A Smattering of Incoherent Thoughts

Yep, It's All MY Fault!

2009-03-13T15:20:00.004-04:00

I recently received an email from a friend. In this email, all she said was that she was having a lot of emotional trauma, but she wanted me to know she was thinking of me and was sure my life was great. That really ticked me off! It isn't the first time she and others have commented on my seemingly "perfect" life. Once, after soliciting marital advice, she remarked, "What do you know, you have a perfect marriage!" Well, I have a really good marriage, but nothing is "perfect". Since I have a good marriage, don't you think I know a little something about making a relationship work? Often, these people have been the types to talk and talk, rant and rave about their own miserable circumstances so much, that I could hardly get a word in edgewise. Yep, your life sucks and it's all my fault!

Here's the thing we all have to consider:CHOICES! Everything in life boils down to choices. First, I really considered the type of man I wanted to marry. This is one of the most important choices. I have discussed this with my son from an early age. He is a teenager now, but still listens and participates in this discussion with me. We talk about dating and marrying someone who has the same values as he does. We talk about commitment and how important it is. It is important to arm our kids with truthful information about drugs, sex, and rock-n-roll, but I think open discussion about types of people and the same values is also important. We also talk a lot about working things out, communication, commitment, the right person.

The thing is that I didn't always have a good marriage. The early years were sheer hell from the "I do". We loved each other, but did not know how to communicate other than yelling and blaming. We had a child within the first two years, stacks of bills we couldn't pay, we were living off Ramen, red beans, and mac-n-cheese, had in-law problems on both sides, my husband's job was very stressful. When there was nothing left, there remained commitment on both sides. Neither of us believed in divorce. Neither of us were selfish enough to move on and leave a child in the middle of our problems to suffer through custody and child support arrangements. We both knew what we wanted, but we didn't know how to get it. We agreed to find out, no matter what. We talked a lot about how we SHOULD be settling things, we went to marriage counseling. We worked hard at learning from our mistakes and learning to really listen to the other person. We worked hard at letting go of the other person's past mistakes and dealing with the issue at hand. We walked through fire trying to take responsibility for our own actions, words, and choices. It was hard, it was heart wrenching, it took a long time, but it was worth it. It's not perfect now. It is still a work in progress, but our relationship is happy, solid. Life is a learning process. You can decide to learn, change, and grow, or you can whine, bitch, and moan. I'm glad that I had enough foresight to marry someone who was willing to learn, grow, and change along with me, someone I can say anything to, someone who would be willing to work things out and not just get a divorce, who also could look at how choices always come with consequences and decide what consequences he would not want to live with.

As far as raising our son is concerned, I believe in lovingly disciplining him. Discipline as defined as teaching. In everything there is a choice. Think about consequences, good and bad, before you make it. Whatever decision you make, you own the events that follow. Don't complain if you are miserable, make choices to improve your situation. I believe in talking about everything. I believe in prayer. I have prayed since I found out I was pregnant for God to create a special person for my child to marry that will love him, be committed, and share his values. When the teen years really set in and my son may not be listening, I know that God still will be.

When you look at someone with a "misery loves company" mentality, or "green-eyed monster"-like jealousy, just remember that you don't know all they have been through. Maybe you should stop bitching and listen for what you could learn. Maybe you should try looking at your own choices and see where you can make changes to improve your life. Stop blaming other people for your circumstances. Make better choices. People have a hard time taking responsibility for their own lives. It is so much easier to blame others for the misery then to take ownership in what we do to cause or perpetuate the problems. Yep, I guess it's my fault that you aren't willing to work on your own life. I guess it's my fault your marriage is in the hole. I guess you want me to apologize to you for working on my life to make it better, when you won't work on your own. Well, keep waiting for that apology, and if YOU CHOOSE to stay miserable, keep it to yourself and don't blame me!

Life Will Getcha!

2009-01-22T12:42:00.004-05:00

Well, I haven't blogged in a million years, but I've been busy having a life. I don't worry, this blog is more like a private diary with a lock on it, since no one reads it anyway! I make sure to hide my computer under my bed each night, so no one can read this "diary"! LOL!

You know in high school when you don't know what you want to do with your life, you are approaching graduation, maybe, and your parents are getting nervous? Nervous that you will be sleeping in your pink bedroom full of dolls and posters of your favorite hearthobs until you are 30? Well, my nervous mom thought it would be a good idea to give me an aptitude test to see what careers would best suit me. The careers that came up were things like teacher, social worker, and nurse. Well, I couldn't see myself in any of those jobs. However, as life has happened, I've ended up performing all of those jobs without the college degrees or the paychecks.

Summer of 2008, I went for another summer to help my mom through another surgery. Am I thinking about nursing school? NO WAY! To all the nurses, aides, orderlies, and Hospice workers, I salute you! Caring for someone who has had surgery, who is sick, or who is dying is a labor of love. To be able to care for strangers makes you angelic. It is an emotional, intimate situation. It is terrible to watch someone you love in pain. It is worse to have to cause them more pain by doing what needs to be done to aid in their recovery. I'm not glad that my mom has had to go through these experiences, but I am glad that they drew us closer. We cried, we laughed, we were exhausted, she recovered, and I was rewarded-spiritually-by the experiences.

While I was at my mom's house, my husband informed me that, out of the blue, he got promoted. His promotion would require that he go away for some training, and, as soon as he returned, we would be moving. Yikes! I needed to get home and start preparing for the move-alone. Ok-I'm not good at this sort of thing, but I got good at it quick! Funny how we convince ourselves that we can't do things, only to find out that we can when we have no choice in the matter. So, all alone, I set up the move, found a new house and secured it, etc, etc, etc. My husband had seven weeks of training. He returned and in less than a week, our stuff was packed and moved, we cleaned the old place, went to his aunt's house for Thanksgiving, and moved into the new place. WHEW! What a whirlwind! Then came Christmas.

So, with furniture out of place and boxes everywhere, we set up the Christmas tree, decorated it, put the wreath on the door, and lights up outside. If I hadn't hurried and put up the Christmas tree, I would have probably forgotten to shop. Christmas went by fast a furiously. I shopped some online and some locally and got it all done. We attended a neighborhood Christmas party. We enjoyed the day. My husband and I made chicken enchiladas for Christmas.

