tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35340332117580040042024-03-12T17:20:40.838-06:00Strong. Independent. Mom??Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-6189323001845497092012-06-13T15:16:00.001-06:002012-06-13T15:16:39.554-06:00Well Shit. Now I Am One Of Them.<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yup. I am one of those damn people who works out in the morning and spends half her morning at work talking about her great work out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those bitches. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After baby #2 I was HUGE! Not huge in a polite, "you're just naturally built big" way. H-U-G-E! It was sick, sick, sick. <br /><br />I denied it. Ate more. Made fun of people who worked out. And ate more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I said to myself one day, "whelp, your kids are going to get older, smarter and faster so you better get your ass in shape before they run you to the ground." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I joined a gym, WHAT???!!! Started going to Zumba again---LOVE! And started counting calories again on <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/" target="_blank">myfitnesspal</a>. Its working. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And damn it, I love the classes I am in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I want to get stronger. And forget that crap about being healthy...I want to be HOT again! Fine, healthy is good too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So what-the-shit. I am busy with a full-time job, 2 kids, 2 dogs, husband who works 13-16 hour days and a house that apparently falls all to hell if you dont take care of it. Whats one more hour a day of neglecting all those things?? Ha ha ha. Who needs a social life? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here I am, posting publicly about this because as one of the best trainers I know (<a href="http://www.purenergygym.com/" target="_blank">Purenergy</a>) said, "People will be watching you now. No turning back."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No pressure ;-) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope I can post more now that my baby #2 is almost 5 months old (HOLY SHAT!!) and starting to be cool. Follow me and make sure I stay in line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here I am 2 months into my journey and 13lbs down with only 60+ to go...bwa ha ha ha. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7c9Wm3t5M7SinCRqa7vzIfiWaw5zI7wbsgARztH91OOvb-b-je-c2NzpNJFnSayFq0Ab5bhqErLDurn3YOBDK9CxeoCoTZREgDamER3h9P7cWTfublEzreF7axZVPAJjXqyvYWF8ZEPZ/s1600/me.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7c9Wm3t5M7SinCRqa7vzIfiWaw5zI7wbsgARztH91OOvb-b-je-c2NzpNJFnSayFq0Ab5bhqErLDurn3YOBDK9CxeoCoTZREgDamER3h9P7cWTfublEzreF7axZVPAJjXqyvYWF8ZEPZ/s320/me.png" width="234" /></a>I will post another one in August....hopefully the hot factor will start showing in that one. </span>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-2561874815389229322012-04-02T12:07:00.002-06:002012-04-02T12:28:54.977-06:001 New Baby + 1 3 Year Old = Happy Mama<span style="font-size:130%;">Well believe it or not, I have (so far) survived the newborn stage.<br />Have I screamed at my husband at 3 a.m? Yes.<br />Have I questioned my sanity for having another baby? Yes.<br />Have I called my mom for help? Oh my lord, yes.<br />Have I been peed on, thrown up on, buried in laundry, exhausted, stressed, and temperamental? YES YES YES!<br /><br /><br />But those are just little blips in my weeks. This time around, this baby business is like a walk in the park. Sure I have had nights where I text a friend saying I dont think I can do it anymore, but for the most part, I have been kicking ass.<br /><br />I love my new little baby so much and my big boy baby who turned 3 a week after baby was born has been AWESOME! I seriously could not have asked for better kids and I am so confused as to why I am so blessed.<br /><br />I took 8 weeks off from work and it was nice. Well, nice and boring. I loved spending time with the kids doing crafts or just holding them, but I learned I need my career and I need my kids to see that too. Of course its hard to send a new baby to daycare.....so I brought him with me to work for a few days instead :-) Such a good baby.<br /><br />So what have a learned this time around?<br /><br />1. 2nd baby is much easier. Not sure why, but I guess this time I know crying wont kill him and holding him wont last forever.<br /><br />2. Pregnancy is NOT for me. Epidural and c-sections ARE for me! Ha ha ha. I seriously have had 2 wonderful experiences at Sheridan Memorial and I sometimes fantasize about getting a mild injury so I can be there again....to rest ha ha ha.<br /><br />3. Organized Rhonda is gone...for now. When you are late to one of your best friend's 2 year old's birthday parties by AN HOUR, you can pretty much kiss your organization good-bye. Bless her for knowing me.<br /><br />4. For me, wine can really hit the spot.<br /><br />5. Messes are a part of life. Told my mom the other day that Liam and were going to make some slime. "WHY?" is all she said. Ha ha ha. Because Pinterest, thats why.<br /><br />6. And I learned that my husband, my wonderful husband, puts up with the most wicked woman in the world. Again, confused as to why I am so blessed with this amazing man.<br /><br />I am so excited to see my boys grow up together. I came out of the shower today and could hear 3 year old talking to the baby about Thomas. Telling him who was who. SOOOO CUTE!<br /><br />I hope I can get back to regular postings. I still have lots of opinions I want to share. But for now, miss me, cause I miss all of you! </span>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-73711094218637537892012-01-05T13:02:00.002-07:002012-01-05T13:30:59.545-07:00Holy Crap. I Am Doing It Again?!<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So in 12 more days, I will be in a hospital, peeing in a bag with out knowing its happening (wish that was the case now, especially at 4am) and smiling politely to the nurses who come in to check on me right after I fall asleep. Bless their cursed hearts that I will curse when they leave the room. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Who cares, because I will be holding my new baby boy! Weeeee!</span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Not to toot my own horn or anything, but pre-family days, pre-baby days, I was pretty cool. I knew good music, knew all the designers and could tell who made a dress a celeb was wearing, and put eyeshadow on everyday. Not only that, but I was pretty self-sustainable. Like, I could do stuff by myself. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Are my kids my kryptonite? Yes. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As the day gets closer I have been thinking a lot about what kind of person I am today. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This past weekend, I literally would have been a crying mess with out my mama. She went to the store with me! MOMS: you know how fabulous that was? Sure, I did not NEED her to go, but she went and it was PAIN FREE! I waddled around and got things I needed and she chased my almost 3 year old. THEN, she carried all my groceries in while I sat and ate a quarter pounder! WHAT?! If she was tired, she didnt show it. I was sooo weak! And miserable. And pathetic. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">How is that possible? It's was the kryptonite. He never stops. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My self-sustainability left when I got home from the hospital with our first son. Some know how bad it was for me. My husband and my mom know all of it. I was looney tunes. I was not able to cope, at all. After about 4 weeks, my mom said, "whats the matter, this isnt you." DUH. So I kinda picked myself up and got a little better, but I have never been the same. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Naturally, I am terrified for baby #2. But this time, more prepared. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This time, mom's are not telling me what a joy parenting is and building up my standards.....you know why? Because now they know I know better. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This time, books arent dictating how I feel.....you know why? Because I have not read them, they suck. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This time, I know that no matter what, I am a mom now and only *I* know what my kid needs. And this time....I know that *I* can do it. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am not as strong as I used to be and I know that I am definitely not self-sustainable because I could not live one day on earth with out my husband or mom. But I have the coolest, smartest, most kick-ass kid I have ever met. Its all because of me ...</span></span><br /><br />and dad, and grandma.......<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So something is working. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I always wish that baby #1 could get the calmness of mommy that baby #2 is going to get. But without baby #1, I would not know how to be a mom. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Am I gonna lose my mind, probably. Is life gonna suck for a while, probably. Will I curse my husband at 3am, probably. But I got this. </span><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I swore never to have another kid. Holy crap. </span></span>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-68178802056561577972011-12-30T22:03:00.007-07:002011-12-30T22:55:43.312-07:00More 2011 Animal Victories<pre style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> 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mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></pre><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Just so you know, the 207K fine that Ringling received as mentioned in my previous blog, was for that one elephant. Never once were they fined for beating a chained baby elephant named Angelica with a bull-hook. Never once were they fined after an 8 month old elephant was euthanized because he broke his two back legs during forced training exercises involving bull-hooks and ropes wrapped around his trunk to force the maneuvers. 8 Months old. And never once were they fined when a lion baked to death in a box car. Still, that fine was the largest in history, and I call it a victory.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br />Also in 2011 we saw felony animal cruelty charges against workers in a lab. First of all, labs rarely get fined, sanctioned or shut down, let alone charged. Same for the workers, they are very protected. So this was huge.<br />Professional laboratory and research services shut down following the charges, closed their doors! Yay. What was going in you wonder?<br />The lab tested animal deworming medicines and other harsh pharmaceuticals, so the dogs and cats were constantly full of worms and treated with test medicine. Bad enough right? Wrong, gets worse. The workers charged,......females..... Were shown on camera kicking the dogs and cats, spraying them in the face with high pressure chemicals through a hose, dragged while cowering across the rooms, beaten with objects, slammed into their cages, thrown across rooms and forced to live years in cages with concrete floors. They were sick and infested with sores, only to be sprayed by hoses full of bleach to "clean" the runs they lived in but never got to run in. As I<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>read more about this "lab" I discovered that not one lab worker has ever been charged with felony animal cruelty charges until these bitches were. Yay for 2011!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br /><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br />Soooooo whats the simple thing you can do regarding this particular victory?? Choose cruelty free products.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Refuse to buy things tested on animals. I totally understand how hard that is, I do. But try. Become aware. Even if it just starts as one item, then grows to more. My son loves his Cars shampoo, and I buy it for him. But MY shampoo and body foo-foos are all cruelty free. Just do a little at a time. Try cruelty free laundry soap, or cleaning products, or even just hand soap. Something. Animals suffer because of us every day. Not just rats or mice, but puppies, cats, rabbits, dogs, monkeys.....</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">here is a </span></span><code><a href="http://http//www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx"></a></code><a href="http://peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx">LINK<code></code></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"> that will take you to a data base so you can see which products are or are not tested on animals.<br /></span></span></p> <pre></pre>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-8550569977700357932011-12-30T16:54:00.004-07:002011-12-30T17:00:40.614-07:00It's Almost 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have been reading from a few of my friends on Facebook that they are certainly looking to get rid of 2011 and enter into 2012. Sorry this year was so crappy for them :-(</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ahhh, those Facebook friends – no idea their year was that rough, because they never say so in person when you see them. We should start doing that more. Just so each of you know, I would not stop being your friend if you ignored me in the store because you are having a bad year ha ha. I get it.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So, did anything good come out of 2011? Well heck yes it did! I am going to point out some animal rights victories that were, in my opinion, monumental. “What?” you say.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Yes, I love me some animals-all of them (except spiders). And even though I eat them occasionally (not spiders), I am forever trying to change that. It’s hard. But there are things I CAN do, and do do (do do..ha ha) until my life of vegetarianism kicks in again.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Let’s start with the circus. I despise the circus. And I do not attend, and will never ever attend. Not only is the thought of a clown getting all up in my face freaky, but I am not a fan of overpriced snacks and toys - or hot and muggy tents for that matter. We all know that elephants star in circuses all over the world. But they are not treated like stars, not by a long shot. They are transported in hot, sweltering crates, with unsafe locks or steel structures with no food or water until they arrive to their next place of torture. They are not treated for any illnesses they may have or wounds they may suffer. Not even simple oral medicines. They are constantly abused. I use that term lightly. They are stabbed with bull-hooks, they are shocked with cattle prods, they are chained for days on end with zero mobility and they are never allowed to rest. There is almost zero footage of elephants resting in hay or even STANDING in hay for their pleasure. They are only bathed to soothe the eye of the idiotic ticked purchaser, and never fully cleaned. The elephants are purchased as babies and beaten into submission. I have watched video of baby elephants being tied on all four legs and literally stretched in all directions until you can hear them SCREAMING in pain. Do not skip over what I just wrote because you can’t bear to read it. Read it. Those elephants screamed and cried in pain. While circus workers stood there, causing more pain. They do not live a life. They are suffering every single second of the day. There is no joy in their life, none. I am barley scratching the surface of what these amazing animals suffer. If you can honestly believe that they are not treated poorly and continue to attend, I feel so sorry for the animals that have to suffer because of your choice. So instead make an easy, simple choice. No more circus or show where animals are live entertainment. Please consider boycotting.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So how is all of this allowed you may ask? GOOOOOD QUESTION. The USDA is supposed to monitor these companies such as Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey but even their regulations are not up to date. But, in 2011 we finally saw the parent company of the 2 major circuses fined the largest amount in the Animal Welfare Act history……ready for it……. 207K. Yep, that’s it. For the torture and neglect of one elephant named Sarah who was suffering from illnesses that were going untreated. She was so weak she would fall over and be beaten until she got back up again. $207,000 is nothing to these companies who know YOU are going to buy their tickets. We need to stop attending the circus. The USDA is also the same branch that ALLOWS the purchases of these animals and is currently weighing the possibility of RB and B&B to purchase 9 more Bengal tigers from Africa.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Again, I am urging you to boycott the circus. If you want to take it further, contact me and we can contact the organization that brings the circus here yearly together. I have nothing against what the Shrine does for children, and I think they are great. But there is no need to bring the circus to Sheridan anymore - and I let them know.<br />Even though there are many strides that can still be reached when it comes to the circus, RB and B&B being fined, finally, was huge. It really was. Let’s hope 2012 sees the end of the circus or harsher penalties for these acts of cruelty.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have to go for now, but I will post another victory for animal welfare tonight! Toodles! </span></p>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-55289089111741092082011-12-19T16:41:00.003-07:002011-12-20T16:36:55.153-07:00Traditional Tastes<span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Christmas is this weekend. WEEEE!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />In my family, our Christmas was always celebrated on Christmas Eve at my mom's house.<br />Those nights are so memorable for me for many obvious reasons.<br />Since we have had our son, we celebrate at my home and mom and brother come to us. I love having everyone over but there is always the feeling that something is missing. It's just not like at mom's house ;-) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Its all different now, but only because its a new tradition that takes getting used to. Also, my house tends to be a "tad" more chaotic than the calming lure of a mother's home. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, my mom decorated the shit out of her house! Like, from the tree of course to changing her hanging pictures so that they were winter or Christmas photos! WHAT??!!! <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh ya, it was straight up Christmas in our house.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I can barely get my husband to take out our ONE Christmas tote to begin to decorate. But, some things will never change, it doesn’t matter where we celebrate. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br />For instance, my mom HATES, HATES and I mean HATES the movie "A Christmas Story." So naturally, my brother and I insist on having the 24 hour TBS feed playing at all times in the background on the TV. And about every 20 minutes we giggle when she grits her teeth and says, "turn that stupid movie off." Ha ha ha, never gets old. I just saw the commercial the other night mentioning the 24 hour marathon and secretly got a devilish feeling inside me that felt excited to torture my mom! What kind of daughter am I?!?!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Another thing that will never change is eating little smokies that night. YUM! I would seriously feel deprived if I could not eat those on Christmas Eve.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Another tradition is opening all of our gifts on Christmas Eve. SO FUN! One of the main reasons I love this tradition is because I like the feeling of opening gifts at night! Some recent Christmas mornings have not been a winter wonderland. Instead they were sunny, slushy and almost spring days. That’s not CHRISTMAS! But at night, all of that spring sunny lameness goes away, and everything is toasty and cozy-<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>the way Christmas SHOULD feel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then, Santa brings MORE for the morning. Its like a double dose of Christmas!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">There are times where I thought it would be nice to go to the midnight service at St. Peters Church. But honestly, I like having my wine on Christmas Eve, and being there might ruin my buzz. Bad girl for even thinking that- I KNOW! Judge me now. But that does not mean my family doesn’t know the meaning of Christmas.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">No wine for me this year <span style="mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" >L</span> I have baby number 2 coming in about 4 weeks and apparently wine during pregnancy is frowned upon. So I will waddle around my house this year, picking up wrapping paper and reminding myself how lucky I am to have the most important people in the world to me share my home. I love this time of year, and I love the traditions that have come from it.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">What are some of your favorite Christmas Eve or Christmas Day traditions?? I would love to hear them and why they are so special to you.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Merry Christmas to you and next year….this girl his getting her hot-buttered rum on!<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh and holy crap! I almost forgot one of the best Christmas traditions of ALL TIME! </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">NATIONAL LAMPOON”S CHRISTMAS VACATION! Heck yes!</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Seriously, this movie is stellar and if you are too lazy to post your favorite tradition, you at least have to post your favorite quote from the movie!<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Love each of you! </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Seriously mom.....get on board with this ;-)</span></span><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> 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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyulyHWc1VsKqXVjhE8YU1sipprzgIQ5v8JIrHIOrlA9qVAbNpEaAOsJHJehEra6erLk0fcP-faQZSFcA-TCBePBhi3AYhpZ3Gqk90hP-ckChfUF_b313Bx5KJQCew6_iWnwu1npwmOco/s1600/christmas+story.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyulyHWc1VsKqXVjhE8YU1sipprzgIQ5v8JIrHIOrlA9qVAbNpEaAOsJHJehEra6erLk0fcP-faQZSFcA-TCBePBhi3AYhpZ3Gqk90hP-ckChfUF_b313Bx5KJQCew6_iWnwu1npwmOco/s400/christmas+story.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688358147896082194" border="0" /></a>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-58756234033022379142011-12-02T14:59:00.006-07:002011-12-02T15:17:43.848-07:00Crafters: On Your Mark - Get Set - Give Me Ideas!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Ok you awesome ladies who read my blog.....<br /><br />I have a plain jane white shadow box that is supposed to be a baby keepsake thingy. Not my style.<br /><br />I want it to contain something GREAT! I want to craft with it or build something MAGICAL!<br /><br />I want it to go in a small spot on the wall in my guest bathroom/laundry room that is almost complete. The room is a mix of clean and rustic with these colors.....<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8I2YdLcNoUPxLWVQ_ODnt_muAcpMupm3W6037Nnqz3VF_wgwTNI01ulX6VeMKil1SPhIW-5r3__ukYC2Sd8ZF5Wpqdm6swul_ykziOxpreDbf1KDOgY1uOW1DtmdMkRKMaFS91hTU3cR/s1600/181692166186265615_rfFTJAhX_c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8I2YdLcNoUPxLWVQ_ODnt_muAcpMupm3W6037Nnqz3VF_wgwTNI01ulX6VeMKil1SPhIW-5r3__ukYC2Sd8ZF5Wpqdm6swul_ykziOxpreDbf1KDOgY1uOW1DtmdMkRKMaFS91hTU3cR/s400/181692166186265615_rfFTJAhX_c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681655017414967106" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Post links to your idea under the facebook post with this blog post or post it here! I am on <a href="http://pinterest.com">Pinterest</a> if you want to pin to my board as well!<br /><br />I am counting on you to give me ideas! The best idea I get, I will try to make!<br />HELP!<br />Here is a similar shadow box to help you visualize your creation....that I am going to steal from you!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNOLJbc8ZR-JwtOH-Bi_dyp7Z_1YzV_hZnp41QVHElIpzFlQ71YuPGdCwJdzYxNphz20q8-kV-quwBsquw1VaWWp6TurjIiOOXJ76RO7BEecytt4O1DDuhkriSZVjD1XpZblP_mOl2xXo/s1600/364226240_344.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNOLJbc8ZR-JwtOH-Bi_dyp7Z_1YzV_hZnp41QVHElIpzFlQ71YuPGdCwJdzYxNphz20q8-kV-quwBsquw1VaWWp6TurjIiOOXJ76RO7BEecytt4O1DDuhkriSZVjD1XpZblP_mOl2xXo/s400/364226240_344.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681657677299402898" border="0" /></a></span>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-8785281047567807362011-11-30T12:06:00.002-07:002011-11-30T12:16:45.004-07:00Who Are Your Facebook Friends?<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We all know that I really put myself out there on Facebook. My status updates are rarely vague. I don't elude to an opinion or result, I just give it. I feel safe doing that because the people I have chosen to be "friends" with on Facebook are my friends in real life. They are people I like to be around or visit with if I see them. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I worry that connection gets lost in the Facebook translation. Has Facebook made it easier to be close, or has it pushed friendships apart? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I started thinking about this because I wonder if people are truly honest through their Facebook. The lives and family they portray can be the lives and family we choose. None of us post the bad photos, none of us say the bad or embarrassing news so are these people really your friends that you once knew? Or are they a facade version, something they WANT to be rather then what they are. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As a people person, I find myself wondering if their lives are so perfect at home and at work. If they are not, why cant it be shared? If I must get lost in the Facebook translation, I would much rather know what is REALLY going on with my friends. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">When did it become taboo to discuss the difficult times in our life, or the hard ships? If you feel like you don't want to share on Facebook, then are the people you would potentially be sharing with truly your friends? Or just a collection that you have?</span></span>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-29431276284196304292011-11-22T16:17:00.003-07:002011-11-22T16:23:40.300-07:00Things I Am Thankful For - My Style<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">All month long my friends on FaceBook have posted what they are thankful for in preparation for Thanksgiving. I personally enjoy the silly ones.<br />“Today I am thankful for a garage so I don’t have to clean snow off of my car.”<br />“Today I am thankful for wine from a box.”</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Those are more my style.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">It goes without saying that I am thankful for all the blessings I have in my life: a great family, health, shelter and enough money to buy food and luxuries. Still, I sat up the other night with a sick baby who wanted me to rock him in the middle of the night, and I realized that I need to mention and honor those blessings more often.</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">But you know I am gonna keep the wording more my style….. </span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR (the mature list)</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-size:130%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My kiddo. What a cool, cool kid I have! I know I am not like other moms when it comes to parenting. And I know I don’t feel the same way other moms do about being a parent. But my kid drives me and inspires me. I hear other moms trying to be so politically correct when they say, “I just could not imagine my life without my child.” (for some reason I say that with a southern accent in my head) Well let me tell you something - -I CAN imagine, daresay fear, life without my child and it would be the worst life imaginable. There would be no joy, because he brings it to me each morning, there would be no laughter because he makes sure I get huge doses daily, and there would be no learning, because he teaches me every day. He is my everything. Nothing else matters.