Deep Thoughts (about anything and nothing)

News: Knog Nerd 12 Function Bicycle Computer (Red)

2012-01-31T02:36:00.001-07:00

Animated rolling display with touch screen functionality
Silicon tool-less attachment for transmitter and main unit
Main unit head will attach to handlebar or stem with reorientation of N.E.R.D. unit
100% waterproof
Displays in either metric or english units

$ 49.71
Knog N.E.R.D. 12-Function Cycling Computers. Features: All N.E.R.D. computers are wireless and coded to prevent interference and crosstalkAnimated rolling display with touch screen funtionalitySilicon tool-less attachment for transmitter and main unitMain unit head will attach to handlebar or stem with reorientation of N.E.R.D. unit100% waterproofTransmitter uses one LR44 1.5V battery, head uses one CR2032 batteryTransmitter weighs 39 grams, N.E.R.D. head weighs 45 grams

Knog Nerd 12 Function Bicycle Computer (Red)

News: Sunlite Bicycle Tube, 700 x 35-43 SCHRADER Valve, 48mm

2012-01-30T15:32:00.001-07:00

48mm valve length

$ 3.11
Thorn Resistant Schrader Valve

Sunlite Bicycle Tube, 700 x 35-43 SCHRADER Valve, 48mm

News: Thule 958 Parkway 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver)

2012-01-30T08:38:00.001-07:00

2 bike capacity 2″ receivers only
Soft rubber cradles made to protect your bike frame while holding your bike securely
Fits all types of bikes with dual arm design
Can be upgrades with STL Snug tite hitch lock
Convenient vehicle access with tilt down feature

$ 138.95
Solid Thule construction at a solid price The Thule Parkway 2-Bike Hitch Carrier Rack is an easy-to-use entry-level bike carrier that safely and conveniently transports up to 2 bikes. Hooking right into your vehicle’s existing 2 inch hitch receiver, it makes getting your bicycles to and from the trailhead or other ride start point simple and worry-free. The Thule Parkway 2-Bike Hitch Carrier features rubberized cradles, which secure and protect your bike frames while holding them firmly and thanks to the dual arm design. There is no need for the top-tube adapters sometimes required for certain bikes – this carrier holds ‘em all. Addition

Thule 958 Parkway 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver)

Tanya Fellner Lueke is answering questions about you

2012-01-25T21:55:00.001-07:00

Between You and Me on facebook

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Here's an update of some new activity.

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Shockwave: Welcome to Shockwave

2012-01-24T16:38:00.001-07:00

Hey, awesomed!

Welcome to the Shockwave community! Your Shockwave and Facebook accounts are now linked, so you can play your favorite Shockwave games with your Facebook friends. But that's not all. With your FREE Shockwave membership, you can create a profile, post reviews, use tokens for a chance to win prizes and much, much more.

Your Screen Name: awesomed

First, Create Your Own Personal Profile

Now the fun part: Create a personal profile on shockwave. Customize your profile with avatars, your favorite games, and interesting tibits about yourself.

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Then, Why Not Play Some Games?

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We hope you're having a great time. By now, we figured you might have some favorite games — did you know you can save them to your personal My Shockwave for easy access later?

Click the heart on any game page to save a link on your My Shockwave homepage.

And Write Game Reviews...

Now that we've been together a while, we thought you might want to get a little more personal and let everyone know what you think of our games. Did you know that you can rate and review any game on Shockwave? Good or bad, we want to know what you think, and so do other Shockwave Members!

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2012-01-24T14:10:00.001-07:00

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News: Lenmar Auto 2 Port 12V DC Auto Socket Duplicator Plus 2 USB Port (SSPU2)

2012-01-10T22:25:00.001-07:00

Simultaneously charges and powers up to 4 electronic devices using 2 integrated USB ports and 2 built-in DC car adapter sockets
Compact, lightweight design – car adapter plug rotates 180 degrees and locks to fit in virtually any auto console or dashboard area
LED power indicator confirms on/off power status
Replaceable 10 amp car fuse protects your connected electronic devices from electrical damage
1 Year Warranty

Simultaneously charges and powers up to 4 electronic devices using 2 integrated USB ports and 2 built-in DC car adapter sockets. Lenmar’s power accessories include portable chargers, power adapters & cable / tip sets. So whether it’s powering your laptop & mobile phone or recharging camcorder & digital camera batteries, our accessories will keep you connected & powered on the go.

Lenmar Auto 2 Port 12V DC Auto Socket Duplicator Plus 2 USB Port (SSPU2)

News: Ultra Deluxe Garage and Car Care Kit

2012-01-10T18:34:00.001-07:00

Broan-Nutone
CK145
Vacuum Accessories

Nutone CK145 Car Accessory Kit CK145 Car Accessory Kit

Ultra Deluxe Garage and Car Care Kit

Find More Car Care Products

News: LCD Bicycle Bike Computer Odometer Speedometer LCD Backlight

2012-01-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

SPD: Current Speed. ODO: Odometer(0-999.9KM/M). DST: trip distance. MXS: Maximum Speed. AVS: Average Speed. TTM: Total Trip Time. RAT: Riding All Time.
CLK: Clock£¨12H/24H). SW: Stop Watch . Temperterature: (-20¡æ~70¡æ). TM UP: Trip Time Up. TM DN: Trip Time Down. TRIP UP: Trip Distance Up. TRIP DN: Trip Distance Down.
Size: production size 9 x 4.8 x 2.2CM, LCD Size 7 x 1.7CM. Power by: 1x 3V CR203 Lithium Batteries ( Battery included )
Package contents: 1 x Bicycle computer, 1 x Universal sensor bracket, 1 x Wheel magnet, 1 x CR203 battery, 1 x Cable tie, 1 x User Manual

$ 6.09
Specification:
Display: Two-line four window displays.
Setting Type Circumference.
Setting the Last Value of Odometer/ODO.
Setting the Last Value of Total Time.
Freeze Frame Memory.
LCD Backlight.
Low Battery Indicator.
AUTO¡¡ON/OFF.

LCD Bicycle Bike Computer Odometer Speedometer LCD Backlight

News: GSI Waterproof Multi-Function Cycling GPS Computer – Measures Directions, Distance, Altitude, Speed and Calories – LCD Display, USB Interface –...

2012-01-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

All in One Weather-Resistant GSP Computer for Cyclists – 1.5″ LCD Trip Display
Supports GPX File Format – Upload Your Favorite Locations from GPX Exchange Websites
E-Compass, Speedometer, Odometer, Altimeter and Calorimeter Functions
Supports “Home” and “Guide Back” Features – IPX-6 Waterproof Certified – Built In Rechargeable Battery
Included In Box: Sports GPS, USB Cable, Installation CD, Manual, Mounting Kit (Dock and Cradle), Rubber pad

$ 59.99
Advanced New All-In-One GPS Computer from GSI. Ideal for Cyclists and Bikers, it combines all necessary Functions for Exercise and Joy Biking. Comparable to other pricier models out there, it is a great and affordable buy for the outdoors Professional or Beginner.

GSI Waterproof Multi-Function Cycling GPS Computer – Measures Directions, Distance, Altitude, Speed and Calories – LCD Display, USB Interface – Bike/Bicycle/Motorbike Mounting Kit Included

News: Schwinn Sierra DSX Adult Comfort Bike

2012-01-10T06:45:00.000-07:00

Adult comfort bike with 26-inch N’Litened Gold Label aluminum frame
SR/Suntour suspension fork with dual pre-load adjustment system
SuperSoft elastomer-foam saddle with special waterproof stretch cover
Smooth-rolling 26-inch all-weather touring tires; Tektro alloy linear pull brakes
Ideal for commuting to work or cruising around town; dual-compound pedals

Outfitted with a TIG-welded N’Litened 26-inch aluminum frame with a patented Floatech suspension system, the Schwinn Sierra DSX adult comfort bike is a must for relaxed city or country riding. The bike is set up with such features as an SR/Suntour suspension fork with a dual pre-load adjustment system that accommodates all rider weights; an SRAM dual-drive three-speed hub and seven-speed cassette shifting system, which makes shifting more intuitive than ever; AutoPilot grip tires; and non-slip comfort pedals. The components add up to a superior riding experience whether commuting to work or zipping around the neighborhood. Specifications Frame: Schwinn custom-drawn N’Litened Gold Label aluminum with new Schwinn dual suspension comfort geom

Schwinn Sierra DSX Adult Comfort Bike

News: Shimano SL-BS64 Ultegra Bar End Shifter Set (8-Speed)

2012-01-10T01:49:00.001-07:00

Drivetrain Spacing: Shimano/SRAM 8 End Type: Shimano/Sram FD/Shifter Compatibility: Shimano Road Double
Shimano Flatbar Road Triple,Mountain Triple Front/Rear: Set Shifter Compatibility: Ultegra BS64 Shifter Detail
Color: Silver Shifter/Rear Derailleur : Shimano Weight: 180g Weight: 83g

$ 65.14
Shimano SL-BS64-8 eight speed double/triple bar end shifters. Friction compatible right lever. This shifter is not compatible with 8-speed Dura Ace, packaging calls out Dura Ace but the shifter itself is Ultegra.

Shimano SL-BS64 Ultegra Bar End Shifter Set (8-Speed)

News: Selle Royal Respiro Sport Saddle

2012-01-09T22:30:00.001-07:00

Ride off into the sunset- or sunrise -on the Selle Royal Respiro Sport Saddle. A ventilation channel complements an anatomical design for optimal comfort. Attach a light or bag to the integrated clip system to make sure you’re geared out for your next ride.

Product FeaturesMaterial: Rails: Seat Width: 143mmWeight: 270gRecommended Use: Road bikingManufacturer Warranty:

Selle Royal Respiro Sport Saddle

News: Peak PKC0RB Wireless Back-Up Camera System with 3.5-Inch LCD Color Monitor

2012-01-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

Full 3.5-inch LCD color monitor with adjustable mounting arm and suction cup
Weatherproof camera mounts to license plate frame and offers 110-degree viewing angle
Camera system installs on most vehicles in just minutes
Standby with auto-on mode when camera is on
Perfect for cars, SUVs, trucks, RVs, towing boats, campers and trailers

$ 100.81
The Peak Wireless 3.5-Inch Back-Up Camera System lets you actually see what is behind you–even if it is in the blind spot below your back window. Now you can know for sure if there’s a car, bike, or child behind your vehicle before backing up. This easy-to-install system includes a color camera unit that attaches to the back of your license plate. This camera comes equipped with a 2.4 GHz wireless transmitter that sends video to the 3.5-inch color LCD monitor that mounts on your dashboard. The system offers a wide 110-degree field of view, and the camera is weatherproofed for a long life. It’s perfect for cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and trailers.

Peak PKC0RB Wireless Back-Up Camera System with 3.5-Inch LCD Color Monitor

News: Diamondback Women 2012 Vital Two Sport Hybrid Bike (White)

2012-01-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

Butted 6061-T6 Aluminum Hybrid Frame
63mm Travel Comfort Hybrid Suspension Fork
Shimano TX55 rear derailleur, EF-TX51 7spd EZ-fire shifters
SSW700 Double Tunnel Alloy Rims
DB Deluxe 2-Density Hybrid Saddle

If you're having trouble trying to determine whether the comforts of a comfort bike are more important to you than the efficiency of a road bike; get the best of both in an all-new women's-specific Vital hybrid. The Vital hybrids combine the same comfortable contact point features of a comfort bike with the big smooth-rolling 700c wheels of a road bike. A butted T6 aluminum frame and Shimano drivetrain boost efficiency and reliability. The Vital hybrids are extremely versatile and are ideal for many uses including event rides, commuting, recreation, and personal fitness. From the simple to the sophisticated, you'll find the bike you're after in the comfort geometry Vital series of hybrids.

Diamondback Women 2012 Vital Two Sport Hybrid Bike (White)

News: Avenir Metro Insulated Rack-Top Bag (530 Cubic Inches)

2012-01-09T12:04:00.001-07:00

Insulated rack-top bag perfect for storing warm or chilled items from the grocery store
One large main compartment with internal pockets and shoulder strap
Reflective stripe and rear light attachment clip
Attaches to rack with two wide Velcro straps 550 cubic inch capacity

$ 23.77
Avenir by Raleigh is the premier bicycle accessory line from legendary Raleigh Bicycles.

Avenir Metro Insulated Rack-Top Bag (530 Cubic Inches)

News: Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Special Saddle

2012-01-09T03:27:00.001-07:00

540g
170mm width, 280mm length
Copper Rails

Treat your badonkadonk to the posterior-pleasing handcrafted Brooks B17 Special Saddle. With more history than the Smithsonian has packed into every hand-hammered copper rivet, the B17 Special Saddle’s not only easy on the eyes, it quickly molds itself into the ultimate bum-supporting saddle for touring, racing, and getting around town.

Product FeaturesCover: leatherShell: Rails: steelSeat Length: Seat Width: 170 mmCompatible Components: Weight: 540 gRecommended Use: cyclingManufacturer Warranty:

Brooks Heritage Saddles B17 Special Saddle

News: Bell RideOn Universal Bicycle Tube (24 Inch)

2012-01-09T00:25:00.001-07:00

.08mm butyl rubber tube rides great
Mold cured rubber for a consistent side wall – prevents high pressure blow-outs

$ 2.09
Bell RideOn Tubes 24″ are universal and fit 1.75″ – 2.125″ width range.

