A two post day, I know. But I was taking the time to read some news that didn't involve Britney, Paris or Lohan and I was reading a little more about the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/bhutto.death/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Just thought it was wildly interesting that in an area of the world that we in the US associate with constant persecution of women, they can still bring forth this hero, the first female prime minister of any Islamic nation while we in the US sit on our high horses and declare ourselves the best. Sure they have a ways to go, but they aren't still debating whether they are ready for the first woman president. Sheesh, America. Get over it already. The rest of the world seems to...
**not endorsing anyone in particular, just the principle of the matter...
Friday, December 28, 2007
Holiday Chaos: the End is Near
Isn't that the best news of all? Your credit card can start to be paid down, you can stop insanely buying stuff just to have more stuff to give, and you can go back to being...normal. It is beautiful.
Some highlights from the celebrations:
* We got to see Will's school play on video over at the Cumberland's and snow from Vermont too
* Matthew came over to spread Christmas cheer and the common cold...mostly the common cold
* Christmas BBQ with Dad, Judy, etc
* Dylan's tool belt and hard hat over at KT's and Paul's, construction begins in January and he is ready to pitch in as needed
* Family pj night
* Christmas morning: I say "Hey, Dylan smells like poop." Jason points out the trail of poop that is falling out of the side of his pajama bottoms next to wrapped goods as he walks. We strip him down to find an insanely full diaper that has burst. Now that's Christmas cheer. I then take obligatory naked pics next to the tree and then get him into new pj's from under the tree.
* We appear to be celebrating Hanakkah. Dylan would get so interested in his gifts that he wanted to play, not keep unwrapping. There are still three gifts wrapped and ready for him, we are on day four of unwrapping them. Shalom.
* Size 3T scrubs embroidered with "Dr Cumberland" from Grandpa Jim. Best. Ever.
* Dylan decides to seize his bike handlebars and ride an imaginary bike around the room when it takes too long to put together his Fisher Price Smart Cycle. Hilarity ensued.
* Watching Shrek 3 five times in a row with Mom and Jim, Andrea and Chad, Dylan and Jason. Oh, and Bryan. How could I forget that?
I want to try and keep this short out of politeness to anyone who reads this, so I am limiting the pics to as few as possible...and yet still too many
Christmas cards (I still had a stack after this was done, so all the late senders didn't make it!)
Jason's dad's surprise from us - the photoshoot with the boys:
Will's surprise plate for his mom:
Carrier monkey that got me and my family sick (because why would my brother warn us?)
Men at work:
Family pajama day:
Lumps of coal:
Tears of joy:
Don't want no scrubs:
Some highlights from the celebrations:
* We got to see Will's school play on video over at the Cumberland's and snow from Vermont too
* Matthew came over to spread Christmas cheer and the common cold...mostly the common cold
* Christmas BBQ with Dad, Judy, etc
* Dylan's tool belt and hard hat over at KT's and Paul's, construction begins in January and he is ready to pitch in as needed
* Family pj night
* Christmas morning: I say "Hey, Dylan smells like poop." Jason points out the trail of poop that is falling out of the side of his pajama bottoms next to wrapped goods as he walks. We strip him down to find an insanely full diaper that has burst. Now that's Christmas cheer. I then take obligatory naked pics next to the tree and then get him into new pj's from under the tree.
* We appear to be celebrating Hanakkah. Dylan would get so interested in his gifts that he wanted to play, not keep unwrapping. There are still three gifts wrapped and ready for him, we are on day four of unwrapping them. Shalom.
* Size 3T scrubs embroidered with "Dr Cumberland" from Grandpa Jim. Best. Ever.
* Dylan decides to seize his bike handlebars and ride an imaginary bike around the room when it takes too long to put together his Fisher Price Smart Cycle. Hilarity ensued.
* Watching Shrek 3 five times in a row with Mom and Jim, Andrea and Chad, Dylan and Jason. Oh, and Bryan. How could I forget that?
I want to try and keep this short out of politeness to anyone who reads this, so I am limiting the pics to as few as possible...and yet still too many
Christmas cards (I still had a stack after this was done, so all the late senders didn't make it!)
Jason's dad's surprise from us - the photoshoot with the boys:
Will's surprise plate for his mom:
Carrier monkey that got me and my family sick (because why would my brother warn us?)
Men at work:
Family pajama day:
Lumps of coal:
Tears of joy:
Don't want no scrubs:
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Cumby for Prez...2016
Watching "Meet the Press" on the TiVo and wondering why I put myself through this. I like to pay attention to politics because I think everybody really should, but I loathe the state of our nation. This pic fulfills its 1000 words and beyond:
James Madison: "Strongly guarded . . . is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the United States," Madison wrote, and he declared, "practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government is essential to the purity of both, and as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States."
Thomas Jefferson: "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
Religion is an opinion and a personal one at that. The only political relevance is that you personally can worship however. I think it is ridiculous that presidential candidates give political speeches in churches across America, they should be in colleges, sports stadiums, other public places. I don't think it is right that as part of almost every debate these puppets yap about their beliefs in God and as such either gain or lose votes as a result. I think it is wrong that people judge Mitt Romney just because of his affiliation and focus the debate on whether Mormoms are religions. Debate that at after church Sunday coffee, let's keep our eyes on the prize.
Presidential Candidates, Lady and gents, please remember that this is really what the American people should base their decisions:
1. Public education is subpar - we need to do something.
2. There are too many people without health insurance - we need to do something.
3. Illegal immigrants - get them on the books, have them start paying taxes, amnesty on having been illegal since they are coming and signing in. End of story. Don't send them back and don't pretend that any American is in the mood to do the jobs they do. I do not want to pay to find them, pay to send them back, pay to block them from getting back in and pay to send them back again when they make their way back in. I am sick of my taxes paying for their children to go to school and use medical resources. Get them paying into the tax pool and let them be the Americans they want to be!