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-size:130%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My husband who moved his whole life to live in America for me. Few can understand what that really feels like. He has never batted an eye, or resented me one day since he moved, and I know he never will. That man is solid, and I take him for granted too much. I would not make it one day on this earth without him.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-size:130%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My incredible mother who never judges me. And if she does, she saves it for later when I deserve to be judged. Strongest woman I know and if I could be even a tiny bit like her we could rule the world together. But for now, only she can. I am thankful she only gets slightly annoyed at my skewed curtains, when I know she really wants to scream at me for them or rip them down and make them straight.</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-size:130%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My brother. No matter what, that kid makes me laugh. We ate together at Burger King the other day and he gave me the strangest look when I told him my son had never had a hamburger. He flat out told me I am weird, and that my kid NEEDS to have one. He will never censor himself with me, and I will never censor myself with him, and we will always be together.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="mso-bidi-mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;font-size:130%;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">My dogs. Some people have pets, I have furry family members. They are not pets, they are a part of our home (no really, their hair is on every square inch of our home ha ha).</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">The joy that those 2 dogs bring to me is something I never expected. I expected my son to take my breath away, I expected to fall in love with him right away. I did not expect I would WANT to devote so much of my life to these doggies. They are complete chaos most of the time but the bond I have with them is something I am thankful for every single day. And those little brat-faces know it. They provide me with so much happiness.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Because of those 6 things and all they do for me, I am able to have and be thankful for: my home, my job, my friends and my sanity. Without those 6 lives in my life, there is no life for me.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR (elementary list)</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">dishwasher, cars, leaf blowers (because raking leaves by hand is TORTURE), diaper genie-and diapers for that matter, pickles, the beach, good cheese, wine, Mike’s Hard Lime, and my iPad to name a few.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">SITES I AM THANKFUL FOR:</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.facebook.com">Facebook</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.etsy.com">Etsy</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pinterest.com">Pinterest</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.zulily.com">Zulily</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.youtube.com">Youtube</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.shutterfly.com">Shutterfly</a></span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Do yourself a huge favor, especially if you have a busy life like mine, and take a minute after reading this to think about WHY you are thankful for the things we are so quick to say. It’s easy to say, “I am thankful for family.” Yes, yes, we know that, but WHY? </span></p>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-42854326341346733292011-11-17T16:03:00.009-07:002011-11-17T16:43:24.980-07:00Not Trying To Ruin It For You. 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">If I were not a victim advocate who trul</span><span style="font-size:130%;">y believes t</span><span style="font-size:130%;">here are far too many victim</span><span style="font-size:130%;">s out there, I am not sure I would have </span><span style="font-size:130%;">been so upset with the Twilight Saga as I foun</span><span style="font-size:130%;">d myself to be.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am writing this post as a victim advocate, and also as a parent. Sadly, my job has tainted the way I see my surroundings. I see things differently, and on some days there is a lot of things that scare me when raising my own child. I think this can be said for anyone in any career, but because of my j</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ob, I see victims everywhere. And I want you to see them too. I want you to see that the fo</span><span style="font-size:130%;">rms of media put in front of us cater to our need for viole</span><span style="font-size:130%;">nce. I want you to see that forms of media put in front of us normalize or glamorize violence. And I want you to see that forms of media put in front of us cause us to be blind to violence.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I read the Twilight series mostly because I love reading books in a series, and I love getting lost in a story. It was a perfect series for that. I enjoyed it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The series is about young teens in a small coastal town. One is a “normal” teen-age girl, Bella, who has normal teen struggles. One is a “teen” male, Edward, who is a vampire. His actual age is over 100 years old. Gross. He is not a traditional vampire that I grew up reading about. He does not die in sun-light, he is written to be gorgeous, and he appears to have no faults what-so-ever. The other is a Native American, Jacob, who comes from a line of werewolves. He seems traditional and in the beginning of the series, would be the one I would say was the most accurate portrayal of a teen. Looooong story short: Bella’s like for Edward turns into love. So much so, she would die for him. Jacob loves Bella, Edward says back off. 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font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I remember reading the first book on a plane to Switzerland for a visit. I remember setting it down on my teeny food tray and thinking…’something is not right here.’</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Then I bought the second book in an English book store in Zurich. Yes, something was definitely not right while reading that book. And it got worse.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I kept reading and finished the series. I shared my disgust with my mother and husband. I was glad they agreed with me.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">My husband recently told me he cant watch the movies now without thinking of the issues I have brought up surrounding the series. Music to my ears. That prompted me to talk about those issues in schools, with friends and at social events. Where ever I could so that I could keep spreading the word about the issue:<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">DATING VIOLENCE</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Because this book is FULL-FULL-FULL-FULL of it. </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">When professionals talk about partner </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">violence they are very careful to articulate what that means. They always mention that violence is carried out for 2 reasons and those reasons are power and control. Emotional, verbal, physical and sexual abuse in a relationship always has elements of power and control and those 2 things are what drives an abuser. That is all they care about. To keep that power and control over a victim, they have a plethora of tactics that they use. Instead of being taught about abstinence in schools we should have been learning about the power and control wheel. That way, we would be aware of those tactics abusers use and be on the look-out for those red-flags.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The tactics are things like:<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">- Isolating the victim by keeping him/her from friends and family<br />-Using economic abuse such as not letting a victim work, buying them things they need or want or controlling all the finances</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />- Using threats such as fear for their life, their family member’s life or threatening to break-up with a victim should the abuser not get his/her way</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Plus many more.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I don’t think one has to be a victim advocate to notice the alarming things Edward does in the books to keep his control over Bella. And I could go on and on about each incident, but who wants to read that?!<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Lets just talk about a few that occur over the whole series. Again, my goal is not to make you hate the series, but be more aware of what we are reading and better yet, what our young people are reading. These are the forms of media that shapes their little minds. Teaches them what is normal, teaches them how to behave. Because as a mom, I know I do not raise my child alone. Even though I try, even though I want to be the only one.