1) That I am the first call when my kids need something
2) Learning to make my point without raising my voice
3) The candy bowl in my office, it starts great conversations
4) How the bowl never runs out and I don't always buy the candy
5) The people in my life
If you didn't read the books....shut up, shut up, shut up. I am so sick of so called Christians on the soap box telling people why they are bad books, why they should be banned. First your are entitled to your opinion....but like anything else it is MY throat and you wan't cram your opinion down it.
Yes the books have sex scenes in them.....gasp! Yes the books deal with S&M sex....gasp! Guess what both those things are real, they happen and you shaming the books makes people feel like they are weird or wrong. Now to be real honest I read the books and had to look up a lot of what was in the books cause I didn't know.....now here is the shocker, I go to church, I believe in God and I would like to think that my children are well adjusted members of society. I am NOT damaged because I read the books.....shocked? Me to after seeing how many people believe I should be.
Here is why you standing on your soap box pisses me off. Yes you can ban books like this but ban books like this and it leads to other books being banned. Books that we read in high school like To Kill a Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Catcher in the Rye.
I know how easy this can happen I worked in a school system that lost a great teacher because he had his kids read Flight by Sherman Alexie. The book is about a kid in foster care and how he uses his imagination to escape some of his foster homes. Some parents made the board pull the book do to a real life scene that they deemed inappropriate. He then chose the book When the Cage bird Sings by Maya Angelou the "parents" appeared again and the book was removed from the classroom....why because it had a rape scene in it. Did I mention this last book was a Pulitzer Prize winning book? Well it was.
Right now your asking why this matters and how I could even connect the 50 Shades of Grey with the other two books? Well after the two books from the school got banned I had a student ask me if they would ban her from school next because you see she was a foster child that had been raped and if we didn't want the books in that school why would we want her? How does one answer that?
People you may not agree with 50 Shades it might make your stomach churn or your Christian sensibilities make you want to "protect" poor helpless women (which if you read the books you would know she saves him and he doesn't feel the need to continue that lifestyle) but be careful what your REALLY saying.......be careful that your not saying.....your broken, your dirty, your not worthy cause ultimately it is NOT your place to judge. That will happen later and NOT by you.
I believe we keep learning or we die.....not literally die but mentally you start to slip away. This doesn't have to be taking a college class, that is learning yes, but what have you learned from the people around you on a daily basis?
Some things I learned lately that:
I need to rant so read on or switch to another blog....I HATE health insurance!!!! I don't understand who the first moron was that agreed to the terms of health insurance, I mean really read the following and sign your life away;
So I spent years in education this meant I spent years taking a training called MANDT. It teaches you how to manage yourself so that you can help the people around you who are falling apart. It also teaches you that anger is a second emotion. Think about the times you have been angry 9 times out of 10 it followed something else embarrassment, loss of pride, failure, disappointment. Now there are those times that your just angry and your not even sure why or what caused it, I get that.
What I have been thinking about lately and I don't know that I have answer I just thought I would share. If anger is a second emotion is happiness also a second emotion? Does your happiness rely on something having to happen for you to be happy or are we always in a state of happy unless provoked to be unhappy?
I have been making a conciseness effort to think about myself the last few days. What makes me happy? Do I do the things that make me happy? Do I surround myself with people that make me happy?
I know I haven't done the best at putting myself first, not since i was 17 and found out someone else would be depending on me. Now I am 41 and my children are all but on there own, still one at home for another year but she doesn't need me like she used to and I pray that my happy comes from me and not from things that happen to me. I pray that I am able to re-invest in myself with all the gusto that I invested in my children.
I will continue to search for my blissfully place happy but in the meantime I am just going to enjoy the day-to-day moments that make me smile, I will stop during the day and take into account what I have, what it means to me and how lucky I am. I will also realize that my happy comes from me and how I look at things. One of my favorite quotes is "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it".............How are you reacting?
Well I am going to try this again, I seem to push this blog to the back burner as life gets the better of me. I looked back through this blog and what I realized is that this blog was therapeutic for me. I say that cause I feel like it allowed me to look at what I felt at the time was major things in my life with a little bit of humor, something that frankly I don't think I have done well lately.
