Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Innuendos

Do you ever remember a time when you saw commercials that were good ole clean humor WITHOUT sexual innuendos? I must say it has been years. Two come to my mind right away: 1)Joe's Crab Shack's new one advertising their lobster bucket when the man tells the gal "Take your top off, take your top off", then of course he takes the top off of her lobster bucket. My daughter is 7 and caught on to that one!! 2) Quiznos advertising their new toasted sandwich, when the oven is speaking to the cook saying "put it in me, as well as the "size" of the sandwich later on in the commercial. COME ON, did they really have to go there??

Also, how about the new children's animated movies that are coming out? Don't get me wrong, most of them are really good, but you can definitely hear the adult humor they are trying to portray. Again, you have to wake up pretty early in the morning to pull a fast one on my daughter. I always tell myself she is too smart for her own good!

Maybe at times I am being "prude", but when I was younger movies and commercials were just as funny without having to take it to that level. Maybe I'm longing for a more simpler time, but I fear more things will be allowed in the years to come, which means it can only get worse. I just hope we can clean up our act for our innocent children....they shouldn't be subjected to this at such a young age, and for that reason, Ivy is limited to how much t.v. she can watch and what she can watch. I even went as far as taking her t.v. out of her bedroom so that I could better control what she lays her pretty little eyes on! That may be a little harsh, but I don't care. It's not like I took her t.v. privileges away completely!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Mia's Prayer

Dear Lord,
I pray for the WISDOM to understand my man,
LOVE to forgive him;
and PATIENCE for his moods.
Because Lord, if I pray for STRENGTH,
I may beat him to death.
AMEN

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Addiction

The dictionary definition of addiction is the compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal ; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful.

My definition of addiction is FOOLISHNESS! Yes my stubbornness maybe taking over at this point, but come on!! I believe people become addicted, for lack of a better word, because they were weak enough to give in to a dumb temptation. I'm not being a hypocrite at all. Yes when I was younger,along with two of my family members, I took part in stealing cigarettes from my father on a regular basis. I wasn't the one who stole them, but because I knew that they were, I was a willing participant. Yes, today I am ashamed of such behavior, but I have totally redeemed myself. I used that experience as a learning lesson. I never learned how to inhale, thank the LORD, and I hated to nasty taste in my mouth, so I chose not to do it anymore. Unfortunately, the two family members I chose to behave badly with, are still smokers today. I, proudly, am not!

Perhaps I should have "manned" up and told my parents about our shameful behavior, but I didn't. I not only blame my sister and cousin for being tempted to steal and smoke, but I also blame my stepfather for allowing them access to such a harmful product. This was a man who had 4 or 5 cartons of KOOL menthol cigarettes in his pickup at any given time. Also, mind you, EVERY carton was opened. There would have been no way for him to know if any were missing. That is why it was so easy to take a few here and there. I would say this went on for 3 or 4 years, and my parents NEVER knew. After all, why not keep this behavior up when no one is on to you, right?

I guess this comes at the heals of my sister's husband going to jail for the next several months for numerous DWIs. I'm sure this was brought on by a similar scenario as above. Why can't people who are addicted to certain substances take control of their life and deal with it in a responsible manner? I understand if you get busted for one DWI, though it is not okay, it can be forgiven if you learn from your mistake, right? I will admit when I was 19 and obviously underage, I was given a DUI, and you had better believe I learned from my mistake!! I paid my dues and terribly regret my unfortunate decision that not only put my life in danger, but someone else's as well. Why did the light come on in my head and not his? Is it because I have better self-respect or self-control? Who knows!?!?

What is rock-bottom? For me, it was telling my mother that I was being charged with a DUI. I could see the disappointment in my mother's eyes,as well as all over her face. I don't know what rock-bottom is for him though. This man has had chance after chance to make better choices and yet NEVER did. Even after knowing all of the consequences he would be facing if he got another one, HE GOT ANOTHER ONE. So, not only is he paying the consequences for his actions, so is my mother and sister. They have to raise HIS kids while is he is off serving his time THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. Do I feel sorry for him because he has to eat crappy food and sleep on an uncomfortable bed? The answer to that is HELL NO!!! After all, they offer AA meeting to people like him, and he took those for granted. He knew better! He could have been ANYTHING he wanted to be and he chose to be an alcoholic. The reason I say chose is because he always CHOSE to drink knowing he had a problem with when to stop. He CHOSE to put himself first instead of my sister and their children. He CHOSE to drink and drive, and he CHOSE to disobey the law time and time again.