WOW! I really picked a great neighborhood to move into. The neighbors welcomed our family with brownies, fruit baskets, and open arms. We were invited to a neighborhood Christmas party, where we were treated like family, and given gifts from people who had never met us. It was amazing! It was so great that it seemed unreal, like a dream. I kinda felt like I was watching it in black and white, waiting for Andy and Barney to come through the door. Well, Andy and Barney couldn't make it, but as I sat talking with this really eclectic group of people who genuinely accepted each other , (and us), so lovingly, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I felt like our family had finally been released from the belly of the whale! God had deemed it neccessary to take us to a place of isolation and lonliness, so that He could teach us about truth. We met so many people who spoke out both sides of their mouths, wounding, telling lies, using the Bible to stand on as they promoted their soap box themes. I thought that this neighborhood welcome would be grand and then wane as people got on with their lives. That isn't the case. People stop by to chat or ask if you need something from the store. On Saturday, there will be a yard full of neighbors, chatting, catching up on the week, or politics, and you know they want you to come join in. Our life has truly turned a corner in this community of kind, loving souls.

Well, I can say we are mostly unpacked, but not yet settled totally. Our lives have taken off since the new year. We have lots of oppurtunities for my son, that we are taking full advantage of. I had to buy a second slow cooker to keep us fed because I often don't have time to cook. We run, run, run, but it is finally nice to have activities.

Well, I'm off to grab my sneakers, again!

New Addiction

2008-06-12T15:01:00.011-04:00

I have a secret to confess. I have a new addiction. I'm addicted to Avon! Yes, I still have the old addiction, too. What with the nausea, I gave up the pills and started smoking again. I know! I know! Anyway, back to my new addiction...It all started when a friend of mine started selling Avon. Now, I've always liked Avon, but I really started buying it to support her. Now I'm totally hooked! I can't not shop the brochure in every campaign. I try, and I don't always buy, but I always shop the book, talking myself into and out of buying this or that. Lots of time, I just cave and succumb to purchasing. The marketing makes my eyes gloss over as if I'm in a "you must have it" trance. So, today, I am waiting on my package. I can't wait to smell my Naturals Banana and Coconut Milk Shower Gel and Body Lotion combo. Yummy! Pina Colada! Can you hear the steel drums?

So, without further ado, here are some of my favorite products from my previous purchases:

Any and every Moisture Therapy product-THE BEST lotion on the market!
Wish of Happiness perfume-light, citrusy, delicious!
Perfect Wear All-Day Comfort Lipstick SPF 12-Great moisture, good staying power and SPF!!! I have this in "Capture", after my new shipment arrives today, I will be trying the "Classic Berry".
Solutions Dramatic Firming Cream-instant lift! I'm not exactly a spring chicken anymore...well, at least not from THIS spring!
Advanced Techniques 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner-Awesome! Rinses clean, soft hair, not too much conditioner.
Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus SPF-Great protection from everything outside!
SOS Fusions Dual Softening Body Wash and Lotion-Amazing!

Give Avon a try: http://barbiemiller.avonrepresentative.com/

What A Blessing!

2008-06-09T11:50:00.004-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about blessings lately. Often we are too busy trying to get along in our lives to notice them. We are working at jobs we don't like, sitting in traffic, trying to get a few groceries among a huge multitude of other people, cleaning, doing laundry, taking care of children, and more. We often don't stop trying to get it all done to stop and see the blessings. When we take time to stop, relax, reflect, and really consider, we can see the blessings around us. I couldn't possibly list all that I am grateful for, but here is my list for today:

My salvation-humans chose to sin. Sin was so great and prevalent that God created His Son whose blood covered and paid for our sin. If we believe that Jesus died for us and rose from the grave so we would not perish, confess our sins to God, we can have a relationship with God. Awesome!

Stars and planets-How often do we really ever look up at the night sky? It is truly beautiful to be here, a small person on earth looking up at the dome of stars that surrounds you from all horizons, where the Earth meets the sky!

Sunrises and sunsets-No two are ever the same! Beautiful colors painted across the sky-dark blue, aqua, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, white. When is the last time you took time to be "WOWed" by the rising or setting sun?

My family-from the family I was born into to the family that has been created with my husband and son- we are happy, sad, dysfunctional, wacky, humorous, depressed, functional, loving, crazy, sane. I am grateful for them all, for all the triumphs, and all the tragedies.

Bad times-These are horrible. Sometimes we think we can't get through them. When we have these times, we usually can't see anything good. In times like these, however, we can choose to learn, grow, gain knowledge and wisdom. Often the learning, growing, and gaining don't happen until much later when we reflect on it. I am grateful for hindsight! We would not be who we are without adversity!

Electricity and Indoor plumbing- I wonder if anyone ever died from a snake bite on the butt in the outhouse! The generations of people who suffered through outhouses and no electricity are either gone or in their golden years. I am so grateful for hot showers and flushing toilets! Can you imagine taking a bath once a week or less and bathing in your brother's bath water? EEEWWWW! I'm grateful I can turn on a light and read before bed.

Nature- By this I mean animals, plants, flowers, insects, Everything! Ok-I don't really like bugs that bite-mosquitoes, fire ants, horseflies, but I know that they exist for a purpose. I don't know that purpose, but God does. It boggles the mind to think of all the interesting animals, their homes, their habits, their differences! WOW! Think of all the different types of trees, grass, flowering plants-Amazing! It is amazing that God has surrounded us with so much wonder and beauty!

Friends -I don't have a ton of friends. I have a few really, really good friends. I can see God in each of them. Certain friends are in my life for certain purposes. That is truly Awesome! I have friends I talk to every week. Some I talk to once or twice a year, and some friends fall somewhere in between those two extremes. Some friends are sent for a "season" of life-a certain bad time or good time when I needed either lots of support, or lots of laughter, or some nourishment. I could not make it without my friends-seasonal or long-lasting!

Wind, rain, clouds, food, shelter, transportation, my husband's job, my child's smile, ice, sweet tea, pillows, telephones and computers that keep me in touch with others, books, libraries, music, memories.

Like I said, I can't possibly name in one day all that I am grateful for. The list is just too long! Today's blog is a reminder to myself and, hopefully, others who may come across this, to take time and count your blessings, smell the roses, enjoy the sunset, marvel at the stars, forgive a grudge, hug a loved one, pass on a smile to someone who needs it. We never know how we affect others. Go out and bless someone else today. Give a stranger something to be grateful for!

Where's my washer???

