What I Know

I am currently obsessed and in love with 30 Seconds to Mars!  For those of you music illiterates, 30 Seconds to Mars is a band whose lead singer is Jared Leto.  For those of you that do not know who Jared Leto is, well you should just go ahead and fall off a very steep cliff somewhere NOW!  I was so in love with Jared Leto when he was Jordan on "My So-Called Life" but now he's a rock star?!  Hell to the yes!!  Anyway I thought "Oh I'm sure the music sucks" because let's face it most celebrity turned musican suck big time (Hello Bruce Willis, Keanu Reeves, Kevin Costner, Paris Hilton).  I heard a 30 Second to Mars song a few months back and was very pleasantly surprised!  They are totally bad-ass!!  I have now downloaded several of their songs on my ipod (might I suggest "Closer to The Edge" or "Hurricane feat. Kanye West").  What impressed me even more and made me move Jared Leto to the #2 rank of my "People it is ok to cheat on my husband with if the opportunity ever presents itself" list is that the videos are very meaningful (feel free to check them out on YouTube).  The band writes and directs their own videos(which is unheard of in the music business) and they talk about conservation, war, poverty, etc.  Yep, I am obsessed and in love! 

Ok so now you might be wondering who all is on my cheat list so here it is:
People it is ok to cheat on my husband with if the opportunity ever presents itself:
#1 Eddie Vedder

#2 Jared Leto (up from #5 last month)

#3 Shemar Moore

#3 Johnny Depp

#4 David Beckham

#5 Leonardo Dicaprio

#6 LL Cool J

I love the movie "Wall.E"!  Wall.E is so cute but I love the message is sends:  If we do not change our ways, our planet is going to be in trouble.  I am a big recycling advocate.  I was so excited when Shreveport started curb side recycling and I can not for the life of me understand why people do not recycle.  It is free and better for the planet.  I have always been interested in conservation.  Growing up I wanted a compost, I still want one but my husband is against the idea.  I say to him "Do you want Anna to be Wall.E one day?!" to try to motivate him to recycle more.  I have a seperate recycling bin at home and try to make it as easy as possible for him to recycle.  I will take plastic bottles and soda cans home to recycle since there is not recycling where I work.  I feel guilty if I throw something away that can be recycled.  I feel that it is everyone's responsibility to take care of our planet which is the reason I want a Prius or a hybrid vs. my gas gurgling, high emission SUV.  There are several studies that indicate global warming is a HUGE issue.  The ice caps are melting at record speeds and although most people are not concerned about this, they should be.  We are using up natural resources and decreasing our amount of usable fresh water.  We have been experiencing record temperatures in recent years due to global warming: Louisiana had snow 2 years in a row!!  I also hate all of the gas and oil drilling in Louisiana.  Yes, some people are making money but I do not think the benefits outweigh the risks.  The roads are horrible, trees are being chopped down, water is being polluted, and gas has leaked.    After the gas wells leave, the land is left in such horrible condition.  It makes me sad when I see this because I think of the future consequences of treating our planet like this!  Act now and don't wait until it is too late!  Recycle, reuse and reduce!






I went to a workshop yesterday about child abuse for continuing education.  This workshop really was not that great due to the speaker but the thing that I did get out of it was how vigilant I need to be to protect my child.  1 in 4 girls are sexually abused by the age of 18.  As a child, I was 1 of the 1 in 4 girls.  I see little girls on a regular basis in my job who are also a 1 in 4 girl.  My heart goes out to them because I know what they are going through.  Being a survivor of childhood abuse is not something I talk about but if I can help one person protect their own child then it is worth it.  When I think of how a lot of my friends and I have girls it scares the crap out of me.  Let me say this, I would kill anyone who dare hurt my child!  I am from the country and I watch CSI people!! 


I feel like it is my job as Anna's mother to protect her and these are the ways we can all protect our children:  teach child correct terms for their genitals, teach child that they are in control of their body and it is not ok for ANYONE to touch them in their private places, teach child that they can tell you anytime anyone does something to hurt them or that makes them feel uncomfortable, never leave your child alone with someone(other than parent/caregiver), do not let your child spend the night at a friend's house until you meet the parents and anyone else who stays in the house, keep computer in family area and put parental locks on computer and TV, know where your child is at all times,  teach your child that strangers look like everyone else and they are to never go with anyone without your permission, and probably most important TRUST YOUR GUT: if someone gives you a funny feeling, there is a reason why!


I may be an overprotective parent to my child but it is my responsibility to keep her safe. 

Currently

So what's been going on lately?  Hmm. . .well for starters I am still boycotting Facebook for Lent.  What have I learned from this?  I really don't miss FB that much except that I feel out of the loop.  My husband is not the greatest on letting me know things that are of use so since I have been boycotting FB I have no clue what is going on in the lives of friends.  For instance, I did not even know someone was pregnant when I found out they gave birth!  Thanks for the 411 Dave!  Geez!

Anna continues on in her journey of "the terrible twos".  Studies say that it starts around 18 months and I would definitely have to agree.  Anna's favorite word is "NO!" lately and she can throw a fit like a true drama queen (unfortunately she rightfully inherited that from me).  She is sassy and has no problem speaking her mind.  I am glad in a way though because like her mommy she won't put up with any b.s.  She is starting to speak a lot and trying to form sentances.  Her favorite saying is "Let's go!" (she rightfully inherited that from her daddy).  Anna is best described as this wild little force of nature.  She is just so darn cute!! 