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Edward does not want Bella to hang with her friends, mostly Jacob. I think small doses of jealousy are normal, I think it is natural to feel intimidated if you partner wants to hang with a member of the opposite sex. But that does not make it okay to order our partner to stop seeing a certain friend, or thr</span><span style="font-size:130%;">eaten them if they do. Even if Edward is saying it is for Bella’s own good, it does not give him the right to make choices for her. She gets to decide. Now, of course she is going to decide what Edward wants because she is a victim, who struggles with pleasing her abuser. Not making him mad, worried about what he will do to her or Jacob. Edward controls her choices. (jealousy, isolation)<br /></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh and lets not forget the fact that he never leaves her alone. He always knows what she is doing – even in her sleep. He comes through her window, he leers outside her house, and he follows her when she is out. On the surface, some romantics might think this is flattering – he likes her – he is protecting her. But I know better. He is stalking her. On occasion, Bella even voiced her protest to these actions. She wanted the following to stop, the leering to stop, but he never did. (stalking)<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">There is one incident I can think of where Edward was physical. He grabbed Bella by the back of the coat or back-pack and would not let her g</span><span style="font-size:130%;">o. He dragged her back to his car and ordered to get in. Think about that for a second. Is that how you want your daughter’s boyfriend to treat her? Is that the kind of behavior you want your daughter to think is acceptable from a partner?</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I think this was another time where Edward was insisting it was for her safety. This was at the same time where Bella was thinking to herself how quickly she could get away from him if she had to, and he said if she ran, he would drag her back. Lovely.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">(physical violence, threats)<br /></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Edward always has a way of intimidating Bella. Every action she makes, she wonders what Edward’s response will be. She even resorts to sneaking behind his back so as not to make him mad. This does NOT make her the manipulator, it makes the survivor. She is a victim of an abusive relationship and sometimes until there is a way out, victims do small things to survive, or live the lives they choose. (intimidation)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I also feel like I must mention the physical violence during sex. Now, I know he is a blood thirsty vampire, yadda yadda. The problem I have with those scenarios is that we already live in a sex driven world where young girls are pressured to believe sex is rough, hot, dominating, and male driven. He leaves marks on her, beats her and could have even killed her. But it is all okay in their world because of his excuses, his own false shame. She feels sorry for HIM. 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Just those few scenarios above helped me make up my mind -this book was glamorizing, excusing and normalizing violence. I am not saying that it was done intentionally by the author, but Edward is an abuser and Bella is a victim.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I was worried about all the young female teens reading this book, swooning over Edward and his “love” for Bella. I was worried they would want a love like that. I was worried they would settle for a love like that. My worries became real when I was talking with young teens in 8<sup>th</sup> grade. They giggle when I suggest they might someday be in an abusive relationship or know someone who is. They think getting flowers from a boy wouldn’t be the worst thing, even if they were unwanted. They fail to see the patters and red flags of violence. They want a love like Edward’s and they have no idea the danger that could put them in.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Through my work, I was able to teach these young girls about red flags. They were able to see the danger. Then I sprang it on them: “Do you know anyone from a book or movie who may exhibit some of these signs or red flags?”<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">No hands went flying up in the air.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I suggested Edward from the Twilight Saga. Eyes bulged and the shock settled. The light-bulbs went on and there was no denying what they thought. They just realized the sweet boy they wanted to be happy with Bella forever was an abuser. Hands flew in the air and girls yelled out, “oh wow HE IS abusive.” They started shouting out examples of the tactics Edward used to keep Bella under his control.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Like I said before, I enjoy this series. But I know the difference between what is real and what is not. I know what is healthy and what is not.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Go see the movie, read the books and enjoy them. But I hope you will always remember that Rhonda thinks Edward is an abuser, and Bella is a victim. Even if you think of it just for a second, I will be pleased.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Violence is in our faces. We need to start seeing it for what it is. Not glamor, not love, not normal, but dangerous.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="trebuchet ms"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80yoFZE40f6AD7SwdAFqoXBOaVFppr36fJRFviNDVCMFaZfjvy5hvH_gaH28lkCuoMYblTWyFQhlIck6Ebw-az26HGu0xane9pr56HaQfuDw23Xb0X8aHR_tajrNf_WMQQEz5kaUa55Em/s1600/tumblr_lmyabkBKoM1qis2apo1_500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80yoFZE40f6AD7SwdAFqoXBOaVFppr36fJRFviNDVCMFaZfjvy5hvH_gaH28lkCuoMYblTWyFQhlIck6Ebw-az26HGu0xane9pr56HaQfuDw23Xb0X8aHR_tajrNf_WMQQEz5kaUa55Em/s400/tumblr_lmyabkBKoM1qis2apo1_500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676112857378713794" border="0" /></a></span></p>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-60322651420689354692011-10-26T14:44:00.005-06:002011-10-26T15:04:23.942-06:00Turns Out - Finding Fault In the Twilight Series Is Easy<span style="font-size:130%;">Some of you may know I have a love/hate relationship with the Twilight series.<br /><br />I love it because I enjoy reading mindless books with fun story lines. I love it because I was able to absorb myself into them and forget real life for a moment. That, to me, is fun reading.<br /><br />I hate the series because even though I can be carried off into the land of fiction for a moment reading a book, I am still reminded that real-life exists and STUPID books like these are shaping OUR real-lives.<br /><br />SORRY! Don't hate me yet. If you are reading my blog, you are probably my friend and I do not think less of you for adoring the series. I am confident you are smart enough to be like me: read the books, know they are fake and move on with your life. But what about those "other" people who want the life they read in a book? The teen-age female who thinks love is like what she read in that series? Can that series cause damage to these young girls?<br /><br />I say yes.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wRea6UHHAvyjuzF8qJogTdSIJWG1XPPgOaO_T1R3N3l-6OQUojw16CHkvENetPEJrr9OjJYXBL0sIuj1_6aA8R3HgpUz9x9ugPdHzX51tzt12x3Fkz8stoZXaTY8R4cmVNVb9GJQsmrz/s1600/Edward_Cullen_by_Anti_Twilight_Army.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wRea6UHHAvyjuzF8qJogTdSIJWG1XPPgOaO_T1R3N3l-6OQUojw16CHkvENetPEJrr9OjJYXBL0sIuj1_6aA8R3HgpUz9x9ugPdHzX51tzt12x3Fkz8stoZXaTY8R4cmVNVb9GJQsmrz/s320/Edward_Cullen_by_Anti_Twilight_Army.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667908733779288658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But I am at work. And I should work. So I will finish my post later...probably right before the dreaded next movie comes out in a few weeks. Just to remind you that Bella Swan is pathetic written as a fictional character.<br /><br />But if it were real, as some teen girls hope, she would be a victim of violence.<br /><br />And that my lovely friends is the social problem we are facing. Even the crime fighting victim advocate named Rhonda gets sucked into the crap that is written and very briefly finds fault in a victim. Shame one me.</span>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-443722950741520812011-10-05T14:00:00.001-06:002011-10-05T14:03:44.571-06:00In Our House, Dogs=Family<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Good people would worry what their snobby neighbors who never wave to the young couple think, but not this girl.</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have ran down the sidewalk in my gorgeous maxi style nightgown that can occasionally show a ta-ta while chasing a dog.<br />I have called on neighbors to look for my missing 2 ½ half year old and his accomplices known as bad dog #1 (Jackson) and bad dog #2 (Boris). TWICE. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><br />I have snapped at sweet neighbor girl who insists on ringing the doorbell on weekends during nap time to see “if I need any help around the house.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just a note – do I ooze some sort of scent that screams this crazy mom of 1 toddler and 2 gigantic dogs needs help around the house??? Is it because I don’t get dressed while I go out to feed the dogs??? Well EXCUUUUUUSE me, if I don’t wanna put a shirt on while I bend over to pour food in a dog dish, and you see me, is that my fault?<br />I am sure each neighbor has heard my lame attempt to threaten my dogs, “QUIT BARKING RIGHT NOW OR I WILL SEND YOU TO CHINA! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DO TO DOGS IN CHINA?!?”<br />I have screamed their names at 11pm for them to come back home from across the street.<br />I have seen the faces of terror as neighbors slowly walk to the other side of the street when I am in the front with my dogs. Even I admit the sight of those 2 can be alarming. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">No wonder none of them wave to me. I don’t care. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Being in my backyard this summer with a toddler and 2 naughty dogs was wonderful. It was such a great place for our family to hang out and our son grew so close to his dogs. I just love that relationship. Poor Boris laying there as if he will die any second from the heat while my son lays on him, sings to him, throws golf balls at him or whatever else he can find. Lately it has been plums. Jackson got to take it easy this summer because of his TPLO surgery. Our son was so understanding and would be so sweet to him, even hand feeding him his food when I wasn’t looking saying, “here little buddy, eat the food.” So sweet. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">My son and my dogs are simply the best, and I just love, love, love them and the relationship they have with each other. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">That is why I am still caught off guard when I see people giving away their family dogs on a facebook page I am member of called SheridanUpCycle. I get that sometimes life happens. But wow. Almost every week there are animals on there who are going to be given to strangers simply because one dog doesn’t like the other, or they’re moving. Even if the big man himself told me to get rid of my dogs, I would have to give a big fat NO as an answer. I am being judgmental, I know. I just don’t get it. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I have the same shock after I have told someone about Jackson’s TPLO surgery and they say to me, “I would have just put him down.” Excuse me? This surgery is almost 99% successful and I have proof of that in my dog who is back in full force chasing birds 14 weeks after the procedure and you would have just said, “meh, oh well, kill him.” I get so mad. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">And if you know me at all, you know my stance on animal cruelty. So I won’t even go into that here…yet. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I hope every single person who ever owns a dog or wants to own a dog – any animal for that matter- can give that animal a little respect for all the joy they are capable of bringing to a family. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I don’t care what my neighbors think, and I don’t care if they like me. But I hope they know that this crazy young lady who lives down the road from them loves her animals. She would chase them to the moon and back in her nightgown and slippers. They should be lucky I even have those 2 items on ;-) </span></p>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-25237775602045303312011-09-27T12:15:00.001-06:002011-09-27T12:18:02.420-06:00Is The World Always Going To Be Messed Up?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">A mom’s biggest fear? All together now: outliving our children. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Every once in a while, we get a jolt, a reminder of how precious life is. We get sad for other families, and secretly sigh in relief that our babies are okay. Reflection seems to be strongest at that time. We think of all the great things around us, how blessed we are and how any minute it could all be taken away. Someone sweet will remind us that we have no control anyway and to just be the best you can be and raise your kids the best you can. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Of course I fear the same thing. And just for good measure, true to “doom and gloom Rhonda” - that fear goes deeper. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I fear for my kid’s kids…and then their kids too. This mom person in me can’t handle knowing new babies could be born into a world that might not be what it is today and my own kids will have to see THEIR kids suffer. Knowing my children, as parents, will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">maybe </i>see their own children suffer and really feel that much pain scares me most of all. The world is sketchy already, what is it going to be like in 50 years? A hundred years? I have little faith in it staying the same or getting better. I feel like the world will be a scary place with more bad people in it than good. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Are you already seeing my solution? That’s right, I am forbidding my kids from having children of their own…ever. Should work, right? </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ya, I didn’t think so. So instead I have to “do the best I can” and raise my children to be great people. I know, that is, really all I can do. Teach them everything I know, learn from them everything THEY know and live on this planet every day hoping it will stay the same forever and ever. If we are all living FOR our kids then it WILL get better and their futures will hopefully be free of any suffering. I see bad people every day, through my job and sometimes the scenarios in court are funny, but mostly I get scared. I get scared people like that exist and then I get scared that I am not doing enough to make sure my kids don’t end up with lives like that. Even if I do everything I possibly can, I know, bad things can happen. Even to the best people out there, young and old. I am learning to live for my son, and show him he can pick any opportunity he wants. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Living in that fear that we all have would get in the way of me enjoying everything he is showing me. Living in the extended fear that *I* have would get in the way of him enjoying everything HIS kids are going show him – and I know he is going to love it. Just like I do. </span></p>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-71929150036370454652011-09-10T22:48:00.002-06:002014-09-11T10:25:35.206-06:00September 11, 2001<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> 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<span style="font-size: 130%;">“Nobody would EVER do that!!!” uttered this dumb American to anyone in my vicinity on September 11, 2001 as I was on board a jet flying over the Atlantic Ocean. Greenland to be exact. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I had lived in Switzerland for the past yearish, and was coming home for the first time since leaving. Switzerland was a blast and I met so many great people, one in particular who I married in 2005. It felt weird to leave him, but I think I knew that I would see him again so it didn’t really bother me. I just didn’t know when. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I had a sweet Swiss Air flight where each seat had its own video screen on the back of the seat in front of them to watch what we wanted. It was a packed flight with all different ethnicities. We were flying into what would be early morning in America so just as we were over Greenland the sky was nothing but blue and I had a window seat. The pilot came on the intercom and announced that we were flying over Greenland and you could see the mountain peaks perfectly. Since looking out the window to catch a glimpse of what could potentially be a crash landing sight is not my thing, I stayed seated. But other people were crowding every window they could to get a glimpse. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Then the plane dropped. I mean it DROPPED and my stomach was in my mouth. It started to make a hard turn so much so that I felt I was sideways in my seat. If this were the new anxiety filled, control freak Rhonda, I would have screamed. I felt like screaming then. We straightened out and all of a sudden the little plane icon on my very own screen was pointing back to Europe. ‘Um, what about my other flights, I am gonna miss them.’ That was ALL I was thinking. What a tool I was, and I would have more of those moments as the day unfolds, selfish thoughts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">After feeling like I was going to plummet to my death subsided, I was calm and went back to my book. Pretty sure it was a Harry Potter book. It was hard to pay attention because people were in out of their seats, asking about flights, and wanting answers. All the flight attendants would say was that the air space in the USA was closed and we needed to return. Swiss people don’t like being late, and it is HILARIOUS to watch them pace, look nervous or get angry if their schedule is interrupted, so I was having a ball watching that since the majority of passengers were Swiss. Finally after about 2 hours some cranky lady, (probably me in 20 years) demanded answers. To the people that were still wanting answers standing around, in my space, she said, “We think someone bombed the Pentagon.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Huge eye roll in Rhonda’s seat. And that is where I loudly proclaimed, in my best American voice, those amazing words: "NOBODY WOULD EVER DO THAT!!" and went back to my book. Dummies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I promise you, I am not cold or unsympathetic, but I honestly did not think once that America or its people were hurt after hearing that. It did not cross my mind until I landed. I was worried about more selfish things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">So I sat there doing the math and realized we would land back in Zurich right when every living soul I knew in the area would be in German class. Dreaded German class where it is <i>verboten</i> to have your cell phone on, even just vibrate. Frick. I have no one to call, no way to get a hold of anyone to pick up poor Rhonda from the airport. Those were the kinds of thing crossing my mind. I was worried about me and knew I would have to use lots of money for a taxi because Zurich is crazy expensive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Our plane landed and I took my time. Like really, really took my time. I was the last person to get off, last to get my bags, and last to walk through customs. I had nowhere to go so what was the rush? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">If any of you know Gerard well, you know that he is the most easy-going guy you will meet. More importantly he is the type of guy to put his girlfriend on a plane, drive back home and fall asleep for the day. He balances my neurosis. So the chance of him knowing of the news, or double checking to see if my flight was following its path was slim. I underestimated him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I came through customs and there was Gerard leaning against the huge wall of glass looking worried and looking for me! Weeeee! Looking for me! I don’t know why but right then, right where I stood when I saw him, I knew he loved me and I loved him and I was going to marry that guy. I was in real, honest and true love for the first time in my life. He told me he knew he was going to marry me long before that day ever happened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">He told me that 2 planes crashed into buildings in New York, 1 into the Pentagon and 1 that crashed somewhere else, he didn’t know. I was partially right…it wasn’t technically a bomb. (Those are the words I plan to say to redeem myself to those who heard this overly confident American say the other stupid words I said if I should ever see them again) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">We got to Gerard’s place, flew in the door and watched on TV. The North and South towers had already fallen of course and I don’t remember seeing anything except debris and smoke on the screen. Gerard and I did not speak, we just sat there. I wonder what he thought?? Then around 1:15 am Zurich time the third building fell because of the damage the North and South towers had done to it (7 WTC). That was the only live crisis I saw. Up until then, I thought it was over and it was just rescue mission time. Stupid I know. Friends have told me they saw live footage of the 2nd plane hit, the towers fall and people injured. All I had seen was smoke. Seeing a building fall live, made everything VERY real for me all of a sudden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Not one to sensor what I feel, usually, I will tell you what I felt. I remember thinking over and over again, ‘How could this happen? How could our government let this happen? This is their fault.’ I was so angry. And I felt that way for a few days. I just could not believe something like that would happen in America. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">One week to the day I took the exact flight I had been on before. This time there were 16 of us. This time, the airport was bare in Zurich and guards had weapons held high across their chests. No one was chatty, no one was talking. Everyone walked with their heads down to their gates. This time, it didn’t feel weird to leave Gerard, it felt wrong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I don’t claim to have <i>THE </i>story to tell about 9/11 but in a time of uncertainty for almost every American, I had clarity. And 10 years later, I still have Gerard. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, my default news pages are flooded with 9/11 news stories and pictures. It should be. The photos are so upsetting. People jumping from the buildings, people crying, fire, dust, people posting signs of someone they lost who has not been found, and then the services – where more people are crying. The photos of the planes heading towards the towers before impact haunt me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Everything has changed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">I hope every single person who died or lost someone that day can someday find peace. And I thank every single person who has protected or continues to protect America. </span></div>
Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-72937593519167633722011-09-08T12:41:00.001-06:002011-09-08T12:42:54.670-06:00Alone Time. 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Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">When my husband opens the baby gate to go downstairs, I quickly ask, “where you going?” When he gets up from the sofa to leave the room, I give him a look that pleads, ‘come back soon.’ What is wrong with me? I am a tainted mom, that is what’s wrong with me! </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">My husband works long, hard hours and is gone a lot. That schedule is not so bad now. But I am still a little scarred from this schedule from when our son was a newborn. Anxiety became very real to me then - true anxiety. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">There was once a time where my husband could leave the room and I would not bat an eye. Heck, he could have left town for a week and all would have been fine. Yay, alone time for me and a house that would have stayed clean for a few days! But alone time with a newborn?? That’s some scary business. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I had a vision of holding my baby, watching him sleep and waiting for daddy to get home so he could swoop him up and kiss on him. I also had the vision of never feeling alone again and that it could be a good thing. I had that vision because other lying moms told me motherhood was blissful! </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I remember holding my newborn, seeing the clock said 5pm and bursting into tears. I cried because I knew I still had about 2 ½ more hours to go before husband got home. TWO HOURS! Gah, how was I going to make it? Strong independent Rhonda was no more. I cried, called my mom, cried some more. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">So naturally, it is understandable to be a little anxious when husband wants to leave a room. How dare he do such a thing, right? </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I used to crave alone time, I still do. But the fear of it keeps me away from it. The fear of no help, no support, and honestly, what does alone time even mean? I will never get it again…….ever. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">As moms we go from thinking of one life to thinking of two. As a married mom, we think of three, and so on as we have more kids. We never get to think of just ourselves again…ever. We are never alone again….ever. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">But that’s where our strongness kicks in. How amazing are we?!?! One of our most sacred feelings or craving is taken away from us as soon as we become a mom and we press on - keeping it all together. </span></p>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-90112773227383766852011-09-02T14:04:00.004-06:002011-09-02T16:41:07.957-06:00Tell Me Your Thoughts, Before I Give You Mine<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Most of you know that my child intentionally ripped the legs off a grasshopper this week. As devastated as I was, I am over it. However, almost every single person who read or heard the story from my mouth said something along the lines of, "Boys will be boys." </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I cannot tell you how annoyed I have become with this comment since I have worked in the field I am in now. The entitlement and excuse that flows with this comment raises a lot of concerns in my line of work. And wouldnt you know it..... I have a lot to say about it. </span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Before I do, what do you think. Even if you are not a mom today, what kinds of issues can you see surfacing with this comment? Do you even see any? </span>
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also, I side note:</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you let your 2 1/2 year old watch a DVR'ed Caliou while you are in the shower, check to be sure that when it is over and normal TV resumes, your TV is not on the horror channel or you will come out dripping wet to your child screaming, "OH-NO MOM!" And that is because he or she is probably watching Jaws. Fail #574</span></span>
<br />Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-35533145933119126612011-08-23T10:46:00.001-06:002011-08-23T10:48:08.635-06:00Have you ever heard of feetball?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Obviously, my kid is the smartest kid on the planet. I know this because he is mine. While I have never had any worry about him knowing all his letters or saying all his numbers or kicking a ball or hitting a golf ball, I have worried about our lack of sports on the television. Go figure, I am worried about *not* having the TV on. Gerard watches rugby, I watch gymnastics…if they are on, which is hardly ever. So his exposure to sports is VERY limited. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Last night at a local sports bar, as I was writing numbers 1-20 in crayon for my two year old to name (which he did, whoop, whoop!) he glances up at the sports TV where the Giants were playing the Bears and said, “Feetball mom!” Oh God. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">So I made an instant decision to have more sports on the TV from this day forward. BLECH! But I honestly believe sports are a great thing for children to participate in and watch. But, can they get interested in them even if they are not on the tv, and even if their parents don’t even have favorite teams they care to watch?</span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">So I picked a football team for this year, and my son and I are going to be die-hard Raiders fans! </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">School-schmool! My kid don’t need no learnin’! He is gonna be a ball player….okay, well probably not because I care about his brain not getting damaged, but stilllllll, he is gonna know that football is called FOOTball! </span></p> Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-53275525377385593862011-08-18T10:31:00.001-06:002011-08-18T10:34:51.771-06:00What? 