2008-05-09T15:52:00.007-04:00

I was supposed to recieve my new washer and dryer today from Sears. I recieved a call earlier in the week-a recording-saying that my washer had been delivered to the store. I recieved a call yesterday from a person confirming delivery of my washer and dryer for today between 11 am and 3 pm. Everything seemed to be going fine. A call came in at 11:03 am today from the delivery drivers saying they had one delivery before me, and would be on their way. I gave them directions to the house. Perfect! I couldn't believe that my delivery would be winthin a couple of hours, and I might have all my built up laundry done before dinner. WOW! You know, because usually it happens like the "cable man" episode of Seinfeld.

So the drivers call because they took a wrong turn up the street, and I directed them in over the phone. Can you feel my excitement building over the dream of clean clothes for the weekend?

The drivers arrive, take my new dryer off the truck and begin peeling off the cardboard box, and getting it ready to come inside. One of the delivery guys comes in and asks where my dyer is going to be put. I didn't understand him at first, so I asked him what he had said. He then responded with "What did I bring you today, Mam?" I replied in a questioning, half joking tone, "A washer and dryer?" "What?" he said. He told me he only had a dryer for delivery and, honestly, I thought he was joking. We, or should I say I, playfully bantered about how he should keep his day job, it wasn't funny, did he know how much laundry I had piled up, etc, etc, etc. He assured me that he wasn't trying to start a new career as a comedian. There really wasn't a washing machine on the truck. OH MY GOSH!!! I can almost sense my clothes starting to mildew and begin taking their first steps!

I told him about the recorded call, earlier in the week, announcing the arrival of my machine. A lightbulb went off and he explained that the machine went to the store and the dryer to the warehouse, where the deliveries come from. The store should have sent my washing machine over to the warehouse for it to be delivered to my house. The store messed up. Yea, I would say so! I was just in disbelief! What would I, (and the rest of my family), wear on Mother's Day? Birthday suits are for first birthdays, and highly inappropriate for Mother's Day!

Well, after my husband made several phone calls, sat on hold for over and hour, called the corporation, which did no good, (they just referred him to call the store back), my husband is currently at the store picking it up himself. They did offer to take off half the delivery charge, since they did deliver half of what they were supposed to. Aww! How generous! I'm thinking they owe us a lot more! How about a lifetime supply of the type of laundry soap that goes with this "high functioning" machine? Yea, I'm sure I can't count on that either. I will be pecking out a nasty, unsatisfied customer email to the company. I will have to wait for the rest of the story from my husband about what all transpired at the store.

Spring Cleaning

2008-05-09T09:33:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I was insanely busy doing some spring cleaning. Whew! My body is sore today from moving furniture and scrubbing on hands and knees!

My house is getting there, but I really think I need to hire a professional organizer. Not one that comes in and makes you throw out all your beloved stuff. Like that quilt your grandmother made that is now reduced to exposed batting with strips of faded color hanging off of it. Or that doll you have had since you were four. Organizing is just not my strong suit. For me, organizing is more closely related to the stash and hide method. I really could be one of those people with "a place for everything and everything in its place", but, alas, I do not live alone. The forces are against me-a husband, a son, and a menagerie. It is almost hopeless! I need Indiana Jones with his whip to come in a beat some submission into these menfolks and crazy critters, but then again, remember how Indy's office looked in the first movie? He is one of the types I fight against-piles of stuff everywhere, tripping over things, *sigh*, but he's still cute! Maybe I'll just borrow his whip and do it myself! I could be one of those people with a little instruction and guidance, but the skill escapes me. I would love to not have to go "tresure hunting" every time I needed a piece of tape or a paper clip, or a piece of paper to write on but where would the adventure be? What's the fun in that?

So yesterday I cleaned the bathroom to a sparkling shine! I scrubbed everything, around, behind, the floor, the shower, the toilet, the sink. It was simply spectacular when I was finished, not to mention that my family is probably no longer at risk for contracting MERSA!! My husband came in and when he saw the shower, asked for his sunglasses to cut the glare. Ok, it has probably been too long between deep cleanings! Ya think?? I will have to be more frequent and consistent!

I also rearranged my bedroom, with my husband's help. Thanks, Honey! I vaccuumed around doorways, baseboards, air vents, everything!

It was a very satisfying day!

Today, I will try and find the dining room table! Wish me luck!

Just Keep Swimming!

2008-05-07T15:58:00.007-04:00

This year I happen to be blessed with access to a swimming pool, anytime I want it. I have to say that I feel incredibly grateful for this. I've never been big on water. I mean, I love to be clean, and I do prefer a good long soak in a hot bath tub, hopefully with tons of bubbles, but as far as swimming, I never was much into it. Oh, I wanted to be! 1) I am self conscious, like most , about being seen in a swimsuit. 2)I have not had that much access to swimming pools in the past. 3) I was scared of drowning.

Let's take the issues: 1) I don't care anymore. Just because I am not a societal norm "stick figure", I have just as much right to enjoy life, and I plan on it! I'm so over all that crap! I bought a swimsuit that is comfortable, that covers, and doesn't "ride".

2) I have access.

3) Early on, my mom injected into us a fear of water and drowning. My siblings did get swim lessons, but I missed out on that. My husband has tried to teach me, but I just had to learn on my own. So, I do love to swim, but by "swim" I mean like a polar bear, not a human. It is a little better than "doggy paddle". I refuse to put my face or ears in the water on purpose, hence the aforementioned fear of drowning.

So here I am, swimming in my own way and doing pool exercises and enjoying every minute of it!

I bought my son a pool noodle to use. I borrowed it one day and floated all over the pool, just relaxing. It was wonderful! Then he wanted it back. Two days later, I bought one for myself!! By the way, why don't they make them in red? My "dollar store" choices were blue and pistachio green. I opted for a blue one to match my son's. Again, why don't they come in red? Hear me whine!!! If they can make orange, they could make red. WHAAAAAA!!!! Ok, enough!

Where's my sunscreen? It's time for a refreshing dip!

Here Ya Go!

2008-05-06T16:30:00.003-04:00

Ok-so it has been over a month since I have blogged. Here I am. Of course, I'm not arrogant enough to think people are actually reading these ramblings. Only one slightly smiling kitten rose up from the other side of the "blogosphere" (who comes up with these kinds of stupid words?) to bite me for not blogging and to tell me to get with it. I do notice that others "visit" (aka stalk, lurk, creep). I guess all of my silent fans skulking around in the shadows here-never saying anything are just shy. *wink*

Anyway, for the slightly smiling kitten who is pouncing out there somewhere, and all the barkless dogs as well, today I blog.