I don't really believe in New Year's resolutions cause I think they set you up for failure, we usually write down things that are unattainable or things that we really in our hearts have no intention of doing but Hey everyone else is making them why not? I do however believe in bucket list so maybe in my own way it is my resolutions. I got to see the LA Kings Hockey team play this year so scratch that off my bucket list and I added one....confetti dropper on time square during New Years Eve. Did you know that is a thing? ME EITHER, how awesome is that? I will also be parachuting this spring when it warms up.....taking a trip somewhere (even if it is close) to see or do something I have never seen or done before....start running again (for me).....so join me this year as I try to find the humor in my hectic life and as I work myself through my bucket list.
This month has been a giant roller coaster of emotions. I was diagnosed with Essential Tremors or at least they think that is what it is. My hands shake when I am stressed, sick, sleep deprived or basically some all the time it will eventually move to my head and get worse there is no cure and the meds they could give me would only create several other issues, so it is what it is....frustrating to say the least but not life threatening unless you count the fact that some mornings drinking my morning coffee is an issue.
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| This ford escape above is my new ride pretty sweet and nicer then anything I have ever owned. |
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| The one above is Allissa's after a very scary run in with a hill, we are just grateful that she is alive and unharmed. She was wearing her seat belt and it saved her life. She swerved on a dirt road lost control and rolled the car, one of the worst phone calls a parent can ever hear. |
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| Then I also ended my coaching of the Jr. High cheer squad, kind of bitter sweet ready to move to the next phase in my life but a little sad to let go of this age group. The picture above is what happens when they love you. The covered us in silly string following competition. The girls ended my Jr. High coaching career on a very high note and I could not have been prouder. I got the privilege of coaching both of my girls through Jr. High something I wouldn't have traded for the world it allowed me to really know their friends and spend amazing time with them. I will continue to coach High school, so the adventure continues. |
I read a cool article the other day on a man named Larry Smith who asked people to write into him and describe their lives in six words. That was five years ago and he has never stopped getting six word memoirs and has published several books with peoples descriptions of their lives. It got me thinking about myself and the people around me.
What are my six words? If I choose six today will they apply to me next week, next month, next year? Can they encompass everything I am or what the people around me think I am? My answer "Maybe" maybe they will change, maybe they won't, maybe they describe what people see in me or maybe they just describe what I see in myself.
Some of the memoirs that he got are the following:
--I am more then a twin -Diane Campbell
--Abandoned at 5, learning to thrive-Melinda Hui
--Was hot. Raised kids. Lost cool - Trudy Love
--Survived the divorce. Learned to live. -Laurel Hadley
--I dance daily watched or not watched -Olivia Whitman
So I thought about this and I would have to say that being in my late thirty's that the six words that fit me right now are: "You have always had the power"
What about you what is your six word memoir?
Well Christmas is just around the corner and I am going to challenge each of you to remember the spirit of the season by doing something nice for someone around you once each day. I know I need improvement on this myself we get to living our lives on high speed most of the time and just taking care of what needs to be done sometimes isn't enough. I watched the cutest kids Christmas cartoon I have seen in a long time, it is called Elf on a Shelf and it encourages kids to be at their best through out the holiday season but I think it should also be a message for adults, so on that note.
1) Pay for someone's coffee in the line behind you
2) Tell someone thank you for something they do everyday
3) Leave a note where someone will find it with simple words of encouragement
4) Take a friend out for supper
5) Offer to babysit for free for someone who needs a date night
6) Drop food off at the food bank
7) Bring a plate of cookies to someone who can't get out
8) Visit someone in the nursing home that doesn't have family
9) Adopt a family for Christmas that might need a little help
10) Smile, sometimes that is all someone might need for the day
OK I have given you ten ideas now go create your own list or add to mine but please take this as a challenge to find the reason for the season
Today I was reminded that I need to be thankful for everything I have. I found out that someone that I know lost their husband, father and friend. I woke up this morning wondering why God would put so much on my plate? Why the cost of groceries, gas and clothes seem to be taking a toll on my budget? Why when I take my car in for something simple it comes out costing a fortune? Why a routine dental visit means I need to see a specialist? I forgot to be thankful so this is my reminder to you take a minute not to ask for anything but to be thankful for everything you have and ask yourself "How will your Dash be remembered?"
The Dash
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?
© 1996 Linda Ellis
The girls made a poster with musical notes and we had the kids color them and then we took pictures of each mini-cheerleader and put it with their note. We usually paint a poster but with 68 there was no way I was attempting that.
My fabulous high school crew. The look so cute!!
