Intolerant Is in the Eye of the Beholder

I am so sick of the news. I rarely watch anymore. I do have my TV on GMA in the mornings, but that is more of a timer. I'm usually on the internet or my phone. I should be doing so many other things, but what fun is that? I know the hot button issue right now is the Supreme Court getting ready to rule on gay marriage. I have an opinion, I just choose not to share that. Instead, let's talk about rights versus privileges.

It is my right to be able to live a happy life. Our founding fathers said so. It is also my right to bear arms and voice my opinion. It is my right to vote. It is my right to bitch about the election and people that aren't informed before they cast their vote. Our founding fathers said so. What we tend to forget is that if it isn't in the Constitution, it's a privilege.

Driving is a privilege. Nowhere in the Constiution does it state that I have a right to drive a car. That could be because there were no cars back then. I bet if you would have given Ben Franklin another few years, he would have come up with something. Technology has advanced while that priceless piece of paper has remained the same. Having a cell phone is a privilege. Again, technology advances while the founding fathers are not even dust anymore. And that will happen. Technology advances every day, but it provides us with privileges, not rights.

I am intolerant, bigoted, opinionated, loud mouthed and brash. I can be grating and belligerent. I don't look for conflict, but if you get in my face, I will jump back at you. Lord mercy, don't talk about my kids or hubby or I will bury you so deep they will never find you. I am also one of the sweetest, nicest people that you will ever know. I will go to the ends of the earth for my family and friends. I love to laugh and make other people laugh. My opinion is mine. Don't try to change my mind unless you come with facts, not opinions. I don't do mamby-pamby or wishy washy. I have little to no patience for whiners. I would rather spank my children than take stuff away or put them in time out. And guess what? Some of that is my right. Some is my privilege. Some is my honor, but that's a different topic.

Political correctness is destroying this country. The big, bad world is big and bad, hence the label. To tell the truth, I think it started when we started using the phrase "African American". Ok, if you aren't from Africa, you aren't African American. You're...wait for it...American. Now everybody classifies themselves as something other than good ol' American. I don't call myself Polynesian American. If hubby were to call himself Caucasian American, people would freak. Being politically correct is a privilege, not a right. And it's stupid. Can we call a spade a spade? Trash is trash whether it's white trash or niggers. See, again with the classifications. Why? Someone might get offended. Fuck that.

I think my biggest gripe is that if I don't agree with main stream media, or those that are pushing an agenda, I am intolerant. If I say anything against gay marriage, I am intolerant of gay people. If I say I am for it, I get vilified by the other side. I am intolerant of idiots and stupid people. There are both of those on each side of the argument. If I disagree with the president, I'm racist. Honey, I didn't agree with George W. either. Know what that makes me? Intolerant of red necks. Wait, what? I married a red neck, so take that back. I don't agree with the POTUS because he's an idiot. It has nothing to do with the color of his skin. We have black people that have openly said in interviews that they voted for him because he's black. Isn't that racist? Yes, yes it is. But not if we're being politically correct. I would rather offend.

My friend ALT at High Strung Musings wrote a great blog about being cream. It was about rising to the top like cream instead of sinking to the bottom like coffee grounds. I'm coffee grounds. I have no filter. Don't ask the question if you don't want the answer. But don't expect me to sugar coat it. Don't ask me to be politically correct. Well, you can ask, but it won't happen. I am not cream. I don't like being cream. I think people need to be offended. I think people need to be rattled to make them think. That is one thing that is sorely lacking in our society. Free thinking has become a crime where before it was celebrated. Having money and being creative have become reasons to be spurned. Who's intolerant now, bitches? Stop and think. Use that brain that God gave you. It's amazing! ANd wait 'til you see the world in technicolor!

Bringing It Up

I've been taking notes again. Every time I say "I'll remember that when I get home", I don't. Here's what I've got.

