth through a man like this? A man who said he wouldn't punish his own daughter with a child for making such a 'mistake' as this? Is that what procreation can be thought of as- a human being as a mistake? Hopefully he'll catch the TV spots that McCain is supporting hosting an adult from a botched abortion who is thankful Obama's law was not in place when she was born. Did I say that there is never a reason for abortion - no, I did not. And the odds of an abortion being performed for someone whose life is in peril or was viciously raped or the like and had a resulting pregnancy are not NEARLY as high as the abortions performed today in many societies for reasons of pure selfishness, greed, and so forth. So don't bring the gray scenarios surrounding abortion to the table- I'm talking about the absolutely heinous ones here- aborting a baby out of convenience - that is TRULY heinous. THAT is what keeps me awake at night. THAT is truly all I can think about when I see Obama preach about change and not truly supporting our country or trying to match stories about war heroes mother's hoping they can make a difference in the war having sketchy and poorly thought out arguments about foregin policy (what the heck does when a visa was obtained have to do with anything of substance when it comes to ruling our free country by an ideal candidate? or someone having a personal email account that they send business emails from? If there were truly and errant substance to those findings don't you think it'd have come to light by now, but where is the punishment for the one who broke into Palin's account in the first place and sent fake emails from it - hmm...no punishment for breaking that law huh?).
The fact that the, thankfully expired, show Sex and the City is so popular in our society when the women actors on the show talk about in their episodes how they've had to have multiple abortions b/c they 'forgot' to use protection or 'accidentally' got pregnant all the while acting like a bunch of skanky dummies sleeping with any and every man who will give them the time of day and contracting nastiness from it - living useless lives that glorify fashion and all of the other absolutely worthless and petty things they can dredge up to look important to take the focus off of what life is supposed to be - about families and improving society in meaningful ways. Is that the kind of thing we should take so lightly, be entertained by, and justify for doing it ourselves?
How dare someone take the life of an innocent little beautiful baby so callously? It is so sickly wrong to its very core- how in the world did this reasoning behiind abortion ever make it to our great society? How is it that we are all not fighting so hard to get rid of it - that is should only exist to serve those women who truly need its services?
That is emphasis I should have put into that last posting ...whatever. Keep voting for baby killers and take the chance that when you go to meet your Maker that you won't have to account for those deaths in some way as well. Pretend that there is any issue greater than killing of innocents or that we'll get anywhere as a 'progressed' society by doing so. One thing follows another.
How is this even in society? How is it that we don't absolutely shrink in disgust when we hear about this happening b/c it just wasn't convenient? There are consequences to every action - aren't we talking basic sex ed here? Too bad more people aren't more passionate about improving society and saving lives.
I talked about being confused about why there are political parties instead of people backing other people on issues alone- wouldn't that make more sense? Start with the issues that you feel passionately about, in my case abortion, and weed out those who are not on your side. Then you go through the remaining candidates on issues of relative importance until you find a candidate you dislike the least. I did not claim to be an Independent nor that the issues I side with the most are on the side of the Republican Party. I said - why do there have to be parties instead of issues?
I then went on to wonder aloud why anyone would back Obama knowing his stance on killing babies - it is VERY extreme- as in turning your back on a dying baby from a botched abortion instead of attempting to save it's life- kind of extreme. Doesn't that just totally defeat the purpose of why we are here on Earth, rather why we come to Earth? Do you truly think God would provide inspiration to lead the greatest nation on Earth through a man like this? A man who said he wouldn't punish his own daughter with a child for making such a 'mistake' as this? Is that what procreation can be thought of as- a human being as a mistake? Hopefully he'll catch the TV spots that McCain is supporting hosting an adult from a botched abortion who is thankful Obama's law was not in place when she was born. Did I say that there is never a reason for abortion - no, I did not. And the odds of an abortion being performed for someone whose life is in peril or was viciously raped or the like and had a resulting pregnancy are not NEARLY as high as the abortions performed today in many societies for reasons of pure selfishness, greed, and so forth. So don't bring the gray scenarios surrounding abortion to the table- I'm talking about the absolutely heinous ones here- aborting a baby out of convenience - that is TRULY heinous. THAT is what keeps me awake at night. THAT is truly all I can think about when I see Obama preach about change and not truly supporting our country or trying to match stories about war heroes mother's hoping they can make a difference in the war having sketchy and poorly thought out arguments about foregin policy (what the heck does when a visa was obtained have to do with anything of substance when it comes to ruling our free country by an ideal candidate? or someone having a personal email account that they send business emails from? If there were truly and errant substance to those findings don't you think it'd have come to light by now, but where is the punishment for the one who broke into Palin's account in the first place and sent fake emails from it - hmm...no punishment for breaking that law huh?).