Well, if you read my last entry, you are aware that my doctor wanted me to quit smoking. He gave me a prescrip for Chantix and told me it was my best shot since previous attempts by way of "cold turkey" led me close to homicide! I took the meds for three very long weeks. Chantix blocks the part of the brain that receives the nicotine-totally killing any much needed morning high that my coffee and I have come to rely on. I'm telling yall that it really takes the joy and the point out of smoking. The drug definitely works. Was I actually ready to quit?-NO! Have I quit?-almost. I couldn't take all of the prescription due to 24 hour nausea that had gradually began to worsen. I did go five whole days without a cigarrette. I've had one a day for the past three days (none today, though). Yea for me!! I think that is pretty good.

Not much else has been happening. My washer started leaking and my dryer has taken 2 hours to dry one load forever, so we are "buying" a new set. Yea, "buying" -when will that get paid off? I did take my son to the laundrymat one day to do laundry. I thought he should have that experience. I don't know why. I guess it is humbling. It always makes me grateful that I (usually) have a washer and dryer at home. I remember a few times in my childhood having to go to the washateria with my mom. It was hot, due to all those industrial dryers running at once, but I always loved the smell-a million different kinds of soap and dryer sheets melded together. All laundromats smell the same to me-I love that smell!!

W.A.W.

2008-04-04T07:13:00.002-04:00

W.A.W. What A Week! Let's see, Monday began with a doctor's appointment. A new doctor. Let me just say that I, like most people, HATE going to the doctor. My new doctor is very funny and my appointment seemed more like a comedy routine than a routine doctor appointment. He and I were batting it back and forth like we were competing for Wimbelton! A first in my history with doctors. Bedside manner is hard to find these days, but this guy has got personality that just might have me feeling less than dread at the thought of visiting him! So, it was a very exhausting day and he ordered a lung function test for two days later. EEK!

Ok, so I have this paper with the order for my lung function test that has two different appointment times on it. What? I call the facility to see where I am to go, verify (?) THE time and am told, yet, another, different time to be there. Ok, whatever. Maybe I'll just arrive whenever I feel like it, since no one really knows when I am supposed to be there! AAhhh! I love efficiency! So I arrive, get checked in, and am given a "pager" like I'm waiting for a table at Outback Steakhouse. Ok, I am the only person in the waiting room, and I'm sitting right in front of the desk. Did I really need a pager? I was seated before my pager went off and proceeded to go over my menu-oh, sorry, go over the rules of the test with the therapist. The shrimp looked better than the breathing machine, but I decided I should try to choke down what the doctor had ordered for me. The test itself was not that bad, but after arriving and learning that blood would also have to be drawn, I can't wait for my follow-up appointment so I can give my new doctor a piece of my mind! You do not send me in for something and "spring" needles on me! I need advance warning-NOT an ambush! Dr. Humor is soooo gonna get it next time I see him! Not only did they take blood, but they took it from my wrist! You know, that artery where your thumb joint meets your wrist? My whole arm hurt for two days, and my fingers were numb. NOT cool!!

So, after surviving all that, I was still trying to supress my anxiety of the big company dinner with my husband. After a botched haircut, furiously trying to find a good bra and gut sucker, having to polish all my nails, pluck eyebrows, shave legs, moisturize, paint face, make sure my "deo" was actually "little black dress approved", wiping deo off the side of my dress *grimace*, admiring my husband, smoking a pack of cigarettes to calm my nerves, I was "ready" to go. As ready as I could be!

All in all, the dinner was nice. I do have one question about the menu. Who serves spinich stuffed chicken at an affair where everyone is dressed to the nines? Although I did not witness anyone with a big wad of leafy greens suspened from between their teeth, it could have happened. Yea, that is really gonna take the "OOMPH!" out of that floor length, citrus orange evening gown! Ya think?

My darling husband and I are seated at a table with two young interns and a very nice, friendly couple. One intern said nothing all night. The other...should I start another paragraph? Ok, this guy is not "right" on ANY level. He is one of those nervous people who have no sense of personal space, breathes heavily and erratically, and was sweating more bullets than on sale at the Gun and Knife Show! He's one of those people who would believe even the most outlandish story you could come up with and be totally amazed that it could happen. I'm gonna call this guy Bullets. Ok-Bullets kept posing really strange questions, like, "Do you think Airbus is better than Boeing?", or "Do you know where the candy store is?" HUH? What? Everyone at the table began sporting a total look of bewilderment for their permanent expression as the night wore on. It was...well, there are just no words. Ok, also, everyone knows that there are certain topics to stay away from, especially in a group of people you don't know: religion, politics, the war in Iraq. Bullets started asking everyone their opinion about the reasons we are there, how to get out, what we should do about it. NO! NO! NO! Bad Dog!!! Just when I was about to whack him on the nose with my program and go chain him up in the parking lot, the "MC" began speaking, thus throwing Bullets a bone of salvation from me. And so it begins...dinner is served and Bullets is hovering over his bread plate with his head almost in my lap. I kept moving my chair trying to avoid his head in my lap and being stuck having to pet him all night and tell him everything was gonna be ok. I ended up straddling the table leg, almost sharing my husband's chair with him to avoid this guy's panting, cold nose on my leg. I am, litterally about to come unglued, having to lean to one side in a gut sucker that is crushing the ribs under my boobs, thinking that at any moment, the gut sucker will burst open, taking out the first three rows of tables, when the affair finally comes to a close. Whew! We make final pleasantries and prepare to leave when Bullets comes up to shake my hand. "Nice to meet you, Mam," he pants. "Nice to meet you, too,"I reply. What I was thinking was, "Good job, Cronk! Here's a snack!"

Tainted T's Part 2

2008-03-25T10:25:00.003-04:00

After being so enraged about these disgusting t-shirts for toddlers, I sent an email to corporate. Here is the message I sent: I was horrified to walk into your store to see baby shirts that express messages such as "My mom is a hottie" and "my mom is hotter than your mom". This is beyond inappropriate! It is depraved to have baby clothes that express sexual attraction to ones own mother. Both of those words are used to descibe someone who is sexy, attractive, and meets all society's physical expectations, does it not? I always thought of your company as one that promotes, health, well-being, and values. I see no value or morality in selling this trash! Please remove this merchandise from your stores!