Bell RideOn Universal Bicycle Tube (24 Inch)

So what's up with this

2011-12-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

So, the Separate School Board is having an "information" session on January 16 regarding the three westside schools? As far as I'm concerned my children have attended one of the best ones on this side. I have never had issues with the school itself, but it seems that I'm in a minority. I love this school dammit and I will fight until I can't fight anymore before I give up. The schoolboard needs to realize that it's not what the parents want, it's what's in the best interest of the children. We have let parents get away with too much say in this school and now it's too late. It's time for the board to take back the school and set things right. So many parents have taken advantage of what St. Martha's has to offer that now we can't do anything at risk of offending the parents and that's BS. I am so sick and tired of hearing how many less fortunate people there are in our school when most of them drive expensive vehicles and go on these huge vacations. I'm tired of trying to explain how the other schools have a put up or shut up policy...basically if your child doesn't pay for something they don't get it (unless there is truly a financial burden, but that's for the administration to know, not the other parents). I know our school has some families that have financial issues but I also know that there aren't so many that we can't charge them $1 for a lunch. Take a step out there and start charging for the sports day ($1/child), open a canteen at sports day and let them buy what they want, charge a $1/child for the turkey dinner dammit...if they can afford to buy kids clothes from LuLu Lemon but can't afford $1 for the turkey dinner than they need to get their priorities straight. I'm an equal opportunity person, I don't care about race, creed or colour, so if you aren't going to pay your fees then find another school. If your kids a bad ass then they deserve to be punished and if that means being suspended or kicked out so be it...oh, and don't give me that whole spiel about what's going on at home, if the kid is getting into trouble they still need to be dealt with or the bullying situation just gets worse. Oh yeah, and then there's parents pulling their kids out of school because they don't like a certain staff member, well I've got news for them, they''re not helping their kids. There is going to be at least one BAD teacher everywhere they go, what are they going to do? Move them everytime they get the bad apple? That's teaching the kids a real lesson now isn't it? What does that teach them when they get older...I don't like my boss so I'm going to quit. I don't like my professor so I'm going to quit. Grow up people. Oh, I've got so much more to say, but I can't think straight right now.

Yes, I'm angry and do you want to know why? When we bought our house here sixteen years ago, we bought it not just because of the huge backyard the quiet area but because we were so close to a very good elementary school. The school was almost overflowing and now it's hardly even flowing. I've talked to people who used to work and attend school over here and they loved the staff, the location, the families, and they can't understand what's happened either. I want to know what's going to happen dammit because I'm not sure I want my kids to continue in a school system where we let parents decide what kind of education they WANT their kids to have instead of what kind of education their kids NEED. I also don't want them in a system that screwed up royally in the past and who isn't willing to own up but is willing to hurt others by doing something stupid and irresponsible.

Okay, so now I'm done. I have to go and wash clothes and clean before Christmas..

MY HOUSE RULES FOR BEING SICK

2011-10-11T09:12:00.000-06:00

1. If you expect to lay on my couch, while you are sick, you will keep your mouth shut. You will not whine, complain, moan or groan about how bad you're feeling. You are not an infant, you don't need to cry because you're not feeling well. You were well enough and old enough to get out of bed by yourself so you're well enough and old enough to keep your mouth shut.

2. If you are well enough to get out of bed by yourself and lay on my couch, then you're well enough to brush your hair and teeth, wash your face and get dressed before doing so. This isn't a hospital, it's a house, and unless you are a baby you don't need to wear pajamas all day.

3. You will drink fluids. I will give you your fluids, but you will sit up and drink them and not spit them out. You are expected to drink what I give you and not make a face or complain. Water is especially good for you and for every one cup of juice, you will drink two cups of water. I WILL NOT, buy you those expensive and NOT GOOD FOR YOU vitamin drinks or gatorade all the time. Water was good for our ancestors and it's good for you too.

4. You will wrap a blanket around you or put on a sweater while I air out the house and not complain. Fresh air is good for you so breathe deep and keep quiet.

5. I will not sit quiet while you nap. I will vacuum, wash dishes, do laundry, talk on the phone, watch TV, and listen to my stereo regardless of whether you are sick or healthy. I'm not going to change my routine because you THINK you need complete quiet to heal. Put in earplugs, go to your room, and SHUT UP. If you're SO sick you need to stay home than you put up with my daily routines. I won't turn off the phones, put a "don't ring the doorbell" sign on my door, or sit like a little mouse because you're acting like a baby.

These are just some of my rules for being sick. Whether you're an adult or a child, these rules are firm. The same rules apply when I have company. I don't allow my family to run around all day in their pajamas, stay in bed all day, or complain and I won't let you. Show me some respect if you are sick and I will do the same in return.

THE RIGHT SIDE OR THE WRONG SIDE...

2011-08-07T02:57:00.000-06:00

Losing a church like a death in the family: pastor - Lethbridge Herald
Written by Mabell, Dave
Saturday, 06 August 2011 02:01 - Last Updated Saturday, 06 August 2011 04:49
Dave Mabell
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
dmabell@lethbridgeherald.com
When parishioners lose their church, the grief is almost as deep as a death in the family. So if a church must be closed, members deserve plenty of time for open discussion and decision-making. That's the advice from a pastor who wrote the book on church closures. The Rev. Mike Jones says that's why Catholics in Lethbridge are so irate about their bishop's plans to close three historic parishes and build a mega-church at the edge of town.

Jones, a United Church minister in Calgary, says dwindling attendance and demographic shifts there have forced his denomination to close a number of neighbourhood churches. But even when the need is clear, and there's another congregation nearby, he says closures can leave some members grieving for the rest of their lives. "When you stop Sunday worship, you're basically killing a congregation," he warns. That's what happened downtown last Sunday at St. Patrick's Church, by order of Bishop Fred Henry. He's also told Catholics he'll be closing St. Basil's on 13 Street North and Assumption on 12 Avenue South, and he's asking them to come up with donations for a $21-million facility on Highway 4. Repeated requests by The Herald for comment from Bishop Henry through his Calgary office were not granted.

When there's strong leadership and a vision - one that inspires members instead of alienating them - Jones says mergers can succeed. Larger church buildings and congregations may meet members' needs more effectively, he adds, particularly when they offer an active and attractive youth ministry. A writer and longtime pastor, Jones completed a book on church closures in 2004. Based in part on his experience at an inner-city Calgary church while it was in that process, he published
"Empty Houses: A pastoral approach to congregational closures." "We had problems healing the conflict and the grief," he says. "One really feeds into the other."
Church leaders may fail to realize how deep those feelings run, he adds. "You can really be broadsided by it."

Anglicans in Calgary have also closed parishes in recent years, and Jones' recollection is that members' concerns were heard and respected. "The denominational body has to help people in the process," he says. "They need sensitivity, they need mercy, they need listening." Jones voices his alarm at Bishop Henry dismissing his vocal critics as "dissidents." The Save Our Churches committee here says it has more than 400 signed members, from all Catholic
congregations in the city, who urge the bishop to change his plan. But he's offered no alternative. "That shows you've shut down listening."

The bishop or another high-ranking officials should have attended St. Patrick's final service, he believes. After more than a century of service, the pioneering parish families who built and later maintained the church deserved more respect.
The closure came at short notice, in the middle of summer, Jones added, and the parish's senior priest was absent as well. "I really feel for the associate pastor," ordered to conduct the final services after 98 years of worship on that site. "Why now?" Jones asks. "Is it to kick-start fundraising? How do you motivate people to give, when you're closing their churches?" Jones also takes issue with the bishop's view that closing Lethbridge churches is justified by a shortage of Catholic priests. When there's a vacancy in Calgary, "Bishop Henry has brought
them here from around the world." The fallout in Lethbridge, he fears, will be a drop in church attendance. "People don't always go where they're told to go," he says. "They vote with their feet."

This was an article that was on the front page of today's Lethbridge Herald. Yes, I was upset. Why? Because this parish and the parishioners have been like a second home and family to us since we joined. Garth is a member of their Knights of Columbus Council, I have taught Sunday school, my kids were all baptized in the church and two of them have had their First Communion there. It hurts because we have had to watch the Church fall into disrepair while the Bishop made his decision, first to unite all the eastside churches into one parish and then to build the "MEGA" church. It hurts because some of us don't think it's right to sell a building, that is rich with history, just to raise money for another. It hurts because some of us who have voiced our opinion against the building of the new church are being called "dissidents" by the Bishop. Dissidents? Really? Are we not allowed to have an opinion? Is it wrong to ask the church how much they're going to put into a new church? Since when does the Church decide what we can and cannot say? The Church doesn't, but Bishop Henry apparently thinks HE does. I'm not really hip to the Church Doctrines at the moment, but does it mention anywhere in there that God has said it is okay to close down a church and force people to give money they don't have to build another church they don't need? I'm assuming it doesn't, but I think we know someone who thinks HIS doctrine does.

All I can say is we have changed Parishes and are now attending church here on the West side and even that is causing a stir. I think the parishioners at St. Pat's have been hurt and whether or not the new church is built, there is now a division in the parish that can never be removed. Part of me thinks that's what the Bishop wanted, but I'm hoping I'm wrong. Now I'll leave it up to you to decide. Is there a right side or a wrong side in this matter?

Remember, be nice not nasty with your replies.

A TEAR FOR DANNY

2011-06-28T21:34:00.000-06:00

I cried a tear for Danny yesterday. He wasn't injured, he wasn't sick, he's moving on to Junior High. I cried a tear because he has had to overcome many obstacles to get where he is today. My son, the boy who couldn't talk until he was three, the boy who used to deliberately hurt himself just so he could feel, the boy who used to scream with frustration, has become a young man. He has overcome all these hurdles and is now moving on to bigger and brighter things. Oh believe me, I know these next three years won't be easy...with hormones, teenage angst, and peer pressure, but he is willing to face these problems head on. He has grown not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically as well, and that's what makes me so proud.

Yes, I cried a tear for Danny yesterday, and I'm sure that in the future I will cry many, many more because that's what Mothers do.

ARE WE READING TOO MUCH INTO THE BIBLE

2011-05-27T10:23:00.000-06:00

I'm sure we have all been watching the news lately. We've heard about the devastation from the tornadoes down in the US, the flooding in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the horrible earthquake in Japan and the tsunami that followed, political unrest all over the world...and I'm sure some of us are asking ourselves if these are signs of the end. And to make things worse we have the D-Day prophet, Harold Camping, who was sure the world was going to end on May 21, 2011 at 6 pm (local time in every time zone around the world). I don't think anyone can predict the end of time, but that being said, can all of these be signs that we are looking at the end of the world as we know it.

I was very interested in Camping's prediction and so I started doing some research, one article I read was very interesting. It explains what Camping based his prediction on, it's too long to go into here, but if you click on this and you can read it for yourself. It gets into numerology and combines it with bible passages.

WHAT'S UP WITH PARENTS TODAY

2011-05-09T20:46:00.000-06:00

Why do parents insist on admitting their children have done nothing wrong even when/if witnesses are present? I just can't figure it out. We have to stop blaming society, schools, schoolmates for everything that goes wrong in our child's life and starting looking at what's going on at home. There is usually a reason why this child is acting the way they are and we need to find out what it is and deal with it. Parents confronting someone (in anger) about their child's behaviour is sooooo wrong. We need to sit down, count to ten, calm ourselves down and then talk about it.

We also have to stop trying to be our children's friend, we need to be a parent first and a friend second. Children aren't stupid, they know how to play their parents. They know how mom or dad will act if they tell them "their" version of what happened; they know that if they twist it just enough they can get mom and dad angry, upset or feeling sorry for them. Again, though, there is usually a reason for this and it usually stems from their homelife. They will act out if there has been a separation, divorce, too much mothering, not enough mothering, etc. They will also act out if mom or dad is trying too hard to be their friend, they want a parent at home, not an equal. They also know if mom or dad is having issues and will use that to get what they want.

Now, I'm not the perfect parent and I don't claim to be. I also know that my children aren't perfect and I don't act like they are perfect. I do, however, check with the school at least once or twice a week to see how they are doing and I will actually discuss, with the teachers, any concerns that have come up. I don't go in yelling and screaming if THEY feel they have been slighted and I certainly don't put the blame on others, unless I know and have witnesses that something has happened that they had absolutely no control over. Even then, I don't point fingers, I simply let the teachers know "our" version and let them explain "their" version and we always find the happy spot somewhere in the middle.

I just don't know what's up with parents today. But, if they don't stop their actions, the streets will be running with a bunch of spoiled, little brats who think they can get away with murder and probably will.

Royalty: Romantic or Unromantic

2011-04-29T10:03:00.000-06:00

As a girl I always dreamed of being a princess, or at least I dreamed of marrying a prince. I think it's natual for little girls to want to meet a prince and live happily ever after. Why wouldn't it be? We read it in the fairytales, we see it in Disney movies, and we see the Queen on all our money. Who wouldn't want to be so famous that we have movies made about us and our picture everywhere? As I got older, however, I realized that being royalty wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I was about 14 years old when Prince Charles married the shy, pretty, Lady Diana; and I too, was caught up in the romance of it all. I started reading up on the Royal Family and actually looked into the "training" it takes to be a member or to marry a member, and the romance soon disappeared.

