Well, it's that time of year again. A time to think about and focus on what you are thankful for and help those who do not have as much as you.
Or at least that's how it was when I was a kid.
Maybe I just don't remember the Black Friday ads, maybe it's because my mom didn't get up at mid-night and stand in line for hours just to get 2 items at slightly better prices, but I remember the 4th Thursday in November being about thanks, not sales.
I mean, while BF is not my thing I understand that some people love it. That's fine, but I feel like 100 years from now BF will be the holiday and Thanksgiving will be forgotten all together. And that is not okay.
Vinny is so excited about today, not because of the parade or even the food, but because he gets to be with his cousins and family. He has been counting down the days all week, so excited to spend time with the people he loves.
And isn't that what today should be? I actually like Fred Meyer's ad for BF, they say to enjoy your Thanksgiving and "We'll be here bright and early for you on Friday." I know it's probably because they sell food too and they want to make money, but I still like it.
I don't want to be one of those whinny people who talk about how "commercialized" it's all become, but it has. And it's getting worse every year.
So I would like to challenge anyone who reads this to please make sure you spend today thinking about family and friends. Write down what you are thankful for and help your kids do the same. Let today be about thanks, and tomorrow can be all the sales you want. :)
As for me, I am thankful for my home, my family, the gosple of Jesus Christ which blesses me and my family daily. I am thankful for the peace I can feel even when the world is dissolving into chaos. For my handsome, intellegent little boys and the wonderful relationship I have with them. For my dad who has had to be 2 grandpas for my kids and borne that well. For Gary (Dan's dad) who led a life worth telling my kids about, and was the sort of man my son what's to know and be like, even without ever having met the man in this life. I am thankful for my husband who works 12 hour days to keep us in our home and fed, but still makes the time to be with our boys, so they know and love him. And makes time for me, so we can work out our hiccups and continue forward stronger and better.
I am thankful for the rights and freedoms I have in this country. I am eternally grateful to those who risk their lives and stay far from their families for far too long, to protect those rights. And just as grateful to their loved ones at home who allow them to go.
I am thankful for my life and all that is in it.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Movies
Well, we just signed up for a Netflix trial, possibly keep, and I had a thought. I really don't care about most of these new movies. I mean, more new movies out than ever in my life and most of them are just ... I can't think of the word. I know they may appeal to a certain audience, but so many movies are bombing and they keep making the same tired plot over and over again.
Occasionally they bust out something amazing, like Tangled. But overall, Hollywood is loosing it. I am enjoying re-watching old movies that I kinda liked, more than I am enjoying the new ones.
I just wish we could go back to films that meant something. And maybe they would if we only got 1-2 new movies a month instead of a week.
Occasionally they bust out something amazing, like Tangled. But overall, Hollywood is loosing it. I am enjoying re-watching old movies that I kinda liked, more than I am enjoying the new ones.
I just wish we could go back to films that meant something. And maybe they would if we only got 1-2 new movies a month instead of a week.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Christmas!
Hello all. It's confession time.
I....*deep breath* am addicted to Christmas! I am in love with Christmas, the atmosphere, the music, the stories, the good feelings all around. To be honest, December 25th is kinda a sad day for me, because it means Christmas is over. :(
I do try to wait until November 1st to start listening to music. I wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate and get out all my things. But the feeling of Christmas is intoxicating. I love going to craft bazaars (as early as this weekend) and browsing the decoration aisle at the store.
I do think stores should have decorations for sale in November, because I like to get set up early, so I have to have them before. but not in October, or August.
I just feel like there is a feeling of goodwill, love and happiness during the Holidays. The food is better, people tend to be nicer if you are not at a sale or the mall. Everything gets better at Christmas time!
So I wont play music in my shop when people are there, the stocking aren't hung until the tree is up AFTER Thanksgiving. The bed time stories will remain un-Christmas-i-fied until December1st. But I am Christmas-i-fied and proud of it!
I....*deep breath* am addicted to Christmas! I am in love with Christmas, the atmosphere, the music, the stories, the good feelings all around. To be honest, December 25th is kinda a sad day for me, because it means Christmas is over. :(
I do try to wait until November 1st to start listening to music. I wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate and get out all my things. But the feeling of Christmas is intoxicating. I love going to craft bazaars (as early as this weekend) and browsing the decoration aisle at the store.