4. Abortion - leave it alone. If you don't want one, don't get one. It is a personal decision, so take it or leave it but mind your own business. Also, remember Baby Grace and her dead body floating in Galveston Bay in a Rubbermaid container? Take your pick - abused and murdered children or abortion because these people fighting this are doing nothing to protect or take care of all the kids in the system or in the homes of idiots like Baby Grace's mom.
5. Which leads me to the kiddos - gotta be a better way to watch and protect the kids of this nation. I mean, other than prepping the poor ones to join the army for college money to fight for oil.
6. Stem cell research - they are all over the place and they can help people. Get off your soapbox, stop talking about God's opinion on it. My understanding is that stem cells can come from a lot of places like cord blood, etc; furthermore, there are doctors fertilizing eggs in petri dishes in labs all over America and no, they do not all get used. Some are *gasp* unused and disposed of. I'd volunteer all the eggs I have left if it helped sufferers of Parkinson's,
7. Between 1996 and federal Fiscal Year 2006, Congress funneled over $1.5 billion dollars (through both federal and state matching funds) to abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Abstinence is pleasant but is not the full story. If the government wants to take action against teen pregnancy, kids need the full story. Pills and Condoms don't tempt kids to have sex - they have the films, music and other kids tempting them to do that. And some are. And some are getting pregnant. Give them real choices. And give me that $1.5 billion dollars so I can spend it much more wisely.
8. Iraq - write them a check and get out. We shouldn't have gone there and we shouldn't still be there. Things are getting no better there, but they are getting worse here. I would be much more concerned with the safety, education, public works etc in Post-Katrina New Orleans than Iraq. Don't fight for the freedom on non-Americans using American money until everything's working out on the homefront. That's common sense, babe.
9.Same sex marriage - separate is not equal. Remember black schools? How'd that work out? Look at civil unions that same way. Want to maintain the institute of marriage? Keep divorcing at a rate of 50%. Gays and lesbians aren't killing marriage, heteros are. If you take out everyone in the debate who is divorced, cheating on their spouse and so on, you will end up with a handful of nice Christian people who think gays are going to burn in hell and a group of gays and lesbians who are in love, want to live out the same dreams others do and deserve the same rights as any other loving couple such as benefits, etc. I'm going with the gays on that one.
10. Accept that America is not #1. If we were, we would not have abused, starving kids. We would not have veterans of war on street corners, they would be the true royalty of this nation and not Paris Effen Hilton. Patriotism is freedom of speech and true freedom is seen most vividly in dissent. No one would be debating whether they can afford to have health care or pay the mortgage. We would not hate on people simply for being different in any way. We need to be humble, admit our shortcomings and improve ourselves.
James Madison: "Strongly guarded . . . is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the United States," Madison wrote, and he declared, "practical distinction between Religion and Civil Government is essential to the purity of both, and as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States."
Thomas Jefferson: "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
Religion is an opinion and a personal one at that. The only political relevance is that you personally can worship however. I think it is ridiculous that presidential candidates give political speeches in churches across America, they should be in colleges, sports stadiums, other public places. I don't think it is right that as part of almost every debate these puppets yap about their beliefs in God and as such either gain or lose votes as a result. I think it is wrong that people judge Mitt Romney just because of his affiliation and focus the debate on whether Mormoms are religions. Debate that at after church Sunday coffee, let's keep our eyes on the prize.
Presidential Candidates, Lady and gents, please remember that this is really what the American people should base their decisions:
1. Public education is subpar - we need to do something.
2. There are too many people without health insurance - we need to do something.
3. Illegal immigrants - get them on the books, have them start paying taxes, amnesty on having been illegal since they are coming and signing in. End of story. Don't send them back and don't pretend that any American is in the mood to do the jobs they do. I do not want to pay to find them, pay to send them back, pay to block them from getting back in and pay to send them back again when they make their way back in. I am sick of my taxes paying for their children to go to school and use medical resources. Get them paying into the tax pool and let them be the Americans they want to be!
4. Abortion - leave it alone. If you don't want one, don't get one. It is a personal decision, so take it or leave it but mind your own business. Also, remember Baby Grace and her dead body floating in Galveston Bay in a Rubbermaid container? Take your pick - abused and murdered children or abortion because these people fighting this are doing nothing to protect or take care of all the kids in the system or in the homes of idiots like Baby Grace's mom.
5. Which leads me to the kiddos - gotta be a better way to watch and protect the kids of this nation. I mean, other than prepping the poor ones to join the army for college money to fight for oil.
6. Stem cell research - they are all over the place and they can help people. Get off your soapbox, stop talking about God's opinion on it. My understanding is that stem cells can come from a lot of places like cord blood, etc; furthermore, there are doctors fertilizing eggs in petri dishes in labs all over America and no, they do not all get used. Some are *gasp* unused and disposed of. I'd volunteer all the eggs I have left if it helped sufferers of Parkinson's,
7. Between 1996 and federal Fiscal Year 2006, Congress funneled over $1.5 billion dollars (through both federal and state matching funds) to abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Abstinence is pleasant but is not the full story. If the government wants to take action against teen pregnancy, kids need the full story. Pills and Condoms don't tempt kids to have sex - they have the films, music and other kids tempting them to do that. And some are. And some are getting pregnant. Give them real choices. And give me that $1.5 billion dollars so I can spend it much more wisely.
8. Iraq - write them a check and get out. We shouldn't have gone there and we shouldn't still be there. Things are getting no better there, but they are getting worse here. I would be much more concerned with the safety, education, public works etc in Post-Katrina New Orleans than Iraq. Don't fight for the freedom on non-Americans using American money until everything's working out on the homefront. That's common sense, babe.