The girls with all their mini-cheerleaders, rocking out
Practicing in the gym before we go show off our skills to the parentsWell football season is in full swing. The RCHS did a lip dub for homecoming I hope the finished project will be posted soon I think I am as excited to see the whole thing as the kids. Riley is one of three schools in the state of Kansas to do a lip dub and we are the only school to use the whole school including faculty. If you don't know what a lip dub is check it out on youtube.com, they are a ton of fun. The high school cheer squad so far has survived Fall Preview and Homecoming now we are preparing for mini-cheer camp. We have 68 little girls enrolled for our 3 day camp.....Yes I said 68, bring on the Prozac!!!
The Junior High cheer squad is getting ready for competition, not sure where we are going this year but I do know when we can focus at practice and have time for stunting having 18 girls has allowed us to put together some pretty kewl stunts, can't wait to see what they will do in front of a panel of judges.
The girls did show at the Kansas State Fair this year, we haven't shown their for years. They both did a really great job and we had a wonderful weekend. We did a lot of people watching and sat in on the draft horse show, something I had never seen before. The people beside us at the show maybe wished they had sat somewhere else cause I kept asking questions but they where very nice about answering I just hope I didn't sound as naive as some of the questions I fielded in the sheep barn.
Then if we didn't have enough of the state fair Allissa and I returned the next Monday so the High school cheerleaders could march with the band and then I took Allissa and Kaylee back on the last Sunday to see Big Time Rush in concert it was fun to see all the girls gaga over a boy band (took me back to New Kids on the Block concerts but shhhhh don't tell anyone)
I have to give credit to Duane this time of year is crazy and I am only home one night a week so mainly it is him that keeps the family fed, the dishes and laundry done, couldn't do it without him. Just hope he knows how much he is appreciated.
Well the week is almost over but the work/fun is just getting started this weekend we head to Wichita to the KJLS each girl has three head of sheep, no goats this year so tomorrow will be kinda relaxed for us, then home Sunday for Duane to golf and maybe help announce softball at Leonardville. I will keep you posted on our crazy life until then stay safe :)
Well we have made it through the first week of school and I think it is going to be a great year. I love my schedule and I think we might have found a co-worker that we can fit into our classroom (will keep you posted on this) my schedule is amazing I spend almost all day soaking up science information perfect for me, for the first time in about 3 years I am looking forward to work on Monday.
The fall preview was last night I was really impressed with both of my cheer squads. We have some work to do with the Jr. High but fall preview always gives me a different view outside the gym and it allows the girls to work out their nerves of being in front of a crowd. The high school looked amazing and even had a stunt sequence they put together, we still have more work to do but they are a great group with lots of motivation.
The cheerleaders hosted the Welcome back dance last night, it was packed and from the post of Facebook the kids had a good time. Now we start gearing up for homecoming at least we are not in charge of that weeks activities so I can sit back and enjoy it.
I will try and keep you posted on how things are going :)
We have had a really good summer. I decided I wasn't working this summer I was going to enjoy my time with my girls, really the last summer they will both be home. Allissa will be a Jr. this next year and have to get a job to start saving for college. I can honestly say I have tried to make this summer about whatever we wanted to do swim, watch movies, stay up late then sleep even later. The house doesn't look like we are expecting guest but I really don't care, our schedule has been whatever we want it to be.........love this!!! So what have we done this summer well we spent a LOT of time at the pool, I don't think I have been this tan since I was 12 and we...
We had the Clay County Style review and the fair. My niece Alex came and stayed with us for a week. I love having her seeing the farm through her eyes is always an experience, she lives in a big town so her take on what we do is so fun.
Went on a walks by Manhattan and explored path's we have never been on.
We did the spring show thing and showed several weekends in a row, great family time.
We showed goats and sheep, laughed a lot, cried a little and learned every time we left the house
Jasper helped us weed the flower bed, keeping flowers alive in the heat is a challenge, need work on this
We attended Cheer camp for the Jr. High cheerleaders, I have a total of 18 this year (short a couple in this picture) it should make for a interesting year, looking forward to it.
Kaylee played summer league basketball, she loves this sport and keeps improving each year it is fun to watch her
The High school cheer squad also attended camps this summer, there are only 8 this year (short one in this pic) but they are amazing they received the Herkie award at NCA camp for the squad that worked together the best. This is going to be a fun year with them.
We went fishing Allissa caught a good sized fish and was so excited.