• I have noticed an influx of side ponytails. Why? I'm wondering why we thought they were cute. At our weekend confirmation retreat, there were many, many teen and tween girls wearing the infamous hairstyle. To tell the truth, though, I would rather see the side ponytail than the ugly, sloppy bun that a lot of girls are wearing. The sloppy bun says you don't give a crap what you look like. The side ponytail says at least you made an effort.
• 80's fashion is back. I can remember my mom saying something about 60's fashion coming back in style during the 80's. I guess it runs in cycles. My big girl will look at something and ooh and aah. I tell her the 80's called and they want their fashion back. Some of it should have died then. Some of it really isn't that bad. Just, please no ginormo shoulder pads. Yeah, I rocked 'em. But that was then and this is my era of better fashion sense. I even had the jumpsuit in bright, conflicting patterns that was form fitting, but had the huge collar and shoulder pads. Some styles need to stay dead.
• I am losing my boobs. At first, it was kinda cool. I actually went up a cup size. It has to do with the distance of your boobs from your chest, or something like that. I get it. I bought new bras. Now I'm falling out of them. I don't mean spilling over the top like I've been known to do. I mean slipping out underneath. That means the band is too big. That sucks. Now, it's more new bras. Bras are expensive. I hate trying on bras. But maybe now I won't be limited to minimizers and full coverage. I could actually get an add a cup size bra. Please, don't make me have to get a padded bra. That would really send me into a huge depressive mood. Like, for years.
• While we're talking about bras, can we talk about underwear? For a while, I had an issue keeping my undies up. I lost weight, they were too big. And we're back to that. I cannot keep them up. Again. I have even tried making sure the top is under my belt when I put it on. That helps not at all. I've been telling my friends I may just stop wearing undies at all. I don't dare wear a skirt. The only thing keeping my undies on my body most of the time is the fact that my pants have a crotch in them. Without that piece of material, they would hit the floor. And I would step out of them and keep walking like I don't know who in the world just lost their panties at the mall. Or Disney. Or wherever. Can you imagine? Losing you undies, not me without them. Well, if that floats your boat, that's ok, too. Just please imagine me without stretch marks, please and thank you.
• Hubby had the day off yesterday so we went to Disney. Duh. He was wearing his Longhorns t-shirt. A very nice employee asked if we were from Texas. Hubby said no, but I said I was. The very nice man said I was a good woman and hubby should hang on to me. I said I've been telling him that for 18 years. He was a very nice man.
• That conversation started the whole seceeding conversation and moving when it did. Hubby said he wasn't sure he wanted to live in Texas because the limestone under the state made it prone to sink holes. I said a huge sink hole could open under the whole state and it wouldn't matter. He asked why. I said because...Oklahoma sucks hard. Hahahahaha!! I know, old joke, but it had me giggling for the rest of the day. I'm even smiling now! I love a good state rivalry.

All right. That's all you get for now. I have to get ready for school. Oh, yeah, and a puppy. That's on hubby. And that's a story for another time.     

Overwhelmed and Underpaid

So much going on and I'm taking time to blog. How did it get to be Thursday already? I know. Tick tock, baby, as hubby would say. That tick tock needs to slow the hell down. Here's what I got.