Dave & I just returned from an awesome trip to LA.  We had a lot of fun but was exhausted when we got home.  We got to go to a Lakers game, Disneyland, Universal Studios, & Beverly Hills.  I got to know Dave's childhood friends better which was my favorite thing because it allowed me to get to know Dave better.  I have come to the realization that my hubby was (and still is) a complete and utter spoiled brat :)  In all seriousness it was amazing for me to hear his friends talk about him and could tell that they hold him in high esteem and for me that just reinforces what I already knew about Dave:  he is a genuine, sweet, caring person.  To be able to see Dave through people who have known him most of his life just makes me love him even more. 

I loved LA but gee did the food suck (with the exception of In-N-Out Burger)!  :)  It is like they don't believe in seasoning!  I guess my Southern taste buds just don't like bland.  I wanted to ask for some Tony's or hot sauce!  People are not as polite and drive crazy which is actually ok for me!  I get tired of always having to smile, say hello and act like I care how someone's day is!  I think I would have less road rage in LA vs. here.  People drive like they have somewhere to be vs. driving Miss Daisy! 

I have been having problems with my tummy (abdominal pain, nausea) and even though I have been diagnosed with Gastritis, meds are not working.  I went in yesterday for an upper GI scope and my doctor said "I think it might be reflux".  Seriously??!!  I do not have any heartburn or indigestion but reflux???  I'm like "Um ok whatever!".  Basically he should have said "Well, I just don't know!".  So I am going to try another med and see if that helps but I am highly doubtful.  How reflux cause abdominal pain beats me but I will give the meds a try! 

My brother is flying home Easter weekend which I am really happy about.  I still have the habit of seeing my brother as the 16y/o that I had to look out for and worry about.  I feel bad because I feel like he got robbed when I went off to college.  He was left to fend for himself with our crazy, crackhead of a father.  I feel guilty for leaving him but I know I did what I had to do.  This is what amazes me about people who bitch and moan about the most insignificant things.  I want to tell them to seriously just F*** off!  So many people have lived such a blessed life and I am jealous of that.  I am blessed now but had to fight all my life for what I have now.  My brother and sister are still fighting.  My sister is a single mom trying to raise a son by herself and do the best she can while trying to make ends meet.  My brother is trying to work as hard as he can and provide for 2 children that he barely gets to see because of work.  We had to live through an abusive childhood with a drug addict.  Even though I am a social worker I have a very hard time sympathizing when someone is complaining about something insignificant.  I want to say "I'm sorry but I've just had bigger problems in my life".  All I wanted when I was a little girl was a happy family and God has truly blessed me beyond what I ever imagined.  I thank him everyday for a wonderful husband, a beautiful healthy child and a good life.  Simply just be thankful for the blessings in your life and don't sweat the small stuff.  Some people just like stirring up drama and I would just like for them to get a life. 

Wow I got off on a tangent!  Anyway. . .I am off this summer (Can I get a "Woo Hoo"?)!!  I am trying to see if I want to get a part-time job for this summer of just volunteer.  I am totally not the type that can just sit at home everyday.  Anna has to be in daycare part-time so we do not lose our spot so I need something for the days she goes to daycare.  I am looking at volunteering at Providence House.  It is such a wonderful organization that really empowers women and families.

I am going to my bff from college, Stacey's wedding this summer.  I am so happy for her but I would be lying if I said it was going to be easy.  Her husband Corey died in an accident 5 years ago.  Corey, Stacey and I were all good friends and roommates in college.  I was maid of honor at their wedding.  I tear up still thinking about Corey and miss him a lot.  Even though he and I use to butt heads constantly, I loved him dearly.  I know as hard as this will be for me it will be a hundred times harder for Stacey.  I remember the first Christmas after Corey died his family put a tree up on his tomb.  Stacey and I went to put ornaments on his tomb and when we stepped outside the bottom fell out and we got drenched.  We laughed and laughed when we got back in the car because then all of a sudden it stopped raining.  We smiled and said "Thanks Corey".  It was like somewhere he knew that it was going to be hard for us to go to his tomb and place ornaments so he made it rain and made us laugh.  Hopefully it won't rain on Stacey's wedding day but if it does I know Corey is up there trying to make us laugh.

Ooopsy Daisy!

I wish I was perfect because geez that would make life soooo much easier.  Unfortunately, like all of God's creations I am not perfect.  I make mistakes just like everyone else.  With mistakes comes forgiveness.  As I have gotten older I find that I am more forgiving than when I was younger.  I always ask myself "Is this the hill I want to die on?".  It is amazing how that simple question brings clarity to what is important and what isn't. 

My philosophy is life is too short to hold grudges and this is why I confront conflict.  I don't like being mad at someone and would rather talk and try to work it out than hold a grudge.  My father was an abusive drug addict and alcoholic.  I held on to so much anger that I had towards him for so long until I realized that the only person I was hurting was myself.  I forgave him and let go.  It wasn't the hill I wanted to die on. 

I am conducting a social skills group with some of the girls at the school I work for.  This week I taught them about the golden rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you), showing respect and apologizing.  It is funny how something so simple that can be taught to elementary students still escapes even the oldest of adults.  Adults that treat others with such little respect and do not apologize when they have made a mistake.  This again is where forgiveness comes in.  Sometimes you just have to be the bigger person and forgive and let go.  After all forgiveness is for you, not them.