I do think stores should have decorations for sale in November, because I like to get set up early, so I have to have them before. but not in October, or August.
I just feel like there is a feeling of goodwill, love and happiness during the Holidays. The food is better, people tend to be nicer if you are not at a sale or the mall. Everything gets better at Christmas time!
So I wont play music in my shop when people are there, the stocking aren't hung until the tree is up AFTER Thanksgiving. The bed time stories will remain un-Christmas-i-fied until December1st. But I am Christmas-i-fied and proud of it!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Alone.
Okay, time to vent some feelings.
I have always struggled with self esteem issues. And while I never let it completely control my life, it has led to depression and poor decisions through out the last 10-15 years.
After marrying Dan, things started getting better. I took pride in my appearance, I worked to look and feel great and really started to be able to ignore those little negative things that would pop into my head.
But it's starting to slip. A huge factor is that my average week consists of housework, childcare, the shop and an hour or so of socializing with my sister-in-law. That hour has become my haven. Because of the shops hours, Dan's 12 hour days and the need to have someone watch my kids, I don't get so socialize much at all.
Dan tries to help, but for him gaming on-line is socialization enough. Not me. And even when I can make it out to things, I always feel left out. Not that I think people are TRYING to ignore me, but I always feel on the outside. All the parents with kids my kids' age seem to get together a lot, they bond and they always have something to talk about. And when they talk, I have no idea what they are referencing.
I know a lot is how I perceive things, but when I leave an activity, I usually walk out alone, without anyone to say good-bye to. And it feels like no one notices. I know, I know, I am probably being a tad dramatic, but still, it's how I feel.
And it used to be, before I got my license, my mom and I would do things together all the time, but now, I have so much to do and she has so much typing (she does medical transcription from home) that we rarely get together without the whole family there.
And being me only makes it harder. I am an obnoxious, dark and strange person in a Mormon world, and I know that alienates me to a point.
Maybe it's wrong, and maybe it's not what God would have me be, but I am just not the sort of person who likes to talk about my testimony and personal scripture study in a social setting. I don't make temple trip plans when I am out, I don't do that whole "Molly Mormon" thing, and to be honest, I don't think I ever will. I watch anime and crime shows and I read books about vampires, dragons, necromancers and wizards. I game on my computer, I like movies with a little horror. I enjoy watching TV and movies that aren't rated G.
I am sure there are more out there like me, and maybe it's the whole group setting thing that makes people like me think they need to be something else, but it is hard. I have one LDS friend who I really get along with on the forms of entertainment level, but given she has no kids and is in school, it can make it hard to get together outside of VT visits.
And with non-LDS people it can be even harder, I don't watch rated R movies, I don't drink and I don't go to bars for live music. I do have kids at 26 (most of my non-member friends do not) so I can't be out until 2 in the morning. I'm not in school, I run a business and I have a 3 bedroom house with a yard I need to try and maintain, not an apartment.
Okay, pity party is done. I just had to get it out there.
I have always struggled with self esteem issues. And while I never let it completely control my life, it has led to depression and poor decisions through out the last 10-15 years.
After marrying Dan, things started getting better. I took pride in my appearance, I worked to look and feel great and really started to be able to ignore those little negative things that would pop into my head.
But it's starting to slip. A huge factor is that my average week consists of housework, childcare, the shop and an hour or so of socializing with my sister-in-law. That hour has become my haven. Because of the shops hours, Dan's 12 hour days and the need to have someone watch my kids, I don't get so socialize much at all.
Dan tries to help, but for him gaming on-line is socialization enough. Not me. And even when I can make it out to things, I always feel left out. Not that I think people are TRYING to ignore me, but I always feel on the outside. All the parents with kids my kids' age seem to get together a lot, they bond and they always have something to talk about. And when they talk, I have no idea what they are referencing.
I know a lot is how I perceive things, but when I leave an activity, I usually walk out alone, without anyone to say good-bye to. And it feels like no one notices. I know, I know, I am probably being a tad dramatic, but still, it's how I feel.