9.Same sex marriage - separate is not equal. Remember black schools? How'd that work out? Look at civil unions that same way. Want to maintain the institute of marriage? Keep divorcing at a rate of 50%. Gays and lesbians aren't killing marriage, heteros are. If you take out everyone in the debate who is divorced, cheating on their spouse and so on, you will end up with a handful of nice Christian people who think gays are going to burn in hell and a group of gays and lesbians who are in love, want to live out the same dreams others do and deserve the same rights as any other loving couple such as benefits, etc. I'm going with the gays on that one.
10. Accept that America is not #1. If we were, we would not have abused, starving kids. We would not have veterans of war on street corners, they would be the true royalty of this nation and not Paris Effen Hilton. Patriotism is freedom of speech and true freedom is seen most vividly in dissent. No one would be debating whether they can afford to have health care or pay the mortgage. We would not hate on people simply for being different in any way. We need to be humble, admit our shortcomings and improve ourselves.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Everyone loves a tea party
...especially my son, it would seem. Last weekend we went to an amazing little birthday party for Dylan's cousin Danica who turned two. It was at this little kiddie boutique in the Heights called Olive Anne's, and proved that awesome children's parties can happen inside town. I had no idea what to expect, and we got there and were taken back to the girliest room ever - bright pink, feather boas at the door, dress up in the back and two of the barber chairs for hair styling. At first I wondered what all the adults and little boys were going to do with themselves, but I must have forgotten this is the Cumberland crew and this group always makes a fun time for themselves.
Basically, it was a combination free for all and structured play. You could go get your hair dyed and glittered, you could play dress up, you could eat and at the same time there were structured activities like building castles out of sugarcubes and icing, making foam crowns and of course the tea party! Here are some pics...
Mama Angela and the Birthday girl:
Will's Castle:
Very cute girl playing dress up:
Jason getting his hair did with Aunt Jeaneane:
and then with Will (matching, of course):
Adorable cake:
Wonderful tea (Dylan was the last man standing and pretty much had to be dragged away from the tea table):
And it ain't a party without dancing:
But Dylan was already dunzo:
And new faces --- finally got to meet Baby Troy who is not 15 months old (and probably lives 10 minutes from us...)
Anyways, sorry for the pic overload but I just thought this was the cutest party and I am thinking Shana needs to have Madeleine's birthday party here next...
Other than that, just gearing up for another busy weekend. I am having a much needed girls' night tonight and then Will is spending the night Saturday night before the big annual Cumberland Christmas party. Being part of that family is so cool, and I am excited to bring the Chicken Chipotle Salad -- love that stuff. Oh, and Dylan learned to say "fart" yesterday with his daddy, I thought I would die laughing. Happy weekend!!
Basically, it was a combination free for all and structured play. You could go get your hair dyed and glittered, you could play dress up, you could eat and at the same time there were structured activities like building castles out of sugarcubes and icing, making foam crowns and of course the tea party! Here are some pics...
Mama Angela and the Birthday girl:
Will's Castle:
Very cute girl playing dress up:
Jason getting his hair did with Aunt Jeaneane:
and then with Will (matching, of course):
Adorable cake:
Wonderful tea (Dylan was the last man standing and pretty much had to be dragged away from the tea table):
And it ain't a party without dancing:
But Dylan was already dunzo:
And new faces --- finally got to meet Baby Troy who is not 15 months old (and probably lives 10 minutes from us...)
Anyways, sorry for the pic overload but I just thought this was the cutest party and I am thinking Shana needs to have Madeleine's birthday party here next...
Other than that, just gearing up for another busy weekend. I am having a much needed girls' night tonight and then Will is spending the night Saturday night before the big annual Cumberland Christmas party. Being part of that family is so cool, and I am excited to bring the Chicken Chipotle Salad -- love that stuff. Oh, and Dylan learned to say "fart" yesterday with his daddy, I thought I would die laughing. Happy weekend!!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Some observations...
Just some things that I feel like discussing with the masses:
* "Ask your Doctor if (insert drug here) is right for you." Really?! Because I thought the overpaid person who has kept me waiting for 45 minutes in a gown while they speak to sexy pharmaceutical reps with free food should tell me what is right for me on his or her own. I thought you came in with symptoms and the doctor in all his or her years of education and experience should tell me what is wrong and then prescribe accordingly. I do not understand advertising drugs. I mean, I like the attitude that Smiling Bob in the Enzyte commercials for ED. I don't know what ED entails, but I will go ahead and waste the two minutes I get of facetime with my doc to ask if Enzyte is right for me.
* Ikea is now charging .05 a bag if you want to actually bag the things you buy. Okay, fine. Yay for the environment and that isn't expensive or anything. But Ikea of all places?! Ikea publishes a bajillion catalogs every year and shoves them in every newspaper and mails them out as well. They then leave a pile of those tree chips at their door where people who probably already got it one of the other two ways pick another copy up. Splendid. Though their website has improved as far as things to view on the website, far as I can see I cannot find the full catalog. If you really care about the environment, put the catalog online and stop printing all those things up. I won't even start about the practically disposable nature of their bookshelves and other particle board goodness...
* other than that, nothing odd to point out about the universe. Christmas shopping is going well, I have a tree up but I can't decide it I want some sort of garland-y option so I am at a standstill. This weekend is Jim's birthday, so I'm excited to see Andrea and the crew. Have a great weekend...
* "Ask your Doctor if (insert drug here) is right for you." Really?! Because I thought the overpaid person who has kept me waiting for 45 minutes in a gown while they speak to sexy pharmaceutical reps with free food should tell me what is right for me on his or her own. I thought you came in with symptoms and the doctor in all his or her years of education and experience should tell me what is wrong and then prescribe accordingly. I do not understand advertising drugs. I mean, I like the attitude that Smiling Bob in the Enzyte commercials for ED. I don't know what ED entails, but I will go ahead and waste the two minutes I get of facetime with my doc to ask if Enzyte is right for me.