• I am teaching the confirmation class at our church again this year. We haven't had one in 4 years. I taught the last one, too. I think hubby and I may be done with "church" as it pertains to going to a building every Sunday. It is not my faith in God that isn't strong, but my faith in people. People are stupid and they piss me off. Not a way to sit in church and praise God. There is always talk about the youth being more present in the church and the church loves seeing the young people. Guess when the celebration of confirmands is happening. Palm Sunday, which is phenomenal, but at our 6 pm service. Which is attended by the band that plays. Not church members, not the general public. There won't be anyone from the church there to see the kids take their oaths. So what's the point? To generate more publicity for the service. Don't use these kids for that. Try advertising. I wrote an email. I had hubby proof read it so it didn't come off too bitchy. If it were up to me, it would be bitchy all the way. Hubby said something about tact, whatever that is. We'll see how that goes.  
• My desk is a mess. It gets that way, which isn't the problem. It's the stuff in the piles that NEEDS to get done. The boy has had his iPod on my desk since Christmas waiting for me to call Apple. He forgot his passcode. I finally called. The fix would have worked if his power button worked. Our new debit cards came in. I haven't activated them in the two weeks since they've been here. I finally got that done. There's a couple more things I need to do as well. I told hubby he needs to help me. I see that huge stack of paper and I freak. It's just easier to not do it than start at the top. Some of it just needs to be filed. Some of it needs to be shredded. It just needs to take care of itself, dammit. The teacher's guide to the big girl's Geometry needs to get on the phone and call for a return authorization. Some pages are falling out of it and it's brand new. I might con hubby into calling.
• I have been clipping coupons for Easter goodies. I do this every year. The Easter Bunny that comes to our house has taken to putting together baskets that are unique to each child. He told me this year he wants to put one together for the big girl that has makeup stuff and nail polish in it. For the boy, he wants to do a Pokemon/Nintendo DS theme. The baby will be fairies or Barbie. He is so cool that way. I'm clipping the coupons to help him get good stuff relatively cheaply. He's a good bunny. I wish he would leave me a basket...
• I am digging Rand Paul. Filibuster all the way, a la Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. If you haven't seen that movie, you are missing a classic. Pop some corn, grab a drink, and snuggle on the couch or in bed and start watching. I admire people that stand up for what they believe in, depite adversity. 13 hours! And thank you to those who helped him get it done. I hope people are more aware of why he did it (opposing a man who would use drones on American citizens, guilty or not). I am a Ron Paul gal. I was a little leary of Rand when he was first elected, but I am liking him more and more. Apples not falling far from the tree and all that.  
• Dinner almost wasn't last night. I am having the hardest time. I just do not want to cook some nights. Hubby cooked 3 times last week. Poor guy, he thinks that's alot. Our schedule went a little wonky last week so lucky hubby. I would go out every night if it didn't cost us an arm and a leg and wasn't so horrible for you. I say that, but I would get tired of other's people cooking after about a week. They just can't make it like mama can make it. The night before we had a lovely dinner of baked chicken breasts, roasted sweet potatoes and golden beets, and black eyed peas. Those peas were super yummy. Last night we ended up with BBQ meatballs, steamed broccoli, and brown rice with amaranth. It was so good there wasn't anything left.
• There's another thing that's on my list: amaranth. I was given about a pound as well as puffed amaranth. I have no idea what to do with either. I added a little amaranth to the brown rice just for giggles. It's small like quinoa, so I'm not sure I'll be able to eat it alone. The puffed amaranth is bigger (and puffier!) so that may not be so bad. It's just one more thing.
• I also get to plot the next 3 years of school for the big girl so I can make sure she's on track. I attended a Finish Well conference and I feel like I'm already behind. I hate that feeling. Already we may be looking at a second computer or lap top for 2 classes she'll be taking next year. Yea! Looking at all the components of her language arts, the rest of her curriculum, and her online classes, we're looking at 8 different things for her for next year. Good thing she has her own planner. Poor girl.

That's about as good as it gets right now. I am trying to focus on those things that did get done as opposed to the rest I still have to do. And naps. Naps help.

Lessons Learned...Well, Until the Next Time

Sorry it's been so long. I am not myself. That makes it hard to write. That and I lack motivation. Just some stuff rambling around my head for your perusal.