The fact that the, thankfully expired, show Sex and the City is so popular in our society when the women actors on the show talk about in their episodes how they've had to have multiple abortions b/c they 'forgot' to use protection or 'accidentally' got pregnant all the while acting like a bunch of skanky dummies sleeping with any and every man who will give them the time of day and contracting nastiness from it - living useless lives that glorify fashion and all of the other absolutely worthless and petty things they can dredge up to look important to take the focus off of what life is supposed to be - about families and improving society in meaningful ways. Is that the kind of thing we should take so lightly, be entertained by, and justify for doing it ourselves?
How dare someone take the life of an innocent little beautiful baby so callously? It is so sickly wrong to its very core- how in the world did this reasoning behiind abortion ever make it to our great society? How is it that we are all not fighting so hard to get rid of it - that is should only exist to serve those women who truly need its services?
That is emphasis I should have put into that last posting ...whatever. Keep voting for baby killers and take the chance that when you go to meet your Maker that you won't have to account for those deaths in some way as well. Pretend that there is any issue greater than killing of innocents or that we'll get anywhere as a 'progressed' society by doing so. One thing follows another.
How is this even in society? How is it that we don't absolutely shrink in disgust when we hear about this happening b/c it just wasn't convenient? There are consequences to every action - aren't we talking basic sex ed here? Too bad more people aren't more passionate about improving society and saving lives.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
VOTE for Slade!
A woman in our ward, Judy Hut, is the editor of Utah Family Magazine and they're having a photo contest to find the cutest boy and girl to be on their covers for two months coming up and, of course, I submitted Slade's photo- not that I believe he is the cutest child ever (well, to me he obviously is, but I'll allow for certain exceptions I supose) but that this would be a really neat thing for him to be able to look back on. The photo was supposed to be a fun/creative photo- so I submitted the one of Slade holding my toilet scrubbrush- classy huh? Anyhow, we're supposed to get as many people as we can from our families & friends to vote here (it's also serving to get the word out about this magazine- it's FREE and done monthly and distributed around the area for families to enjoy - so NO JUNK MAIL will result from you voting!) to determine the winner. Please vote for Slade - this would be soo cool to have for his scrapbook and to look back on! I'll cherish you always if you do! VOTE ASAP - Follow the link below or here: http://www.utahdiscovery.com/uf/contests/cover08_voting.php
Love,
Liz and Slade
Instructions: Click on "Vote for Me" and enter your email address. you'll receive an email to verify the address, then be sure to click on the link they provide and bada-bing- you've voted, just two easy clicks and NO junk mail!
Love,
Liz and Slade
Instructions: Click on "Vote for Me" and enter your email address. you'll receive an email to verify the address, then be sure to click on the link they provide and bada-bing- you've voted, just two easy clicks and NO junk mail!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
If Something Like This Had Happened Before...
So here's an update on my weight situation now that I'm on the home stretch (5 days left til B-Day celebration time). Not only have I gained back what I lost but I have now gained 3 lbs. on top of that. Here's the kicker- the weight gain came from exercising!!! I have limited what I eat (ok, except on Slade's actual birthday- day we did share an unhealthy amount of peanut butter fudge shoppe cookies to 'celebrate'- dang those sales!!) and last week I took Slade out in the Croozer and along with Harley we ran/walked over 16 miles. That's about 10 miles more than what I've done since giving birth- and this all in the span of a few days.
No, I'm not pregnant and no my scales aren't broken (tried and tested on both accounts!) - I'm just heavier. Period.
The most interesting part about this is that I'm not heartbroken, deterred, or mentally shaken by this news.....at all! In the past when I was like 16-18...ok and 18-26 years old I'd have had a mental breakdown over seeing these figures on the scale - 168 full-fledged pounds!!! I once reached 153 and began an anorexic fast coupled with the most exercise I'd ever done in my life until I'd lost a good 15 lbs. and maintained it.