* Ikea is now charging .05 a bag if you want to actually bag the things you buy. Okay, fine. Yay for the environment and that isn't expensive or anything. But Ikea of all places?! Ikea publishes a bajillion catalogs every year and shoves them in every newspaper and mails them out as well. They then leave a pile of those tree chips at their door where people who probably already got it one of the other two ways pick another copy up. Splendid. Though their website has improved as far as things to view on the website, far as I can see I cannot find the full catalog. If you really care about the environment, put the catalog online and stop printing all those things up. I won't even start about the practically disposable nature of their bookshelves and other particle board goodness...
* other than that, nothing odd to point out about the universe. Christmas shopping is going well, I have a tree up but I can't decide it I want some sort of garland-y option so I am at a standstill. This weekend is Jim's birthday, so I'm excited to see Andrea and the crew. Have a great weekend...
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Back to the Superficial!!! Give thanks...
Because you know that's where I like to be...just the easy peasy superficial which is actually the best part of life.
Thanksgiving is this week!!!! I am so excited to be pigging out, I love the fact that every food can be covered in cream and cheese and be made into a casserole. I love the macaroni and cheese that my mom has been making since I was a little kid. I am sad that we never get to go see our Louisiana family on Thankgiving anymore, but I love seeing Chad and Andrea instead. I prefer Charlie Brown Thanksgiving over Charlie Brown Christmas. I love that the sun goes down on Thanksgiving and the colors of the world are brown and orange and when the sun comes up on Friday morning the only colors anyone sees is red and green. Heck, I already set the TiVo for Mickey's Christmas Carol (obviously, Mickey Mouse's take on the Dickens tale). If I play my cards right (ha ha, pun), I will have all my Christmas cards out Friday morning. Other things I am looking forward to this week: a little more alone time with my sweet kiddo, seeing Jason again, maybe seeing Dad, def eating and playing with Mom, Jim, Andrea and Chad (and Mom and Jim's gigantic new TV, hello Thanksgiving Day parade!), Jalepeno Sausage Cheese bread in Hillje, another Thanksgiving meal with Jason's parents and grandmother and more games, finishing a book and maybe starting another, playing with Photoshop when I have no internet this weekend, what else?
Then I can start thinking about what I love about the Christmas season. Don't get me wrong, I think buying gifts for grown ass adults who are capable of buying their own gifts is insane, but that doesn't mean the whole deal is lost on me. There's always Claymation Christmas, watching Dylan figure it all out, ghetto mall Santas and neighborhoods with Christmas lights. Everyone have a great Thanksgiving!!
Thanksgiving is this week!!!! I am so excited to be pigging out, I love the fact that every food can be covered in cream and cheese and be made into a casserole. I love the macaroni and cheese that my mom has been making since I was a little kid. I am sad that we never get to go see our Louisiana family on Thankgiving anymore, but I love seeing Chad and Andrea instead. I prefer Charlie Brown Thanksgiving over Charlie Brown Christmas. I love that the sun goes down on Thanksgiving and the colors of the world are brown and orange and when the sun comes up on Friday morning the only colors anyone sees is red and green. Heck, I already set the TiVo for Mickey's Christmas Carol (obviously, Mickey Mouse's take on the Dickens tale). If I play my cards right (ha ha, pun), I will have all my Christmas cards out Friday morning. Other things I am looking forward to this week: a little more alone time with my sweet kiddo, seeing Jason again, maybe seeing Dad, def eating and playing with Mom, Jim, Andrea and Chad (and Mom and Jim's gigantic new TV, hello Thanksgiving Day parade!), Jalepeno Sausage Cheese bread in Hillje, another Thanksgiving meal with Jason's parents and grandmother and more games, finishing a book and maybe starting another, playing with Photoshop when I have no internet this weekend, what else?
Then I can start thinking about what I love about the Christmas season. Don't get me wrong, I think buying gifts for grown ass adults who are capable of buying their own gifts is insane, but that doesn't mean the whole deal is lost on me. There's always Claymation Christmas, watching Dylan figure it all out, ghetto mall Santas and neighborhoods with Christmas lights. Everyone have a great Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Overexposed...
** Thanks for all the emails and pm's of support I am getting on this. I feel like I am beating a dead horse here, so hopefully I can get back to superficial chat after this! **
I'd be lying if I said being all over the online community didn't bring me some sort of joy and new relationships. I loved meeting all the BYOM girls in Chicago last weekend (and I plan to see them all again, that's definite). I love that Rita is in our life just because she and Heather connected on KNK (way before I thought it was okay to meet internet people in person, but a lot has happened since then for me to think it was okay. Like Rita. Like my mom meeting and marrying Jim. And so on.)
That said, I am starting to feel like maybe putting myself out there is exposing more than I want to. I started on KNK and that was simple. Then I joined several DT's and am involved in those communities. A couple things happened in the last weeks that made me rethink it all...
ScrapFaith... I know what I signed up for with that and I convinced myself I was supposed to do it because everything fell into place the way it did. I have tougher skin than many and I don't know how hard Emilie would have had to search to find another agnostic or, gasp, an athiest. So I am the agnostic and it would seem that since I didn't pick a religion to attach myself to, I am thus unattached and have a void that needs to be filled. I've debated this, talked to others and decided that this needs to be said for me to be true to myself (even if I am already so over talking about this!):
I have no void and I did not join that team to find some answer. I have my answer and I am only out there representing my experience because no one else is. It has always seemed like the scrapbooking industry heavily leans towards Christianity, with an occassional nod to our Jewish friends with Hannukah or Rosh Hashana. No one has been out there saying, "Yeah I don't know" and that was the role it seems I am to play. Please don't think I mean "Yeah I don't know, please lead me to the way" because that isn't it. I think that the truths of the universe are way beyond the human mind and we can only grasp as much as we can. I mean, I can hardly handle college level Calculus and yet all the truths of the universe are supposedly within my reach within some four walls? Personally, I can't commit to that. I am proud to say that I don't have all the answers, but I do have some. The answers I have I share with billions of other people of hundreds of faith. I think you have to do your best to be the best human you can, because really that is all you can do. I think you have to be a good person and live an honest lifestyle. I think you should do good and give of yourself. I will never be a Christian because I simply cannot commit to certain vital principles of that faith, and that's okay. Do I believe in God? That's tricky. Cognitively I know it is so naive to believe that whatever complex being created DNA, amoebas, cancer, peace, feces, sunshine and terrestrial life is sitting around, as Bill Maher puts it oh-so-eloquently "To act like my daddy in the sky" and listen to my hopes and prayers, but it feels good so I do it. I don't pray daily but I will bust out the emergency god when someone is sick or when I am scared or when I simply need strength and hope and that is okay because I say it is. God or no god, your call. What you think is what you think and it is just as okay too. It's all good as long as you're trying to be good...