Upon returning from my family get together, there was a message on the machine from the store manager. I called him back this morning. He wanted to let me know that the shirts with these particular sayings had been moved to the back of the rack, where customers would have to search through the shirts to find these. Hardly satisfactory! He stated that his customers had seen these shirts in other stores and requested he get them in his store. I asked him what it meant when a person was referred to as "hot" or a "hottie". He replied that it meant someone was "attractive or cute". Yea-try again! I told Mr. Manager that it meant someone was sexually attractive and by making a baby wear this shirt, it implied that the baby was sexually attracted to it own mother. I told him that he knew very well that it did not mean someone was "cute"! I asked him if he would buy these shirts for his kids-he does not have kids. Nieces and nephews? Long, Long pause. He claimed he had bought several for his nieces and nephews, but after such a long, long pause and stuttering out that he had, I doubt this to be true. He also stated that he really didn't have the authority to remove them from the store. I told him that I suspected as much and that was the resaon I had taken it up with "coporate". I asked him how he felt working for a company that would pass the buck of responsibility on to the store managers. Ouch! Was that too much? I didn't give him time to answer. I just wanted him to ponder that. I was polite to the man, but I didn't want to be!

Ok-here's the thing: remember how I said my friend worked at the store? Well, the day that I was in the store complaining about these shirts, my friend told the manager about my concerns. When the manager siad he didn't see anything offensive, my friend asked if he would dress his own kids in those shirts. (See, I influenced my friend, made him really think, and he passed it on!) The manager then started asking all the employees what they thought it meant. My friend told my husband that there were several complaints emailed to corporate about the shirts. WOW! That gives me hope!

It gives me hope to know that even though we may not get the resolution we are looking for, people will still voice their opinions. I don't think we should complain about every little thing, but every time we settle for a product not worth the money, bad customer service, or smut being marketed towards or for our kids, we send a message that we will take all the crap they can heap on.

Get your opinion out there! Have your say! Power to the people!

My Week, My Weak

2008-03-24T14:31:00.005-04:00

Well, here I am, safe at home once again. I survived, yet, another week long family gathering. Eight people in a small three bedroom. My mom greeted us with the gleeful, "I'm so happy yall are here!". Then delivered her usual heaping of guilt in true Scarlett O'Hara form, "Oh! It's been so long!" I mean, she doesn't exactly put her hand on her forehead when she says it, but she might as well! Sigh.

Actually, everyone behaved rather well, considering our usual dysfunction. My mom and sister got into one night, and it just set my mom into a passive aggressive performance towards my sister the last two days. Ok, one of my sister's kids has some issues he was born with. My sister deals with it every day and night, so one would think she would be the best one to disipline him. My mom tried to use, what I call, her grandmother veto. My sister tried to explain that you just have to handle it a certain way. Well, my mom went on a screaming thing. I went to smoke. The rest of the room cleared out quickly, too. Well, I guess they had their say, but the it was truly tense the next two days.

My sister had been looking for a blanket for my son and couldn't find one. My mom found the extra blankets and demanded my sister come back there to see them. I was there with my mom and told her that my sister heard her about the blankets. My mom replied that she wanted her to come a look at the blankets-that she was going to PROVE to my sister the blankets were where she had said they were! Ok, my mom clearly was still angry about the situation with my nephew and intended on trying to punish my sister the rest of our stay. My sister refused to go "look" at the blankets and be bullied by my mom. Good for her! I went to smoke. Everyone went to bed early that night.

On to my brother. My brother has a new girlfriend. She is a "people pleaser". That bothers me. Maybe this woman should hang out with my sister! Anyway, my brother has dated a lot of women in his life, some of them he has married, some of them he has not. For quite a while now, the rest of the family has not invested a lot in these women. I mean, one day-*POOF*- she could be gone, with no explanation. And there will be NO explanation. My brother does not face things in his life. He just moves on, hoping his crises can be remedied by the next woman. You always know when he wants you to welcome one with open arms-those are the girlfriends you get to meet. I just want to start screaming, "Get some foresight! Get some hindsight! Look in the mirror! Look at your past! Stop making the same mistakes over and over!"

So we came home on Saturday. I slept most of the way home and almost all day yesterday. I am ill. The last two times we have had a family affair, I have come home extremely sick. Last time it was full blown bronchitis. This time is a little different. After two days and nights of sleep and medicine, I am feeling better. Today I did some laundry. My husband had planned to take off early to come take me to the ER, since I refused to go last night. I told him I was better and not to come. I promised to take it easy. I know he is out there "stalking" my blog, and will be horrified that I am not in bed, so I send him a "shout out" HI, HONEY!! Blogging will not make me relapse! Bring more "kleenex" home!

Ok, I really am going to go rest now.

Pick It 'Till It Bleeds

2008-03-14T10:07:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day. After our library time, we decided to take the kids to the park to play. My son, in true form, brought toy weapons. He ened up with enough to share with all the other kids. The kids were playing, laughing, and having the time of their lives when...EEK! EEK! EEK! psycho mom had to step in.

One of the smaller kids was standing on the platform, where you can slide down the pole, and contemplating her courage for the activity. Instead of going over and letting her know, "Mommy is right here, if you need me", the pshyco mom ran screaming "No! No! You can't do that! You're too little for that." Courage, self confidence, and a willing to try-squashed like a bug. The little girl stood there having to endure another 10 minute speech of why she "couldn't" try to slide down the pole like the other kids had done. I understand her wanting to keep the kids safe, but...get a grip! After that, psycho mom hovered around the bottom of the playscape waiting for another oppurtunity to control the kids and kill their spirits. Pick! Pick! Pick! Peck! Peck! Peck!

Keep in mind that all the kids had toy weapons. Amazingly, no one was getting hurt, everyone was playing great together. There was a particular "bumpy" slide. The kids kept going down it and thought it was fun to (fake) wail in pain for their bumped bottoms until...PM started telling them how it was bad for their spines. Ok...ummm...what? "You can really dammage your spine and live the rest of your life in a LOT of pain." Much to my happiness, the kids cast aside the possible threat of arthritis in the spine in their golden years, and did it more, and more, and more.

On another slide, the kids all crammed together to go down the slide together. Some of the younger ones were crawling up the slide. There were about four crammed together, taking up most of the slide, so they couldn't get much momentum going. When they got almost to the bottom, their legs would scoop up the younger kids and finish the trip. Yes, it's all fun until someone gets hurt, but all the kids were laughing and having fun. Besides, the kids had done this a hundred times beofre PM saw what they were doing. She immediately put a stop to it. I think that is why the kids ignored her about the bumpy slide-they weren't going to let her ruin that like she had their "slide train".