• I am having little mini anxiety attacks. If we make plans to go somewhere and hubby ends up not going, it's all I can do to get myself out the door. If I can back out of it, I will. I have gone to making plans with people so I have to force myself to go. Or if it's a paid event, all the better. Then I've paid for it and don't want to waste the money. It doesn't help that I am fighting a depressive episode with all that I have. Hubby has been watching Surviving the Cut on Netflix. It's about what sodliers have to go through to join elite forces in the military. You know, like SEALS, Pararescue (which is what hubby wanted to do), that kind of thing. They go through some tough stuff. Their bodies function on automatic just to make it through. They got nothing on me. Hanging on by a thread...
• You would think after teaching Roman numerals to 2 of my kids, I would remember them. Not so, my friends. I am on child number 3 and at this point I am thankful that I don't have to teach another one what I and V and C mean. Crazy, isn't it? Sometimes, I have to think about the end of movies or shows that have the date in Roman numerals and think about what year it was made and all kinds of stupid stuff to help me remember. I'm just glad that Egyptian numbers didn't take off. Those are pictures. Yeah, give me dots like the ones on dominos any day. I can count those!
•  You would think people would know by now that leggings are NOT pants. Good grief! Saw a girl at Disney one day whose pants were stretched so tight you could see the pretty pink flowers on her black panties. And trust me, it was not because I was looking! Workout pants should be worn by people that work out. And since I'm giving unsolicited and bitchy fashion advice, can we talk about flip flops? They are not appropriate shoes for everything. We spent some time at Downtown Disney and watched people heading for the clubs. Such pretty dresses. And then flip flops. Big. Sigh.
• There has been talk from the POTUS and his minions (I wish they were the cute kind from Despicable Me) that we need to come together as a country and forget racial lines. He's lying, by the way. He is the biggest divisor. My point is that the University of Michigan was teaching a class about how wrong it is to be white. White people apparently have all the advantages in this country. Yeah? Talk to my white, male hubby. He has been denied so many things. Want to know why? Yup, he's white and male. Can't we all just get along?
• I am FINALLY getting over my dermatitis. It has been hell. The scratching is enough to make me want to cut off my hands. I haven't been able to shave since Christmas. I did once and paid the price. Dermatitis doesn't like to be shaved apparently. Shaving made it worse. I didn't think that could happen, but it did. You would think I would have enjoyed the reprieve. Not so when I can braid my leg hair. I finally shaved again yesterday. Just very lightly. Lightly enough to have stubble about 5 minutes after I was done. So much better! I have one more week of cream. Hopefully this crap will go away and leave me alone.
• I downloaded some CD's into iTunes. The big girl asked me about a Bon Jovi song. I had no Bon Jovi. Then I realized I didn't have some other things as well. How can I have no Prince? That's just wrong. And Heart! And Van Halen! What?!?!?! I bought an iTunes gift card the other day. I do not buy music without one. I would max out our already maxed out credit cards. Not doing that! I downloaded Macklemore's Thrift Shop. Love that frickin' song! The beat is crazy cool.
• I went shopping all by myself yesterday. There just wasn't much out there that I was in love with. I found 2 shirts and a pair of shorts. I was wishing Big Sis was with me. That would have been much better. On a bright note, I got my ass in an 8 comfortably (it zipped and fit!) and my boobs in a medium. Not sure how that happened. That's a lie. My boobs are shrinking the more weight I lose and it sucks! I love my boobs.

On that note, I think I'm gonna kick hubby off the TV so I can dance. Dancing always makes me happy. Peace out!

Dis and Dat

I'm back to making lists. Who am I kidding? I have to or it didn't happen. Calendars are my friend. Most of our stuff goes on my phone calendar since I always have it with me. Then they get transferred to paper when I get home. I even add it to the lesson plan book so I know how to plan for each day. Big sigh.

• For the last couple of months, if hubby hasn't been working on a Saturday, he's been hunting. Lazy Saturday mornings are one of my most favoritest things, but I haven't had very many. Even with hubby gone, we've had one activity or another it seems. When I do have a lazy morning, I like to watch Soul Train. That is one of my very favoritest shows. It's all the reruns from a bygone era. I get to hear great music. I get to see so many artists that have gone on to make great music or some we never heard from again. I get to see classic performances. And I get to dance like a fiend in my bedroom! Then I get to collapse in my bed with a cup of coffee when it's all over. This past Saturday it was Elton John before he was Sir Elton and Morris Day and the Nights. I never knew that Philadelphia Freedom was the name of the tennis club where Billy Jean King played. The things you learn from watching Saturday morning TV. It was a lovely morning!
• I almost had a break down at the park the other day. I was talking to friends and the subject of crying came up. I told them that I had cried in front of my kids, but not the deep sobs of mourning. I said the words "When my mom was dying..." I knew she was and there was nothing I could do about it. Not one thing. All those feelings came back and almost swamped me. It was all I could not to just explode into blubbering. I just had to keep talking or I was losing it.  
• We got our taxes done. Yea for refunds! Now we wait for the IRS to start processing returns. We have gotten to the point we don't even itemize anymore. Our deductions aren't enough to matter. When we would take our taxes to people it would cost us an arm and a leg. They don't give you prices up front. $250 later and all for forms that said you didn't qualify. Forget that. I've already been looking at curriculum. Duh.
• It has come to my attention that I am spoiled. Again, duh. I love being spoiled. To quote Big Sis "I didn't spoil me." I could claim it wasn't my fault, but I let it happen. I didn't kick, or scream, or throw a fit. And I'm ok with that. 
• Hubby and I took time for date night last night. We went to dinner and a movie. It sounds cliche, I know, but we had the best time. We got to spend time with each other having real conversations, and not always about the kids. I sat and watched a couple next to us. The guy was watching the basketball game and never took his eyes off the game. The gal was talking, talking, talking. Really? A little courtesy would be great. Hubby said the couple behind us sat playing on their phones the whole time. Why? I just think that's sad. I don't understand it. I'm spending time with my favorite person and I don't want to ignore him. We got to hold hands and rest our hands on each others legs under the table and kiss and stare into each other's eyes. Ok, not so much the eye thing, but normally there is so much going on at our table we don't get to just be. At home, he sits at one end of the table and I sit at the other. That makes it sound like our table is 20 ft long, doesn't it? It's not. I don't understand the need to be distracted. Aren't we distracted enough? Crazy I tell you.