Anyone who wandered over from ScrapFaith or is itching to show me a way...Please do not contact me to make a case for your answer or your faith. I am genuinely happy that you have found something that makes you content and fulfilled, but this is not up for debate. That site is there to show that women of whatever spiritual life can coexist, respect each other and see the similarities that exist for us all and I am not going to make myself feel like I need to listen to the arguments of others just because my position is so different from everyone else's. You simply can't respect my standing and then follow up with a "but consider this..." because it makes your show of respect an empty gesture. I say this with love and because I need to stand up for myself.
That was the heavy stuff, the personal stuff that has made me want to shut my laptop and my mouth. The other stuff that made me rethink my online involvement... superficial drama. I get sucked into it and it makes me feel ick. I wish I had never heard the words "HOF gate" or "See you on the River" because of how awful I started to see other people and myself. I dabbled in some drama on another board on behalf of a bestie and found myself trying to set someone straight who, while very much needing to be set straight by someone, probably didn't need it from a total stranger like me. That person led several of us to a couple boards which are capable of manifesting the most bitter hatred between strangers. I feel like I've ruined it all for myself, I liked it when I thought we were all there to love and support each other and I need to pretend that no world exists outside of BYOM, SO, AC Bailey, RSC and Scrapfaith. I've made a conscious decision to go back to that place.
Next debate: How do I separate scrapbooking my life and scrapbooking being my life? I am working on less scrapping, less MB drama and more reading (and when I've read enough, more writing). It feels like this must have been a predictable SAHM pitfall, creating a person other than "Dylan's Mom" by trying to be Ms. Scrappin-all-over-the-frickin Place, but I should focus on balance and all that goodness. Tune in to hear how that goes, but I will be finishing my first book since making that decision (Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann) in the next day and that already feels sadly momentous...
I'd be lying if I said being all over the online community didn't bring me some sort of joy and new relationships. I loved meeting all the BYOM girls in Chicago last weekend (and I plan to see them all again, that's definite). I love that Rita is in our life just because she and Heather connected on KNK (way before I thought it was okay to meet internet people in person, but a lot has happened since then for me to think it was okay. Like Rita. Like my mom meeting and marrying Jim. And so on.)
That said, I am starting to feel like maybe putting myself out there is exposing more than I want to. I started on KNK and that was simple. Then I joined several DT's and am involved in those communities. A couple things happened in the last weeks that made me rethink it all...
ScrapFaith... I know what I signed up for with that and I convinced myself I was supposed to do it because everything fell into place the way it did. I have tougher skin than many and I don't know how hard Emilie would have had to search to find another agnostic or, gasp, an athiest. So I am the agnostic and it would seem that since I didn't pick a religion to attach myself to, I am thus unattached and have a void that needs to be filled. I've debated this, talked to others and decided that this needs to be said for me to be true to myself (even if I am already so over talking about this!):
I have no void and I did not join that team to find some answer. I have my answer and I am only out there representing my experience because no one else is. It has always seemed like the scrapbooking industry heavily leans towards Christianity, with an occassional nod to our Jewish friends with Hannukah or Rosh Hashana. No one has been out there saying, "Yeah I don't know" and that was the role it seems I am to play. Please don't think I mean "Yeah I don't know, please lead me to the way" because that isn't it. I think that the truths of the universe are way beyond the human mind and we can only grasp as much as we can. I mean, I can hardly handle college level Calculus and yet all the truths of the universe are supposedly within my reach within some four walls? Personally, I can't commit to that. I am proud to say that I don't have all the answers, but I do have some. The answers I have I share with billions of other people of hundreds of faith. I think you have to do your best to be the best human you can, because really that is all you can do. I think you have to be a good person and live an honest lifestyle. I think you should do good and give of yourself. I will never be a Christian because I simply cannot commit to certain vital principles of that faith, and that's okay. Do I believe in God? That's tricky. Cognitively I know it is so naive to believe that whatever complex being created DNA, amoebas, cancer, peace, feces, sunshine and terrestrial life is sitting around, as Bill Maher puts it oh-so-eloquently "To act like my daddy in the sky" and listen to my hopes and prayers, but it feels good so I do it. I don't pray daily but I will bust out the emergency god when someone is sick or when I am scared or when I simply need strength and hope and that is okay because I say it is. God or no god, your call. What you think is what you think and it is just as okay too. It's all good as long as you're trying to be good...
Anyone who wandered over from ScrapFaith or is itching to show me a way...Please do not contact me to make a case for your answer or your faith. I am genuinely happy that you have found something that makes you content and fulfilled, but this is not up for debate. That site is there to show that women of whatever spiritual life can coexist, respect each other and see the similarities that exist for us all and I am not going to make myself feel like I need to listen to the arguments of others just because my position is so different from everyone else's. You simply can't respect my standing and then follow up with a "but consider this..." because it makes your show of respect an empty gesture. I say this with love and because I need to stand up for myself.
