I owe the world a living

There has been a lot on my mind lately, and I've had a really hard time organizing it into coherency.  I hope you can follo this post without too much trouble. 

Yesterday was the primary election here in Utah.  Next week is Independence Day.  I've never really realized how close these two events are together.  Independence day used to be a day for fireworks, and to hang out with family, and an excuse to not work.  Then I met my Dear Husband.

Adam is a true patriot if there ever was one. I've never met someone who loved this country so much.  Who really wanted to fight for what it stands for.  For life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness.  Our GOD GIVEN rights.  The ONLY things we are entitled to.  

I get so frustrated with people who think that they are ENTITLED to so much.  Freedom, opportunity and entitlement are three ENTIRELY different things.  

To be perfectly blunt, I am embarrassed by a lot of my generation.  They have the grashopper mentality of 

"Oh the world owes me a living

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum

Oh the world owes me a living

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum

If I worked hard all day I might

Sleep badder when in bed at night

I sleep all day so that's alright

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum" 

The problem with this is, that living has to come from somewhere.  So those who work hard, and seize opportunities are made to pay for it.  You are NOT entitled to my paycheck.  I work hard for my living, to help support my family, and I can not support others.  Ugh.  I"m going in a direction I didn't want to go.  But this IS my blog. 

We need to stop putting our hands out, and start getting them dirty.  You are NOT too good for fast food.  I have had a job since I was 11 years old.  Sometimes it was just babysitting, mostly though, it was a real come-to-work-punch-in-and-out-get-a-paycheck kind of job.  Yes, some of the time it was in the food service industry.  I am truly grateful to my heavenly father for my job.  I feel good about how I do it, I work hard, and long, but I know that I have EARNED nearly everything I have.  None of it is bought on credit, none of it is still being paid for.  It's out and out paid for.  

I don't have everything I want, but I have what I need, and I have those around me who I KNOW love me. Even Mr. T. LIKES me.  (does that mean I'm doing something wrong as a parent?) I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes to wear, shoes on my feet and a car to drive.  THAT is what makes me part of the 1%. I don't have extra money in the bank, but I have enough.  I appreciate, very much, the things I have been gifted, and the things that I have earned.  

If you don't think I'm right check this article out...http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2011/10/28/attention-protestors-youre-probably-part-of-the-1-.aspx

I may be ridiculed for this post. I may have finally ticked off enough people that NO one will read anymore.  But this is something that I can not get off of my mind.  I really hope we can get away from the grasshopper mentality, and get back to what will really and truly save our nation...The ANT mentality:

  "Oh I owe the world a living

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum, ah-choo!

Oh I owe the world a living

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum, ah-choo!

I got a bad cold in my head

You ants were right the time you said

You've got to work for all you get

Deedle dardle doodle deedle dum, ah-choo"

:

27 June 2012

It's BORING...

Mr T is constantly bored.  He is still getting to know people around here and so has not as many friends as he could. The result?  

I swear it's like this 96% of the time.  The only time I don't hear that is when he is playing Wii...and lets face it...I can't let him play Wii all day, as much as I would like to.  Since I work all day, and A. Sleeps due to working on his new business venture all night, Mr T is often on his own for entertainment.  (Luckily I work from home so I can be here if he needs me.  

I looked at  A LOT of ways to entertain an 8 year old. A LOT. But most of them require either parental involvement, supervision or other kids.  So I picked over, and cannibalized, several lists and came up with stuff he can do on his own.  The result? Awesomeness.  

My Unfinished list of 101 things for an only child to do....