Alcoholism runs in my family. In my opinion, it took the life of my paternal grandfather and my biological father. I'm not cold-hearted to the point that I don't want better outcomes for alcoholics or other addicts, but you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it. They have to be willing to accept our help inorder to help themselves,and sadly they choose not to listen to the people that have their best interest at heart. That, to me, is what frusterates me the most. I know they offer alanon meeting for family members. I suppose that helps those who participate, but why should I have to take a class to understand addiction?? I don't get it. I believe addiction is a CHOICE. Addicts choose to indulge in their demons, and if they are not strong enough to seek the LORD, they have to deal with it, right? WRONG. We have to deal with it also because it affects ALL parties involved. It is a sad state of affairs people, but that is our reality.

My intentions were not to put anyone down or judge anyone, I just CHOOSE to ignore those demons whose sole purpose is to bring me down. I'm proud to say that I am stronger than that.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Spring Is In The Air!!

As of 7:44 this morning Spring is finally here. It happens to be my FAVORITE season. It's not too hot and not too cold. My bushes, trees, and flowers are starting to bloom, and not to forget those pesky wild onions that WON'T go away!! Anyhoo, I'm already loving today.


It's hard to believe it is just now spring, considering Stanton had their Spring Break LAST week, when no one else was........which, by the way, put a big damper on my parade. Well, maybe not so much. The only thing I had planned was major dental work.........yuck. To be honest it was WORSE than child birth with NO epidural!! You may think I'm exaggerating just a little, but I ASSURE you with my hand on a stack of BIBLES, it is the GOD'S honest truth. All of the research I did leading up to this life changing decision DID NOT prepare me emotionally, physically, or psychologically for what I was going to endure. I know it was the best choice for me, but I was in for a rude awakening to say the least. Maybe within the next few weeks I will feel the way I used to!




My very best friend Chelsie took me to have the procedure done, and I very much enjoyed our time together. Since I have moved so far away, I treasure every moment I get to spend with her. She is such an AMAZING friend and I COULD NOT imagine my life without her. She has seen me through my weakest and strongest moments and loves me anyway, and for that, I am FOREVER grateful.



Friendship


A friend is like a flower,


a rose to be exact,

Or maybe like a brand new gate


that never comes unlatched.


A friend is like an owl,


both beautiful and wise.


Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,


whose spirit never dies.


A friend is like a heart that goes

strong until the end.


Where would we be in this world


if we didn't have a friend?


by Emma Guest

Thursday, March 5, 2009

UGH...Bullies!!!!!

Ivy is usually really good about going to school in a good mood. Not this morning! She threw the biggest fit not wanting to go to school. That is so not like her. I knew something had to have happened. As it turns out, she is being bullied by a brat in her class. She has been calling her names, making her cry, and being abusive towards her. She came home with bruises on her knees after being thrown to the ground everyday this week. No wonder she had a hole in her brand new pants! This girl told Ivy that if she says anything to get her in trouble she will push her down or hurt her two more times extra. I instantly wanted to get ahold of that child myself, but instead I made an appointment to speak with her teacher tomorrow. She is only in the 2nd grade. This should NOT be happening . My heart just breaks for her. She is the sweetest, most kind-hearted child I know. I couldn't imagine why this is happening to her! Hopefully this gets resolved quickly before I have to open a can of whoop ass!!

Monday, March 2, 2009

A Daughter's Gift


When I imagine

the life you will live,

I think of the pleasure

your presence will give.


I see the joy your smile will light

and the wonders you'll weave

when your dreams take flight.


I feel the hope

that will grow with your grace

and the difference you'll make

to each heart you embrace.


I imagine your life

as I know it will be;

for, my daughter, you've given

all this to me.


By Robert Sexton




Manic Monday


I had a very productive weekend! Needless to say, I was paying for it this morning. Not only did I cook my family an elaborate breakfast, iron clothes, fix my daughter's hair, get Anthony's stuff together, make myself presentable, and to top it off, have a low tire that needed air, I still mangaged to get to work on time even after all that madness. As I'm choosing to look at the brighter side of things, two come to mind:

1) I don't live in the Northeast, thank God!
2) Tonight is BUNCO night with the girls......praise the Lord!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Ozzie Oz Man



It is hard to believe that it is going on 4 months that we welcomed Ozzie into our home. He has changed so much that, to me, he doesn't even look like the same dog. Even though it was our intention for him to be Ivy's dog, we soon realized that he had other plans. Having him is like having another baby. He cries for me at night and follows me from room to room. He sticks to me worse than static electricity, but I wouldn't have it any other way!