I can't imagine all the protocol one has to go through in order to be a member of the Royal family. I think it would drive me insane, a person would have to be not only strong-willed, but strong-minded and have a good sense of right and wrong. I often wonder what would happen if a Prince or Princess to be didn't wave properly, didn't enter or exit a vehicle properly, or forgot to acknowledge the Queen properly. And let's not forget the "titles" involved in being a member of the Royal Family; Diana's official title after marrying Prince Charles was: Her Royal Highness The Princess Charles Philip Arthur George, Princess of Wales & Countess of Chester, Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay, Countess of Carrick, Baroness of Renfrew, Lady of the Isles, Princess of Scotland. Imagine fitting all that onto a legal document. Although, she did lose the title "Her Royal Highness" after her divorce from Charles and simply became "Diana, Princess of Wales". She could never be called Princess Diana as one needs to be born into the Royal Family to have the title "Princess" before her given name.

Anyway, I digress, as much as I would like to make this about Diana, this is simply about Royalty not being romantic as one might think. In order to fit into the Royal Family a person must learn Royal protocol. I'm sure if you're born a Lady, Lord, Duke or Duchess, you are trained from birth how to behave when in the presence of the queen. But if you are a commoner - Sarah Ferguson (Prince Andrew's wife), Sophie Rhys-Jones (Prince Edward's wife) and now Kate Middleton (Prince William's wife) - you have to undergo some training such as how to wave properly, how to sit, how to address the queen and so forth. Even Diana had to have some training about the Royal ways. It just doesn't sound fun. You always have to refer to the Queen as Her Majesty (the first time you address her) and then Ma'am thereafter. Aye, aye, aye what a lot of fun informal occasions must be at the palace.

So, to sum it all up, even though becoming a Princess sounds romantic, it isn't. That doesn't mean I'm going to ruin it for all the little aspiring Princesses out there, I say let them dream. Watching a Royal Wedding on TV doesn't hurt anybody (Hell, I even watched part of Prince William and Kate's wedding today) and wanting to be the "Princess" wearing the pretty dress is normal. Let them learn on their own and until then let's just play along.

VOTE

2011-04-08T23:38:00.000-06:00

As you all know, it's election time again, and we will soon be going to the polls. Now I know that the majority of us really don't want an election, but we live in a country where we are able to vote and just a little more than 50% of us actually go out and mark that little "X" on the ballot. I've heard many reasons for not voting..."I couldn't get time off work", "I didn't know who to vote for", "My vote won't make a difference", "I don't care about politics so why would I vote?", and I just have to say 'WOW!' What is this world (or in this case, country) coming to when we complain about our leader but won't go out and do something about it? Yes, that's right, I've heard so many people bitch about what's wrong with the country and yet they don't vote. In my opinion ( and many other people's opinions) if you don't vote, you can't bitch.

Let's go over some of those excuses again:

I COULDN'T GET TIME OFF WORK: Yeah, I've heard this one so often. Do you know that your employer must give everyone, who is eligible to vote, at least a half hour off work so they can go to the polls? Yup, you have the right to ask for time off work to go and vote. They can't fire you for taking the time off and they can't deduct any pay. So, you can throw that one out the window. Oh, and by the way, there are advanced polls and most of them are on weekends or in the evenings which give everyone who is eligible a time to get out there and fulfill your obligation.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR: Okay, this one really takes the cake. You didn't know who to vote for? Do your research. Go online and do some reading, don't watch those stupid election ads, and see which party might have a platform or platforms that you agree with and go from there. Find out the background of the parties and their leaders, see what they have done for our country in the past (if anything), and most of all just see which each party is about. If you don't have a computer then visit your local library or better yet, visit the political offices in your area and ask questions.

MY VOTE WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE: Okay, I understand this one. You're only one person, how can one vote matter? Maybe it won't make a difference in this election, but in time it will. We need everyone to stop thinking this way and get out to the polls. If each person who said this went out and voted we would be surprised at the results. Seriously, quit using this as an excuse, get off your lazy ass, pick up that pencil and fill in that little box. That's all there is to it.

I DON'T CARE ABOUT POLITICS, SO WHY WOULD I VOTE?: You don't care about politics? REALLY? You don't care that you could be getting higher wages? You don't care about your safety on the job? You don't care about our military? You don't care about the price of gas? You don't care about your child's education? I could just continue asking these questions but the answers are all the same. It's a simple fact that our lives are driven by politics and if you don't care about politics then you don't care about life.

I'm just going to lay it on the line. We need to get out there and vote. I'm tired of all the political rhetoric and all the crap I hear on news but I'm still going to vote because my vote does matter...TO ME!

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The voter turnout in 2008 was only 58.8% (We had 23,677,639 registered voters but just over 13,000,000 people voted)

Research has shown that voter turnout is greater in countries where there is more door-to-door canvassing.

Compulsory voting is sometimes proposed as a solution to falling turnout. A number of other countries, such as Australia & Brazil, have compulsory voting.

Maybe we should look into the last two and see what happens, what do you think?

AUTISM: UNDERSTANDING THE GIFT (A MOTHER'S PERSPECTIVE)

2011-03-17T22:53:00.000-06:00

It's not easy being who I am. I'm a wife, a nurse, a maid, a teacher, a chef and the mother of three lovely children, the oldest of which has Autism. Oh, he's not severely Autistic, he's high functioning and was diagnosed as having Asperger Syndrome and P(ervasive)D(evelopment)D(isorder)/N(ot)O(therwise)S(pecified), just before he turned six. As a mother, the diagnosis was a great relief but it also left me with many questions and a desire to know what this disorder really was and what causes it. I have been on many websites, read many articles, talked to people and have done research, only to realize that Autism is very difficult and perplexing to understand and yet it is and can be a wonderful, amazing gift for those who have it and their families.

Do you know the many signs and symptoms of Autism? Are you aware of those around you who have Autism or are on the Autism spectrum? Before I go on, I'm just going to list SOME of the signs and systems associated with children who have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder):

* Fails to respond to his or her name
* Has poor eye contact
* Appears not to hear you at times
* Resists cuddling and holding
* Appears unaware of others' feelings
* Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or her "own world"
* Starts talking later than age 2
* Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences
* Doesn't make eye contact when making requests
* Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm
* Can't start a conversation or keep one going
* May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn't understand how to use them
* Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping
* Develops specific routines or rituals
* Becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or rituals
* Moves constantly
* May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as the wheels of a toy car
* May be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch and yet oblivious to pain

As a mother, you want your kids to be "normal" but when you start to notice abnormalities in their behaviours and actions you start looking for answers and yes, even excuses. You tend to pretend that the Obsessive Compulsive behaviours are normal, that the squealing and the tantrums will go away after a while. You start to ignore certain annoying behaviours, while others just stand back and think it's just due to bad parenting. It's hard to not make excuses for the child and it's hard to listen to the criticisms coming from friends, family, and even strangers. It's physically and mentally exhausting to watch your child act different from other kids his/her age. There are times you want to call it quits and you pray for a miracle to happen. You just want it all to stop.

When you finally get the diagnosis, you're relieved because you no longer need to make excuses and you know you don't need to be ashamed. But, now you have another hurdle. You have to come to grips with the fact that your child has Autism. AUTISM, it's an ominous sounding word that comes with many different stigmas. You not only have to educate yourself but you have to start educating others. You have to convince others that it is a disorder, that you did nothing to cause it and that it isn't the same as being (excuse the term) mentally retarded. As you research the subject, you realize that Autism isn't what you thought. You realize that it comes in many different forms and has many different faces. You learn that those with Autism (even if they can't talk) can learn to communicate and most of them are very intelligent. It can be a very humbling experience, if you take the time, to talk to someone with ASD.

You learn, very early on, that Autism is not what society has made it. You learn that it is an amazing neurological phenomena that has baffled medical science for years. You learn that anyone with ASD is special, in his/her own way, whether they can speak or not. You learn that they have a wonderful sense of humour and can be very creative. You learn to accept them for who they are, not what society wants them to be. You learn that they know more than they can ever possibly communicate. You also learn that they are wise beyond their age...they have a way of thinking and problem solving that is absolutely amazing.

Yes, I truly believe that Autism is a gift. It has taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined. It has taught me that there is more to life than just going through a daily routine; it has taught me that life needs to be lived, not taken for granted. It has taught me to find that little girl inside and let her out every once in a while. It has taught me that I can do something I like and not care what others think. It has also taught me to love unconditionally no matter the circumstances.

Yes, Autism is a gift. A gift that needs to be opened over and over again. A gift that can never be explained nor should it need to be.

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED...PART II

2011-03-13T09:41:00.000-06:00

I HAVE LEARNED that God works in mysterious ways.
I HAVE LEARNED that I can love unconditionally.
I HAVE LEARNED that I can forgive.
I HAVE LEARNED that it's not easy being a mother.
I HAVE LEARNED that I can live through tragedy.
I HAVE LEARNED that I believe in Angels.
I HAVE LEARNED that it's hard to control my temper.
I HAVE LEARNED that I am not an athlete.
I HAVE LEARNED that chocolate cures everything.
I HAVE LEARNED that being my mother's daughter is a GOOD thing.
I HAVE LEARNED that I miss being a child.
I HAVE LEARNED that it's okay to think outside the box.
I HAVE LEARNED that I can sing in the shower and sound good.
I HAVE LEARNED that respect must be earned.
I HAVE LEARNED that I am empathetic.
I HAVE LEARNED that my love for my husband grows stronger every day.
I HAVE LEARNED that it's okay to be short.
I HAVE LEARNED that I'm a good Brownie leader.
I HAVE LEARNED that I like helping others.
And last but not least, I HAVE LEARNED that I don't have to be perfect.

SO THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I THINK...

2011-03-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

So, I'm sitting here tonight and I start thinking about stuff. Nothing in particular, just STUFF. Everything starts going through my head...everything from numbers, to past conversations I've had with people, to Celine Dion. Yes, I think of everything when I'm sitting here doing nothing. Anyway, here are some of my (as my kids would say) RANDOM thoughts:

STUPID NAMES: What's with the stupid names people (and by people I mean celebrities) are coming up with for their kids? Personally, I think it started in the 60s with Frank Zappa. After all he did name his kids MOON UNIT, DWEEZIL, AHMIT EMUUKHA RODAN, and DIVA THIN MUFFIN PIGEEN. Okay, okay, I guess I shouldn't call the names stupid, how about strange, weird, nerdy, and so forth. I can't even say he was stoned when he named his kids because he neither drank nor did drugs, so what the hell was up with that. But now we jump ahead 30 or 40 years and celebrities have come up with some of the strangest names - Bruce Willis and Demi Moore named their daughters Scout, Rumer, and Tallulah Bell; Nicholas Cage named his son Kal-El (Yes, it's superman's real name) because he's a superman fan; Gwyneth Paltrow named her kid Apple; Jason Lee (from My Name is Earl) named his son Pilot; Bono from U2 named his child Memphis Eve; Jermaine Jackson (Michael's older brother) named his youngest Jermajesty; and last but not least we have Michael Jackson who named his kids Prince Michael, Paris, and Prince Michael II (otherwise known as Blanket).

KIDS' PARENTS EXPLOITING THEM ON YOUTUBE: I'm not talking about those cute little laughing babies or the kid who let's one rip in the bathtub, I'm talking about the so-called "singing sensations" that are popping up everywhere. It started with Justin Bieber (who I think won't be around in another 2 years or so) and now everyone's child is a superstar. Really? What kid wants to be chased around by paparazzi, be romantically linked to some movie star (at a very young age) and have rumors spread about them? So, who's actually benefiting from all of this the parent's or the child? I am going to go out on a limb and say the parents. Most of them are hoping their kid is the next Justin Bieber (gag, gag, cough) so they can cash in on some of that money. Oh you can say what you want, but that child is going to be sooooooooooo disappointed when their career is over in two years and all they have to show for it is Daddy's new car, Mommy's spa treatments, Mommy's plastic surgery, Mommy and Daddy's island getaway, and Mommy and Daddy's big new house...Oh and let's not forget the divorce and the lawsuit (any lawsuit) regarding money and money usage. Oh yeah, and if I hear one more of these kids sing Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber I think I will puke. Can't they pick something a little more appropriate and original...seriously, if you want your kid to be noticed pick a song from someone with talent.

PARENTS MAKING PROMISES TO THEIR KIDS: I have made small promises to my kids like a lunch at Dairy Queen on the last day of school or something of that nature, but I have never nor will I ever promise them a trip somewhere, a new computer, or anything of that magnitude. I am getting so sick and tired of people telling me...I promised my kids a trip to Disneyland if they got good grades or we promised the kids their own computer. Why do they do this? Is it because the kids rule the roost and they're afraid of upsetting them? Is it because they don't know of any other way to show their love (and in my opinion by doing this you're not showing love you're buying it)? Or are they simply wanting to do and have the things they couldn't when they were children themselves? If you feel that insecure then you need help. I know everyone wants to do better for their kids but is buying them material things the way to go about it? I don't think so. Seriously, all these parents are doing is leading their kids down the wrong road. They are going to grow up thinking that every time they do something good, they will be rewarded. Life's not like that. These parents need to grow up and get a life themselves.