Kaylee actually caught the first fish of the night it was tiny so we had to send it back but the smile says it all
Duane helping the girls take the fish off the hook, great learning experience
1) A week with my niece
2) A summer spent with my kids
3) My husband (he truly gets me)
4) books--getting lost in a good story nothing better
5) My mom
I thought about this for some time before I started writing. Do I want to share this part of my life, should I share this part of my life? Then I realized I need to share this part if nothing else then to put it down in black and white and release it from my soul. The last couple months have been hard on me as a parent they have broken parts of my heart that I didn't know existed. I am standing on the sidelines of my sons life and watching him spiral out of control. I have tried to help, I have tried to rescue but I think there comes a time when you have to ask yourself if helping is the right thing to do?
I have had to examine myself lately, not always something one wants to do. I have realized that no I didn't have an instruction manual for my children but I am not a bad parent. I was always there and loved unconditionally I think deep down that is all that matters.
When do our children's choices stop being a reflection of who we are as parents? I guess this is what I struggle with. When we see a toddler or a teenager throwing a fit in a store most people think "Wow those parents need to get a grip" they never think "Wow that child needs to fix themselves" Does this change when they reach a certain age, when are they the masters of their issues? I mean the law sees them as adults at the magic age of 18 so should we see them that way even if their actions don't reflect things adults would do?
In the last two months I have watched my son spirally slowly down knowing that when it finally hits, not today, not tomorrow maybe not even months from now, it will be hard it will hurt and no band-aid in the world will fix some of the choices that have been made. I know he thinks we are wrong/controlling but it is like playing tug-o-war and knowing that if you let go of that rope the person pulling against you is going to fall and get hurt, all I want to do is protect him but..............................I am letting go.
OK I am willing to try anything to get people to do the right thing......call it the educator in me, I don't know.
I have a huge pet peeve with not being able to change the toilet paper roll I mean you sit there and look at it, you use it, you know the next person in that position is going to need it, WHY can you not change the roll when it is empty?? I hate this so much that not only is there a roll on the wall but there is a standing roll holder so there should be two rolls at all times or at least one....now does this sound complicated? I didn't think so but my family seems to think it is.
I have tried yelling, I have tried begging, I have tried reminding, I have even done demonstrations.
Then I tried toilet paper origami I would post a picture but really it wasn't that good, my thought was if I did something fun with each new roll people would be excited to put on the next roll and see what would happen, instead they just told me that my T.P. art sucked well you should have told me it was beautiful even if it wasn't cause this is what I did next...........
I was about to use the bathroom and realized that the standing roll was empty and the wall roll had enough for maybe two people. I went and got a marker and after I had used my share off the roll I then unrolled what was left and wrote a note....this is what it said
"You are SOL if you need more paper then this. (and they would I didn't leave enough for anyone) Bet you are wishing right now that you had put a new roll on the other holder??? Did you learn anything?" I then rolled what little paper was available back on the roll and said nothing to no one
I then took the Kleenex and extra toilet paper out of the bathroom. It did not take to long before I heard screams of desperation and laughter from the bathroom.
I don't know if this worked or not but at least everyone will think about it when they get to the end of the roll
I cried today.....
just like the day I cried when you where born
I cried today
just like your first day of school
I cried today
just like the day you graduated
I cried today
when you drove away
They are all tears of joy milestones that mark your growing-up, so hard to give them roots and wings and so proud of what they are becoming
OK I don't usually re-post something that someone else wrote but this is so funny I had to share partly because I know people that I could see trying this:
Two rednecks, Bubba and Earl, were driving down the road drinking a couple of bottles of Bud. The passenger, Bubba said "lookey thar up ahead, Earl it's a pollice roadblock!!! We're gonna get busted fer drinkin these here beers!!"
"Don't worry Bubba", Earl said. "We'll just pull over and finish drinkin' these beers, peel off the label and stick it on our foreheads and throw the bottles under the seat".
"What?" asked Bubba
"Just let me do the talkin',OK" said Earl
Well they finished their beers, threw the empty bottles under the seat and each put a label on their forehead. When they reached the roadblock the sheriff said "You boys been drinking?"
"No Sir" said Earl "We're on the patch"
OK right now your thinking one of to things. You are either thinking OMG I know people like that or dang that is a good idea I'll have to try that..... if it is the second one then you might be who I was thinking of when I read this joke.