1. Write a letter to a family member

2. READ!!!!

3. Write a story

4. Draw Pictures for the story you just wrote

5. Jam out to some music! LIsten and dance.

6.  Play with our dog (not right for every one obviously)

7. Wash the table

8. Pick up your room

9.  Draw

10. Color (no folks they aren't the same) 

11.  Feed the dog

12 Pick up the living room

13. Build a fort

14 Take a nap

15. Call a friend

16. Take pictures

17 Draw on the sidewalk

18. Quiet time (30 Minutes)

19.  Exercise

20.  Create a journal and write in it.  

21. Use your toys to create a story

22.  Create a collage with pictures from magazines

23.  Play with legos

24. Play with Play-Dough

25.  Nature Rubbings

26. Tie your shoes with one hand

27.  Make a paper airplane and see how far you can make it go

28. Make another paper airplane and beat your record

29.  Jump on a trampoline

30. Blow bubbles

31.  Make an award for a friend

32. Wash the car

33. Invent a language and write it down

34. Bean bag toss

35. Play with Silly putty

36. take a bath (with toys!) 

37.  Fold and put away rags

38 Fold and put away clothes

39 gon on a nature hunt in the back yard

40. Find a cool rock on your nature walk

41 Draw a picture of a bug you found outside

42.  Do a puzzle

43. Water plants

44.  Listen to an audio book

45.  do a craft

46 origami

47 Make a paper chain to count down how many days til school starts (or other thing you are looking forward to) 

48 Tie knots in a rope

49 Make shadow puppets

50. Have a scavenger hunt (this requires a little bit of prep time from mom or dad, but can be done ahead of time!

51. Bug race (use potato bugs!) 

52 Learn a magic trick

53. Try writing with your left hand

54.  draw a picture of your favorite dinner. 

55. Draw a picture with your toes

56.  Build a card house

57.  Make a placemat

58.  Make a paper helicopter

59. Find, and write to, a pen pal

60.  Draw a picture of yourself

61 shoe box guitar

62.  Sock puppet show

63. Create a star show

64.  Make a time capsule

65. Make a nature display

66. Draw on a shirt with washable marker

67 Finger paint

68.  Fun Freeze (freeze little objects ie legos or other small things in a big chunk of ice. Have them try to get them out...no knifes!) 

69.   Make an obstacle course

70. Do your own scrap book page

71.  Make a calming glitter Jar and/or play with it

72.  make a paper boat

73. Make a Mini Me

74. Build a tower with jenga blocks

75.  Paint outside with water

76. Make a pillow path...Don't touch the lava!!!

77.  Jug catch

78. Waterfall game

79.  Make a movie

80 Draw a picture to go with the story we read last night

81. Make up a song

82.  Make a diorama

83.  Play with a hand held game

84.  Play with my iPod

85. Noodle Balloon race

86. Bubble Snake

87. Sweep the floor

88. Create a cotton ball statue

89. Create a statue with mini marshmallows and tooth picks. 

90. Pom Pom Angry birds

91. Make  a paper hat

92. Make a froot loop necklace

93. Make a pillow pile and jump into it

94. Indoor bowling

95. Rock crafts (paint them or build a statue)

96. Make a piece of clay jewelry

97. Make a paper space Ship

98. PLay with the wii for 30 minutes

99. Watch tv for an hour

and that's why it's unfinished......anyone have two more ideas?  

20 June 2012

The Stupendous Mr. T

I am so blessed to have Mr. T in my home right now.  No, I"m not taking in the former A Team member. Mr T is my friend who is staying with us.  He's 8 and he flippin cracks me up.  I don't know where he comes up with some of the things he says.  But seriously, I asked him if he wanted broccoli pizza, and he said yes! The kid LOVES veggies. And fruits. His head almost exploded when I showed him a butterfly made of grapes.  He's been with us for just over a week, and I get to read to him every night.  He loves it.  It's our special time.  He's silly and energetic and very sensitive (even if he won't show it to you)  It has definitely been an adventure.  To all the moms that I've sugared up your kids and sent them home hyper, I"m sorry. I won't ever do it again. Well we all know THAT part is a blatant lie.   I probably will do it again.  Because kids are fun :) 

It has been interesting finding his likes and dislikes, and his needs and wants.  Mr T is a great helper, unless you use the word "chore" Then.....with no better way to put it......all hell breaks loose.  So instead of creating a "chore" list, we ask him to do things as we go. So far, so good.  I really am looking forward to the next few months! Mr T is awesome! So in the words if his namesake:

I Pity da foo' who dosen't get to know Mr T!!!