PEOPLE KEEPING THEIR KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GO: Awww. Little Billy doesn't feel like going to school so I'm just going to keep him home, maybe he'll want to go tomorrow. School isn't something to be toyed with people. Unless your kids are sick, you need to travel or it's a snow day, send them to school. I can't tell you how many times I've had parents tell me that their little one didn't want to go to school so they kept them home. Why? Do you really think you're doing your kids a favour? Do you have any idea what you're teaching them? God, this one ticks me off. Education is a privilege and we are living in a country where everyone is allowed to go to school, so why in the hell wouldn't you send your child? So they hate their teacher, don't get along with everyone in the class, or are the smallest...that's going to be the case when they become adults. They aren't always going to like their boss or get along with their co-workers, so what are they going to do, stay home? Don't think so. Just quit making excuses for them and send them to school.

Well, that's just some of what I have been thinking about. I have to go so take care and happy reading.

WHATEVER...

2011-02-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking alot lately, and yes, I do think...although sometimes it does seem to hurt a little. And I've been thinking about this blog and what it means to me. I put my feelings into my writing and my life can be an open book. I have a hard time putting how I feel into words, when I'm with someone, and it comes out so much easier on paper for me. I have received some flack for what I've put up here...people saying that I'm putting out too much information, or that I'm being ignorant or rude. I don't feel that way, everyone needs an outlet and mine is in my writing. So, let's just once again go over some of my blogging rules:

1) It's not about you and your feelings, it's about me and my feelings. If I am angry, I will usually write about it. It's not necessarily about one single incident, it's usually a combination of a couple of things that have built up and I need a release. So, that being said, if you read something I have written and it upsets you, don't take it to heart. You are not so important that I need to ask your permission to write; you're not the Prime Minister, the President, or even the Premier. I write about how I'm feeling and it's not about you, it's about me.

2) I never use names, I very rarely put all the details of anything into my blog, and I never call anyone names (at least not anything worse than idiot or jerk and if these offend you then you need to get a life).

3) If I put personal incidents or information into my blog, it's because I want to do so. So don't make a big deal if a conversation or incident is mentioned that involves you. I don't mention names, so if you get all upset, it's because you know you were in the wrong and are afraid to face the truth.

4) I can back up what I say in my blogs. Whether it comes from personal experience or just some of my opinions, I always make sure I can back it up. So remember that when you make comments, I can back up what I say. Can you do the same?

5) I find it cathartic to write. If I write about the death of my mom, the loss of a friend, something that happens to my kids, something that happens to me; it's because it's therapeutic and makes me feel better. If you don't like what I'm writing then don't read it and don't make comments. We live in a democratic, freedom of speech country and I refuse to be told what I can and can't write about.

These are just a few of my rules. I have many more, but don't get upset with me because you think I'm putting too much out there. I write what I feel and there is nothing illegal or harmful in that. I am an emotional person and I find that writing helps get rid of some of that emotion. I look at it this way, I could call you up and yell at you and call you names, or I could go to your house spit on you, hit you, or kick you in the arse...but I choose not to, I choose to release all that negative energy into my writing. Therefore, YOU need to make a choice to either read what I write and not get offended by it or to not read it at all. Remember, it's your choice and I could care less one way or another what you really think, because after all it is all about ME AND MY FEELINGS

That's it for now.

THE ANGER IN OUR SOULS

2011-02-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was confronted with an anger so intense I could feel it over the phone. It frightened me, angered me, made me sad and made me wonder how someone could have so much anger in their soul. I am still shaken up by the experience; I still jump when the phone rings and I still get that sick feeling in my stomach. I'm hoping that the person responsible for these feelings is remorseful and ready to do something about it. I will forgive but I can NEVER, EVER forget. I will never again trust this person, I won't feel comfortable around them, and I will certainly find it hard to be in the same room with them. That being said, I can't let this person bring me down; I have high blood pressure (I'm sure it's through the roof right now)and I need to keep myself healthy for my family. I would like an apology, but will I ever receive one? I don't know. If I do receive an apology, will it be sincere? I don't know. And personally, right now, I DON'T CARE. I am,however, going to get rid of this negativity I'm feeling and put the energy toward something more cathartic like writing.

As I finish writing this, I am still asking myself how some of us can have so much ANGER IN OUR SOULS.

ATTITUDES

2011-02-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

You know, I'm tired of people's attitudes. Why is it that people can see the wrong in everybody else but not themselves? Why do people think they, their kids, and families can do no wrong? Why do we judge someone by what they have done in the past? Why do we hold grudges against people because we don't agree with their lifestyle or the way they raise their kids? If we want our kids to be happy and treat others with respect, we need to get rid of these attitudes. Why? Because these are just a few of the attitudes that lead to bullying, for both adults and children.

We also have to let go of the past. By not letting go, we are sending out a negative message to our children, spouses, and friends. We are showing them that we are bullies. We need to get rid of these attitudes and do unto others as we would have them do unto us. If we get rid of this negative energy maybe everyone would get along better. I have learned, in the last year, to do just that. You know there is a saying that we've all heard and it's "You can't judge a book by it's cover", and I think I now understand what it actually means. We need to look past the outer layer and see what lies inside, if we don't we may miss out on something good.

We need to stop telling our kids our feelings as well, at least within reason. We have to quit talking about other people in front of our kids because this carries on into school. If we say we don't like a certain person (or the way they dress, or their parents) and say it in front of our kids, they are likely to go to school and treat them badly because of it. Do you know why? Because they are afraid that, if they don't, we might get mad at them. This in itself is a form of psychological bullying. We are getting our kids to do something we are afraid to do ourselves. Think about it. How many of us would go to work and tell someone we aren't going to talk to them because of the colour of their skin, because we think they're raising their kids wrong, or because we don't agree with their lifestyle choice...not many. So, why then is it okay for our kids to do it?

We also need, as a society, to let bygones be bygones and quit holding grudges. I have held grudges for years, and over the last four or five years have quit doing it because it doesn't solve anything. In fact, if anything, it makes us even more negative. If we want our kids to grow up healthy, happy, and to be able to trust their own judgement, we need to show them that we can do it as well. Each time we show that we dislike someone, or someone's lifestyle, or the way someone dresses, our children pick up on it and the negativity starts to build. They learn to hate certain people, to hate the kind of clothing people are wearing, to hate the way someone wears their hair and it just keeps building until it ends in violence of one form or another.

We also have to quit feeding our kids information so they will tell us what we want to hear. We have to quit telling them, in very subtle ways, how we want them to feel. I have heard mothers ask their kids how school went and then after receiving a positive answer, keep prodding about a certain teacher, "friend", or class, until they get that negative response they want. Why do some of us feed on negativity? Sooner or later this builds up in our children and again, this can cause bullying. If they know that mom or dad don't like a certain classmate, but they do and play with them all the time, they will come home after school and say something negative about that person so that mom and dad won't get mad that they were playing with them. I've seen it happen and it makes me sad.

We also have to stop showing our anger and ignorance in physical ways. I'm bad for slamming doors, yelling and throwing things, when I get angry, and now my kids do the same. I've had to learn to tone down my anger and vent in other ways, one of which is writing this blog. Just watch the kids in the schoolyard and you will see what I mean. For example, if a child is playing with a certain group of "friends" and doesn't want another friend to join, they may hold up their hand and say "talk to the hand" when that child asks to play. This is something they learn at home and it's horrible to see. As adults, we need to show our kids positivity not negativity. It's hard, I know, but we need to stop telling them how to feel and just let them feel. So what if a classmate comes from a disfunctional family, so what if his/her parents live above their means, so what if they're a different colour, let our kids play with them and see what happens. If things start happening and our kids start getting into trouble, then we can step in...until then STAY OUT OF IT.

Attitudes are a big thing in our society and we are so afraid of what our spouses, friends, family and children would think of us if we didn't conform. In fact, because of some of these attitudes, I kind of lost touch with someone I was friends with a while ago. She knows who she is, we went out for coffee the other day, and I just want to tell her that I don't judge her, I now have a better understanding of what she's going through and that I'm glad she's finally getting order back into her life (whether she thinks so or not). I'm not proud of what I did and I have made a conscience decision to not let the negativity of others affect my decisions in life any longer. I have always told my kids that they can be friends with anyone they want to regardless of race, skin colour, family and wealth. I am trying to teach them that their classmates opinions don't matter and to just ignore what others say about their friends.

Yes, attitudes are a big influence in today's society and are a big influence when it comes to bullying. If we nip it in the bud now, maybe we can raise a new generation of adults without prejudices. I'm hoping for this, you should too.

SOME THINGS TO GET OFF MY CHEST!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-08T01:07:00.000-07:00

you know, I've been so busy these last few months, I haven't really had a chance to write anything. I am going to try and write on a regular basis and I may as well start now. So today I have a few things to get off my chest and they can't wait.

I would like to know why everybody is bitching about winter. Yes, I used the word bitching. It's cold, it's snowing, it's blowing and IT'S WINTER. What the hell else is it supposed to do in February? Are we supposed to have gentle rain showers, rainbows and have fun playing in the puddles? No, we are supposed to have cold weather at this time of year. That's what happens in WINTER. Suck it up and get over it. The groundhog may not have seen his shadow but that doesn't mean winter is going to stop dead in it's tracks and instantly become spring. Oh, I know, I sound like a hypocrite considering I don't like hot weather in the summer (and I do complain about it)but at least I understand that it's SUMMER and hot weather goes with the territory. I am so sick and tired of weather people saying it's frigidly cold when it's only -15...No, frigidly cold is when it's -35 and it's windy, now that's frigid. All I'm saying is STOP IT! Let's make a deal, if you stop bitching and complaining about the cold and the snow, I'll stop complaining about the heat in the summer...is it a deal?

You know what else bugs me? It's people who won't let their kids watch the Simpsons because of some of the topics of the show, but they will let them listen to people like Lady Gaga, Nickleback, Pink, and all CRAPPY rappers. Now, the Simpson's may be controversial with some of their topics, but at least kids don't idolize them the way they do these celebrities. Seriously, young children are singing songs that have suggestive lyrics, swearing, and racist comments and yet the parents don't seem to care. What's up with that? Get your priorities straight. At least my kids know that the Simpson's are a fake, superficial, non-stereotypical family and a cartoon for god's sake. But, you try and explain to your kids why Lady Gaga wears a meat dress or what Chad Kroeger (from Nickleback) is talking about when he sings "Something in Your Mouth." Think about it.

Well, those were just two of the many things that I wanted to say. But, I'm getting tired now and I should be going to bed...don't worry, I'll probably come up with more tomorrow. I'm so tired I can't even think clearly and I keep putting my fingers on the wrong keys. So I guess I'll just have to add to this another day.

HAVE YOU EVER...

2011-02-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

HAVE YOU EVER...gone for a walk in the rain and played in the puddles?

HAVE YOU EVER...gone to Costco only for the free samples?

HAVE YOU EVER...gone into a candy store and bought something you haven't eaten since you were a child?

HAVE YOU EVER...taken a peek into someone else's medicine chest?

HAVE YOU EVER...been so scared you wet your pants?

HAVE YOU EVER...laughed at someone else's misfortune?

HAVE YOU EVER...wished you were someone else?

HAVE YOU EVER...been so angry with someone you trash-talked them behind their back?

HAVE YOU EVER...cried or told a sad story to get out of a speeding ticket?

HAVE YOU EVER...started laughing and couldn't stop?

HAVE YOU EVER...been so embarrassed you started crying?

HAVE YOU EVER...loved someone so much you would die for them?

HAVE YOU EVER...lied to anyone about your finances?

HAVE YOU EVER...deliberately made a baby cry?

HAVE YOU EVER...been so mad you threw something?

HAVE YOU EVER...hugged your spouse/partner and not want to let go?

HAVE YOU EVER...quit talking to someone for no apparent reason?

HAVE YOU EVER...done something wrong and blamed it on someone else?

HAVE YOU EVER...spent money that wasn't yours?

HAVE YOU EVER done any of the above? If you have, you're human...if you haven't you're lying.

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED

2011-01-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

I have learned that Autism can be a gift from God.

I have learned that writing makes me happy.

I have learned that I like having grey hair.

I have learned that being an artist doesn't mean someone is eccentric.

I have learned that it's fun to walk hand-in-hand in the mall with my daughter and sing songs.

I have learned that boys don't like getting hugs and kisses from "Mom" after the age of 10.

I have learned that my husband loves me even if I'm not perfect.

I have learned how to speak my mind without being ignorant.

I have learned that I can be a good leader.

I have learned that cake batter can be better than the baked cake itself.

I have learned that crying can be cathartic.

I have learned that giving my husband a hug/kiss for no reason at all makes us both happy.

I have learned that I would die for my kids.

I have learned that wearing bifocals isn't a curse, it's "COOL".

I have learned that reading relaxes me.

I have learned that I like playing video games.

I have learned that just sitting with my husband watching TV in the evening, is better than going out.

I have learned how fun it is to be four years old, again.

I have learned that my dad loves me even if he doesn't say it.

I have learned that my brothers are my best friends.

I have learned that my best friend is more like a sister.

I have learned that I hurt when someone close to me loses a loved one.

I have learned that I can sometimes act like a child and it can be fun.

And most of all, I have learned that I love being me.

CONTROVERSY AND COVER UP?

2010-03-31T08:54:00.002-06:00

Okay, this one is a very touchy subject, but I need to vent about it because it involves my parents, family, friends, everyone in the Catholic Church either directly or indirectly. I've been thinking about this one for a few days, I have been trying to figure out how to put into words the way that I feel, I have a lot of friends on facebook who will read this and may get very angry, but it can't be helped. I have some things that need to be said and I'm going to say it now.