That's about it for now. I think I'm gonna go spend some time with my man. No more distractions.

Scrambled

My mind, not eggs. Although, I did overcook 6 eggs the other day. That's bullet point number 1, so more on that in a minute. I've been trying to be a good girl and keep a list, but that's been hit or miss. We're going all over the place today. Ready?

• I usually try to keep 18 eggs for us. Once we fill a carton, I set it aside and let it sit in the fridge for at least a week. Boiled eggs are one of those things we can take with us that are easy to make, easy to take, easy to eat. They have to sit at least a week, preferably closer to 2, before I can boil them, though. If the egg is too fresh, the white sticks to the shell when you peel it and you're stuck with just yolk. I don't mind that, I'm weird. Well, I have some to boil, so I did. And burned them. What the hell? How do you burn boiled eggs? You leave the pan on high and forget about it. Then, apparently, the eggs will explode when all the water boils out and they get too hot. Thankfully it wasn't an all over my kitchen explosion, more of a busting out of it's shell kind of thing. That was enough. It would have been ok, but I had also turned the toaster oven on to warm up before I put a sweet potato in. I didn't put the potato in, but the toaster oven just warmed it's little heart out. That'll teach me to do history and science with my kids. From now on, they're on their own! Not really, but it was kind of humiliating for me, the kitchen diva. Just goes to show, you should set your kitchen timer to get your attention. Maybe that would work.
• Moisturizing jeans? Really, Wrangler? I know that denim can be a little dehydrating to your legs. What I want to know is what kind of moisturizer is being used? The chemicals can kill you. Think of all the dye, the processing and now moisturizer? I think no, but way to be inventive.
• I made deodorant last night. I'm not sure it will be antiperspirant as well, but we'll see. I have a crystal deodorant I've ben using, but really those are hit and miss. We have one day of dance where we are at the studio for 4 1/2 hours. While I am not dancing that day, (well kind of, but I'll talk about that later), the waiting room gets very crowded, with standing room only being the norm. Many times I've made my kids sit on the floor to open some chairs. You get a room full of women laughing about stuff and watching Mr. Matt dance and the temp goes up. I can usually smell myself after hour 2. I don't want to do that. I have 2 friends that swear by it, so I'm going to try it. And there aren't any chemicals. It's cornstarch, baking soda, and coconut oil. Add essential oil for fragrance if you want. I'll let you know how it works.
• I went to the dermatologist. I have contact dermatitis. How the hell did I get that? You know it's bad when I lift my pant leg to show the doctor and she recoils and says "Ewww!!" Thanks. I needed to know I was gross. Don't try to cash that check. She wrote me a prescription for a cream. It has helped tremendously! I still itch. I'm still sore from the scratching. But it is clearing up, thank God! My legs and elbows are still bad, bad, bad, but not BAD, BAD, BAD. I have a feeling when all this is over, I'll be buff puffing to get rid of the scab scars. That sucks. I think it was all the junk I was eating during the holidays. Nothing else has changed. I think all the junk changed my bodies pH, and voila! But somebody has to eat the Unjunked candy. Why can't it be me? Because sugar no like me...
• I am ready for a new tattoo. I am unhappy with the way the color has faded on mine. I am unhappy with the way the writing has faded. I want to cover it with flowers and have it recolored. On my other arm I want my kids' Hawaiian names with maybe some flowers. We'll see.
• I have put some really unflattering things about our POTUS on the social site. I have a couple of friends that actually like him and voted for him. Why, I don't know, but I didn't say all my friends were well informed. It gets kind of awkward when I see them after I post. It won't stop me. If you want to have an intelligent debate, we can. All I ask is that you bring facts to back up your assertions, not just feelings. I have some feelings, too. He's an idiot. That's how I feel.
• I want a dog. I don't know why, but I do. So there. I don't want huge like a great dane or tiny like a yorkie. I want something in between. And I will walk, it, and feed it, and name it George. Probably not George.