Due to my unconditionally loving husband, child, family, dogs, friends, my Valiant girls, and of course the church - I am quite happy with myself and my life - a happiness that is not deterred by weight gain, pimples, bad haircuts, dumb posts (on my part, yes), accidental offenses, etc... Who'd have known it'd take me 29 years to truly know that I love myself as I am?
I think when I went through my depressive postpartum episode I realized there were major ideals I needed to change in my life. With the assistance of medication, yes - I am a medicated woman currently- I was able to overcome the worst experience of my life in order to experience the best. Though I still do suffer through moments of depression, uncertainly, frustration, fear, etc... I can say that these are just moments and I'm able to only allow them a healthy amount of time to be lived in my short life - for I think that these emotions are definitely healthy to have to a degree. Now, I am a proud, contented, happy mother, wife, daughter, friend, teacher, ect...
A year ago I'd have never pictured being happy again, muchless as a mother - now being so IS my true happiness and contentment.
I will continue my weight loss adventures, undeterred by what probably is just muscle gain anyway, and post them here for those who are interested to keep up with - and enjoy myself with my child and husband in the process. I can now say that I'm truly fat AND happy! :)
No, I'm not pregnant and no my scales aren't broken (tried and tested on both accounts!) - I'm just heavier. Period.
The most interesting part about this is that I'm not heartbroken, deterred, or mentally shaken by this news.....at all! In the past when I was like 16-18...ok and 18-26 years old I'd have had a mental breakdown over seeing these figures on the scale - 168 full-fledged pounds!!! I once reached 153 and began an anorexic fast coupled with the most exercise I'd ever done in my life until I'd lost a good 15 lbs. and maintained it.
Due to my unconditionally loving husband, child, family, dogs, friends, my Valiant girls, and of course the church - I am quite happy with myself and my life - a happiness that is not deterred by weight gain, pimples, bad haircuts, dumb posts (on my part, yes), accidental offenses, etc... Who'd have known it'd take me 29 years to truly know that I love myself as I am?
I think when I went through my depressive postpartum episode I realized there were major ideals I needed to change in my life. With the assistance of medication, yes - I am a medicated woman currently- I was able to overcome the worst experience of my life in order to experience the best. Though I still do suffer through moments of depression, uncertainly, frustration, fear, etc... I can say that these are just moments and I'm able to only allow them a healthy amount of time to be lived in my short life - for I think that these emotions are definitely healthy to have to a degree. Now, I am a proud, contented, happy mother, wife, daughter, friend, teacher, ect...
A year ago I'd have never pictured being happy again, muchless as a mother - now being so IS my true happiness and contentment.
I will continue my weight loss adventures, undeterred by what probably is just muscle gain anyway, and post them here for those who are interested to keep up with - and enjoy myself with my child and husband in the process. I can now say that I'm truly fat AND happy! :)
Monday, September 22, 2008
I make myself laugh...
Ok, so maybe I don't make other people laugh, but I do make myself laugh. Don't worry if you don't think it's funny or get offended- the point of this blog and posting is to celebrate increasing self-awareness of self-love and acceptance/or at least appreciation of others - got it?
Do you ever make yourself laugh? I do it all of the time and Mark just shakes his head. I'm the only person he knows who does 99.9% of what she does to amuse herself (me) solely- ok, well now Slade as well. Life's just better when you enjoy yourself. It's like decorating your house. It may look hideous to others (i.o.w. not funny to anyone else but your own dang self), but you're the one who has to live in it day in and day out so might as well look the way you want it to look - judging come what may! Just surround yourself with friends who like you for you with nothing ulterior going on and bada-bing, life is good! Cuz no matter how much you can amuse and entertain yourself, we all need good friends! Just a simple thought for the day!
Do you ever make yourself laugh? I do it all of the time and Mark just shakes his head. I'm the only person he knows who does 99.9% of what she does to amuse herself (me) solely- ok, well now Slade as well. Life's just better when you enjoy yourself. It's like decorating your house. It may look hideous to others (i.o.w. not funny to anyone else but your own dang self), but you're the one who has to live in it day in and day out so might as well look the way you want it to look - judging come what may! Just surround yourself with friends who like you for you with nothing ulterior going on and bada-bing, life is good! Cuz no matter how much you can amuse and entertain yourself, we all need good friends! Just a simple thought for the day!
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