I'm talking, of course, about the sexual abuse that has taken place in the Catholic Church. Now, don't get me wrong, I know it has taken place in other churches and I am in no way saying that only Catholics are responsible for these horrific, sickening, acts, but I am a member of that church Damn it and I deserve to have my voice heard. It sickens me to think that anybody could do anything to kids, but it especially sickens me to think that Priests can be responsible for something as horrible as this and that the Church would rather look away than do anything about it. I can't believe that someone, like the Pope, would rather deny any allegations than look into why it's happened. For those of you who aren't Catholic, I found a catholic website that explains the role of the pope and I have included an exerpt in this writing:

To fulfill the teaching office of their pastoral ministry, the Apostles and their successors, the bishops, are given a gift of infallibility in matters of faith and morals. The Pope, as head of the college of bishops, enjoys this gift of infallibility in a unique sense. As pastor and supreme teacher of all the faithful, and charged with the responsibility to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith, the Pope may proclaim as definitive a point of doctrine touching faith and morals.

When the Church, by her Magisterium, proposes something to be believed as being revealed by God in Jesus Christ, a Catholic is obliged to adhere to the definition with the obedience of faith. When the Magisterium proposes something not in a definitive way but so as to help the faithful in a better understanding of God's Revelation, a Catholic is obliged to give to such teaching the religious assent of his spirit.

It is, therefore, the Pope's role, as it was that of Peter, to guide the community of Christ's faithful, to safeguard them in the truth, and to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith made possible in Jesus Christ.

So, it states that the Pope's role is to "guide the community in Christ's faithful" and "to safeguard them in the truth". Safeguard them in the truth...have any of the Popes in the past decades done this about the sexual abuse allegations that have come forward? To me it doesn't seem like it. Maybe, in the Church, safeguarding means to keep stuff under wraps. It shouldn't be like this, we deserve the right to know what is going on. People are losing faith in our Church, I'm beginning to lose faith. Something needs to be done both legally and Pontifically to bring out these truths and punish those who need to be punished.

Another quote states:
In order to maintain the Church in the purity of the faith transmitted by the Apostles, Jesus conferred on Her a participation in His own infallibility. "Infallibility" means "immunity from error". It is a gift of the Holy Spirit which protects the Church from error when the Church solemnly defines a matter of faith or morals.

By a supernatural sense of the faith, the People of God under the leadership of the living Magisterium (the teaching office of the bishops) attach themselves indefectibly to the apostolic faith. The pastoral ministry of the Magisterium is ordered, therefore, to safeguard the People of God in the truth. This teaching office is not above the word of God, but serves it.

So, infallibity means immunity from error. Is the church so large an entity that it is immune from these monstrosities? In the Church's definition of the above, does denial become a part or whole of what has happened to these children? This needs to be looked at, carefully. This could become, and probably already is, the biggest cover up in all of history. How can we let this continue? The last line is the key here, "this teaching office is not above the word of God, but serves it." I think, somehow, this has become twisted in the minds of those involved. They think they are above God because they have power over the helpless.

I think this bible quote says it all. Psalm 118:8 "It is better to take refuge in the Lord; than to put confidence in Mortals." Have we put too much confidence in the Pope,Cardinals and Priests? Is it time to put our confidence back in the Lord? We need to pray that he will lead the Pope and all Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests back to the path of righteousness. We need faith that God Above can help us heal this "disease" that has afflicted the church.

In conclusion, I want you all to know that I am in no way anti-catholic. I still go to Church and I still teach my children the ways of the Church. I simply believe that we have lost our way and have lost our direction in the Lord. We need to bring this out in the open and deal with it or the Church will begin to fall. More and more people are leaving the church. Why? Do they feel uncomfortable with some of it's teachings? Do they have that underlying feeling that something isn't right? I know I do sometimes. Please don't hate me for writing this, just read it and express your opinions in a kind and pleasant manner...I haven't been mean, neither should you.

MY TOP 100 SONGS

2010-03-11T14:47:00.002-07:00

Okay, so as you may or may not have heard, Roseanne Cash has a new CD out and it's entitled "The List". Apparently, when she was about 18 and went on the road with her dad, she didn't know much about country music so he gave her a list of 100 Country songs that he said epitomized country music. After many years, she re-read that list and thus recorded a new album. No, she hasn't used all 100, but I do believe that there are about 10 or 12 songs on this one. So, following that direction, I am offering to you my top 100 songs that should be on a CD or CD collection of my choice. And here they are in no apparent order:

1) HURT - JOHNNY CASH (I'm usually not one for covers, but this one gets to me)
2) ROXEANNE - THE POLICE
3) DON'T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME - THE POLICE
4) MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE - THE POLICE
5) FULSOM PRISON BLUES - JOHNNY CASH
6) COCAINE BLUES - GEORGE THOROUGHGOOD
7) DIRTY DEEDS - AC/DC
8) I WANT YOU TO WANT ME - CHEAPTRICK
9) HOTEL CALIFORNIA - THE EAGLES
10) MARGARITAVILLE - JIMMY BUFFETT
11) NOWHERE MAN - THE BEATLES
12) NORWEGIAN WOOD - THE BEATLES
13) BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS - JIMMY HORTON
14) SINK THE BISMARCK - JIMMY HORTON
15) 24 HOURS FROM TULSA - GENE PITNEY
16) SHAMELESS - GARTH BROOKS
17) THE THUNDER ROLLS - GARTH BROOKS
18) BURNING RING OF FIRE - JOHNNY CASH
19) BOY NAMED SUE - JOHNNY CASH
20) TENNESSEE FLAT TOP BOX - ROSEANNE CASH
21) BIG IRON - MARTY ROBBINS
22) GHOSTRIDERS IN THE SKY - MARTY ROBBINS
23) I GOTTA FEELING - THE BLACK EYED PEAS
24) COALMINER'S DAUGHTER - LORETTA LYNN
25) ROSE GARDEN - LYNN ANDERSON
26) DIANA - PAUL ANKA
27) CALENDAR GIRL - NEIL SEDAKA
28) WHAT'S NEW PUSSY CAT - TOM JONES
29) THRILLER - MICHAEL JACKSON
30) THE WALL - PINK FLOYD
31) I DON'T LIKE MONDAYS - BOOMTOWN RATS
32) SHE'S SO HIGH - TAL BACHMAN
33) THESE EYES - THE GUESS WHO
34) SHE'S COME UNDONE - THE GUESS WHO
35) YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET - BTO
36) TAKIN' CARE OF BUSINESS - BTO
37) SPIRIT IN THE SKY - DOCTOR AND THE MEDICS
38) DANCING QUEEN - ABBA
39) SUPER TROOPER - ABBA
40) FERNANDO - ABBA
41) PAINT IT BLACK - THE ROLLING STONES
42) YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG - AC/DC
43) BETH - KISS
44) LICK IT UP - KISS
45) DETROIT ROCK CITY - KISS
46) HEAVEN'S ON FIRE - KISS
47) I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN' YOU - KISS
48) WONDERFUL WORLD - LOUIS ARMSTRONG
49) ONLY YOU - THE PLATTERS
50) LOVE IS ALL AROUND - WET, WET, WET
51) LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER - THE CAPTAIN AND TENILLE
52) CLOSE TO YOU - THE CARPENTER'S
53) CALLING OCCUPANTS OF INTERPLANETARY CRAFT - THE CARPENTERS
54) HURTING EACH OTHER - THE CARPENTERS
55) 25/25 - ZAGER AND EVANS
56) ONE TIN SOLDIER - ORIGINAL CASTE
57) SEASONS IN THE SUN - THE POPPY FAMILY
58) CONCRETE SEA - TERRY JACKS
59) FUNKYTOWN - LIPPS INC.
60) STARTING OVER - JOHN LENNON
61) OH WOMAN - JOHN LENNON
62) WATCHING THE WHEELS - JOHN LENNON
63) SOMEONE'S KNOCKIN' AT THE DOOR - PAUL MCCARTNEY AND WINGS
64) SILLY LOVE SONGS - PAUL MCCARTNEY AND WINGS
65) BLACKBIRD - THE BEATLES
66) THE LONG WAY HOME - SUPER TRAMP
67) SHE AIN'T PRETTY - NORTHERN PIKES
68) PARENTS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND - DJ JAZZY JEFF AND THE FRESH PRINCE
69) SNOOPY VS. RED BARON - THE ROYAL GUARDSMAN
70) KODACHROME - SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
71) ME AND JULIO - SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
72) HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT - PAT BENETAR
73) MANIC MONDAY - THE BANGLES
74) MORNING TRAIN - SHEENA EASTON
75) PURPLE RAIN - PRINCE
76) WHEN DOVES CRY - PRINCE
77) YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE - DEBBY BOONE
78) WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN - THE BANGLES
79) KARMA CHAMELEON - BOY GEORGE
80) STAND BY YOUR MAN - TAMMY WYNETTE
81) PAPA DON'T PREACH - MADONNA
82) LITTLE PRAYER - MADONNA
83) I'M CRAZY FOR YOU - MADONNA
84) RAGDOLL - AEROSMITH
85) SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE - AEROSMITH
86) SWEET EMOTION - AEROSMITH
87) MY WAY - FRANK SINATRA
88) LOVE AND MARRIAGE - FRANK SINATRA
89) THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING - NANCY SINATRA
90) KING OF THE ROAD - ROGER MILLER
91) MICKY - TONI BASIL
92) MAJOR TOM - DAVID BOWIE
93) THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA - VICKI LAWRENCE
94) IN THE GHETTO - ELVIS PRESLEY
95) IT'S HARD TO BE HUMBLE - MAC DAVIS
96) I'VE BEEN EVERYWHERE - HANK SNOW
97) TIME AFTER TIME - CYNDI LAUPER
98) ALL THOSE YEARS AGO - GEORGE HARRISON
99) HERE COMES THE SUN - GEORGE HARRISON
100) SINGLE LADIES - BEYONCE

Well, that's my top 100 so if you ever want to burn a CD for me, you know what songs I would like on it. Now, on the flip side, here are 10 songs no one should ever have on a CD:

1) YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG - SHANIA TWAIN
2) PARADISE CITY - PAT BOONE
3) SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT - PAUL ANKA
4) CRAZY TRAIN - PAT BOONE
5) WORKIN' IN A COAL MINE - THE JUDDS
6) I LOVE YOU/ YOU LOVE ME - BARNEY
7) YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG - CELINE DION AND ANASTASIA
8) BLITZKRIEG BOP - ROB ZOMBIE
9) ACHY, BREAKY HEART - BILLY RAY CYRUS
10) YELLOW LEDBETTER - PEARL JAM (THIS ONE'S ON HERE ONLY BECAUSE I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THE DAMN WORDS).

Well, that's all for now. Enjoy your music.

TATTOOS

2010-02-19T10:12:00.002-07:00

You know, I've always liked tattoos, I think they're cool and some of them are simply amazing, and if I ever got one it would involve a blood red heart, a siamese cat and my name in pink letters. Don't laugh, I'm serious. I have friends who have had tatts for a long time, a friend who just got one, and relatives with them, but I will never get one. I love looking at them and if you have one I will look at it, admire it, and even comment on it, but don't expect to do the same for me. Why? You may be asking yourself, so here it is, or here they are, the reasons I will never, ever, get a tattoo.

1) A tattoo involves needles or a needle, I'm not exactly sure how it's done, but I know that the word needle is in there somewhere. I have an affinity to needles, I know it sounds pathetic, but you are looking at the girl who played sick when it was time to get her booster shots in high school and didn't get them until her daughter was born. Just the thought of a needle piercing my skin a 100 times per second or whatever just gives me the creeps. In fact, just thinking about it, I can feel those horrible shivers going up and down my spine and I've broken out in goosebumps and a cold sweat.

2) Most Tattoo Artists have piercings in places I never knew existed. I'm not comfortable getting a tattoo from some guy or chick with a chain going from their ears, to their tongue, to other body parts. Don't ask me why, it's just a fear of mine. What if the chain gets stuck on the tattoo needle and I end up with some form of infection because the needle became contaminated. I know, it will probably never happen, but it's me and strange things happen to me.

3) I might be allergic to the ink. Imagine that, I go in for a tattoo on my bicep and come out looking like popeye because of an allergic reaction. Seriously, it can happen, or at least it could to me. I really don't want to lose my arm to flesh eating disease because of a tattoo. What kind of story is that to tell your grandkids. If I lose an arm it better be because it got chewed off by a shark or was injured while I was rescuing people from a burning building or something.

4) If I change my mind I have to get it removed with a laser. Lasers should only be used in cutting diamonds, mining, and killing extra-terrestrials who are invading, not removing tattoos. I would really rather not spend hundreds maybe thousands of dollars getting tattoos removed because I was young and impetuous, or just plain drunk and stupid.

5) Tattoos are a form of art and my body isn't the proper canvas. Seriously, in my mind, I need to be 21, single, with a body to die for, not a 42 year old mother of three, with a body that's beyond reviving.

6) I worry about sagging. Not just my skin and body as I get older, but my tattoo. Think about it, I get a tattoo of an eagle on my upper arm and then with age I get that flapping skin under my arm and the eagle looks like he's died and is taking a dive. Or worse yet, I get a nice little tattoo on my butt, and then as I get older it just gets bigger and bigger until it's stretched beyond recognition.