And it used to be, before I got my license, my mom and I would do things together all the time, but now, I have so much to do and she has so much typing (she does medical transcription from home) that we rarely get together without the whole family there.
And being me only makes it harder. I am an obnoxious, dark and strange person in a Mormon world, and I know that alienates me to a point.
Maybe it's wrong, and maybe it's not what God would have me be, but I am just not the sort of person who likes to talk about my testimony and personal scripture study in a social setting. I don't make temple trip plans when I am out, I don't do that whole "Molly Mormon" thing, and to be honest, I don't think I ever will. I watch anime and crime shows and I read books about vampires, dragons, necromancers and wizards. I game on my computer, I like movies with a little horror. I enjoy watching TV and movies that aren't rated G.
I am sure there are more out there like me, and maybe it's the whole group setting thing that makes people like me think they need to be something else, but it is hard. I have one LDS friend who I really get along with on the forms of entertainment level, but given she has no kids and is in school, it can make it hard to get together outside of VT visits.
And with non-LDS people it can be even harder, I don't watch rated R movies, I don't drink and I don't go to bars for live music. I do have kids at 26 (most of my non-member friends do not) so I can't be out until 2 in the morning. I'm not in school, I run a business and I have a 3 bedroom house with a yard I need to try and maintain, not an apartment.
Okay, pity party is done. I just had to get it out there.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Recipe share time
Tonight I am sharing my AWARD WINNING (thank you 4th ward!) Hidden Veggie Chili. Simple, yummy and packed with healthy foods while not having any chunks for picky eaters to complain about. Enjoy!
Hidden Veggie Chili
* WARNING *
Measurements are not perfect, I am a by sight cook and am guessing. Go with your preferences.
2lbs Lean ground beef
2 cans chili beans
1 large can tomato paste
1 large bag of spinach
3 cups chopped sweet peppers
1 medium-large onion, chopped
1-2 cups carrot juice
2 cloves garlic
½ tablespoon Cayenne pepper
¼ tablespoon curry powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook ground beef on medium until well cooked, drain thoroughly
Mix spinach, peppers, onion, garlic and about 1 cup carrot juice in a blender until smooth (add more juice if necessary)
Mix blender mixture, meat, tomato paste and chili beans in a pot on medium-low heat (or a crock pot)
Let chili cook for 3-4 hours.
During the last 15-20 minutes do a taste test and see if more spice is needed, I like to see if it needs a little more sweetness and use carrot juice for that.
Serve in a bowl or over a backed potato and enjoy!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Racism
Websters Dictionary defines racism as:
1.
1.
: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2
: racial prejudice or discrimination
So, Can anyone tell me where it says "Anyone who dislikes something that might affect people of another race? Because I'm not seeing it.
I am so sick of being called a racist because I am for welfare reform, or because I don't agree with President Obama, or simply because I am a registered republican. It is so dang irritating!
The worst part is how, no matter what I truly think or feel, I am racist, and no matter what "they' do, they aren't. Like how the Congressional Black Caucus and tell someone that if they are white they are never getting in, but if I headed up some White Caucus and said no blacks the ACLU would be coming after me with eyes blazing!
How on earth is that fair or right? And how on earth are we supposed to get beyond racism with bull hockey like that going on? Specialist groups for one race or against a race. How about instead of working on dividing us into groups based on our differences we work on represent everyone.
I keep hearing people talk about how we need to help minorities do better in schools and college. The current method is to single them out and throw money at them, but that hasn't been working very well. How about we get the balls to look at them and say "This is why you/your child is failing." Quit throwing money at it.
Why can't we get the parents to take responsibility for their kids, "Hey, you don't get involved with your kids education, they wont do as well and it is on your head, not the teachers, not the district, not the state."
And as a society let's donate to and start programs that give kids a place to go and study after school, programs that give them something more, dance, music and art, to drive their lives. But keep them responsible for themselves.
I cannot stand the idea of a kid getting into a college because of their race, because the college has some "racial quota" to meet. It should be based on grades and effort. Race should have nothing to do with college acceptance!
Sorry, I know it was a little scattered, but I had to get it off my chest. ACK!