That was the heavy stuff, the personal stuff that has made me want to shut my laptop and my mouth. The other stuff that made me rethink my online involvement... superficial drama. I get sucked into it and it makes me feel ick. I wish I had never heard the words "HOF gate" or "See you on the River" because of how awful I started to see other people and myself. I dabbled in some drama on another board on behalf of a bestie and found myself trying to set someone straight who, while very much needing to be set straight by someone, probably didn't need it from a total stranger like me. That person led several of us to a couple boards which are capable of manifesting the most bitter hatred between strangers. I feel like I've ruined it all for myself, I liked it when I thought we were all there to love and support each other and I need to pretend that no world exists outside of BYOM, SO, AC Bailey, RSC and Scrapfaith. I've made a conscious decision to go back to that place.
Next debate: How do I separate scrapbooking my life and scrapbooking being my life? I am working on less scrapping, less MB drama and more reading (and when I've read enough, more writing). It feels like this must have been a predictable SAHM pitfall, creating a person other than "Dylan's Mom" by trying to be Ms. Scrappin-all-over-the-frickin Place, but I should focus on balance and all that goodness. Tune in to hear how that goes, but I will be finishing my first book since making that decision (Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann) in the next day and that already feels sadly momentous...
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Happy Halloween!!
Monkeying around worked out slightly better than last year's dragon and infinetly more than the lion the first year, but only because Dylan was a little more impressed by the whole deal this year. I won't say that he "got it" but he enjoyed parts of his costume, ate candy and cried on the way home. I made caramel apples like a good housewife, despite the fact that Dylan did not nap, and it would seem, is working naps out of his schedule. Funny, the rate at which his naps decrease moves at the exact same rate as my desire to go get a job. Half-kidding. Anyways, here's the magic...
If you have too much time on your hands, feel free to check out the huge Flickr upload... http://flickr.com/photos/qcumberland/sets/72157602822258550/
If you have too much time on your hands, feel free to check out the huge Flickr upload... http://flickr.com/photos/qcumberland/sets/72157602822258550/
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Life, today.
I had a crappy day and I don't really want to discuss it. Let's just say there is a layout forming in my head titled "The Wisdom to know the Difference" and on one side is a pic of me with the caption "The things I can" and a pic of another certain person outside of my inner circle with the caption "The thing I cannot change." That tells pretty much the whole story right there, minus frustration, tears and screaming.
So what better to do that blog about BS?! Love it! Did you notice I decorated my blog for Halloween? It is pretty cool. The different elements come from several digi kits like the iron gate on the banner (Rustiron kit from www.jennilyndesigns.com), papers (Anna in the Fiesta kit from Oscrap, I believe, as well as most everything else from Jan Crowley's Macabre kit (Oscrap?) Anyways, I will make it more autumn next week but this is cute for now.
We went to the beach this weekend and stayed at a beach house Karen and Paul (in-laws) rented. I relaxed a lot and learned a whole lot about digi but there were too many people (Granny and Paul's parents also stayed there, and there were only two bedrooms and then foldouts in the living room) and too early of bedtimes (9:15 one night, no kidding). But there were some cute pics to be had and by Monday night a cold front came through and we had cool weather. We waited for over an hour and a half in said cold weather in the car for the ferry Monday night to leave and that really sucked, but I liked the trip overall. Some pics to leave you with:
(the ocean almost looks pretty here -- this is after the storm with the tide way out and the water eerily calm)
(I learned to play Rummy Tiles with everyone and I really liked it)
(relaxing)
(Granny and Karen laughing at Paul)
(Dylan's corny new "cheese" face)
(the closest I got the ocean was using my zoom lens on the deck for this shot!)
Other than that, nada much going on here. I would like to try and scrap now to sorta chill out, but we will see. See, blogging did make me feel calmer. Serenity now!
So what better to do that blog about BS?! Love it! Did you notice I decorated my blog for Halloween? It is pretty cool. The different elements come from several digi kits like the iron gate on the banner (Rustiron kit from www.jennilyndesigns.com), papers (Anna in the Fiesta kit from Oscrap, I believe, as well as most everything else from Jan Crowley's Macabre kit (Oscrap?) Anyways, I will make it more autumn next week but this is cute for now.
We went to the beach this weekend and stayed at a beach house Karen and Paul (in-laws) rented. I relaxed a lot and learned a whole lot about digi but there were too many people (Granny and Paul's parents also stayed there, and there were only two bedrooms and then foldouts in the living room) and too early of bedtimes (9:15 one night, no kidding). But there were some cute pics to be had and by Monday night a cold front came through and we had cool weather. We waited for over an hour and a half in said cold weather in the car for the ferry Monday night to leave and that really sucked, but I liked the trip overall. Some pics to leave you with:
(the ocean almost looks pretty here -- this is after the storm with the tide way out and the water eerily calm)
(I learned to play Rummy Tiles with everyone and I really liked it)
(relaxing)
(Granny and Karen laughing at Paul)
(Dylan's corny new "cheese" face)
(the closest I got the ocean was using my zoom lens on the deck for this shot!)
Other than that, nada much going on here. I would like to try and scrap now to sorta chill out, but we will see. See, blogging did make me feel calmer. Serenity now!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Yayayayayayayayayayayayay!!!!
I just got an email from Scrapbooking Trends saying they want to put my "Don't know why" LO in their March 2008 issue!!!! Too bad it is a million years from now, but hurray! I suspect I will be among good company for that issue too...pretty sure I am not the first to toot. (**EDITED - HEATHER'S IN THERE TOO!!!**)
I actually deleted it the one place I had posted it in the first place, but here's my graphic for galleries in case I need it in the future...
I've never been much for submitting in the past and I can't remember why I did this one but it is a very good feeling and I will totally try again in the future. Oh yeah, and it is 8 1/2 by 11 -- who knew that was the format for me?
I actually deleted it the one place I had posted it in the first place, but here's my graphic for galleries in case I need it in the future...