In the library that morning, pscho mom had chosen a book to read to her daughter. I sat at the next table flipping through an old Country Living magazine. The little girl sat through the "word" book as her mom read, but by the time they got to "J", the little girl was getting restless. Now she did seem to still be listening, but she slid out of her child-sized chair to lie on the seat of it on her belly. Her mom started this crap of "Are you listening to the story?" "Yes" the little girl replied. The mom went on to tell her she couldn't possibly be listening if she wasn't sitting perfectly in her chair looking at the book. Ok, does this woman sit up perfectly in a chair and stare straight into her husband's eyes while he unfolds his day to her? Of course not! I'm sure she is folding laundry, loading the dishwasher, and cooking dinner! This woman can not ever sit still, so by her own definition, I guess she never hears a word anyone says to her! PM also pulled out the "If you won't sit still and look at the book, I'm not going to read to you." Sounds like kids on the play ground, "If you won't do what I say, I'm not gonna be your friend!"

Sorry to go on and on, but this woman gets under my skin! She is soooooo tightly wound, obsessive, high strung, perfectionist, controlling, I can hardly stand to look at her. PM's children are perfectly described in Metallica's song "Unforgiven" :

"New blood joins this Earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules

With time the boy draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on..."

I feel sorry for these kids, living a life where they can only think, play, imagine what their mom allows them to.

Tainted T's

2008-03-10T14:28:00.003-04:00

Today I walked into a popular drugstore chain only to find, much to my disgust, totally offensive tiny t-shirts that I spotted a few weeks ago are still there. T-shirts that sport sayings such as "My mom is hot!" and "My mom is hotter than your mom!" and "Chicks dig me!". What kind of moron would put this saying on a child? Did I mention the sizes start at 12 months??!!!! I voiced my opinion to my friend that works at the store and told him they have to go! The cashier told me they are selling like hotcakes and asked me what I found so offensive about them. I cringed when she admitted she thought they were "cute". I grappled not to fall into a bezerkoid, irrational rant, and clamly, but passionately explained my position. Here it is: I can NOT believe anyone would buy this shirt and put it on a child too young to express his/her own opinions. Moral decay, lack of respect for others, and a complete void of values is infecting, festering, and spreading in our country. Furthermore, I would NEVER want my child to think of his/her mother as "hot" or a "hottie". That is totally beyond inappropriate! It is horrifying! Yes, I know that a baby is not going to develop these thoughts that the shirt reflects before it grows out of it, but if a moronic, unintelligent, bottomfeeder would put this kind of smut on their baby, what kind of trashy messages will they allow when the child is older? Undoubtably, the parents of this child will teach it to think in this way. The boys in this family will be taught to objectify and disrespect women, starting with their mother, and the girls will be taught to become objects for men. The boys will believe it is acceptable to judge a woman by her looks. The girls will be oppressed, forced into owning everything pink, dressed like Paris Hilton and slutty Bratz dolls, told they are only as good as they look, and that pandering to men will get them far. It is deplorable! Depraved! When will it stop? *sigh* I imagine it probablly won't. I just can't believe that someone would dress a baby in a shirt that expresses sexual attraction, (according to societal standards), to that baby's own mother! Disgusting!

Drinks, Dollars, and DUH!

2008-03-10T11:01:00.004-04:00

Well, the weekend is gone, so here I sit. Saturday I read most of the day while the guys did "their thing". That night, we watched movies until very late.

Sunday we all went out to return a dress I had settled on after the whole "visual harrassment" ordeal. I have since found a suitable frock to wear to the big dinner, so I was off to return the "last resort" dress I had settled for, but didn't like. As soon as we had buckled our seat belts, my son, as usual, was hungry. We returned the dress, looked around in another store in the shopping strip, and were off to grab a bite to eat.

We entered the restaurant, and, after a few minutes, were told to take a seat where we liked. I returned from the restroom to find my crew settled into a booth with two drinks on the table. I inquired about the missing drink. My husband told me he had ordered two cokes and a sweet tea, but that the waitress had only brought one coke and one tea. Curious. Perhaps the syrup was out, and she would bring it shortly. As I seated myself at the table, the waitress came over and asked if I would like something to drink. I told her that I had my tea, but that my husband needed a coke. "OH! Did you want a coke?" she asked. "Yes, I really would like one" he replied. Ok, a misunderstanding. During the "my tea, his coke" conversation, she explained it was her first day, so I told my husband to be patient. After she left our table, a couple of ladies came in. She took their drink order and delivered it back to them without a problem. When she came back to get our food order, we reminded her about the coke. She looked so puzzled. Again, she asked my husband, "OH! Did you really want a coke???" "Yes, I really do" he said. "I'm so sorry! Ok, I'll be right back." She wasn't. At this point, we really started to wonder if this young lady could understand "human" as well as she spoke it. Ok, the restaurant was NOT busy. Our server had two tables, including ours. I also noted that it was strange that on her first day at work, she did not have a trainer shadowing her. After she delivered our food, we asked for the coke AGAIN! Finally, she brought it. We were truly perplexed! Was there something in my husband's eyes that betrayed his true desire for that coke to her? We just could not understand why it was so fantastical, unbelieveable that he wanted a coke! We also asked for three sets of silverware, but only recieved two. We knew better, at this point, to contiue to ask. It would have just been too much work, on our part. At the end of our strange experience, I was at a real quandary. As a former waitress, I always tip well, but... I left her $2.00 and a note on the receipt that read, "What??? This is the weirest, most confusing dining experience I have ever had!" Poor thing! She will probably spend the rest of her life trying to figure out what I meant by that message!

After our bewildering lunch experience, we headed to browse the discount/dollar stores. I really love these stores, even though I feel I need a shower after shopping there. AAWW!! The smell of stale caramel popcorn, oddly scented bath salts, and the various perfume smell of candles that smell nothing like the aroma the label claims it to be! A few of the staple goods in these stores include gift bags, plastic storage containers in pumpkin, Christmas red, and lime green, a modge poge of odd dishes in all sorts of shapes, designs, and colors, cheap picture frames, old beauty products, irregular pantyhose, cake mixes written in Arabic, and cassette tapes by Bread, Abba,and Best of '70's Disco. (I do have to admit I still love Dancing Queen by Abba!) So, here are the treasures we walked away with: a $5 Bionicle, a large painting canvas for $7, and pack of pastel blue napkins, (Easter is coming up!), two oddly shaped coffe mugs with a design that looks like a cross contamination of '70's inspired and Asian inspired art, (at $1 each, these were too weird to pass up!), a tiny lip gloss contained in a tiny ice cream tub in mint chocolate chip. OH! How I love the "crap for sale" stores! It's an air conditioned garage sale!