The only time I think I would ever get a tattoo is after having a mastectomy or some other form of cancer treatment. When you fight cancer you fight a battle and you carry battle scars. I feel that these should be highlighted. A woman who loses her breast or her hair should show that she has won the battle and this is the way I feel. If anything like this happens to me, I will go out and get that tattoo and fight off the squeamishness of the needles, close my mind to the look of the tattoo artist, not worry about age or sagging and I will make sure that I'm not allergic to the ink. Oh yeah, I will also make sure that they knock me out and wait until I'm in a deep sleep, or at least a drunken stooper before anyone ever takes a needle to me.

Oh yeah, about Kat Von D., just check out this site, and you will get to see what a real artist can do with skin.

WHERE DOES THE TRUTH LIE??????

2010-01-19T22:31:00.002-07:00

Okay, so here's the deal. The bullying situation at school...Was it happening? In a way, yes. Was it happening to my daughter? In a way, yes. Was it happening to her best friend? In a way, yes. Was it happening to the other girls in her class? For the most part, yes. How was it happening? They were being absolutely rude and disgusting to each other and I think it had gone so far that they couldn't stand to be with each other anymore. So who's to blame? Who do we believe? Where does the truth lie? As I found out today, and it's something I already knew, you have to listen to all sides of the story and truth is usually somewhere in the middle.

As a mother, you don't want to believe that your daughter is capable of being one of "those" girls, but you know it can happen. Still, when you're confronted with the truth, you are more willing to blame someone else than blame your own child. You don't want to believe she can be capable of those things, you don't want to believe that she has become "that" girl. And I think you become afraid because you see a little bit of yourself in your daughter. It's scary as Hell. I don't want to go through this again.

My best friend and I confronted each other over this and when I think of what could have happened to that friendship it makes me cry. But, we joined together and decided to nip the "bully" problem in the bud. We each took our daughters home, sat them down, and gave them a talk that, I think, would make our mothers proud. We sat them down, and calmly (yes, I said calmly...you can ask my daughter, I didn't raise my voice once. Although, I think that's what scared her more than anything) asked them what had been going on and forced them to tell us the truth. We told them how this had affected us and what had happened between us. We made them open their hearts and see what they were doing, not only to each other, but to the others around them. We scared them, we didn't blame them. We told them the whole class was having issues and we wanted them to be the ones to start turning things around. They talked to each other on the phone, apologized, and promised to do their best to do what's right. Now, is it going to last? I hope so, but I think we may still have some lows along with the highs. I mean, they're kids right. Nobody is perfect, especially children, and we can't expect them to be. We can only turn them toward that path of righteousness, so to speak, and hope they continue in the proper direction.

Yes, I learned a valuable lesson today. It's very easy to blame someone else for your problems, but you always need to ask that one very important question: "Where does the truth lie?"

As for my friend and I, I think we might be closer than we were before. This made us open our eyes and see each other in a different way. We cried a little, we laughed a little, and we are able to talk about it without any bitterness. We have made it through our first "dilemma" together and we have learned that communication is a necessity if you're going to make a friendship work.

VACCINATIONS - MYTHS, FACTS, AND STATISTICS

2009-10-30T09:27:00.005-06:00

I'm on a roll and I want to rant, so here's your second blog in one day, actually in one hour. Not bad, hey.

Anyway, let's get back to the topic of Vaccinations. I am pro-inoculation. I believe they work, if they didn't we would still have polio and diphtheria outbreaks, as well as more frequent outbreaks of mumps, measles, rubella and whooping cough (pertussis). Science has proven that they work, time has shown that they work, and even some third world countries who have started vaccinating have seen drops in some of these diseases. However, when it comes to shots for stuff like Chicken Pox, Meningitis, and/or the flu, I don't think they're necessary. Chicken Pox is a childhood disease and yes, in some rare (very rare) cases it has caused death, but in most cases it is just a very uncomfortable rash that lasts about a week or so. The meningitis vaccine is only for bacterial meningitis and has no protection over viral meningitis, and because there are so many strains of this disease as well, I don't think it's that effective. As for the flu vaccine, I feel the same way, there are so many strains and they always seem to be a year behind.

My opinion on the other vaccines are very strong. People will argue that we haven't had an outbreak of polio in Canada in years so why are we still vaccinating? The answer is simple, if we stop, it can and probably will return. You have to remember that there are still people out there who haven't been vaccinated and probably carry the disease. If we quit vaccinating, all it takes is one of these people to pass it on to someone else and there you go, the cycle begins. Hell, we had an outbreak of measles in the Picture Butte area about 10 years ago and many young babies under the age of two months died. Why? Because there are a majority of people living in that area that don't vaccinate and someone visited relatives overseas, carried it back with them and that's all it took. Anyway here we go with some myths, facts, and statistics:

1) VACCINATIONS CAUSE AUTISM
Wrong. There is no proof that vaccinations cause autism. There are Doctors and activists out there that will tell you otherwise but there is no substantial evidence to support this idea. What has happened is that the Internet has opened a floodgate of information that the general public can't necessarily interpret properly so they jump to their own conclusions. The fact that autism usually presents itself between 12 and 18 months (at the time when children get their last two boosters/shots) has no correlation with the vaccinations being given. Autism has always been around, but was misdiagnosed as mental retardation and so forth, even before regular vaccinations were given.

2) DEADLY DISEASES ARE A THING OF THE PAST, THEREFORE I DON'T NEED TO VACCINATE
Wrong. Most of the diseases our children are immunized against have been eradicated from North America. However, in the 70's and 80's Japan and Britain quit giving routine vaccinations for Pertussis (whooping cough) and epidemics erupted. If a child hasn't been vaccinated yet (this vaccine isn't given until two months, I believe) they can catch it quite easily and in most cases, at this age, it can be deadly. Outbreaks of Pertussis, Measles and other diseases could have been prevented if children had been vaccinated. From a statistical point of view, the US measles epidemic of 1989-1990 resulted in 55,000 cases of measles, 11,000 hospitalizations, and 123 deaths. Most patients who died were unimmunized preschool children.

3) THE SHOT WILL MAKE MY CHILD SICK
Again, wrong. The shot will not make your child sick. A lot of children have mild effects from the shot such as low-grade fever, pain at the site of the shot, even a slight rash. A major or deadly reaction is very rare, which is why they ask you to stay for 15 minutes after the shot is given to make sure they don't go into anaphylactic shock, this, if it happens, happens right away.

4) MY CHILD IS SICK, HE OR SHE CAN'T GET HER SHOTS
Again, wrong. Boy are you on a roll. Unless they are running a high fever, they can still get their shots. They may be a little irritable, but that's better than death, isn't it?

5) ONCE MY CHILD IS VACCINATED AS A BABY, HE/SHE IS VACCINATED FOR LIFE
Five for five, not bad. Some of these shots require boosters a few years apart to keep the immunity going. In fact, most children don't have immunity until they get their second MMR (Mumps, Measles and Rubella) vaccination.

There are also stories out there that vaccines contain Mercury - some of them do but only in very small doses to preserve the virus in the vaccine and small enough that the body can eliminate it as waste. FYI (live vaccines like MMR {Mumps, Measles, Rubella} do not contain mercury as it can kill the virus and make the vaccine unusable.) Some vaccines do contain formaldehyde, but again, it's in such small amounts that it can't harm the body. And no vaccine contains any anti-freeze, some people have started stories about this one as well because of one of the chemicals used in making some vaccines and I know nothing about chemistry so you will have to look this one up yourself.

There is a lot of information out there and that's the problem. The general public now has access to information that used to be available only to the Medical community. Because we have access to this type of information we draw our own conclusions from it, and this is what causes deceptions about vaccinations. If you have concerns and questions talk to your Doctor he/she should be able to answer them for you and interpret what you have pulled off the Internet, properly. I'm sure alot of these people who have said that vaccinations are harmful have done research but I also think they have twisted that information to suit their needs.

PLEASE PEOPLE, VACCINATE YOUR CHILDREN. IT'S THE BEST THING WE CAN DO FOR THEM, WHAT'S A LITTLE PAIN COMPARED TO A LOT OF DEATH.

MY "PHYSICAL" FEARS

2009-10-14T10:18:00.004-06:00

So, I go into the Doctor for my physical a couple of weeks ago, and of course, like most other people I was a nervous wreck. Is there anything wrong with me, probably not, but I always have those nagging questions and worries in the back of my mind.

BEFORE the visit I worry about my weight. Have I gained more? Have I lost any? Should I take off my shoes when I get weighed? Should I lift one foot off the scale just a centimetre or two to make me seem lighter? Can I tell them I'm suffering from pre-menstrual bloat and that's why I'm heavier? And will they believe me? I worry about maybe having some kind of cancer or strange disease. Should I tell them about the lump I found on my arm that looks mysteriously like a mosquito bite? Should I tell them I went on the Internet and I think I have some weird form of cancer that only strikes men in the their 80's, but for some reason I have the symptoms? I worry I may be diabetic. Should I tell them about the whole cake I ate and the 2 litre bottle of COKE I drank while I watched the heart wrenching season premiere of "GREY'S ANATOMY". I didn't, but I could have. Should I tell them that I like to drink coffee but I hate the taste so much that I add 3 - 4 teaspoons of sugar to hide the bitter after taste. This I do.

DURING the visit I worry about what to do with myself and my clothes while I wait. After they get me into the examining room and tell me to get undressed, many thoughts go through my head. Should I leave my socks on or is that an examination fashion faux pas? Should I put on that horrible robe with the opening in the front or the back? If I put it on with the opening in the back (and it's supposed to go in the front) will I look like an idiot? If I put it on with the opening in the front (and it's supposed to go in the back) will I look cheap and easy? If I'm the only one in the room, should I close that little curtain to get undressed? Are there hidden cameras in the room and are they all laughing at me as they watch? Should I take off my panties and fold them nicely and then hide them under the rest of my clothes, or just leave them out there in the open for everyone to see whether or not I wore my "Granny" panties today? Don't laugh, we all do it. Which is kind of funny considering they aren't there to look at your underwear, they are there to look at your Vajayjay which is all out in the open. Should I sit in the chair demurely (or as demure as you can get wearing one of those gowns) and wait for the Doctor to come in? Or, should I sit up on the examining table dangling my legs like a little kid? Now the Doctor enters. Should I say "Hey, Doc, how's it going? Let's get on with it." and then put my feet up in the stirrups? Or does that make me seem too eager? And, what am I eager about? Should I drop or open the gown (which I probably have on wrong anyway) so my Doctor can do her breast exam or should I wait for her to ask me to? Should I hold my breath while she takes my blood pressure? Will this make it lower? It's probably high anyway because of the anxiety I'm suffering about her seeing my underwear. Now it's time for the exam. Do I wait for her to ask me to put my feet in the stirrups or do I just do it? Do I scooch down the exam table when it's time and hope I don't slide off? Believe me, when you have short legs like I do, you're almost laying on the bottom edge of the table. What if I get gassy when she's doing the exam? What if I let one rip? Do I quietly slide off the table, get dressed, and slip out while she's passed out on the floor? What if she does something that tickles? What if I laugh? Does that mean I like it? Is she going to think I'm some sort of freak who gets off on that sort of thing?

AFTER the exam,while she sits at her desk entering all the information about me on to her computer, how do I get dressed? Do I slide off the table (because my legs are short it's a jump not a slide) and show her my bare ass while I get my clothes, or do I try and reach for the clothes and get dressed under the gown without falling off the table? What if I do fall off the table? What will she put on my chart for that? I don't want to know. Do I quickly grab for my panties that are under the other clothes I've worn, or do I simply go "commando" so she doesn't see my panties? Will she say anything if she sees me go "commando"? Do I put my bra on first or my panties? Maybe I should put my socks on first? Wait a minute, I left them on during the exam, heaven forbid she sees my naked feet. Now that I'm dressed I wait. Do I ask her if all is good down there? Should I wait for her to say something, or should I just start some stupid conversation that makes no sense? Should I ask her (and this is something I've always wanted to ask her), do you like doing PAP smears? What if she says "Yes"? Do I ask why or just simply let it go?

Well, that's it in a nutshell. Way too much information for you? You hope I don't write more about this? Well, guess what? We all go through the same thing at least once a year. If you're a woman, I know you've had some of these questions go through your head at one point or another. If you haven't you're strange. If you're a man, you've probably gone through similar things but I know nothing about the prostate so I won't say anymore. Anyway, think about all of this when you go in for your next physical and let's see how you do?

Ta Ta...

FAMILY REUNION

2009-08-25T01:36:00.002-06:00

I just came back from a Family Reunion (a small one, but a reunion nonetheless) where the food was great, the company was awesome, the liquor was flowing and the conversation was never-ending. Needless to say, I had a wonderful time.

It was great getting together with everyone, especially my two older brothers and my dad. The last time we were all together was about nine years ago (give or take a few months). I come from a small but very close family, and we don't get a chance to see each other very often. My dad and my oldest brother live in Saskatchewan, my next oldest brother lives in Japan with his family, and I live in Alberta. Needless to say, it's hard to get together on a regular basis. We talk on Skype regularly, or on the phone, but it's not the same. I think it's more personal if you actually get to sit down and talk to each other face to face.

Anyway, all I can say is I had a good time. I also learned a few things and I would like to share them with you.

I LEARNED THAT...my kids' screaming, yelling and fighting, doesn't get on my nerves as much when other people are around.

I LEARNED THAT...big brothers will always be annoying pests, even when we're all adults.