So, Can anyone tell me where it says "Anyone who dislikes something that might affect people of another race? Because I'm not seeing it.
I am so sick of being called a racist because I am for welfare reform, or because I don't agree with President Obama, or simply because I am a registered republican. It is so dang irritating!
The worst part is how, no matter what I truly think or feel, I am racist, and no matter what "they' do, they aren't. Like how the Congressional Black Caucus and tell someone that if they are white they are never getting in, but if I headed up some White Caucus and said no blacks the ACLU would be coming after me with eyes blazing!
How on earth is that fair or right? And how on earth are we supposed to get beyond racism with bull hockey like that going on? Specialist groups for one race or against a race. How about instead of working on dividing us into groups based on our differences we work on represent everyone.
I keep hearing people talk about how we need to help minorities do better in schools and college. The current method is to single them out and throw money at them, but that hasn't been working very well. How about we get the balls to look at them and say "This is why you/your child is failing." Quit throwing money at it.
Why can't we get the parents to take responsibility for their kids, "Hey, you don't get involved with your kids education, they wont do as well and it is on your head, not the teachers, not the district, not the state."
And as a society let's donate to and start programs that give kids a place to go and study after school, programs that give them something more, dance, music and art, to drive their lives. But keep them responsible for themselves.
I cannot stand the idea of a kid getting into a college because of their race, because the college has some "racial quota" to meet. It should be based on grades and effort. Race should have nothing to do with college acceptance!
Sorry, I know it was a little scattered, but I had to get it off my chest. ACK!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Toddlers, tiaras and total digust!
Sometimes I am so glad I don't have a daughter. I was reading Good Housekeeping this morning and they had a very long piece on young girls and beauty pageants, alla Toddlers and Tiaras. And may I just say, I am now ill.
$3,000 for a custom dress? Hours in hair and make up and hair extensions? Thousands spent to win a stupid tiara and a few hundred bucks? What is wrong with these mothers?
And I am talking about the little girls, like 10 and under, as young as a few months old! These girls are winking and blowing kisses at the judges. Like the article says, while these little cuties have no idea what their really doing, it is teaching them that flirty behavior gets them what they want. Another point they made that I had never thought of was that it is teaching them a sexual action without any emotional connection. Causing a disconnect between flirting and any real feelings. It's just a tool.
And it's not just pageants. Have you seen the clothes marketed to kids? Push up padded bikini tops for 8 year olds? "Teacher's Pet" on KIDS UNDERWEAR? Seriously? And that video awhile back with the 4 or so year olds doing a Coyote Ugly-Esque dance routine at a mall? Everyone thought it was "So cute" and harmless, but what do you tell those kids when they dance like that at 14 at a dance with boys drooling after them? Used to fine, why not now?
And while I am glad I don't have a daughter with friends going through all this, I am worried because I have 2 boys who are going to be exposed to this stuff at a younger age as well. And if this is how the kids Vin's age are acting now, how bad will it be in 10 years?
$3,000 for a custom dress? Hours in hair and make up and hair extensions? Thousands spent to win a stupid tiara and a few hundred bucks? What is wrong with these mothers?
And I am talking about the little girls, like 10 and under, as young as a few months old! These girls are winking and blowing kisses at the judges. Like the article says, while these little cuties have no idea what their really doing, it is teaching them that flirty behavior gets them what they want. Another point they made that I had never thought of was that it is teaching them a sexual action without any emotional connection. Causing a disconnect between flirting and any real feelings. It's just a tool.
And it's not just pageants. Have you seen the clothes marketed to kids? Push up padded bikini tops for 8 year olds? "Teacher's Pet" on KIDS UNDERWEAR? Seriously? And that video awhile back with the 4 or so year olds doing a Coyote Ugly-Esque dance routine at a mall? Everyone thought it was "So cute" and harmless, but what do you tell those kids when they dance like that at 14 at a dance with boys drooling after them? Used to fine, why not now?
And while I am glad I don't have a daughter with friends going through all this, I am worried because I have 2 boys who are going to be exposed to this stuff at a younger age as well. And if this is how the kids Vin's age are acting now, how bad will it be in 10 years?
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