So, I hope you had a good nibble on the crumbs of my ultra glamourous weekend. Maybe, if you try a little harder, you will be able to reach this pinnacle of glamour, too!

I Hate Birthday Parties!

2008-03-06T16:03:00.004-05:00

I hate children's birthday parties! I abhor them! I loathe them! Now before I start getting hate mail, let me tell you why I feel this way.

Children's birthday parties have gotten WAY out of hand! Growing up, the only kind of birthday celebration we knew was having cake, ice cream, and a few presents with our family. Seldom, we were allowed a few friends in attendance, or maybe a sleepover with one or two friends. Back in my day, there was no such thing as a goodie bag. We did not have huge extravaganzas. It was simple, and fun and at home.

Today, there is an expectation of a huge, expensive blowout. Hardly any families hold birthday parties at home anymore. Now we are crammed into a tiny room at a skating rink for exactly 30 minutes. The 16 year old "attendant" serves up cake and pizza that is too gross to consume, delivers your bill in front of all your guests, and helps you move your stuff out of the room when you time is up. Birthday groups are herded in and out with barely time to wipe the tables in between. MOOO! Get along little doggies, we are rustling up another party in here! Happy birthday, now get out! And it is really expensive to suffer being "herded" about like this. Yea, sign me up! Doesn't sound fun!

Option number 2: Chuck E. Cheese. Need I really say more on this option? The same unedible, and ulcer inducing pizza and cake. Noise levels of video games, screaming kids, and the ever popular Chuck E. Cheese band that render you deaf for two days after. A smelly employee in a smelly rat costume to frighten you kids. Kids running amuck with little to no supervision. Also, a torturous and money sucking, misreable time!

Goodie bags: If my child is invited to your birthday party, cake and your company is his reward. Please do not feel you have to bribe us to attend with a bag full of cheap, crappy toys that will end up in the landfill. It is a waste of your money and a waste of my time spent throwing it away. All moms feel this way, but most moms keep buying it and filling those bags. Why? Please just stop it!

There are actually people and companies who have taken birthday parties up to an even more obnoxious step. You can actually register what your child wants for presents at Toys R Us!!! Ok, what? If you sent me an invitation with this registry crap on it, we will not attend the party. This is the height of materialism, ultraconsumerism, selfishness, and snobbery. Personally, I always request for people NOT to bring gifts for my son's birthday. Why? Am I crazy? No, I am quite level-headed about it. We buy gifts for him, he does not need more. Please just come eat cake and enjoy the day!

Ok-it takes, maybe $5 and very little brain power to make an edible, homemade birthday cake. Kids think it takes a lot of work, so impress your kids and make a cake. Nobody likes that $30 cake you bought at the grocery store. I don't care if it does have the Little Mermaid on top of a sea shell holding a plastic pearl. If you make the cake yourself and let the kids help ice and decorate it-they will remember that.

A word about pinatas: Ok, pinatas CAN be fun. A pinata should be done outside. One child at a time, a couple of hits each until the pinata is broken. Once it is broken, give the kids an EMPTY goodie bag to fill. ALL children not holding the stick should be lined up and kept there until it is his/her turn. Children should not be blindfolded-what are you, stupid or something? If you have a pinata at a party and someone gets flogged in the nuts, or a kid gets hit, you are a moron and should never even look at a pinata again.

The best birthday party is a few friends over to have homemade cake. A few gifts from mom and dad. Sticky kids playing in the yard, being kids, and having fun. Now that sounds like a nice, fun, enjoyable day! I'll take that any day over foot odor skates, nasty pizza, scary rats, bowling shoes, and big credit card reciepts!

Slug-fest at Chuck E. Cheese

2008-03-04T14:26:00.004-05:00

I just read an article about two moms slugging it out at a nine year old's birthday party. Apparently, one mom got mad that the other mom's child was "hogging" a particular video game at the Chuck E. Cheese birthday celebration. The moms will now have to appear in court to answer for their atrocious behavior. However, no matter what the court deems appropriate payment for their outrageous behavior, it will never strike the horrifying memories from the other children at the CEC that day, or from the birthday boy. The day will live on in infamy.

Why are there so many people in the world that do not realize how their actions affect their children? The very people who should be responsible for teaching these children to share, be good sports, be patient, and to NEVER lay a hand on anyone out of anger suddenly start slugging it out over a video game. The MOMS were fighting over the video game!!!! Unbelieveable! From this point on, how do these moms expect their kids to respect them and obey them? Kids learn by what they see-NOT by what they are told to do, or not do. These are two parents who can never expect their kids to "play nice" when told to. WOW! How would you like this to keep biting you in the butt every time you try to discipline your kids?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080304/ap_on_fe_st/odd_brawling_moms;_ylt=AkKx.asVYLPY.xyndSsMinKs0NUE

What If?

2008-03-04T11:01:00.004-05:00

It is a dreary, rainy day. The sun is trying hard, but having no success. The weather definitely adds to my nostalgic mood. I wouldn't normally be in this particular frame of mind, but after watching last night's episode of October Road, I am completely engulfed in memories from my youth.

The episode of the show was centered around a girl all the main male characters knew in elementary school. She was the first love of all the characters. She was cool. She was a bad ass. She could do everything the boys could do, and she did it with superb style. Her family moved a town or two over and the friendship was lost. The guys had read that their long lost friend had died in a car crash, and were planning to go to her funeral. Most of the show consisted of flashbacks of the things they all did together.

What is it that makes us want to relive our pasts? Is it all the "what if's" that we fantasize about? What if your first love would have been realized? What if you had been a better friend to someone? What if that other person hadn't run that stop sign? Maybe what draws us back to relive the past in our minds is simply the fact that that is the only place we can revist, change our past behavior, and alter the outcomes. What we must realize is our minds and the memories therein is also the place we can go to forgive ourselves and others. We can savor the good memories and move on from where we are now. I have some really bad memories. I also have some really good memories. Would I ever really want to go back, change my past, put myself in a different circumstance? A resounding, emphatic NO!