I've never been much for submitting in the past and I can't remember why I did this one but it is a very good feeling and I will totally try again in the future. Oh yeah, and it is 8 1/2 by 11 -- who knew that was the format for me?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Checking in...
and with nothing much to say. Stuff we've done lately:
- The Dexter Season Premiere promotion: I think they chose like 16 cities and filled their fountains with faux blood. I went to the wrong fountain at first, but then the family went to the right one. If you haven't watched Dexter, you are truly missing out. Season 1 is out on DVD and while you are catching up on Showtime goodness, check out Season 1 and 2 of Weeds, also awesome.
- Going big boy: Posted these on Simply Obsessed, but we did put together Dylan's big boy bed and he has been a pro at sleeping in it. He doesn't realize he can get out of it himself in the morning, so he just yells "Hello? Mama? Dada? Helloooo?" until someone comes
- Preparing for autumn: Went to the pumpkin patch this weekend with Mary, Richard and Will and shooed in the fall season by posing for pics in the pumpkins and taking a hayride. My favorite is the last one because while Dylan is on a pumpkin, you can see the Christmas season sneaking up behind him, both figuratively and literally.
And finally, to all the ridiculous people who are organizing to burn issues of CK - you are lame. You are sad and jealous and if you were named HOF tomorrow, you would be singing a different tune. What is saddest is that all those stereotypes of ridiculous, crazy women are being fulfilled on MB's all over right now. I've always liked this craft because the focus was on the good things in life and on building relationships of fun and support with other women, and what has come out of that whole debacle is the complete opposite of that. Please stop. If you entered the HOF contest, I understand your frustration and you are given a two minute pass to complain. And the two minutes are up...
- The Dexter Season Premiere promotion: I think they chose like 16 cities and filled their fountains with faux blood. I went to the wrong fountain at first, but then the family went to the right one. If you haven't watched Dexter, you are truly missing out. Season 1 is out on DVD and while you are catching up on Showtime goodness, check out Season 1 and 2 of Weeds, also awesome.
- Going big boy: Posted these on Simply Obsessed, but we did put together Dylan's big boy bed and he has been a pro at sleeping in it. He doesn't realize he can get out of it himself in the morning, so he just yells "Hello? Mama? Dada? Helloooo?" until someone comes
- Preparing for autumn: Went to the pumpkin patch this weekend with Mary, Richard and Will and shooed in the fall season by posing for pics in the pumpkins and taking a hayride. My favorite is the last one because while Dylan is on a pumpkin, you can see the Christmas season sneaking up behind him, both figuratively and literally.
And finally, to all the ridiculous people who are organizing to burn issues of CK - you are lame. You are sad and jealous and if you were named HOF tomorrow, you would be singing a different tune. What is saddest is that all those stereotypes of ridiculous, crazy women are being fulfilled on MB's all over right now. I've always liked this craft because the focus was on the good things in life and on building relationships of fun and support with other women, and what has come out of that whole debacle is the complete opposite of that. Please stop. If you entered the HOF contest, I understand your frustration and you are given a two minute pass to complain. And the two minutes are up...
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Rained out
All the anticipation over the craft fair and I know everyone wants to know how it went...let's just say the whole thing was a bust, but I say that with wet hair and a smile. Started at 11 and it was nasty overcast, but the hope was that the weather would pick up and the people would show...that didn't get a chance to happen. Around 1:30 or 2 it started thundering, but it was sort of a hostage situation to try and get out since cars weren't allowed in the area. At some point, the heavens let loose and it poured insanely. We tried to get everything under the tent, and under tables but it was flooding and nuts. I suspect quite a bit of my stuff was ruined since paper + water = pulp, but that's the way it goes sometimes. Here are some pics from the day -- Shana's bibs and burp cloths were absolutely amazing. We're bringing all the surviving stuff to a mama craft fair at the end of the month, and that should be a lot more promising (no fee and indoors!) I made just enough to cover my half of the booth and a couple of bottles of water, so that's that!
That last one isn't New Orleans post-Katrina, that's this afternoon in the Heights!!!
That last one isn't New Orleans post-Katrina, that's this afternoon in the Heights!!!
Friday, October 05, 2007
Have to vs. Want to
Yup, obligations have taken over my life and that sucks. It is one of the pitfalls of the holiday season, doing things because you have to instead of doing things because you want to and sometimes it straight up sucks the joy out of activities. This weekend it is the craftfair with Shana. I don't know why I agreed to it except that the prospect of making money off of this craft seemed nice. Now I would settle for my sanity. I have been obssessed with producing volume and with a toddler attached to me 24-7, it hasn't really happened. I am irritated because I have a sneaking suspicion that my altered clocks no longer run, that people aren't even going to want this crap and that I just can't seem to get it all done. Doesn't help that Dylan woke up about five times last night, keeping me up between 1-3 (I thought Jason magically slept through this but he said he dealt with it before he went to sleep) and I could break at a moment's notice. Karen is taking Dylan this afternoon so that might help me out, but I could possibly be too far off the deepend to help at this point. Ugh to the infinite power.
As a superficial happy ending to this, here's my 12 on the 12th, which was actually 12 on the 19th because that's when I finally did it and I haven't shared it because it was in this issue of RSC. Clearly it was a really exciting day, but it is what it is...this also means I've updated my scrap blog at http://brandyproductionsscrap.blogspot.com/ if you want to make sure you are caught up on anything I've made in the last couple months. Between all the teams, a lot slips through the cracks...
As a superficial happy ending to this, here's my 12 on the 12th, which was actually 12 on the 19th because that's when I finally did it and I haven't shared it because it was in this issue of RSC. Clearly it was a really exciting day, but it is what it is...this also means I've updated my scrap blog at http://brandyproductionsscrap.blogspot.com/ if you want to make sure you are caught up on anything I've made in the last couple months. Between all the teams, a lot slips through the cracks...
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tag, sucker.
First I will share three awesome pics because I love them:
That's my stepaunt's son (my step cousin?) Max and he is the cutest kid, for reals.