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I sent my son to daycare today with about 4 teeny slivers on the side of his hand. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hey! </span>For starters I did not <span style="font-weight: bold;">know</span> they were there until the last minute. Plus, he was not down, at all, with my trying to dig them out. He isn’t stupid. He knows that hurts. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">What really has me thinking is how did I go all evening, night and morning without knowing my only child had wounds. I have had a sliver before, they are <span style="font-weight: bold;">WOUNDS</span>. Even at bath time when I like to inspect him all over, I did not notice these little meanies. I am a huge control freak and notice everything around me. I can even tell where the dogs laid all day while I am work, how many times my husband may have used the bathroom, ANYTHING. Nothing gets by me. Then this, <span style="font-weight: bold;">THIS</span>! My poor, poor baby. He suffered all evening and night with wounds. (FYI, he is totally fine and didn’t even show me his “owies” as he usually does….but stilllllll.) The old Rhonda, the Rhonda before kids, the Rhonda who was strong and independent and brilliant would NEVER have let that happen ha ha. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Gotta love the everyday failures as a mom. The things that snap me back into reality to remind me that I don’t have it all under control, and things are gonna get by me. Pretty sure the failure tally will increase as the day moves forward. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">At least this evening, strong mama gets to make an appearance (rare occasion) and play Dr. Mom. Hope he still wants to be my friend. </span></p> Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-72635837098631445692011-08-15T10:50:00.002-06:002011-08-15T10:53:25.391-06:00Everyday Joys Can Turn Sour, Trust Me<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I love hitting every green light while taking the main road to my office. Unless, I have just purchased a fat, cold coffee drink with tons of whip cream that I am just dying to get into. There is no safe opportunity to take the lid off, push aside the straw and slurp up the cream until a light turns red. </span></p> <p style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">These are the kinds of simple things that can turn my day sour while all the other moms have "bigger" worries and are running around as though the first day of school is Armageddon and they just have so MUCH to do. I don’t get it. Don’t think I ever will. I think my son will be just fine on his first day of school if we have not made it to the Dr for a check-up or his lunch box and back-pack isn’t new. This is where my title fits me so well and why I put question marks behind “Mom???”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Back to the quirk that made me post: I love hitting green lights, unless……</span></p> <p style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Take a minute from your crazy Monday, yes even if you do have so MUCH to do, and fill in the blanks:
<br />I love _________________________.
<br />Unless, ________________________.</span></p> Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-65307557484224874952011-08-13T09:18:00.001-06:002011-08-13T09:23:53.792-06:00Let's Get Real<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am going to try to contain the billions of opinions I have and introduce them to you in small doses. Hard! This is my second post and if you are coming back for more, then I at least owe it to you to stay on topic. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">As I wrote before, this blog was 2 years in the making. Makes sense because my son was born a little over 2 years ago. He is who changed me. He is who made me a better person. So why, after 2 years am I doing this? I am just so fed up with dishonest moms. You know, the moms who profess they have perfect lives, with perfect husbands, perfect kids, and perfect homes. Now I am not saying one can’t <i style="">believe</i> their lives are such, but come on! We, as women and as mothers need to start being real. That is what I want - to be real with each of you and never fake. I have so many examples of this scenario, but one really sticks out in my head. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">My son was around 6 weeks old, screaming his head off in Wal-Mart. Pretty normal Saturday morning unless I had already dumped him off at grandma’s house so I could shop in peace. GASP! Yes moms, that IS allowed. After whizzing through the grocery section, this mama decided to extend the torture even more and head to the home section. I was on a mission to find a pillow to help me sleep, (uhhh you dummy Rhonda, sleep does not exist when you have a 6 week old). I crossed a major aisle and almost ran into a gal I knew who was ready to pop. I was polite, said, “hi,” and then asked when the due date was. All required mom talk. I don’t remember the date she said, I only remember telling her this:
<br /></span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“It’s not too late Heidi! There are options - you can give that baby away if you want. Trust me…this (waving my arms all around me, my cart and my screaming child) sucks and you will hate it!”
<br /></span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Blink, blink, blink. “Okaaaay. Well, see you later Rhonda.” she said as she inched away from me.
<br />Poor Heidi, I am so sorry. But that is just how I felt. After being asked myself a million times when I was due, telling moms the date and then being told what a wonderful life I will have, I felt it was my new duty to tell moms the truth. After that encounter, where I always wondered if she thought I was a total nutter, I just changed my tactics a little. I didn’t think it was my place anymore to tell moms-to-be they can give their child up for adoption. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">You see my point. I hope that moms can start being real. It is perfectly okay to be lost in the blissful life of motherhood, but wouldn’t you have benefited a little more if moms were honest with you. Remember, it is also perfectly okay to struggle and share that struggle with other moms. They have been where you are or were, even if they don't say it yet. </span></p> <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >And for the record, motherhood does not suck as I screamed to Heidi. Not even a little bit. But it is damn hard. We can all agree on that. </span>Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534033211758004004.post-8922897754132920302011-08-12T12:47:00.004-06:002011-08-12T12:56:08.523-06:00What should I do today? 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">“You should start a blog.” I hear that a lot. I toyed with the idea for over 2 years. I think I might have even tried to start one once, but that quickly faded. Then I started to really wonder why people said that to me. Am I crazy? Do they want even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">more</i> material from my obscene mouth to point fun at? Is it because Snookie is becoming so tiring that they need someone else in their life who is lame so they feel better about themselves? Then I decided not to be so hard on my friends and think maybe, just maybe, they think I have something to say. So I asked my husband. “You just say things that everyone thinks, but is afraid to say.” He quickly noted that I don’t always say what I need to say with class, but at least I say it. Awwww, my darling husband, because of him, my life will now be consumed with this blog. I DO have things to say. I honestly doubt you will find what I have to say interesting, or helpful, but I don’t care. </span></p> <p style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">In an effort to progress from having an idea to actually formulating a result, I knew it would be important to name my blog. That was work, I almost gave up. If you know anything about me at all, you know that I have zero motivation. Hitting a road block such as trying to come up with a name is usually enough to make me quit. You would be so lucky. </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I know I want this blog to be about 2 things, okay, at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">least </i>2 things: me and how I cope being a mom. Growing up I always knew that I would be STRONG, INDEPENDENT, and a MOM. The first two came easy, until I became a mom. Everything I thought I knew, everything I thought I could be or wanted to be changed. I was not instantly the mom I thought I would be. What? How did that happen? </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">In 2009, this new, weak, needy, bitchy and helpless version of me appeared, (okay, I was always bitchy, but now it is maximized) and I want to tell you about it. Everyone has heard the phrase “strong, independent woman” or “strong, independent mom.” I know maybe a handful of women who meet that phrase. I vow to get there one day. </span></p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I am certain there are other blogs out there just like mine. Do you know how I know that? Because I have a strong feeling that other women are in my same shoes - wondering where their real life went and wondering how being a mom changed them so dramatically. Even so, read mine. </span></p> Rhondahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03294658342453112473noreply@blogger.com0