13 June 2012

Free Your Mind

I'm a Gleek.  It's true. I'm not afraid to say it.  There are so very few programs that celebrate the diferences in our lives that make us who we are.  One of the biggest things I like about  it is that they celebrate all kinds of beauty. One example of this is Mercedes.  She's a bigger girl.  She says...no....she KNOWs that she is fabulous, sexy and amazing.  The last episode I watched was one where the football coach (a woman who is not very feminine) finds out that students are using thoughts of her to help "cool off" after making out.  She is devastated. Who wouldn't be?  I felt it.  I saw the pain flash across her face and my heart shattered.  I won't lie I felt like I was her.  I am aware that I am not most peoples Ideal. I have never thought I was beautiful, sexy or amazing.   I am very blessed to have a husband who does not look at the stereotypical beauty and swoon.  He finds everything about me beautiful.  Every last scar, every last stretch mark (yup I'm that heavy).  He tells me every day how beautiful I am, and how much he loves my shape, and my body.

I really hope that we can stop seeing only this

as beautiful and start being realistic!

Start seeing the beauty everywhere! Look at these women 

How can ANYONE say they aren't beautiful. They are amazing! Beauty should not be confined to one stereotype. 

Stop calling People like Kim Kardashian and Scarlett Johansen  "heavy". They aren't.  

24 May 2012

Expressing my opnion

Because I can.  It's my blog, and I have a right to say what I want.  Even if it's politically incorrect. 

This frustrates me http://cheezburger.com/6238256128?siteId=75 It's been going around facebook for awhile.  

First of all, do you know of a gay person that is forced to drink out of a separate fountain? or considered less than human because of the way they were born?  Or forced to go to school with only gay people? No.  It is not the same.  Stop trying to make it look like it is. 

Second, you HAVE equal rights. You are looking for rights that are above and beyond. Any Man has the right to marry any Woman.  is that not equal? 

I recently had a friend post on Facebook, again, that being gay isn't a choice, but being a hateful bigot is.  The term "bigot" is in and of itself hypocritical. 

BIGOT:

— n
	a person who is intolerant of any ideas other than his or herown, esp on religion, politics, or race

So, in calling me a bigot for standing against gay marriage, you are a bigot for not being tolerant of MY beliefs.  So stop.  The people screaming "TOLERANCE, PEACE and LET ME BE" are the ones who do not show those same qualities. I don't care what you do in your bedroom.  Just keep it there. Don't rub it in my face.  Don't try and cram your beliefs down my throat, and I won't cram mine down yours. Stop asking for extra "rights" and stop being a hypocrite. You have a domestic partnership, which provides the same privileges as marriage, without the title.  Marriage isn't a legal ceremony, it's a religious one.  If you can find a religion allowing it, Go for it! Just don't expect me to support it.  

I love everyone. I really do.  It's not about hating, or denying someone love.  I want everybody to feel the joy I feel with my husband. We are on a slippery slope and it is dangerous and frightening.  I want my children to be raised with Christian values, and to be kind to everyone.  But I will teach them to fight back if their ideals are attacked.  Do not attack me, or my beliefs and expect me to just sit down and allow you to trample MY religion and MY freedoms.  

My ONE political post

So, the longer I am married to Adam the more active I become in politics. This is not going to be a political blog, just my one post. I've had this running through my head for a few days, which usually means I need to post it.

I have been terrified recently by some of the things coming out of the Whitehouse lately. From mandates that your children can be taken from you on the way home from school, to the theft of food storage and forced (drafted) labor camps, I'm feeling less and less like I'm in the United States of America and more like I'm in Nazi Germany! It is NOT ok! "We the people" have allowed ourselves to become complacent zombies, and have fooled ourselves into thinking that "hey nothing can happen, it's USA! We are protected by God!"

God will only protect us as long as we are actively working towards a better future. We are very much in trouble here folks. Edmund Burke said "all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" We can no longer do nothing. It is time for us to take our freedom back.