Picking on Dylan and letting me know he knows what he is doing and thinks it is hilarious
Dylan sitting down with a couple at the park and talking like they are old friends catching up. That kid has never met a stranger!
Now, bring the pain! I whine and complain every time I have to do one of these things, but still I have to do them. I also refuse to tag, so if you want to do this, go for it. Me, I am huffing and posting. Thanks to Kelly and Bre for tagging me on this (and who knows else, I am still catching up on everyone's blogs).
The rules...You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.) When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post and then choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don't' forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.
Bre did Marie, I will do it and Heather should. What's up with everyone born in the late seventies scoring that middle name? It isn't very cool, though I chose it over my maiden name for my drivers license when I got married (because Politz, really?) Anyways, a salute to the seventies and me all at the same time:
Mother - it is a job and a joy, though not necessarily at the same time all the time. Dylan is pretty much the coolest kid ever and I get to claim at least 50% of his DNA
Assertive - I know what I think and I stand by it. I know what I want and I go for it. I stand up for others and I don't back down.
Responsible - I am the one who is responsible to a fault, though I've relaxed a lot in the last couple years. I don't like debt and I live within my means.
Idea driven - My soul is driven by the fact that I have hope in the idea that one day people will accept each other and stop judging each other on such arbitrary things like sexual preference, religion, race, blah blah blah. I love the idea that one day Dylan can do whatever he wants with his life. Rock star or rocket scientist, his world is open. I also am comforted by the idea that my world is still open too.
Educated - I love school. If I could get paid to go, it is where you can find me. It makes me feel good to know a lot and to challenge my mind to go to higher levels. Unfortunately, because I am responsible, I hate to rack up student loans so I am not going back...quite yet. So for now, I settle for TV, books and magazines.
With a different name, I might have been able to talk about how funny and witty I am, but I guess that is for another tagging and another posting...
and then I got this from Krystn's:
Put an X by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones
you have not, and send it to all of your friends (including me.)
This is for your entire life:
(X) Smoked a cigarette
(X) Drank so much you threw up.
(X) Crashed in a friend's car.
( ) Stolen a car
(X) Been in love
(X) Been dumped
( )Been laid off/fired
(X) Quit your job
(X) Been in a fist fight
(X) Sneaked out of your parent's house
(X) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Gone on a blind date
(X) Lied to a friend
( ) Skipped an entire semester
(X) Seen someone die
( )Been to Canada
(X) Been to Mexico
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington , DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Felt like dying
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X ) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Sang karaoke
(X)Paid for a meal with only coins
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) Made prank phone calls
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose And laughed
more after that
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Made a snow angel
( ) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about.
(X) Blown Bubbles
(X) Made a bonfire on the beach/campground
( ) Crashed a party
(X) Gone roller skating
(X) Gone ice skating
That's my stepaunt's son (my step cousin?) Max and he is the cutest kid, for reals.
Picking on Dylan and letting me know he knows what he is doing and thinks it is hilarious
Dylan sitting down with a couple at the park and talking like they are old friends catching up. That kid has never met a stranger!
Now, bring the pain! I whine and complain every time I have to do one of these things, but still I have to do them. I also refuse to tag, so if you want to do this, go for it. Me, I am huffing and posting. Thanks to Kelly and Bre for tagging me on this (and who knows else, I am still catching up on everyone's blogs).
The rules...You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.) When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post and then choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don't' forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.
Bre did Marie, I will do it and Heather should. What's up with everyone born in the late seventies scoring that middle name? It isn't very cool, though I chose it over my maiden name for my drivers license when I got married (because Politz, really?) Anyways, a salute to the seventies and me all at the same time:
Mother - it is a job and a joy, though not necessarily at the same time all the time. Dylan is pretty much the coolest kid ever and I get to claim at least 50% of his DNA
Assertive - I know what I think and I stand by it. I know what I want and I go for it. I stand up for others and I don't back down.
Responsible - I am the one who is responsible to a fault, though I've relaxed a lot in the last couple years. I don't like debt and I live within my means.
Idea driven - My soul is driven by the fact that I have hope in the idea that one day people will accept each other and stop judging each other on such arbitrary things like sexual preference, religion, race, blah blah blah. I love the idea that one day Dylan can do whatever he wants with his life. Rock star or rocket scientist, his world is open. I also am comforted by the idea that my world is still open too.
Educated - I love school. If I could get paid to go, it is where you can find me. It makes me feel good to know a lot and to challenge my mind to go to higher levels. Unfortunately, because I am responsible, I hate to rack up student loans so I am not going back...quite yet. So for now, I settle for TV, books and magazines.
With a different name, I might have been able to talk about how funny and witty I am, but I guess that is for another tagging and another posting...
and then I got this from Krystn's:
Put an X by all the things you've done, or remove the X from the ones
you have not, and send it to all of your friends (including me.)
This is for your entire life:
(X) Smoked a cigarette
(X) Drank so much you threw up.
(X) Crashed in a friend's car.
( ) Stolen a car
(X) Been in love
(X) Been dumped
( )Been laid off/fired
(X) Quit your job
(X) Been in a fist fight
(X) Sneaked out of your parent's house
(X) Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back
( ) Gone on a blind date
(X) Lied to a friend
( ) Skipped an entire semester
(X) Seen someone die
( )Been to Canada
(X) Been to Mexico
(X) Been on a plane
(X) Been lost
(x) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington , DC
(X) Swam in the ocean
(X) Felt like dying
(X) Cried yourself to sleep
(X ) Played cops and robbers
(X) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Sang karaoke
(X)Paid for a meal with only coins
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(X) Made prank phone calls
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose And laughed
more after that
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Made a snow angel
( ) Danced in the rain
(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus
( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about.
(X) Blown Bubbles
(X) Made a bonfire on the beach/campground
( ) Crashed a party
(X) Gone roller skating
(X) Gone ice skating
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