I am who I am because of the good and bad I have experienced, by my own choices, or the actions of others. I appreciate who I am and the people in my life right now. If I come to a point that I am not happy, I always have the choice to change my present and future. I am the only person with that power. I also know that I have to forgive myself for my mistakes, make better choices, and move on. What about all the "what if's"? Well, I think I will relish the good memories from time to time and leave the "what if's" behind where they belong.

Looky there! The sun just might make it after all! I think it's gonna be a bright new day! What if it isn't? Well, I'll be thankful for the rain and the memories of the sunny days past. I'll look forward to new sunny days in the future!

I Ate Dinner In Public In My Underwear

2008-03-03T07:58:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a beautiful, warm , sunny day. My husband decided at 2:30 in the afternoon that we should head to the beach. We all threw on our swimsuits and a t-shirt, grabbed some towels, some suncreen, and off we went.

I was sitting on the beach watching my husband and son play in the waves, when I began thinking how comfortable and free they looked. Of course they were! Their swimsuits weren't crawling and creeping in and out of places like mine was! We decided to eat dinner there and I was painfully aware that their swinsuits doubled as shorts, while mine could only double as underwear. So, there I was eating dinner at a restaurant in my underwear.

Why is it that our choices of swimsuits must detail every curve, lump, crack and crevice on our bodies while men simply get a pair of comfy, loose fitting shorts to wear? It isn't fair! It is just another way women are objectified. Don't get me wrong. I certainly don't want to see men in speedos! I just think that women should not have to be practically naked! We have the right not to be in (almost) full exposure. We have the right to be comfortable! We have the right to be dressed in more than underwear in public!

No Smoking, Please!

2008-02-26T11:08:00.005-05:00

I am a smoker. Do I wish now that I had never given in to peer pressure and resisted that first cigarrette? Yes, but, nevertheless, I am a smoker. Just to clear up a few things, in case you ever see me smoking. I know it is bad for me, I know it will kill me, I know you hate the smell. If you should ever see me smoking, please refrain from telling me obvious truths that I am already aware of. Am I really so naive to believe that a perfect stranger cares if I die from a heart attack or lung cancer? That same person wouldn't even be bothered to hold a door open for me to follow them into a store or let me into traffic, so why would I believe they would care about my health?

Not long ago, I was in a store picking up a few things, as well as, cigarrettes. I checked out in the "tobacco lane" and proceeded to tell the cashier that I also needed two packs of cigarrettes. He told me "No, I can't sell you cigarrettes." He went on to say how unhealthy they were, how they can lead to death, blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada. I'm so sick of this crap! I thanked him for trying not to contribute to my delinquency, and then repeated that I needed two packs of my brand. He gave me my total without getting my cigarrettes, so, I "reminded" him again. I wanted to grab him by the throat, tell him it had been three hours since I had smoked one, and to get my cigarrettes now!!! However, I controlled my withdrawal rage and politely repeated my "order". Finally, he retrieved my smokes and rung them up. I was feeling slightly relieved, when he pointed out how much money I would have saved if I had not added the cigarrettes to my total. GGGRRRRRRR!!!!!!! Just leave me alone!!!!!

I was on my own front porch one day having a phone conversation with a friend and smoking a cigarrette, when a young, elementary aged girl passed by on her way home from her bus stop. There I was, an adult, minding my own business, when the girl saw me and commented,"Those will make you die." I smiled, said "Thank you" and continued with what I was doing. What nerve!!!

I am a smoker. This is my rant. I know about the warning on the package, I know how unhealthy it is. I know about the ridiculous law suit. I am informed. Now leave me alone! Geez! I think I need a cigarrette!

Visual Harassment

2008-02-25T11:24:00.006-05:00

So my husband works for a big company who has this big fancy dinner evey year. It is usually semi-formal to formal attire. Some of the interns, as well as, the "big wigs" often bring very young dates dressed ready for the prom. I do not feel this type of fashion would be appropriate for me, due to my age and my husband's position. Mind you, I am not looking for a dumpy mint green "mother-of-the-bride" frock that resembles an outfit from The Golden Girls, but how about a nice black cocktail dress.

Off to the mall I go, to find said cocktail dress with a friend on my arm for support and honesty. I can only descibe the clothes on the racks as visual terrorism. Everything looked as though Twiggy and The Brady Bunch had come in and thrown-up green, yellow, neon pink, and red circles, and diamond shapes upon every dress, shirt, and skirt in every store in the mall. It was absolutely grotesque! Needless to say, we did not come away with a nice little black cocktail dress or any dress from the mall!

Just because there is a war on, protests are regaining some popularity, and barriers are being broken in our nation that somewhat parallel the time this type of fashion was first regurgitated onto the scene, does not mean we need to revisit this vociferous visual assault! I implore all people everywhere to rebel against this! Wear solid colored clothes this spring and summer and tell the fashion industy we will not be held prisoners in their circles of red, green, and yellow! We refuse to be sequestered in loud green and blue diamond shapes! Tell them that the set from The Brady Bunch has long been disassembled and we don't want to wear the curtains or the couch upholstery as clothes-this season or EVER!

Read more about "Are women controlled by the beauty industry?" on my friend's blog Lipstick Graffiti.

Lunar Eclipse

2008-02-21T16:19:00.006-05:00

The lunar eclipse last night was truly fantastic! I loved it when the moon was almost completely covered by the earth's shadow and it took on an orange hue. Beautiful! When nothing but a sliver of moonlight remained, that sliver looked a very light blue. It was a wonderful contrast against the orange. I did not stay out to see it pass completely, but did go out to walk the dog later. The bright white light from one side as it was being uncovered made the moon look like the Millennium Falcon.

I was truly in awe!

Startrekking

2008-02-20T11:29:00.002-05:00

Monday night our family went out to eat. Upon returning home and exiting the vehicle, my husband and I noticed two lights in the sky, the same distance apart, and moving at the same rate. It was the space shuttle and the intenational space staion! We were so thrilled to witness this! It was awesome! My husband looked it up on the internet to make sure. He found a site that tells you when it will pass over your area. http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/index.html

We took out the telescope last night to try and catch a better glimpse, but we never saw it. I think it was too low in the sky. Anyway, we spent hours outside looking at the moon, trying to focus in on the eye of Taurus, the Seven Sisters. We did view Saturn, which looks exactly like a glow-in-the-dark sticker through our telescope. It was amazing, to say the least! Tonight we are looking forward to the lunar eclipse!

It is truly amazing all the wonderful things God has given us in this world and beyond. I am truly thankful!