California and Parades.

I spent Thanksgiving with my husband, my children (of course), my mom and dad, and my grandma and grandpa. Once in a while, my brother takes a break from hunting and shows up, but this often scares us, because he is dressed from head to toe in camo, and we don't know he is there, until he says something (which, by the way we love it when we  finally realize he is there). Jess had to go to work on Thanksgiving Day, so we celebrated the holiday on Wednesday so Jesse could eat with us.

Jesse had to fly to Los Angeles. Yesterday, I talked to him on the phone while he was driving in LA. He hates driving in LA, because I guess the laws regarding driving offences are really strict. When Jesse was home this last time, he received a letter from California's Law Enforcement, and within the letter was a picture of a person running a red light, and a bill for 400 dollars. In the picture was a woman running a red light. I guess it was Jesse's co-pilot driving the rental car they shared. Jesse is in a pickle, I think.

Owen might be the cutest person on the planet. He has such a sweet persona. Last night, I was having a little snack and he pulled chair up right next to me. It was getting late, so I told him he had only five minutes left until bedtime. He then asked me "Mom, will you play hockey with me, please, please mom?" And his voice is so sweet. When he talks his voice is high pitched and as he continues to talk, his voice get higher and higher. I politely declined the hockey request, and then through clinched teeth, he continued to ask (yell) "PLEASE!" and when I said no, he hit me on my arm--3 times. Since, he was mad at me, he climbed off the bar stool, and in anger, he sat down and preceded to take off (one by one), his imaginary hockey clothing and pads.

I have been pretty good about keeping my cool lately, meaning I have been patient. Last night, we went to a parade. I hate parades. I do. I'm sorry, but I have never like parades. Especially,when it is eleven degrees outside. However, as a parent, it is my duty to take my kids to a parade and not complain. I just hate candy being thrown at my face, I hate the traffic and the WAITING for the parade to start. We watched the parade from my car and my dad was with me and the kids. I think I only banged my head against the window four times. It was a cute parade, I guess.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did.

Stop. Hammer Time

When it comes to our personal relationships, I think we as humans get careless. I think this is especially true with today's social networking sites. We stop calling our favorite people and soon our calls turn into texts, and then those texts quit coming, and  soon, the only form of socializing we do is through social networking sites. Although, I credit social networking sites with putting me back in touch with people I had lost contact with previously, I also feel that it limits or discredits the friendships and relationships I have. I think social networking sites causes havoc (okay, havoc might be a little dramatic), but I do think these sites have the potential to (I don't know I can't think of a good word, so I will use the word shrink) "shrink" relationships. There is no tone to our communication. It makes saying important things like Congratulations or Happy Birthday easy or convenient, but it somewhere along the line, looses or disengages personal connections. People can use these sites to be passive aggressive, which at times makes me giggle. You know when people are using a social networking site to aggravate, slam, or reprimand another person. The posts will say something like "People should really keep their mouths shut when they are talking about my mother, because this is a small town, and what you say gets around!" or "Why do I even bother? No one cares anyways!" or "If you want to start with me, you will regret it, karma will slap you silly, you snot rocket!" or "Left out again, I guess I will eat a ham sandwich and watch Survivor, alone, again." or "Interesting what I just heard!" I guess people get their feelings hurt or they get angry, and instead of going to the human source, they hide behind their computers and let it rip. Like, take that! It's sometimes entertaining, sad, or irritating. However, we still need to work at our relationships with those we hold dear. I don't want to read a post on a social networking site and wonder, "Shit, is he or she talking about me? What did I do?" The other day Jesse posted "Stop..." on my timeline on Facebook. I thought he was mad at me, I thought, what in the hell does..."Stop..." mean? I thought of a million things I could have done, did I spend too much money? Was I cranky on the phone? I should know that my husband would never be passive aggressive on a social networking site, specifically when interacting to me, but I couldn't help but wonder. It wasn't until later I realized he was being silly, as he was flying MC. Hammer that day and he was just being funny. You know?, "Stop...Hammer Time!" He just forgot to add "Hammer Time!"

No Cell Phone for You!

In middle school, through, I don't know my early twenties, I went through this awful stage in which I needed everyone one to like me, I wanted everyone to love me. If someone didn't like me, whether I knew it as a fact or I suspected it, I would loose sleep over it, I would obsess over it. I KNOW I would not have survived being so young in today's society. I wouldn't have made it, I was not strong enough. I don't know for sure if the rate of suicide has dramatically increased since the early 90's/2000's. I haven't done enough research to be certain. I do know that it seems to be more recently, that I've heard/read about many young people taking their lives. I'm aware that the parents of these children (children who took their lives) have blamed the use of technology, a form of bullying that did not exist when I was growing up (Thank God). Keyton is nine, and he keeps asking for a cell phone. I am not a fan of Keyton getting one, to be honest it scares me. It's funny, because as I am typing this, I can hear Jesse and Keyton talking about how much it cost's to have a cellphone (they are sitting 10 feet away from me). I know that it's extremely important to talk to my children about what they will endure in the years to come. I strongly feel that it's important to prepare them for whatever cruelness awaits. I want them to have thick skin, but to be sensitive to others. I don't want them to follow the norm when the norm is to be cruel. I want my children to grow up with their own thoughts and dreams, and not to be discouraged by others. I want my children to be excepting and view humans as equals. I don't want my children to waist one second of their precious lives worried about what other's think about them. I pray that I prepare them enough to be the best they can be, to be compassionate, and strong.

Yesterday, someone asked me why I was so weird, and then today, I was asked why I was so weird again, by two different people in less than 24 hours! I still take some things personally, but I don't obsess over it (I know a few people would not agree with this statement). I'm goofy, I like to run not walk, I trip often, and I use a keyboard when it is missing a space bar (which by the way I got a sweet new one). Whether you like me or not, I am pretty sure I love you.