That's it for now. Who knew I had it in me? I did!

I'm Back, For a Minute Anyway

The start to this one is political. I tell you that so you can back out now. Just sayin'.

• I think it is awful that the President is willing to sign an executive order that is illegal. This is to take away a very important right granted to us by the founders of our country. The right to bear and keep arms was given to us to keep this country's government from taking over every aspect of our lives and making this a monarchy. Make yourselves aware of what is going on before you jump my shit. Even if you like him, do the research yourselves. Look up the Constitution, read it, and know what it says before you say anything. I gave you the chance to bail.
• I have a weird rash. Like all over my body. It itches like mad! It started small, as two spots on my shoulders. Next thing you know, it is everywhere. My legs, hips, butt, and back are taking the brunt of it. I have scratched until my hands ache. Thank goodness I have a doctor's appointment in the morning. I've tried to treat it nutritionally, but, really, until I know what it is, I can't treat it. I've been throwing things to the wall and seeing what sticks. So far, nothing but Neosporin and a big ass bandaid have kept me from shredding my left leg.
• I got a Ninja for Christmas and I love it! We make chunkies, which are really thick smoothies. I even made sorbet in it. We went last weekend and picked strawberries. We picked 30 pounds! I thought we only had 20! We froze at least half of them and have been steady eating the rest. The sorbet was strawberries, milk, and honey. So stinking good. It has handled every thing we've managed to throw at it. It came with 2 pitchers, but they're like my two PC bar pans. They are always dirty. Drives me nuts. I have to make sure that each time I run the dishwasher, I have at least one of them in there.
• The season of suckass is over. You can't tell that from the huge pile of Christmas stuff in my kitchen. The tubs are outside, but so far the stuff hasn't made it there. I wish it would sprout legs and pack itself away. That would save me a huge chunk of time. We had a quiet Christmas, which is what I have come to like. For the first time since I don't know when, we skipped the Christmas Eve service. I just did not feel like I could make it through. I would have been a huge slobbery, snotty mess and I was not up for that. I also didn't want to put my family through it. Or anyone else for that matter. I had a slight panic attack, so we just stayed home. We ate dinner and opened presents and watched movies and waited for Santa to come. And I needed that. And my zebra robe. I love my zebra robe.
• Every Christmas since we've had iPods, we all get an iTunes gift card. I am the one that will blow through all the money and nobody else gets anything. I told everyone not to bring me their card unless they had a list. I get whatever's left over, so make it good. I got a couple of new apps, the kids got some new apps, and even hubby got one. I also got music. Sweet, glorious music. I'm listening to Winger's Seventeen right now. I am a child of the '80s and I will forever love my hair bands. I also got some Jason Mraz, Bruno Mars, Rhianna, Run-DMC, and Pitbull. Oh, Pitbull. I had a friend translate part of a song for me. I only speak enough Spanish to get me in to trouble, but not out of it. I read it better than I understand it spoken. He is a bad, bad boy. I also got Chris Wallace's Push Rewind. The big girl and I are really liking that right now.  
• I have actually had time to read and cross stitch. What the hell is that? I finally finished the picture stitching for a piece I started back in 2005. Yeah, I know. Whatever. Now I'm working on the backsticthing. I have really enjoyed it. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. We watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy before we went to see The Hobbit. Yes, I know those were after The Hobbit, but we did it anyway. I had lots of time to stitch then. I have to keep my hands busy or I tend to start to clean and wander off. Or fall asleep. Then we had long mornings of no school or anything else, so I read my brains out. I finally finished the Septimus Heap book, Magyk. I'm requesting the next one. I got a nice stack of books before we took our Christmas break. I also won a $25 gift certificate for Harlequin, so I ordered some books. Those came in about a week before Christmas.

Alright, that's all I've got for now. Felt pretty good.