We must dust off our vigor, grab at the chains of oppression that bind us and say "NO MORE." We must stand as brothers and sisters in freedom, and with the help of God, break those chains! We can no longer ignore what is before us! We must defend our inspired constitution, and the GOD GIVEN rights therein! We can no longer sit idly by and say "it is up to someone else, I'm just me and I don't matter." Yes, you are one, but YOU ARE ONE! We the people must again unite and stand up to tyranny, this time, in our own home.

As I was writing that last paragraph, I thought, maybe I shouldn't write this. Maybe I'm getting myself in trouble. But isn't that the point? I should not have to be worried about encouraging my fellow Americans to be patriotic, and to appreciate freedom!

Do not make a mockery of the sacrifice of our military that have bled and lost life and limb to protect our freedom! Stand for the constitution! Stand for God! Stand for freedom!

21 March 2012

The day that changed my life....

So I know that it seems a little dramatic. No, I'm not pregnant. No, we haven't gotten foster kids yet (c'mon we are still lacking a bed-frame and a couple of other things). This was something that I did a little begrudgingly...

Let me back up a little. This past couple of weeks has been really hard. I've started forgetting things that I simply do not forget. Work was a major stressor, a

nd I didn't feel like I was ever going to be caught up. Basically I have felt like a failure pretty much all the way around. Work was especially overwhelming with a LOT of changes taking place all at once. So I have fallen father and farther behind. So when Adam entered an essay contest to win tickets to a fund raising dinner for Chris Stewart, I'm not going to lie. I hoped (just a tiny, tiny, bit mind you) that he wouldn't win so that I could at least attempt to keep my head above water.

There was quite a bit of confusion surrounding this contest, and it turned out that Adam didn't win....and then he did. Because the rules about voting were unclear, they announced two fir

st prize winners. One for most overall votes, and one for single account votes. (any account that voted more than once for a single essay was discarded.) Adam won the single account votes. I cried a little on the inside when he told me, but I asked my amazing boss for the day off. GRANTED! Then there was the chaos of where to stay, what to do with the dog, how we were going to work everything out. It felt like I had a million pounds on my shoulders.

My wonderful Family was gracious enough to watch Herc, and in the meantime we decided to make a mad dash up and back in the same day. So yesterday morning we got ready as we could (you know it's important because I even blow dried my hair) and hopped in the car. I love spending time with Adam. He makes me laugh and ALWAYS makes me feel appreciated. We sang along with the songs on his itunes and talked and drove...and drove...and drove. Seriously. Do you know where farmington is? Do you know where Saint George is??? Look at a map of Utah. Look almost all the way to the top and you will find Farmin

gton. Now look almost

all the way to the bottom, and if you are careful, you will find La Verkin. Luckily the weather was good and we made really good time. I would like it to be noted that it IS possible to get lost with a GPS. We have found more than one way to do it.

So I wanted to look nice so I put on my sketchers. No, not these sketchers

That would have been sensible and intelligent.

The ones I wore were closer to these:

I had no idea what to expect, and I wore high heels. Wow. Genius. Now the reason I mention this IS actually important, so hang in there.

Anyway. There was a lot of standing involved before dinner. Mingling with people I didn't know and basically being "arm candy" for my husband. Then the moment arrived. You know, the one we had driven four and a half hours for. You know, the one where Adam got to meet Glen Beck. It was fast, cuz he had other business to take care of. But we did get to chat for a second. He asked Adam why he supported Chris Stewart. Adam told him that he supported him because of his stance on illegal immigration (among other things). Brother Beck then asked Adam what he would do to solve the immigration problem, in one sentence. Adam said two words..."end entitlements." A look of utter surprise came across Glen's face, and then as it sank in you could actually see the worlds turning in his head. He said "I'm impressed." I have never seen Adam look so proud. His chest actually puffed up. It was awesome to see someone whom he respected, and so much admired, give him that kind of praise! I loved it.

We lounged around for awhile and ate some appetizers. They were turkey themed. Turkey and stuffing wrapped in wontons and baked. Turkey stuffed Zucchini and Cantaloupe topped with turkey and cranberries. All three were delish.