I LEARNED THAT...you can learn a lot about other people, just by observing them when they're not paying attention.

I LEARNED THAT...my Aunt is a much better badminton player than me.

I LEARNED THAT...bending over and accidentally "floating an air biscuit" isn't as much embarrassing, as it is funny. It's like being a kid again. (Thank you Miki for making me laugh so hard)

I LEARNED THAT...I can harass my brothers as much as they harass me, without any hurt feelings.

I LEARNED THAT...I can still get sore ribs from laughing too hard.

I LEARNED THAT...roasted, burned, marshmallows are still as good as when I was a kid, only I can't eat as many because of the "air biscuit" problem. Too much information on this one?

I LEARNED THAT...my brother sure knows how to pick 'em.

I LEARNED THAT...I cry like a baby when I say "Goodbye", geez that was embarrassing.

I LEARNED THAT...even though we are all separated by an ocean and a province, we can still get together and it's like no time has passed.

Well, that's my take on this Family Reunion. I had a good time, I ate too much, drank too little, talked until my throat got sore, and wished I could do it all over again the day I left.

I LOVE YOU GUYS.

SOME OF MY FAVOURITE MOVIE QUOTES

2009-08-14T15:09:00.002-06:00

I have watched many movies in my life time and I have also re-watched them over and over and over again. Some I have memorized, some I have almost memorized and some I don't want to memorize. Some are funny, some are sad, and some are just plain stupid. Anyway, as a tribute to this, I am now going to tell you some of my favourite movie quotes of all time and why. You may not like any of them, you may like some of them, or you may like a few, you may also wonder "why?" Well, that's for me to know and you to find out, so here they are in no particular order:

1) "I would rather be his whore than your wife!" This one is from the movie "TITANIC". It's what Rose (Kate Winslet) says to her fiance Cal Hockley (Billy Zane) when he tells her that if she leaves him for Jack Dawson (Leo DeCaprio)she will be 'nothing more than a whore to a gutter rat.' I heard this and I thought "wow, that's gotta hurt." It's one hell of a thing to say when a ship is about to sink.

2) "Do you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in France?" This is what Vince asks Jules in "PULP FICTION". It's actually an ongoing conversation, but it is absolutely hilarious. At least I think it is. I mean, think about it, how many mob guys drive around in cars talking about burgers? Maybe a lot, maybe none, but it made me belly laugh non-the-less. I'm not going to quote the whole conversation, but you can read it at www.urbandictionary.com just type in royale with cheese.

3) "You take the blonde and I'll take the one with the turban" This one is a classic from "YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN". It is only one of many, but it was one of the best. It's what Igor says after Frederich asks him to help with the bags. It's just too funny. It's one of those things that makes me laugh just thinking about it. This movie is full of one-liners so funny you could almost pee your pants laughing (and I think I have...oh,oh, I wasn't supposed to tell you that.) Nobody could play Igor better than Marty Feldman.

4) "Riddle me this, riddle me that, who's afraid of the big black bat?" Okay, if you don't know who the big, black bat is, you need to die. It's batman you idiot. And this one is from the movie "BATMAN FOREVER". Jim Carey was a perfect Riddler and Val Kilmer was Batman. It's just so synonymous with the old Batman TV show, and I love it.

5) "And you must be Max." This one is from "THE LOST BOYS" and was a great line. Okay, you are probably wondering why it's such a great line and why I don't have the complete quote...it just is and I don't have to. Max (Edward Herman and also head vampire) comes to the door to talk to Lucy (Dianne Wiest) and Michael (Jason Patric) opens the door. I like this one, not only because Jason Patric looked very "hot" at the time, but it was his tone of voice. It just kind of stuck in my head and every time I watch this move I wait for that quote as well as this one "One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach, all the damn vampires." This one is from Grandpa. Again, this movie is just full of funny, idiotic quotes, but it is great. By the way, this is one of my top ten favourite movies of all time.

6) "MOOOOOTTTTHHHEERRRR!" This one is from Norman Bates in "Psycho and Psycho II", need I explain further. Nobody plays a psycho better than Anthony Perkins and this was one of his finest lines or yells in this case.

7) "Frankly My Dear, I Don't Give a Damn". We've all heard this one from "GONE WITH THE WIND". Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) says it to Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh). It was the first time a "swear" word was ever used in a Major Motion Picture and apparently it missed the cutting room floor. I think it's great.

8) "They're Heeerrre." Oh, yes, a classic from "POLTERGEIST". This movie scared the crap out of me and still scares me to this day. This quote scared me so bad, I still refuse to sleep with the TV on a snowy channel. If you've never seen Poltergeist, you have no idea what you're missing.

9) "Non!" This one is from Mel Brooks' "SILENT MOVIE". Now, why would I quote something from a silent movie, I will quote it because it is the only word spoken in the movie, the rest was all subtitled. It was spoken by, the famous...wait a minute, watch it for yourself and find out.

10) "Knight jumps queen! Bishop jumps queen! Pawns jump queen! *Gang bang*!" If you've ever seen Mel Brooks "HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART I", you will understand this one. It's just so Mel Brooks, so dry, so funny, and so hilarious. Again, this is only one of many. Oh and if you're wondering about this quote...King Louis the XVI had a human chess board on the front lawn of the palace and the Queen was a hottie. It makes for real funny viewing.

Well, that's all for now. Hope you enjoyed these ones and if you didn't, too damn bad, it just means that I'm you're intellectual superior and I will always be better than you. Now go and watch these movies (if you haven't already) and find some more quotes.

SINCE WHEN....

2009-06-18T14:49:00.002-06:00

I want to know...Since when did it become parents' choice as to what teachers their kids have, what classes they should and shouldn't take, and what school their kids can go to? I don't understand this way of thinking. Isn't that what School Boards are for? Do we now belong in a society where I, as a parent, "rule the school"? When the Hell did this happen? And when is it going to end? I don't know, maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I don't think a parent should have a say in any of the above, and I certainly don't think that they should be in charge. That's why we have Principals and Vice-Principals. I'm bringing this up because my children's school is getting smaller and smaller for all of these reasons. It's not right at all. Suck it up people. You don't pull your child out of a school because you heard bad things about the teacher of the Grade they are going into, or because you "heard" something about another teacher that may or not be true, and you certainly don't pull your kids out of a school because someone said another school is better. How do you know any of this is true? Do you always believe everything you hear? Do you have proof about anything? Until you do, I think you need to take a deep breath, step back, and take a look at yourself. You should be ashamed. Why? Because you have now become the one thing you have taught (or hopefully taught) your kids they don't want to be...a follower. I say Wake Up and smell the coffee.

Since when did it become "Okay" for parents to pull their children out of school for unimportant things like shopping excursions and trips. This can be done at other times of the year, that's what Christmas and Summer Holidays are for. I have never done any of these things, although, I have booked Doctor appointments during school time, only because I had to. Okay, I have pulled my kids out of school early so we could drive into Saskatchewan, but I have never taken them out of school so we could go to Hawaii, Cuba, Mexico, or of all things, Disney Land. Are they going to die without these things? Are they going to go to Hell if they don't do them? I don't think so, but you might, if you don't stop buying their affection. I'm tired of hearing people say "we promised them this trip a few years ago", maybe you shouldn't promise your kids anything and you wouldn't be in this dilemma. I have not and I won't ever promise my kids anything of this kind. Besides, it's usually some sort of bribe that parents give their kids..."We promise that you can go for a weekend at the West Edmonton Mall if you get good grades this year." Bribing your kids to get good grades? Yeah, that's helpful isn't it. And what if you have one or two that are doing really well and that third one is trying as hard as he/she can and just isn't living up to your expectations, then what? Think about it. I truly believe that if we didn't coddle our kids they wouldn't get such bad grades or have such a hard time in school.

Since when did it become normal for a child to be pulled out of school for sports tournaments, not related to school. I disagree with this, especially in elementary school. They need this education, it's much more important than sports. I'm tired of people pulling their kid out for tournaments and then complaining because the kid doesn't get good grades. What the hell do they expect? Is the kid supposed to learn through osmosis? These are the most crucial years of a child's life, yet the parents are too busy driving their kids to soccer practice to notice. Yeah, they may become a famous athlete (notice I said "may", chances are quite slim), but they may also have the IQ of a Cow. Besides, it's a proven fact, that all work and no play make Jack a dull boy. It's also proven that kids need free time. They need time to wind down and assess what has happened throughout the day, they need time to be kids. By putting them in sports all the time, driving them from game to game and tournament to tournament, and taking them out of school, they aren't getting any down time and it shows in their behaviour toward others and their grades.

Well, that all about my "Since When" I could go on and on, but I have a family to look after and I have had my down time, now it's time for my kids to come home and have theirs.

2009-06-15T14:17:00.008-06:00

1) BRAZILIAN BIKINI WAX
I have yet to figure this one out. Why would any female, in her right mind, do this to her body? You are ripping hairs out by their roots people! God, how much torture does one need to go through to look sexy? Don't give me that crap about it being cleaner, more hygienic, looking neater, or whatever, I'm still not buying it. Hair is on our body for a reason so maybe we should leave it there. Do I sound like a whiner? Maybe I do, but there is a reason. I'm a shaver, I always have been a shaver and I always will be a shaver. I have never waxed a hair on (or in this case, off) my body. The thought of putting hot wax on my skin and then pulling it off makes me cringe. Not only that, but we're talking about an overly sensitive part of the female anatomy here, it has to be uncomfortable. Those people who say it isn't or that it doesn't hurt are lying through their bare asses. Now let's just get past the waxing part and go on to what happens later. The upkeep must be horrible. I can't imagine having to redo it every six to eight weeks or so (Okay, I may be wrong about the time frame but bare with me, I've never waxed before). And what about the "decision" about whether or not to leave a landing strip or go all pink. If I'm correct, and if you decide to leave a strip, it can be any shape or form a person would like it to be...a rectangle, a square, an arrow, a heart, and so forth. Boy, the guys must find it really sexy, actually, they probably do and I'm not going to go there. Here's my thing. If you're going to torture yourself in this way, why would you leave a little behind? Why wouldn't you get rid of all of it? Wouldn't it just look like you couldn't take the pain and had to stop right at that point because you were going to pass out? It would be like painting a black wall white and then stopping when you have about six inches left because your arms got tired and you couldn't do anymore. It absolutely baffles me. Some people have even said it's body art...A tattoo is body art guys, a naked "goodie basket" isn't. Oh, and how many Brazilians actually have this? Probably none, it was probably just a gimmick someone started to see if women would be stupid enough to give someone a look up their nook.

So, to sum this all up, I will never get a Brazilian Bikini Wax. I would probably wax if I had to (and by "had to", I mean if I was stupid drunk on a 26 of Tequila and someone was holding a gun to my head), but I would limit it to my legs. Anyway, as of now, I say "Nay Nay to a naked Vajayjay." Oh and by the way, while on this topic, I went online and got some pics I want you to look at. Compare these two pictures, this or this and then tell me whether or not I'm wrong. I know which one I would pick.

OH MY GOD! You actually looked didn't you. Not only do you like getting this done, but you're a pervert as well. I can't believe it. Oh well, c'est la vie!

WHAT THE HELL...PART 1

2009-06-03T10:24:00.003-06:00

Okay, something is happening here in Alberta and I just have to say "What The Hell?" Let's start at the beginning. I received a letter from my kids' school regarding the teaching of a Family Life component of their Health Curriculum that is based on the school's Catholic perspective. Basically, they will be teaching different topics to the Grades 4, 5 and 6 classes regarding changes to our bodies (Grade 4), Male and Female reproductive systems (Grade 5, boys and girls will take classes separately), and the Stages of Human Development from conception through birth, male and female systems, positive and negative choices that impact human life, and healthy pregnancy (Grade 6). It went on to state that because we, as parents, are the primary teachers of our children, it was our choice to excuse our children from these classes and they had a part to sign on the bottom of the paper excusing our child at these times.

Now, I had been hearing on the news how a group of "concerned" parents were wanting to start a bill, passed by the government, that would allow them to dictate which classes their children could attend in school. These classes would be regarding anything to do with Religion, Sexual Orientation, and Sexuality. Now I say "What the Hell?" Who are these people who are afraid to have Religion and Sexuality discussed in school? Are they afraid of what their children will learn? Are they afraid that their kids might learn the truth? I don't understand this. They are even making it come out as a Human Rights Violation if children are forced to take these kinds of classes. Human Rights? Since when did learning about your body and how it works become a human rights issue? Since when is it wrong to learn about religion? I look at it this way, if these are non-catholic parents sending their kids to Catholic School for whatever reason, I think they should have to follow the same curriculum. It goes with the territory. If they don't want their kids in a school where religion is being taught, then send them to a public or another kind of school. Same with the Health classes about sexuality and sexual orientation, if they don't like it, switch schools. Better yet, maybe they should home school their kids. I think that school boards have given parents too many rights when it comes to education. I mean, if they want their kids to be excused from these classes and if they want the government to make it illegal to force the kids to take these classes, then maybe the government should then take an extra step and make sure that these "caring" parents are teaching it to their children at home.

I am so sick and tired of parents making issues out of stupid things like this. There are larger problems in the schools, like drugs, alcohol, bullying, and sex. These should be made illegal and made into human rights violations. Let's get our priorities straight. Are we worried that our children are learning about God, or are we worried that they might teach us about God. Same goes with sexuality and sexual orientation. This is becoming a problem, too many parents making decisions that the school board should be making, or in this case (for reasons I don't understand) that the government should be making.