After a few minutes we went upstairs to our table. We were seated with the other contest winner and several random folks. We chatted through our salads (amazing by the way. Craisens, pears, smoked cheese with the most fabulous dressing I've ever had) and then our dinner came and everyone pretty much stopped talking to eat. The food was that amazing. Pork roast (huge servings) fresh fruit, potatoes and sweet potatoes mixed and a mix of veggies I probably would not have tried on my own, but I was glad I did. Towards the end of the meal we started chatting again. Chris got up and introduced Glen and Glen asked Chris not to go to washington because he was too good of a man, and too good of a friend. He said some beautiful things about loving your neighbor and loving your enemies. It was very touching. We looked around and noticed that one of our table mates was gone. He we spotted him as he was announced down giving a beautiful painting to Glen. He was the artist. Adam's favorite artist. One of my faves to.

If you haven't seen his work check it out....it's AMAZING and full of meaning. http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/artwork/view_zoom/?artpiece_id=353 the piece I linked to is the one he gave to Mr. Beck. Anyway once we figured out who he was we gushed. We were both a little star struck. He was so humble. He acted like it was no big deal. It was a big deal. To Adam especially. We ate dessert quickly (chocolate dipped strawberries and a brownie with some freaking awesome toppings and drizzled with raspberries.) and before we knew it it was time to go to the actual event. Remember, the one that changed my life?

We had VIP parking, and VIP tickets. Guess what. The VIP parking was full. Meaning we had to park a bazillion miles away. Refer to previous images of shoes. Yeah. Not good news. We sat down, in the second row, and I was so grateful. My feet ached from all the standing and walking (and even a little running, I'm lucky to be alive) and it was a relief to get off of them. The respite didn't last very long. About one minute later the loud speaker demanded that we rise for the presenting of the colors. We all did gladly. I felt the sting intensify in my already aching feet. I waited with my hand over my heart while a woman did an amazing job singing the first two verses of the national anthem. We joined in on the third and I was shifting my weight from foot to foot quite often at this point. I probably looked like a little kid doing the potty dance. There was then an awkward silence for a moment prior to introducing the vet who lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

When I say vet I'm not kidding. This man was held as a POW in viet nam for 5 years. He was heavily decorated. Before he started saying the pledge, he took a moment and said a few words. I don't remember everything. I do remember a story he told about the first time he said the pledge of allegiance back here, in the US, after his POS experience. He said "I remember thinking: 'I'm not fighting this war alone anymore'." That was it for me. The pain in my feet no longer existed, and I could have stood for hours if I'd had to. I have NEVER been more proud to be an American. I FELT the Spirit of God as we reverently uttered the pledge. Thank you Father, for allowing me to be born in this great nation.

The next person on stage was Hillary Weeks. And l will never be the same.

Please take a moment to listen this song. It shifted my paradigm. Life is hard. The trials I go through, I would never have chosen. But, I want them. Because they make the happy times in my life that much happier. They are sacred, because Heavenly Father knows that I need my trials to make me in his image.

She did sing other songs but this was the moment that really got me. I cried for awhile because I was so overwhelmed by our Father's knowledge of what we need, and his love for us.

After that Chris Stewart spoke for a few minutes and then Glen Beck spoke to us again. Adam can probably tell you more about that than I can. He talked a lot about spoke about trusting God, even when you don't know what you are doing. Taking that step into the darkness and trusting that our father has the light switch and will show us the plan, when the time is right.

There was a while while Chris, Glen and Glen's partner (I'm sorry I can't remember your name!) were all on stage and making fun of each other. They were sitting on barstools. I leaned over to Adam and said "look it's the blue collar comedy tour! Only with white collars!" He laughed. Shortly after that Hilary Weeks came out and sang a couple more songs. Then it was time for the trip home. We left Layton around 9:30. The trip home was uneventful, except the part where I drove for about 15 minutes. Pretty sure I almost killed us more than once.

We got home around 3:00 and I went to sleep...only to wake up for work at 6:30. You know what? it was worth it. I've seen such a change in Adam. There is a fire in him, something encouraging him that I've never seen. Adam, I love you. Thanks for taking me with you.

03 March 2012