As for the form that was sent home. Did I sign it? Of course not! I teach my children what I feel they need to be taught at home, and I want the school to do the same. Am I ready for the questions that might arise from this? Probably not, but I will answer them the best I can and know that I can call the school for help if I need it. If you want to check out an article about it read this

Well, that's it for now. The first in my series called "WHAT THE HELL!"

ANOTHER REASON WHY I WILL NEVER GO TO MEXICO

2009-04-28T07:04:00.002-06:00

TEN REASONS I WILL NEVER GO TO MEXICO:

1. It's Hot. I hate heat, anything over 20 is way too hot. Okay, so I can go at another part of the year, don't think so, it's still way to hot.

2. The Water. Why the hell would I go to a country where I can't drink the water. If I wanted to drink bottled water, I would do it at home. Besides, I'd rather not spend my vacation "crapping" every 10 minutes, I can stay home and do that.

3. I have to fly. I've never flown in my life, and to fly somewhere on a vacation where it's hot and I can't drink the water seems like a waste of time to me.

4. Crime. This is self explanatory. We have enough of it here, why would I go to a place where I could possibly get murdered. Nope, ain't gonna happen.

5. I burn. No, I'm not going to Fake and Bake before I go. Why? Because it doesn't prevent you from burning. If you have a tendency to burn, "pre-tanning" doesn't help prevent that, it just starts the process. I don't know what Idiot started that one, but it's not true people. Oh yeah, tanning of any kind can cause skin cancer, and I would rather not get it, thank you.

6. Wild Animals and bugs. I don't mind looking at animals from a distance, but I don't want to see one on my window sill. As for bugs, don't tell me they don't have any, they're there, and they would find me.

7. Tequila. I would never go with anyone who drinks tequila or go to a tequila factory, or even sit at a bar with people drinking tequila. It smells and when people drink too much they get weird. I'd rather not see that on my vacation.

8. Water. I don't swim unless it's in a pool, at least there I have sides to hold on to. Besides there are creatures in there, with my luck, one would bite me or something.

9. Crowded. Can't stand crowds, I get claustrophobic. Not good. The outdoor markets, I've heard, are nice, but if I have to elbow my way through people, wouldn't be enjoyable to me at all.

10. Swine Flu. Do I have to say more?

So there you go, I've never wanted to go to Mexico and hopefully I never will.

I should add one more to my list though. On the news the other night they were talking to people just coming back from Mexico and asking them about the flu epidemic (which is now a pandemic), anyway, one girl said she wasn't worried, they didn't drink the water. So I'm going to add STUPID PEOPLE GO THERE.

AUTISM

2009-04-18T13:32:00.002-06:00

If I asked you to tell me what Autism is would you be able to answer? Would you be able to tell if someone (adult or child) had Autism? Would you know the signs and symptoms? Would you believe me if I told you that most people would answer "No" to at least two of the questions if not all three? It's true. Most people, when asked what Autism is, think of Dustin Hoffman's character in "Rain man." The rocking, monotone voice, a specific routine, the blow ups when things don't go properly, the intelligence, and being unable to make eye contact. These are just a FEW of the symptoms of Autism. Depending on the degree, the signs can range from one extreme to the next. How do I know this? I know because I am a parent of an autistic child.

I have learned a lot over the last five years or so. I have learned that Autism is more than just actions (or no actions), words (or no words), and emotions (or no emotions). I have learned that being patient really is a virtue when dealing with an Autistic child. I have learned to read the unspoken words or gestures to figure out what he needs. I have learned that love needs to be taught over and over again. I have learned that hugs aren't the only way to show affection. I have learned that repetition, no matter how monotonous, will help him. I have learned that tantrums do not necessarily make him an "undisciplined, naughty child". And most importantly, I have learned to be a "special" mother to a "special" child.

He was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and P(ervasive)D(evelopment)D(isorder)/N(ot)O(therwise)S(pecified), when he was five. I was relieved. Was I relieved to find out he had a neurological disorder, no, of course not, I was relieved to find out the reason for all his behaviour. I had suspected for years; but, being a first time mother is hard and I kept listening to family, friends and my doctor who just kept giving me advice. "It's just him, it's normal for some kids to dislike change" (so much he threw a tantrum when I changed around the living room furniture and sobbed for two hours afterward). "He needs to talk, quit talking for him" (which is hard to do when the only sounds coming out of his mouth are dolphin like squeals and banshee screams). "All he needs is a good spanking" (I tried, only to have him throw the tantrum of all tantrums). It was hard. I can't tell you how many times I felt like throwing in the towel and calling social services to come and take him away because I couldn't handle it anymore. Once the diagnosis was made, and he got an Aide for school, things changed. He began talking more (he wouldn't say much, and then his Grandma and Grandpa were visiting and he put his had on Grandma's leg and hummed Happy Birthday...it may not seem like much but that was the first time he had ever made an effort to communicate with anyone in that way), his tantrums started disappearing, he started giving hugs (I didn't get my first real hug from him until he was almost six years old...he would come for a hug but he wouldn't use his arms. The first time he did, I cried like a baby), and he started to interact with other kids.

He is now in Grade 4 and is doing great in school. He is making new friends (and is continuously making an effort to do so), he initiates play during recess, he can be the class clown (this we have had to talk to him about, as it can get out of hand), he's not as shy anymore, he asks questions of us and his teacher's when he doesn't understand something, and he has a wonderful sense of humour. He still has his moments and we have to correct him when he does. He lacks some of the maturity of a normal 9/10 year old, but he is quickly catching up. Everyday is a challenge for him and us as well, as we never know what the day will bring. He has started colour coding his days for his teacher so she knows what to look out for during the day. I dread the days that are "RED", as those are very bad days. He gets down sometimes (depression isn't uncommon in these children) and this is what causes the "RED"ness in his life. All in all he is becoming or already is a well-adjusted, bright, boy.

I haven't told you everything that has happened with him because some of it is too difficult for me to talk about, even now. My best friends and close family know some of it, but only those closest to me know the rest and that's the way it will always be. It's nothing really bad, you see, it's just the emotional aspect of it. As a mother, you want your children to be normal and when they're not you wonder what you did wrong (during pregnancy, before, after), you wonder if you're being punished by God for something you did, and you wonder if the world is against you. I've learned to deal with these and have learned that it's not my fault in any way, shape or form, but on those bad days I still sit and wonder.

To end this one, I would like to say one thing. I was watching an Oprah episode one day, quite a few years ago, and there was a couple on who had a daughter with Down Syndrome. She was a very cute little thing, but they had decided to have plastic surgery done on her face so she wouldn't look different from other children and hopefully, wouldn't be teased. I was very upset by this and I started thinking. If a medication was developed that could get rid of Autism and it was known to work, would I give it to my child. The answer is NO. Autism has made him who he is and without it he wouldn't be the Danny we know and love. I wouldn't change him for anything; all his little idiosyncrasies and his talents and abilities were given to him by God for a reason and we have no right to question why. We love him for who he is now, not who we wish he could be.

For more information you can go to: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dc-ma/autism/index-eng.php

MY AFFAIR

2009-04-17T09:09:00.002-06:00

Yes people, I'm using my blog to tell you all I'm having an affair. With whom, you may ask? I'll tell you that later. We meet about once or twice a week, sometimes at the house, other times in the park. He is so loving and sweet. Sometimes I wish I could just bring him home with me to stay forever. He has wonderful taste, is soothing when I need to be comforted, and smells so sweet...I could just die. I must have a spell over him, because he melts when I hold him and lets me do with him what I want. I love the power I have over him, he stays with me as long as I wish and is gone when I'm done with him. Whether it's for a few minutes or an hour, I can't get enough of him. It's been a while since I've seen him and I need to see him again. I need to hold him and tell him how much I love him. Now, I will tell you his name, he goes by many...Bernard, Cadbury, Reese, he is chocolate and I love him.

Sorry, couldn't resist this one. I had to do it. Just wanted to see how many would read it and comment on it.

MY BLOGGING RULES

2009-04-16T12:54:00.003-06:00

Here are some of my blogging rules:

1) If you don't like what I write, don't read it. I'm not making you, I haven't put a gun to your head and forced you to read it. If you've read one blog and don't like it, don't judge me, read my others and then give an opinion.

2) I never use names, places, birthdates or anything of that manner in my blogs. Unless, of course, it's certain celebrities.

3) If you read something in one of my blogs and you feel it's about you, get off your high horse and come back down to earth. I know alot of other people and it could be about anybody, that being said, it could also be about some little person I dreamed of in my head, that acts, talks, walks, and thinks just like you do.

4) My opinions are my opinions and nothing more. I can back up my comments and I'm ready to, are you?

5) I never put anything in my blogs I would never say in a conversation. Of course, most of you wouldn't know that, as we don't have those kinds of conversations. For some reason the only people I have those conversations with are my husband, a friend or two, and my cousin. Some of you people seem to think I'm weird, mean, negative or just basically strange when I bring up these topics. Too bad for you, as you don't know what you are missing.

If family and friends read my blog and don't like it, that's their opinion. I never say anything derogatory, inflammatory, or mean about anyone. If it's negative, that's fine to, as all of us are negative at one time or another. This is basically my online journal, so if you're nosy enough to read it than I know you are interested in what I have to say. If, however, you are nosey enough to read it and then get defensive about remarks I may have used, go back and re-read rules number 4 and 5.

That's all and tata!

Why?...

2009-04-13T15:22:00.003-06:00

Why is it that people who don't have kids will give you advice on how to raise you're own?

Why do people, who don't have kids, think that when they have kids they will still have the freedom to do whatever they want?

Why do these people insist on telling you how much time you should spend with your kids?

Why do people tell you that you're being mean because you don't want to spend every waking hour doing activities with your children?

Why do people think, when they have kids, that people will pay more attention to them instead of the children?

Why do people tell you that you should be more active with your children, when you're home alone with them all the time?

Why do people think, when they have kids, that a newborn baby will go by their schedule so they can still go out and have a social life?

Why do people think that giving a child hell for something they know they shouldn't be doing is a bad thing to do?

Why do people think that by raising a child without a curfew, no rules, and an insane amount of responsibility is a good thing to do?

Why do people think that taking their kids out of school to do something stupid like shopping, going to a movie, or just spending "quality time" is a good thing?

Why do people think that putting their kids in sports is a good way to build character?

Why do people think that treating a child like an adult is a good thing?

Why do people think that putting their kids in more than one activity at a time is a good thing to do?

Why do people think that children need to answer every question they ask with an intelligent, appropriate response?

Why do people think that children need to express themselves with words when they can't talk yet?

Why do people, who know a child has a disability, get in their face and tell them to quit acting they way they are acting?

And last but not least. Why will people think I'm a major bitch by writing this blog?

Because they are all IDIOTS. These people need to get a life, look at what their life was like when they were a child, read parenting books and raise their child somewhere in the middle of all that. It's hard enough to raise children without someone spouting off all the time or thinking that the children always need to be included, or that a child needs more/less discipline. I raise my children the way I see fit, my parents raised me the way they felt was right, and so forth. So quit being idiots, start reading those books, and shut up...or start asking questions, either one can't hurt.

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT GARDASIL

2009-03-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

I have issues with this vaccine. I have always been a supporter of childhood vaccinations, and have always had my own children vaccinated. I don't believe that they cause autism, learning disorders, retardation, or anything of the sort, and will pressure people to show me absolute evidence that they do any harm at all. However, this GARDASIL vaccine has me concerned. I know it is used to prevent "some" strains of HPV, but I don't think it needs to be given to girls younger than the age of 16. As it stands now, the vaccine can be given to females between the ages of 9 - 26 years of age, I think it should be given to them at the age of consent, or about 16 years. Why? Because, I believe it's something they should be old enough to understand. At nine years old, most of them don't even know what sex is. Why would you give them a needle and say, "you'll thank me for it later, it MIGHT prevent you from getting cervical cancer". I think it should be given to them when they can understand what sex is and what an STD is.

My understanding is, that it's like the flu vaccine. It only protects against certain strains of HPV and it may or may not last a life time. There are also the side effects. Aside from some symptoms of nausea, fever and dizziness (this can happen with other vaccines as well), there are the more serious side effects to consider such as; nerve damage, paralysis, anaphylactic shock and even death. Yes, there may only have been a few cases, but this is so new, I think we need to see more testing done before we start with mass inoculations.

As for the cervical cancer factor, the number of deaths due to cervical cancer has decreased in the last couple of years, simply due to the fact that alot of major cities are doing PAP clinics for those women and young girls who don't have a regular doctor, are on the streets, or don't have the money to pay (as is the case in the states); they are able to walk in to these clinics and have pap smears done for free and are also able to go back for the results and get treatment if needed. Cervical cancer can be caused by HPV but it can also be genetic.

I'm also tired of hearing of the link between circumcision and cervical cancer. 15% of circumcised men and 22% of uncircumcised men can carry HPV, but there is no conclusive study that this causes the disease.

In conclusion, of the above, I would like to state that the girl should be old enough to understand what the vaccine is for before she gets it and that it shouldn't be forced on her because "she may or may not have multiple sexual partners who may or may not have had multiple sexual partners and who may or may not be circumcised." It's stupid. What if you explain it to them, they understand it, they get the vaccine and 20 years later they get cervical cancer, how do you explain it to them then.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.